FBC June 2024 The Tidings

THE TIDINGS

June 2024 | Volume XXIX | Issue VI

A Word from Pastor Katie

Dear FBC Family and Friends,

I cannot believe it is my last week here. As I approach my final Sunday, I was reflecting on my time here. The relationships I have built. The laughter that has been shared. The tears that have been shed. I also have been reflecting on what I will miss most. I have come up with a list to share with you about the top ten things I will miss about FBC. They are not in any specific order.

The top ten things I will miss at FBC:

1. The Relationships I Have Built

I am a month away from being here at First Baptist for four years. The relationships I have built from youth to adults to children have impacted me as a person and a pastor. I will always cherish these friendships and relationships.

2. The Staff

It is rare to find a staff that all want the best for their organization. At the end of the day, each staff member at first Baptist wants the best for First Baptist and its members. They work hard together to make dreams into realities while carrying the tradition of First Baptist. These people really are unique and wonderful- all bringing their gifts to the table and going beyond the job description. I am honored to have worked with them, but more so humbled to call them my friends.

3. Youth Fall Retreat

This is my hands down favorite event of the year. This is when for an entire weekend, we go to a cabin style home and have a blast. These retreats are full of worship, studying, fun activities/games, and all the junk food you can dream of. The memories we have made at youth fall retreat will last a lifetime for me.

4. Youth/ Youth Fridays

Our monthly youth gatherings are the best part of my job. I loved a lot about my job, but these Friday Nights were full of community building, worship, deep conversations, funny conversations, and food. They are what allowed us to bond as a youth group. They were time set aside for us to share life together. I will really miss the youth and these Friday nights together.

5. Card Showers

It never fails that every big event or holiday- cards were coming! They were my favorite. To know that someone in the church family was thinking of us- to write a sweet note of encouragement or a memory they shared with us- it was simply wonderful. Something I always looked forward to.

June Anniversaries & Birthdays

Anniversaries

06/02Kris & Rita Turner

06/04Larry & Barbara Borland

Bill & Ciara Spencer

06/05Hartsel & Sharon Beckett

Bruce & Beth Cook

Joe & Sharon Schutz

06/09Brian & Carol Blackwell

06/13PJ & Jessica WardWerner

06/16Freddie & Dawn Martinez

06/18David & And Biscaro

Birthdays

06/02Beth Wood

06/05Lisa Cannone-Smith

Lillyana Martinez

06/06Todd Cook

06/09Myra Cobb

06/10 Jessica Ward-Werner

06/15Tiffany Hahn

06/17Phyllis Davidson

06/24Brian Blackwell

06/25Tracy Goodale

06/25Rick Smith

06/26Nancy Moulton

06/27Megan Clark-Brezina

6. Monthly potluck

This is a newer tradition at First Baptist, but they have quickly become one of my favorites. I love seeing everyone come together to share a meal. The entire church family laughing and enjoying each other’s company. That is what being a church family is about.

7. Gingerbread House Building Contest

Every year, we host a gingerbread house building contest for our families with children and youth. This was an event I start via zoom during covid with only 4 families, but has now grown into an event with 14 families! It is amazing to see everyone come together for friendly competition. The best part is having the kids create stories to go along with their house.

8. Praise Camp

This is a fun week for all. The youth are volunteering with the adults. The kids are learning and praising god. Memories are made by all! The Praise Camp team works so hard every year to create a worship filled experience, but more importantly, an experience where every kid in our building knows they are loved by God.

9. Worship

Worship at First Baptist is different. It is about creating meaningful experiences and ways for each person to uniquely encounter God. It is an hour each week that we come together as a church family to worship. It is the hour that helps bind us together- our common thing. That thing being as much or as little faith as we have. That thing is God’s love for each of us. I will miss this sacred hour together each week.

