December 2014 Communicator - First Congregational Church
Transcription
December 2014 Communicator - First Congregational Church
December 2014 FCUCC December 2014 The Communicator Advent Is Many Things By Rev. Dr. Benjamin Broadbent, Lead Minister Our Ministry . . . extravagant Welcome, openness to Wonder, positive and proactive Witness to the possibility of a just world. Table of Contents 1. Advent Is Many Things 2. Family Advent Schedule 3. The Mystery & Christmas Giving 4. a. Children & Family — K/1 OWL b. Kids Pics from November 5. a. Advent, a Busy Time for Youth b. POPs Party / Young Adult OWL 6. Elevator Ground Breaking! 7. Dementia Caregiving –Holidays 8. a. Dealing With Loss b. Seeds Fundraiser & Plymouth Cir 9. New Members; page 1 of 2 10. New Members; page 2 of 2 11. a. Gratitude Beyond Sunday b. Cong. Alive! & 2nd SS 12. A Peek in the Past: An Injustice 13. Cooking School-2014 Recap 14. Congregational Life 15. a. Mid-week Study/Meditation b. A Culinary Cabaret 16. a. Adult Faith Formation Hour b. The Forum & Sessions I & II benjamin@fcucc.org The season of Advent, like most aspects of Christian faith, is, on the one hand a simple time of year – four Sundays leading up to Advent; it is, on the other hand, a complex and polyvalent symbol. Here are some of the many meanings of Advent: Advent means “coming,” from the Latin venire. Advent signifies a holy coming, the coming of the Christ Child, the birth of Jesus. Advent also signifies “second coming.” Jesus was born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. When we practice Advent, we practice telling the story of Jesus’ first coming as we await his return. We are “in-between” two Advents. Advent is sometimes called “The Little Lent.” While Lent is the time of preparation for the feast of Easter, Advent is a time of preparation for the Feast of Christmas. Advent, like Lent, is traditionally a time of penitence. It is an introspective time. The heart is prepared by meditating upon salvation history as presented in the Bible, by hearing the words of the prophets, especially Isaiah who has prepared Israel and all the world for the coming of the Messiah. Advent is a time to light candles. As the daylight hours wane (in the northern hemisphere), we light candles and invoke words like hope, peace, joy, and love to prepare for the coming of the One who brings and redefines all of these words. Advent is a time to strain our ears and to hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that we might hear a Word from God. Mary heard a Word from God, and in hearing she conceived a child (I’m speaking theologically, not biologically). She gave birth to a child whom Joseph named “Yeshua,” which means “God saves.” Jesus is for us the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Son of God come to bring good news to a world in desperate need of God’s Word and presence. 17. Worship Calendar 18. Birthdays & Anniversaries 19. Contact Information 20. The Communicator: Requirements & December 15 Deadline Advent is many things. I hope that the fellowship and ministry of First Congregational Church become for you an environment in which your own heart might prepare for the coming of Christ into your life in fresh and surprising ways. 2 FCUCC December 2014 FAMILY ADVENT SCHEDULE CHRISTMAS EVE, December 24 SUNDAY, December 21 at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary: THE MYSTERY 3 p.m. Child-friendly service 5 p.m. Traditional Lessons & Carols Pre/K/Gr 1 arrive 3 p.m. to create a craft/snack before the service. 7 p.m. Traditional Lessons & Carols 11 p.m. Candlelight Communion They are invited to the manger as part of this traditional and beautiful storytelling event. FCC ADVENT SCHEDULE FOR FAMILIES HARK! Can you hear an angel calling that we need to “Go with God” and start preparing for the birth of Jesus? As part of the 3 p.m. Christmas Eve service, preschoolers to middle schoolers will sit with families for the service but come out of the pews when it is their turn to help bring the text readings and the story of the birth of Jesus to life. Middle school students will lead the readings and support groups as Ubuntu Shepherds. Each age group will concentrate their four week Sunday School preparations on one of the four renowned scenes and then on Christmas Eve, they will witness the other scenes while also playing their part in their scene. We are blessed to have Sarah Stevens Vick, D20 Art teacher, working with each group to focus on their scene via art pieces which will stimulate children to create their own artistic interpretations. Children’s artwork will feature during the service. They will also be blessed to work with Hannah Rockey from Millibo Art Theatre to create simple movements that represent that scene. The third rotation will involve making a simple prop that they will use during their presentation. THESE ROTATIONS TAKE PLACE DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45-10:45 NOV 30 Advent 1 DEC 7 Advent 2 DEC 14 Advent 3 DEC 21 Advent 4 ALL CHILDREN MEET IN SANCTUARY AT 9:40 to work with MANDY Pre/K/GR 1 AND pre/K parents 10:00 -10:45 Grade 2/3 10:00-10:45 Grade 4/5 10:00-10:45 ARTWORK – room BC opposite Nursery MOVEMENT in Sanctuary PROP making in room 1 PROP making in room 1 (lower level Founders’ bldg.) ARTWORK- room BC opposite nursery MOVEMENT in Sanctuary MOVEMENT in Sanctuary PROP making in room 1 ARTWORK – room BC ALL CHILDREN and pre-K/K/Gr1 parents IN SANCTUARY for full rehearsal opposite Nursery YOUR PART AS PARENTS/GUARDIANS To help maximize your child’s experience and assist with our planning, please contemplate trying to attend each Sunday in Advent. Parents of preschool and kindergarten people are asked to travel with their children to assist with movement and projects. Bring your child to the Sanctuary by 9:40 and collect them from the rotation area listed above. Please collect Sunday School nametags prior to 9:40 with all ages available from the hallway below the Founders’ Room. Other than the preschool/K/Gr1 group, I need two parents to travel and support the older Grade 2/3 class and the Gr 4/5 class. Please contact me at Del@fcucc.org if you are willing to help. There will be opportunities for parents to create an Advent Ritual for your home available in the Atrium during Fay Fo Hour, led by Beth Garrison-Kemp. WISHING YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN A BLESSED AND JOYOUS ADVENT SEASON 3 THE CHRISTMAS MYSTERY PAGEANT / CHRISTMAS GIVING 103rd MYSTERY Sunday, December 21 at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary Our musical drama is a Christmas Pageant combining the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus along with church legends and beloved Christmas carols. One unknown in The Mystery is who will be Mary and Joseph. We have a lovely tradition of secrecy surrounding these two people each year with the Mystery team tapping persons in our faith community who have been of outstanding service. Our ceramic Christ child was acquired