Encounter march 2016

IN THIS ISSUE...

Holy Week Services aster Sunday is the most important celebration of the Christian year!

We come to worship that day with questions, deep and serious questions.

We think about issues of life and death.

On Easter we hear the Good News: He is Risen, He is risen indeed! Death is defeated! Life is restored! Hope is promised! Joy fills the air!

We will prepare the way for Easter with services on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. All of these services are important parts of our preparation. Then on Sunday, we will join in the grandest celebration of all. Music will fill the Sanctuary. Flowers will cover the chancel.

It will be a wonderful time of worship.

Plan on being in worship on Easter Sunday. Invite a friend. Bring your family.

Help us fill the church. You will feel the power of God’s Spirit. You will know the promise of resurrection as we tell the story and fill the church with praise!

PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 20



By Kent Ingram - Page 2 

Chapel Service: 7:30 am Sanctuary Services: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am Join us as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal arrival in Jerusalem.



MAUNDY THURSDAY, MARCH 24



Faith Academy Classes Page 4



GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 25



CALENDAR OF EVENTS Page 5

Children’s Ministries Page 6

Youth Ministries Page 7

Worship Service in the Sanctuary - 7:00 pm Candles are gradually extinguished until it is dark, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus.



EASTER EVE VIGIL, MARCH 26



Music & Arts Ministries Page 8

Around the Church & Beyond Page 9



Caring Ministries Page 10



EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 27 Chapel Service: 7:30 am Sanctuary Services: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am Join us to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection

Around the Church & Beyond Page 3

Worship Service in the Sanctuary - 7:00 pm Communion will be served commemorating the Last Supper. The Stations of the Cross will be depicted in living tableaux.

Worship Service in the Sanctuary - 7:00 pm We celebrate the reception of the Confirmands into membership of the church and the promised Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Easter

Mission Ministries Page 11



Springtime Concert Back Cover

Easter

By Kent Ingram, Senior Pastor

We love Easter as a metaphor. “It’s like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon.” “It’s like the return of spring flowers.” “It’s like bunnies…” I know Easter is hard to explain, but it is more than a metaphor for newness. It is about defeating death and offering the deepest kind of hope. Some day, we will need the fullness of this Easter message. Maybe this year you need it! So every year at Easter I read John Updike’s Seven Stanzas at Easter. This prepares me for Easter, I hope it will for you as well.

Make no mistake: if he rose at all It was as His body; If the cell’s dissolution did not reverse, the molecule reknit, The amino acids rekindle, The Church will fall.

It was not as the flowers, Each soft spring recurrent; It was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled eyes of the Eleven apostles; It was as His flesh; ours.

The same hinged thumbs and toes The same valved heart That—pierced—died, withered, paused, and then regathered Out of enduring Might New strength to enclose.

Let us not mock God with metaphor, Analogy, sidestepping, transcendence, Making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the faded Credulity of earlier ages: Let us walk through the door.

The stone is rolled back, not papier-mâché, Not a stone in a story, But the vast rock of materiality that in the slow grinding of Time will eclipse for each of us The wide light of day.

And if we have an angel at the tomb, Make it a real angel, Weighty with Max Planck’s quanta, vivid with hair, opaque in The dawn light, robed in real linen Spun on a definite loom.

Let us not seek to make it less monstrous, For our own convenience, our own sense of beauty, Lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are embarrassed By the miracle, And crushed by remonstrance.

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.

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

2 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

Cover Photo: Holy Week 2016

WORDS FROM

LELAND REECE, LAY LEADER Have you ever wondered what happens at our District Conference or what topics are being discussed for the General Conference?

