Encounter Newsletter - January 2016

FUMC SLED DAY AT THE RANCH AND CHILI COOK-OFF January 23, 2016



9:00 am - 3:00 pm

IN THIS ISSUE...

Circles

By Kent Ingram - Page 2

Around the Church & Beyond

Join us at The Ranch for the “Annual Sled Day and Chili Cook-Off”! This is a

Page 3 & 4

fun day in the mountains with activities for everyone. You can join the kids on the slopes or spend the day with friends and family by the fire in The Lodge. The Chili Cook-Off will begin at 11:30 am with two categories: red and green chili!

The men of ManUp! will be assisting in the preparation of the Sled Day. Come join us for a exciting day of fun and good memories!

Calendar Of Events

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Thornton at christ@fumc-cs.org or 687-2148.

ABOUT JOHN WESLEY RANCH RETREAT CENTER John Wesley Ranch Retreat Center is surrounded by 5,000 acres of Mueller State Park with hiking trails. There are two lakes on our property stocked with fish for catch & release fishing. In the winter, there are three long and extremely fun sledding slopes that we provide for our guests, complete with inner tubes for hours of snowy enjoyment.

The Ranch is a sanctuary of beauty with facilities and activities for all age-groups, events, and programs.

Our retreat center offers amenities for groups from 2 to 100 people. With three unique sleeping quarters, a pavilion near campsites, and 120 acres of mountain meadows and forest to enjoy, we are an ideal location for your next event or getaway.

Page 5

Children’s Ministries Page 6

Youth Ministries Page 7

Music & Arts Ministries Page 8

Around the Church & Beyond Page 9

Caring Ministries Page 10

Mission Ministries Page 11

Nebraska Wesleyan Choir Concert Back Cover

For additional information about The Ranch, visit us online at www.fumc-cs.org and click on The Ranch tab, or contact Chris Thornton at christ@fumc-cs.org or 687-2148.

Circles

By Kent Ingram, Senior Pastor

It’s time we show the We all like to be with people who are like us.

Starting at a young age, we tend to gravitate towards people who look at the world in the same way we do. We might share common interests, activities, or hobbies. Sometimes, those groups become adversarial, finding ways to be critical of each other. Our circles are drawn, and we are clear who is on the inside and who is on the outside.

world how to stop drawing our circles

The Good News of Christmas finds its way to the ends of the earth. God’s love is a circle big enough to include all. God’s grace creates circles that include all of God’s children. The circles we have drawn around people are erased.

The church is a living reminder of the height, depth, and breadth of God’s love. People should be able to look at us, at any part of the church, and catch a glimpse of this community of different folks pulled together by God’s grace. The face of the church should be the face of the community.

smaller and smaller!

Our world today has become masterful at drawing circles. We draw lines by political views, or social views, or religious views. We demonize people on the other circles. We draw our circles smaller and smaller to make sure that only the right ones are in our group. We don’t dare venture outside of our circles. We don’t dare try to understand the other. We stay in our circles.

In the church, however, we have a Sunday that demands that we redraw our circles. We call it Epiphany. Epiphany, a Sunday we celebrate by reading the story of the wise men, is a story that has at its heart the message that we need to draw our circles larger.

The baby Jesus was not just born for the Jewish community. He was not a Savior of one group of people. No, he is the Savior of the world. As the non-Jewish, Gentile wise men show, Jesus came for all people.

As we begin a new calendar year, who do you know that needs to hear this message of God’s love? Who do you know that would help us create a better image of God’s people in the world? Who do you know that could benefit from, and help this church be the church God wants us to be? Invite them to come and worship, come and serve, come and fellowship. Help them see that the circle of God’s love is big enough to include them, just as it includes us.

Help them see a community which draws circles that include, not circles that exclude.

It’s time we show the world how to stop drawing our circles smaller and smaller!

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: Sled Day at the Ranch!

