Encounter Newsletter- June/July 2019

YOUTH SINGERS HOMECOMING CONCERT Sunday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m.

You will be blessed by excellent music from the Youth Singers, Youth Chorale and Celebration Ringers. In addition to the great music, you will want to hear where they went on the “Mystery Tour!” The destinations are a “mystery” for the choir too! They will receive daily clues as to where they are going and they will have to guess the daily destinations!

Additionally, we will say good-bye to nine seniors, Josh Breford, Sam Brooks, Lexi Carlson, John Christopherson, Matt Doole, Owen Render, Cassie Pairan, Maddie Palmer and Lukas Spencer.

Starting Over!

By Kent Ingram, Senior Pastor

Some of you may have heard that Kris and I bought a new home south of town. We purchased it from a preacher friend of mine who thought he was going to retire there, but grandchildren pulled him to West Virginia. I’m happy for him. I’m happier for us!

Moving is hard! It was hard when I moved here when I was 46. It’s harder now that I am pushing 60! We have lived in our current home for almost 13 years. That is the longest that Kris has ever lived in a house her whole life! It is the second longest house for me, following the house I grew up in until I went to college. 13 years didn’t sound too long, but then I looked at all of the stuff we accumulated. As I write this, there is a dumpster in the driveway. There are piles all over the garage. What goes? What is given away to charity? What belongs to the kids? What gets thrown in the trash? There is a purge going on. And I think it will feel good to lighten up, to get rid of stuff we’ve been holding on to for years that we will never use again. It feels like we are starting over.

The Christian Church across the globe is doing the same thing. Dr. Phyllis Tickle pointed out that every 500 hundred years the Church has a giant rummage sale where it gets rid of old stuff and heads off in a new direction. This happened as the Church became the state recognized Church. It happened when the east and west split. It happened in the Reformation. It’s happening now. What we have been isn’t working anymore. What we will be is not yet clear. It is unsettling and disturbing, especially for “church people” like

me. I have been too invested in the way church has been to be excited about too much new stuff. But for the church to speak to the world, it must change.

We are experiencing this in our own denomination as well.

The last General Conference passed punitive and meanspirited laws against LGBTQ folks, laws that 70% of the church in the U.S. rejects. A minority of U.S. delegates along with folks from eastern Europe and Africa supported these rules. The church cannot exist as it is now. There will be a new, generous, Wesleyan Methodist movement embraced by most of the folks in the U.S. and some folks across the globe.

What it will be is not clear. I, along with countless others, am working hard to find this new expression of Methodism. I am confident that we will form a church that captures the very best of the Wesleyan movement.

In some ways, we are experiencing our own new beginning at First Church. We have experienced a lot of deaths in the past few years. Some folks have left over the turmoil caused by the issues in denomination. Fewer people go to church; that number is down 15% in the past decade across our country. Yet we are seeing signs of growth and energy at our church. The new Prairie Campus has been an amazing success! We have lots of new visitors and folks connecting to our church. The downtown is poised for a resurgence. I am hopeful for our future.

Moving is hard. It’s hard to know what to let go of and what to keep. It’s hard to let go of things that might have sentimental value, but have no purpose going forward. Now is the time to look to the future to let God lead us, to trust God’s direction, and to walk unafraid into God’s tomorrow. I can’t think of a congregation or a staff that I’d rather go with on this journey! Thanks for your faithfulness!

Kent

First United Methodist Church 420 North Nevada Avenue. Colorado Springs, CO 80903 719-471-8522 • www.fumc-cs.org

Considering Membership at First UMC? If you are interested in membership at First United Methodist Church or have questions, please call 719-471-8522 ext. 270 for more information.

Sunday Worship Service Times 7:30 am Early Riser in the Chapel 8:00 am Traditional in the Sanctuary 9:30 am Contemporary in the Sanctuary 11:00 am Traditional in the Sanctuary Live broadcasts of the 11:00 am service on FOX, channel 21.2 (cable 7) and CW 57. Closed captioning available.

