CCUM @ Denver Gay Pride Parade

Sharing the Gay Pride Parade Experience

From Sandy Houston, Pride Parade participant:

Ben and I had an awesome experience both parading and selling the water to help Jay out! I saw people I know who rushed out to thank me; a lady on sidelines thanked Charles and me for basically representing the real spirit of Christians.

Everyone of all diversity seemed to be having fun. Young guys seemed a little amazed to walk up to our water booth and see a lady of mature years such as me and thanked me.

This is in fact the huge civil rights issue of the autumn of my life and I would love to be included in anything Ben and I can do to help. Civil rights for African Americans was the issue of the spring of my life and while I spoke up for them and did some things, I can now see my helping so much more on this civil rights issue. We are progressing, folks, step by step by step!

Let us each "Be the change we want to see in the world." --Gandhi

Chancel Choir party & workday photos!

Check out this slideshow of CCUM Chancel Choir members as they celebrate the end of their successful 2008-09 choir season! As a bonus, the slideshow continues with photos from the "choir room rehabilitation" workday from last fall.

Denver Gay Men's Chorus in worship this Sunday!

At our 10:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday, June 14, members from the Denver Gay Men's Chorus & Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men's Chorus will be presenting musical excerpts from their upcoming concert, "Songs of our Families." Please join us in worship to hear portions of a unique new musical work which challenges us to broaden our perception of "family values."

The Denver Gay Men's Chorus and Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men's Chorus combine voices for the first time to perform a very special concert, "Songs of our Families." The centerpiece work is the Colorado premiere of This House Shall Stand: Songs of My Family -- a unique choral work which explores themes in the lives of GLBT families with soaring melodies and beautiful, touching lyrics.

Denver Performance at 3:00pm - June 21st Only

Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church

1980 Dahlia St

Colorado Springs Performance at 7:30pm - June 20th Only

First United Methodist Church

420 North Nevada Ave

A 45-minute song cycle for men's chorus and chamber orchestra, This House Shall Stand: Songs of My Family is a collection of actual stories about GLBT families from around the country set to music by Portland-based composer Robert Seeley and lyricist Robert Espindola. With the pressing issue of gay marriage rights in the forefront of the national political arena, the performance of this important musical work is more relevant now than ever. The "Songs of our Families" concert will also mark the first major performance of the Denver Gay Men's Chorus in the city of Colorado Springs.

''The inspiration came from stories from all over the country,'' shares composer Robert Seeley. ''Teenage kids to elderly folks -- it ran the gamut of family in the new millennium, how it can be defined. And we ran with it. Particularly moving was a girl whose father was gay, but who had kind of lost himself living in the closet so long. But he found a partner...and became the father she hoped he would become, through that happiness. He became a completely loving partner and individual.''

Advance tickets available online at www.rmarts.org, at Wild Flowers in Denver and Poor Richard's Bookstore in Colorado Springs.

Denver - Adults: $22 advance, $24 at door; Adults 55+: $20 advance, $22 at door; Students 13-2:1 $16 advance, $18 at door. Colorado Springs - Adults: $20 advance, $22 at door; Adults 55+: $18 advance, $20 at door; Students 13-21: $16 advance, $18 at door. Children 12 and under are always free.

Our New Neighbors: SNOOZE!

Rev. Carolyn & I were so excited to hear the news that Snooze: An A.M. Eatery was opening up a second restaurant next door to Christ Church (at 700 Colorado Blvd) that we decided to have lunch today at the original Snooze. Carolyn's been in touch with owner Jon Schlegel, welcoming him to the neighborhood, and we were hosted today by Jon's brother Adam.

Wow, did we have a great time! Check out their awesome breakfast menu, with some real-time entree photos posted below. Snooze is going to be an exciting addition to our 7th & Colorado neighborhood!

Mmmmm, pineapple upside-down pancakes:

Huevos rancheros:

Pork Benediction (so appropriate for a church lunch!):

Denver Women's Chorus

IN CONCERT

2:00 & 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 6

&

2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 7

Please join us in hosting the Denver Women’s Chorus (DWC) in concert on June 6 & 7. June marks a very special anniversary: The Denver Women’s Chorus is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, and we invite you to celebrate with us!