WORDS FROM

LELAND REECE, LAY LEADER About thirty of the FUMC ManUp! men recently gathered to enjoy an afternoon of college football, cards and pool. Everyone had a good time. We are all looking forward to our next event in 2016, the ManUp! retreat at John Wesley Ranch! The retreat will begin Friday, January 22 with dinner at 6:00 pm through Saturday, January 23 at 3:00 pm. The men’s mission will include preparing the slopes for Sled Day and helping with the Chili Cook-Off. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jerry Hurst at 4718522. See additional information below.

For those who may not be familiar with this relatively new group, ManUp! is based on four components: spiritual formation, service/mission, fellowship and living as a Christian man.

ManUp! is open to all FUMC men eighteen years and older. The group intent is to meet eight times per year with four local events and four retreats. There has recently been some interest in attending a Nuggets or Rockies game for one of our future social gatherings, so for all of you men, it’s time to ManUp!

FIRST COMPANY AUDITIONS Auditions for First Company’s next show, The Boxcar Children (Based on the book by Gertrude Chandler Warner), will be Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 7:00 pm and Wednesday, January 13, at 7:00 pm. Please prepare a 60-90 second monologue or poem. No appointment is necessary. We will be casting boys ages 10 - 16, girls ages 10 - 14, and adults ages 20+.

The auditions will take place in the First United Methodist Church Theatre. For additional information, please contact First Company at firstcompanytheatre@gmail.com Show performances will be Friday, April 8 at 7:00 pm; Saturday, April 9 at 7:00 pm; Sunday, April 10 at 2:30 pm; Thursday, April 14 at 10:00 am; Friday, April 15 at 7:00 pm; Saturday, April 16 at 7:00 pm; Sunday, April 17 at 2:30 pm.

Gathering † Worshiping † Being

I hope to see you all Sunday morning, Leland Reece

MANUP! RETREAT Our Men’s group will be headed to John Wesley Ranch Retreat Center for a special weekend retreat on Friday, January 22 — Saturday, January 23.

The ManUp! retreat will begin with dinner at 6:00 pm on Friday.

After dinner, we will have a time of fellowship and games in The Lodge. Simply, a laid-back time together. On Saturday morning after breakfast, we will head out to the tubing slopes to groom them for the church-wide Sledding Day. As church members begin to arrive for the day of fun in the snow, we will help direct traffic while church family comes zipping down the slopes. We will also help with lunch and the Chili Cook-Off. The event will end around 3:00 pm.

Cost for our retreat is $15 per man. This covers your lodging and 3 meals. If enough men are interested, we will offer a ride up and back in a church bus.

To sign up for this retreat, please contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522 ext. 209, or at jerryh@fumc-cs.org.

We did not know what to expect when we hosted our first Stories @ The Edge event in December last year. I am not sure that anyone expected it to be as powerful and moving as it is. In the last year, we have hosted seven grace-filled evenings of dinner and personal stories, heard from 19 storytellers, created almost 100 personal prayer stations for gift bags, formed a new community, and discovered many ways in which God is working in the lives of the people of this church and this community.

None of this would have happened without your support. Over the last year, you have supported this ministry with your prayers and your financial gifts. You have shown up to our events, and so many of you have put your talents to good use helping in any way you can.

Because of your support, we are able to move to a more consistent schedule. Starting in January, we will gather three times a month.

The third Friday will continue to be Stories @ The Edge. On the second Friday, we will open the doors of the Mission Art Center for creating crafts, breaking bread together, and small groups. On the forth Friday of the month, we will dig deeper into the stories we heard, looking for God’s presence in the stories and in ours. As always, we welcome your support and your participation.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact Tiffany at tiffanyk@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522, ext. 270.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 3

FAITH ACADEMY - SESSION 1 Wednesdays beginning January 13 through February 3, 2016 Dinner will be served in the Fellowship Hall, 5:00 6:15 pm. All classes meet from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

FAITH ACADEMY CLASSES: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Led by Rev. Kent Ingram Room 133 S, Reason 403 Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm *Thursdays, 9:00 am – 10:00 am (Same class as Wednesdays) A number folks have indicated a desire to examine the differences between some of the different Protestant denominations. We will look at how United Methodism is different and similar to a variety of other churches. The point is not to determine which one is “best.” The purpose of the class will be to see what is distinctive and defining about each of these Christian movements.

