R i s e a n d M e n d b y R e v . D r . J a c q u e F r a n k l i n , M i n i s t e r o f P a s t o r a l C a r e

j a c q u e @ f c u c c . o r g

March | April 2020

Our theme for the season of Lent is “Rise and Mend.” I hope you enjoy the short video on the website and in your eblast from the salt project that visually explains this theme.

During Lent we will have an ALL-CHURCH read, The Great Migration, How the World’s Largest Religion is seeing a Better Way to be Christian by Brian McLaren. Kathy Beck has written our weekly Lenten Devotional for Sundays to tie the book to the Lenten scriptural themes in March. I am leading a book study group on three Wednesday nights from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Gregg Library. I suggest other groups like 9 to Dine, One Big Question, and various book clubs may want to take on this challenge for the month of March. The rest of us can read on our own and share with each other when we can. There are four books in our Gregg Library for check out and it is easy to order online for new or used copies in paperback. I will have extra copies at the book study for those who forget to bring them.

I selected this book because it’s main premise seems to capture where we are as a congregation. Brian McLaren calls it “The Great Migration” because he believes the human story is a tale of people in motion. He agrees that religion is at its best when it leads humanity forward through our cultural evolution as a species. In our age of anxiety and uncertainty, a regressive pull from all the world religions create rigid limitations rather than ways forward. As a result, people by the millions are moving away from traditional religions. His theory claims that within each tradition needed prophetic voices are calling for change, hope, imagination and new beginnings.

“They say there’s an alternative to static or rigid religion on the one hand and religion-free secularism on the other. They invite us on a great spiritual migration -- not out of religion, but out of our cages or ruts, not as jaded ex-members, but as hopeful pilgrims moving forward in the journey of faith.” Brian McLaren

continued on page 2.

Table of ContentsRise and mend 1-2 check it out! 2SUMMER YOUTH MISSION TRIPS 2KIDS' COMMUNITY WORSHIP 3MULTI-FAITH MONDAYS 4a peek in the past: For Art's sake 5The place - what is it? 6Reaching in, reaching out 7silver threads annual luncheon 7NAMI Group begins for families 8fcc's stephen ministry 9FCC'S prayer shawl ministry 10The forum in march 11OWL is soaring! 12friends of emerson 12parents out partying somewhere 13a sabbatical update 13culinary education! 14Visitation ministry 15save the dates! 15congregational life 16Staff and Leaders 17Submit an Article 18

In the video we hear, “We have 40 days which is a good thing because we have a lot of praying and mending to do... broken relationships, broken systems, broken promises. It’s enough to break your heart right in half. But God calls us to take courage and bind up broken hearts including our own. A season of Lent is 40 days long. Which is good. We have 40 days to confess, and mend, and create a new future together. We have 40 days to fast from the busyness, to keep the Sabbath. We have 40 days to build up our strength and help put the world back together again...one stitch at a time. So that together we might rise again with Jesus for the 50 days of Easter stronger than before. Stitched back together and ready to welcome that new and daunting day.”

MARCH | APRIL 2020 2continued from page 1.

In our prolonged transitional time between Lead Ministers, we can take this time in Lent to reflect, discover, and move towards identifying what cages and ruts may be in our midst. How have we limited ourselves from the movement of God’s migrating Spirit? How has the anxiety of our time seeped into our community and encouraged regression rather than moving forward?We can pay attention to our broken hearts, take apart assumptions about who we are, and stitch our identity back together, as we begin to mend into a new and renewed whole.

C H E C K I T O U T !b y J e a n i e T a t e , G r e g g L i b r a r y L i b r a r i a n

jeneanetate@yahoo.comThe Gregg Library Team loves showing off our online catalog! Visit www. fcucc.org/whoweare/gregglibrary. Do an author search and there you will find The Great Spiritual Migration. By sorting through 'Relevance' you are able to see which titles have been checked out the most or the most recently published. Some book covers are also available to view.

You’re looking for books on knitting? Check us out online. Do a subject search on KNITTING . You will find twenty-two titles in FCC's Gregg Library. Add whatever titles look good to your Book Bin and then email me! I’ll pull the titles and check them out to you. They’ll be waiting for you in the Gregg. Easy!

Parents, consider encouraging your middle and high school kids to join us for this summer’s youth mission trips! Mission trips develop bonds within our youth, broaden their life experiences, and connect them with God’s presence and impact in our world. To register, please contact Tom Francis (tandj94@yahoo.com) to get more information.

All registered youth participate in fund raising events (to lower costs), as well as (fun!) trip team building activities. Our next fundraising event is Soup’s On, Sunday, March 8 at 12:15 p.m. in the Founders’ Room. The entire congregation is invited, and youth volunteers will serve a soup lunch and clean up after.

Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota - June 6-12, 2020 (for High School, kids entering Grades 9-12 in 2020-21)

S u m m e r 2 0 2 0 : F C C Y o u t h M i s s i o n T r i p s !b y J i l l R o b i n s o n , Yo u t h G r o u p F a c i l i t a t o r

jrobinson@trgarts.com

S up's On!

Homemade soup by

the FCC Youth Group!

All are invited!

FCC YOUTH GROUP

MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISER

12:15 PM

FOUNDERS' ROOM

03.08.2020

Support FCC Youth as

they raise funds for this

summer’s mission trips:

Middle School Youth: La Puente, Alamosa

High School Youth: Pine Ridge, South Dakota

We are headed to Pine Ridge Native American Reservation in South Dakota supporting the non-profit organization, Re-Member. What is Re-Member? Re-Member seeks to improve the quality of reservation life through relationships, shared resources, and volunteer services. We will participate in various work projects including: bunk beds for children, protective trailer skirting, outhouse construction, wheel chair ramps, steps and decking, and helping make homes livable. We will also interact with other groups from around the USA.