Now is your opportunity to find out! The Mile High Pikes Peak 2016 District Conference is scheduled for March 5, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church located at 20256 Hunting Downs Way, Monument, CO 80132. The conference is open to all members. The cost to attend will be paid for by FUMC. The conference theme this year is: “Moving Beyond the Walls of the Church.” The keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Janet Forbes, who serves as senior minister at the St. Luke’s UMC in Highlands Ranch, CO. There are also five workshop opportunities (two led by our own Rev. Tiffany Keith and Rev. Kent Ingram), which include: 

Fresh Expressions of Faith (led by Rev. Tiffany Keith and Mary Beth Taylor)



Ministry with Young People (led by Andy Millman)



Ministry to Military Members and Veterans (led by Chaplain Zachary Moon)



Disability and Inclusion (led by Tonya Whaley)



General Conference 2016 (led by Kunle Taiwo and Rev. Kent Ingram)

bouquet for $40 or both bouquets for $80. Regardless of which option you choose, the bulletin will include the names or event you are celebrating.

After these flowers enhance the church’s worship experience, you can choose to take the flowers home, or have them delivered to a homebound or hospitalized FUMC member by a Flowers of Love ministry volunteer. Should you desire to participate in this ministry, either as a donor or a Flowers of Love ministry volunteer, please contact Jana Brink at 471-8522 at the Welcome Desk, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, or at janab@fumc-cs.org.

LENTEN CONTEMPLATIVE Contemplative Vespers continue to meet through Lent at 6:00 pm in the Chapel. Using a format based on Lectio Divina, we will travel through Lent examining who and what Jesus is in our lives. As a guide, we will reflect each week on one or more of the seven “I AM” statements which Jesus made in the Gospel of John. We will prayerfully consider how Jesus describes himself in these words, and then use them to reflect back on how we have defined Jesus and how he participates in our lives. All are invited to this time of contemplative reflection and Holy Communion as we move toward Easter.

SET YOUR CLOCKS! Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 13. Remember to set your clocks forward one hour when you go to bed on Saturday night.

For conference details and registration, go to www.mhpp.rmcumc.org.

If this sounds somewhat like a pep-talk... it is! The conference should be very good this year, and it is my hope that First United Methodist Church will be well-represented.

Yours in Christ, Leland Reece

ALTAR FLOWER DONATIONS Looking for a special way to honor a person or an important event?

The beautiful flowers that we enjoy each Sunday are donated by many individuals who wish to celebrate in memory or in honor of loved ones or to recognize anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Placing your order soon will assure your reservation for a Sunday of your choice. The bulletin will include the name(s) of those you choose to remember or honor. You have the option of donating one

Will Power Program Everyone needs a will! Rich or poor; young or old. A will helps protect you and your family - and provides an opportunity for you to prayerfully consider whether you want to help build a legacy for the future of the church. Making a will is a simple task of listing the things you have, deciding what you want to do with them and who you want to provide for after your death. The hard part for most of us is getting it done. To help you, the FUMC Foundation is holding a Will Power Program following the 11:00 am service on Sunday, May 15. Over the course of a couple hours, you will have the opportunity to learn about options to plan for the future and start the process using a workbook. Lunch will be provided. Look for additional information in the coming weeks.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 3

everywhere we go, in nearly everything we do. Taylor is an Episcopal priest, professor, author and one of the United States' best known preachers. In 2014, TIME magazine placed her in its annual TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world.

You will need to purchase the book yourself.

SESSION 3 MARCH 30 - APRIL 27

Session 2 of Faith Academy continues the first three Wednesdays and Thursdays of March. All are welcome to come, even if you missed the first two classes.

We will not have dinner or classes on Wednesday or Thursday, March 23 and 24, as it is Holy Week. We encourage you to come to the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Saturday Easter Vigil instead.

SESSION 2 ENDS MARCH 16 Dinner is served in the Fellowship Hall, from 5:00 to 6:15 pm. All classes meet from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

Dinner will be served in the Fellowship Hall, from 5:00 to 6:15 pm.

GENERAL CONFERENCE 2016 Led by Rev. Kent Ingram and Bruce Phillips Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Room 133 S This May, the highest governing body of the United Methodist Church, the General Conference, will meet in Portland. They will discuss issues of great importance to the church and her future.