in Italy around 1900 and lent, and eventually gifted, to the church by the Haney family. The Angel Choir consists of high school and college women. The Shepherd and Wise Men roles are taken by male singers of the church and the cherubs are our very own children. Come! Deepen into the Mystery. FCUCC December 2014 CHRISTMAS GIVING OPPORTUNITIES There are several opportunities approved by your Mission Giving and Outreach committee that offer a chance for you to give gifts to people in need in our Colorado Springs community and beyond. Christmas Tree Personal Gift Project features personal gift suggestions gathered from North Middle School counselors for kids in need at that school. It also features gift card needs of people who live at Partners in Housing, a low income housing facility. Look for the Christmas tree in the Founders’ Room from November 30 - December 14. Pick an ornament with a detailed description of the gift or gift card needed and return the gift or gift card by December 14th. Be sure to look on the back of the ornament for details about the personal gift you have chosen, and please return it by the requested date so no one is left out. P. S. The quiet angel who has provided this opportunity for giving for over 20 years is Phyllis White. She was inspired to do this project when she saw the deep needs of so many people in our city while she worked as a volunteer at Ecumenical Social Ministries. Assisted by Rosi DeBaker, Phyllis contacts counselors at both organizations, creates the ornaments, and delivers the gifts that you so generously give. Cambodian Scarf Sale On December 7th only, silk scarves, hand-knit acrylic scarves, hats and beanies will be sold in the Founders’ Room. All money for the scarves will go to two projects in Cambodia that serve needy women and children. Gayle Jordan and Kelli Scarborough sponsor these projects through the sale of the scarves. One Nation Walking Together This organization gives you the opportunity to donate much needed items to Native American reservations. Items to donate may include: disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, shampoos, conditioners and lotions (even the small size from hotel stays). MG&O invites you to join in the joy of giving to the neediest through projects close to the heart of FCUCC members. By Kelli Scarborough, MG&O Team Member 4 FCUCC December 2014 CHILDREN & FAMILY PROGRAMS Our Whole Lives: Sexuality and our Faith By Del Hokanson, Director of Children’s & Family Ministry del@fcucc.org OWL: Upcoming Dates for Family Calendars “To offer sexuality education in a congregation is to acknowledge that human sexuality is simply too important, too beautiful, and too potentially dangerous to be ignored in a religious community.” – Rev. Lena Breen Kindergarten/ Grade 1 OWL starts in January January 4: Peter Hokanson and Polly Strovink will be facilitating the mandatory parent orientation for any parents wanting to discover more and sign up their K/1 child for this significant opportunity that will be held during Faith Formation hour. All preschool – Grade 5 Sunday School children on that Sunday will share a kids’ community Epiphany event during Fay Fo hour, supported by the rest of the Sunday School teachers. January 11: Parents and K/1 children will share a joint OWL session form 9:45-10:45 January 18March 8: K/1 children will continue to explore the developmentally appropriate OWL curriculum from 9:45-10:45 during Fay Fo (Sunday School hour). Grade 5/6 OWL Coming in Spring March 1- May 17 classes will be facilitated by Jean Hagerman and Rick Shick. The mandatory parent orientation will happen in February prior to these classes starting. Classes will be held during Faith F o r m a t i o n Hour and extend through the second service, finishing at noon. Watch for more information in the January 2015 Communicator. K C Worship’s November theme was “Go with God - Following the Footsteps of Jesus' timeline to the Elevator Construction Site” and also to the wheels of our cerebral palsy guest, Tait Berge, and his wife, Kelly. 5 YOUTH FAITH FORMATION / POPS PARTY / OWL for age 22 -35 FCUCC December 2014 Advent, a Busy Time for Youth Groups By Candace Datz, Director of Youth & Adult Ministry candace@fcucc.org As we begin our celebration of Advent during which we prepare ourselves for the coming Christ child, it is with great joy that we announce that the Youth Group will be embarking on our own mission to the city of New Orleans next summer. Just as Christ came humbly to earth in a manger, we will approach NOLA with humility, looking to serve the community that we find ourselves a part of and learning as much as we can. We will be partnering with an organization called Camp Restore that will serve as our home away from home, our kitchen and our community connection. Camp Restore has opportunities for ministry with other local non-profits who are doing service work and continue the restoration of their city after multiple tragedies. Our plans on the ground in New Orleans will continue to firm up as we get closer to our departure day. There will be a Parent/Youth Informational Meeting on a date to be announced. The trip will be open to current 7th graders and up. We will depart June 13th and return on the 21st. Be on the lookout for announcements about fundraisers and registration deadlines! YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS High Schoolers who are interested in joining the Mystery as angels and shepherds should contact Marcy McNeill at marcymcneill@att.net. During Advent Faith Formation some of the Middle Schoolers will be participating in the preparations for the Child-Friendly Christmas Eve service with Del Hokanson and the Children’s Ministry. The High Schoolers and the rest of the Middle Schoolers will be exploring Advent themes through music. POPS HOLIDAY PARTY Saturday, December 13 at 6 p.m. at the home of Jane and Eric Ridings Something new: tapas bar, Group activity, dessert bar. As always, plenty of beverage and time to socialize, without distraction from the kids! Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact janeridings@hotmail.com for more information. SAVE THE DATES—YOUNG ADULT OWL Young Adult OWL—Holy Sexuality for ages 22-35 FCUCC & High Plains UU Church will be offering a ten week class with a weekend retreat about our faith and love, relationships, sexual pleasure, healthy boundaries, justice, mutuality and communication. The class will be on Tuesday evenings, from February 3 thru April 14 with a Saturday/Sunday retreat in mid-March. The cost is $110 for FCUCC members, $135 for non-members. Couples are welcome. Registration begins December 1 and enrollment is limited. Contact Rev. Derek Krehbiel at derek.krehbiel@comcast.net or 719.359.0600 6 FCUCC December 2014 ACCESS & ELEVATOR UPDATE We Have Broken Ground! (On the Access Corridor and Elevator Addition) By Kirk Wohlhueter, Facility Manager kirk@fcucc.org Project Update: The Construction Team has been given the green light, and we have issued a notice to proceed to Bryan Construction. We are pressing forward as quickly as we can. The General Contractor (GC) has moved the operation on site, and a temporary construction/security fence has gone up. The GC’s Superintendent (Frank Bradowski) has moved in; his office is located in the back of The Dwelling Place. This helps close the gap in construction costs by not having to rent a temporary office/storage trailer. Coordinating parking is a huge challenge for the downtown area, so we all have to do our part and work together. A huge thank-you to Swan Law, Pikes Peak Association of Realtors, and First United Methodist Photos by Mike Matthews. Church. These businesses have stepped up to provide us with temporary employee parking at no cost for the duration of construction. Please remember there is no parking allowed by anyone in the parking lots surrounding our church, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please be respectful of our neighbors. If you park in those locations, you are subject to fines or being towed. We have pulled our demolition and foundation permits. We still have a few review comments to address with Regional Building on the overall project design. They are very minor comments or they would have never issued us the permits. Our Church’s Construction Team is still very busy reviewing product submittals and shop drawings. It is a common practice for the GC to submit construction material types. This insures that the materials meet the standard of quality required, and it avoids having something installed that we find unattractive. With the cold weather coming on, we are working as fast as we can to complete the excavation and backfill, the foundation, and the exterior walls, and to swing the roof steel and metal decking in place. Once we have a dried-in building shell, we will not be concerned with the weather, and we can be in greater control of our schedule. Our current construction schedule is 16 weeks once we have started excavating the foundation. The schedule will be refined and updated as we move forward. We did postpone the start of construction by one week after the Groundbreaking Ceremony. This ended up being a great decision. It allowed us to get ahead of pre-fabricated materials and to avoid having an open hole in the ground to protect from the drastic change in the weather we experienced in November. More to come next month! 7 DEMENTIA CAREGIVING & THE HOLIDAYS FCUCC December 2014 Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiving… During the Holidays Larry Patzer, FCC Member and active Alzheimer’s caregiver info@co-healers.com The expected excitement and joys of the holidays are just before us. Remember that these are our expectations of what has been and still should be. As a caregiver you’ve toned down your expectations a bit, but you still want the holidays to be joyous and happy. With a care receiver past the initial Alzheimer’s/dementia stages, this expectation is probably unrealistic. However, the expectations of your non-local family members may not be dampened at all. After all, they don’t have your daily experience. “Bring grandpa over to our house for Christmas day dinner! The whole family will be there. It will be great for us all.” No it won’t. The noise and chaos of all the people, especially the young grandkids, will be very confusing and disorienting for grandpa and he will likely not be able to tolerate it. It will be a miserable day for him and you. It’s a hard choice to make, but the Alzheimer’s Association and other experts in the field (and my personal experience) recommend that you stay at home. Caregiving is a role thrust on the caregiver and is unwelcome. The role is tiring, frustrating, anger producing, and depressing. The caregiver can become more ill than the care receiver without positive help and support of others, plus energetic self-care. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, thirty or more percent of Alzheimer’s caregivers die before their care receiver due to burnout. Stress over the holidays is a common phenomenon for most folks. As a caregiver you are more stressed (yes you are!) and tired as you realize again that Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, and anniversaries will never be the way they were. This is depressing. The coming holiday season is the most depression producing time of the year. It is essential that your focus be on you and your care. It’s just like on the airplane, “… place the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping your child.” If you don’t take care of you, your care receiver will be without a caregiver. There are numerous things you can do combat holiday depression—these few will help. 1) Acknowledge that feeling down is because of your expectations of your situation. 2) Remember your situation is external, not of your making. 3) Cut yourself some slack—you are doing the very best you can and all that you can. 4) Be active! Physical movement is the easiest and best first step in reducing stress and its associated depression. If you are not making progress quickly, get professional help fast. It’s easy to get depressed. However, it takes time, a vigorous engagement in the process, and an expectation of change to keep depression at bay. This holiday season, it’s easy to think, “Bah Humbug!” Instead, let “Happy Holidays!” give you joy from knowing you are providing the gift of your very best compassionate care. Larry is an Alzheimer’s caregiver and can be contacted at info@co-healers.com with questions, comments, or more information. 8 TWO OPPORTUNITIES / SEEDS FUNDRAISER / PLYMOUTH FCUCC December 2014 Two Opportunities for Those Dealing with Loss By Christine Hall, FCC Member and Hospice RN christine_c_hall@msn.com “Good Mourning,” a Saturday morning gathering for those who have lost loved ones, meets every other month (usually February, April, June, August, October) throughout the year in our Gregg Library between 9 and 10:30 a.m. It is a highly confidential time in which we share our grief journey with others who are still feeling the sharp edges of grief in their everyday lives. The opportunity to talk from this level of our hearts and hear about the grieving process from those in attendance helps make our burden a little lighter. We have a traditional Christmas Brunch on Saturday, December 13th, 10:30 a.m., at the home of Richard and Christine Hall. Each year we bring a favorite dish of the one we are memorializing and missing during the holiday season. Please join us. We have lots of tears, great stories, laughter, and food to share. The Grief Workshop offered by Kathy Sparnins meets once a week and helps the griever learn about the process of loss and grief and what to expect during this difficult time. This is an important component of coming to terms with loss. The “Good Mourning” group has a different focus where the griever has an opportunity to check-in as time goes by and talk about how well he/she has been able to re-engage with the fullness of life. These two groups complement each other and provide a strong outreach to our grieving participants. Please contact us for details at: Christine Hall, christine_c_hall@msn.com or Annie Campanaro, akcampanaro@gmail.com “All Things Christmas” Fundraiser PLYMOUTH CIRCLE By Teresa Latimer, FCC Member What: “All Things Christmas” is a fundraising event to benefit Seeds Community Cafe presented by the Kerygma Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church. When: Friday, December 5 Saturday & Sunday, December 6, 7 5 p.m.