Encounter Newsletter October 2019

MUSIC AND ARTS SUNDAY Sunday, October 13 Music and Arts Sunday is a special day when we acknowledge and commission all of our musical groups in the life of FUMC. If you have been at FUMC for at least one year, you will recognize the special song we sing after the commissioning: The First Song of Isaiah. Congregation members get to sing along with the choir. Our children, youth, adults, handbells, brass, Crossroads and organ participate in the song. It is a great way for everyone to get a sense of the vast number of people who participate in our Music and Arts Ministry. Come to worship with us on October 13 and be a part of this great celebration!

This is a Church

By Kent Ingram, Senior Pastor

The previous season had ended badly for the Green Bay Packers. They lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the championship game, and the loss ate at them all off season.

In his best-selling book, When Pride Still Mattered: A Life Of Vince Lombardi, author David Maraniss explains what happened when Lombardi walked into training camp in the summer of 1961.

“He took nothing for granted. He began a tradition of starting from scratch, assuming that the players were blank slates who carried over no knowledge from the year before… He began with the most elemental statement of all. “Gentlemen,” he said, holding a pigskin in his right hand, “this is a football.”

When things felt like they were in disarray, when feelings were raw and there was a deep uncertainty, coach Lombardi knew what to do, he returned to the basics. He went back to the very fundamentals of the game and started rebuilding from there.

We live in tumultuous times. Our culture is as divided as I have ever seen it in my lifetime. There is a lot of anger and uncertainty and confusion. Some of that cultural confusion has found its way into the church. Where once, people went to church seeking peace and an anchor for their lives, now people come to carry on the battles around ideologies and partisanship that are tearing our country apart.

In our little corner of the church world as United Methodists, we are in the midst of a long, tumultuous time of confusion, acrimony and uncertainty. While we have avoided the harshest fights in our own local congregation, there is still difference of opinion and anxiety around what the future holds. This lack of clarity has many folks anxious.

So It’s time for us to step back a moment and return to the basics.

“This is a church.”

I am committed to leading from a place of returning to the basics of our faith and want to invite you to join me in putting our hearts into the very acts of discipleship that are the reason we are here. I am working hard on my preaching and our worship services to allow people, week after week, to come into God’s presence. I am committed to teaching a Bible study every week, starting this fall with the Gospel of Mark. As a church, we will provide pastoral care to our most vulnerable folks. We will teach our children and youth. We will engage our community in acts of service and mercy. We will provide opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth.

We will, in as many ways as possible, extend God’s love to the world.

This is the church.

I invite you to recommit to the basics. Worship. Pray. Serve.

Study. Give.

No matter what the future holds for our denomination, we will be a church committed to the basics. We will open our doors to all of God’s children and share God’s love with as many folks as we can.

This is the church.

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: Music and Arts Sunday!

WORDS FROM

JAN CAFFEY, LAY LEADER Thank you to Catherine Marshall for serving as our bus ministry coordinator for four years! I think this is the hardest volunteer job at FUMC. She scheduled the buses, drivers and passengers every week and coordinated bus maintenance with Jerom Vasquez. She also recruited and trained numerous drivers. Cat is a very caring lady who has worked tirelessly to make this ministry the success that it is!

This is truly a ministry – it is not just transportation. Our passengers love to come to church. They could watch the service on TV, but with the bus, they experience the community of FUMC. And that’s a beautiful thing. They care about each other. They love interacting during coffee time. Woe to the driver who gets them there too late for that! I love giving these wonderful people an opportunity to get out for something as positive as worship.

Anil Dewan will be our new coordinator! What a brave soul! I look forward to meeting him and working with him.

Thanks for volunteering! Many, many heartfelt thanks to Cat and our many dedicated drivers. We are always happy to train new drivers.

