THE TIDINGS
July 2024 | Volume XXIX | Issue VII
A Word from Pastor Dan
Dear Church Family:
On Sunday, August 25, 2019, we gathered in the sanctuary to recognize the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. M. Barbara Graham. You might remember being there. As I looked through photos of that day, it made me smile to see the faces of folks who were not only in attendance at the anniversary of her ordination, but who I have to believe were there at her actual ordination in 1994!
Whether we realize it or not, that day in 1994 marked a significant transition for the life of our congregation. Those of us who were here and lived through that time, know that it didn’t come easy. There were serious discussions, lots of prayer, and, ultimately, the church voted in favor of supporting the ordination of women into ministry.
But making the decision to support women in ministry, and actually doing it are two different things.
I’ll never forget attending the Baptist Joint Committee luncheon in the summer of 2016 and hearing Baptist ethicist, James Dunn, speak. He came to the podium and without any introduction simply said, “If you are a member of a church that affirms the role of women in ministry, please stand up.” Three-quarters of the room of about eight hundred attendees stood, myself included.
We all looked around and applauded ourselves. Once the applause subsided, Dunn said, “Now, if you actually have a female pastor on staff at your church, remain standing.” This time there was an audible, collective gasp as all but about twenty people sheepishly took their seats. His point was clear: what we say we believe only matters if we’re willing to live into it.
Flashback to FBC in 1994: despite opposition, the proposal to include women in ministry had been made and the church approved that proposal in a congregational vote. We had determined what we believed. However, it was in August of that year when our church put M. Barbara Graham in a chair in the front of God and everybody and laid hands on her and ordained her into the gospel ministry that we lived into what we said we now believed.
So, why remind you of all of this?
On Wednesday, June 12, the Southern Baptist Convention voted on an amendment that would enshrine a ban on women pastors and disfellowship churches that supported women in ministry. The measure required a 2/3 vote to be ratified, and failed when it only garnered 61% of the vote. “Only garnered 61% of the vote” is a bit misleading, though, since that is still well over half and could demonstrates that the amendment still has considerable traction for their denomination.
July 4, 2024
July Anniversaries & Birthdays
Anniversaries
07/10 Wes & Megan
Clark - Brezina
07/16 Steve & Carrie Howard
077/23Stewart & Angela Dixon
07/25Rick & Kathleen Harmon
Birthdays
07/04Brooke Cline
07/08Rick Harmon
Teagan Olmo
Kathy Wakerley
07/11 Ashley Basham
07/14Tyger Casad
Margie Sayler
07/21Fionna Hein
07/22Kaylee Cline
07/23Don Phillips
07/25Steven Biscaro
07/27Rosalee Smith
07/31Ariana Everett
That was Wednesday, June 12. On Thursday, June 13, another set of Baptists joined for a very different purpose.
I flew out to Green Lake, Wisconsin to be with a number of other leaders from the American Baptist Churches, USA, to celebrate the installation of Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain as the new General Secretary of our denomination — the highest office our denomination has to offer. Before being elected as our General Secretary, Rev. Jacobs-Strain served as the Executive Director for American Baptist Women Ministries. However, on June 13, she became not only the first woman, but the first African-American woman to serve as our General Secretary.
I felt honored and humbled to be personally invited by Rev. JacobsStrain to have a role in her installation service. As I sat on the rostrum, singing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” with a room full of our denomination’s leaders, I couldn’t help but feel like I was literally getting a front row seat to witness a historical moment in the life of our denomination. God’s ministry on earth was gaining a fuller expression, and I was moved to tears.
When it was time for me to read scripture, I came to the microphone and said, “My name is Rev. Dan Schumacher. I serve First Baptist Church in Colorado Springs. I was raised Southern Baptist…” Eyebrows went up across the room, and there was an awkward chuckle or two. I continued: “…so it means something really important to me today — on a week when Southern Baptists voted, yet again, to try and disfellowship churches who have women as pastors — that we are here.”
It’s no secret, I hope, where I stand on this topic. But I’m so thankful that it’s now no secret where our denomination stands. What we have, for years, said we believe is now gaining its fullest expression. If our denomination were present at James Dunn’s speech that day, we would have remained standing.