—8 p.m. 9 a.m.—2 p.m. Where: The Mission Arts Center, 324 North Nevada. About Seeds: Seeds Community Cafe’s mission is to impact and solve hunger insecurity, transform lives, build and celebrate with community. At Seeds, guests enjoy a creatively crafted meal – then pay whatever they believe is fair for the portion they ordered. Community contributions and donations will continue to support Seeds in offering volunteer opportunities for those who can’t afford to pay in an atmosphere of inclusion and dignity. Seeds bridges a critical gap missing in our community: pulling together great healthy food, education and involvement in local food sustainability. For more information, visit www.seedscommunitycafe.org The Colorado Springs Youth Symphony will be the featured program hosted by Plymouth Circle on Wednesday, December 3 at 1 p.m. in the Founders’ Room. All are invited to enjoy and marvel at these talented young people. Light refreshments will be provided. Contact Connie Raub at ceraub@gmail.com 9 MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS, page 1 OF 2 FCUCC December 2014 Karen Chiroux Karen came to Colorado 18 years ago with her husband Michel Chiroux and was invited to FCC by her closest friend Beth Apotheker. She felt like she was home as soon as she walked in. She has two girls, Ivy 10 and Hana 8, who were baptized at FCC and enjoy being a part of the FCC family. Karen is already involved in Children's Ministry and Bell Choir and hopes to do more. She has been a flight attendant for 17 years and enjoys running, hiking, backpacking, camping, and travel. Victoria Garmonia and Lisa Mattivi Victoria and Lisa moved to Colorado Springs and wanted an O&A church that would accept their family. Victoria is already involved in the Chancel Choir and attends Soul Feast. Lisa is interested in visitation ministry and environmental justice. Karen Heater and Joan Landrum Karen and Joan come with their kindergartner Caleb Landrum and are involved in Children’s Ministry. They were invited by Casey and Sue Scott. Karen, who is from Pennsylvania, can make a mean Shoo Fly Pie and plays the French horn. Joan was born and raised in Colorado Springs and loves to read, bicycle, ski and snowshoe. Judy Jacob Judy comes to us from Canyon Lake Methodist church in Texas. She volunteers at our front desk during the week. She loves worship and Soul Feast. Judy’s passions are children, music, staying sober, dancing, and evolving. Karen and Robert Jones Karen and Bob moved back to Colorado Springs and looked for a UCC church and found us online. Karen was raised in Nebraska and has been a teacher, homemaker, and caregiver. Bob is a physicist who has been an industrial researcher and professor. In retirement they sailed the Intracoastal Waterway for three years. They enjoy the adult faith formation offerings and hiking group. Karen is interested in prayer and care ministries. They both have a passion for the environment and outdoor sports. Pat and Rob Jones Pat has been attending FCC since 2011 and currently serves on our church staff as the Nursery Attendant Supervisor. She also volunteers at ESM. Her passion is to serve those experiencing homelessness. She and Rob were married in 2012. Rob is a lawyer who grew up in Texas. As a child he visited Colorado and came back to live here as an adult. No photo of Amy, Emma & Liam was available at press time. Amy Keating Amy comes to church with her daughter Emma, a sixth grader, and son Liam, a fourth grader. She came with a friend and decided to join this church. She is passionate about theater and teaches theater in high school. Amy has lived overseas where she met her spouse and she likes skydiving and whitewater rafting. Karen Jan Knabe Karen came with her daughter, Eva (who is now one of our nursery attendants). She has lived in Colorado Springs for almost two years and has found the fellowship here loving and caring. She is looking for a job and wants to make new friends. Her passions include the Homeless Initiative and community outreach. An interesting fact about Karen is that she identifies herself as a Mexican, Jewish Christian or Messianic Jew with family heritage from the 1500s in the New World that escaped the Inquisition from the Spanish Basque region. Eleanor Howard Law Eleanor comes to us from Union Congregational UCC of West Palm Beach Florida. She has been a speech pathologist and a bookkeeper. Eleanor grew up in this church and came back in August after losing her husband, David Law. An interesting fact about Eleanor is that she participated in the Christmas Mystery as a child and came back to celebrate the 100 th production several years ago. 10 MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS, page 2 of 2 FCUCC December 2014 Erin and Jeremy Lloyd Erin and Jeremy attend church with their preschool daughter Berkeley and their son Jocoby who is a kindergartner. Jeremy is an active-duty military Air Force officer and professor. He is passionate about his family, music, and football. Erin is a teacher who would like to volunteer for Faith Formation. She speaks fluent German, backpacked through Europe at age 19, and has worked on a Disney cruise ship. Lisa Mason Lisa was baptized and confirmed in this church. She is returning after 32 years. She works as a financial planner. Lisa is involved with the hiking group, cooking classes, and attends Forum regularly. She has lots of passions, with three-day-eventing as her sport. Lisa was on the search committee that chose Pastor Jerry Jordan, and it was Jerry who performed her wedding. After losing her husband, Lisa wanted to come back to be close to her mom and dad and to this church. Connie Miller Connie came to us because she already has friends here. She is passionate about healthy life style and is considering being a health coach with an organization called “Take Shape for Life.” Connie has trekked the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, biked across the Dolomites and across America. She has served as a school social worker for 24 years and currently works at Mann Middle School. Her other passions include her grandsons with whom she spends much time. Ruth and Dale Mosher Ruth and Dale join us from Longmont, Colorado. Ruth was ordained as a UCC Pastor in Allentown, Pennsylvania in November. She currently serves as a hospice chaplain. Dale is an engineer and enjoys climbing 14-ers. Dale and Ruth were married in 1980 and have two grown