May '16

Dear First Pres Family, What a year 2016 has been already. In the first quarter of the year we recognized the vibrant work God has been doing through First Pres at our Annual Meeting and celebrated the most important day on the church calendar, Easter. And in between, we came to the end of a journey we’ve been on for two years as we welcomed and affirmed the work of the Pastor Nominating Committee in bringing Rev. Dr. Tim McConnell to First Pres as our new Lead Pastor.

In April we began our transition period as Tim joined us in worship on April 10 and April 17. We are so excited about the beginning of this new chapter in the life and ministry of First Pres. In the weeks and months ahead, we hope you’ll join us in offering an enthusiastic and warm welcome to Tim, his wife Abigail and children, Ellie, Jack, Peter and Liam. You also have a chance to hear more about Tim’s call to ministry, and his heart for First Pres, with a Q & A on page 4.

Our time of transition continues this month, as Tim will again join us in worship on May 8 and May 15. Then, his call will transfer from Eastminster Presbyterian, where he currently serves, to First Pres on June 1. Tim and his family will move in late June and fully settle in Colorado Springs by July.

We will officially install Tim as the new Lead Pastor of First Pres during a special service on Friday, June 10, at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary. That time of worship and celebration will be followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall. We hope all of you will mark your calendars for June 10 and make plans to join us for that special service of worship.

As we journey together into this next chapter, we remain faithful to God’s call on this congregation — to Prepare All Generations to Impact Lives for Christ.

Along with our Senior Leadership Team, Pastors and Staff, please join us in welcoming Tim and his family into our family.

In Christ, Your First Pres Session Mike Albright Heather Bauman Linda Boyles Howard Brooks Keith Bryant Charles Dokmo Sam Edwards Craig Engelage Nancy Erickson Kate Fugate Bill Hodson

Leah Landolfi Tonya Lark Kim Lee Jim Martin Curtis Olson Melissa Owen Ruth Tepley Quinlan Gary Shugart Stan Stevens Steve Williams

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may 2016 contents Preparing for God's Call . . . . . . . . . 4 An Interview with Tim McConnell Class of 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Senior Reflections Serving Together . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Lindy Keffer Serving Our City . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 An Interview with Michael Royal Summer Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Contributing Writers: Lindy Keffer, Emma Barnhart, Nate Bennett, Brooke Martin, Sam Buck, Sarah Johnson 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 2016, Volume Eight, © First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, CO. Published by First Presbyterian Church, a non-profit organization.

To contact First Pres Magazine: 719-884-6175 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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n February 28 First Pres began the next phase in its history as Rev. Dr. Tim McConnell was overwhelmingly selected as the next Lead Pastor.

As part of the transition process Tim kicked off the Together series on April 10 and April 17, and will be with us in worship again May 8 and May 15 as the series comes to a close.

To get to know Tim and his heart for ministry better, First Pres Magazine sat down with him to ask about how God prepared him for his call and how understanding our unique spiritual gifts prepares us all for the call God has placed in our lives.

First Pres Magazine: When did you first hear God’s call to ministry?

Tim McConnell: My heart for ministry grew over time, beginning with Young Life camp where I first came to Christ.

From that time, I knew I wanted to be someone who led others to know the Lord and His love and grace, but I was allergic to the idea of ordained ministry.

That came much later. I served as a Young Life leader and volunteer, and I went to as many camps and events as possible, but I thought being an ordained pastor was too strange.

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An Interview with Tim McConnell Training for the Army Reserve after college, the Lord used being an Army Chaplain as a model for ordained ministry. It expanded my mind and my view of what being a pastor could be all about.

At the time I read a biography of Oswald Chambers, Abandoned to God by David McCasland, and that book was pivotal in God calling me to ordained ministry. I was amazed to find David here at First Pres!

FPM: How do you think God prepared you for this call to ministry?

TM: I grew up in a loving family that went through some hard times. From an early age I was aware of other people’s feelings and struggles, and I had a desire to help. By the time I left college I knew my life’s goal was to promote the love and knowledge of God as widely as I possibly could. There were so many friendships, experiences and people who poured into my life and helped shape me to this point.

prepare FPM: In our Together series we’re focusing on Spiritual Gifts, and how God has gifted us all uniquely to form the Body of Christ, the church. How does understanding our unique gifts prepare us all to fulfill the role God has given us to play in His plan for the world?

FPM: How has your experience prepared you for the call to First Pres?