Alamosa, Colorado - June 28-July 1, 2020 (for Middle School, kids entering Grades 7-8 in 2020-21)

We are headed to Alamosa, Colorado in the San Luis Valley to serve and support La Puente. What is La Puente? For nearly four decades, La Puente is Alamosa’s response to address the effects of poverty by providing a safety net of services, where individuals and families get what they need to stabilize, heal, strengthen, and ultimately thrive. We will engage in a variety of projects, such as cooking meals, sorting through donations, gardening, and more.

Registration costs include transportation, lodging, meals and other expenses. Contact Tom Francis, for more information.

3 MARCH | APRIL 2020

This past fall, children participating in Kids' Community Worship linked a Human Rights advocate each week to our ultimate mentor Jesus, and discussed what we can do in our daily lives to witness that walk. In the New Year we have

followed the life of Jesus, reminding us that he came to be human just like us. Weekly... include:

• Jesus as a baby like us – so we had a baby shower/ party where we used playdough of different skin tones to create our own model of baby Jesus – he came for people of ALL colors, races, and culture. • Jesus grew to be a little boy who probably liked playing games just like we do – we explored the kind of games that kids back in biblical times played. • Jesus was baptized and, after learning the story, we repeated the FCC blessings as we “baptized” the different skin-toned and gendered dolls we use for the Grade 1 OWL class (Our Whole Lives: Sexuality and Our Faith). • Jesus was a “fisher” of people and we fished for the common symbol of the fish in the Elevator Lobby and discussed the origin of the Greek word ICHTHUS. • Jesus grew to be an adult and we created liturgical abaci to follow the journey of Jesus from the Manger to the Cross and the growth of the church led by his Ministry. • Jesus had an awakening or transfiguration – a puppet show “illuminated” that story using glow sticks, peroxide and fantastic science!

During Lent we will continue to follow Jesus, focusing on his parables and what he teaches us about Human Rights and Justice. During the season of Easter we will look at ways we can DO the work of Justice. So, if you have an idea of how kids can have a project that they literally can get their hands on, please contact me (del@fcucc.org). Tree planting, decorating food delivery bags for people in need, gifts for kids participating with Family Promise's Interfaith Hospitality Network... these are some ideas on the table.

J E S U S - o u r U l t i m a t e J u s t i c e W a l k e r a n d M o d e l

b y D e l H o k a n s o n , D i r e c t o r o f C h i l d r e n ' s a n d F a m i l y M i n i s t r ydel@fcucc.org

MARCH | APRIL 2020 4

S h a l o m ; S a l a m ; S h a n t i ; P e a c e : M u l t i - F a i t h M o n d a y s i n J u n eb y D e l H o k a n s o n , D i r e c t o r o f C h i l d r e n ' s & F a m i l y M i n i s t r yd e l @ f c u c c . o r g

I am SO EXCITED to have the support of our wonderful Multi Faith team leaders to re-engage and plan a modified series of experiences with the Islamic, Jewish and Buddhist communities this summer... for FAMILIES.

We have received so much feedback from adults who wanted this kind of experience, so we decided to take things up a notch and each host an introduction to our faiths on four Monday evenings in June, followed by a Wednesday Potluck/ Drumming/Dances of Peace finale. In previous years, this great team began working months in advance, but due to circumstances beyond our control, we have needed to simplify and modify. We wish to present the “best of’ experiences that we developed over the three summer camps and adopt the overall theme of “Hospitality.” Keep a look out for publicity and registration procedures arriving in the early Spring, but for now, put the dates on your calendars. Contact Del Hokanson (del@fcucc.org) for more information.

Our 2017 Multi-Faith program leadership team!

Young particpants of the 2018 Multi-Faith Experience!

June 8June 15June 22

June 29

S A V E T H E D A T E S

Final Gathering: Wednesday, July 1Potluck - beginning 5:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 8 p.m.

HOSPITALITY!

5 MARCH | APRIL 2020

This March, FCC will see a second past member inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame, when Mary Lou Anderson joins Alice Bemis Taylor in

the ranks of Historical Inductees. She is cited as “an influential leader in Colorado Springs, and across the state and the nation through her work in the development of programs that engage students, educators, and business leaders in the cultural arts...one who believed that recognition at an early age could help to combat gender discrimination”

Mary Lou, born in 1917 to Henry and Marie Dreffein, grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, west of Chicago as the eldest of five. She went to Oberlin College in 1936, but soon had to transfer for health reasons to the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she obtained her BA in Fine Arts. While in Boulder she met Robert Edwin Anderson a law student from Denver and the couple married in 1941, moving to Cheyenne Wells, Colorado.

After a few years they came west to Colorado Springs, where Bob continued to practice law. In 1957 Mary Lou became a member of FCC and the two girls of their four children were confirmed several years later. Kris, the youngest, is among our present top ten longest time members. As the children grew older, more of Mary Lou's time became available for study, the church, and her passion, art education. In 1968 she obtained her Masters in Psychology from Colorado College. She was president of the Colorado PTA 1964-67 and chair of the Cultural Arts Committee of the National PTA, where she established its Reflections Program, encouraging literature, visual arts, and music in schools. She also founded the Arts Business Education Consortium. For this she received the Silver Bell Award for community service in 1979 and the Pikes Peak Arts Council Recognition Award in 1988.