Some are greatly controversial. Others deal with structure and organization in a changing church. All of the decisions will affect the future of our denomination. Kent Ingram, the head of the Rocky Mountain delegation to General Conference, and Bruce Phillips will help us learn about how General Conference works and what issues the church is facing in May of 2106.

LENT WITH THE GOSPEL OF MARK Led by Rev. Kent Ingram Room 133 S, Scripture 101 Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm *Thursdays, 9:00 am – 10:00 am (Same class as Wednesdays) We will examine some of the most important stories in Mark’s gospel as we journey through Lent. These stories will gather up and help explain some of the great themes of this holy season.

Join us as we let Mark guide us through this season of preparation and examination.

SPIRITUAL BOOK GROUP Led by Rev. Patty Walker Parlor 140 S, Experience 204 Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Love the idea of a book group but don't have the time to join an on-going group? Here's a 5-week study that will explore Barbara Brown Taylor’s New York Times bestseller, An Altar in the World. In her book, Taylor reveals meaningful ways to discover the sacred in the small things we do and see. Something as ordinary as hanging clothes on a clothesline becomes an act of meditation, if we pay attention to what we're doing and take time to notice God within it. As we incorporate these practices into our daily lives, we begin to discover God and “altars in the world”

4 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

What’s for Dinner?

A mid-week break among the hectic week is refreshing and nurturing for the soul. Each week, we gather in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy good food and company. Join us at Wednesday Night Dinners for a wonderful meal with plenty of healthful options, including a salad bar. The menu is published weekly in First News and online at www.fumc-cs.org (click on the Faith Academy & Dinners slide).

We also have a wonderful group of volunteers that support this ministry. If you would like to help out, contact Melissa Williams at melissaw@fumc-cs.org.

Wednesdays,

March 2, 9 & 16

Session 2 - Faith Academy continues — Ends March 16

Thursday,

March 3

NOAH Breakfast — Village Inn on Garden of the Gods

9:00 am

Saturday,

March 5

Introduction to Lectio Divina Worshop

9:00 am

Sunday,

March 13

Daylight Savings Time Begins

Sunday,

March 13

Easter Lilies Orders — Final day to order, don’t miss it!

Monday,

March 14

NOAH Broadmoor Tour

Tuesday,

March 15

AARP Driver Safety Class— See details on page 9

Friday,

March 18

T4G Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt — 5th & 6th Graders Only

Saturday,

March 19

Free Day at the Ranch! — See details on page 9

Sunday,

March 20

PALM SUNDAY — Chapel: 7:30 am Sanctuary Services: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am Join us as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal arrival in Jerusalem.

Thursday,

March 24

MAUNDY THURSDAY — Sanctuary - 7:00 pm Communion will be served commemorating the Last Supper.

The Stations of the Cross will be depicted in living tableaux.

Friday,

March 25

GOOD FRIDAY — Sanctuary - 7:00 pm Candles are gradually extinguished until it is dark, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

Saturday,

March 26

Easter Egg Hunt — Children Birth through 4th Grade

Saturday,

March 26

EASTER EVE VIGIL / CONFIRMATION 2016 — Sanctuary - 7:00 pm

6:30 pm

10:00 am

We celebrate the reception of the Confirmands into membership of the church and the promised Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Sunday,

March 27

EASTER SUNDAY — Chapel: 7:30 am Sanctuary Services: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am Join us to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection

Monday,

March 28

CHURCH IS CLOSED

Wednesdays,

March 30

Session 3 - Faith Academy Class Begins — See details on page 4

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 5

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:30 AM) Jesus knew a lot of people throughout his life. During the five weeks of Lent, we will explore some of those relationships. Each week, our Sunday School classes, which are divided by grade levels, will rotate to learn a different part of the lesson. We hope that you will join us in Kingdom City!

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP (11:00 AM) Through this Lenten season, our multi-age group will learn more about what makes Lent… Lent. Each week, we will extinguish a candle as we learn about Transformation, Service, Following, Remembrance, Sacrifice, Praise, and Resurrection. These are the “Seven Lights of Lent.” We invite you to come and experience Children’s Worship.

