Encounter October 2017

MUSIC & ARTS MINISTRIES First United Methodist Church This fall-winter season, Music and Arts Ministries of First United Methodist Church will bring to you an outstanding variety of concerts along with another brilliant theatre show presented by First Company. This is a full season of events you will not want to miss!

OCTOBER 6 - 7:30 P.M. The Denver Brass, and Celtic Colorado Pipes and Drums with FUMC Organist, Joe Galema will be in concert at First United Methodist Church, October 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Founded in 1981, The Denver Brass is recognized nationally and internationally as one the premiere ensembles of its kind. The Denver Brass offers its audiences an entirely new experience by skillfully blending the highest caliber of musical excellence with traditional brass music, original compositions, and multi-media techniques.

Tickets are available online at fumc-cs.org and at the Music Office.

Preferred Seating: $30.00 General Admission $25 Students $15.00 (18 yrs. & under)

IN THIS ISSUE...

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Creating a Culture of Invitation Page 2

OCTOBER 16 - 7:00 P.M. St. Olaf Orchestra

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The internationally known St. Olaf Orchestra from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., will perform at FUMC, October 16 at 7:00 p.m.

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Called “one of the best college orchestras in the nation” by Time magazine’s Richard Ostling, the St. Olaf Orchestra is known for its passionate music-making and professional-level performances. The St. Olaf Orchestra, led by conductor Steven Amundson, was recently named the winner of the 2013 American Prize for Orchestral Performance among colleges and universities. In addition to performing throughout the United States and abroad, the orchestra has also been featured as Garrison Keillor’s guest on broadcasts of A Prairie Home Companion in 2001 and 2011.

Tickets are available online at fumc-cs.org and at the Music Office.

Adult: $10 Student: $5 Continues on page 4...

Around the Church & Beyond Page 3

Music & Arts Ministries Page 4

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Calendar of Events Page 5

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Children’s Ministries Page 6

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Youth Ministries Page 7

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Around the Church & Beyond Page 8

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Around the Church & Beyond Page 9

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Caring Ministries Page 10

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Missions Ministries Page 11

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Number The Stars Back Cover

Creating A Culture of Invitation

By Kent Ingram, Senior Pastor

All of my ministry I have been told that the church needs to be turned “inside out.” We need to get out of our walls, into the community. We need to focus on the needs of the community and the needs of those who live in the shadow of our church. We need to worry less about ourselves than our neighbor.

I believe all of that is true.

I also believe that one of the ways we help our neighbors, one of the ways we reach our community, is by inviting them into our building, into our worship, into our ministries and programs. I hope this doesn’t sound too proud, but the truth is we have a lot of amazing things going on inside the walls of our church! I have visited a number of churches on my leave.

Some really good ones. I missed our worship, our music, even our facility. I look at what is happening in children, youth, adult education, in pastoral care and mission outreach and fellowship and I know that we have a lot of wonderful life changing ministry happening at 420 North Nevada Avenue, at the Edge building, and at the John Wesley Ranch Retreat Center.

This fall we are starting a new emphasis, we are “Creating A Culture of Invitation.” We will be rolling out parts of this for over a year, maybe longer. I envision this emphasis to have three main components. The first level, or outside ring, will give you tools to invite. We will remind you who lives in your spheres of influence. We will give you cards to make it easy

to invite people. We will remind you, often, of your need to be invitational. We will offer new programs and ministries that are designed to be a place for you to invite people to participate. The second ring will be to equip you to help the people you invite understand who we are and why we do what we do. I will offer a class or classes on the basic understanding of our church, everything from worship and symbols to theology. You will be better able to explain what it means to be a part of our congregation, and help mentor them into our community. We will provide some written material for you to take or to look at in the pews that will help you understand your church better. The third ring will be an invitation to people, who feel called, to learn how to share their faith. There will be a class on faith sharing and an opportunity to share your faith story with the congregation in brief times of testimony. Not everyone will be called to this deeper level of faith sharing, but we will nurture those who are.

I think it is possible that many of us take for granted the wonderful opportunities we have in our church. Pay attention to what is happening around you. Get excited about what your church is doing in this community and in the world and then find a way to invite people into this community of faith.

I am excited about the possibility of seeing more new faces who come to hear the good news and share it with the world!

See you in worship, 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@fumccs.org or calling, 719-471-8522 ext. 272.