WESLEYAN THEOLOGY Led by Rev. Tiffany Keith Room 233 S, Reason 303 Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm At first glance, it can be hard to see what beliefs hold United Methodists together. In fact, we have often been accused of having an incoherent theological center. But Methodism does have deep theological roots that shape who we are as a people.

Join us, as we explore the history that shaped us and examine John Wesley's faithful, rich theological thought.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SOCIAL PRINCIPLE Led by Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens Room 234 S, Tradition 302 Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm This class will examine the Social Principles section of the 2012 Book of Discipline. We will read and discuss our responses to the six sections which include: The Natural World, The Nurturing Community, The Social Community, The Economic Community, The Political Community, and the World Community.

4 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS NEWS Starting on January 13, 2016 Katherine Richardson and Billy Brazil, owners of Sunnyside Catering will be cooking our Wednesday Night Dinners, as well as offering their talents for special events at FUMC. Katherine and Billy come to us with a successful catering and event planning business. Katherine says, “Our passion is sharing the tastes, smells, feelings and warmth inspired by the memories of childhood in a beloved kitchen. We want our food to transport you to a carefree, happy place where you can forget the stress of life and enjoy.” We welcome Sunnyside to our beloved kitchen and look forward to a new partnership.

Join us for dinner on Wednesday nights and enjoy a wonderful meal and the fellowship shared from 5:00 pm to 6:15 pm. The cost of dinners is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children K-6th grade. Ages 5 and under are free. There is a family cap of $20.00 for members of the same household. Faith Academy classes start at 6:30 pm, right after dinner!

If you are in need of a caterer for a special event or would like more information please call Katherine at 661-3215.

THANK YOU to the wonderful kitchen volunteers who continue to help keep Wednesday Night Dinners successful. This is a great group of people who enjoy their time together. Most have volunteered for many years. We are always open to new faces helping out! We are looking for a few more helping hands for cooking, serving and clean up! If you are interested please contact Melissa Williams at 471-8522 ext. 237, or melissaw@fumc-cs.org.

Friday,

January 1

CHURCH IS CLOSED —

Thursday,

January 7

NOAH Breakfast — Perkins Restaurant (3295 E. Platte Ave.)

9:00 am

Saturday,

January 9

Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop (See details on page 10)

9:00 am

Saturday,

January 9

4th Annual Bangladeshi Dinner — Kingdom City

7:00 pm

Sunday,

January 10

Homebound Visitor Luncheon — The Parlor

Sunday,

January 10

Contemplative Vespers Resume — The Chapel

Monday,

January 11

Confirmation Kick-Off — Youth Ministries (See details on page 7)

Tuesday,

January 12

Nebraska Wesleyan Choir Concert — Sanctuary

7:00 pm

Tues & Wed,

January 12 & 13

First Company Auditions for The Boxcar Children (Details on page 3)

7:00 pm

Wednesday,

January 13

Faith Academy Classes and Wednesday Night Dinners Begin

Jan 14 - April 14

Contemplative Journey Semester Program (See details on page 10)

January 18

CHURCH IS CLOSED in Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 22 - 23

ManUp! Retreat — John Wesley Ranch

6:00 pm

Saturday,

January 23

Sled Day and Chili Cook-Off — John Wesley Ranch

9:00 am

Monday,

January 25

NOAH Historical Tour (See details on page 9)

Thursdays, Monday, Fri - Sat,

12:00 pm 6:00 pm

9:30 am

February Sunday,

February 14

A Patriotic Celebration Concert — Sanctuary

3:00 pm

Sunday,

February 14

Contemplative Lenten Series — The Chapel

6:00 pm

Wednesday,

February 17

Spiritual Book Group — (Details on page 10)

6:30 pm

ONLINE GIVING is an easy way to make contributions to the church. To access the giving page visit our website at www.fumc-cs.org and click on the ‘GIVE’ tab on the top menu. If you are a first-time visitor to the site, you will be prompted to sign-up for an account. You can easily set up your transactions as a one-time gift or a recurring donation. It’s that easy!