TM: I recognized early on that I had some gifts for teaching Scripture, encouraging others to follow the teachings of Scripture and even preaching.

But these gifts were latent and they had to be developed. That’s true for all our gifts. We understand God has given some kind of gift He wants us to use. But that doesn’t mean we sit back and wait for Him to use it. We train and learn how best to use that gift.

Once I knew I was to be someone who preached the Word of God and promoted the love and knowledge of God as widely as possible, I bent my energies toward training for that purpose.

I listened to as many sermons as I could and read as many books as I could. I wanted to absorb as much as I could from Christian leaders in all seasons and periods of history. Ultimately that led me to many years of post-graduate education, all training to use my gifts for the church.

TM: One of the most important things is to remember Christ is the head of the church. If we don’t have confidence that the Holy Spirit is granting, distributing and arranging these gifts within each of us with His purposes in mind, then we will fall into a comparison, envy or jealously, that causes the Body to cease to function.

But if the Spirit of God is distributing these gifts, sees the whole church at once and wants it healthy and growing, then each of us will begin to see how the Spirit wants us to build up the church.

My job in the body is up front a lot, so people think it’s more important. But the truth is my job in the body is just one of many healthy functions. If others fail to use their gifts to help build up the body, then I won’t be able to use my gifts. As it says in 1 Corinthians 12:11, “the Spirit distributes them to each one just as He determines.” Every one of us has a gift given to us by the Spirit for the common good to give glory to God. If any one of us withholds that gift, buries that treasure or hides that light, then we will all suffer. Then none of us will be able to exercise our gifts fully.

Rev. Dr. Tim McConnell will be officially installed as Lead Pastor during a special service on Friday, June 10 at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

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SENIOR REFLECTIONS This month high school seniors throughout Colorado Springs will be graduating and preparing for the next chapter in their story. We asked a few graduating seniors from First Pres to reflect on how being a part of the life and ministry of this church has shaped their faith.

believe that First Pres has helped me to realize what Preparing All Generations to Impact Lives For Christ really means.

Freshman year I started singing in Big Blue, which is made up of around 130-plus older and middle-aged members of the congregation. I have always loved being around older folks, my grandparents and their friends. But after being in Big Blue, my respect for the older folks of our generation has gone up substantially. I feel that God has shown me another form of living out your faith. For years I thought that living your faith meant going on every mission trip available and doing a lot of physical labor, and that’s all great, but after being in the choir I realized something. No one can stay young forever, and eventually we all get to an age where we have to find different ways of serving God to compromise for our growing physical

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all generations limitations. I have discovered that spreading God’s love can be done in invisible ways that not everyone will see, but God will, and that is what really counts. Knowing that changes my view of what serving God and living out my faith is all about, and First Pres and Big Blue have played a big role in showing me that.

Emma Barnhart Douglas County High School

hen I depart for college next year, there will be two First Presshaped holes left in my heart.

More accurately, the first hole will be donut hole-shaped, because of course I will miss the most excellent donuts that are generously bestowed upon the Weber Street Center every week by some unsung angel. The second hole will be harder to fill. In my short time on Earth, the First Pres community has been one of the most pivotal reasons for the person I am today. My church is an incredible collection of people with so much insight, wisdom and love, and it is to these people that saying

goodbye will be the hardest. From winter camps to coffee talks, First Pres is the reason for some of the most authentic and challenging conversations I’ve ever had — ones that have marked real changes in my life and worldview. But even more significantly, the people I’ve met inspire me every day to seek out the truth for myself and love others as I have been loved. It is with the images of these people — and their reflections of Jesus — that I find myself ready to explore the world. If I can find some donuts I’ll be just fine.

Nate Bennett Air Academy High School

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irst Pres has remained a huge constant and influence for a majority of my 18 years of living; I have been challenged and have grown in my faith exponentially in many ways. With First Pres, I have been

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involved in choirs, musicals and mission trips. I have served in work crew for middle school winter camp, joined my own winter camps, countless trips to Water World, three Crud Wars and so many more life-changing events. Whether serving mashed potatoes to seventh graders, or having mashed potatoes thrown at me at crud wars, I am infinitely grateful for every opportunity First Pres has welcomed me and others into as a chance to experience the beauty of life and grow in Christ together. I have met lifelong friends at First Pres, and continue to make new ones.

