BUILDING AN ELEVEN-FOOT POLE A preacher once said that every church needs an eleven-foot pole, to reach the people no one would touch with a ten-foot pole! At First United Methodist Church, we are in the business of reaching out to all of God’s people. We constantly build eleven-foot poles to reach the ones often ignored by the rest of the world. We care for the lonely shut-ins, the shunned teenagers, the teen who finds themselves homeless, the person who has had a bad experience in church and finds in us a grace-filled people. We give to the work of this church not to support an institution, but to allow our ministry to grow to reach all of God’s children. At the end of October, you should have received a pledge card inviting you to help us “build more eleven-foot poles.” Your pledge will assure that we continue to do the work of God here in the heart of our city and all across the globe. Now is the time to prayerfully start considering what your estimate of giving for next year will be. Please bring the card with you to worship on November 6. If you can’t come to church that week, you can mail it in earlier, or you can make your pledge online at www.fumc-cs.org (under the GIVE tab on the top menu). You may also call in your pledge to the business office at 471-8522, ext. 216. We celebrate the way that this church has reached out in an amazing way to help get youth who finds themselves homeless off the streets of our city! Now, let’s work together to make sure that all of our ministries are strong and vital.
IN THIS ISSUE...
A List By Kent Ingram - Page 2
Around the Church & Beyond Page 3
Music and Arts Ministries Page 4
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Page 5
Children’s Ministries Page 6
Youth Ministries Page 7
Around the Church & Beyond Page 8
Around the Church & Beyond Page 9
Caring Ministries Page 10
Mission Ministries Page 11
HODIE! A Celebration of Christmas Concert Back Cover
A List By Kent Ingram, Senior Pastor
Thanksgiving is not a “church holiday,” but it certainly feels like it should be! Few things are more natural to Christians that giving thanks! The very heart of our worship and service is grounded in a response of gratitude to a God who loves us. So even though Thanksgiving Day is a secular holiday, I say we “baptize” it and make it a chance for us to reflect on our blessings!
God’s call to love folks that I don’t even like
“Count your blessings, name them one
Some of you are old enough to remember the old gospel song that said, “Count your blessings, name them one by one…” I think that’s great advice. Even if you’re not a list maker, go ahead, make a list. Do it on your phone, your note pad, or with a pencil and paper.
by one…”
Start off with the easy ones: I am thankful for: The beautiful place I live The church that sustains me A church that reaches out to the most vulnerable in our society That the election is almost over (too easy…) For my family and friends For food and shelter...
The opportunity to give of myself, my riches, talents and time… And now for the really hard ones. I am thankful for: Those people whose presence irritate me, but allow me to learn how to love as Christ loves For the people who disagree with me, but let me see things in a new way An invitation to take up my cross and follow, even though the way is uncertain and challenging…
Thanksgiving is not as easy as it looks, is it? Oh, it’s fun to think about the beautiful and joyful blessings in life. But a sign of maturity, spiritual maturity, is the ability to offer thanks for those things that force us to change or to struggle. In these moments, however, we experience the deepest growth and most profound change. So, make a list. Ease into it. Don’t stop until you have thought about all the ways you are blessed. If you do, this may be the best Thanksgiving ever!
OK, that’s a good start. Now, let’s work on the harder ones.
See you in Worship,
I am thankful for:
Kent
The challenges in life that help me grow The presence of hope even though circumstances are hard
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.
The 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: Building an Eleven-Foot Pole
WORDS FROM
LELAND REECE, LAY LEADER The music has stopped. The guests have gone home. It is finished! Or is it? Our daughter was recently married in our backyard. After all of the planning, preparation and hard work; it was over in a few hours! It had been a beautiful wedding. The Lord had provided the perfect fall day. There were lots of family and friends and everything had gone well. The following days left me feeling somewhat sentimental. I looked back on the many special times Linda and I have shared with our son and daughter and also forward to the possibility of grandchildren at some point in the future. Mostly, I thought about our own wedding and the commitment we made to each other so many years ago. In retrospect, our marriage has required continual maintenance; especially in the “love and honor one another” part of our vows. It is very easy to slip into a “me . . . me . . . me” attitude and at times, I know the same thing has also been true in my relationship with the Lord. Furthermore, the important relationships in my life have not remained the same but have changed over time. All have required patience and careful listening; always with honor and love for each other. Yours in Christ,
CHRISTMAS AT THE RANCH Friday, Dec. 9, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Join us for a spirited evening of food and fun to celebrate our Christmas season at The Ranch. An elegant dinner will be prepared by our returning chefs, Lynn Strong and Lori Lohrmeyer! Entertainment will be provided by our one and only First Company, led by Marty Fennewald. We invite you to join us to experience the Ranch in its winter glory.