THE GIVING KIOSK is also available at the Welcome Desk. This is a convenient way to donate right at church. Just select a fund, enter an amount, and swipe your card!

SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW FOR QUICK ACCESS TO GIVING

TEXT GIVING is our newest way to give. Text 719-298-3177 on your phone (a one-time sign-up will be prompted), type the word “Funds” (a list to choose from will pop up on your screen), text the amount + the fund name of your choice (i.e. – $100 TV Ministry).

For more information, please contact Annalie Ceballos at 471-8522, ext. 272, or annaliec@fumc-cs.org.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 5

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:30 AM) Do you know what a Patriarch is? How about a Matriarch?

Well, there were many important Patriarchs and Matriarchs in the Bible. Join us for Sunday School in January and February, as we discover who, what, when, where and why these folks were considered Matriarchs and Patriarchs. Our Sunday School program follows a rotational model developed around 4-6 weeks of lessons. During Sunday School, the children learn together in smaller, age/grade specific groups. We pray that you will choose to make it a part of your NEW YEAR traditions to come and experience our Sunday School program!

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP (11:00 AM) The love of God is so sweet! There is “no wrong way” to learn about God’s love. So, we are taking “a break” to see what “satisfies” our souls in Children’s Worship. Did you figure it out, yet? All I am going to tell you is that the month of January will be filled with such “sweet” learning, you will not want to miss Children’s Worship! Children’s Worship, is a multi-aged, larger group which rotates activities weekly. Week one features a hands on mission component. Week two is our mini-worship service.

On week three, we play a game that revolves around the scripture. On week four, we get to watch a movie to tie it all together. It is our prayer that in allowing children to experience the scripture in many learning styles, they will leave our Children’s Worship experience ever growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. Come join us!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLAUDE! On Sunday, January 3, we will celebrate Claude, the Camel’s Birthday at the 9:30 Sunday School hour. Join us for the birthday celebration and let’s learn all about the importance of camels on Epiphany. What a fun time this will be in honor of our favorite missionary partner, Claude!

FOURTH ANNUAL BANGLADESHI DINNER On Saturday, January 9, we will hold our Fourth Annual Bangladeshi Dinner for all FUMC Children from 7:00 - 9:00 pm in Kingdom City. This is a culminating activity for our Children’s Advent Mission efforts to raise sponsorships for the street children in Dhaka, Bangladesh who attend the ABC School. As in past years, we hope to make a Skype connection with the kids in Bangladesh, so our children can talk to each other face-to-face.

The Skype connection requires that we have a late dinner (it will be 8:00 am Sunday morning in Bangladesh and the kids’ first day of the school week over there). We will serve a traditional Bangla meal. We encourage all of our FUMC kids to attend.

6 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

ABC SCHOOL SPONSORS NEEDED Late December and January, following our Children’s Advent Mission, is generally the time that many members of the congregation elect to sponsor a child for a year at the ABC School in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A sponsor’s money pays for the education of one of these street children for the entire year and includes a daily lunch, medical care, and school uniforms. If you have sponsored a child in the past, I would encourage you to continue this support. Of course, new sp on sorsh ip s are eq u ally important. The school is run by volunteers, and every penny goes to the kids. Sponsorship for one child is $250. Checks should be made out to FUMC with a notice at the bottom that it is a contribution for ABC School. Sponsors receive a monthly newsletter on the progress of the school. To learn more about the school on the internet, please visit www.abcschooldhaka.com. Please send sponsorship moneys to: First United Methodist Church Attn: David Fussell, Children’s Ministries 420 North Nevada Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

TWEENS FOR GOD (T4G) On Saturday, January 23, our Tweens will be entering the Chili Cook-Off for SLED DAY at John Wesley Ranch. Stay tuned for details on when we will be cooking our “top secret” chili recipe!