Our Retrospective concert will take you on a musical journey through many years of our herstory of building community through music, including many selections from our last eight years with Mark Zwilling as our acclaimed artistic director.

The DWC perform in the Christ Church sanctuary on June 6 at 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., and June 7 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, and are available to purchase online at rmarts.org.

Water Words: June 2009

Summer may be my favorite time of the year! Especially since moving to Colorado where the days are wonderful even when hot and the evenings are always perfect unless there is rain! But heat is expected in the high desert and rain is always a welcomed relief!

Heat comes in other ways related to the life of Christ Church. The heat (unwelcomed part) of the summer at church shows up as lower attendance and insufficient giving.

Summers are great time to get out and enjoy this amazing state we live in. So be sure and do that! And if it means missing worship, remember to pray and give thanks where you are.

But don't forget that we still have salaries, and bills to pay. If you want the church to be here for you when summer is over, we need you to remember to be here for the church even if you are gone.

The financial challenges for us as a congregation are looming over our head. We must raise $30,000 above the pledges for this year to make the budget. We are falling behind. Some of you are challenged with current economic realities, others of us are simply holding on tight and perhaps a little too afraid.

If anyone has a generous ability to help toward the $30,000 that would be wonderful! If anyone is willing to serve on the new stewardship committee that would be great! If all of you would think of and pray for our congregation in these challenging financial times, that could be enough.

Want to talk about it over a cup of ice water? Give me a call.

—Carolyn Waters

Youth News: June 2009

Youth Camping Trip

Camping Trip to Durango. June 24-27. Make sure you let Eric know you want to go, ASAP! Congregation, please pray for the youth as they journey, experience God in the world and are in relationship with each other.

Dialogue & Dinner

What’s on your mind? Faith, politics, world change. Join Eric and Amy Strader for dinner and discussion. Eric will provide the main dish, you provide your home. Let’s join together for great conversation and a full-course meal. Starting in June. Not limited to individual families, get your own group together. I look forward to getting to know you and your family better. To sign up or ask questions email Eric at estrader@christchurchcolorado.org.

—Eric Strader

United Methodist Women: June 2009

The Gathering Place

This month UMW will tour The Gathering Place, one of the missions we support. The Gathering Place (1535 High St. ) is a refuge for rebuilding lives and a place that exists to support women and their children who are experiencing homelessness and poverty by providing a safe daytime refuge and resources for self-sufficiency. Our tour is scheduled for Friday, June 12 at 2:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Margaret Simmons if you plan to attend. Anyone wishing to car pool, please meet at the Church at 2:00 p.m. and if anyone would like to join some of us for lunch prior to the tour, please meet at the Church at 12:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Summer Brunch

Our annual UMW Summer Brunch will be held Saturday, June 27. We will meet at Carla Schwartzkopf’s house at 9:30 a.m. and plan to eat at 10:00 a.m. Per usual, this is a pot luck, so please bring a dish to share. Our speaker this year is Louana George, who will be talking about the Prayer Quilt Ministry. This is always an enjoyable time to get together in an informal setting and eat and visit.

Upcoming Project

A project coming up for the Fall (September 19) involves assembling kits for UMCOR (for global disaster relief). There is a choice of sending a Health Kit, School Kit and/or Sewing Kit.

UMW Circle Dates

Our next Mission Team Meeting will be held Monday, August 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Adult Study room. Our next VIBE Circle meeting will be held September 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Adult Study room. The program will be presented by Carol Everett and refreshments supplied by Diane Lewis.

—Sheryl Byers

Adults (20-35): June 2009

Brunch @ Hotcakes

Join us on Sunday, June 7, for brunch at Hotcakes (1400 E 18th. Ave.) Bring your friends! We will meet following the morning worship service.

Pub Theology

Join us on Monday, June 22, at the Irish Hound Pub (6th Ave. & St. Paul) from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Pub Theology is a space for talk about God and all sorts of topics.