children. They have joined FCC because this is an O&A and social justice church. Sara Salkind Sara attends with her husband and their two-year-old, Ian. She teaches second grade and was born and raised in Colorado. Her sister was in the Gospel Choir and when Ben did a cartwheel in the front of the church in his sermon, she knew that this was her church. Sara was baptized at FCC in October. Ani Rose Whaleswan Ani Rose started coming to FCC with her eighth grade daughter, Marisol. She appreciates FCC because of its status as a Justice and Peace church. She has been a group therapist, client advocate, retreat minister, spiritual director, youth and adult educator, potter, artist, writer, speaker and was a Catholic nun for five years (because she couldn’t be a priest). She is interested in the Homeless Initiative and women’s spirituality. Shaun Zigler Shaun came to Colorado Springs because her son lives here. She looked for an O&A church and found herself here. She often brings her neighbor’s granddaughter to church. She has been a director of a homeless and foster youth shelter and a teacher for emotionally handicapped children. She would like to support parents with children or youth struggling with mental illness and autism. Shaun shared the interesting facts about herself that she has been widowed three times and lived in Mexico for three years. Welcome one and all to our FCUCC family! 11 FCUCC December 2014 STEWARDSHIP / CONG. ALIVE / 2ND SUNDAY SINGLES Gratitude Beyond Sunday By Polly Strovink, Chair of the Stewardship Team polly.strovink@usa.net We celebrated the end of our Annual Appeal a few weeks ago with an exciting groundbreaking for the elevator project and another wonderful Dinner on the Grounds. It was a great day for Gratitude Sunday. Week after week during the Annual Appeal, we were further along than we had been in years past. And now, we conclude the campaign almost to our $815,000 goal, with only a little follow-up remaining. The Stewardship Team is so grateful to our church family, for your response to the Annual Appeal, and for your generosity. We wanted to say thank you on Gratitude Sunday, but we don't want to stop there. We want you to hear our gratitude throughout the year. Your commitment to our church—commitment of money, of time, of talent—allows us to focus together on our vision of a just world. Thank you. As we “Go with God” into 2015, we hope that you're inspired and energized by the programs and ministries of our church and that you're compelled to join in the journey in new and exciting ways. SAVE THE DATES FOR CONGREGATIONS ALIVE! Thursday, February 5 – Saturday, February 7, 2015 At First Plymouth Congregational UCC, Englewood, CO What is Congregations Alive? A three-day event presented by the Rocky Mountain Conference UCC An event for pastors, teachers, educators, and all interested lay people, who are interested in dynamic speakers, empowering worship, and timely workshops that will energize your congregation COST: $100 per person ($55 for just one day) discounts for 2 or more people from the same church Features: Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka, Associate Professor of Christian Education, Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA Worship Leader: Rev. Maren Tirabassi, UCC Poet, Writer, Editor, Pastor, Teacher Union Cong’l Church UCC, Madbury, NH 30 + Workshops: Including Faith Formation topics with Rev. Dr. Ivy Beckwith, Team Leader - UCC Nat’l Staff, Cleveland “Peace Village” with Betsy Woodward C.M. UCC Educator and Peacemaker, San Mateo WATCH for more information and online registration at: www.rmcucc.org QUESTIONS? Please contact any of the following: joanne@bogarthome.net or melindacampbell@comcast.net or saraweatherman@comcast.net 2ND SUNDAY SINGLES The Second Sunday Singles will celebrate December in a festive way. All singles, and friends, 50ish and beyond … come join us for a Turkey Dinner and White Elephant Gift exchange on December 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the Gregg Library. Don't forget your wrapped White Elephant gift and bring a side dish to complete our meal along with your favorite beverage. We also have some ideas to share regarding our November meeting. Contact Connie Raub at ceraub@gmail.com 12 PEOPLE & EVENTS IN EARLY FCC HISTORY FCUCC December 2014 A Peek in the Past: An Injustice by Chris Steenbergen, Church Historian chris.steenbergen@yahoo.com Edward Payson Tenney assumed the presidency of struggling Colorado College in 1876. Born in 1835 in Concord, NH, son of a local pastor, he was educated at Dartmouth, and at Bangor and Andover Theological Seminaries. Tenney served several New England Congregational Churches and in 1868 had been pastor of the Congregational Church of Central City, CO. At that time he pushed with the Ministerial Congregational Association for the establishment of a Christian College near Monument. The Association considered it premature and he was recalled to the East within a year. Now that his original idea had materialized, he set off with all his energy to strengthen the College. Tenney's emphasis was on the financial and organizational aspects of Colorado College. He refused the title of professor and went by president only. He established preparatory feeder schools in Trinidad and in the Utah and New Mexico territories. His fundraising efforts at New England congregations emphasized the need for higher education on the “frontier” in pamphlets such as “The New West”. Enough funds were raised for the construction of the first building, “the College” (now Cutler Hall), quickly followed by several others. By 1879 the faculty had grown to nine, six of whom were members of First Congregational Church, including Edward, who with his wife Ellen had joined in late 1879. Fundraising, through a nowadays very acceptable approach, became Rev. Edward Payson Tenney; Tenney's undoing. The College obtained property (at the present From: A Colorado College Reader, Tutt Library Special Collections, Colorado College “Old North End”) to be sold later at a profit, which would go into the Endowment Fund. Unfortunately, land prices didn't rise at the time and paying the high short term interest of the loans to banks and local individuals became unsustainable, causing a collapse of the scheme and serious losses, including to church members. Tenney's motives were questioned and in 1884 he was forced to resign. In early 1885 the church suspended his membership and a church committee concluded that he was “guilty of conduct unbecoming a Christian” and “unfit for membership in the Church of Christ”. The church could “not endorse him for ministry or any financial responsibility.” Edward P Tenney returned East, a bitter man. FCC granted Ellen Tenney a letter of Transfer in 1889, but in the church's ledger only the word “dropped” starkly shows behind his name. Over time, faculty (and church members) such as Prof. Marden and Prof. Kerr recognized the injustice done to Tenney and made their individual