SAVE THE DATES SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER February 9, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm in Kingdom City RSVP to janitam@fumc-cs.org

FAMILY & CHILDREN’S ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE February 10, 6:00 pm

nights at the same time until Easter. We will also have an overnight retreat at the Ranch! Please see all of the details being sent out in a separate mailing, which includes the purpose of Confirmation and the requirements involved. Also, note that we only hold the class every-other-year. So don’t put it off too long!

THIS IS WATER (DEADLINE FOR WINTER RETREAT) Wednesday, January 13, 6:30 - 8:30, The Zone This is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life is an essay by David Foster Wallace. We will be watching a video adaptation of this speech and then considering its message together in our total group and small group settings. IMPORTANT NOTE: Your Winter Retreat registration must be completed by this night!

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 - 8:30, The Zone

EPIC (EVERYTHING’S POSSIBLE IN CHRIST) Led by Iana McCubbin 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!

How do you know if something is helping to transform your life for the better? Going to worship, spending time in the wilderness, growing spiritually in small groups, going on retreats, serving others, and so many more Christian practices, are meant to help shape us over time into what Christ would look like in our skin, in our particular situation. Tonight, we will turn to Galatians 5:22 and discovering how love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness are signs that we’re heading in the right direction.

SELFLESSNESS AND CREATING OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH BAGS Wednesday, January 27, 6:30 - 8:30, The Zone

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!

Each of us must bring one or more of the following donation items tonight: deodorant, blankets, toilet paper, high protein snacks, trail mix, beef jerky, new boxer shorts, new socks, rain ponchos, umbrellas. After dinner, we will consider what it means to be selfless like Jesus, and then create outreach bags full of the above items to give to our homeless neighbors. Some will be given to those we see near FUMC, some will be for those who want to carry them in their cars to give to folks who hold up signs on the side of the road, and some will be given to our teen shelter, Urban Peak, for their outreach. Let’s all work together for this meaningful event.

THE GIFT OF THE FUTURE

WINTER RETREAT (Deadline for Registration is January 13)

Wednesday, January 6, 6:30 - 8:30, The Zone

$75 if you’re skiing on Saturday

This night, after dinner and total group fun and singing, we’ll be considering the topic of the future and how to keep our eyes on God, as we move forward with hope. One step at a time, everyone!

$25 if you’re snow tubing at the Ranch of Saturday

SCREWTAPE LETTERS

CONFIRMATION 2016 KICK OFF Monday, January 11, 5:00 - 6:30 pm This is exciting! If you haven’t gone through Confirmation yet, this is your chance to take your faith deeper with God and grow in your understanding about Christianity! We will form our new Confirmation Class of 2016 this night and will meet most Monday

We’re trying something new this year for our Winter Retreat! On Saturday, there will be two options: some of us will head up to Monarch Mountain to go skiing for the day and some of us will stay behind at the Ranch for snow tubing and crafts. But we’ll all be together on Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday morning for singing, worship, games, and growing closer to God. You MUST register by January 13 (http://www.fumc-cs.org/documents--forms), so we can have plenty of time to arrange the skiing, transportation and food.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 7

ALL MUSICAL ENSEMBLES REHEARSALS RESUME

10

All of our musical ensembles are back in rehearsal the first week of January and open to new members!

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS REHEARSALS: Chorister Choir: (grades 1-3) Rehearsals are on Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm, Room 7 in the South Basement.

Cathedral Choir: (grades 4-6) Rehearsals are on Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm, in the Choir Room in the South Basement.

Cherub Choir: (ages 4 and 5) Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am, in Kingdom City.

Cathedral Ringers: (handbells for grades 4-6) Rehearsals are at 5:15 pm, on Wednesdays, in Room 8 in the South Basement.