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

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Cover Photo: Fall and Winter Season at FUMC

WORDS FROM

LELAND REECE, LAY LEADER Did you grow up having heroes you admired? I certainly did.

I remember, as a young boy, rarely missing an episode of Superman or the Lone Ranger. I even had a Lone Ranger “Secret Code Card” and would occasionally purchase my favorite heroes’ comic books when I could afford them. The story lines were always different but inevitably “the guys” would arrive just in time to save the day. I recall thinking how great it would feel to be like one of my heroes; having the power to help those who desperately needed it!

For the past few weeks, the national news has focused on the devastation caused by hurricane Harvey. I can only imagine how dreadful it would be to have to deal with polluted drinking water, sewers that will not function, your vehicles under water, a flooded house or worst of all your home and personal belongings totally destroyed. I have heard that it may take many years for some areas to recover from this catastrophe.

Bishop Oliveto reminds us that we can all provide much needed help by giving to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR is known around the world for its recovery response and is, often times, the last organization to leave the area. All (100%) donations go to direct aid.

Together, we can make a difference for those who urgently need assistance.

GROWING TOGETHER! Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Luke 6:38

Our theme passage seems like a “get rich quick” scheme rather than the gospel. In these words, however, is the truth about the Church. Of course, we don’t give to get rich. We give out of a deep sense of gratitude for all we have. But as we grow in our giving through the church, we do get back more than we can imagine. As we trust God with more of our resources, we grow deeper in our faith.

The church grows in its outreach and mission. As we couple our giving with our creation of a culture of invitation, we grow doors that allow people to come into a relationship with God. Together, we can grow spiritually and grow in our ministry.

How much more are you willing to trust God with your resources in 2018?

In October, you will receive your pledge card for the operating budget for 2018. Prayerfully consider how you can grow in your giving. Fill out your card and bring it to church on November 5 for Pledge Sunday. If you are unable to be in worship on that day, mail it in to the church, bring it another Sunday before then, call in your pledge, or make your pledge online, maybe the easiest way to pledge of all!

God has richly blessed this congregation for 147 years! It is now our turn to grow together, so our church can touch lives with the Good News of God’s love!

See you at worship this Sunday, Leland Reece

THANKS FOR YOUR CARE! I want to thank the congregation and staff for their kind words, cards, calls, and emails after the death of my mother. We had a wonderful service celebrating her life in her home church, where she had been a member for over 55 years! She was surrounded by old friends and family when we said our good byes. Your signs of compassion are greatly appreciated. Thanks for all you mean to me and my family.

Kent

THE EDGE Stories @ The Edge is back to its regular time and location starting October 6 at 6:00 p.m.! We will meet at The Edge, 324 N Nevada for a meal, and two personal stories, ending the evening with a short sermon by Rev. Tiffany Keith. You will find invitations at the Welcome Desk, feel free to invite a friend. We would love for you to come and support this ministry as we kick off our fall events. If you would like more information, please email tiffany@theedgedowntown.org.

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Continues from front cover...

OCTOBER 27, 28 & 29 AND NOVEMBER 3, 4 & 5 Number the Stars by First Company This fall, First Company is proud to present the theatrical version of Lois Lowry’s 1989 award-winning novel Number the Stars.

“Number the Stars” tells the story of the Rosens, a Jewish family from Copenhagen who along with most of Denmark’s Jewish population was hidden then shuttled on fishing boats to neutral Sweden during World War II. The story is told by 10-year-old Annamarie Johansen, who learns that bravery is acting in spite of fear, a lesson that helps her save her best friend, Ellen Rosen. Annamarie’s older sister, Lise, whom she admires, was killed by Nazis for her work with the Danish resistance.

Tickets are available online at fumc-cs.org and at the door on performance dates. Fridays and Saturdays’ shows are at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday’s shows are at 2:30 p.m.

Adults: $15 I Senior & Military: $12 l Students: $5

DECEMBER 3 - 5:00 PM The Service of Lessons and Carols Our annual celebration of the start of Advent will be December 3 at 5:00 p.m. with a Service of Lessons and Carols. This popular event is free. Join us for the celebration of the prophecy of the birth of the Christ Child as told through scripture (“lessons”) and familiar Christmas carols/ anthem (“carols”) as told by our clergy (reading scripture) and many of our vocal ensembles singing anthems.