peace with him. FCC did not. 13 FCUCC December 2014 2014 COOKING SCHOOL Cooking School: A Look Back at 2014 By Christine Hall, Cooking School Coordinator and RN christine_c_hall@msn.com The Health Care Ministry’s “Cooking School” completed its 5th year following the well-received presentation by representatives from Williams-Sonoma on the topic “New Twists on Old Holiday Recipes.” During the holidays, our focus is often on food preparation and entertaining—a perfect time for us to try some of our new skills and recipes—so we choose not to meet during this time but will resume again during the 2015 Lenten Season for our 6th year. We started our sessions this year on March 21st with a Bread and Wine Lenten theme. Oscar Ridings demonstrated the magic of making yeast breads, and Tim Christensen from “Fermentations” helped us start our own batch of Pinot Noir, which we ultimately bottled and labeled and are just now opening for the holidays. In April, our own Angie Adams and Mary Frieg from the Savory Spice Shop on Tejon transformed a basic soup recipe into very different tastes with the judicious use of spices, herbs, and condiments. In May, our new member Ken Dayton demonstrated the art of the Taco Salad made from fresh, springtime ingredients, followed by the demonstration of a recipe that produced a tasty, moist chicken dish. Charles Kiskiras and daughter generated the largest attendance of the season in June with his “Greek Extravaganza” where they assembled some of the dishes Charles fondly remembers from his mother’s and grandmother’s kitchen in the Greek community in Chicago in which he was raised. In July, one of our “Cooking School” stars, herself a professional caterer and owner of “Simply Delicious Baked Goods,” Susan Schenk, from Temple Shalom, shared some of the delicious dishes from the Jewish cuisine that have been popular for centuries. Then, in August, she demonstrated the importance of the artful presentation of our kitchen creations. September has become our time to attend the Wine Festival at the Canon City Holy Cross Abbey, where we happily tasted the wines made at the Abbey and began holiday shopping. We brought the series to a conclusion in October with the Williams-Sonoma presentation referred to above. Our mission is to create community around the table, to extend an extravagant welcome to neighbors, friends, and strangers, to nurture our bodies with fresh, whole foods, and to “find our way back to the center of a well-lived life,” in the words of Michael Pollan from his book In Defense of Food. Please watch for our 2015 series, and know you are warmly welcome! 14 FCUCC December 2014 CONGREGATIONAL LIFE Congregational Life (October 12 – November 14) By Rev. Dr. Jacque Franklin, Associate Minister jacque@fcucc.org THANKS Our Sunday Liturgists were Chris Reimer, AJ & Blake Olesen-Phelps, Gloria Latimer, Lee Lehmkuhl, and Polly Strovink. KC Worship volunteers were Sara Doud, Cyndi McFarland, Kelly Berge, Tyescha Clark, Ubuntu Squad, Mindy Matthes, Laura Pfender, Sue, Brad & Alec Mikaelian, Tiffany Schmid and Karen Lloyd. Denise Ellsworth, Cyndi McFarland, Anna Adams & Marilyn Fife assisted with Godly Play Worship. Fall Festival was supported by Suzanne Laffely, Denise Ellsworth, Tom Francis, Nick Palerino, Dawn Khederian, and Youth Group. Peggy Weissman and Trig Bundgaard were our two October Adult Faith Formation Hour facilitators. Bill Edmondson has volunteered in the church office many times, but he is stepping down. Paul Brookens led Middle School Faith Formation. Tracy Rumans and Alysa Webb were Sunday School subs. Trig Bundgaard and Brad Mikaelian shot and edited the “Go with God” video. Trig Bundgaard and Carol Finch created the historical video shown on Historical Sunday. Marge Murray, Ruth Connell, Nancy Forgy, Marti Booth were interviewed for that video. Creative offerings during our Annual Appeal “Go with God” campaign were Ceil Malek for creative writing, Ellen Brown for paintings, Linda Pavian Roberts for photography, Ben Broadbent and Brian Hofflander for the “Go with God” theme song, and Gloria Lattimer for tap dancing. Musical accompanists were Paul Rule on the cello, Mandy Todd and Russ Ware on drums, Brian Hofflander on bass. Flute Choir played and was directed by Phyllis White. Handbells rang, Joyful Noise sang, and Men’s Ensemble performed, all directed by Mandy Todd. Kathryn Eastburn and the Stewardship Team fed over 100 people for the Dinner on the Grounds. Kirk Wohlhueter, Angie Adams, Mary Hope, Andrea Barker and Lynn Young participated in the Ground Breaking ceremony for the elevator. P R AY E R S Sid Skirvin who is in hospice care at home continues to decline in health. We surround him and his wife Shirley with prayers. Siri Everett had knee surgery and is recuperating. Tiffany Schmid, Eli & Emerson Hauber were in a car accident on the highway that totaled the car and shattered Tiffany’s shoulder blade. Mary Tatum had surgery and is recovering. Bill Edmondson was hospitalized and is home now and doing better. Kelli & G.L. Scarbourough’s daughter, Laurie Voss was diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment in Durango. Margaret Garrett is recovering from surgery. Rick Smith’s mother, Pat Smith of North Carolina fell and is recovering from a coma. Judy Pickle is recovering from knee surgery. Glenn Marshall and Kirk Wohlhueter’s friend Jim Pierie was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S Brooke Bell’s grandmother, Esther Allen, turned 100 in November. Mo Morrow has a new grandson, William Alder Corum, born on November 3 in Reno, Nevada. Chloe Kiskiras had a role in the UCCS Theatreworks production. Michael Haven, former member who is now living in California, passed the Ecclesiastical Council that approved her ordination, pending call. Ruth Allen Mosher was ordained as UCC clergy on November 9 in Allentown Pennsylvania. Malia Alstrom and BJ Reichert were married on October 11. Casey Tencick and Sue Scott were married on October 12. Victoria Hansen received the Pikes Peak Arts Council Award for her performance as Julia Child in “Bon Appetit.” CONDOLENCES Judy Pickle lost her younger brother who died of lung cancer on November 4. Lucy Bell lost her companion dog, Mollie in November. Phoebe Belteau lost a good friend to brain cancer in November. Sherrie Walker lost her father Gary Nanninga, who died on October 17 in hospice care. His service of memorial was Saturday, November 8 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 2111 Carlton Ave. Colorado Springs. Dakota & Christian Malacara grieve the loss of Dakota’s mother, Lola Malacara, who died on October 28. 