At our church, Mary Lou is remembered as the first female moderator (1973; her husband Bob decided it was time to formally become a member too!) and for her art classes in painting and watercolor. In 1979 she was our delegate to the First United Church of Christ National Meeting of Women for Leadership and Development and in the early 90s she chaired our Long Range Planning Committee, that identified the future needs of the church .

When we started our 1994 Capital Campaign, the only recently-widowed Mary Lou was the Capital Gifts Chair and later appointed to the Project Management Committee. However, late that year she passed away. In Mary Lou and Robert's honor, the Atrium, created as part of the project, was named the Anderson Atrium.

P e e k i n t h e P a s t : F o r A r t ' s S a k eb y C h r i s S t e e n b e r g e n , C h u r c h H i s t o r i a n

c h r i s . s t e e n b e r g e n @ y a h o o . c o m

Mary Lou Anderson

Mary Lou and Robert E Anderson

MARCH | APRIL 2020 6

T h e P l a c e : W h a t i s i t ?b y Shawna Kemppainen, Executive Director, The Places h a w n a @ t h e p l a c e c o s . o r gYou may have noticed that 2019 was a big year at The Place. We became a completely independent nonprofit, separating from Urban Peak in Denver and changing our name. And while that all was happening, we won the El Pomar Foundation’s award for nonprofit excellence and navigated more youth off the streets and into homes than ever before.

Here are some of the key ways young people improved their health, education, employment, connection and housing stability through our programs: • Street Outreach: 76 youth exited street life returning safely home to family or entering other stable, decent housing • Shelter: 69 youth left the shelter and moved to a safe, stable place • Housing: 77 youth either gained or remained stably housed • Education: 18 youth received a diploma or certification and an additional 50 youth advanced their education • Employment: 90 youth became employed with the help of job readiness volunteers and staff

We’re kicking off 2020 with a growing impact: YMCAs of the Pikes Peak Region just joined the Safe Place Network with The Place and the Pikes Peak Library District. And this past month, mental health therapists joined our street outreach team and began to work in the shelter, thanks to a great collaboration with Peak Vista Community Health Centers and Urban Peak. With nearly three out of four of the young people we work with identifying mental health as a barrier to exiting homelessness,

we must create easier, more accessible, faster and better ways to reach them.

I am lucky to see the faces behind the numbers every day, and I want to share just one of those with you, so I’ve included a photo of Aaron. One snowy afternoon when walking back from downtown parks, our street outreach team member Shannon

heard someone calling her name as she passed the bus terminal on Nevada Avenue. She got closer and followed the voice to a bus with its door open. There was Aaron in the driver's seat. "This youth has been a part of so many of our days," says Shannon. "It was so nice to see him shining. He looked like a natural up there!"Aaron found us through the Safe Place Network at the library. He entered the shelter for a while, and then started in our transitional housing program. He learned life skills, attended equine therapy with great volunteers and worked on his job skills with our employment team. He went to school for his commercial driver’s license. When he got discouraged, our team at The Place supported him by listening, caring, being real and helping him to see that change doesn't usually come fast or easy, but it can come if you stick with it and ask for help. Now, Aaron is driving for Mountain Metro Transit, carrying other youth to work and school.

Because of the support from First Congregational Church, every night this winter between fifteen to twenty youth are safe and warm in our shelter program. Youth just like Aaron, who find The Place to be a place where they belong, are cared about, and have the chance to create real hope for real change.

Thank you so very much for believing that with the right place, people, compassion and hope, young people can change their trajectory.

You can join us this year by volunteering. There are opportunities for groups and individuals. Groups can help in areas like landscaping, cooking, doing a drive for items such as apartment move in kits, and helping out with a deep clean in the dorms. Individuals can cook, help at our front desk, or teach a class. These are just a few ways to be involved. Please check out our volunteer page at https://theplacecos.org/volunteer/ for more information.

This year, we have our upcoming events -- Off The Street Breakfast and the Night Out Project. More information will be forthcoming on our website (https://theplacecos.org/) under the Events tab.

7 MARCH | APRIL 2020

R e a c h i n g I n , R e a c h i n g O u tA S p i r i t u a l R e t r e a t

b y P a u l i H u b b a r d , C h a i r o f M i s s i o n G i v i n g & O u t r e a c hmgo@fcucc.org

SAVETHEDATE

Welcome to the Roundup! SILVERTHREADSLUNCHEON

Wednesday,MAY6,2020-11:30All1o’clockTheFounders'RoomofFirstCongo

LunchlovinglypreparedbyPa=White&CompanyMusicalentertainmentbythe

FCC Wranglers

A 3-night stay at

Mount St. Francis

Reaching In,Reaching Out. a spiritual retreatJULY 30 - AUGUST 2 , 2020

We invited you to stop by our table in the

Founders' Room throughout March to learn more

and discover if you would like to participate.

You are also welcome to email us at mgo@fcucc.org.

T h e M i s s i o n G i v i n g a n d O u t r e a c h C o m m i t t e e i s s p o n s o r i n g

t h i s s p e c i a l , c o n t e m p l a t i v e , s e r v i c e e x p e r i e n c e .

The Mission Giving and Outreach Committee is sponsoring a special, contemplative, service experience.

We invite you to stop by our table in the Founders' Room throughout March, to learn more and discover if this is an event in which you would like to participate. You are also welcome to email us at mgo@fcucc.org.

MARCH | APRIL 2020 8

N A M I G r o u p B e g i n s f o r F a m i l y M e m b e r s N a v i g a t i n g M e n t a l I l l n e s sK i r k W o u n d y , N A M I C o m m u n i c a t i o n s & G r a n t s M a n a g e r k i r k @ n a m i c o s . o r g

If you have a loved one living with bipolar disorder, PTSD, major depression or another mental illness, you may want to visit NAMI Colorado Springs’ new Faith-Friendly Family Support Group.

