ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS BEGINS

The Stewardship Campaign theme for 2007 is “Common Hope, Common Trust”

 

 

 

 

            You will soon receive a proposed operating budget for the 2007 church year, together with an estimate-of-giving card for your prayerful consideration.

            This is an exciting time for our church!  Please be prepared to submit your card on or before Sunday, October 22.

                                                                                                Stewardship Committee

 

LIFE AND NEWS OF THE CONGREGATION!

 

Though her back is still a problem, Sherrill's spirits shot into the cosmosphere last week with the news of the sale of another short story.  This anthology is being published by Alyson Books, one of the largest gay and lesbian presses there is.  Sherrill is excited to get her foot into the

 door with Alyson.  The anthology, "Best Lesbian Dates Ever" will be in bookstores next April!

             Congratulations, Sherrill!

                       

Our love, prayers and sympathy are extended to Linda and Benito Quintana at the death of Benito’s mother, Marguerite Quintana who died in Mexico.

 

Most of us think of them as having plenty of color in their lives already, but Eleanor and Dennis Hubbard are making a trip to the east coast in search of autumn foliage.  Yes, they are leafing us again!  (That’s for Eleanor who hates puns!)

                       

An amazing clarinet solo was presented by our own Becca Hirsch as special music last Sunday.  She was ably accompanied by her mother, Linda Hirsch, on the piano!

 

Another Linda, Linda Abel, just returned from the land of Starbuck’s and Pike’s Market – Seattle – and a visit with her Coast Guard son, Joe.

 

Need a beard trimmer?  Terry Zimmerman has one for sale.  Cheap!

 

 

Our love, prayers and sympathy are extended to June Franchini upon the death of her husband, John Franchini, on September 5th after a short illness.  The Franchini’s worshiped with us regularly at the Golden West service.

 

The portion of the parking lot sold to Golden West is fenced off as the staging area for construction of the new apartments.

 

Kay Norris and a couple of friends are enjoying a visit to Newfoundland!

 

 

                             

Milton and Carol Ashmore enjoyed a week in San Francisco goofing around.

 

 

Oops!  Chris Stelplugh celebrated her birthday on September 5!  Belated happy birthday, Chris!  Her name did not appear on the list in The Ram’s Horn August 24th.

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OFFERING – SEPTEMBER 24 & OCTOBER 1

 

MUSIC STAFF IS COMPLETE!

 

We Welcome Ikuko Inoguchi Scheuren!

 

            The Music Committee is proud to introduce to you our new accompanist and future organist, Ikuko Inoguchi Scheuren.  A winner of many awards as a pianist, including Japanese National Awards, Ikuko is a DMA candidate in piano performance at CU.  She and her husband, Zachary Scheuren, recently moved to Boulder from southern California.  Help us to make this wonderful new couple feel at home and a part of our church family!

 

TRAVELS WITH LOUISE

            I spent the Labor Day weekend in southern California with family.  It was hot, hot, hot and the shade and the backyard pool were the best places!  Lots of good places to eat out too.

The following weekend my sister Lois and I, accompanied by her husband and daughter from Minnesota and my daughter Karen from southern California, traveled together to western Colorado.  My sister was born in Craig and our father was minister of the First Christian Church there from 1933-1947. We had a wonderful time walking the streets to remember who lived where, and taking lots of pictures. The house our father and his brother built is still the same.  The church has been wonderfully restored and is now a community center used by classes from the community college, to celebrate weddings and other large gatherings.  It has a beautiful kitchen and the sanctuary is virtually intact from the time we lived there: the same stained glass windows and steeple - but no bell with the rope hanging down in the entryway!

We also visited the area along the western border of Colorado near the Dinosaur National Monument.  When my father was in Bible College in Denver in the late 1920s, he met a man whose family had a ranch near Cross Mountain.  Later, when we moved to Craig, we spent many summer days with the Shank family there.

Lots of lovely memories — and Karen brought along a tape recorder!