T4G – GLOW IN THE DARK EGG HUNT! Friday, March 18 (5th & 6th Graders ONLY) We will host our first ever, Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt, Friday, March 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. All 5th and 6th graders are invited! It will right here at FUMC. Be sure to bring a finger food to share with your friends and a bag or basket to put your treats in when you find them! This is a FREE event!

PALM SUNDAY SEDER MEAL – 9:30 Palm Sunday is March 20. Every year, we remember Passover with a meaningful Seder Meal in Kingdom City. Please make plans to be here. You will not want to miss it!

EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, March 26 (Children birth through 4th Grade) Join us on Saturday, March 26, at 10:00 am in the Hospitality Center. The hunt begins promptly at 10:15 am. If you are running late, just hop on over to Palmer High School courtyard to meet us and find those extra special eggs!

WAY TO GO BRONCO AND PANTHER FANS! Thank you so much for bringing in food to support the Broncos an the Panthers last month for our ESM food collection. There were nearly 2,000 items collected in support of the Broncos and we even had just over 100 items donated in honor of the Panthers!

Ultimately, the real winners are the folks ESM help each and every day.

OUR CHILDREN’S LENTEN MISSION United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is always in need of school kits to share with children around the world.

Please pick up a list of needed items while you are in Kingdom City and bring them to Claude (our missionary camel) throughout Lent and on Easter Sunday morning!

6 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

MY MORNING OUT (MMO) Children 18 months to 2 ½ years old My Morning Out (MMO) program enrollment opens April 1. This class has a maximum of eight children and two nurturing, experienced teachers. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, play and share in the bright and childfriendly room called Bear’s Place. While the children are learning and playing, our parents can enjoy a morning to themselves. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call Janita McGregor at 471-8522, ext. 246.

IS IT A WASTE OR WILL IT CHANGE THE WORLD? Wednesday, March 13, The Zone Sometimes, it is only through what many call a waste of resources that we can change the world. Question: Going back to 1969, Did anyone buy a Honeywell Kitchen Computer? Nope. Not a single one was sold. It cost $10,600. But the thing is, it is on such “frivolous” kinds of computing that all of our computing today is based. This night, we’ll look at John 12:1-8, when Mary “wasted” a pint of expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet.

RED CARPETS? Wednesday, March 16, The Zone Jerusalem Jesus was greeted by huge crowds and Oscar-like hype. But would celebrity Jesus end up being praised or torn apart? Glitter, glamour and gossip are the three G’s of the Hollywood red carpet treatment. This night, we’ll take a closer look at Luke 19:28-40.

NO WEDNESDAY GATHERING Wednesday, March 23—Spring Break

EPIC (EVERYTHING’S POSSIBLE IN CHRIST)

SCREWTAPE LETTERS Led by Bruce Phillips, 11:00 am, Room 52 Every Christian deals with temptation all their lives. We will read and discuss how we are tempted and challenged by the world around us, and how we can use our faith and our church fellowship to keep us strong. Join us!

EASTER EVE VIGIL WORSHIP Saturday, March 26, 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary This will be a meaningful worship dedicated to the students completing their Confirmation class journey and will help us wrap up our Lenten holy season before the Easter celebration the next morning. The entire congregation is encouraged to participate!

MUSIC/MYSTERY BOX NIGHT Wednesday, March 30, The Zone

TRASH INTO TREASURE Wednesday, March 2, The Zone This night, we have two stories: One, set in the slums of Lagos, Nigeria is about a woman who turns trash into treasure. The other is an ancient story about a young man who turned treasure (his inheritance) into trash, ruining his life. Fortunately, he had a father who saw "treasure" in his son. His love was able to transform a trashed life into a treasured one. Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

YAT

CONFIRMATION 2016

SAT URDAY

Led by Todd Spencer and Debi Spencer, 9:30 am, Room 52 This youth Sunday School class is fun and engaging, focused on bringing teens’ faith and relationship with Christ alive through the use of movies, music, and other multimedia. Each class is structured to include games, a large group lesson and small group discussions. Join us!

