Worship Brunch!

Sunday, August 16 — 10:15 a.m.

Please join us on Sunday, August 16, for a special congregation-wide Worship Brunch! Held in the Fellowship Hall during the regular 10:15 a.m. service time, the Worship Brunch will be a combined worship service/community meal.

Food for the brunch will be supplied pot-luck style, so dust off that scrambled-egg-casserole recipe and bring enough to share! A sign-up list for brunch items will be available during worship on Aug. 2 & 9. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for worship and fellowship at the Worship Brunch, Aug. 16 at 10:15.

Upcoming Events: August 2009

Pub Theology

Monday, Aug. 10, 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Irish Hound (St. Paul & 6th Ave.) Pub Theology is open to all in the congregation who seek to talk about God and faith over food and drink. We will dive into great conversations with openness and dialogue. See you there! Come and go as you are able.

AIDS Walk

Would you like raise money and awareness for AIDS support? Eric is walking in the AIDS Walk and invites any and all to join him. Sign up or get information at . The walk is on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 9:00 a.m. Contact Eric at if you are interested in participating in the AIDS Walk.

Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing

Join Christ Church on Sunday, August 23, at 10:15 a.m. for a rousing worship service featuring some of the great old hymns from the Methodist tradition! Expect several hymns with lyrics by Charles Wesley, as well as old favorites like “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace.” If you have a favorite hymn you’d like to nominate for the hymn sing, contact Ben Riggs at the church office or give him your nominations in person on Sunday morning.

Youth News: August 2009

Parents and Youth Meeting: Sunday Aug. 30 following the worship service we will go to Hotcakes for a conversation over brunch. Eric will present the new strategy for the fall. Please RSVP to let Eric know you are coming. All are responsible for their own meals.

—Eric Strader

Staff Parish Relations: August 2009

Dear Christ Church,

I would like to announce a change in staff responsibilities. Ben Riggs is turning over the duties of Christian Education to Eric Strader. Eric will supervise the weekly children’s Sunday School program and assist with the Children’s and Adult Education committees, to include serving on Ad Board.

Ben will continue in his position as worship and music director, as well as communications director (newsletter editor, marketing, webmaster).

Please show your support of our fine staff members as we continue to grow and worship together.

—Julie Major-Frunz, Staff Parish Relations Chair

Pilgrimage: August 2009

Whether we go to the Ganges or Graceland, maintaining a spirit of observance and self-reflection is key. —Gregg Levoy

We are in the middle of that long-held American tradition called August vacation! Many in our congregation will be finishing vacations before school begins or taking some time before new projects start in September. Amy and I will be traveling to a place we have never been before, Las Vegas—Lord, have mercy on us!

As a society, we use vacations to rest, rejuvenate our souls, and to ready ourselves for the onslaught that is the fall. Do we see this as a simple vacation or can we conceptualize it as something deeper? The Bible is full of characters who took pilgrimages, Moses, Jesus and Paul to name a few. I love the story of how Abraham went to a new land because God said “go.” I imagine as Abram walked through this new land he could just look at the changing landscape. He had no iPod or DVD player or Harry Potter book to occupy his time on the journey. He could pray, talk with fellow travelers and observe the scenery. He was changed, finding a new home and encounters with God along the way.

One summer my family drove our Ford Aerostar van from Wichita, Kansas, to Orlando, Florida. Yes, we were headed to Disney World! It was a total journey of 1,400 miles. My sister and I read almost the entire way. I remember my dad saying, “Look out the window! There’s the Mississippi!” We continued reading and really did not care about a river of water. We were not in a spirit of observation. Can you blame us after 25 hours of driving?

Vacations are like pilgrimages. We may journey to Ireland for Celtic spirituality, or the Middle East to visit sacred sites of Christianity. There are other vacations that also engage us with the Divine. Trips to sacred places of our past, visits with family and school reunions or a favorite family vacation spot. The purpose of the pilgrimage is to return home changed. To walk into your home, breathe deep, and know that you are not the same as when you left.

No matter where your August vacations or journeys lead you, may you look for the sacred. May your destination be a place that deepens your connection with God. May you be in a spirit of observation and find the Divine waiting to meet you.

—Eric Strader

United Methodist Women: August 2009

An informal UMW picnic took place July 13 in Hale Park with 10 UMW members present. Those attending had an enjoyable summer evening picnic and fellowship.

Mission Team will meet Monday August 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Adult Study Room.

VIBE Circle will begin meeting again September 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Adult Study Room with Carol Everett providing the program and Diane Lewis acting as hostess.

All UMW members should bring their UMCOR kits to Christ Church no later than Sunday, September 13.

Thank you to everyone who signed up to help with Coffee Hour in July and August. Great job!

—Sheryl Byers

Cares & Concerns: August 2009

Bonnie Whittlesey has been in and out of ICU and is now home. Please keep Bonnie and the Whittlesey family in your prayers. Cards may be sent to: 7877 E. Mississippi, #707E, Denver, 80247.

Edith Sullivan recently returned home from a long hospital stay. Cards may be sent to: 1155 Ash St., #401, Denver, 80220.

Joys & Thanks: August 2009

Congratulations to church member Kristen Bunker on her marriage to Robert Hampton. Rob and Kristen were married on July 4th at the Botanical Gardens at Chatfield. Rob’s daughter Alita, who recently joined the church through Confirmation, was also part of the service sharing in the union of this new family. May God bless their journey.

Special thanks to Cherish Edwards for her generous donation to the Christ Church Food Pantry.

Congratulations to Kenita & George Gibbins on the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary last month!

Congratulations to Pam & Denny White on the celebration of their 36th wedding anniversary last month!

All-Church Picnic 2009