                                                                                                Louise Johnson

 

 

 

DIRECTORY UPDATES

 

Shawn Crowder

Box #3690

Berklee College of Music

168 Massachusetts Avenue                                   

Boston, MA 02115-3010                                       

 

Ikuko Inoguchi Scheuren

1430 18th Street #5

Boulder, CO 80302

303.332.5141

iikuko@gmail.com

 

Gary and Marilyn Howell

4459 Quest Drive

Fort Collins, CO 80524

970-672-4904

 

RUMMAGE SALE REVIEW

Thanks to the many volunteers who contributed to making this year’s sale a success.  Start making a pile in the corner of your home with great things for next year’s sale.

Each year’s sale is different and this year was no exception.  We had not one bike and very little furniture so some shoppers were disappointed but most still managed to find something to purchase and, as usual, the workers themselves spent lots of money on treasures that came in to the sale.  The vast toy collection from FLOC created lots of appeal for young shoppers.

One volunteer worked all day all four days and several others were there at least half of all four days.  That kind of generous contribution of time and energy is what makes this work.  (Pedometer records showed that working one full day of set-up required about 12,000 steps or close to 6 miles in Riley Hall.)

There is always a danger in listing volunteers as it is easy to leave someone out but, based on the sign up sheets for workers (plus some fragments of memory), the rummage sale project was made possible by:  Linda Abel (lots of copying, flyer distribution, message taking), Carol Ashmore, Heather Avens, Jane Byers, Rosemary Campbell, Jennifer Centeno, Marj Collins, Kendra Colyar, Jean and Ray Crowder, Joann and Roger Dennett, Jan and Bill Einert, Marcie Geissinger, Jeannine Henderson, Shirley and Charlie Kassinger, Lou Holden, Helen Hoon, Jim Howe, Marilyn Howell, Dennis and Eleanor Hubbard, Peggie and Roger Hudiburg, Louise Johnson, Keith Lance, Hope Leighton, Kay Lowe-Wendling, Doris Martin, Erik Mason, Martha Mason, Alex and John Merrell, Dave Norris, Carol and Ed Poore, Alie, Aaron, Jeff, and Barb Wilkins-Crowder, Cindy and Terry Zimmerman.  If you worked and I missed you, I’m sorry.  If you signed up and didn’t actually make it to work, you can make up for that next time.

Every sale has its moments of humor.  There is always the fun of trying to figure out what some things are --e.g., the plastic gizmo that was still under scrutiny at the close of the sale.  There was a certain worker who could never find anything (gloves, label tape, coffee mug, markers, etc), so she was

frequently searching and re-searching.  Once something is set down on a table it is a challenge to find it again and is always at risk of being sold.  One volunteer popped in to help and chaos reigned.  She will be in the remedial rummage sale training course being offered before the next sale!  Rest assured that there is no conceivable action that would ever exclude anyone from being a rummage sale volunteer.  Job security is yours, no matter what!  No layoffs in this organization.

Once again the unsold items from the rummage sale found good homes in the community.  All books went to the Boulder Public library for their annual book sale, delivered there by Jim Howe.  Clothing and household items all went to ARES thrift store, delivered there on Monday by Ray and Jean Crowder and Roger Dennett.  Share-A-Gift took all children’s books and many toys (the dolls will be refurbished and dressed to become wonderful gifts). These things will make the holidays happier for many children.  Peggie Hudiburg took some of the nicer items to the Hospice Thrift Store.  Some items go to consignment stores where any proceeds go in to the rummage sale coffers.

In general, we could have used some more stuff in the sale, but in the final analysis the monetary returns are impressive (estimated $2500), the gift to the community of the remaining goods is beneficial and the camaraderie of the workers is priceless.  All combine to make this an excellent outreach program of the church.

Kay Norris, Rummage Sale Coordinator

 

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER

 

Jim & Cindy Connelly, Don & Kathleen Grooters, Lance Herring & Family, Barbara Johnson, Sherrill Morris, Nelson Shepherd, John Stickle, Site Selection Committee, Karen Tribble (cousin of Kay Lowe-Wendling), Claudia Tripp, life & death of John Franchini.

 

Last night, Monday Sept 11th was the kick-off for Youth Group 2006-2007, and what a night it was!  Ask any youth or parent about shaving a water balloon and what happens and you'll understand!