Funded in part by a First Congregational Church Mission Giving & Outreach grant, the group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m., on the first and third Thursdays of every month at The Dwelling Place, 508 North Tejon Street. It’s free to attend, and you can just drop in.

If you’ve never been to a group before, chances are you have questions. Here are a few common ones, answered by Emily Brady, NAMI’s Family Programs Manager.

What happens at a typical faith-based support group meeting?When you come in, you’ll be asked to fill out a quick form and to make a nametag. Once group begins, the facilitators — who are trained “peers” with their own family members living with mental illness — will introduce themselves and review the group guidelines. Next, participants will have an opportunity to “check in,” if they choose to do so, to let other participants know how they’re doing.

From there, the group opens up to provide a safe space for participants to offer and receive support and guidance in a way that can be healing and informative. Often, group discussions include people sharing resources that they or their loved ones have used, along with wisdom about what has been helpful to them and/or their loved ones through their journey. You’ll be welcome to talk about your faith, and there will be a devotion and prayer.

What else makes a NAMI group unique?As I mentioned, the group will be led by trained volunteers who have loved ones living with a mental illness. The power behind the connection and ability for all in the group to relate on such a personal level is what sets peer-led support groups apart from others. Our facilitators are not speaking from a professional or clinical perspective, but rather, from their hearts and from their personal experiences.

I also should mention that at NAMI, we like to begin and end our groups on time — so this really will start at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m..

What’s a misconception about support groups that you’d like to correct?A common misconception is that if you attend a support group, you have to talk. Of course, a support group centers around having a conversation. However, if you are not in a place to express what you’re going through, that’s OK.

Another misconception is that you have to be “in a bad place” to attend a support group. Folks often attend our support groups when they’re doing well and just want to help others.

What would you say to someone who’s nervous about going to a support group for the first time?It’s OK to be nervous or feel any other emotion that may arise from doing something new! You are not alone, and the group members are there to remind you that there indeed are others who understand and care very much about you.

With any other questions, feel free to contact Emily Brady (719.473.8477/familysupport@namicos.org).

NAMI Suport Group Facilitators

9 MARCH | APRIL 2020

F C C ' s S t e p h e n M i n i s t r yb y E l i z a b e t h V i n c e n t , S t e p h e n M i n i s t e r

j o a t f o r e v e r 6 9 @ g m a i l . c o m

But those who hope in the Lord willrenew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.- Isaiah 40:31

The wish – the hope – of a Stephen Minister is for the persons they walk beside, to renew their strength, when trying anxious times rise up. Maybe a person won’t go soaring, but at least they walk with stronger spirits.

I have shared with friends here and across the country the joy I feel in being able to simply walk beside a person sharing time as they work through a problem. It surprised me to learn that many of these friends both knew about the Stephen Ministry and had either been a care receiver or have a close friend or family member who has been a care receiver. Their stories vary significantly, yet each person walked away from their Stephen Ministry experience feeling stronger.One such story (and I share it with you with the person’s concurrence) occurred several years ago. The person had just learned that she could not have a child. She and her husband desperately wanted a child. She was depressed and feeling worthless, and the worst thing was that her husband had closed down on the matter. He did not want to talk about it. Meanwhile, she knew she had to talk about it to both process this burst dream and to grieve. She also knew that this could not become the sole focus of her life. Friends and co-workers were sympathetic, but she couldn’t expect them to be the listening ears she needed. It was then that she reached out through her church family for help. A Stephen Minister met with her. They talked. They met again, and they continued to meet for, as she recalls, about six months. She did not keep her anger, her disappointment, her sense of failure inside, and gradually the world began to shine again.[Note: Their adopted daughter graduates from high school this year.]

Other stories covered areas of hurting relationships between parents and children, the early, unexpected death of a sibling, recovering from a personal failure, and facing loss of independence. These made me think about the times I now realise that I would have benefitted from a regular “walk” with a Stephen Minister. How might it have changed my life and the lives of my children?I don’t know. Most of us eventually figure out how to deal with life’s sticky issues, but it may take a long time. Sharing the issue with a confidential listening person can help to reduce the anxiety of that time.

Do you: 1) Choose to serve your church community with your unique gifts and experience as a Stephen Minister? 2) Feel that you might benefit from meeting with a Stephen Minister?

If so, please talk to Pastor Jacque Franklin (719.635.3549 / jacque@fcucc.org).

HOURS AT FCCThe FCC Office is

closed on Mondays.Opening Hours:

Tuesday-Thursday (9am-4pm)Friday (9am-1pm)

MARCH | APRIL 2020 10

F C C ' s P r a y e r S h a w l M i n i s t r yJ e r u s h a G o e b e l , P r a y e r S h a w l M i n i s t r y M e m b e rj e r u s h a g o @ m s n . c o m

She sat across from me with tears rolling from her eyes and her chin quivering with trying to hold them back. Her father had passed away last week and her grief was even deeper from his life-long absence. It was only in the last months that she and her father had found a common ground and finally were able to express the love of father and daughter. And now he was gone.

I reached over and touched her hand, feeling her great sorrow and emptiness. “I have something for you, dear heart,” I said as tenderly as I could. I reached over to the little bundle beside me unfolding the soft Homespun yarn of golds and reds and greens. I felt the powerful blessings and many prayers it contained as I put it around her shoulders.