Meanwhile, back at home, this coming August will mark thirty years since our church body ordained Rev. M. Barbara Graham into the gospel ministry. And she is still here, faithfully serving the congregation that stood by her and laid hands on her and blessed the call God laid on her life. And in so doing, we became a fuller expression of God’s work in this world and are better because of it.
And when I pause and reflect on it, I am still moved to tears. How grateful I am to get to say that you are my people!
Grace and peace, Rev. Dan Schumacher
CONNECT With Your FBC Community
FBC Events and Opportunities
by
Make a donation by using the QR code and selecting “Sponsor a Camper” or by designating your offering to “Praise Camp.”
July 16:
Monthly Men’s Breakfast
The Men’s Monthly Breakfast meets the third Tuesday of the month at 9:00 AM at the Black Bear Diner (Garden of the Gods location).
July 20:
FBC’s American Baptist Women’s Ministry (ABWM)
“Picnic in the Park”
FBC ladies and girls, on Saturday, July 20 from 11:30 AM - 1 PM the ABW invites you to a “Picnic in the Park” at Nancy Lewis Park (2615 Logan Ave, at Templeton Gap and Fillmore). Please circle this afternoon your calendar and make plans now to enjoy a picnic and good conversation with friends. Bring your lunch, drinks, and a chair/ picnic blanket, cold water will be provided.
July 28: Monthly Potluck Sunday Lunch
On Sunday, June 30, immediately following the morning service you are invited to join with your FBC family for a Potluck Lunch in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to attend. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Songs of Our Faith A Summer Worship Series
Almost universally — across culture and expression — music has had an important role in the life of the Christian church, particularly the place of hymns in worship. Have you ever wondered about what might have inspired some of those great hymns?
Each Sunday this summer, we will explore one of our great hymns — learning about its background, hearing a sermon preached on its themes, and, of course, singing it together.
July 7: Let Us Break Bread Together (Communion Sunday)
July 14: Praise Camp Sunday
July 21: Silent Night (Christmas in July)
July 28: Great Is Thy Faithfulness
*Series will continue through September 1.
SERVE Your Colorado Community
Community projects and opportunities provided by FBC’s Outreach Team
La Puente Home in Alamosa, Colorado
Health Kits
Each spring FBC tackles the annual project of packing Health Kits for our ministry partner, La Puente. FBC, because of your continued generous donations and monetary support this year 61 bags were delivered to La Puente the week of June 10.
Thank you to the FBC Quilting Group for spearheading the project and packing bags. Thank you, also, to the Sunday morning volunteers and FBC Youth for spending one Sunday
Saturday, September 14: Gleaning
On the morning of Saturday, September 14, a crew from FBC will leave the parking lot at 6:00 AM for Alamosa, CO to glean vegetables from local fields to benefit our ministry partner, La Puente Home.
One of the ways La Puente aids those in the San Luis Valley community is the longstanding Biblical practice of gleaning fields. Local farmers invite La Puente and their volunteers to come into the fields and gather what remains after the harvest. All the produce collected will be distributed to the residents of the Valley through La Puente’s Food Pantry. The practice of gleaning is a simple way we can help our neighbors. If interested in participating please contact Don Phillips.
July 4, 2024
2024 Backpack Bash
This summer FBC is partnering with COSILoveYou and dozens of local businesses, churches, and nonprofits for the 2024 Backpack Bash!
The Backpack Bash is a citywide effort that seeks to provide access to all things back-to-school for thousands of families in need in El Paso County.
Through your generous donations to FBC’s 1st Backpack Bash Drive a total of 31 backpacks will be included alongside those collected by multiple organizations citywide.
Your contribution will go towards this year’s goal to help 12,000 students have an encouraging start to their school year by providing them with a great, new backpack.
FBC Business: FBC Finance Team Update
First Baptist Church of Colorado Springs
317 E. Kiowa St.
Colorado Springs CO, 80903
office@firstbaptist-cs.org www.firstbaptist-cs.org (719) 632-6603
July 4, 2024