POINSETTIAS Honor a loved one, celebrate your family! During Christmas, we offer the opportunity to purchase poinsettias in honor or in memory of loved ones. These festive holiday plants decorate our Chancel area in the Sanctuary throughout the Advent season. Poinsettias are $22 each for an 8” pot with 3 plants. Sales will start Sunday, November 13 through Sunday, December 11. Please remember that we would like everyone to enjoy these traditional holiday plants on Christmas Eve. You may take your Poinsettia home after the 11:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve, or you may pick up your Poinsettia the following week when the church building reopens on Tuesday, December 27.
HANGING OF THE GREENS This year, we will start organizing and decorating the church on Friday, and Saturday, November 18 and 19. Sunday, November 20, after the 11:00 a.m. service, you may join in the fun by helping us decorate the Sanctuary! If you are interested in helping out, please sign up by filling out the You Can Count on Me bulletin insert. Or, you may also contact Melissa Williams at melissaw@fumc-cs.org.
CONTEMPLATIVE WORSHIP Join us for Contemplative Worship on Sunday, November 20, at 5:30 p.m., in the Chapel. Mark your calendar! Beginning November 30 and during the Advent season, there will be a short contemplative time following each Wednesday Night Dinner with a message theme based on the popular song, “Mary Did You Know.” Please plan on attending this time of reflection and commitment during Advent as we anticipate the coming of God’s light into the world through God’s son, Jesus Christ.
TICKETS: $20 for adults and $15 for children per night. (Check or cash only) TICKET SALES: November 13 & December 4, in the Friendship Lounge, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tickets may also be reserved by contacting Chris Thornton at christ@fumc-cs.org, or at 687-2148 after November 13. Tickets will sell out quickly for this event!
Learn more about FUMC programs and events at www.fumc-cs.org
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FIRST COMPANY PRESENTS ‘AND THEN THERE WERE NONE’ And Then There Were None is based on Agatha Christie's most popular novel and the world's best-selling mystery of all time. Christie, known as the “Queen of Crime” fiction, is the world's best-selling novelist, with over 2 billion copies in print. When And Then There Were None was first performed on stage in 1943, critics called it "genuinely surprising and engaging," and praised it for its "classy, complex plot." This is not the first time this superb story has graced the stage at First United Methodist Church. In 1986, Bruce Carter, who is currently cast in the role of Judge Wargrave, played the bold Philip Lombard. “This is one of the most rewarding opportunities I could hope for – to come back as an older character whom I wanted to play before.” You may recognize Carter from My Fair Lady, in which he played Henry Higgins. New to the First Company stage is Dave Olson, who plays the nervous Dr. Armstrong. Olson hopes to appear in a future First Company musical, as he regularly sings with the Village Seven Presbyterian choir. PERFORMANCES: Friday, Oct. 28 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 2:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 4 Saturday, Nov. 5 Sunday, Nov. 6
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
TICKETS: Adults: $15 l Seniors & Military: $12 l Students: $5 Online tickets: www.firstcompanytheater.org Box Office: 1-866-967-8167
ADVENT BEGINS WITH THE SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS Sunday, November 27, 5:00 p.m. Advent will be upon us by the end of the month! At First United Methodist Church, we traditionally begin the Advent season with our Service of Lessons and Carols presented by the Music and Arts Ministry. During the service our Clergy read all the “Lessons” (scripture) leading to the prophecy and birth of Christ. This service, for the whole family, is an excellent way to prepare our hearts and minds for the busy season leading up to Christmas. The service begins with candle lights in the dark as the choir sings O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, followed by the reading of the traditional nine lessons. Both Advent carols and choral anthems accompany each “lesson.” The Monument Hill Brass along with Joe Galema, Organist, Janice Kinsley, Pianist, and Aaron Turner, Timpanist, provide the instrumental accompaniment for the service. Don’t miss out on this exciting evening!
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Tuesday, November 1 Thursday, November 3 Sunday, November 6 Saturday, November 12 Sunday, November 13
Sundays, Nov. 13, 20 & 27 Wednesday, November 16
AARP Driver Safety Class — Room 135 S.