DECEMBER 10 - 5:00 PM Children’s Choirs Christmas Concert Join us for the annual Children’s Choirs Christmas Concert.

The children will delight the audience with the performance of the “Christmas Story.” This event is free.

DECEMBER 17 - 6:00 PM Messiah You are invited to a glorious evening with the Chancel Choir, Chamber Orchestra and professional soloists performing Messiah. This work has truly become symbolic during the Christmas season. This will be a near complete performance of the musical score in celebration of the 275th anniversary of the first performance of G. F. Handel’s greatest masterpiece!

Tickets will be available online, after worship, in the Music Office and at the door.

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YOUTH SINGERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND Long time Youth Singers supporters Richard and Marvie Randall came to the Youth Singers Workshop on August 19 and presented us with a check to help establish a Youth Singers’ scholarship fund. This scholarship will be used to assisting choir members to go on tour or for future members selected to attend the National Honor Choir. Additionally, the Randalls presented a monetary gift which will help underwrite 2018 Youth Singers tour expenses. Many thanks to the Randalls!

YOUTH SINGERS SELECTED TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL HONOR CHOIR John Christopherson, Matt Doole and Abby McGee, members of Youth Singers, were selected for membership in the 2017 National Honor Choir in Washington, D.C. There were a total of 80 youth selected from across the U.S. to participate in this year’s choir.

Selected persons for the choir were sent a packet of music to learn prior to arriving in D.C. for intensive rehearsals. The group presented concerts in the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle; the National City Christian Church; the Basilica of the National Shrine; and the US Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis. The final grand concert was held in the Washington National Cathedral on July 22 with professional orchestra under the direction of Mr. Randy Edwards, Artistic Director and Conductor of the National Honor Choir. Additionally, one of our Youth Singers, Abigail McGee, was one of four selected participants in the National Honor Choir to assist with the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about FUMC programs and events at www.fumc-cs.org

Sunday,

October 1

Goldenweds Celebration 2017

Sunday,

October 1

Poet Marie Howe Event at The Pinery — (Details on page 8)

6:00 p.m.

Thursday,

October 5

NOAH Breakfast — Maggie Mae (2405 East Pikes Peak)

9:00 a.m.

Friday,

October 6

The Denver Brass, Pipes and Drums Concert — Sanctuary

7:30 p.m.

Sunday,

October 8

Homebound Visitor Luncheon — Parlor

Sunday,

October 8

Film Presentation: Screenagers — Theatre

1:30 p.m.

Thursday,

October 12

Daytime Grieving Support Group — Prayer Room

1:00 p.m.

Sunday,

October 15

Music and Arts Sunday — All choirs performing together during services

Monday,

October 16

The St. Olaf Orchestra Concert — Sanctuary

Wednesday,

October 18

Wednesday Night Dinners and Faith Academy Classes (Details on page 9)

Wednesday,

October 18

Faith Academy 101 - Just for Kids (Details on page 6)

Fri & Sat,

October 20 & 21

ManUp! at The Ranch — (Details on page 9)

Tuesday,

October 24

NOAH Lunch — Panino’s (1721 S 8th St.)

11:30 a.m.

Saturday,

October 28

UMW Annual Bazaar — Fellowship Hall

9:00 a.m.

Monday,

October 30

NOAH Harvest Luncheon — Fellowship Hall

ONLINE GIVING is an easy way to make contributions to the church. To access the giving page visit our website at www.fumc-cs.org and click on the ‘GIVE’ tab on the top menu. If you are a first-time visitor to the site, you will be prompted to sign-up for an account. You can easily set up your transactions as a one-time gift or a recurring donation. It’s that easy!

12:05 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

12:05 p.m.

QUICK GIVING

THE GIVING KIOSK is also available by the Welcome Desk. This is a convenient way to donate right at church. Just select a fund, enter an amount, and swipe your card!

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:30 AM) October Sunday School will focus on Moses. Sunday School is an age-based rotational curriculum for ages K–6th grades, featuring scripture as its foundation while offering learning opportunities through cooking, science, art, games and much more. We also offer Sunday School from birth – age 5 in the Kingdom City nursery. There is something for everyone on Sunday mornings in Kingdom City. Come and join us!

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

NAP TIME MOM’S GROUP Attention moms! Mom, (aka step mom, grand-mom, or aunt-mom).

