SINGLE MOMS UNITE AT FAITH

DIVORCE CARE – HOPE IN RESTORATION

10 FUN SUMMER ACTIVITIES FROM FAITH’S STAFF

“Motherhood is challenging, even when you have a strong partner alongside you to support you. What single moms do is amazing.” As a mother of four with a supportive husband, Heidi Madden has a huge heart for the single moms in our congregation. So last year she approached Thea Jensen about giving these women respite from their busy lives and a place of community where they could support one another. Heidi and Thea now co-lead Faith’s “Single Mom’s Night Out,” which meets six to eight times a year.

The ladies meet at Pastor Brad and Thea’s house, while their kids are cared for at the church. The evening includes a delicious meal, a fun activity, and a devotion by a guest speaker. Heidi says, “Brad’s mom came one night and talked about her life as a single mom. How, looking back, she can see the big picture and how God walked with her the whole time.”

Lee Lucas, who is now a single mom of two after her fifteen-year marriage ended, appreciates the thought and care that is put into each gathering.

“They do a great job of providing a stress-free evening for parents and kids alike. It’s a rare night when someone is handling everything, from beginning to end.”

After Lee’s marriage ended, she searched throughout the Fort Collins faith community for a single parents support group. After coming up empty, she started her own in 2014. “There is such a need and desire for this in our community. The most important thing is feeling like you are not alone, like you’re not the only one. Sometimes you look around and it seems like everyone is so put together. It can make you negative about your circumstances.”

Lee was invited to Faith by two single parents who attended her group. She was thrilled when she saw an announcement in the bulletin for

Single Mom’s Night Out and contacted the leaders. “I started getting to know Thea, and she was so encouraging. She just meets people where they are at in life and lifts them up.”

Strong friendships have formed within the group, leading to a supportive community that thrives outside of the “Nights Out.” Earlier this year, the moms served together at Feed My Starving Children, hand-

packing meals for malnourished children around the world.

Heidi says, “We wanted them to connect with each other and with the church. The best thing is seeing single moms building relationships with each other and supporting each other.”

We are blessed to live in “The Choice City” and its surrounding areas. Fort Collins is literally a playground with endless options for family outings, date nights, and fun with friends. To help you get the most out of these warm months, Faith’s staff has shared their favorite summer pastimes.

“Hello?”

“Hey Brent, this is Matt- from Divorce Care - we’ve emailed a little back and forth.”

“Oh yeah, hi! I’m sorry, I should’ve been expecting you calling. I’ve been in such a fog.” His voice was already emotional.

“No worries - I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It’s the worst pain I’ve ever experienced.” I paused, “Could you tell me about what’s been going on?”

A teary voice said, “I just don’t know why she is doing this. It doesn’t have to end this way. We have three beautiful kids, have travelled the world together… she’s my best friend. I miss her so much. My best friend is gone and I’m all alone.”

As he told me what happened: 22 years of marriage, kids divided into camps, the things they each had done, I recalled my own story -

the crushing pain when I read her love letters to another man and my dreams shattered, just like Brent’s. My eyes misted as his pain echoed mine.

I told him, “Divorce Care is a class with 13 sessions, dealing with different aspects of the pain of divorce. Each week, we watch a video that’s about 30 minutes long and then we discuss the material as a group.”

“What are some of the topics?” Brent asked.

“Well, it starts out with What’s Happening to Me?, then there’s Anger, Depression, Seeking God, Kids, Finances, Forgiveness…”

“That’s the stuff I need to hear. I’m so glad it’s not too late to join. I really need this. I feel so alone - all the time. I don’t know anyone who has gone through this. My friends have abandoned me, my kids are a mess… I need to be with people who have gone through this.” He paused for a moment, “I’m just so broken.” His voice trailed off into gentle sobs.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted,” I said.

After hanging up, I questioned for the ten-thousandth time, “Why did this happen to me… and now to Brent?”

God’s answer remained the same as always: Praise be to the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

In those three months, Brent slowly transformed. Each week, he cried a little less and smiled a little more. He even laughed and told jokes. He talked about his wife without sobbing.

After his first court date, he texted everyone in the class, “She postponed EVERYTHING for three months!!!”

A chance for reconciliation - hope in restoration when there was none. Maybe her heart was changing - Brent’s sure did. Evidence of what Pastor Brad tells us regularly: “God’s in the business of changing hearts.”

by Matt Fuller

Camp at all of Colorado’s State Parks. We have been to all 42 and have all the stamps in our passport booklet. You get to see a lot of the state that way! ~Sandra Bladow

Play disc golf at Edora Park. It’s fun to go with friends and just shoot the breeze. I’ve taken my daughter, Addie, with me a few times. If anyone wants to go, I have plenty of discs! ~Taylor Mugge

Make S’mores in your backyard. We like to make them over our fire pit. As long as we don’t torch our trees, it’s fun! ~Brenda Carroll

Run with the bulls in Spain…in a turkey costume. Does this have to be serious? I like to get lost on a 4WD trail. ~Pastor Grant

Go lake kayaking at Lake Estes. It’s so different, and it doesn’t require any skill. You can rent a kayak from the marina. ~Diane McCoy