Youth Choir, Youth Singers: (grades 7-12) - Rehearsals are on Sunday afternoon at 3:45 pm, in the Choir Room in the South Basement. This choir is the main worship choir for our 8:00 am worship service.

Chancel Choir: This adult choir is the main worship choir for the 11:00 am worship service.

Rehearsals are on Thursday night at 7:30 pm, in the Choir Room in the South Basement.

Chancel Ringers: The adult handbells rehearsals are on Thursday night, at 6:20 pm, in Room 7 in the South Basement.

Crossroads: This group is our Praise Team for the 9:30 am Contemporary Worship Service.

Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings and is open to new members by audition.

For more information, please call the Music and Arts Ministry Office at 471-8522, ext. 221.

www.fumc-cs.org 8 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

NOAH HISTORICAL TOUR

EPIPHANY SUNDAY January 3 is Epiphany Sunday. The actual day of Epiphany is January 6, also known as Three Kings' Day. It is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. It includes the commemoration of his birth; the visit of the Magi, all of Jesus' childhood events, up to and including his baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist; and even the miracle at the wedding at Cana in Galilee. The season of Epiphany concludes the day before Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent.

CHRISTMAS CORNER On Sunday, November 22, and Saturday November 28, we had over 25 volunteers come together to decorate our beautiful church. Thank you to everyone for all of your time and talents! Throughout the days we reorganized and decorated, we found that we are in need of some supplies and donations for next year. Simple plain tree skirts and new glitter snow to place around the base of our trees is needed. Most important, we are in need of white lights and LED white lights.

On January 5 and 6, from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, we will start to take down the decorations and organize for next year. If you would like to help for a few hours, or you would like to donate gently-used or purchase new supplies, contact Melissa Williams at 471-8522 ext. 237.

On Monday, January 25, our NOAH group will take a Historical Tour of Colorado Springs. Sherri Haynie will be our tour guide. We’ll meet at the church at 10:00 am.

Sherri will take us on a tour through the Old North End, downtown and Old Colorado Springs on the west side. At 11:30 am, we will stop at the Mason Jar for lunch. The first 13 people to sign up will be able to go on this morning trip. If we have more interest, a second tour will be offered after lunch. Those going on the second tour are invited to join us for lunch and then return to the church to begin your tour. The cost for the tour is $10 per person, plus the additional amount you spend for lunch. To register for this event, please contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522 ext. 209, or at jerryh@fumc-cs.org.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Are you wondering who won the "We Can, Can You?" - ESM food challenge? ...(drum roll) Our second runner up was the Chancel Choir, with an impressive 473 total of cans! Our first runner up, with an outstanding showing of 1318 cans, was the congregation! Which means that our children, with a total of 1450 cans, are the winners of our challenge!

But the real winners are our neighbors who were blessed to receive the gift of your love and generosity, as together we contributed 3241 food items to those who needs it the most!

Thank you so much for supporting ESM and the children!

ESM CAN FOOD DRIVE - NOV. 2015

NOAH BREAKFAST Thursday, January 7, is our next NOAH breakfast. We will meet at Perkins Restaurant at 3295 E. Platte Ave. at 9:00 am. Reservation is not needed. Join us at the restaurant, and have a great morning of Christian fellowship and good food. We hope to see you there!

Children

TOTAL:

Congregation

Choir

418 287 99 153 493

214 133 3 716 252

73 108 64 93 135

1450

1318

473

3241

WINTER WEATHER REMINDER This is the season we like to remind our members and friends that First Church follows School District 11 delay and closure policies. On the occasions when a storm intensifies on a day we have already been open for business, and the schools have completed for the day; we may, for the safety of our members and staff, choose to close early. All closures and delays will be posted on the FUMC website as they occur. For information on delays, early closures, and complete closures, please remember to check the rotator slide on the homepage of the website: www.fumc-cs.org. We also provide our closures and delays to KKTV, local Channel 11, and www.kktv.com as early as we possibly can to help you know when it is necessary to change plans for your scheduled church activities.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 9

INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER WORKSHOP

Journey Program uses the wisdom and writings of Fr. Thomas Keating to explain the theology, psychology and spirituality of Centering Prayer and contemplation.