1:00 p.m.
NOAH Breakfast — Garden of the Gods Gourmet
9:00 a.m.
Pledge Sunday — Bring your Pledge Cards to Worship! T4G - Tweens for God — Kingdom City
4:00 pm
Poinsettia Plants Sale Begins— See details on page 3
First Star Selection Days — See details on page 11 Special Thanksgiving Dinner — See details on page 8
5:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 17
Night Out to End Youth Homelessness — FUMC Parking Lot
6:00 p.m.
Fri & Sat, Nov. 18 & 19
Church Hanging of the Greens — See details on page 3
Saturday, November 19
ManUp! Team at Work — See details on page 9
9:00 a.m.
Sunday, November 20
Contemplative Worship — Chapel
5:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 20
Film Showing - Voices of Grief — Theatre
9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, November 23 Thurs & Fri, Nov. 24 & 25 Saturday, November 26
No Faith Academy Classes or Dinner CHURCH IS CLOSED IN OBSERVACE OF THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY NOAH Trip to Rosemount Museum — See details on page 9
Sunday, November 27
Children’s Ministries Hanging of the Greens — Kingdom City
Sunday, November 27
Service of Lessons and Carols — Sanctuary
5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 4
HODIE! A Celebration of Christmas Concert— Sanctuary
3:00 p.m.
Fri & Sat, Dec. 9 & 10 Sunday, December 11 Tuesday, December 13
12:10 p.m.
Christmas at the Ranch — John Wesley Ranch (Friday at 6:00 and Saturday at 5:00 p.m.) Children’s Choirs Christmas Concert — Theatre
5:00 p.m.
Love Lights a Candle: A Service of Remembrance — Chapel
6:30 p.m.
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:30 AM) Oh I just can’t wait to be king! Hang on, that is the wrong king… We will be discovering a little bit about Israel’s “famous” or perhaps “infamous” kings, which will culminate on Christ the King Sunday. Join us for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays!
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP (11:00 AM) Following the lectionary text that is preached during Sunday’s services, Children’s Worship is a wonderful mixture of traditional, contemporary and just plain fun ways to learn about God’s word. We hope that you will join us!
T4G – TWEENS FOR GOD EXCLUSIVELY for 5th and 6th Graders Saturday, November 12, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. We will meet in Kingdom City to create socks for seniors! Please bring fresh fruits, snacks, easy to eat candy, chapstick, lotion or other items that could be useful to a person living in a Senior/ Assisted living community. We will also share in a very special Charlie Brown Thanksgiving as we learn what it means to be thankful for the simple gifts in life. Wednesday, December 14, from 6:00 – 8:45 p.m. We will meet in The Zone (our Youth area located in the South wing) for a light dinner before joining the FUMC Youth for an evening in the Acacia Park at the outdoor ice skating rink! This event is ONLY for T4G!
KINGDOM CITY HANGING OF THE GREENS
NEW!! FAMILY WORSHIP EXPERIENCE ON THE 5TH SUNDAY Starting in January 2017, every fifth Sunday of the month, First United Methodist Church will offer a new family worship experience steeped in rich tradition. Children and their parents will have the opportunity to worship together as a family at the 9:30 a.m. service. Please note that Kingdom City will be closed on the 5th Sundays to allow families to attend worship together. It is our prayer that this will create family conversation and holy moments of learning for both the children and the parents. The nursery will be available for birth through age 5. If you would prefer to worship separately, we will still offer Children’s Worship in Kingdom City at 11:00 a.m. The next opportunity for family worship will occur on the 5th Sunday of April.
Sunday, November 27 (Immediately after 11:00 a.m. service) Music, bells, cookies, hot chocolate and learning about some of the symbols of Christmas. Come join our families as we deck the Kingdom City Halls and our Cathedral Ringers “ring in” Advent.
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS CHRISTMAS CONCERT Sunday, December 11 5:00 p.m., in the FUMC Theatre Give the gift of your support and time to the children of FUMC by joining us for the Children’s Choirs Christmas Concert. Our Cherub Choir, Chorister Chimes, Chorister Choir, Cathedral Ringers and Cathedral Choirs will all be presenting the music of the season. Please consider making this event part of your Christmas Tradition!
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE 2:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE 10:00 a.m. SLED DAY AND CHILI COOK OFF John Wesley Ranch - January 21, 2017!