“This is a prayer shawl from my church.” I took a deep breath, remembering the many prayers knitted into the shawl. “Many people have blessed this shawl as it was being made and afterwards during a church service. It is sent to you with great love in hopes that it will feel like God’s arms holding you as you grieve.”

Her eyes were wide. “Really? This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me! Really!” And now her eyes were filled

with tears of gratitude. We read the “Prayer for Comfort” together and I held her hands as I prayed:

“Loving God, hold this beautiful daughter in your loving arms and let her know that you are always with her. Help her to find her way back to the joy of the gift of life. We ask now that your loving care and healing rest to be around her father. May they now find a way to be together that they never had in life. Thank you, Lord. Amen.”

Would you like to be a part of First Congregational Prayer Shawl Ministry or know of someone who needs a prayer shawl? Contact the church office (719.635.3549 / office@fcucc.org) and you will be directed to the right source.

11 MARCH | APRIL 2020

MARCH 29 - NO FORUM Town Hall Meeting with Rev. Dr. Don Longbottom

MARCH 8 – DR. DEBRA BUENTINGPerceptions and Confirmation Bias

Dr. Debra Buenting has spent most of her career as a communication practitioner in the non-profit sector. As a video producer and teacher, she has traveled the world, visiting and working in almost 60 countries on six continents. In addition to teaching online with San José State, “Dr. Deb” teaches online with Ashland University, and at Pikes Peak Community College. Dr. Deb has an initiative called, Intentional Journey, with a podcast and blog at http://intentionaljourney.net.

MARCH 15 - COLIN MCALLISTERDies irae, dies illa: Music in the Apocalyptic Mode

Our speaker will explore “music in the apocalyptic mode” from the late Middle Ages to the present day in three broad categories: 1. Music in the Biblical/Traditional Apocalyptic Mode, wherein expectations, imagery, rhetoric, and tropes of the apocalyptic worldview have been articulated in musical works. The chief medium here is lyrical – i.e., hymns, libretti, song lyrics, etc. – although the musicological and performative aspects of the works are also important. 2. Music in the Secular Apocalyptic Mode, much of which defines and re-defines the ideas apocalyptic to fit changing circumstances and audiences. Hallmark examples include the dramatic operas of Richard Wagner and certain compositions of Arnold Schoenberg and Olivier Messiaen. 3. The Apocalyptic Mode and Musical Form, the music itself defines “apocalyptic” by means of tonal, rhythmic and formal structures, as well as the underlying aesthetic, extra-musical inspiration, or reaction to cultural or environmental settings. Colin McAllister is Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. He engages deeply with cross-disciplinary ideas in the humanities, particularly the intersection between music and history, classics and theology.

His performances as a guitarist and conductor have been hailed as “sparkling….delivered superbly” (San Francisco Chronicle) and “ravishing” (San Diego Union Tribune), and he has recorded on the Innova, Centaur, Naxos, Albany, Old King Cole, Vienna Modern Masters, Carrier and Tzadik labels. His publications include the Cambridge Companion to Apocalyptic Literature and the first translation of the Cambridge Glossa in Apocalypsin (Brepols, Corpus Christianorum in Translation).

MARCH 22: KONRAD SCHLARBAUMSustainability: A promising approach for addressing the global climate crises.

Konrad Schlarbaum serves as the sustainability coordinator for Pikes Peak Community College and chair of Green Cities Coalition. He has six years of professional experience at the college and in the community. Konrad is working on a master’s degree in environmental studies and sustainability. This presentation will introduce the topic of sustainability as a strategy for developing economically prosperous, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable practices. Konrad will discuss relevant examples from his life, work, and advocacy.

MARCH 29 - NO FORUM Fifth Sunday Fellowship and Fingerfoods

April 5 - NO FORUM Palm Sunday

APRIL 12 - NO FORUM Easter

APRIL 19: NAT STEIN & TANVI LADLandfills are a dead-end. Composting is the regenerative alternative

APRIL 26: DON JAEGERThe Importance of Music In Our Lives

The Forum is brought to you by your Forum Team: Ardith Hanson, Don Allred, Travis Hunter,

Judith Rice-Jones, and Marcie Mayer.Send your questions, comments, and ideas to

Ardith Hanson (ardithmarie@gmail.com).To receive The Forum Eblast, sign up during

The Forum or contact Emily (emily@fcucc.org).

T h e F o r u m i n M a r c h A r d i t h H a n s o n , T h e F o r u m C h a i r

a r d i t h m a r i e @ g m a i l . c o m

MARCH | APRIL 2020 12

Just a quick infusion of Our Whole Lives ~ Sexuality and Our Faith (affectionately known as “OWL”) joy in this time of transition! Know that a group of zesty volunteer “OWL Enthusiasts” are revving up to make sure that all the juiciness of OWL programming continues to thrive at FCC.

In fact, stay tuned for news of a wonderful new level of OWL for OLDER ADULTS coming later this year!

Sexuality and spirituality matter. At FCC, we know that---and delight in giving people an opportunity to explore, discover and harness these powerful energies in ways that are truly life-giving whether you are a littlest one at five---a centenarian---or all ages in between! Life’s gifts. Tended and beloved. How can we keep from singing?!

ANNOUNCING: The NEXT OWL: Sexuality and our Faith program will be THIS SPRING for FIRST GRADE and any SECOND GRADERS who may have missed out last year. Gratitude for a super team of Pete Hokanson and Polly Strovink stepping up to guide our children through the eight-week course involving themes of:

1) who we are as families, 2) appropriate language, 3) respect for our bodies and 4) love. If you know of neighbors or friends who may want this experience for their kids, please contact Del Hokanson for dates for parent meetings and the course. We have some vacancies.