Encounter is printed and published once a month by First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Materials for inclusion are due three weeks before publication date and are subject to approval. Not all submissions are guaranteed to be included. Articles, comments, or suggestions are welcomed by emailing, annaliec@fumc-cs.org or calling, 719-471-8522 ext. 272.

Sunday School Classes are at 9:30 & 10:45 am

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Cover Photo: Youth Singers Homecoming Concert

WORDS FROM

JAN CAFFEY, LAY LEADER I just got the book Everybody Welcome: A Memoir of Fannie Mae Duncan and the Cotton Club by Fannie Mae Duncan with Kathleen F. Esmiol. I can’t wait to read it!

Fannie Mae established and ran the very successful Cotton Club here in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Jazz greats from across the nation performed at her club.

She was African-American and started her club during segregation. She bought a huge home so that visiting entertainers would have a place to stay in Colorado Springs. The Police Chief at the time, Irvin “Dad” Bruce, told Fannie Mae about her club, “Run it black.” She refused, starting the ball rolling for peaceful desegregation in the city.

A sign displayed at her establishment read, “Everybody Welcome.” That was her philosophy and business model.

She said, “When you come right down to it, do you know what I think of color? If everybody would just quit pointin’ fingers and start shaking hands, we’d be able to put our differences behind us a whole lot faster. That’s what you have to do in business to succeed, so why not in life?” And why not in church?!

I love the United Methodist Church. I want it to truly be a church of open hearts, open minds and open doors. It looks like we won’t be united for much longer. I’m praying a denomination or branch of a denomination emerges that accepts everybody. As we approach our church’s 150th birthday, let’s acknowledge our city’s history. Let’s put up signs downtown and at the Prairie Campus that say, “Everybody Welcome.”

WORSHIP SUPPORT TEAM TRAINING DAY If you help with worship (usher, liturgist, communion server, Andrew Minister, Tech Team etc.) or are interested in being a part of the team, please plan on joining us on August 17.

Look for more information soon. Save the date!

JANITA MCGREGOR RECEIVES APPOINTMENT! Janita McGregor has been appointed to be the pastor at Cheyenne Wells, Eads, and Haswell United Methodist Churches in the Trinity District of the Mountain Sky Conference. These churches, on the Eastern Plains of Colorado, will be blessed to have Janita as their pastor!

Janita is in the process of seeking ordination as an elder in the United Methodist Church, and this will be her first appointment as a pastor. The conference is allowing Janita to begin August 1, which allows her to complete most of her camps and other summer activities at First Church. When we get closer to that date, look for an announcement about how we will recognize Janita and her work here at First Church. Congratulations Janita!

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Do you have a passion for teaching children? Do you work well with a team? Can you recruit, love, and train volunteers? Would like to live out your calling by working in the church? If so, we are seeking a person to serve as full time Director of Children’s Ministry for the downtown campus of First United Methodist Church.

The job will be open this summer, in July or August. If you have questions or would like to apply contact Rev. Kent Ingram at kenti@fumc-cs.org. Prayerfully consider God’s calling to this important work in our church.

STAFF CHANGES Two years ago, Rev, Jerry Hurst officially retired from the United Methodist Church. We have been fortunate since then to have Jerry stay on staff to give leadership to our men’s ministry, Man Up!, and our older adult ministry, NOAH. At the end of June, Jerry will be stepping down from these positions.

The men’s ministry will be cared for by Rev. Dr. Todd Spencer, Director of Adult Spiritual Formation. Rev Khan McLellan will be leading our older adult ministry on a part time basis. Rev. McClellan, Rev. Ann McClellan’s husband, is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and owner and founder of Sages Elder Care. Khan will start July 1 in this position.

Thank you, Jerry, for all you have given to this church!

Welcome, Khan, to our ministry team!

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FUMC SCHOLARSHIPS The Scholarship Committee of First United Methodist Church, in conjunction with the Foundation, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 scholarships. The applicants continue to astonish the committee with their ambitions and accomplishments and it is a great pleasure to honor these students.