November SHARING SAFELY November 2, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (Meal Included). The Zone Join us after dinner, games, and music as Brian teaches us about internet safety and how, what, and when to share, and when it is time to ask for help.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO – WORSHIP
FALL RETREAT 2016
Led by Bruce Phillips, Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in Room 52
Friday, November 4 at 5:00 p.m. through Sunday, November 6 at 3:00 p.m. Cost: $25 (checks payable to FUMC)
Every Sunday, countless churches have worship services that can be dramatically different. Even in our own church, we have four different services. This fall, at 11:00 a.m., we will work together to discover what makes a gathering a worship service. We will look at sources, traditions, and other church approaches to worship as we develop our own understanding and practice.
Registration deadline is November 2 Please fill out a Trip Form online at www.fumc-cs.org (forms also available in The Zone) Get away with us to our place in the mountains, the John Wesley Ranch. We’ll grow closer to God. We’ll grow closer to each other. Are you ready to rest, play, eat and worship well? Friends are always welcome!
MUSIC/MYSTERY BOX NIGHT November 9, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (Meal Included). The Zone Here is your chance to bring a song that reminds you of some of the conversation your small group has had recently. Be ready to share about it. Or, if you’d rather, when it’s your turn, you can draw a random question out of the Mystery Box to answer.
MOVIE NIGHT Hello there! I have volunteered at our downtown Urban Peak teen shelter for 9 wonderful years now. The number of homeless teens just outside our church doors has only grown over that time. Getting sponsors and spending the night out in the church’s north parking lot, November 17 (6:00 pm) through November 18 (6:00 am), is a great way to help Urban Peak extend their work and also for each of us participating to learn more about teen homelessness. Yes, it’s on a school/work night; this is on purpose. Every morning, homeless teens wake up on the street and have to get themselves to school, work or wherever they need to go. We’ll experience a taste of that together. I hope you will join me in our efforts! In God’s Grip, Participants: Youth 14 years and older and adults. Rev. Dr. Todd Spencer will be participating and helping host the event.
Wednesday, November 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Zone (Meal Included) After dinner, we are going to gather around a screen for popcorn and a movie. This will be a night to relax and enjoy a movie picked by Todd and the Youth Advisory Team.
NO YOUTH – THANKSGIVING BREAK Wednesday, November 23
TODD’S PICK! Wednesday, November 30, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Zone (Meal Included) After dinner and large group games, Todd will bring us together for music and a topic of his choosing. Join us as we discover what surprises he has in store!
To register, contact Julian McGinn (see information above) Further details to come soon!
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS A MID-WEEK BREAK!
Session 5 of Faith Academy will continue on November 2, 9, and 16. You are welcome to join Kent’s Class, Listen to the Parables! Or Chuck’s class, Ministry for Veterans and Military Families (See class descriptions below). There will be no dinner or classes on November 23, as we take a break for Thanksgiving. On November 30, the dinners will resume and we will begin our Advent program and Contemplative worship in the Fellowship Hall. The Advent program theme will be “A Fresh Look at Christmas.”
Listen to the Parables! Leader: Rev. Kent Ingram. Scripture 301. Room 133 S. Jesus’ primary way of teaching is through parable. Using common, everyday illustrations, Jesus talks about God’s reign. The parables sound sweet and simple, but they are not! They are counter intuitive and often radical! Join us as we take a look at Jesus’ parables in the synoptic gospels.
Ministry for Veterans and Military Families Leader: Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens. Experience 204, in Room 234 S This class will spend five weeks reviewing the book, Coming Home — Ministry That Matters with Veterans and Families, by Zachary Moon. He is a commissioned military chaplain who has served as a VA chaplain and with combat veterans in residential treatment for PTSD. “Coming Home” speaks frankly to the underlying issues of welcoming our veterans back into our communities. We will study the text and have small group discussions regarding our effectiveness in this type of ministry. You may order this book ahead of time for about $11 at Cokesbury books.
Katherine Richardson, owner of Sunnyside Occasions, continues to bless us weekly with her talents and time in our beautiful kitchen! However, on Wednesday, November 16, we will be treated to an old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Lisa Robinson and Joan Cox! This Thanksgiving season, let’s express our gratitude for what we have by bringing items for ESM’s Thanksgiving baskets! A few suggestions include; canned green beans, corn, yams and cranberry sauce, boxed stuffing, packaged gravy, cake mixes with frosting, and evaporated milk. ESM is also in need of laundry detergent, peanut butter, jelly and protein bars. ESM will be putting together Thanksgiving baskets to be delivered to families in need during Thanksgiving week. Everyone is invited to come to Wednesday Night Dinners and enjoy a time of fellowship. Give yourself a ‘mid-week break’ as well and join for dinner! Dinner is served from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children K-6 (children under 5 eat for free). There is a family maximum of $20 for members of the same household.