Tube the Poudre River. Go with your family in August, when the river isn’t running as high. Launch at the Shields St. bridge and exit at College Avenue. ~Pastor Steve

Take the family to Lee Martinez Park. Go with your family You can feed all sorts of different animals and just get to be outside. Afterwards, walk over to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. ~Josh Dockter

Hike Duncan’s Ridge at night. It’s only about a 15-minute hike. We like to go up the Horsetooth side and drink hot chocolate under the stars. ~Valerie Bouchard

Go camping in the Poudre Canyon. We like to go up by Cameron Pass. The weather is cooler up there, and it’s just nice to get away. ~Dan Pahlau

Don’t leave your house for a day. That’s a good day in my books. Sometimes it’s nice to just do nothing. ~Rayna Vikse

MY BEST FRIEND IS GONE, AND I’M ALL ALONE..

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT

CONTRIBUTIONS $ 2,021,786 $ 1,855,000 $ 2 ,500,000

EXPENSES

TOTAL EXPENSES

Additional Mortgage Principal

CONTRIBUTIONS MINUS EXPENSES

$ 1,865,330

$ 72,081

$ 1,937,411

$ 84,375

$ 1,895,989

$ (40,989)

$ 2 ,500,000

Year to Date - Actual Year to Date - Budget Annual Budget

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FAITH’S INAUGURAL

“We do this because we can’t do ministry without the hundreds of volunteers who give of their time.”- Pastor Chris

“We’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time to recognize volunteers and show them our appreciation as ministry leaders here at Faith. To make them feel special in a way that we haven’t done before.”- Pastor Chris

“The highlight was hearing the laughter from both the volunteers and the LMT.” - Pastor Chris

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT NIGHT Without our volunteers, ministry would not happen at Faith. Each week, they spend hundreds of hours preparing food, changing diapers, making phone calls, practicing music, leading Bible studies, greeting visitors, and much, much more. In appreciation of our volunteers, Faith leaders wanted to roll out the red carpet and give them a night where they could relax, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company. On April 15 we hosted our first Annual Volunteer Spotlight Night, attended by 160 volunteers.

A youth group from Foundations Church provided childcare for the evening so our childcare volunteers could enjoy the night. An illusionist with Young Life traveled from the Western Slope to provide entertainment. Faith’s Lead Ministry Team and their spouses gladly stepped in to serve at the event and had a great time doing it! It gave the volunteers the opportunity to see how much our leadership team loves our volunteers and how invaluable they are to them.

KIDzZONE THANK YOU’S

TRIVIA ANSWERS 1) 674 2) 507 3) 198 4) 82 5) 61 6) 113 7) 69 8) 104

The Ubiquitous Award: Given to Rod and Colleen Howard for their work in several areas of ministry. Before the recipients were announced, the MCs asked the crowd if anyone knew what “ubiquitous” meant. Ironically, Colleen immediately provided the definition herself. The Golden Diaper Award: Given to Judee Robinson for the many years she has served in the nursery and the hundreds, maybe thousands of diapers she has changed.

The All-Nighter Award: Given to John Marvin and Stu Beatty for the long hours, including an overnight stay, spent installing the new soundboard.

1. How many volunteer positions are there currently at Faith?

2. How many unique individuals are currently serving?

3. On a given Sunday, how many total volunteers would be serving (with full orchestra and choir included)?

4. How many total small group leaders are currently serving?

5. How many greeters?

6. How many worship ministry volunteers?

7. How many women’s ministry volunteers?

8. How many KidzZone volunteers?

(see answers at bottom of page)

THE EVENT HONORED ALL VOLUNTEERS, BUT SOME FUN AWARDS WERE GIVEN TO A FEW...

FAITH VOLUNTEER TRIVIA

Dear Volunteers,

I thank you for making crafts and singing songs with us.

Ani (age 9)

We love how the volunteers interact with our kids to make it a meaningful time onSunday morning, whether they are in the classroom or the Big House. They show Jesus' love to them in very tangible ways.

Sarah (mom of 3)

I like the KidzZone because everyone is nice to me. We get to learn about God. I wish I could see and talk to Him. I like that we get to meet new friends. I like that we get to play games. I like that we have really nice teachers.

KidzZone Preschooler

i am thankful for the volunteers because they care for my kids and make learning about jesus fun and interesting. my kids always bring home fun crafts and learn more biblical knowledge each week. church is a mini date for my husband and i where we can drop our kids in a safe place and then spend that hour learning about god's word and just sitting quietly in worship.

nicole, mom of 4

I think the volunteers are fun to hang out

with because they are funny and make

jokes.Merek (age 11)

i appreciate that the volunteers

teach me the word of god so that

when i grow up i can be a good man.nathan (age 8)

Valerie Bouchard and Pastor Charlie MC’d the event, changing attire throughout the evening from formal to casual, and eventually to their pajamas.

The illusionist moved from table to table for some small interactions with each group and ended with a 45-minute show.

The planning team pulled out the red carpet and also provided a “VIP” backdrop where volunteers could have their picture taken by a professional photographer.

Attendees were encouraged to dress up for the red carpet event.

Each table also had a trivia game with questions like, “On average, how may volunteers serve each Sunday?”

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