10. The Entire Church Family

First Baptist truly is a family. We care about each other and want the best for each other. We are there during the hard times and the good times. We truly do the journey of life together. It is rare to find a community like this one. I will always cherish First Baptist because of this beautiful family.

Thank you all for the opportunity to serve as your pastor. I am honored and humbled to have been a part of this loving community. I will cherish the memories we share. I will always be cheering First Baptist on as you all continue to be God’s hands and feet in the world.

Sincerely, Rev. Katie Suddeth

CONNECT With Your FBC Community

Sunday, June 9:

Community Conversation

FBC’S OUTSIDE

WORK

DAY 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Saturday, June 8

The inclement weather on FBC’s Annual Work Day, held in April, did not allow for the tackling of important outside property projects. On Sat., June 8 the Property Team will hold an Outside Work Day from 9 AM - 2 PM to continue the work to ready the property for the upcoming event-filled summer. You are invited to come to work alongside your FBC family to plant flower beds, do property cleanup, trim trees, and complete other needed projects. You are welcome to come for the full Work Day, a half day, or a few hours. Please sign up on the sheet in the FBC office or online using the provided QR code.

From FBC staff changes to an uptick in community use and sharing of the building, the FBC Executive Council (EC) is aware that many of you have questions on process going forward, expectations, and direction. Immediately following the June 9 morning worship service the FBC EC invites you to a Community Conversation in the Sanctuary. The Conversation will provide time to ask questions, have an open discussion with FBC’s leadership, and continue to learn more about the exciting opportunities, what is being proposed, and how you can support FBC’s continued work.

June 30:

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.

June 23: All “Teams’” Meeting

In 2024 we continue to accomplish a lot, but in order to do that it takes all of us! If you serve on any of our elected Councils, Committees, or Ministry Teams, make plans now to attend our All “Teams” Meeting on June 23, immediately after worship. Our church leadership will cast a vision for our shared ministry for the next quarter of the year for councils, and committees to work towards shared goals and help our church move into its future.

12:00— Leadership Casts Vision 12:30— Teams, Councils, & Committees Meet 1:30— Meeting is Adjourned

*Lunch and childcare provided. Please RSVP by June 18 to your Team’s Chair

FBC’s Downtown Flower Bed

Did you know FBC annually participates in Colorado Springs’ fl ower bed planting project by planting the bed at the intersection of Uintah and Wahsatch? This past week FBC volunteers planted the flower bed and you are invited to admire it on your next trip to or from FBC.

SERVE Your Colorado Community

Community projects and opportunities provided by FBC’s Outreach Team

COSILoveYou and School Connect COS

A new community outreach your FBC Outreach Team hopes to build in 2024. This opportunity will be a connection between the city, schools, and 72 local churches.

Columbia Elementary Summer Break Snack Drive Thank You!

FBC, you again rose to the occasion when food donations were requested by Columbia Elementary for students, whose families are facing homeless situations, for their upcoming Summer Break. The food was delivered on Monday, May 13, thoughtfully packed by the Columbia faculty, and sent with students for their break. Thank you, FBC!

FBC’s Participation in May 4 CityServe Day

On Saturday, May 4 members of FBC’s Outreach Team participated in the May CityServe Day, alongside 1,800 volunteers tackling 115 projects across the Colorado Springs community.

FBC worked at Columbia Elementary School with individuals from Boulder Street Church and First Presbyterian to paint four storage sheds, a bench, and a picnic table all on the school’s playground in addition to completing yard work around the property.

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 in a carnival style setting. To make this event possible the students need YOUR SUPPORT.

From now through June 30 consider donating a new and unused backpack to the bin in the Currie Greeting Area, or a monetary donation (by check or via Pushpay). Your contribution will go towards this year’s goal to help 12,000 students have an awesome start to their school year by providing them with a great, new backpack.

Please watch for details on how you can volunteer to fill the backpacks before they are distributed, or to work at a city location to distribute them to students.