First Pres welcomed me with open arms when I was just a second grader, and I am so grateful to say that this church has given me a family that will last. They have shown me how to love, how to grow in my faith, how to live out my faith and how to uplift and serve others – and it is my lifelong wish to guide others with all that I’ve learned. My 200 word limit has inevitably been surpassed, for even a 1,000 word limit would not allow enough room to wholly express my gratitude to this beloved church.

An immense thank you to First Pres and everyone who has been an influence in my life — you are loved and such a blessing.

Brooke Martin Cheyenne Mountain High School irst Pres has been a place where I truly grew up. Before meeting Christ, I had been growing taller, but my emotional health was dwindling. As a freshman with a depressed outlook on life, I couldn’t find anything that was truly worth living for. Over the summer, I participated in Serving Springs.

That’s when I felt love and compassion around me from the people I was serving and the friends I was serving with. First Pres literally saved my life. I have been coming to First Pres since we moved to Colorado Springs

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during my first grade year. This church is the first place that I feel like I have made an impact on people’s lives. I feel accepted and loved by my friends, kids and adults, and I feel an overwhelming sense of belonging. I have completely changed my attitude on life and my interactions with people at school and work are much more joyful than they were before Christ entered my life. First Pres is a place of love, acceptance and peace.

Being in the church family and feeling loved for who I am makes me smile and helps me get through the toughest days.

Sam Buck Cheyenne Mountain High School

s a younger girl, my family didn’t go to church. My mother grew up in a family that felt closest to God when they sat on their back patio overlooking the California mountainscape from the house they built, especially when the clouds looked like He watercolored them with His own paintbrushes. My father just never particularly connected until he hit rock bottom and turned to God to beg His forgiveness and help. When he first told me that everything was okay and the last few years weren’t even a blemish on his heavenly permanent record, I couldn’t stomach it. For the longest time I thought I was angry. I was angry at my father for thinking that everything could be so easy to change, even though I didn’t have a dad to sit around the Christmas tree with. But most of all, I thought I was angry at God; angry that He didn’t see how much pain I was in and angry that He took my dad’s word above mine.

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And for years, whenever one of my friends concocted some horrible mixture of the words, “Hey, come to church with me,” I panicked. I clammed up, shook and suddenly got nauseous. Then I was dragged, practically kicking and screaming, to First Pres. On that first day at High School Ministry, just standing inside of the building and realizing I wasn’t going to burst into flames, my heart stopped for a few seconds. I hadn’t been angry, I’d been scared. I was scared that I wasn’t good enough because I couldn’t understand how God could forgive so easily and I couldn’t. I was scared that I was this dark, vacant hole, because how could I be good enough in His eyes? And in that moment, my heart catching back up to me with how much abundant, sincere love was around me, I felt my soul tingle a little bit.

I’ll never be able to describe exactly what it is about First Pres that warmed my soul and welcomed me in, to introduce me to an everlasting relationship with God. Truthfully, it’s beyond words. I can cry during sermons and not be judged. I can ask questions about faith and get real, meaningful answers. I feel free to just let God and I be close when I’m here. Most especially though, First Pres has shown me a Father that I can lean on and love, filled that empty part of my soul and demonstrated how to grow our relationship. That’s something infinity spectacular to a lonely girl like me.

Sarah Johnson Palmer High School

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Impact Lives

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By Lindy Keffer

lifelong birth defect is not what defines Judy Bullock. In fact, Judy would say that cerebral palsy has served to fortify her will, soften her heart toward others and draw her closer to her Savior. In short, it has been the soil out of which the Lord has produced good fruit — fruit that has already impacted many lives.

In April, Judy began a one-year term of service as a First Pres deacon, offering herself in a new way to her church family.

Judy will serve as part of a two-person deacon team, a unique arrangement in First Pres deacon history.

A Woman of Prayer The gifts Judy brings to the members in her “flock” took root decades ago. In her early teen years, a spiritual mentor encouraged her by suggesting that God had

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endowed her with a considerable capacity for prayer. That idea altered the way Judy viewed herself.

“It changed me in the sense that I didn’t feel I had to physically equal the bar [of healthy people],” she said. “I could spend my hours and minutes with the Lord, and nobody around me knew.”

Judy remembers days when she would literally pray herself through each halting step.

“It was a very intimate thing in my relationship with God,” she said. “Prayer is not a physical activity. You don’t have to be on your feet. It’s something you can do constantly, which is what God calls us to do.”