NAP Time is a place for mothers or mother figures to connect by nurturing, accepting, and praying for one another. We have a NEW meeting time on the 3rd Tuesday of the month (October 17), from 10:30 a.m.-noon in Kingdom City Parent's Place. We will have some social time, as well as some bible study discussion. Our October’s topic will be “Be a Bridge Builder.” Child care must be requested 2 weeks prior to the meeting.

For more information, contact Kimberly Walker at 719-352-5707, or walker.kimberly@gmail.com

FALL INTO FUN! Join us for the 3rd Annual Family Fall Festival at John Wesley Ranch Saturday, October 21, from noon to 3:00 p.m. Come and enjoy games and prizes, a hayride, food, pumpkin carving and punkin’ chunkin.’ It will be just lots of fun for the whole family! Wear your costumes and be part of the costume contest. Don’t miss this fun event in the mountains! Mark your calendar.

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CHILDREN’S CHOIRS NEW SCHEDULE Cherub (ages 4/5, pre-k) – Sundays, from 10:15 -11:00 a.m., in Kingdom City Music Room.

Chorister Choir (Vocal) (K–3rd grade) – Sundays, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., in Room 21 Chorister Chimes (1st–3rd grade) – Sundays, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., in Room 7 Cathedral Choir (Vocal) (4th–6th grade) – Sundays, from 5:30–6:30 p.m., in the Adult Choir Room.

Cathedral Ringers (4th-6th grade) – Sundays, from 4:00– 5:00 p.m., in Room 2 For the Sunday afternoon choir, there will be an option for a family dinner from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. Join us!

FAITH ACADEMY 101 JUST FOR KIDS Wednesday Nights, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

All our K-6th graders are invited to come up to Kingdom City as we kick off the fall session with a look at “The Gospel According to Peanuts.” We will explore some of Charles Schultz’s iconic comic strips and well -known films starring Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang.

We will also be learning a little bit about how to create our very own comic strips, but most importantly, how we can look for God and how we can share God in our everyday lives! There is no registration required. We hope you join us with your family for Wednesday night dinners and this class.

Our next Faith Academy Kids 101, “It’s a small world!,” will begin October 18. Dr. David Fussell will be teaching a class about global missions and what kids can do to help others in need all over the world.

SCREENAGERS MOVIE Sunday, October 8, 1:00 p.m. The Theatre Open to the Public. Ages: Tweens through adults Award-winning SCREENAGERS probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including the director's own, and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through surprising insights from authors and brain scientists solutions emerge on how we can empower kids to best navigate the digital world.

Invite anyone you know who might be interested. For more information about the film see: www.screenagersmovie.com.

IT’S A “PHONE-Y” THING. Wednesday, October 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (Meal Included) The Zone Is using our phone helping or hurting us? We will have a discussion about the screen time on our phones and our brains. After some large group time, we will break up into small groups as we learn about this “Phone-y” thing.

ARE YOU EVEN PAYING ATTENTION? Wednesday, October 18, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (Meal Included) The Zone Matthew 22:15-22. Are you listening? Are you paying attention? Are you focused? We will look back to Matthew and Jesus, and we will learn how to put our focus where it should be, while being present to God and to each other.

Then, we’ll break into small group time to get to know one another and we’ll find out if you are truly focused on God.

URBAN PEAK (LEARN ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORS)

ARE YOU A GOOD FARMER? Wednesday, October 4, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Zone Matthew 21:33-46. There is power in farming. There is a message that Jesus teaches us about the kingdom of heaven through farming and hard work. Are you a good farmer?

Wednesday, October 25, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Zone We welcome speakers from Urban Peak! Urban Peak ignites the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create selfdetermined, fulfilled lives. The shelter, street outreach and housing programs reach approximately 600 youth annually in the Pikes Peak Region. In collaboration with Urban Peak, Youth Ministries will be hosting the annual ‘Night Out’ event on November 9.

FALL RETREAT 2017 “TRY EVERYTHING”

NEXT URBAN PEAK STAND

Friday, October 27 (Begins at 5:00 p.m.)

Sunday, October 29 (Ends at 3:00 p.m.)

Place: John Wesley Ranch. Cost: $25

STAND (Students And Nourishing Dinners) is our youth mission of making dinners at Urban Peak (a shelter for homeless teens). Our next dinner is Friday, October 6, from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in helping, please text Sam Brooks at 494-3303.