The Committee was pleased and excited to be able to present sixteen academic scholarships this year and chose Anna Bair for the Martin/Agee and Debra Hadley Scholarships.

Ellora Bultema was selected for the Stave-Kentner Scholarship. Landon Mulvey will receive the Joseph R. Simansky Scholarship. Matthew Doole is receiving the Patricia Puryear Scholarship. Samuel Brooks is the recipient of the Bereans Scholarship. Connor Jarolimek and Lukas Spencer will each receive a Trytten Scholarship. Alexis Carlson was awarded the First Company Scholarship.

Jackson Alston, Elanor Phillips, Grace Rudolph, Mary Rudolph, Walker Rudolph, Aspen Walker, Christopher Wingate, and Patricia Wurmstein will each receive scholarships from the Kenneth Hinshaw Fund. Sincerest congratulations and best wishes are extended to each scholarship recipient.

Since these scholarship funds, as well as the Debra L. Hadley Youth Singers and the Kris Lohrmeyer Youth Scholarship, were established, the Scholarship Committee has awarded close to $150,000 in scholarships toward continuing education, youth mission trips and youth choir tours. This year youth will be able to participate in the youth choir tour and youth mission trip due to the Hadley and Lohrmeyer Funds. Many thanks are extended to those who have endowed the various funds and/or contributed to them through the years.

Members of FUMC have a deep history of generosity and our Foundation has an excellent record as stewards of the funds in its care. If you are considering establishing a scholarship fund please contact a member of the Foundation Board.

We are now accepting registration for 2019-20 school year.

FUMC preschool is committed to providing a high-quality, play-based, nurturing, secure and affordable, state-licensed early childhood experience. Classes are open to all families in the community. We partner with parents to develop a relationship with each child which promotes cooperation, critical thinking, literacy skills and creativity. Children experience stillness, wonder and prayer during sacred times.

MMO/Young Toddlers: 18 months by October 1, 2019 Jr. Preschool: 2½ years by October 1, 2019 Preschool: 3 years by October 1, 2019 (Must be toilet trained) Pre-K: 4 years by October 1, 2019 (Must be toilet trained)

PRESCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM The preschool is offering 2 three-week summer sessions for children 2 ½ to 5 years old. Classes are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Session 1 – June 3 – 21: cost $325.00 Session 2 – July 8 – 26: cost $325.00

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE A TOUR

Learn more about FUMC programs and events at www.fumc-cs.org 4 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

Contact Dianna Flaherty, Preschool Director: 719-884-2500 or diannaf@fumc-cs.org.

Registration forms are also online at fumc-cs.org.

Sundays

“Wonderfully Made” Worship Service — Kingdom City

5:30 p.m.

Sunday,

June 2

UMW Special Recognition during services

Thursday,

June 6

NOAH Breakfast — Western Omelette (16 S. Walnut)

Fridays,

June 7 & 21

Stories @ The Edge — The Edge Building (324 N. Nevada Ave.) 6:00 p.m.

Sunday,

June 9

Bereavement Ministers Luncheon — Parlor (RSVP by June 3) 12:00 p.m.

June 14

Father/Child Campout John Wesley Ranch (Details on page 9)

Friday,

Fri & Sat,

9:00 a.m.

June 14 & 15 First Company Melodrama — John Wesley Ranch (Details on the back)

Sunday,

June 16

Peace with Justice Special Sunday — (Details on page 10)

Tuesday,

June 18

NOAH Lunch — Village Inn (1430 Harrison Rd.)

Sunday,

June 23

Kerygma Class on Native American — (Details on page 11)

Sunday,

June 23

Ice Cream Social Gathering — FUMC Parking Lot

Mon-Fri,

June 24-28

VBS (Two Locations) God’s Story — (Details on page 6)

Tuesday,

June 25

Stories @ The Edge — East: 1505 E Monument St.

Friday,

June 28

Native American Event — (Details on page 11)

Sunday,

June 30

Homebound Visitors Luncheon — Parlor (RSVP by June 24)

July 3

NOAH Breakfast — Village Inn (Details on page 9)

July 5 & 19

Stories @ The Edge — The Edge Building (324 N. Nevada Ave.) 6:00 p.m.