GRATITUDE to Tom Francis and Megan Foss who are completing facilitation of this year’s comprehensive teen OWL, Sexuality and Our Lives program. Eleven 8th and 9th graders have benefitted from this yearlong, exceptional, National UCC/ Unitarian program. To encounter open, accurate and honest information IN A CHURCH, honors ALL OF WHO GOD CREATED US TO BE! What a gift we can give our kids!

O W L i s S o a r i n g a t F C CLy n n Yo u n g , N a t i o n a l L e a d e r o f O W L / F C C M e m b e rl y n n y o u n g c o a c h @ g m a i l . c o m

F r i e n d s o f E m e r s o n - 1 6 Y E A R S !L u c y B e l l , F r i e n d s o f E m e r s o n C o o r d i n a t o rl u c y c b e l l @ c o m c a s t . n e t

Meeting dates for 2020 are:

MARCH 12, 26APRIL 9, 23MAY 14, 28JUNE 11, 25JULY 9, 23AUGUST 13, 27SEPTEMBER 10, 24OCTOBER 8, 22NOVEMBER 5, 19DECEMBER 3, 17

If you have further questions contact Lucy Bell (lucycbell@comcast.net).

Friends of Emerson, a reading and discussion group, is beginning its sixteenth year at First Congregational Church. We find Emerson’s philosophy as relevant today

as when it was first written. This is not an academic group. We segue in all directions and laugh a lot.

We meet twice monthly from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Carey Chapel, and all are welcome.

13 MARCH | APRIL 2020

PARENTS OUT PARTYING SOMEWHEREApril 11, 2020 - 6:00 p.m.Charles Kiskiras and Denise Ellsworth will host the next POPS event! As usual, an Evite will be sent out three weeks ahead. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Jane Ridings (j a n e r i d i n g s @ h o t m a i l . c o m ) .

Your Associate Pastor is taking a Sabbatical with Lilly Grant-Clergy Renewal, funds awarded for 2020. The plan is to leave my position for three months starting

with May 18 - August 10. During the first month I will fly to Guatemala City to meet with Rev. Ricardo Mayol who works with Global Ministries of UCC through the Christian Ecumenical Council of Guatemala where dialogue, articulation of common actions among the main churches of Guatemala promotes common good, Christian values and advocacy.

Just getting to know Rev Mayol will be a great gift as he explains the challenges of ministry in Guatemala in terms of three violent expressions: 1) Physical effects like human, weapons, organs and drug trafficking; assassinations, robberies, disappearances, torture, executions. 2) Violence embedded in political and social structures that prohibit human need like coercion of indigenous people; climate change and destruction of nature; modern colonial state with unequal wealth distribution; malnutrition and lack of medical care.

3) Symbolic violence that legitimizes physical and structural violence like criminalization of migrants, leaders, refugees, displaced persons; consumerism and individualism; epistemic colonialism. The peace movement is pivotal in Central America. And the “church” is standing in the midst of it all, where it should be.

Rev. Mayol has arranged for me to work with Indigenous groups preparing for an eco-justice march for the first week-end in June. Afterwards I will meet a woman who uses art therapy to treat trauma in these communities. I look forward to the people and connections I will make in Guatemala. My family will fly down for the last two weeks to explore the beauty of Central America.

The last two months of the sabbatical I will spend renewing my spiritual practices of meditation, artistic expression, and connecting with nature with the help of my equine partners. During the time that I am gone, there is a sabbatical group that will assist the congregation in finding ways to use art as an expression of social justice. An all church project is in the planning stages. When I return we will share our discoveries with refreshed and renewed creativity towards ministry on the corner of St. Vrain and N. Tejon!Adelante!

A S a b b a t i c a l U p d a t eR e v . D r . J a c q u e F r a n k l i n , M i n i s t e r o f P a s t o r a l C a r e

j a c q u e @ f c u c c . o r g

A N e w G e t - T o g e t h e r !J a n e R i d i n g s , P O P S C o o r d i n a t o rj a n e r i d i n g s @ h o t m a i l . c o m

MARCH | APRIL 2020 14

fiber and fat content with charts and graphs. (Everyone was relieved, I'm sure.) We are now in our eleventh year. We invite presenters not only from our own congregation but from other congregations. We have always had seven sessions from sometime in Lent through October, but because of my particularly busy spring and summer schedule this year our "Cooking School" calendar will be reduced to five sessions. We meet on Fridays in the FCC Kitchen between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (or whenever we get finished sampling). There is no charge. Please feel welcome to join us, for, as we say every Sunday, " With God, we will set the table for all who hunger and thirst." As we take time to prepare real food to nourish our bodies, we want to cultivate the art of being with one another in congenial conversation and goodwill.

Blessings from my kitchen to yours.

Five Sessions!

April 24May 29July 24

September 25October 30

E l e v e n Y e a r s o f C u l i n a r y E d u c a t i o n !C h r i s t i n e H a l l , F C C C o o k i n g S c h o o l C o o r d i n a t o rC h r i s t i n e _ C _ H a l l @ m s n . c o m"Cooking School" arose out of FCC's Health Care Committee's desire to promote healthy life-styles as we grow older and try to sort through the conflicting information we are bombarded with regarding nutrition and health. As an R.N. serving those at the end-of-life (Hospice and Palliative Care), it became increasingly clear to me that the choices we make throughout life have an effect on the quality of our lives as well as the length of our lives. I felt it was an area I could take hold of and shape into some sort of program for those interested.