Register by October 25, by turning in your trip forms (download from www.fumc- cs.org) and $25 (checks made out to FUMC). Come get away with us to The Ranch. We will learn from the movie "Zootopia." Are you ready to rest, play, eat, and worship?! Friends are always welcome!

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FUMC SPONSORS EVENT WITH POET, MARIE HOWE Sunday, October 1 6:00 p.m. at The Pinery Tickets and information: w.convergelectureseries.org Marie Howe is the author of four volumes of poetry: Magdalene: Poems; The Kingdom of Ordinary Time; What the Living Do; and The Good Thief. She is also the co-editor of a book of essays, In the Company of My Solitude: American Writing from the AIDS Pandemic (1994). Her poems have appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Poetry, Agni, Ploughshares, Harvard Review, and The Partisan Review, among others. Part of the urgency and importance of Marie Howe’s poetry stems from its rootedness in real life. Her mentor Stanley Kunitz once said, “whether she is confronting the joys or terrors of existence, the light that falls on the page is suffused with grace and charity. In essence, she is a religious poet, that rarity among writers of her generation.” Marie Howe sees her work as an act of confession or of conversation.

ARE YOU INTRIGUED

BY INVESTING? There are many ways to invest in the well-being of the First United Methodist Church. You may know, members of our church created the first legal entity in 1965 to support the church by receiving donations, administering and investing those donations in trust for the benefit of FUMC. In 1973, this entity became the First United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs Foundation. The Foundation exists to accept donations, invest those donations wisely, and give profits arising from those investments to FUMC to support its mission and vision in serving Christ with Open Heart, Open Minds and Open Doors.

We are looking for individuals who would like to support the church by becoming one of three new members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The term starts in January 2018, and generally lasts 3 years. Meetings are held four times a year – usually the third Thursday following the end of the quarter. At the quarterly board meetings and at periodic informal meetings, the Board is blessed to receive good advice and direction from our professional investment advisor, Mr. Steve Rodemer with Stifel & Associates. If you feel called to learn more about investing and helping The Foundation meet its fiduciary duty to fulfill the wish of its donors in providing financial support to the church and its missions, please contact Ben Miller at Lskyway16@gmail.com, or 719-360-9117.

You would be joining a list of devoted members who’ve given their time to The Foundation in the past, including Chuck Baggs, Harlan Ochs Lou Crawford, Dr. Lacour, and Bruce Sommers, Warren Miller, Jack Agee, Katherine Curry, Perry Trytten, Rob Martin, Charlie Lucy, Mary Osborne, Rod Thornton, Larry McCurry and Jim Waters.

The Foundation has grown to its current value of over $10 million in assets. While investment growth is central to the Foundation’s tenants, the most critical and valuable source of growth is the donation of assets from individuals, families, and family foundations who wish to build a legacy to benefit the church for many years into the future. With over 40 major donors, it is not possible to list all of the people who have chosen to donate to the Foundation here, but we are indebted to the kind generosity and foresight of many individuals and families including the Arnold & Hazel Hatch Fund, the Hubbard Fund, the Donna O. Toncray Fund, the Essie O. Robertson Fund, and most recently, from the Joyce & Perry Trytten Scholarship Fund and the Jack K. Agee Fund.

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NOAH BREAKFAST Join our NOAH group (adults 50+) for breakfast Thursday, October 5.

We will meet at Maggie Mae’s at 2405 East Pikes Peak at 9:00 a.m.

Reservations are not needed.

Just meet us there and be prepared to have a great time!

MANUP! AT THE RANCH All men, 18 and over, are invited to join us at the John Wesley Ranch on October 20 & 21.

This retreat/mission will start with dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. We will have a time of spiritual formation followed by great fellowship with stories and games. Saturday morning after breakfast there will be more time for spiritual formation. We will, then, move into mission mode and help set up for the church-wide Fall Into Fun event. This year, we will again be manning the pumpkin flinging trebuchet/ catapult and helping in other areas as needed. There will be a sign-up table in the Hospitality area on Sunday October 8 and 15. The cost for the event is $5 per meal (dinner, breakfast, lunch). Stop by and see us!