*Wednesday, Fridays,

Tues, July 9 or Wed, July 10 Thurs-Sat,

11:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

Day Camp — God’s Big Backyard! — (Details on page 6)

July 11-13

Camp T4G, Share the Light! — John Wesley Ranch (Details on page 6)

July 12 & 13

Mission u event — (Details on page 11)

July 14-18

Youth Work Week at the Ranch — (Details on page 7)

July 16

NOAH Lunch — Famous Dave’s BBQ (Razorback Rd.)

July 19-20

ManUp! Work Retreat — John Wesley Ranch (Details on page 9)

Sunday,

July 21

Potluck Get-Together — (Details on page 8)

Mon-Fri,

July 22-26

Music/Art/Drama Camp — (Details on page 6)

9:00 a.m.

Tuesday,

July 23

Stories @ The Edge — East: 1505 E Monument St.

6:00 p.m.

Friday,

July 26

Native American Event — (Details on page 11)

Saturday,

July 27

Crowder at Elitch Garden — (Details on page 7)

Fri & Sat, Sun-Thurs, Tuesday, Fri-Sat,

11:30 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 5

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:30 AM) SUMMER IS HERE! June begins with our annual dove release for the 6th graders as we celebrate Pentecost on June 9. Our Sunday School begins in a large group gathering where we celebrate each other and pray together. We gather into age appropriate groups and follow a rotational format to learn a different part of the overall lesson each week. We hope you will come and join us at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday in Kingdom City!

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP (11:00 AM) Children’s Worship is a place where children begin to understand and experience worship following the liturgical scripture being used in the 11:00 a.m. service. This is a multi-age large group worship service in Kingdom City.

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CLEAN UP/SERVE/PROTECT WORKING WITH CUSP Wednesday, July 10, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Meeting at and returning to the FUMC north entrance Your parents must complete your Trip Form online at www.fumc-cs.org/documents--forms.

What to Bring: Pack in your daypack, 2 bottles of water, a sack lunch, work gloves, hat, sunscreen, rain poncho. And be sure to wear rugged boots or shoes (no open-toed shoe wear). RSVP online with a Jotform!

T4G CAMP - JULY 11-13

BIBLE 101—SUNDAYS AT 9:30 AM Who wrote it? Where do I start? The Bible can be a daunting book, but we should become more aware of God’s Word. So let’s break it down together. Join us on Sundays!

UPCOMING EVENTS NO YOUTH Wednesday, June 5. The Youth Choir will be on tour!

HIKE AT PALMER PARK TRAILHEAD Wednesday, June 12, 12:00-3:00 p.m. 3650 Maizeland Rd. Bring a sack lunch and water! We will enjoy one of Colorado Springs’ original parks in the heart of the city. Wear sunscreen and appropriate shoes, hat, and layered clothes.

BOZEMAN VBS TRAINING! Wednesday, June 12, 9:00 a.m. Zach’s Office (Room 50) If you are going on our mission trip, there will be a webinar training session to make sure we are prepared to be helpful.

We will have breakfast items, so come on in and let’s get ready for an awesome trip of service!

SR. HIGH MISSION TRIP: BOZEMAN, MT Wednesday, June 15-22 Pray for the Methodists on a mission as we travel to Bozeman to help support, build, and grow the community of disciples.

We can always use a few juniors or seniors to help lead, encourage, and have fun at the Ranch for the Tween Group.

Contact Zach or Janita if you are Interested!

WORK WEEK AT JOHN WESLEY RANCH Sunday - Thursday, July 14-18 EARLY SIGN UP by June 30 is $125. Sign up in July for $150.

Register NOW and make your summer plans awesome, by turning in your “Trip Forms” (download online at www.fumccs.org) and $125 (checks made out to FUMC). During this week, we will spend time giving back to the Ranch, preparing trails, working on fire-mitigation, cleaning up and whatever else we can do to help make the Ranch a special place for all.