Because of the exacerbation of my back problems (and just because they are great folks!), the parents signed up to assist me for individual meetings this year.  The one BIG thing I forgot to ask them about was assistance with transportation.  While I am on these major pain pills, I can't drive to and from Boulder.  If anyone could take a turn bringing me from Denver before Youth Group or returning me afterwards, it would be a lovely gesture and GRATEFULLY appreciated!

There will be a slight change in the time of Youth Group this year it will still meet on Monday nights, but from 4:30 p.m. till 6:00 p.m.  Hopefully, (knock on my keyboard) that will make it accessible to all our youth.

For those of you who remember what working with youth is like, you will understand why I love it so.  For those of you who have never done it, call and come volunteer and get the thrill of a lifetime. (especially when we ride go carts!)

These youth are poised on the edge of a lifetime of mature faith.  Their questions and decisions shape who they are and will be.  They are separating their faith from that of their parents and making their own choices.  What a wonderful time to be a part of their lives!

Again, I want to thank the church and especially the parents for their commitment to the youth program and the youth in general.  You are giving them a gift which will last a lifetime!

 

Sherrill Morris, Youth Director.

 

A REQUEST FROM A FRIEND

 

AFSC Colorado is bringing our Iraq memorial exhibit, Eyes Wide Open, to Denver Civic Center Park October 9-11.  The exhibit is not specifically anti-war -- it is a very powerful demonstration of the human cost of war.  The memorial exhibit includes a pair of combat boots tagged with a name for every US soldier who has died in Iraq as well as civilian shoes representing Iraqis; we’ve recently added a large visual display of Iraq pre- and post-occupation.  You can see photos of the exhibit at www.afsc.org/eyes.

In many ways, the exhibit speaks for itself and so most of AFSC’s work will focus on getting as many people as possible to see it, particularly youth.  I’m hoping that others will be able to add programming as it relates to their work and passion for social justice and peace-making/demilitarization.  The website includes media reports from many of the 100 cities that have hosted the exhibit and gives a good overview of the possibilities surrounding Eyes Wide Open.  Go to the “where we’ve been” link on the webpage to read about it.

A commitment on your part would mean a 1-hour prep session plus a three-hour "shift" on the day(s) you sign up for. [FYI- the exhibit hours are approx. 7am-7pm.]  The prep-session will include viewing together a 10-minute video to prepare our minds & souls for what we & others will be
seeing/experiencing -- plus Compassionate Listening guidelines, with your experienced guidance added to our discussion.  Denver folks will have our prep session at AFSC office downtown [901 W. 14th Ave., Denver].  Denver Compassionate Listeners will gather during the week of September 14.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact the church office at 303.442.1861.  (Requested by Reverend Carla Ficke.)

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRIES

FOR ALL AGES

 

We are excited to share with you some wonderful news about Christian Education for young children at First Christian Church of Boulder!  Beginning Sept. 10th we will offer two learning opportunities for kids starting kindergarten through 3rd grade.  One session will be held at the traditional Church School hour of 9:30 a.m.; the second during the worship hour will welcome toddlers and younger elementary kids!

 

There are several good reasons for us to do this ~

·        It will bring continuity because we also have an upper elementary class at 9:30 a.m.

·        Parents can attend FCCafé sessions or the Adult Bible Study during the time their children

are in Sunday School

·        If younger brothers and sisters need to come at 9:30 a.m, there are classes for them

·        Visitors will find classes for all ages during the Sunday School hour which has been a request

of many of our visitors

 

The 9:30 a.m. sessions will be staffed by Melanie Abel, Sarah Johnson and Martha Mason.  The later sessions will be staffed by Sarah Johnson, Heather McLaughlin, Mary Rios and Polly Warkentine.  Both will meet in the middle room of the education wing in the sanctuary building.  Grades 4-6 will be sharing with teachers Kendra Colyar and Cindy Zimmerman in materials titled "Bible Quest".  They will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room #5 of the Education Building.  Our gang, grades 7 - 12, will continue to meet in the Youth Room on the lower level of the Education Building with Sherrill Morris as facilitator.

 

Adults have two options!  Our Bible Study, led by Milton Ashmore and Jim Tallman, also meets in the church library at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings while the topical FCCafé starts at 9:45 a.m. over coffee or tea (no breakfast this year) in Riley Hall.