VOLUNTEERING FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER! We have a number of dedicated and faithful volunteers that help every Wednesday but we need more helping hands especially with dishes and clean up. To learn more, please contact Melissa Williams at melissaw@fumc-cs.org. “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” ~ Mother Teresa
WILD WINTER WEATHER AROUND THE CORNER! This is the season we like to remind our members and friends that First Church follows School District 11 delay and closure policies. On the occasions when a storm intensifies on a day we have already been open for business, and the schools have completed for the day; we may, for the safety of our members and staff, choose to close early. All closures and delays will be posted on the FUMC website as they occur. Please remember to check the rotator slide on the homepage of the website: www.fumc-cs.org for information on delays, early closures, and complete closures. We also provide our closures and delays to KKTV, local Channel 11, and www.kktv.com as early as we possibly can to help you know when it is necessary to change plans for your scheduled church activities.
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AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS The next AARP Driver Safety Class is Tuesday, November 1. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for NonAARP members. The class will meet from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., in Room 135 S. This is a great way to receive a discount on many auto insurance policies. To register, contact John Graves at gravesj1@comcast.net. If you are an AARP member, you need to bring your card to get the discount.
NOAH BREAKFAST Thursday, November 3 is our next NOAH Breakfast! Join us at Garden of the Gods Gourmet, at 410 S. 26th St., at 9:00 a.m. Don’t miss out on great food and Christian fellowship with this group! Reservations are not needed.
SET YOUR CLOCKS! Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6. Be sure to set your clocks back one hour when you go to bed on Saturday night!
MANUP! TEAM AT WORK On Saturday, November 19, our ManUp! group is going to help prepare the church for Advent decorating. We’ll be getting the decorations out of storage and moving them to the appropriate areas. This is a big job, so we hope we get a large number of men here to help. We will meet in Fellowship Hall at 9:00 a.m. and Melissa Williams will assign our duties. At noon, we’ll break for a soup and sandwich lunch provided by Melissa at no charge! Please contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522 ext. 209, or at jerryh@fumc-cs.org, if you plan to lend a hand so that we can plan for lunch quantities.
NOAH ROSEMOUNT TRIP Last year, we got snowed out, so we are trying again! On Saturday, November 26, we will take our bus to Pueblo to visit the Rosemount Museum. It will be fully decorated for Christmas. After our tour, we will stop at Cracker Barrel for lunch and then head on home. We will leave the church at 9:30 a.m. The cost for the trip is $10 per person. Please bring additional money for your lunch. To register for this trip, contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522, or at jerryh@fumc-cs.org.
YOU CAN BE A SACRAMENTAL AID A sacrament is a Christian rite that is believed to have been ordained by Christ held to be a means of divine grace or a symbol of a spiritual reality. Communion is a sacrament that puts you in the presence of God. Our Communion Steward Team is a vital part of worship. Each and every one of the team is an extension of Christ as they prepare and serve this holy meal. Week after week, there is a lot that must happen behind the scenes in order for our Sunday morning worship to be ready. Bulletin printing and stuffing, Communion preparation, TV ministry, Ushers, hospitality, Andrew Ministers, choirs, special music, children’s time, sound and video crew are just some of the areas constantly working to offer the best worship experience to the congregation. At this time, we are in great need of additional persons to help with the preparation and set-up of Communion for Sunday mornings. There are many different ways you can help. Some tasks only take as little as 15 minutes. The most time consuming one takes around 2 hours of your time, once every two or three months. This is a great way to serve God and your church family. If you are interested in being a Communion Steward, or serving in any other of the areas listed above, please contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522, or jerryh@fumc-cs.org.