15 MID-WEEK STUDY / MEDITATION OPPORTUNITIES / CABARET FCUCC December 2014 Bible Nerds Friends of Emerson Join the "Bible Nerds" for weekly, lectionary-based Bible Study. We meet (upstairs) in the Gregg Library on Wednesday mornings, 9:30-11 a.m. New members are always welcome at the Friends of Emerson group that meets twice monthly. Facilitated by Lucy Bell. All opinions are welcome in our lively, wide-ranging discussions of next Sunday's Scriptures. If you would like to be prepared to "pester the pastor", please participate! With questions, please contact Kathy Beck (264-9105). Soul Feast Soul Feast meets each Thursday morning at 9:15 a.m. first in the Kitchen for refreshments, then in the Carey Chapel. Contact Mike Matthews (719-375-5269) or LMMATT222@comcast.net for information about the current topic. All are welcome. In December, the group meets on Thursdays, December 4 & 18 From 4-5 p.m. Upstairs in the Gregg Library. Contact lucycbell@comcast.net for more information. Med ita tio n & Pra ye r Mondays at 5:30 p.m., in the Carey Chapel, an hour of prayer For more information, contact Jerusha Goebel (JerushaGo@msn.com) SAVE THE DATE! Primo Congo’s very own musical revue: A Culinary Cabaret What Would Jesus Brew? We will be singing and dancing our way through a food-infused program. Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale in January. Watch for further announcements. For more information, contact Victoria Hansen at 719.640.3046 or vhansen@coloradocollege.edu The Wild Goose Meeting House 401 N. Tejon Street Join this radical group of people for drinking and discussion without dogmatic assertions of knowledge, damnation of others, or judgment. For more information, contact Trig Bundgaard at trygve@trystanphotography.com 16 ADULT FAITH FORMATION HOUR OFFERINGS FCUCC December 2014 What's Happening at the Forum in December by Howard Ray hray99@gmail.com To access the Forum schedule, use the FCC web site www.fcucc.org: select Faith Formation, Adult, then select Forum. 7 Dec: Anthony Surage - Looking at the Spiritual Edges Below the Surface of Our Lives. Anthony has been a public educator for the past 31 years and a fly fishing guide for the past 25. While he doesn't have any formal training in theology, Anthony deeply contemplates spiritual issues and the human experience. He tries to ask some of the difficult existential questions of life. Come hear Anthony weave themes from fly fishing, story, poetry, and the Christian faith (and perhaps a recollection about spending time with Pastor Emeritus Jim White). He will speak to us about the spiritual edges found outdoors. Forum attendees can gain new insights with a different perspective from Anthony. 14 Dec: Steve Alsum & Mitch Liester - Distinguishing Visions from Hallucinations. For centuries, all "unshared sensory experiences" (you are the only one who sees, feels, hears, etc.) were diagnosed as hallucinations in the medical community. People were either called "nuts", given the silent treatment, or both. With the recent growing awareness in the media of near death experiences, it is becoming apparent that these are distinct events. "Seeing deceased loved ones as one nears death is very different than seeing cockroaches large enough to saddle." Dr. Liester and Rev. Steve Alsum have presented together at medical schools and conferences around the country. Steve (Master of Divinity) is a member of our congregation who followed twenty-five years as a pastor with becoming a chaplain on the Spiritual Care Team at Pikes Peaks Hospice (also on staff at Center Life, a holistic education counseling and spiritual direction center in Colorado Springs). He also trains chaplains in our region. Mitch is a local psychiatrist who has published numerous articles on various topics to include inner voices, near death experiences, the mind-body relationship to cancer, visions, and treatments for addictions using Ayahuasca. His work emphasizes the understanding of consciousness as it is expressed in its myriad states. Together they lecture and research on a variety of related topics. Let's listen to their intriguing ideas and stories and welcome them back to the Forum. The Forum is in session most Sunday mornings September through May at 9:45 a.m. in the Carey Chapel through the efforts of Jean Tidball, Don Allred, Bruce Latimer, and Howard Ray. Sundays in Advent: Adult Faith Formation Hour Offerings I & II Adult Faith Formation I in the Gregg Library (upstairs)—Facilitated by Rev. Crystal Karr “Advent Reflections from Season of Glad Songs.” Following up on the contemplative retreat with Fr. David Denny and Tessa Bielecki, Rev. Crystal Karr will present selections from Denny and Bielecki’s most recent book Season of Glad Songs: A Christmas Anthology. This class will explore insights for creating a contemplative Advent experience and provide space for personal reflection and quiet. Adult Faith Formation II in the Atrium—Facilitated by Beth Garrison-Kemp “Parent’s Advent Craft Spectacular!” We know Advent can be a crazy time for families. To bring a little structure and fun to the table, Beth Garrison-Kemp will be leading an informal craft and activity time in the Atrium during the Faith Formation Hour. Come and go as you please, have fun creating something to take home with you to help your family embrace the Advent season, and learn something new! 17 DECEMBER 2014 WORSHIP CALENDAR FCUCC December 2014 Sunday Morning Schedule Worship at 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Faith Formation Hour classes for all ages at 9:45 a.m. (December 28 – One service at 9:30 a.m. and No Faith Formation Hour) December 7 – 2nd Sunday in Advent: – Multi-Generational Worship Today we celebrate Holy Communion at both services and Rev. Broadbent preaches a multi-generational sermon on “Peace.” The Joyful Noise Children's Choir sings and rings handbells and handchimes at 8:30; the Chancel Choir presents "And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel's Messiah at 11. December 14 – 3rd Sunday in Advent / “Gaudete” (Joy) Sunday Rev. Broadbent preaches on “Joy.” Brooke Bell shares liturgical dance to original music by Lyn Boudreau. Liturgical Dance will be shared at both services and Lee Lehmkuhl shares "Every Valley Shall Be Exalted" from Handel's Messiah, and the Chancel Choir sings "Gaudete" by Stephen Hatfield, featuring soloist Russ Ware. December 21 – 4th Sunday in Advent The Bells of Saint Vrain Handbell Ensemble share special music at both services and Rev. Jacque Franklin preaches on “Love.” December 21 at 4 p.m. - The 103rd Mystery Pageant in the Sanctuary Come discover who will be Mary and Joseph. Come see the Angel Choir, the Shepherds and the cherub-children. Come and deepen into the Mystery. December 24 – Christmas Eve 3 p.m. Child-Friendly Service of Lessons & Carols – Children present Victor C. Johnson's arrangement of "African Noel." 5 p.m. Service of Lessons & Carols – Rev. Broadbent preaches; Phyllis White and Scott Christiansen share flute and piano duets. 7 p.m. Service of Lessons & Carols – Rev. Broadbent preaches; the Chancel Choir sings Craig Courtney's “The Yearning.” 