 

We believe in the importance of Christian Education at all age levels.  If even one generation does not learn the stories and truths of the faith, the faith will suffer.  Please accept our invitation to be part of this great new venture!

                                                                                                Rev. Terry L. Zimmerman

 

 

 

 

CHANGES TO PARKING AVAILABILITY IN FCC LOT

 

As of Thursday, September 14th, Golden West (GW) is leasing 34 parking spaces from First Christian Church during the construction of the new GW Building (24 hours/day, 7 days/week).  As a reminder to each of us and to others using our building, signs are in place showing where these spaces for use by GW are located.  All parking spaces on the east side of the church property (headed toward the church and the former FLOC playground) are designated for use by GW, as well as 10 parking spaces in the south parking lot that are east of the tunnel (and east of the handicap parking spaces) and, additionally, 6 spaces headed into the median at the east end of the south parking lot.

Marcie Geissinger

                                                                                                Chair, Board of Trustees

 

FURNISHING MUKJAR CLASSROOMS

 

Marcie!

What a welcome and wonderful email this is!  It's so nice to hear from you.  I want to thank the members of FCC for taking up this cause and showing their love to this and future generations of students in Mukjar.  The last desk donation here was by some British organization back in the 80s. Those furnishings are now in great disrepair and most students sit on floor mats.  Floor mats are not that culturally inappropriate but most students know that in the 'big city', students sit at desks.

In answer to your question... I am a few weeks away from actually placing the order, so time your check to include any late donations.  If it could be in Portland by the third week in September, then there shouldn't be a problem.

I'm seeing the wonderful way God works through this request for help and I will write about it in the follow-up newsletter in October/November.  Monies have come from some very unexpected sources and as it's shaping up, in just the amount requested.  So thank you again for being the tangible part of the mystery of God!

Grace and peace,

Alan Bennett

(Alan is a former member of FCC and is working on constructing a school in western Darfur.)

 

GOLDEN WEST GROUNDBREAKING

 

We have set Thursday, October 12th, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. for the groundbreaking ceremony for Flatirons Terrace at Golden West.  Please mark you calendars; there will be details to follow.

John A. Torres, Executive Director

Golden West Senior Residence

 

 

SAIV

THE SPIRITUAL ALLIANCE TO STOP INTIMATE VIOLENCE

 

Please join us for a special evening with Riane Eisler and Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.  Eisler, author of the book The Chalice and The Blade—among other works to inspire a cultural shift from one of domination to one of partnership—will speak on the connection between ending intimate partner violence and ending world violence.  The evening will benefit Eisler's non-profit charity Spiritual Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence (SAIV) and the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, and Marshall Rosenberg are all members of the SAIV Council.  The event will take place at Unity Church, 2855 Folsom Street, at

7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19th.  Tickets are on a sliding scale $10-$20.  There will be a special dinner reception with Riane Eisler, Naomi Tutu and other special guests at 6:00 p.m. for ticket donations of $50 or more.  Please see www.saiv.net for more information on SAIV.

                                                                                                Michelle Maki,

                                                                                                Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center

 

DISCOVERING THE WORLD

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES, FALL 2006

 

September 15 - Transamerica – 103 minutes (American)

            Bree (Felicity Huffman) gets the shock of her life when a week before her final sex change surgery she discovers a son she didn't know she had. After bailing him out of jail the two set out on a cross-country journey riddled with road bumps. Huffman won numerous awards (and an Oscar nomination) for her role as a man longing to be a woman.

Host:  Marcie Geissinger and Neil Ashby, 584 Theresa Drive, Boulder

 

October 13 - The Son – 80 minutes (French)

Olivier is a divorced man who teaches carpentry at a vocational training center.  When a psychologically damaged teenager named Francis turns up in his class, Oliveir becomes obsessed with the boy.  But when Olivier’s ex-wife learns of the boy, she is horrified.  This is a complex, multilayered story that can’t be missed.  Although it was scheduled for the spring, it wasn’t shown so now is the time.  