Mobile Market Donations Update

You may have noticed this year that the FBC’s Outreach Team has not promoted the collection of diapers, tampons, and maxi pads for FBC’s participation with Care and Share of Southern Colorado’s Mobile Market. FBC was not selected as a host site for the monthly markets in 2024. The Outreach Team worked to establish a partnership with another downtown Mobile Market location where the generous donations could be distributed monthly. This location is not an option at this time.

In an effort to see that the items thoughtfully donated were given to families in the Colorado Springs community, the Outreach Team turned to FBC congregants with further connections to local non-profits. FBC, your donations were delivered to Accompaniment and Sanctuary Coalition of Colorado Springs (ASC COS). Vickie, ASC COS care coordinator, sends her thank you on behalf of the program to FBC for the needed donation of supplies. ASC COS works alongside Colorado Springs’ Mobile Clothes and Lutheran Family Services assisting immigrant families in the Pikes Peak region obtain resources.

Volunteers Needed Request from Silver Key

Silver Key in Colorado Springs contacted FBC with volunteer opportunities in the Downtown area in the following areas.

* Companionship Program* Food Pantry

* Meals on Wheels Delivery

* Transportation

* Thrift Store

* Food Prep and Cafe

* Silver Key office volunteers,

* Handyperson Projects

If interested in serving in any of these areas, or you know of someone who could benefit from one of these services, please visit the Silver Key website https://www.silverkey.org/volunteer/ or contact the organization’s office at 719-884-2315.

FBC Business: FBC Finance Team Update

Year-To-Date Financial Information: March 31, 2024

What Your Pastor is Reading

In an effort to share with you what is shaping me, each month I will tell you what I’ve been reading.

In an effort to share with you what is shaping me, each month I will tell you what I’ve been reading.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

As the story begins, Justin and Emma are both “cursed.” Every person they date goes on to find their soulmate the moment they break up. So the two hatch a plan: date each other and when they break up, they’ll both find their own soulmates and break the curse. Of course, the whole plan goes sideways when they actually fall in love (shocker…). Jimenez’s latest novel is a romance written for the Millennial. It’s popculture references, online “meet-cute,” and over-the-top backstories all make it feel like it’s trying a little to hard to gain attention in a sound-byte world. Having said that, there were two or three scenes that had me laughing so hard, I was in tears. And, like any good rom-com for which you already know how it ends before you even start it, it does provide a fairly enjoyable ride. Would I recommend it? Honestly, I’m a little embarrassed that I’m admitting I read it, so take that for what you will.

Walk Humbly by Samuel Wells

Wells’ little volume is perhaps the best primer I’ve found on what it means to think like a person of faith in our world — especially, for a Christian. The former Dean of Duke’s chapel, Wells thinks and writes like a theologically-minded philosopher. He isn’t so much trying to tell you what Christians are to do, but how they are to be in this world. In fact, his chapter titles all begin with “Be…”: Be Humble; Be Grateful; Be One Body; Be Your Own Size, etc… Chuck Eklund and I have talked about Wells in the past and about his ability to pack a lot in a few words. This book is no different. In fact, he invites the reader to read slowly and ruminate on his words. He’s not wrong. I’m already on my second reading. One thing is certain: Walk Humbly is one volume I will share and return to time and again.

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

The classic sci-fi written by one of the premier sci-fi authors, Foundation caught my attention as an AppleTV mini-series (I admittedly only watched the first four episodes or so…), but came to be on this list by way of my barber who couldn’t stop talking about the books while I was sitting in her chair. So she loaned me the first volume. Here’s my take away for those who care: Asimov is a great writer, but this story takes place over several generations, meaning you have to be ready to learn an entirely new cast every eighty pages or so. My understanding is that trend continues throughout the entire series. I am someone who prefers to read character-driven novels over plot-driven novels, so — as well written and as interesting as the concept of Foundation is — I highly doubt that I’ll finish the series any time soon.

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