Dear Friends, May is a month of transition, with changing seasons of weather — sweaters and snow shovels are replaced by shorts and lawnmowers. (This being Colorado, we may still experience one last gasp of winter!) May also brings changing seasons of life, as students finish school and families begin new rhythms. One constant I’m grateful for here at First Pres, in the midst of changing seasons, is the care so many of our members give to one another. It’s always a privilege to raise up the different ways you extend Christ’s love to each other: Our “Meet Your Deacon” Sundays on April 26 and May 3 provide an opportunity to do just that, if you haven’t already. Each of our Deacons is assigned a “flock” of families and individuals to connect with during the year. While many of you are already in community here at First Pres, this is our best way as a church to ensure that each member receives at least one point of contact each quarter. If you’ve not yet met your Deacon, I hope these Sundays will be helpful. Our Pastoral Care Teams provide a personal touch in two ways: one team calls those who’ve been hospitalized, to make sure the transition home has been smooth; the second team visits those who may have the potential to feel overlooked by the church. Both groups are currently looking for new team members; I invite you to call Caring Ministries (884-6145) if interested in joining them in these expressions of love. Our Stephen Ministers provide one-on-one relationships of support and encouragement on a weekly basis, for those experiencing difficult or transitional seasons of life. These people have had 50 hours of training in addition to continuing education—and they spend this time because of their love for others. This team will have a new training class in the fall, and would love to talk more with any who are interested; again, you can call the number and office above for more information. If space allowed, I’d love to also raise up the many lives touched by faithful members who pray over the requests shared on worship prayer cards each week, minister to cancer patients and their families, lead support groups, are members of our counseling coalition and lead workshops. Since there’s a bit more to highlight, I’ll simply say “Thank you” and “Wow!” In this month’s issue we give you a preview of summer for our youth, including a great collaboration between Serving Springs and VBS (page 4) and a listing of all our summer camps (page 6). Finally, in keeping with our year-long focus on Living God’s Purpose, Cori Wroten shares a beautiful story of faith and family (page 8).
Blessings,
John
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may 2015 contents Growing in Faith Together . . . . . . . 4 Matt Fox Summer Camp Preview . . . . . . . . . 6 God's Way or My Way? . . . . . . . . . . 8 Cori Wroten
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Celebrate Our Youth! . . . . . . . . . 11
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Contributing Writers: Matt Fox, Cori Wroten Contributing Editors: Matthew Fox, Alison Murray Graphic Design: Beryl Glass Proofreading Team: Mary Bauman, Deb Berwick, Christine Dellacroce, Betty Haney, Daisy Jackson, Marty Kelley, Karen Kunstle, Linda Pung, Chris Sebby All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, © 2011 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. First Pres Magazine May 2015, Volume Seven, © First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, CO. Published by First Presbyterian Church, a non-profit organization. To contact First Pres Magazine: 719-884-6144 or 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1392 or magazine@first-pres.org. Printed in the U.S.A.
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his summer, as it was last year, Vacation Bible School will be a fusion of learning, fun, service and sticky faith concepts. VBS, which takes place July 6 to July 10, will again combine the traditional programming for kids and the Serving Springs week for middle school students. Prior to last summer, the First Pres VBS experience was a daytime event taking place throughout the city. The idea of “God’s Big Back Yard” was that it took the Gospel out to neighborhoods throughout Colorado Springs, meeting people where they are. But as the Children’s Ministry team prepared for VBS last summer, they saw an opportunity to change things up and engage people in a new way. “Our idea was that if we did VBS in the evening it might meet the needs of families who can’t participate in a daytime program,” said Kathy Dobyns, Children’s Ministries Associate. So during the summer of 2014, VBS transitioned from a multi-site neighborhood experience to an evening program centrally located at First Pres. But that wasn’t the only change. Due to a scheduling conflict, a unique fusion of ministry was born. The week VBS was scheduled coincided with the week Serving Springs was scheduled. Serving Springs is a week-long experience for students in fifth through eighth grade that puts the focus on serving the needs of those in our own community. It’s a vision of ministry that was born from conversations with high school students on mission trips throughout the country. Many were amazed at the needs in the communities where they traveled to serve without realizing similar opportunities exist in Colorado Springs. “One of our underlying goals is that kids learn to see the needs in our community,” said Collin Grant, Youth Ministry Associate. “I think for most kids their idea of need is often something outside their community. Part of why we started Serving Springs is so that kids will see the needs in our own community and build some relationships in places where they 4 | www.first-pres.org 5/15