MOVIE NIGHT: THE LION KING Wednesday, July 24. Around 6:00 p.m. (TBD). Tinseltown We’ll meet at Tinseltown, 1545 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.

Family and friends are welcome. Tickets are approx.: $10.

MYSTERY DAY TRIP Wednesday, July 31, 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Meet at the north parking lot Reserve your spot now on the mystery bus! $25 for a full day of who knows what! Must make the payment to reserve your spot. Only 13 spots available!

CROWDER AT ELITCH GARDEN

June 26, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Adventure Mini Golf 6550 Corporate Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Choose between 3 courses, bring friends for a night of fellowship and good ol’ putt putt. Ticket for 1 game is $7.

Saturday, July 27, 9:00 a.m.-10(ish) p.m.

David Crowder and his band are at Elitch Gardens! Zach has bought tickets for a full bus to go! Tickets are $20 each (reg $59.99). I have ONLY 13 spots available. Payment must be made to confirm a spot on the bus. Plan on bringing additional money for food or souvenirs.

WORK WEEK AT THE RANCH

SWITCHBACKS FOOTBALL CLUB FAMILY GAME

EARLY SIGN UP by June 30 is $125. See more details...

Saturday, August 10, 6:00 p.m., Weidner Field.

Tickets: $10 per person (Contact Zach for tickets)

PUTT PUTT

NO YOUTH - WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 7

SPECIAL CARING MINISTRIES EVENTS •

BEREAVEMENT MINISTERS LUNCHEON

Sunday, June 9, 12:00 p.m. in the Parlor. RSVP by June 3.

A DINNER DRIVEN BY THE POWER OF PERSONAL STORY Do you live or work by Memorial Hospital central or in the Middle Shooks Run neighborhood? If so, we would love to meet with you! We are looking for people who we can buy a cup of coffee to help us learn more about the neighborhood and its people as we grow The Edge in the East United Methodist Building. East UMC is located just behind Memorial Hospital and the Olympic Training Center and is ripe with opportunities for us to be a part of the community.

Whether you live in the neighborhood or not, maybe you would be interested in helping in other ways. We gather for dinner and personal stories on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. We would love to have you join us as we build community. We enjoy working together to create our meal and space for these powerful evenings. If you would to join us for coffee, if you would like to help, or if you just have questions you can contact Lori Smith at LAS2735@hotmail.com. Please join us on these upcoming summer dates: Downtown: 324 N Nevada Ave. June 7 and 21, July 5 and 19, and August 2 and 16 East: 1505 E Monument St. June 25, July 23, and August 27

NEW MEMBERSHIP SOFTWARE We are in the process of updating the church membership software this summer as the current software will no longer be supported. We hope this will be a smooth transition but we have over 15,000 records on our current software. We are in the process of cleaning it up, as the new software will limit us to just under 5,000 records in the system. We are doing our best to capture the folks who are active or for whom we have pastoral responsibilities. Please be patient with us! If your information didn’t migrate to the new software, we will restore it as soon as we know! If you no longer get mailings from the church, please let us know!

Please remember that we will have only one Encounter for June and July, so you will not receive this issue again in July. Thanks for your patience during the transition!

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HOMEBOUND VISITORS LUNCHEON

Sunday, June 30, 12:00 p.m. in the Parlor. RSVP by June 24.

Luncheons just for you are happening in June! For those of you already involved with the Caring Ministries as Homebound Visitors and Bereavement Ministers, please mark your calendar and come to one of the lunches.

If you are interested in becoming a Homebound Visitor or Bereavement Minister, we’d love for you to come to the lunch and learn more about these important ministries! When you serve as a visitation minister, you are matched with someone whom you visit one-on-one. You are bringing the love of Christ to these people as you listen to their stories and care for them, offering love, hope, and peace through your presence. Gratitude abounds! You make a difference in the lives of so many folks who may be lonely or hurting! Please contact Rev. Ann McClellan with any questions. To RSVP for either of these luncheon, contact Rev. Ann McClellan at annm@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522 ext. 214.