ATTENTION VETERANS!! Our first Veterans Tribute last year was very well received. We get to do it again! I hope we have more participation this time. Now’s your chance to send me photos of yourself or your family members who are on active duty or are veterans. I need the name, branch of service, and years served (e.g. 1981 – 2001). They can be action or casual shots or portraits. We include our veterans who have passed on. Veterans, if you don’t respond, don’t think for a minute that I won’t go over your heads and contact your spouses! Please send scanned photos to Jan Caffey at jan.caffey@comcast.net or call 719-527-4290.

SECOND MILE GIFT I know that many of you have said to yourself, “I need to give a little more to my church. I need to give my second mile gift.” It’s not too late! Many of you give sacrificially, and we are grateful! Many of us, however, can give another $100 or $200 to support the work of the church. You may mark your check or envelope as a “Second Mile” gift. Every dollar you give makes a difference in the work of your church!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

What the world needs more than anything is a sign of hope. We are a people of hope! Our hope is grounded in the promise of God’s love and care for all. We are surrounded by fear and troubles. We can be a shining ray of hope in this often dark world.

Through our worship, our various ministries, our works of mercy and compassion, we are a beacon of hope. At First United Methodist Church, we touch thousands of lives every year with the Good News of God’s love! Your giving makes that possible.

We will be receiving our pledge cards on November 3. Every pledge is an investment in hope. Every dollar, every dime, makes a difference. Consider what you give as a percentage of your income. Can you grow by 1 percent this year? By two? Consider what you give on a weekly basis. Can you give the equivalent of one more fancy coffee, one more fast food meal a week?

Look for your pledge letter coming in mid-October. Prayerfully consider how you can grow in your support of the hopeful work of your church. Together, we can continue to touch lives, and bring healing and hope to our world. It’s time for us to step up our investment in hope.

FIRST FELLOWSHIP UPCOMING DINNERS Lynn Strong and Lori Lohrmeyer will be the chefs, once again, for our next First Fellowship dinner.

Join us for great fellowship and a delicious dinner Wednesday, October 23, 5:00-6:15 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Children eat for free in October!

October 23 - ESM Food Drive. Let’s fill the ESM Pantry!

Bring non-perishable food items to support ESM! November 20 - A Thankful Dinner!

December 4,11, and 18 - Advent Program and Dinner!

Volunteers are needed. Become part of a fun team and help for a few hours with First Fellowship. For information, contact Melissa at melissaw@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522, ext. 237.

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YOUTH SINGERS DONUT FUNDRAISER The Youth Singers donut fundraiser sale continues in October. Please help us support our wonderful Youth Singers Tour by purchasing some freshly-baked Krispy Kreme doughnuts on October 6. Thank you for your support!

YOUTH SINGERS IS ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS! Our youth choir, Youth Singers (7th-12th grades) is accepting new members!

Rehearsals are Sundays at 3:45–5:00 p.m. in the Choir Room (basement level).

The Youth Singers choir is an excellent outlet for youth to gather, be together, learn and be supported of each other.

These singers also learn the discipline of being in a performing group as we prepare for worship each week.

The music learned and sung in worship comes from either direct scripture quotes, or scripture adaptations. By singing this type of music, youth learn theological concepts as well as solid musical concepts which they carry with them the rest of their lives. At the end of the school year, Youth Singers get to travel to exciting destinations on the annual tour.

Questions? Please call the music office, 471-8522, ext. 221.

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS IS ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS! Our fully graded (divided by age groups) children’s choir program is on Wednesdays.

CHOIRS’ SCHEDULE:

WEDNESDAYS — 5:45 - 6:30 PM: Cathedral Ringers (handbells) is for children ages 8 through 12. This group is directed by Debbie Louis. It is offered to children beginners to experienced in handbell ringing.

WEDNESDAYS — 6:30 - 7:30 PM: Cherub Choir age 4 - 1st grade. This choir is directed by Janice Kinsley – a multi-talented person with numerous years of experience as an organist, Youth Singer accompanist, and handbell director. Janice has an incredible love for, and understanding about children of this age.

Chorister Choir 2nd - 3rd grade. This choir is led by Sarah Greenley, a talented musician who went through the FUMC children’s choir program and currently sings in the adult Chancel Choir.