NOAH LUNCH Join us for the NOAH monthly lunch Tuesday, October 24 at 11:30 a.m., at Panino’s (1721 S 8th St). Reservations are not needed. Hope to see you there!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S BAZAAR Join us for the United Methodist Women’s annual Bazaar Saturday, October 28, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This an important fundraiser that benefits the UMW local and international mission projects throughout the year. This year, we are offering an wide variety of food, crafts, and unusual gifts. It’s a great opportunity to Christmas shop and/or find new or practical ideas all in one shopping trip. In turn, the community looks forward to the fun and fellowship of coming together to accomplish a worthy goal of helping others. Join us and stay for lunch with us!

NOAH HARVEST LUNCHEON The NOAH group is invited to a Harvest Luncheon on Monday, October 30 at noon.

Please join us at noon in the Fellowship Hall for a wonderful time togeher! The Swallowtail Celtic Trio will provide the entertainment. Swallowtail Celtic Trio enjoys playing Celtic/World music. They have played their eclectic and exciting brand of Celtic music at venues across Southern Colorado for over 15 years. You’ll hear the unique sounds of the silver and wooden flutes, energetic rhythm base and guitar, and the hammered dulcimer. Our fantastic cooks, Lori and Lynn will be preparing lunch for us.

The cost for this event is $15 per person. Reservations are required as we need to know how many to cook for.

Reservations and payment are due by Sunday, October 22.

Please drop them at the Welcome Desk or mail them to the church (attention: Rev. Jerry Hurst).

FAITH ACADEMY CLASS OCTOBER 18 - NOVEMBER 15 Wednesdays, 6:30 -7:30 p.m.

Place: Sanctuary Leader: Rev. Kent Ingram Creating A Culture of Invitation: Telling our story!

As we roll out our culture of invitation emphasis, we need to be equipped to invite people into our church and help them understand who we are and why we do what we do.

In this four-week session, I want to give a basic introduction to our church; theology, history, worship, ministry, and culture. We have a group of people who are “regular” attenders to our Faith Academy classes. I hope that many more of you will attend this mini adult confirmation experience so that you will be clearer about who we are, and be better able to invite and mentor folks into our congregation. We will be meeting in the sanctuary, so we can better look at the symbols and practices that mark us as a church. I would love to see you there, I think you will find this class informative, helpful, and even transformational.

We all have a story to tell about our church!

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HOMEBOUND VISITOR LUNCHEON

GRIEVING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

Many of our homebound and nursing home resident members attended church all their lives before the circumstance of their health or the health of a loved one made it difficult to attend services. Many miss church fellowship profoundly.

Are you willing to help keep their connection with their church family alive?

It is common for grief to swell and intensify around the holidays.

For many, an immense sorrow starts surfacing right around Thanksgiving. The holidays are traditionally a time to be with family. But what if family looks very different this year?

What if a beloved one is no longer here? Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas music, holiday parties, and festive decorations that were meant to bring joy, can serve as a painful reminder of one’s loss. For many people experiencing loss, the holiday season is the most painful time of all.

If you are interested in finding out more about being a Homebound Visitor, please join us for lunch Sunday, October 8 in the Parlor, from noon to 1:30 p.m., with those currently serving in this area to learn more about this wonderful ministry opportunity. To RSVP for the luncheon, please contact Rev. Patty Walker at 471-8522, ext. 204, or pattyw@fumc-cs.org

ARE YOU GRIEVING? Daytime Grief Support Group If you are grieving please know that we would love to surround you with support and care.

Grieving persons are invited to participate in a grief support group beginning October 12 through December 7. This support group will run for 8 weeks on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., in the Prayer Room. The cost for the materials, book, and course is $40. Scholarships are available. This support group will provide a place for people to integrate their loss, educate themselves around grief misconceptions, as well as provide information that helps affirm, honor and normalize what the grief experience brings. For more information and to sign up, please contact Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522, ext. 204. In order to create a community of trust and cohesion among its members, this will be a closed group (meaning you need to pre-register, it is not a drop-in class you can join half way through). Also, it is a support group specifically for those grieving a death. If you need help locating a support group for other losses, such as divorce, unemployment, etc., please contact Patty.

“God never intended us to suffer alone. He created us to care for and support others in their time of need – and to allow others to care for and support us in ours. This is being interdependent, which is God’s original plan, rather than independent, which can be a very lonely way.”