Host:  Cindy and Terry Zimmerman, 392 Oak Lane, Broomfield

 

November 10 - Tsotsi – 94 minutes (South African)

This Oscar-winning Best Foreign Language film shows that no soul is too far gone from being reformed. After shooting a woman and driving off in her car, Tsotsi (Presley Chweneyagae), a ruthless thug, is surprised to discover he isn't alone, kept company by a crying infant in the backseat. He grudgingly takes the child home, and through his efforts to care for the tyke, Tsotsi slowly rediscovers his compassion, self-respect and capacity to love.

Host:  Bob and Kay Lowe Wendling, 5304 Deer Creek Court, Boulder

 

Everyone is invited!  You may come one time, or every time.  Come and enjoy the movie and

gathering.  Please let the host know that you will attend.

 

 

 

 

29th Annual Dinner for Colorado Christian Home

 

Friday, October 27, 2006 at the Colorado Convention Center – Korbel Ballroom

14th & California

Black-tie optional

Theme:  “Behind the Mask”

Call Tera Boehmer at 720.855.3316 for information and reservations

 

ELDERS

 

Following the 10:00 a.m. worship service on September 17, the elders will meet in the Education Building, Room #5.

 

PUBLIC FORUM

 

A Progressive Interfaith Public Forum, will be held on Tuesday, September 19th at 7:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 950 28th Street.  A panel discussion will address the topic “Faith, Family, and Fairness: Why Domestic Partnerships?”

 

The panel, moderated by former State Senator Dorothy Rupert, will include: Holli Berman, Har HaShem, Cantorial Soloist and Lesbian Mom, Rev. Phil Campbell, Colorado Clergy for Equality in Marriage, Jeremy Shaver, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, and Jeff Thormodsgaard, Coloradans for Fairness.

 

For additional information contact Eleanor Hubbard at 303.494.9718.

 

FCC – COMMUNITY TABLE

 

Thursday, September 21 is FCC’s night to serve at Community Table.

 

DEBORAH-REBEKAH GROUP

 

The first fall meeting of Deborah-Rebekah Group will be Thursday, September 21 at 9:30 a.m. in the Spruce Room at Golden West.

 

 

Living the Questions Sessions:

Wednesday, September 27 – 1:00, Riley Hall

Thursday, September 28 – 5:30, Church Library

Wednesday, October 11 – 1:00, Riley Hall

Thursday, October 12 – 5:30, Church Library

 

FCCAFÉS, 9:45 a.m., Riley Hall

 

Food will no longer be served at the Cafés. Coffee and tea will be available.

 

September 17 – “Machu Picchu” – Hubbard’s

 

September 24  “What’s New at UMHE” – Rev. Todd Smiedendorf

 

October 8 – “Public Safety” – Sandy Bish

What happens when you dial 9-1-1?  I'll explain how the dispatch center processes your emergency, then what happens after that in terms of the software systems used by police, fire, and emergency medical.  I'll provide some examples based upon my 4+ years of working with public safety customers in these environments, plus those in the jail system. Are we safer now with Homeland Security in  place?  What new initiatives are coming?

 

WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP

 

The Women’s Book Group will meet on

Sunday, October 1 at 4:00 p.m. at the home of Priscilla Gifford, #703, Golden West.  Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle will be discussed.  The

novel is about middle class values, illegal immigration, xenophobia, poverty and environmental destruction.

 

DWCC

 

Thursday, October 5 at 9:30 a.m. the Disciple Women Coordinating Committee meets.

 

NEW WOMEN’S GROUP

 

The New Women’s Group will gather on Saturday, October 7 at 9:30 a.m. for a brunch meeting.  Location to be announced.

 

FCC BOARD MEETING

 

The next FCC Board meeting is Sunday, October 15 following the 10:45 a.m. worship service in the Education Building, Room #5.

 

                                                                      South Suburban Christian Church

                                                                                              7275 South Broadway

                                                                                            (just north of Dry Creek)

                                                                                           Littleton     303-798-2406

 

YOU’RE INVITED to our 8^th annual CreativiTea

Friday, October 20 (9:00am - 5:00pm)

and Saturday, October 21 (9:00am - 4:00pm)

 

Admission is free and you will find:

ORIGINAL ARTWORK, CRAFTS, a BAKE SALE, and a TEA and LUNCH ROOM.