January 9, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

This program will be presented in an 11-week session and two Saturday workshops, which includes facilitated discussions, videos produced by Contemplative Outreach, LTD, readings and reflections and personal Soul Friending. Classes will be held at First United Methodist Church on Thursdays, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, January 14 - April 14. The two Saturday workshops are open to everyone, regardless of whether or not they are in the Contemplative Journey Program. The opening Saturday workshop, An Intro to Centering Prayer, is Saturday, January 9, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The second Saturday workshop, An Intro to Lectio Divina – A Method of Praying the Scriptures, is Saturday, March 5, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Cost for the Contemplative Journey Program is $140 (which includes the two Saturday workshops). Scholarships are available. If you attend a Saturday workshop only, the cost of each day is $20. For more information or to register, contact Rev. Patty Walker at 471-8522, ext. 204, or at pattyw@fumc-cs.org. Please register by January 2.

If you have been feeling drawn to a prayer of inner silence and communion with God, this workshop will be a great opportunity to explore that further. The workshop will teach you a form of contemplation called Centering Prayer. In Psalm 46, we receive the invitation: "Be still and know that I am God." In our fast-paced, frenetic world, it is sometimes a challenge to "be still." Centering Prayer allows us to open to the presence and action of God within. This workshop is open to those new to Centering Prayer and to those who regularly practice it. The day will include periods of silence and Centering Prayer, discussion, and teachings on the conceptual background of Centering Prayer.

This workshop is co-sponsored by FUMC and Contemplative Outreach. The cost is $20. Scholarships are available. For more information or to register, contact Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522, ext. 204. Please register by January 2.

YOU ARE INVITED TO A HOMEBOUND VISITOR LUNCHEON Many of our homebound and nursing home resident members attended church all their lives before the circumstance of their health or the health of a loved one made it difficult to attend services. Many miss church fellowship profoundly. Would you be willing to help keep the connection with their church family alive?

If you are interested in finding out more about being a Homebound Visitor, please come to a luncheon with those currently serving in this area to learn more about this wonderful ministry opportunity. The luncheon will be held on Sunday, January 10, in The Parlor, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm. To RSVP for the luncheon, please contact Rev. Patty Walker at 471-8522, ext. 204 or pattyw@fumc-cs.org.

CONTEMPLATIVE JOURNEY SEMESTER PROGRAM Are you hungering to go deeper in your intimacy with God? Contemplative practices facilitate and strengthen our relationship with God. The Contemplative Journey Program offered through Contemplative Outreach, an ecumenical, international organization whose purpose is to renew the contemplative dimension of life, is an opportunity to explore contemplative prayer and to go deeper in your faith journey. The Contemplative

10 I The Encounter • First United Methodist Church

SPIRITUAL BOOK GROUP COMING SOON! An Altar in the World, by Barbara Brown Taylor Love the idea of a book group, but don't have the time to join an on-going group? We will meet for five weeks on Wednesday nights, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, beginning February 17 to explore Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, An Altar in the World. Feel free to plan ahead and purchase the book to start reading it. This group is led by Rev. Patty Walker.

BLESSINGS ON OUR NEW CHURCH BUS! Our new church bus has arrived and was officially blessed on November 22.

As many church members crowded into its seats, it was sprinkled with holy water while the following prayer was offered: Gracious God, we give thanks for the gift of this new bus for the ministry of the church. We are grateful for all those who gave generously, so that it was possible to purchase it.

We now ask you to bless this bus. May your holy angels surround it as it goes about its sacred work. Bless its drivers with wisdom and agility, so that they and their passengers may be kept safe. Bless the passengers that by riding on this bus, they might grow closer to you through worship and through various events - youth, children, NOAH. Bless the conversations and fellowship that will happen within its doors.