—Eric Strader

Reconciling Ministries: June 2009

CCUM Allies of LGBT Community

When this congregation decided to become an official Reconciling Congregation, it took a huge and courageous step in the Civil Rights movement for Gay rights. As a minority, gays cannot win our rights without you. We continue to need your support, your action, and your prayers. We deeply thank you for it.

Here are some next steps you can take. Many of you are probably already doing these things. Please know how much that means to us:

1. March with us in the Pride Parade, June 28. We’ll meet in Cheesman Park. Be there before the parade starts at 9:30 a.m.
2. Come to rallies and protests. Bring signs supporting us. Your role as an ALLY is key. The news media and the rest of the country needs to see that it is not just gays who are demonstrating.
3. Keep talking. Speak up against gay bashing. Tell people why you belong to a Reconciling Congregation. Don’t “let it slide.” Continue to teach your children by the examples you are setting that hate is wrong.
4. Vote. Whenever there is a ballot measure affecting gays, vote and inspire others to vote for civil rights and against hate.
5. Websites. Each of these is an action based organization:

The Colorado Queer Straight Alliance: <coqueerstraightalliance.ning.com>
Soul Force is a national faith based movement that started in Colorado: <soulforce.org>

Join the Impact gives action updates: <jointheimpact.com>

—Lauren Fortmiller & Pam Thiele

Joys & Thanks: June 2009

Congratulations to Carol Tudor, who is recently engaged to be married to her fiancé Stephen!

Congratulations to Daniel & Lynn Hammond on the marriage of their son Ato Hammond to Vicki King on May 30!

Colorado Conductors' Chorus

Colorado Conductors' Chorus

IN CONCERT
Sunday, May 17
7:30 p.m.

Please join us in hosting the premiere Denver performance of a new ensemble, the Colorado Conductors’ Chorus. This unique group is comprised entirely of choral conductors who gather to perform great choral music at a professional level.

The May 17 concert will be held in the Christ Church sanctuary, and is free and open to the public. Colorado Conductors’ Chorus will perform choral works by Byrd, Brahms, Verdi, Lauridsen, Whitacre, and many other exciting composers. The Chorus is conducted by Dr. Lawrence Kaptein, Director of Choral Activities at CU—Boulder.

Reconciling Sunday

Worship Service
Sunday, May 3, at 10:15 a.m.

Join Christ Church as we celebrate our 3rd Anniversary of becoming a Reconciling Congregation. We will affirm the full inclusion of our LGBT members & friends, with special musical guests the Denver Women’s Chorus and special guest preacher Rev. Malcolm Himschoot.

Rev. Malcolm Himschoot completed his undergraduate study at Amherst College and then went on to get his Masters of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.

Malcolm was ordained into the United Church of Christ in 2004, serving an inner-city ecumenical ministry in Denver. He also served as Associate Minister for Outreach at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota for a period of time. In addition, he served as interim Open and Affirming Coordinator for the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns, during an important period of transition for the program.

Malcolm's work is focused on the transformation and wholeness of Christian communities across society’s dividing lines. Over the course of his final two years in seminary he took part in filming the documentary Call Me Malcolm where he openly discussed his transition from female to male along with his personal faith journey. In conjunction with that film, he has spoken at churches, colleges, and universities around the country.

Malcolm and his partner Mariah welcomed twins into their family in January 2008. While Malcolm has now shifted much of his time towards fathering his children, he continues to do occasional presentations on transgender concerns.

(M)OTHER play

Friday, May 1
5:30—8:30 p.m.

Christ Church United Methodist and The Gathering Place invites you to an inspirational performance of Beth Osnes’ show, (M)OTHER, exploring how to get the people of one nation to authentically care about the children of other nations. The show is an intimate, funny and provocative look at one mother’s personal transformation, moving from concern to action on behalf of the world’s children.

(M)OTHER is accompanied by a workshop — a rehearsal for activism — where each mother will gain vocal confidence and strength, declare her most passionate concern facing the world’s children and devise an attainable plan for action based on that concern.

United Methodist Women: May 2009

UMW Mission Team will meet on Monday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Adult Study Room #203.

VIBE Circle will meet on Monday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Adult Study Room #203. All women of Christ Church are welcome to attend.