Kenneth C. Hauck, Founder of Stephen Ministry 10 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

If you're wondering how to get through the holidays this year without your loved one, you are invited to a special event on Saturday, November 11, from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the Theatre. This program will be led by Kathy Sparnins, a local hospice grief educator, and will include a showing of the award-winning film documentary, “Voices of Grief,” as well as a presentation on grieving through the holidays. Feel free to invite any friends and neighbors who you know are grieving. For more information, contact Rev. Patty Walker.

HOSPITALIZATIONS Please contact the church if you or a family member are hospitalized. Times of illness and hospitalization are normally anxious times for us all. Studies indicate that patients benefit measurably from receiving prayer and visits from their clergy and fellow church members.

Please notify the church through Jana Brink, Caring Ministries Admin, at 471-8522, so she can add your information to the hospital visitation list.

ARE YOU GOING THROUGH A HARD TIME? Life can be complicated. Life can be difficult. Stephen Ministers are available to companion you during a struggle in your life. In a loving, compassionate and confidential manner, we are able to share the gifts of prayer, presence, a listening heart, and compassion with you. Please consider asking for a Stephen Minister when you are in need of a Christian friend to walk you through a hard time. To learn more or to request a Stephen Minister, contact Rev. Patty Walker at 471-8522, ext. 204, or pattyw@fumc-cs.org.

CROP WALK ALTERNATIVE

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

For about ten years a motherdaughter team coordinated the Crop Walk which benefited Family Promise in the local community.

The duo retired last year and Family Promise began to hold its own fundraising walk. This year, in support of the walk, FUMC will take a special offering for Family Promise on Sunday, October 15. The walk raises funds to assist families experiencing temporary homelessness with services that will help them return to independence as soon as possible. This congregation generously supported the Crop Walk with an average of $2,500 each participating year. Let's come together again this year to support Family Promise. Thanks in advance from the Missions Committee.

Special Sunday Offering October 1, 2017

FAMILY PROMISE OF COLORADO SPRINGS Family Promise provides a way for local communities to respond to the needs of their homeless “neighbors.” Congregations have found that the Family Promise mission provides an effective way to be involved in a hands-on outreach program that serves the homeless and also fosters congregational unity and interfaith cooperation.

Families arrive at their “home” church each day at 5:00 p.m. and leave at 7:00 a.m. the next morning to go to jobs, school, or the Family Promise Day Center (located on Tejon Street). Upon their arrival “home” each day, families have a hot, nutritious meal prepared by meal preparation volunteers and served by evening host volunteers. Overnight host volunteers arrive at bedtime to “sleep on the job” and to be available if something is needed during the night. Other volunteers set up the family bedrooms with cots and linens on the first Sunday of the host week.

The Family Promise Leadership Team at First United Methodist Church is enormously grateful to our warm and generous volunteers who continue to provide supplies, meals, set-up labor, and host our “families” during evenings and overnights.

This mission COULD NOT operate or be as successful without you! Our next host week at FUMC is October 29 – November 5. Please stop by the Family Promise table on Sunday, October 15 to volunteer or to find out more.

Please contact Katy Adams at 471-3484 to volunteer or get more information.

Around the globe, countless gifted and qualified people face financial obstacles that hinder them from preparing for the vocation God has given them, especially youth and young adults. For ethnic students who will be the first generation in their families to attend college or for those people of color who haven’t historically had access to resources that make higher education possible, the road toward education has often been unwieldy.

What would it look like if the church today imitated Jesus’ affirmation of the full dignity and God-given potential of all women and men—especially those who’ve historically been assigned to the world’s margins? On World Communion Sunday your gifts help provide scholarships for national and international graduate students whom God has gifted to learn and to serve.

The affect of 12.4 million United Methodists, in 136 countries, is phenomenal! Together, we witness to the love of Jesus Christ for a hurting world, and transform lives and communities in his name. We are lifting up the next generation – to lead the church and to lead society – by developing the gifts of undergraduate and graduate students in the United States and around the world.

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” And because the people of The United Methodist Church believe that all of God’s children have been created and gifted to build the kingdom Jesus ushered in, we’re resourcing them to do just that. Because of your giving on World Communion Sunday, the most powerful tool to change the world is in more hands.

This special Sunday offers congregations a unique opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith. Please join us for this special Communion service and prayerfully consider giving an offering to continue sharing God’s gifts around the world. Look for the special offering envelope in the bulletin on Sunday, October 1.

Learn more about FUMC programs and events at www.fumc-cs.org

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