BUS MINISTRY We urgently need to recruit new drivers. Unfortunately, we have had to cancel some of our regular routes the last few Sundays due to lack of an available driver. We currently have 10 drivers, but need 12-15, to allow our group of dedicated and hard-working drivers extra time between rotations. Our drivers balance Church activities, family, jobs and social life. Many of them volunteer in other areas of the Church or in the community. I arrange the schedule to allow drivers to attend their usual Sunday school and worship service. No CDL is needed, just a regular driver’s license. Needed: experience driving this type of vehicle or the desire to train. Your commitment would be to drive for a few hours on Sunday, about once every 5 weeks. Our Bus Ministry brings members to church on Sunday, and for some, this is their only enjoyable trip away from a care center, assisted living or independent living facility. The fellowship that develops between drivers and passengers, and between passengers, is very special. This is an opportunity to meet new friends, as well as to serve the Church in a very rewarding and important ministry. Please consider becoming a part of this wonderful ministry. For more information, contact Catherine Marshall, Bus Ministry Coordinator, at 719-484-9347 or catmarshall57@hotmail.com.
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FILM SHOWING VOICES OF GRIEF Sunday, November 20 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., in the Theatre All are welcome to this viewing of the documentary film – Voices of Grief, Honoring The Sacred Journey, which shares a fresh perspective on the many ways we navigate successfully through grief or companion others along their journey. Wisdom from contemporary authors, grief experts and spiritual teachers is woven through personal stories of loss to explore the roles of community, compassion and connection in this sacred journey. There will be a ‘Questions and Answers’ period following the showing with Kathy Sparnins, producer of the film. Voices of Grief explores the discouragement in our culture for the normal grief and mourning process while at the same time offering a new perspective on how to honor, transform and integrate our grief. The film is based on the interplay of teachings from contemporary authors, poets, and spiritual teachers coupled with the stories of individual grief. Marianne Williamson, David Kessler, Paula D’Arcy, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Stephen and Andrea Levine, Dr. Kenneth Doka, and Thomas Lynch are among the experts interviewed for this project. Kathy Sparnins, creator of the film, leads the Grief Support Groups for FUMC as well as for Prospect Home Care & Hospice. Kathy’s background includes certification with the Death and Grief Studies program with the Center for Loss and Life Transition through CSU. Kathy completed a Chaplain Internship with Pikes Peak Hospice and trained as a facilitator with the internationally known Dougy Center for Grieving Youth in Portland, which was founded by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
LOVE LIGHTS A CANDLE: A SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE Tuesday, December 13, 6:30 p.m., in the Chapel Followed by a Reception Sometimes is it hard to feel joy during the Christmas season when a loved one has died. If you find yourself in this sadness please come to a special evening of reflection, music, candle lighting, and communion to come together in grief, remember loved ones, and find light in a holiday season that may be feeling very dark. This is a time for remembering and sharing our hurting places with God. This gathering will provide a space for those who are grieving or facing any kind of pain in the midst of this season of celebration and seeking the presence of Christ our Light, who goes with us in the darkness. You are invited to bring a photo or an object of remembrance of your loved one. Childcare will be provided. Questions? Contact Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org, or 471-8522, ext. 204.
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COULD GOD BE CALLING YOU TO BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER? Stephen Ministry is a behind the scenes ministry at FUMC, but make no mistake, it is a powerful one! Our Stephen Ministers offer a one-on-one ministry to people in the congregation who are experiencing divorce, grief, unemployment, a terminal illness, loneliness, a spiritual crisis, and other life difficulties. The role of a Stephen Minister is to provide emotional support, to pray with and for their care receiver, and to walk with the person for the duration of the crisis. This way, while a Stephen Minister may be ministering to a parent of a child with an addiction, another may be offering empathy and support to a single mother, yet another may be sharing encouraging words to a young man in chronic pain. Another may be bringing a listening presence to a military person returned from deployment. A Stephen Minister typically meets with his or her care receiver once a week for about an hour. Caring relationships last as long as the need is there—perhaps only a month or two, or possibly a year or more. Stephen Ministers keep everything their care receivers say as well as their identities confidential. A new class of Stephen Ministers will be trained (20 sessions) at FUMC starting in January 2017. For an application or more information, contact Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org, or 471-8522, ext. 204.