Cathedral Choir 4th - 6th grade. This choir is directed by Nicole Louis, another experienced musician who has been through the children’s choir program, graduated from Youth Singers, and now sings in the adult Chancel Choir.

Questions? Call the music office, 719-884-2504.

MESSIAH AND THE CHANCEL CHOIR The Chancel Choir, soloists and orchestra will come together to perform George Frideric Handel’s greatest masterpiece, MESSIAH December 8 at 3:00 p.m.

Have you wondered what it would be like to perform MESSIAH with a full orchestra and professional soloists? If so, we want you to join us! Rehearsals for MESSIAH will begin on Thursday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m., for 45 minutes to an hour. Rehearsal time will increase as we get closer to performance. There will be two Saturday rehearsals: October 12 and November 16, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. The dress rehearsal will be Saturday, December 7, 9:30 - 12 noon.

Interested? Call the music office, 471-8522, ext. 221 and give us your name and voice part so we can be prepared for your arrival on October 3.

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Sundays

“Wonderfully Made” Worship Service — Kingdom City

5:30 p.m.

Sundays

Centering Prayer — Ongoing

9:30 a.m.

Thursday, October 3 Fri & Sat, October 4 & 5

Chancel Choir Rehearsals Begin for MESSIAH — (Details on page 4) A Ministry of Christian Healing — (Details on page 9)

Sunday, October 6

Special Sunday Offering — (Details on page 10)

Sunday, October 20

Widows & Widowers Potluck — (Details on page 9)

12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 23

First Fellowship Dinner — (Details on page 3)

5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 23

Contemplative Worship — (Faith Academy dates page 8)

5:40 p.m.

Wednesday, October 23

Faith Academy Classes — (Details on page 8)

6:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 24

Faith Academy Class — (Kent Ingram’s class from Wednesdays ) 9:00 a.m.

Fri, Sat, Sun, Oct. 25, 26, 27

First Company’s Production “HEIDI” — (Details on back cover)

Fri, Sat, Sun, Nov. 1, 2, 3

First Company’s Production “HEIDI” — (Details on back cover)

Saturday, October 26

Sunday, November 3 Thursday, November 7

UMW Bazaar — (Details on page 9)

Native American Mission Program — Parlor Urban Peak Night Out Project — (Details on page 11)

9:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

Continued from back cover….

HEIDI SHOWS

production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” last summer with Annaliese Higgins and her mother, Paula.

Fridays, October 25 and 26 - 7:00 p.m.

Saturdays, November 1 and 2 - 7:00 p.m.

Sundays, October 27 and November 3 - 2:30 p.m.

Tammy Gant, who played Sister Mary Lazarus in the First Company production of “Sister Act” last spring is stage manager for “Heidi.” Higgins last appeared in the First Company production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and has appeared in many local productions, including the award-winning 2016 production of “Pride and Prejudice”

by Tin Roof Productions. This is Lily, Josh and Ray’s first time appearance in a First Company production.

TICKETS Tickets will be available October 1 at fumc-cs.org.

Adults: $15 Military and seniors: $12 Students: $5

LOCATION First United Methodist Church Theatre 420 N Nevada Ave. Colorado Springs First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 5

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 9:30 AM & 11 AM In our Sunday School class, we follow the weekly lectionary by studying the scriptures and stories that are being taught in the worship services in the sanctuary.

There will be games, crafts and videos that will help us learn all about God’s love!

FAITH ACADEMY KIDS! Wednesday nights in Kingdom City During Faith Academy season, children will explore all sorts of different ways to pray – so come to have fun, draw, sing and try something new!

T4G 5th and 6th graders only Event information for our T4G is coming soon. Please make sure your contact information is up-to-date if you have 5th or 6th graders, so we can invite them to participate in special events prepared just for them! Send any updated information to Lisa at lisasz@fumc-cs.org or 719-471-8522 ext. 263.

ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL AT THE RANCH Saturday, October 19 12 noon - 3:00 p.m.