11 p.m. Candlelight-Communion – Rev. Franklin preaches. December 28 – 1st Sunday after Christmas The Flute Choir offers special music at 9:30 a.m. and Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Jerry Jordan preaches. Coming in January… Baptism of Christ Sunday, Epiphany, Annual Meeting Sunday, New Members Join 18 FCUCC December 2014 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 12/01 Jim Matson 12/01 Cate Roalstad 12/03 Trish Thornton 12/03 Karen Greco 12/03 William Tynan 12/04 Gretchen Howard 12/04 Erin Lloyd 12/05 Garrett Dawson 12/05 Eliot Laffely 12/05 Chloe Kemp 12/06 Linda Seyfert 12/06 Adam Freeman 12/07 Carol Emmer 12/07 Richard Hall 12/07 Carol Keenan 12/07 G.L. Scarborough 12/07 Jessica Cameron 12/07 Taitum Godwin 12/07 Olivia Godwin 12/08 James Mikaelian 12/09 Anthony Nelson 12/10 Jim Bramwell 12/10 JoAnne Henjum 12/10 DECEMBER ANNIVERSARI ES 12/12 Jack Barber 12/12 Zachary Taylor 12/12 Kate Hammond 12/13 Vanessa Hopkins 12/13 Pat Dolin 12/01 James and Patti White 12/13 Alexis Clere 12/05 12/14 Mike Matthews Lauren & John Mothersole 12/14 Michael Anderson 12/09 12/14 Drew Moore Ruth Roland & David Petersen 12/15 Don Drake 12/10 Christiaan & Wilma Steenbergen 12/16 Jimmy Sue Guggenhime 12/12 Kris & Ed Doerffel 12/16 Scott Smith 12/20 Elfriede & Frank Jopp 12/16 Nora Brachtenbach 12/22 Lynn & Ben Young 12/16 Eli Wright 12/28 12/18 Mary Jane Ray Nancy Henjum & Steve Kern 12/18 Mindy Matthes 12/29 Casey & Rock Welch 12/18 Samantha Stearns 12/25 Harper Pfender 12/19 Dennis McGuire 12/26 Karen Kirouac 12/20 Brooke Brown 12/26 Zach DeBacker 12/21 Nancy Briley 12/27 Anna Adams 12/21 Steve Alsum 12/27 Karen Jan Knabe 12/21 Logan Bennett 12/27 Carrol Loveless 12/22 Lee Tatum 12/28 Karen Jones 12/22 Victoria May 12/28 Zachary Kelly 12/22 Aiden Eslinger 12/28 McKenzie Kelly 12/23 Virginia Kane 12/28 Camellia Almeida 12/23 Erma Chappell Terry Henderson 12/29 Lorelei Vollmar 12/23 Suzy Taggert 12/10 Lea Qualls 12/29 Jeanie McConnell 12/23 Emma Keating 12/11 Andy Kort 12/29 Brian Hofflander 12/24 Drew Getty 12/11 Phil Tate 12/30 Ann Benson 12/24 Julia Getty 12/11 John Boles 12/30 Trig Bundgaard 12/23 Sydney Sandberg 12/30 Tori Anderson 19 CHURCH COUNCIL Moderator Audio / Visual Lee Lehmkuhl Vice Moderator Julia Nace Secretary Blake Olesen-Phelps Care & Fellowship Judy Kort Outreach Siri Everett Education Gloria Latimer APPOINTED OFFICERS Membership Clerk Lois Benson Historian Chris Steenbergen Faith Formation Tracy Rumans Financial Ministries Polly Strovink Financial Advisory Sky Foerster Worship & Spiritual Life Paul Schwotzer Clergy/Congregation Relations OPEN & Blake Olesen-Phelps Angie Adams Treasurer FCUCC December 2014 VOLUNTEER CHAIRS CHURCH CONTACT INFO Forum 20 East Saint Vrain Street Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Office Hours: M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Voice: 719.635.3549 Fax: 719.633.4715 Email: office@fcucc.org Website: www.fcucc.org Julia Nace Howard Ray, Jean Tidball, Don Allred & Bruce Latimer Grounds Steve Getty Health Ministry Peggy Weissman Historical Karol Finch Human Resources Gordon Riegel Justice & Peace Jerry White JWW Lectureship David Kopp Kitchen Witches Lois Benson & Dolly Eager CHURCH STAFF VOLUNTEER POSITIONS Communicator Editors Ardith Hanson, Layout Pete Hokanson, Text Editor Communion Coordinator Rose Enyeart Flowers Coordinator Ann Benson Flute Choir Phyllis White Head Ushers 8:30 a.m. OPEN 11 a.m. Virginia Carlson & Dave Doman Lay Representative to ESM Liturgist Coordinator Our Whole Lives Marsha Garrett Nancy Lippincott, RN Office Volunteers Judy Jacob Christy Kesler Mindy Matthes Cindy McFarland Margaret Rieber Lucy Shick Pat Steffens Phyllis White Associate Minister Rev. Dr. Jacque Franklin Ministry Discernment Director of Financial Ministries Ruth Roland Mission Giving & Outreach Jill Robinson Music & Arts Susie Marten Mystery Tradition Nancy Forgy Communications Coordinator Emily Bond Facility Manager Seminarians: Kirk Wohlhueter Director of Music and Arts Mandy Todd Organist Rev. Steve Alsum Rev. Darlene Avery Rev. Jocelyn Bakkemo Rev. Lyn Boudreau Rev. Stephen Brown Rev. Pat Dolin Rev. Derek Krehbiel Rev. Patty Walker Samantha Garrett RoMa Johnson Jeff Dodson Logan Bennett Scott Christiansen Director of Youth & Adult Ministry Candace Datz Del Hokanson Nursery Attendants Custodians Sunday Sexton Kiara Nath Patricia Jones Sean Drevs Eva Knabe-Hoepfer Karen Jan Knabe Judy Jacob Trig Bundgaard Membership RoMa Johnson Steve Brown Nominating Nancy Henjum (Chair), Beth Garrison-Kemp, Sue Taylor, Deidre Schoolcraft, Richard Grebenstein Planned Giving Jennifer Malenky Plymouth Circle Prayer Shawl Ministry Receptions OPEN Barb Keiser & Mary Jane Ray Amy Colwell Risk Reduction & Response Nancy Dawson Director of Children’s & Family Ministry ASSOCIATED IN MINISTRY 4-Way Covenant: Jeanie Tate Marketing & Comm Lee Tatum Lynn Young Parish Nurse Library Lead Minister Rev. Dr. Benjamin Broadbent Sanctuary Arts Stewardship Liz Arnold & Connie Raub Polly Strovink Bob Scheafer & Randy Goodwin Teri McCabe AD HOC STAFF Wedding Coordinator Funeral Coordinator Receptions Coordinator Gail Rogers Victoria Hansen Amy Colwell PASTORS EMERITI Rev. Dr. Jerry Jordan (1973-1988) Rev. Dr. James White (1989-2005) 20 FCUCC December 2014 Non-Profit Org. 20 East Saint Vrain Street Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1198 US Postage RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PAID Colorado Springs, CO Permit 607 First Congregational UCC is an Open and Affirming Congregation. We invite people of every age, race, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, means, ability and spiritual tradition to join us in the love of God and neighbor through Christian worship, dedication to education and commitment to service. THE COMMUNICATOR T he C om m u ni c at o r: De adl i ne & Re q ui re m e nt s By Ardith Hanson, Communicator Layout & Pete Hokanson, Text Editor The Communicator invites articles, notices, and letters relevant to the life of our congregation. Accepted submissions may be edited for length, clarity, and correctness. Opinions expressed by writers do not necessarily reflect official FCC policy. DEADLINE for the January issue is Monday, December 15, 2014 This is in the middle of the Christmas season, so, please plan AHEAD and be ON TIME or early. Thanks! Please send articles to: communications@fcucc.org AND copy to Ardith at ardithmarie@gmail.com AND Pete at petehokanson@gmail.com PRINTED C O M M UN I C A T O R S A V A I L AB L E AT CHURCH In the Welcome Center and REQUIREMENTS: Include author’s name, church role & contact email and phone. Include a title suggestion and, if desired, photos, etc. Full page articles should be a MAXIMUM of 500 words (one page in size 12 font). Be brief. **If you want photos or graphics added, the article MUST be shorter. Short articles and announcements are welcomed and will be vetted to decide about inclusion . May be a MSWord attachment or an email. Accepted LATE submissions may be placed in the next edition or may be sent out via weekly e-blast. In the Atrium, by the front door, The full-color electronic version will still be available by email as well as on our new website. See it at: fcucc.org