By Matt Fox
can serve before being sent around our country or the world to serve.” Instead of reshuffling events, the children’s and youth departments decided to fuse the two events. It was an experience that gave a new spin on VBS, provided a new service opportunity to middle school students and beautifully illustrated the intergenerational and sticky faith principles that are core to First Pres. “Specifically last year, since the focus was on ‘Year of the City,’ we really wanted that to be a part of VBS as well so our younger kids could learn what it means to share Jesus’ love to our city,” Dobyns said. “A lot of VBS programs in our city are attractional, and we really want ours to be relational. It’s not about entertaining kids so much as it’s about equipping our kids to be disciples.” Relational ministry is what Serving Springs is all about. Over the years First Pres has developed deep connections with organizations in the community — Family Life Services, Broadmoor Court Assisted Living and Zach’s Place. Each summer, middle school students spend a week staying in the Weber Street Center, serving the community through these organizations each day. The fusion of that ministry with VBS presented another service opportunity as well as a chance for middle schoolers to share these rich ministry experiences with the next generation. “It gave the younger kids the opportunity to see older kids serving the community, and it gave our older kids a chance to do some relational ministry with others in this church,” Grant said. In turn, those in the VBS program — which is open to kids age four through fourth grade — got to make craft projects that were distributed during Serving Springs and had their eyes opened to new experiences. The combining of the programs created a great opportunity to get First Pres kids invested in future ministry. VBS runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 6 to July 10. The cost is $10 per person. For more information, call Children’s Ministries at 884-6126 or visit www.first-pres.org/summer. Matt Fox is manager of Communications for First Pres. 5/15 | www.first-pres.org | 5
and live out their faith so they can experience the full life that Jesus offers them.
Upward Bound Overnight Camp Sunday, May 31 to Friday, June 5 Cost: $400 per camper Upward Bound, held at Camp Elim, is an overnight camp for those in third to sixth grade. It’s an incredible experience where campers can learn new skills, meet new friends, grow in their faith and spend time with positive and caring role models. Camp highlights include skits, campfires, archery, swimming, crafts, games, Bible study, zipline, good food and more.
Summit Overnight Camp Sunday, June 7 to Friday, June 12 Cost: $400 per camper Summit overnight camp, held at Camp Elim, is for kids in third through eighth grades. It provides community for campers where they are accepted and supported so they can concentrate on an incredible week of fun, friends and faith. The goal of the camp is to encourage and equip campers to make good choices 6 | www.first-pres.org 5/15
Upbeat Camp Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Cost: $110 per camper Upbeat camp, for those in third through eighth grades, is for kids who love to sing, dance and act. Campers get an introductory experience working with costumes, scenery and staging, while focusing most of their efforts on choreography, singing and acting. The camp culminates with a performance on Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The show will be followed by a potluck dessert for campers, their families and friends.
Handbell Camp Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10, 9 a.m. to noon; Cost: $20 per camper (includes daily snack) Handbell Camp is for students in third through 12th grade. The participants will
As the days get warmer and longer, we get closer to the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. This summer, First Pres has a jam-packed schedule that offers a variety of options for children and youth. Check out this summer’s offerings. be divided into groups according to ability. Activities include bell ringing techniques and concert preparation. Snacks are provided. The camp is directed by Jan Weiser and Susan Hedgpeth. The camp culminates in a concert on Friday, July 10 at 11:15 a.m.
Orff Camp Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10, 9 a.m. to noon; Cost: $20 per camper (includes daily snack) Orff Camp is for students in fourth to eighth grades. Students will have the opportunity to learn to play ORFF instruments, drums and small hand-held percussion instruments. Music reading and piano skills are a plus; however, beginners will receive instruction in music reading. The camp culminates with a concert on Friday, July 10 at 11:30 a.m.
Fine Arts Workshop Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Cost: $85 per camper (includes supplies and daily snack) The Fine Arts Workshop is open to students 12 and older. In its sixth year,
this faith-based Fine Arts Workshop is offered to 15 participants who are in middle school and high school and are interested in advancing their skills in drawing and painting. There will be a unique opportunity for artistic expression of music culminating with the student’s art exhibited in conjunction with the String Camp concert on the evening of July 17 at 7 p.m. Instructors will be professional, award-winning artists from our community.