But be sure to join us during our special Holy Week services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 pm. As you will see below, the Saturday worship will be dedicated to our youth completing the Confirmation journey!

meetings:

Bring a favorite song to share with your small group – one that reminds you of something your group has talked about over the past few weeks. During small group, each person will take a turn to either share that song and a little about it with the group, or draw and answer a random question from the mystery box.

Always one of our favorite activities in our ministry from over the years!

Ma rc h 6 a nd Ap r il 1 0 First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 7

SHAWNEE MISSION HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR IN WORSHIP The Shawnee Mission High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Scot Schwartz, will be with us in worship on Sunday, March 13, at the 11:00 am worship service. Scot is the son of our own Joanne Hastings. There are approximately 35 students traveling with their choir on a spring tour. We welcome the choir, their director, and adult chaperones to worship at FUMC!

CALLING ALL YOUTH SINGERS TOUR SHARE HOLDERS There are many of you who have been loyal Tour Share Holders supporting the annual tour of the Youth Singers.

It is that time of year again! You can sign up to be a Youth Singers Tour Share Holder by making a donation of $50/$100/ $200 or more. Pledge forms will be available in the Music Office. If you are a previous Tour Share Holder, you will get a letter soon with a pledge form. If you are not a Tour Share Holder, here are the benefits: you will get three personalized post cards from Youth Singers during the tour, which highlight a particular part of the tour. You also are entitled to the reserved seating area in the Sanctuary for the Homecoming Concert on June 8, and you get the satisfaction of knowing you helped our dedicated youth choir members go on the trip! Incidentally, the amount each child pays to go on the tour is roughly 50% of the actual cost of the trip. The remaining 50% is covered by fundraisers and contributions (such as Tour Share Holders). Thank you for your support of this great ministry!

Youth Singers Tour 2015

8 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

NOAH MARCH BREAKFAST Join us on Thursday, March 3 at 9:00 am for the monthly NOAH breakfast at Village Inn on Garden of the Gods Blvd. (just west of the Interstate). Reservations are not needed. Just join us for the good food and great Christian fellowship!

NOAH BROADMOOR TOUR The NOAH group will be touring the Broadmoor on Monday, March 14. Reservations are due by Sunday, February 28. We must give them a final count by Monday afternoon, February 29.

We will meet at the church and leave at 9:00 am. Our guided tour will cover the main building and its history. After the tour, we will have lunch at La Taverne at the Broadmoor.

The cost is $20 per person to the church to cover bus gas and the tour. Lunch is an additional cost on your own. Plan for about $30 minimum for a meal. For more information or to make your reservation, please contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522, ext. 209, or jerryh@fumc-cs.org.

EASTER LILIES ORDERS Final day to order will be Sunday, March 13.

Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase lilies in honor of or in memory of loved ones. The lilies will decorate the chancel area when we celebrate Easter Sunday, March 27. You may take them home with you following the 11:00 am worship service. Tributes will be listed in an insert in the Easter bulletin. To purchase lilies, please complete the order form on the You Can Count on Me bulletin insert. Cost is $20 and payment is due at time of ordering.

DRIVER SAFETY CLASS Tuesday, March 15, is the next Driver Safety Class presented by AARP. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for Non-AARP members. The class will meet from 1:00 to 5:00 pm in Room 135 S. This is a great way to receive a discount on many auto insurance policies. Please contact John Graves at gravesj1@comcast.net to register. You will need to bring your AARP card to the class, if you are a member.

THANK YOU ALL FOR A WONDERFUL SLED DAY!