Judy’s ability to lean into prayer is something Barbara VerSteeg quickly recognized when she began serving as Judy’s deacon three years ago. The two quickly found common ground, as ministering to Judy

erving Together reminded Barbara in many ways of caring for her late husband, Jim, who had suffered from multiple sclerosis.

A Wonderful Friendship “My relationship with Judy has developed into a wonderful friendship,” Barbara said.

“Judy shares a lot of the qualities my husband did. He never let his MS define him. Judy is very goal-oriented. She wants all the details lined up. That really draws me to her — she is not disabled in spirit in any way.”

When Judy was nominated to serve as a deacon herself, Barbara gladly offered a creative solution for covering the deacon responsibilities that require more mobility.

The two will serve the people of First Pres together, with Barbara driving to the visits and Judy providing an extra covering of prayer, whether attending on the visits or praying from her home.

In addition to Judy’s prayer ministry, Barbara appreciates Judy’s ability to serve as an advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves. This, too, is a gift born out of her life with cerebral palsy. From late childhood, Judy felt God’s call to care for others with special needs. All her life, she has watched God move mountains to give her opportunities to do so, along with the confidence and boldness she needed to effectively minister despite her own disability.

Judy’s career included several assignments caring for the disabled and disenfranchised — from medically fragile children, to mentally disabled adults seeking independent living, to Dale House teens transitioning from the juvenile detention system back to society — and Judy brings all of those experiences into her role as a deacon.

A Beautiful Example As Pastor for Caring Ministries, Rev. Dr. John Goodale sees this new deacon team as an example of the vibrant way God is at work in our church.

“I think it’s a beautiful story,” John said.

“It’s a microcosm of the congregation caring for itself—two deacons doing together what one deacon usually does, because someone had a willing heart, and someone else came alongside and said, ‘Let me be the body.’ It’s a beautiful example of relationship and caring, and that’s who we want to be as a church.”

Lindy Keffer is the Manager of Ministry Giving at First Pres.

First Pres Deacons are elected and ordained officers of the church called to ministries of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ.

Nearly 150 deacons care for the people of First Pres by making quarterly contact with the covenant partners under their care, visiting those in the hospital and rehab, delivering communion to the homes of those unable to attend worship services, and hosting receptions after memorial services, among many other acts of care. Please welcome and respond to your deacon when he or she contacts you.

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Serving Our City

At First Pres we’re committed to Preparing All Generations to Impact Lives for Christ. It is that commitment to doing all we do For Christ that lies at the heart of the vision for the church, and for members of the church in the city.

Many in our church work passionately to honor the call Christ has put on their lives. Each month we’re going to feature someone who is working For Christ in Colorado Springs, sharing a bit of their heart and vision for our city.

Michael Royal, Executive Director of Family Promise/ Interfaith Hospitality Network First Pres Magazine: How has God called you to your position?

Michael Royal: I’ve worked in the nonprofit world for many years and was with Compassion in marketing communications before coming to Family Promise/IHN. I enjoyed my work at Compassion, and sponsoring children in poverty has shown me how transformative investment in young lives can be. In coming to IHN, I realized that God was going to challenge me to have my heart broken for families and children living in our city without homes or support systems. I knew it was going to be hands on, and it was going to hurt at times. I knew that Jesus was going to stretch my capacity to love. I knew I needed to learn to lean into God all the more for the resources to do the work He called me to do.

As Executive Director I know my best work is done by making God first in my life, and allowing Him to use me, our staff and our incredible volunteers to bring hope, love and practical service to our IHN parents and their children.

FPM: How does your faith impact your work?

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this mission. My personal faith journey has deepened radically in these past five years. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” It hangs over the door of my office and is part of a large mural in the family room of the Day House. I seek to show and live out my love for Christ in ways that transform me and those I work with. Jesus is a servant to the brokenhearted and downtrodden. He wants us there as well. My faith has given heart, strength, and love to be His in this work.

FPM: What do you see as God’s vision for where you’ve been placed?

MR: Recently, I’ve seen God empowering an expanded vision of His work through this mission. At our core, we are about unity in service through the faith community. Our current congregational support includes the whole range of mainline churches, small and large nondenominational churches and the two Jewish Temples. In this past year we’ve also strengthened our partnership with the Catholic community by launching the Family Day Center at Marian House campus in collaboration with Catholic Charities. Additionally, Mount Saint Francis has given us our first unit of Transitional Housing to strengthen our Community Care aftercare program for our shelter families ready for next steps toward their own housing.