POTLUCK IN THE PARLOR Anyone who has lost their spouse is invited to join this group. Come eat together with your church family and know that you are not alone! You are loved! Come enjoy a meal with others who may be seeking some conversation on Sunday, July 21 at 12:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Please bring a main dish, salad, side dish, or dessert to share. If you have questions, please contact Laura Whitmore at lauraw@fumc-cs.org or Rev. Ann McClellan at annm@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522 ext. 214.

NOAH BREAKFAST IN JUNE

FATHER/CHILD CAMPOUT AT JWR

Join us for our NOAH breakfast Thursday, June 6 at 9:00 a.m. at Western Omelette located on 16 S. Walnut. Reservation is not needed. Hope to see you there.

Join us for the FREE father/ child campout Friday, June 14.

Enjoy the great outdoors with your child(ren) at the majestic John Wesley Ranch in Divide, CO. Pack your camping supplies and food for an evening under the stars with your kids. First Company Melodrama will be on the same weekend so you will have the opportunity to see it on Friday or Saturday. If you have any questions about the event or need directions, please contact Chris Thornton at 719-687-2148, or christ@fumc-cs.org.

NOAH TRIP TO THE MELODRAMA On Saturday, June 15, our NOAH group will be taking the bus to John Wesley Ranch to see First Company’s summer Melodrama! Lunch for $5 will be available at the Ranch beforehand. Please plan on meeting up at the north parking lot of the church at 10:15 a.m. Be sure to bring a jacket and hat in case it is chilly. The bus is already full, but you can get on a waiting list. Contact Rev. Jerry at 648-1571 or jerryh@fumc-cs.org to be put on the list.

NOAH LUNCH IN JUNE Join us for our NOAH lunch Tuesday, June 18. We will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Village Inn on 1430 Harrison Rd. just West of I-25. The back room is reserved, so ask for First United Methodist group when you come in. We have lots of fun at these gathering. Hope you can join us!

NOAH BREAKFAST IN JULY Join us for our NOAH breakfast Wednesday, July 3! We will be meeting on a Wednesday to avoid the July 4th holiday. Our destination is Village Inn on Garden of the Gods just West of I-25. Reservation is not needed. Come and join the fun!

NOAH LUNCH IN JULY NOAH’s lunch of the month is Tuesday, July 16 at 11:30 am.

Join us at Famous Dave’s BBQ on 8330 Razorback Rd. (by Chapel Hills Mall). You don’t need a reservation. Hope to see you there!

SUMMERTIME ICE CREAM SOCIAL! Sunday, June 23, invite your family and friends for our Ice Cream Social and enjoy a time of great fellowship!

We will grill hamburgers and hot dogs and enjoy delicious homemade ice cream! The event begins at 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The Josh and Johns scoop bus will be in the North parking lot on St. Vrain. A suggested donation of $6 per person is appreciated but not necessary!

We will need help with shopping, set up, cooking, serving and clean up. If you are interested in helping with this summertime event, contact Melissa Williams at melissaw@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522 ext. 237.

MANUP! WORK RETREAT Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20, is our annual ManUp! work retreat at John Wesley Ranch. The retreat will begin on Friday night with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday morning.

After a hearty breakfast, Chris will set us to work on his latest projects. Be sure to bring sunscreen, work gloves, sturdy shoes, a hat and work clothes. After a break for lunch, we will continue our project until late afternoon. Snacks will be available throughout the day. The cost for the retreat is $20 per person. Please contact Rev. Dr. Todd Spencer at 471-8522 or todds@fumc-cs.org to be put on the list.

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ECUMENICAL SOCIAL MINISTRIES

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN MISSION

We are so grateful to First United Methodist Church for your generous donations of food and money to help feed, clothe, and care for those in our community who are in need. The summer months are the months when we see the most need but our food donations are at the lowest level. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! During the summer, our most urgent needs are: bottled water, peanut butter (regular size) and jelly, granola bars, cereal, soup, ramen noodles, pasta/ spaghetti/sauce, crackers, canned meats, Mac and Cheese and sunscreen.