We will host the 5th annual Family Fall Festival at John Wesley Ranch! Kids of ALL ages are invited to join us for games, hotdogs, face painting,

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hayrides, pumpkin carving and punkin’ chunkin.’ Be sure to wear your costumes and join the “Best Costume” contest!

There will be prizes and lots of fun for all! Come and invite your friends.

CHRISTMAS TREASURES Saturday, December 7 9 a.m.– 12 noon During the lead-up to Christmas, we are offering parents and guardians of children the opportunity to spend a Saturday preparing on your own. Come and drop off your children ages birth through 6th grade in Kingdom City. The children will have the opportunity to create and wrap all sorts of gifts for the adults in their lives. Keep an eye on the You Can Count on Me bulletin insert for opportunities to volunteer.

9:00-9:30 AM (The Zone) Breakfast Club (Continental breakfast and hanging out!)

9:30–10:30 AM (Hibbard Hall) Song & Scripture “Rocktober” 10:30-11:00 AM Hang Time in The Zone THE ZONE CLOSES AT 11:00 AM

OCTOBER WEDNESDAY NIGHTS SHAMELESS Wednesday, October 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Zone Meal 2 Timothy 1:1-14 “Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.” With dinner, games, and music, we will be digging into Failure with our small groups.

UNBROKEN Wednesday, October 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Zone Meal 2 Timothy 2:8-15 “For which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.” With dinner, games, and music, we will be digging into Perseverance with our small groups.

PREPARED

SONG & SCRIPTURE “ROCKTOBER” Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m.

This Youth Sunday School class focuses on being intentional.

Intentionally listen to God, for God, and seeing Him anywhere and everywhere. We take the songs that make it on the radio; listen for what God can teach us through them and others; and we share scripture, ideas, and stories that not only inspire, but remind us that God is not just at church. This month, we will be talking about harder topics, so we will need “harder” music. Rock, Rap, and the Fruit of the Spirit, all in “Rocktober.”

FALL RETREAT! FALL RETREAT 2019 AT JOHN WESLEY RANCH Friday, November 1, begins at 5:00 p.m.

Through Sunday, November 3, ends at 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $35. EARLY BIRD: Sign up by October 2, for $25!

Register by October 23, by turning in your trip forms (download from www.fumc-cs.org) and $35 (payments made out to FUMC). Come get away with us to our place in the mountains. We’ll grow closer to God. We’ll grow closer to each other. We will learn from a senior youth leader and each other. Are you ready to rest, play, eat, and worship?!

Friends are always welcome!

October 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Zone Meal 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” With dinner, games, and music, we will be digging into The Bible with our small groups.

URBAN PEAK (FIRST FELLOWSHIP) Wednesday, October 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Fellowship Hall Meal (5:00-6:15 p.m.)

This evening, speakers from Urban Peak will come and educate us about Urban Peaks incredible ministry. Urban Peak Colorado Springs ignites the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self-determined, fulfilled lives.

Urban Peak’s shelter, street outreach, and housing programs reached nearly 700 youth last year in the Pikes Peak Region.

We will be hosting Night Out on November 7.

STAY AT YOUR HOUSE Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Zone Meal Luke 19:1-9 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” With dinner, games, and music, we will be digging into Being Found with our small groups.

OCTOBER MEETING YAT Sunday, October 27. The Zone

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CONTEMPLATIVE WORSHIP

FAITH ACADEMY CLASSES - SESSION 2

You are invited to join us for a quiet time of mid-week contemplative worship (most weeks, September-May). Each gathering is woven through with simple liturgy, song, silence, and prayer practices. We meet Wednesdays in the Prayer Room, 5:40 - 6:25 p.m. Contemplative Worship follows the Faith Academy class schedule. After Contemplative Worship, consider attending a Faith Academy class or the contemplative prayer group at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Rev. Dr. Todd Spencer at todds@fumc-cs.org or 884-2502.

CORNERSTONE: OUR FOUNDATIONS

YOU’VE OUTGROWN YOUTH GROUP?

MESSIAH

So now what? What’s Next?!?