Upcoming events:

• UMW will be hosting the Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Brunch May 17 at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
• We are planning a trip to The Gathering Place on Friday, June 12, at 2:30 p.m. Please check the Sunday bulletins for further info. This trip is designed to help educate UMW members and/or other interested church members regarding the function and purpose of the Gathering Place (a mission UMW supports).
• The Annual Summer Brunch is still in the planning phases. We plan to set a definite date after hearing what the date for the church picnic will be. This year’s Summer Brunch will be held at Carla Schwartzkopf’s house—thanks Carla!

—Sheryl Byers

Christ Church Visionaries

CCV (Christ Church Visionaries) will be gathering May 12, 6:00 p.m. at the church. CCV is a newly developed group resulting from the Christ Church Vision Quest weekend. All friends and members of Christ Church are invited and encouraged to attend as we work to “Create what isn’t & improve what is!” Due to the meeting time, feel free to “brown bag” it.

Theology Corner: May 2009

The Dangers of Reticence

In the beginning I thought, if economists were morally responsible, they would occasionally stay quiet. They tell the public that the recession is partly caused by public pessimism. Then, it seems, they say everything they can to make the public feel economically pessimistic.

Why, in the interests of keeping their diagnosis from contributing to the disease, could economists not just, please, for awhile, stifle their pessimism . . . like, practice the great, under-rated virtue of omission?

But how can we say this without contradicting ourselves? We have already criticized economists for not telling us something (that the bubble would soon burst). Can we now criticize them for telling us something?

Russian novelist Vladimir Nabokov titled his autobiography Speak, Memory. Economists ought to write a candid, running biography of the U.S. economy, titling it, Speak, Economy--and they ought to let the economy do just that day after day, without allowing it to stay silent about anything.

Economists have much at stake. The New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof recently wrote, "According to World Bank estimates, the global economic crisis will cause an additional 22 children to die per hour, throughout all of 2009"--and he added that the World Bank admitted it might be twice that. All economists were largely in the dark, but some thought they saw this coming and said too little. Others hardly tried to see what was coming, and they said almost nothing. Either way, governments and businesspeople lacked the truth they needed to stop this slaying of children--and most economists were, at least, slightly implicated.

Theologians also have much at stake, as they prepare us for the next great spiritual recession (triggered, perhaps, by a new disregard for personal meaning and for a basis for that meaning). Perhaps we should demand that they be less reticent about what has happened and what might happen.

For example, they tell us that, because God acts in history, some good things happen that would not otherwise happen, because we alone could never make them happen. There must be at work everywhere a Good that is not our own good--a "Good not our own," as one theologian put it. But very bad things also happen, such as 22 innocent children dying every hour. But here theologians switch their logic, saying that God does not act in the history of calamity, leaving only humans and nature to blame--omitting that, perhaps, because God acts in history, some bad things happen that would not otherwise happen. Theologians, it appears, may be selectively silent about the moral status of the powers they call divine.

Yes, theologians see only through a fog, and economists have fogs of their own. Neither, perhaps, is careful enough to provide a complete picture, which is to say that both are too often silent. Important things are foggy enough as it is, so that staying silent only makes things worse.

We may be better equipped to take care of ourselves if we recognize that we live in a world whose Depth, or Ultimate Power, as Ernest Hemingway and many others have said, may not be entirely fair. We might perform better if we knew that the divine fields of force may be great at creation and redemption but only so-so at morality.

— William Dean, Theologian in Residence

Men's Breakfast photos!

Easter Egg Hunt 2009

Christ Church Children's Choir

The Christ Church Children's Choir singing on Easter Sunday morning!

All kids are invited to sing in our choir. Rehearsals are held every Sunday morning during the 10:15 a.m. worship service, following the Children's Moment.

Christ Church in Words

These words were taken from our Christ Church Connections blog. The larger words are used more often. What a great representation of our community! You can create you own "word cloud" by visiting www.wordle.net.

Men's Breakfast: Saturday, April 25

Earth Hour 2009

In accordance with our Carbon Fast Lenten Discipline, we encourage everyone to observe Earth Hour 2009, Saturday, March 28, at 8:30 p.m. wherever you are around the world.