The Feed My Starving Children committee is very energized and excited to be working on our From Hunger to Hope, Colorado Springs MobilePack. Mark your calendar for August 16 and 17 and plan on signing up for a two- hour shift to help feed God’s most vulnerable children. More details to come on how to sign up to volunteer.

Clothing items are appreciated. Large dog food bags need to be taken directly to ESM at 201 N. Weber St. MondayFriday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Please note: ESM cannot accept items that have been opened or unsealed.

ESM 2018 FACTS: • 6,149 hot showers were provided to ESM guests.

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ESM’s food pantry fed over 71,000 people with groceries and package meals.

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12,841 people received free personal hygiene products.

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More than 2,400 loads of laundry were cleaned for our guests.

MISSION TRIP TO THE SOUTHWEST BORDER In the spirit of God’s call, the mission’s ministry is exploring a week-long trip to the southwest border area to learn about and minister to those brothers and sisters who find themselves in a strange land without resources to sustain them. Some projects we could possibly be involved with are: •

Arizona JFON—The Desert Southwest Conference established a mission at New Hope United Methodist Church helping people overcome the “hurdles for people who have a right to citizenship, attain citizenship.”

•

The Inn Project—A UMC is home to the Inn Project, where immigrants with children come for food, rest and other relief after being processed by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and approved to pursue asylum.

We are looking for members who might be interested in learning more about a mission trip and who have a desire to be part of the team. If you feel called to this mission contact Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens at chucks@fumc-cs.org.

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Our big challenge now is to raise the money to help make this happen. We have raised about $3,500 of our $24,000 goal. Since April, we have been offering sponsorship opportunities at our fundraising table. One quarter buys one meal for a child. A box of food can be sponsored for $50. You can sponsor a child’s meals for an entire year for $80. For $365 you can feed a family of four for an entire year and for $1,800 you can purchase a pallet of food.

Sponsorship is easy! Stop by our fundraising table the first Sunday of each month to make a contribution. You can also place a check (made out to First United Methodist Church) in the offering plate with Feed My Starving Children in the memo section. You may also go online at http:// give.fmsc.org/cosprings to donate directly to Feed My Starving Children. Your money will be designated for our From Hunger to Hope MobilePack, Colorado Springs. We encourage you and thank you for supporting this new mission and for helping us meet our financial goal to make it happen.

PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAY Sunday, June 16, 2019 The United Methodist Church has a long history of concern for social justice.

Wesley and the early Methodists expressed their opposition to societal ills such as slavery, smuggling, inhumane prison conditions, alcohol abuse, and child labor. We believe that salvation entails renewal of both individuals and the world.

Although you, and possibly even our congregation, may lack the resources alone to effect change in a broken world, your giving is vital for the UMC to continue its global ministries of reconciliation. Because of the Peace with Justice Sunday offering, the people of The United Methodist Church are able to make a difference together. Please prayerfully consider financially supporting all the Peace with Justice programs by placing your special contribution in the envelope provided.

NATIVE AMERICAN UPCOMING EVENTS United Methodist churches in Colorado Springs will be joining in several Native American events this summer. Mark your calendar! On June 28, Calvary church will present the film Silent No Longer at 7:00 p.m. A film from One Nation will be shown on July 26 and a third event on August 23. Our members are invited to these events as part of the educational Native programs in our area.

Plans are being made for Susie Silversmith to show a film about her life after she was forced to attend school off the reservation and away from her family. The date will be announced later for the event at our church. A special Native American class will be held by the Kerygma class June 23 at 9:30 a.m. Good Shepherd United Methodist in Thornton will hold a two day festival, September 28 and 29. The purpose of the festival is to affirm the value and role of tradition and culture of American Indians living in harmony within today's society.

SUMMER GUESTS It is hard to believe summer is here! It seems like everyone is planning their summer vacation, and church activity is transitioning from the weekly rhythm of classes and worship to summer fun events like VBS, the Ice Cream Social, and July Hymn Sing.