By Chris Thornton The Ranch had a wonderful Sled Day and Chili Cook-Off on January 23. Thanks everyone for joining us on this beautiful day. A special thank you to the men of ManUp! and the scouts of Troop 777 for all the great work they did to prepare for the day. Also, thanks to Janita McGregor and her team for helping promote the event to the families of FUMC. The winner of the 2016 Golden Ladle was Jennifer Thornton (I promise it wasn't rigged). In 2nd place was Linda Luellen-Sipes and there was a tie for 3rd place between the Tweens and ManUp! If you missed this event, be sure to contact Chris at 687-2148 or christ@fumc-cs.org to schedule a day for you and your family at the Ranch, or join us for the Free Day at the Ranch on March 19. Learn more in the article below.

FREE DAY AT THE RANCH! Saturday, March 19 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Lunch will be provided Everyone is invited to join us for a Free Day at the Ranch March 19!

This is a day for everyone to choose what to do. As you know the options are all great — sledding, hiking, snowshoeing, sitting by the fire, reading and relaxing. Chris could even find some work to do, if that is what you desire! Don’t miss this Free Day to enjoy the beauty that God has provided us. Lunch will be provided.

Please RSVP to Chris at 687-2148, or christ@fumc-cs.org by March 18, so that he knows how much food to purchase.

WINTER WEATHER First United Methodist 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 schools have completed for the day, for the safety of our members and staff, we may choose to close early. All closures and delays will be posted on the FUMC website as they occur. For information on delays, early closures, and complete closures, check the rotator slide on the homepage of our website, www.fumc-cs.org. We also communicate 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.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 9

INTRODUCTION TO LECTIO DIVINA WORKSHOP Saturday, March 5 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Room 133 Are you interested in learning more about the ancient spiritual practice of praying the Scriptures called Lectio Divina? Lectio Divina, a Latin term, means "divine reading" and describes a way of reading the Scriptures, whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. It is a traditional Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s word. Anyone desiring to deepen his or her relationship with God through scripture will benefit from this program. The suggested donation is $20 per person. For further information, or to make reservations for this workshop, please contact Leslee Terpay at 720-315-8120, co-leslee@comcast.net, or Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522, ext. 204. The workshop is co-hosted by Contemplative Outreach and First United Methodist Church.

DO YOU NEED THE HELP OF A CHRISTIAN FRIEND? Stephen Ministry is often a behind the scenes ministry at FUMC, but make no mistake, it is a powerful one. Week in and week out, Stephen Ministers from our church meet privately with their care receivers, providing a listening ear and emotional and spiritual support.

• One Stephen Minister may be ministering to a grieving widower.

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, even their identity, confidential.

Are you in need of a listening presence and Christian friend? To talk more about receiving the help of Stephen Minister, contact Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522, ext. 204.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LATEST STEPHEN MINISTRY CLASS TO BE COMMISSIONED The current class of 6 Stephen Ministers at First United Methodist Church is nearing completion.

LeAnn Gamache, Alicia L. Jarvis, Regina Newell, Mary Ann Spiker, Neal Starkey, and Sharon E. Starkey will be commissioned on March 6 in the 9:30 am worship service. This group will then join our current Stephen Ministers in providing their confidential services to members of this congregation.

Our trainees have worked extremely hard, and their dedication has paid off. The 50-hour course has involved pre-class reading assignments and in-class lecture, discussion, and role playing. The students have shown real growth in knowledge and skills, and in their readiness to share their gifts in service to others in need of their loving care.

Stephen Ministry allows our congregation to reach out to those members and friends who are most in need of the support of Christ’s unwavering love. If you believe that you or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, contact Rev. Patty Walker or speak with one of the Stephen Leaders, Jill Meider, Lori Smith, and Karen Tompkins.

• Another Stephen Minister may be praying with a person who is struggling in his/her relationship with God. • 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.

• Still another may be bringing a listening presence and kind heart to a military person recently returned from deployment.

Our congregation’s mission is to share the hope of Jesus Christ in a hopeless world, and our Stephen Ministers live out that mission in a very real way. Stephen Ministers extend the caring reach of the congregation far beyond its pastors— providing one-on-one ministry to people in the congregation and community who are experiencing divorce, grief, unemployment, a terminal illness, relocation, 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. Stephen Ministers are there to listen and care.