String Camp Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Cost: $85 per camper (includes daily snack; campers asked to bring their own lunch) This camp is for intermediate and advanced instrumentalists, middle school through college-age. This orchestra is all about sacred and classical musical performance to the glory of God. The camp combines the musical talents of more than 100 string players. Camp staff offers expert instrumental instruction, orchestra experience and performance opportunities. Throughout the week the group breaks into different size groups to perform solos, duets or quartets. The camp culminates with two performances. The first is Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at First Pres. The second performance is Sunday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at Village Seven Presbyterian Church. 5/15 | www.first-pres.org | 7
God’s Way or
My Way? By Cori Wroten
This year, as we explore what it means to Live God’s Purpose in our lives, we’ll hear stories and examples of people throughout our Congregation, city and world doing the same. We hope these stories will inspire you to open yourself to how God is calling you in your own walk. If you have a story to share, let us know at www.first-pres.org/stories. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” —James 1:27
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n this verse, God makes a clear request to His children. It is an easy verse to read and never actually do anything. He doesn’t really need me to help? Does He?
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I like my life my way — organized, controlled, and planned. I’ve always loved children and been able to see God’s beauty through their eyes. In March 2013, I already had three children perfectly spaced 23 months apart, so it made sense that I was pregnant with my fourth child who would also match this age separation. God speaks to me in vivid dreams, so when one comes my way, I rarely ignore it.
At eight-weeks pregnant I had a dream of a Chinese girl telling me I was to adopt a little girl from China. I still remember looking into her persistent, sad eyes and telling her that I wasn’t able to do that. When I awoke the next day, I felt guilt that I had essentially abandoned her request, but I was too busy with my own perfect plan! Later that same day, I was faced with the reality of my first miscarriage. The dream became more real to me, yet I was struck with the pain of losing a baby, so I ignored it. I sang the Rutter Requiem with Big Blue that same week and it truly brought closure to my hurting heart.
By May 2013, I thought about it a lot, but did not let the dream sink in; that it was a calling from God to fulfill His purpose. I began watching documentaries about the more than one million known orphans in China, mostly girls. I began to feel empty in my heart when I’d look at pictures of our three children. Someone was missing. I felt a very strong nudging from above and all the pieces began to make sense. The dream became a reality and I began to research International Adoption. my husband, Matt, and I applied to an agency, checked the box for China, and we were accepted. Our family had officially begun our journey to Adalyn Ruth! We knew God was
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Pictured are the Wroten children, including the newest addition Adalyn (second from right), dressed and ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in March. already preparing her heart, along with ours, to be a forever family. International Adoption is not for the impatient person. You want to rescue your child immediately from the orphanage. The piles of paperwork and amount of red tape between two governments is overwhelming. Then there is the cost. How would we pay for the huge adoption fee? A leap of faith. Our first agency fee was $1,500. We barely had that in our savings account. We paid it and, admittedly, held our breath. Two weeks later, we got a check from an old title company for $1,500. Stories like this happened repeatedly over the course of our entire process. God’s hands were working through everyone around us — I just had to listen, trust and wait. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14) There was a medical checklist we had to fill out indicating all the “special needs” we would accept in a child. This was a very difficult process because I felt like I was picking and choosing who I’d love. Enter in a reminder from God, once again, that I am not in control. One condition stood out from the beginning: Albinism. I wrote it down to research it a bit more. I asked Matt about it and our first discussion ended with a simple, selfish agreement: “We can’t adopt a blond 10 | www.first-pres.org 5/15
Chinese girl who is sensitive to the sun! We’re an outdoorsy family!” That was the end of that and we tucked it away. About 10 months later, after searching through hundreds of agency photos, I felt that familiar nudge again. Albinism was stuck in my mind. I knew I needed to simply open up my heart. Within two days of letting go of my selfish hold, I found a picture online that I instantly knew was our sweet Adalyn Ruth. She was assigned to a different adoption agency and we had to wait a week while they decided if she would be matched with us. Her assigned agency name was “Hannah.” At choir practice that same week, the Scripture reading was about the story of Hannah. It was as if God was whispering, “See. Just wait on me and it will all be okay. She is the one I will entrust to you.” The next day, we were told the agency matched her with us and China would even transfer her file to our adoption agency — a very rare occurrence. In January of 2015, we traveled to China to meet our little girl for the first time and bring her into our family. And only in God’s timing, after working on our hearts, did He allow us to find her. A perfect match only He could design. And all it took was a bit of trusting in God’s Purpose for our lives. Cori Wroten is a member of First Pres.
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