Our first session of "Cooking School" was much more like a lecture with charts and graphs about good fats versus bad fats, myths about food and nutrition, shared observations about the rise of processed foods, food fads, food phobias, fake foods, etc. The model for the "Cooking School' was to invite those within our congregation who had an interest in food and nutrition to share those recipes and stories from our own kitchen experience. By the end of the first season, it was obvious that this was a subject of high interest to a certain group of congregants, and we were setting the FCC Kitchen with about twenty-five chairs for each session. As long as our focus was on using fresh, ripe, whole ingredients in our recipes, and taking the time that the recipes needed for assembly, I was increasingly confident about getting the nutritional result from the foods we were preparing, eating, and sharing without having to detail the minerals and vitamins,

THIS YEAR'S LINE-UP!FRIDAY, APRIL 24: Creating an ambience of blessedness and sacredness at our tables Mallory Everhart, FCC MemberFRIDAY, MAY 29: Basics from a Sommelier and Luscious Ideas for Quintessential Pairings Drew Robinson and Alyce Morgan

FRIDAY, JULY 24: Summer time...and the livin' is easy Susan Schenk, Temple ShalomFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25: Pie, Me Oh My; I Love Pie: Easy Fall Favorites Alyce Morgan, coordinator

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30: Holiday Recipes, extraordinaire Victoria Boswell, St. Paul's Catholic Church

Many of this year's presenters are new to us. They will introduce some amazing new and useful ideas as we cultivate the art of hospitality around our kitchen tables.

15 MARCH | APRIL 2020

V i s i t a t i o n M i n i s t r y To m S h i p p , V i s i t a t i o n M i n i s t r y M e m b e r

t s h i p p @ s i l v e r k e y . o r g

Poemby Tom Shipp

Christmas comes but once a yearBut that’s not quite enough I fearTo help us all to find our wayWe might need Christmas every day

Not the presents not the mealBut more of how it makes us feelJoy to the world and peace on earthReflecting on our Savior’s birth

If we would just keep that in mindI’m sure that soon we all would findIn spite of all the hate aboutThat there’s way to work it out

So let us gather one and allAnd listen to the Savior’s callAnd live our lives like he would doIf he were here with me and you

TLS 2019

Loneliness and despair are very common conditions amongst people who live by themselves. Whatever the cause, living alone can be an unbearable burden driving people to unthinkable thoughts and actions. The Visitation Ministry Team at First Congregational Church was created to help with lonely situations. This group of

people meets on a Saturday morning, bi-monthly, but its members are constantly in action.

Any person connected with the Church who feels the need of a visit or a call is referred to the Team and arrangements are made. The members of the Team receive special training and suggestions on how best to deal with certain situations that may arise. If anyone is interested in joining this ministry team, please contact Pastor Jacque Franklin (jacque@fcucc.org) or Elizabeth Vincent (joatforever69@gmail.com).

End-of-the-Year ConcertFriday, June 5 - 7:00 p.m.

Featuring: the Chancel Choir

Bells of Saint Vrain Handbell Ensemble

FCC Flute Choirwith special guests from the

Colorado Springs Children's Chorale and Out Loud Men's Chorus

Choral Presentation Sunday

Sunday, June 7 - 9:30 a.m.

SAVE THE DATES!

MARCH | APRIL 2020 16

C o n g r e g a t i o n a l L i f e : J a n u a r y 1 2 - F e b r u a r y 2 3E m i l y B o n d , D i r e c t o r o f A d m i n i s t r a t i o n & C o m m u n i c a t i o n se m i l y @ f c u c c . o r g

THANK YOU to those who served as liturgists in worship, including Ruth Roland, Curt Daniel, Verl Holmes, Brian Dimit, Dennis Kleinsasser, Richard Hall, and Sylvie Robinson. We have had memorable sermons given by guest preachers including Rev. Steve Alsum, Adam Gibbs, Rev. Dr. Douglas Sharp, Mallory Everhart, and Elizabeth Eden. Special Music has been provided by many, including Lee Lehmkuhl, Skylark Flute Quartet, Joyce Hanagan, John Lawson, Daryll Stevens, and Phyllis White. Kids’ Community Worship, Godly Play Worship, Youth Ministry, and Sunday School has continued to be facilitated with the help of Marilyn Fife, Charles Barber, Jerry Jordan, Monk Putnam, Sarah Lund, Jenny Cavin, Ellen Miller, Jean Hagerman, Rick Cameron, Jill and Drew Robinson. We are truly grateful for the ongoing work given by Music & Arts Ministry Team members, Claire Swinford and Marie Newbrough, who have been installing the different Atrium Art displays. Many assisted with the “Un-Hanging of the Greens” following the Christmas season, as we moved into Epiphany. Jerry White, facilitated a couple of winter film series evenings (be sure to check out the Lenten Film Series on Fridays during Lent!) We recently hosted our annual Shrove Tuesday event, and are grateful for the many hands on deck that assisted with making it a memorable and enjoyable evening - including Mike Aragon, Lee Lehmkuhl, Ruth Lehmkuhl, Paul Schwotzer, Children’s Ministry Team, Tom Francis, and the FCC Youth. Finally, many thanks to Connie Brachtenbach and Lynne Stefonik, who have each provided three years of service on the Church Council.