There are two things you can do this summer that would be helpful. First, if you visit other churches this summer, will you keep an eye out for the details that make you feel welcomed? Send Tiffany an email at tiffanyk@fumc-cs.org, and tell her about your experience. If there are printed materials you can bring some home with you and drop them off at the welcome desk. Make sure the items have Tiffany Keith’s name written on them! I would love to learn about little things that churches do that could make a big difference here.

The second thing that would be really helpful would be for you to keep an eye out for faces you don't recognize this summer and greet them. Each time you are in the building, make it a personal goal to greet a new person with a "Hi, my name is…, how are you this morning?" Who knows, maybe you'll meet a new-to-you person that has been attending here for years! Or maybe, you'll make a stranger feel like they have found in us wonderful hospitality.

“MISSION u” Education is an important component of United Methodist Women, and Mission u is one of many educational opportunities. This year's local event will be held at Parker United Methodist Church, July 12 -13, and hosted by their United Methodist Women.

Practicing Resurrection: The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship is the book of choice for the spiritual growth study at Mission u. The book is also approved for the reading program. The study focuses on women in Mark, and explores the related relationships in the struggles of today.

Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission by Ellen Blue, commemorates our 150th anniversary. The historical background is presented in a exciting format telling our story since 1869. The third study is WHAT ABOUT OUR MONEY written by Susan Taylor. This is the second and last year for the financial study regarding our faith response.

These three books are available in the church library. For more information, please contact UMW President, Loeda Westphal at 632-5965.

UMW SPECIAL RECOGNITION A special recognition of United Methodist Women will be held Sunday, June 2 at First United Methodist. The UMW ladies will take part in church services. An information table with displays will be set up the hospitality center. This year is one of celebration for the largest women's mission organization. It was 150 years ago when six ladies met to organize for mission during a very rainy night in Boston. Nine months later they had raised enough money to send two missionaries to India. Only four years later, the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, as it was called at that time, was organized for our congregation in Colorado Springs. Our women were instrumental in securing property for the education of nurses, later known as Beth-El School of Nursing.

Today, over 200 missions and related establishments are supported by United Methodist Women.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 11

FIRST COMPANY MELODRAMA First Company will bring melodrama back to the historic Imperial Hotel in Cripple Creek this summer for the first time in nearly 20 years! Nine performances of “Dr. D.K. Molar the Devious Dentist” are scheduled in June and July, including six at the Imperial Hotel, 123 N. 3rd St., in partnership with Bronco Billy’s Casino, which now owns the Imperial and has renamed it the Christmas Inn. The one-hour melodrama features the depraved dentist, D.K. Molar, and his noxious nurse, Nova Caine, who have crafted a dastardly scam: after putting their patients to sleep with nitrous oxide, they remove the gold crowns and replace them with fakes made of fool’s gold. The unsuspecting patients are none the wiser. That is until Dr. Molar’s new receptionist, the lovely Flossy Dailey, starts chewing over some of the strange happenings in the office. Molar, true to his calling, pulls a gun on them and threatens to drill anyone who tries to stop him.

2 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

Dan Russell and Anne Stewart reprise their roles as Dr. Molar and Flossy Dailey from First Company’s 2016 production, while Matt Alvarez, who played First Company’s production of “Arsenic and Old Lace,” plays Phil do Tooth.

Marty Fennewald, First Company’s artistic director, will direct the production.

“Dr. D.K. Molar the Devious Dentist” opens with free performances at the John Wesley Ranch located at 21285 Colorado Highway 67, Friday, June 14 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 at 12:30 p.m. A hamburger lunch is available before the Saturday’s performance for $5.

Another free performance is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 29 at Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave., as part of an ice-cream social.

Performances at the Imperial Hotel are scheduled during Donkey Derby Days, 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 22, Sunday, June 23, and Saturday, July 6. Tickets for general seating are available at the door at $12 for adults, $10 for military or senior citizens and $5 for students.