College students and young adults are invited to a new small group that meets on Thursdays, 5:00 - 6:45 p.m. Food is free! We will focus on the connection we have with each other. As we continue on our journey from home, high school, college, or to the next thing, we need a community to fill us with laughter and support. Just because you're too old for Youth Ministry, doesn’t mean you’re too old for church! For fellowship!

God is still working in our lives. Contact Zach Walker for more details at zachw@fumc-cs.org.

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING On September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, staff members of FUMC and other members in the community gathered in Hibbard Hall for the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training.

In this course, we discussed and practiced to be better equipped to recognize and help youth in crisis. Led by David Galvan and Brittany Riffle, co-chairs and trainers from El Paso County Suicide Prevention Workgroup, the 8-hour course entitled Education for a Lifetime was informative, applicable, humbling, and honest.

On September 18, mental health conversations continued with parents and youth.

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Leader: Rev. Tiffany Keith.

Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Location: Parlor October 23, 30, November 6, 13 and 20 What did you think the last time someone was sitting in your pew? Was your first thought, “Cool! A visitor I can make feel welcome!” Was your second thought, “I hope they don’t ask any hard questions...”? We would like you to feel prepared to answer any question when you meet a visitor. Or maybe YOU ARE the visitor! We would like to invite visitors and members alike to attend Cornerstone.

This will be a chance to learn about United Methodist Beliefs and First United Methodist Church.

Leader: Rev. Steve Harter Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Room 21 October 30, November 2, 9, 16 This study of George Frideric Handel’s greatest masterpiece will examine how it came to be created, the scriptures on which it is based, progression of the “story line,” and what makes this great Oratorio one of the most magnificent musical masterpieces ever written and why it continues to be popular almost 300 years after it was created.

BIBLE STUDY WITH THE PASTOR Leader: Rev. Kent Ingram Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. OR Thursdays, 9:00 –10:00 a.m.

October 23, 30, November 6, 13 and 20. Room 133 Rev. Ingram is leading a Bible study of the Gospel of Mark.

The oldest Gospel in the New Testament, it offers insights into the earliest views of Jesus and what a disciple of Jesus would look like. All you need is a Bible. We can supply one if you need it!

THE REAL MESSAGE OF REVELATION Leader: Bruce Phillips Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Room 234 South Wing October 30, November 6, 13, 20 The book of Revelation is so full of confusing symbols, images, and language that we’re not sure what it means or why it’s even in the Bible. But if we examine and reject the misinterpretations and consider how its original audience understood it, we can discover the very relevant message Revelation has for us today. You are welcome to come even if you missed earlier classes.

WIDOWS & WIDOWERS POTLUCK

OSL: A MINISTRY OF CHRISTIAN HEALING

All widows and widowers are invited for a potluck lunch on the 3rd Sunday of every month in the Parlor at 12 noon.

Please join us and bring a food dish to share (such as a main dish, side dish, salad, dessert, etc.). Please mark your calendar for the next potlucks:

The Healing Prayer Conference "Let's Get Spiritually Excited about God!" will be held at FUMC on Friday, October 4, from 5:30-9:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 5, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Continental breakfast and lunch are included. This conference is sponsored by the Colorado Springs-Pikes Peak Chapter of OSL (the Order of St. Luke.) We are fortunate to have two inspiring leaders, Jack and Anna Marie Sheffield, who have participated in healing Prayer Ministry for more than 35 years. Together, they’ve established Deep River Ministries and the Christ Healing Center in San Antonio, TX. Jack formerly led OSL in North America and is the author of several books: "God's Healing River," "The Genesis Seed," Under Healing Wings," and "Show Me the Glory." The cost of the conference is $35/ person. Walk-in registrations will be accepted. Registration brochures are available at the welcome desk. For additional information, please contact Judy Rogers at 216-8004.

October 20 - Let’s get together for lunch! November 17 We will have lunch and watch the Denver Bronco football game together! December 15 - Our potluck lunch will be in room 235. We will make a Christmas centerpiece decorations to give to older FUMC widows and attend Love Lights a Candle Worship Service at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel.