We continue to lift up PRAYERS for Ruth Koenigsamen, who is recovering from a fall, and to Lisa Riegel, who broke her leg in a skiing accident. David Petersen’s sister, Kaaren, of California, and Julie Kiley’s mother, Kathy Kemling, are both in our prayers for cognitive decline. Several people are recovering from surgery including Ben Young, Tom Hershberger, Pam Lehmkuhl, Ester Seright; Connie Brachtenbach’s mother, Christine Brachtenbach, and Mark Qualls. Lawrence Kolz, Terri Addison, Jerome Carter’s sister, Stephanie in Arizona are dealing with health concerns, and Willa Babin, Jim Gibbs, Linda LeMieux, Gayle Jordan continue to be in cancer treatment. Dolly Eager, Arnie Sparnin’s mother, Sally Edmunds, and Brian Love’s mother-in-law are all now in hospice care. We pray for them and their families. Finally, we continue to offer prayers to the entire country of Australia, struggling with the aftermath of wildfires.

We offer CONDOLENCES to Becky and Bill Weiss on the loss of Bill’s mother, Anna Lee Weiss, and to Christy Kessler, on the loss of her mother, Gladys Kessler, who passed away on January 7. Linda Boles' husband John, passed away on December 31, 2019. Services were held at FCC on January 31. Mandy Todd and the Todd Family suffered the loss of Mandy’s father, Jim Todd, who passed away on January 13. Clay Taylor and his family, lost his father, Bill a longtime member of FCC, who passed away on January 30. Services were held at First Congregational Church on February 24.

17 MARCH | APRIL 2020

APPOINTED OFFICERSLois Benson- Membership ClerkChris Steenbergen- Historian

VOLUNTEER CHAIRSPaul Schwotzer - Audio/VisualRob Lund- Children’s & Family MinistrySid Shelton- Facility ImprovementPolly Strovink- Financial AdvisoryKathy Beck, Jeanie Tate- Gregg LibrarySteve Getty - GroundsKarol Finch- HistoricalEric Ridings- Human ResourcesRich Law- Just PeaceMarcie Mayer- JWW Lectureship SeriesHope Woodhead- Kitchen Witches Ruth Koenigsamen- Liturgical Arts MinistryPam Shockley-Zalabak- Leadership Cultivation CommitteePauli Hubbard- Mission Giving & OutreachSarah Lund, Victoria Hansen- Music & Arts MinistryNancy Forgy- The MysteryKathy Kreps- Prayer Shawl MinistryJohn Stefonik- Risk Reduction & ResponseOPEN- Safety TeamCeil Malek- Spiritual LifeJudy Kort- Stephen MinistryBrian Dimit, John Spears- StewardshipArdith Hanson - The ForumElizabeth Vincent- Visitation Ministry

CHURCH PROGRAM & OFFICE STAFFRev. Dr. Don Longbottom- Transitional Lead MinisterRev. Dr. Jacque Franklin- Minister of Pastoral CareGlenda Laveck- Director of Financial MinistryEmily Bond- Director of Administration & CommunicationsDavid Acton- Director of Music MinistryDel Hokanson- Director of Children’s & Family Ministry

CHURCH COUNCILBill Kemp- ModeratorPaul McNeill- Vice ModeratorPolly Strovink- TreasurerLisa Mason- SecretaryMargaret Reiber- Care & FellowshipWayne Bland- OutreachAdam Gibbs- Worship & Spiritual LifeLaura Pfender- Education

AD HOC STAFFSarah Groh Correa- Wedding CoordinatorConnie Raub, Ani Rose Whaleswan- Memorial Services Coordinators Amy Colwell- Receptions Coordinator

CHURCH STAFFAni Rose Whaleswan, Curt Daniel- Sunday SextonsDoris Fletcher, Bob Scheafer- CustodiansChristine Hitt- Accompanist

NURSERY STAFFKären Knabe- Nursery Attendant SupervisorSean Drevs, Kären Knabe, Kaitlyn O’Donnell & Marisol Whaleswan- Nursery Attendants

PASTORS EMERITIRev. Dr. Jerry Jordan(1973-1988)Rev. Dr. James White(1989-2005)

VOLUNTEER POSITIONSCeil Malek- Communion CoordinatorLesli Weaver, RN- Congregational Nurse Ann Benson - Flowers CoordinatorMarsha Garrett - Liturgist CoordinatorTom Healy, Phyllis Rhinehart, Richard Rhinehart- Head UshersPhyllis White - Flute ChoirKaren Muise- Lay Representative to ESMJudy Cunningham, Curt Daniel, Deirdre Gilbert, Elfriede Jopp, Christy Kessler, Sue Prendinger, Margaret Reiber, Phyllis White, Mollie Williams- Office VolunteersMaryEllen Beltracchi- The Communicator Proof-Reader

ASSOCIATED IN MINISTRYRev. Steve AlsumRev. Lyn BoudreauRev. Pat DolinRev. Derek KrehbielRev. Patty Walker - 4-Way Covenant

Anya Powers, Liz Shelton- Seminarians

Mallory Everhart, Samantha Garrett, Anya Powers- Members in Discernment

THE COMMUNICATOR is published bi-monthly. The next issue will be for May | June 2020.

The Communicator includes information about the life of First Congregational Church and the people of the church. Instead, Primo Congo Weekly (our weekly eblast) will be more of an informational notice of upcoming events and worship. You can sign-up to receive this weekly notice via our website: www.fcucc.org.

If you have something you would like to contribute to The Communicator, please make a note of the deadline to submit an article. Articles should be 500 words or less. We

invite you to submit articles 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.

The DEADLINE for the next issue (May | June 2020 Issue) is Wednesday, April 15.

Please send your materials to Emily Bond - emily@fcucc.org.

REQUIREMENTS: • Include author’s name, church role, contact email, and contact telephone number. • Include a title suggestion and, if desired, photos, etc. • If articles include photos or graphics, please submit a shorter article.

20 EAST SAINT VRAIN STREETCOLORADO SPRINGS | CO | 80903

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.

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