CONTEMPLATIVE JOURNEY PROGRAM Register by December 31 Are you hungering to go deeper in your intimacy with God? Come and meet God in the silence of contemplative prayer. Contemplative practices facilitate and strengthen our relationship with God. The Contemplative Journey Program, offered through FUMC in partnership with Contemplative Outreach (an ecumenical, international organization whose purpose is to renew the contemplative dimension of life) is an opportunity to explore contemplative prayer and to go deeper in your faith journey. The Contemplative Journey Program uses the wisdom and writings of Fr. Thomas Keating to explain the theology, psychology and spirituality of centering prayer and contemplation. This program will be presented in an 11-week session, which includes facilitated discussions, videos produced by Contemplative Outreach, LTD readings, and personal ‘soul friending.’ Classes will go from January 19 to April 13, 2017 at FUMC, on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. - Noon. Cost for the Contemplative Journey Program is $140. Scholarships are available. For more information or to register, contact Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org, or 471-8522, ext. 204.
INTERFAITH BUILD Our Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity (PPHFH) project is starting to take shape. So far, we have 13 volunteers that have signed up for the six scheduled Saturdays.
ESM THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY BASKETS Ecumenical Social Ministries (ESM) will be distributing ‘Thanksgiving Holiday Baskets’ to those in need in our community, and we need your help!
The following dates are still available with openings for both, the morning and afternoon shifts: Dec. 3, 2016; Jan. 7, 2017; Feb. 11, 2017; April 22, 2017; and May 20, 2017. The morning shift will work from 8:30 a.m. – Noon and the afternoon shift will work from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. The churches that we will be working with are; First Congregational, St. Patrick’s, First Lutheran, St. Francis, and The Thrivent Group (Lutheran affiliated). The building site is on Bunting Ave., in Fountain. Each church provides 5 volunteers per shift, working six Saturdays. Updates are provided in the “First News” found in each Sunday’s Church Bulletin.
We are seeking donations for the following items: turkey or roasting chicken, boxed stuffing, canned cranberry sauce, canned or packed gravy, cake mix with frosting, canned yams, canned corn, canned green beans, bag of potatoes, canned pumpkin pie and crust, canned evaporated milk.
If you haven’t had the experience of working with other church members, we urge you to volunteer for this build. By FUMC participating in this type of build, it provides an opportunity for us to put our faith in action, with other FUMC members and churches, by providing a home to a family who truly needs it. Gordon Kunzman is the leader of our team of volunteers and the liaison person with PPHFH. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the You Can Count on Me bulletin yellow insert, or contact Gordon at gordonkco@q.com, or 548-0150
UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY
FIRST STARS This Christmas, Be a Special Shining “Star” for Local Children! First Stars is a local Christmas program sponsored by First United Methodist Church. Children are selected by their elementary school counselors based on financial need. For each child selected and their siblings, suggestions for a toy and clothing gift are provided by parents or guardians. A star (label) is created with their information. You will have the opportunity to select a star(s) in the Hospitality Center, from 8:00 a.m. to Noon on the noted dates. If you are interested in volunteering to help during star selection Sundays and/or gift drop-off Sundays, please fill out the yellow You Can Count on Me insert in the Sunday bulletin, or contact Val Stevenson at 481-9698, or Peggy Schnurr at 963-5331. Please prayerfully consider helping to make the holidays brighter for these children! Select-a-Star Sundays November 13 November 20 November 27
Gift Drop-Off Sundays November 20 November 27 December 4
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” ~Acts 20:35
Donations are needed by November 10. We plan on giving out over 450 baskets; so many volunteers will be needed. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact LaToya at 719-228-6788. For information please call 719-636-1916.
Sunday, November 27 Together, we educate students so they can make a difference in the world. Across the country, the people of The United Methodist Church are serving the people God loves in Jesus’ name. We’re doing it at home, but so often we’d like to do more. Right now, there are UMC young people—who might not have had the resources to attend a school of their choice, or, for some, any school at all—who’ve been sent by you into the world God loves because of your giving to United Methodist Student Day. When you give generously you are supporting these students as they prepare for a life that unites faith with knowledge. What no one person or congregation can do alone, we’re doing together. Remember, $1 per member per Special Sunday offering makes a big difference! Students in our annual conference – and perhaps our congregation – benefit from this offering. Please celebrate and give generously – without your gifts, many students may be turned away!
THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE! North Middle School Supply Drive was truly a successful one! With your outstanding support, FUMC was able to provide 39 North Middle School students with all their school supplies, and another 44 students with partial supplies! In addition, we have provided the school with a stock of much needed feminine hygiene products. “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” ~ Matthew18:5
First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 11
Featuring the HODIE! (Latin for “Today”) By Z. Randall Stroope,
Christmas Music By the Chamber Singers
Traditional Christmas Carols Accompanied by a full orchestra.