For more info, contact Rev. Ann McClellan 471-8522 ext.

214 or annm@fumc-cs.org.

ECUMENICAL SOCIAL MINISTRIES On behalf of those we serve at Ecumenical Social Ministries, I wanted to say a heartfelt “thank you” to you, the congregation, at First United Methodist Church for all the support you provide to ESM! We literally could not have provided services to 133,000 people in need in our last fiscal year without your help.

Our big push in the food pantry at this time is collecting canned goods for our Thanksgiving basket distribution. We anticipate providing the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner to over 300 families. Items needed for the Thanksgiving baskets are: canned corn, canned green beans, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, canned pumpkin, condensed milk, pie crust mix, instant mashed potatoes, yams, gravy mixes or canned gravy, cake mixes, and cake frosting.

Thanks again for all your support!

Rev. Ann Steiner Lantz, ESM Executive Director

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

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LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

Your church library is getting a makeover! Nancy Baggs and her late mother founded and ran the FUMC library for forty years. We are so grateful for their leadership with the library. A new team of librarians is working with the library now: Brenda Hawley, Lorena Mitchell, Ed Scott and Wilma Hunter. Books are being sorted and moved around. Some of the books have been given away to local non-profits. The hope is that the library will be more accessible for you to use on Sunday mornings between worship services. Soon the glass sliding doors on the hallway shelves will be unlocked at all times, so you can get to those books as well. Spiritual growth, theology, faith development, world religions, Biblical research, and Methodism are just a few topics from the meaningful books in the library. So sit back and be amazed as the library gets a facelift! Happy Reading!

Special Sunday Offering Around the globe, countless gifted and qualified people face financial obstacles that hinder them from preparing for the vocation God has given them. This especially affects 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.

Stephen Ministry is biblically based on Acts 6:1-5 where the apostles chose a man named Stephen, along with others, who were “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” to help in the work of the ministry since the numbers of the disciples were increasing so that none would be neglected in ministry. Stephen Ministry was founded in 1975 by Kenneth C. Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist, to provide for the needs of ongoing, one-to-one care and to equip God’s people to extend care to people who are hurting. Here is one testimony:

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 6.

“My Stephen Minister was there during the darkest of times—patiently listening and trying to understand my pain.

Looking back, I can clearly see how my Stephen Minister kept me connected to God when I was falling away.” Nathan It is exciting to know that Stephen Ministry has been a caring ministry at FUMC for over 25 years. There have been many men and women who have served over those 25 years.

There have been many more whose lives have been touched and uplifted by having a Stephen Minister. Please keep Stephen Ministry in your prayers. For more information, please call Rev. Ann McClellan at 719-471-8522 ext. 214.

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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.

NATIVE AMERICAN MISSION PROGRAM On Sunday, November 3, please join us for a Native American program presentation following the 11:00 a.m. service in the Parlor. Susie Silversmith, a Navajo now living in Denver, will share her video of "Triumph Over Trauma." Mrs. Silversmith's DVD tells her story of being forced to leave her family on the reservation to attend boarding school at the age of 7. The story includes her experiences and the effects upon the entire family. Her husband, Rev. Richard Silversmith serves the Christian Reformed Church in Denver. They have both served with the United Methodist Committee on Native Ministries within the Rocky Mountain Conference. Come and hear her amazing story of reservation living to an active educated life serving the Christian community. We will have a potluck lunch available. Please bring your favorite dish to share.

Place settings, coffee and lemonade will be provided.

MISSION TRIP TO THE SOUTHWEST DESERT A core group of people is now starting to plan for the mission trip to the southwest desert that would take place during Spring Break, beginning March 23, 2020. We will be working at both the Justice for Our Neighbors and The Inn Project buildings, which are ministries supported by UMCOR. This organizations provide legal counsel and temporary shelter to those seeking freedom from fear and oppression. We will be immersed in education activities about causes and needs of this crisis. This will include trips into the desert to supply water and food as well as a trip into Nogales, Mexico. The cost of this mission trip will be between $1,200-1,500 depending on lodging and airfares, meals and extra funds. We will plan a fundraiser to help support our service component of the mission. Last spring there were nearly 25 people interested on this trip.