And finally, may we always use it to your glory. May we always use it in the service of love and drawing others to you. Amen.

FAMILY PROMISE OF COLORADO SPRINGS Family Promise provides a way for local communities to respond to the needs of their homeless “neighbors.” Congregations have found that the Family Promise mission provides an effective way to be involved in a hands-on outreach program that serves the homeless and also fosters congregational unity and interfaith cooperation.

Families arrive at their “home” church each day at 5:00 pm and leave at 7:00 am the next morning to go to jobs, school, or the Family Promise Day Center (located on Tejon Street). Upon their arrival “home” each day, families have a hot, nutritious meal cooked by meal preparation volunteers and served by evening host volunteers. Overnight host volunteers arrive at bedtime to “sleep on the job” and to be available if something is needed during the night. Other volunteers set-up the family bedrooms with cots and linens on the first Sunday of the host week, and then other volunteers take down the bedrooms on the morning of the last Sunday of the host week.

The Family Promise Leadership Team at First United Methodist Church is enormously grateful to our warm and generous volunteers who continue to provide supplies, meals, set-up and take-down labor, and host our “families” during evenings and overnights. This mission COULD NOT operate or be as successful without you!

The next host weeks at FUMC are January 17 – January 24, 2016 AND January 24 – January 31, 2016. Please stop by the Family Promise table on Sunday, January 3, to volunteer or to find out more about our Family Promise mission. Contact Katy Adams at 471-3484 to volunteer or for additional information.

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

CONTEMPLATIVE VESPERS Contemplative Vespers will resume January 10, at 6:00 pm in the Chapel. This is a time of quiet reflection and prayer around the scripture from that week’s lectionary reading. The service ends by remembering our Lord in Holy Communion.

Starting Sunday, February 14, the service will begin a weekly Lenten series. We will meet each Sunday during Lent at 6:00 pm.

The service will continue to use a Taize/Lectio Divina format, as we reflect on one or two of the “I am” scriptures mentioned in John’s gospel. Included are: I am the Bread of Life, I am the Light of the World, I am the Gate, I am the Good Shepherd, I am the Resurrection and the Life, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and I am the Vine.

PRISON MINISTRY First United Methodist Church has been approached regarding involvement in the men’s prison ministry at Fremont County Correctional Facility. This is an ongoing mission in which Wayne Heilman has been involved for several years. The group currently facilitating this ministry is working to start another prison ministry and is being thinly stretched. The ministry would travel to the facility once a month to provide worship there using Reverend Ingram’s sermon.

There is also an opportunity for the women to get involved in a re -entry ministry with the inmates at the state’s Pueblo woman’s facility. If you would like to know more about either of these opportunities, please contact either Wayne Heilman at wayneheilman@msn.com or 719-964-3175, or Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens at chucks@fumc-cs.org.

LOVE FEAST On December 20, our R4R family served the church by polishing the Sanctuary. We were then treated to a festive and beautiful dinner in the Fellowship Hall, provided by the Youth Ministry. Everyone was truly grateful to the youth and their families for this time together. This was also an occasion for fellowship, prayer and singing. The Love Feast was truly blessed by the generous donations which many of you made in your time, prayers, and all the wonderful gifts you provided to our displaced friends from the Marion House.

FIRST STARS Through your generosity, we were able to provide Christmas gifts to nearly 300 children, who would have received little, if any gifts this year. The First Stars ministry took on an extra school this year, and we were concerned with covering all of the stars. But as usual, God provided, and near the deadline a group stepped up to provide gifts to the twenty remaining stars that were left. We are thankful for God’s enduring gift of love and for your support.

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

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 11

Once again, we will thrill to the sounds of the Nebraska Wesleyan Concert Choir.

They will be with us on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 as a part of their annual tour.

Nebraska Wesleyan University is one of our United Methodist related universities. Over the past 18 years, they have appeared four times in our Sanctuary presenting their wonderful concerts.

For more information, please contact the Music Office at 884-2504. ď Ź