10 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

You share God’s love, light and hope by bringing the Church to those who are home-bound, grieving, ill or going through difficult times.

Please join us for a Thank You reception in your honor Date: April 10 Place: The Parlor Time: Between 9:00 am and 11:00 am.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING SPECIAL SUNDAY OFFERING Sunday, March 6 Together, we reach children, families and communities who have experienced devastation in the wake of disaster.

When disaster strikes around the globe—Haiti’s 2010 earthquake or Hurricane Sandy of 2012—so many watching the drama unfold on their living room televisions, feel entirely helpless. How could any one person make a difference in the wake of such widespread devastation? As responders around the globe scramble to help survivors, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, is prepared to act.

Since 1940, when UMCOR’s forerunner was established to meet the needs of those suffering overseas at the onset of World War II, we’ve continued to respond to those in desperate need—today throughout more than eighty countries around the world.

The response of UMCOR isn’t something “they” do, it’s something “we” do.

That’s because your generous giving to One Great Hour of Sharing is what allows UMCOR to act as the arms and legs of Christ’s church, moving toward the most vulnerable in their darkest days.

Convinced that all people have God-given worth and dignity— without regard to race, religion or gender—together we are assisting those impacted by crisis or chronic need.

Because you give, the United Methodist Church’s compassionate response to human suffering continues today: 

When tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, we responded.



When children in Zimbabwe lost parents to AIDS, we responded.



When a massive tsunami devastated lives in Japan, we responded.



And when the next mass crisis occurs, we will be prepared to respond.

All United Methodists have the annual opportunity to come together to make a special offering to benefit UMCOR in support of worldwide humanitarian aid. Please look for the special UMCOR envelopes in the Sunday service bulletins, on March 6, 2016 and give generously.

“I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.” ~ Matthew 25:35-36

UMCOR KIT COLLECTION Each year, disasters happen all over the world as evidenced by the recent earthquake in China. Agencies rush to respond, and we wonder what we can do and how we can help in places so distant. Did you know that the United Methodist Church has its own response agency? It is called the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR responds to disasters and areas of need all over the globe, including right here in Colorado Springs after the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires and in the Lyons, CO area when it was destroyed by flooding.

UMCOR does not respond alone. As members of the United Methodist Church, we can help provide much-needed resources for when they are called into action. There are a variety of kits which can be assembled to provide necessary items for those in need. This year, the Missions Committee and the United Methodist Women will focus on collecting school and health kits to send to Annual Conference in support of UMCOR, as these are what are most needed. Lists of what each kit contains are located in the racks by the Welcome Desk, in the UMW rack, or online at: www.umcor.org/reliefsupplies.

Collection of kits or any parts you wish to donate will take place in the Hospitality Center on Sundays April 10, 17, and 24.

RIDES FOR RUBBISH (R4R) Rides 4 Rubbish (R4R) is a local mission that meets 1:45 - 4:00 pm on the third Sunday of each month.

Church volunteers meet west of Marian House with selected clientvolunteers of the Marian House and honor God’s creation by picking up trash in the downtown area and parks. Then we worship in the park with a devotion and communion. In return for their efforts, the client-volunteers receive two weeks worth of city bus passes or help obtaining identification. We are looking for groups to take turns providing brown bag lunches for the clients.

We also accept financial support. For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens at chucks@fumc-cs.org or 884-2470.

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

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 11

Enjoy several selections by Randall Thompson: The Last Words of David will be followed by five movements of Frostiana. The first half of the concert will close with the very popular a cappella Alleluia. This composition has opened the Berkshire Music Festival for over 75 years. The second half of the concert will feature two extended works: the first is Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb. This selection will be performed by the Chamber Singers. The concert will conclude with the Chancel Choir singing Felix Mendelssohn’s cantata Hear My Prayer. Tickets are now available online at www.fumc-cs.org and in the Music Office. For more information, please call 719-884-2504.