Since space will be limited, if you no longer feel this mission experience is feasible or for more information, please contact Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens at chucks@fumc-cs.org.

URBAN PEAK NIGHT OUT For the past several years, FUMC has sponsored the Urban Peak Night Out in support of youth in our community who find themselves in homeless situations. Volunteers who are raising money in support of these youth come to the church and participate in activities which involve the challenges homeless youth encounter on a daily basis. These include difficulties such as: finding jobs, finishing their education, obtaining identification, accessing healthcare, personal hygiene and other issues. These volunteers also sleep outside in our parking area on what has proven to be often one of the coldest nights of the season!

These folks then have to get up and go to work or school after sleeping out in the cold, just as an Urban Peak client might.

FUMC has provided volunteer fundraisers, facilities, and dinner for all those who participate. This year, the Night Out will be November 7 and volunteers will begin arriving around 5:30 p.m. The Missions Committee is asking for folks to make crockpots of soups (vegetable, chili, and chicken noodle), cookie type desserts, and rolls. If you are willing to help us provide a dinner for this event, please fill out the You Can Count on Me yellow form in the bulletin. Thanks in advance for making this a successful event for Urban Peak!

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN THE FOOD HAS SHIPPED! We had a fantastic two days in August in fellowship with God and our community packing Manna Pack Meals for “Feed My Starving Children.” In those four, two-hour shifts, we packed almost 102,000 meals.

Here is the information that our contact, Nate Shepherd, at FMSC has shared with us: “472 boxes (101,952 meals) were shipped to our partner, International Missions Outreach, a nondenominational organization in Haiti, that ministers to the needs of individuals’ spirits, souls and bodies in Haiti. IMO distributes FMSC meals to schools and members of its church congregation in need.

Your 101,952 meals are enough to feed 279 kids every day for an entire year! Haiti is in desperate need of meals so the fact that these meals are being sent there, serves the incredible need of this country.” To learn more, visit www.imohaiti.org.

The leadership team would like to thank the entire church staff for its full support of this powerful event. Everyone from the custodial staff, security, nursery, office staff, and clergy really helped make this event successful and we appreciate all they did. We also thank every volunteer and donor for making this event possible.

We need about five more leadership members willing to help make the MobilePack event happen again in 2020. In order for the event to happen in 2020, we will need a full team in place by the end of the month (October) so we can start fundraising and planning as soon as possible. If you are interested in having this event again, please contact Barbdonnegan@icloud.com for information.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 11

OCTOBER 25, 7PM ⚫ 26, 7PM ⚫ 27, 2:30PM NOVEMBER 1, 7PM This fall, First Company brings to you the beloved production of HEIDI. This is a heartwarming story for the whole family to enjoy!

Annaliese Higgins fell in love with the story when she first read HEIDI, and when her mother told her that it was her late grandmother’s favorite, she decided to direct the First Company production of the popular Swiss children’s novel.

The play tells the story of Heidi, an orphaned 5-yearold girl who is sent to live in the Alps with her reclusive grandfather. Heidi befriends Peter, the goatherder, his mother and many other inhabitants of the nearby village. She is later sent to be a companion to Clara, a wealthy girl who is in a wheelchair but soon becomes

2 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

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2, 7PM

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3, 2:30PM

homesick and wants to return to the village with her grandfather, Peter, and the other villagers. Clara visits Heidi and eventually becomes strong enough to walk and Heidi helps her grandfather rediscover his faith and go to church.

Heidi is played by Lily Murray, a fifth-grade student who was in the Academy of Children’s Theatre production of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” this past spring. Peter is played by Josh Curtiss, a fifth-grade student of Higgins at The Classical Academy’s East campus. The grandfather is played by veteran local actor Ray Brown, who portrayed the baron in the Colorado Ballet Society’s Continues on page 5….