These expansions have equipped us to serve more families with better services and engage with more congregations in the process. Those were the two BIG priorities of our growth

strategy for these past two years. But we’re not done!

We now have a vision to help move families from homelessness to home ownership within a year, and are excited for the motivation and prospects that provides for so many vulnerable families.

for christ

FPM: What’s one dream you have for Colorado Springs?

MR: It’s definitely to end family homelessness. I’d love for the faith community to provide the key leadership in accomplishing that dream. And I’d love to see the transformational power of Jesus take each one of us to a place of true servant-leadership in that effort. Family Promise can be a part of that dream, BUT there’s no way we can accomplish it without the sacrificial giving and volunteers of the faith community. It’s my dream that each of our hearts would be truly cracked and transformed by an outreach that blesses both ways. We love because God first loved us.

This letter was written by a young First Pres volunteer with IHN.

Michael Royal and his wife, Beth, are members of First Pres. Michael initially came to First Pres in the 1970s through the teaching of Bob Mitchell in the Pathfinders adult Sunday community. His parents became members at First Pres during that time. Michael and Beth officially became members in 2009 and regularly worship at the Fellowship Hall service.

Michael is the Executive Director of Family Promise. Family Promise, also known as the Interfaith Hospitality Network, was established in the Springs in 1996 by a group of community leaders and concerned clergy who saw the potential for bringing unity to the faith community and significant service to vulnerable families. Based on a national model, IHN is a collaboration of now nearly 40 congregations who provide shelter and hospitality to families with children in homeless situations. IHN families stay within a congregation’s facilities for one week at a time from 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m., moving to a new congregation each week. During the day, those families receive Case Management services and a home-like place at the Day House located at 519 N. Tejon Street.

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summer Upward Bound Overnight Camp June 5 to June 10, at Camp Elim Grades 3-6 Cost: $400 Upward Bound overnight camp is 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. In fact, we will have counselors who were campers as kids and their lives were impacted in such a great way they are coming back to share the experience with this year’s campers. Upward Bound is a great environment for campers away from home for the first time as well as seasoned campers who are back for another great week.

Register at www.first-pres.org/summer

Upbeat Music Camp June 20 to June 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grades 3-8 Cost: $110 Upbeat is the perfect camp 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. A great musical show is the end product of a week full of fun, friends, good food (parents must provide lunch and snacks this year), growth in Christian faith, fun games and a bit of craziness. The concluding show will be Friday evening, June 24 at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Register at www.first-pres.org/summer

Summit Overnight Camp June 12 to June 17, at Camp Elim Grades 5-8 Cost: $400 Summit Overnight Camp provides community for campers where they are accepted and supported so they can concentrate on an incredible week of fun, friends and faith. Our goal is to encourage and equip campers to make good choices and live out their faith so they can experience the full life that Jesus offers them. Summit also provides a great introduction to the Christian faith for all campers and provides positive role models. Register at www.first-pres.org/summer

VBS Under the Stars July 11-14, at First Pres July 15, at Weber St. Center 6:30-8 p.m.

Cost: $10 VBS Under the Stars will help kids learn what it means to follow Jesus as we serve the needs of people in our city. Each year we partner with our middle schoolers summer mission experience, Serving Springs, by engaging kids in service projects that will support the community agencies that our fifth through eighth grade students will be serving throughout the week: Family Life Services, Zach’s Place, Broadmoor Court Assisted Living and Ecumenical Social Ministries.

Register at www.first-pres.org/children

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Round-up Handbell Camp July 11 to July 15, 9 a.m. to noon Grades 3-12 Cost: $20 The participants will 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 15 at 11:15 a.m. Register at www.first-pres.org/musicandart Orff Camp July 11 to Jul 15, 9 a.m. to noon Grades 5-8 Cost: $20 Students in grades 5 through 8 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 15 at 11:15 a.m.

Register at www.first-pres.org/musicandart Fine Arts Workshop July 18 to Jul 22, 9 a.m. to noon Middle and High School students Cost: $85 In its seventh 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 culminating with the student’s art exhibited in conjunction with the String Camp concert on the evening of July 22 at 7 p.m. Instructors will be professional, award-winning artists from our community. Register at www.first-pres.org/musicandart Orchestra Camp July 18 to July 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Middle School to College-Age students Cost: $90 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.

The camp 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 22 at 7 p.m. at First Pres.

The second is Sunday, July 24 at 6 p.m. at Village Seven Presbyterian Church.

Register at www.first-pres.org/musicandart

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