January 19th News

Spring Newsletter Deadline Extended!
Our next quarterly newsletter will cover articles and events for February, March and April, including Lent and Easter (of course!) Please send submissions, including images, by tomorrow, January 20th to: communications@fumcboulder.org

Family Life and Youth News
>Follow Family Life and FUMC Youth on Twitter!

@1stUMCyouth – and – @FUMCFamilies

>>YOUTH THIS SUNDAY: There’s lots going on. Tintinnabulation! Handbell Choir rehearsals start up again at 9:15 a.m. on the 22nd. NEWCOMERS ARE WELCOME! Then, after Sunday School and Worship, the Youth are hosting Coffee Hour in the Parlor. Parents and kids: we need contributions of baked goods and also people to stay after church to help serve plus clean up.
>>YOUTH COUNCIL: Our first meeting of 2012 is this Sunday the 22nd at 9 a.m. We are always looking for new volunteers to work with our awesome Youth, so please contact Betsy if you’d like to get involved.
>>FamFirstWeekends! Fun weekends filled with family activities are coming to FUMC Boulder the first weekend of every month, beginning in March. Go to the Family Life page on our website to learn more.
>>Our Youth are examining world hunger, poverty and wealth distribution and trying to understand it in the context of our own personal spending. Betsy’s latest post asks “What are you willing to give up?” Check it out and leave her a comment at Family Life and Stuff.

W.O.W. “Good Grief” series continues
Click here for more information.

Adult Forum
On January 22nd, we will begin a study of John Wesley using the book, John Wesley, Holiness of Heart & Life by Charles Yrigoyen. This is a General Conference year and it is important to have a grounding in our faith tradition. The study will be led by Joe Agne. Adult Forum meets in the parlor on Sundays at 9:00 am. Please join us!

Sacred Bites
Join us for Sacred Bites on Tuesday, January 24th, at the Lazy Dog Saloon (on the Pearl Street Mall at 14th and Pearl). Gather around 11:30 am for catching up and ordering lunch; discussion of the week’s scripture passage, Mark 1:21-28, begins at noon. Please join us!

UMW News
Sarah Circle – Tuesday, January 24th at 9:30 am at the home of Mary Hartman, contact Joan Nordgren; Working Women – Thursday, January 26th at 6:30 pm at the home of Connie Takamine, contact Connie.

New Training
On January 29th and February 5th , Jean Hodges will lead training sessions
for anyone who is interested in reading Scripture lessons during our worship services. The training will generally be geared toward those of you who have not read a scripture lesson at FUMC before, but all “veteran” readers are also welcome to attend. The sessions will be held in the sanctuary shortly after worship on both of these Sundays. If you plan to attend please email Ruth Irvin so she can have sufficient copies of any handouts. Thank you.

TYES Joins PFLAG Boulder County
To accommodate the growing number of families with gender variant children, Karen Adams, founder and leader of TYES (Transgender Youth Education and Support) and current TYES families have accepted the invitation of the PFLAG Boulder Board to become a satellite support group in partnership with PFLAG. On the second Tuesday evening each month at the First United Methodist Church of Boulder, TYES will offer their second monthly support group meetings for adults and teens. Besides mutual support, the group will occasionally join with, and even provide, a PFLAG program. Besides offering support to families dealing with issues related to gender variance, TYES members will enlighten the rest of the PFLAG membership. PFLAG programs at 7:00 p.m. on second Tuesdays in the FUMC parlor are open to the public.

TYES parents and a family play group, which is only open to family members, will continue to meet in Lafayette on the first Sunday of the month by invitation only. To contact TYES for more information, email TYES.group@gmail.com.

Hospitality Opportunities
FUMC Boulder is known for its friendliness and hospitality. There are several opportunities for you to participate in continuing this tradition. The Hospitality Team is developing a team of cooks who will prepare church dinners including for Wednesday of Wonder. Expertise is not necessary! Also, we are building a database of volunteers who are willing to help with receptions and special church functions. Please indicate your willingness on the Connection Card. All are welcome!

Matthew Fox Retreat Series Continues
FUMC is happy to be a co-sponsor of the Creation Spirituality (CS) retreat series facilitated by Matthew Fox and Susan Coppage Evans. CS is a tradition and a movement that combines the wisdom of religious traditions, science and creativity to offer paths into transformation, sustainability and justice making. It is highly experiential spiritual practice which includes art, dance, music, contemplation, study and community building. The next retreat is January 20th-22nd at FUMC and focuses on the way of mystery, letting go and letting be (with wisdom from 13th century mystic Meister Eckhart). It is a hope that this retreat will offer individuals increased comfort with times of unknowing and be of special support to those suffering or in caretaking positions. For more information go to www.wholeheartedretreat.com.

Wanted: A Few Good Techies
If you’re good with Powerpoint and can help create and/or operate our slides during worship on Sundays, please contact Joan Manly. It would be great to have several volunteers willing to help Joan with this much appreciated task. Isn’t it wonderful to have segment of the Bulletin and service projected for us?

Grocery Shopping Cards Program
Purchase your King Soopers and Safeway grocery cards on sale today and every Sunday following worship. Join this easy fundraising project-$5 for each $100 purchase benefits the designated program. This month, funds continue to support our pastors’ discretionary funds. Stop at the table in the parlor to purchase grocery cards or to learn more about the grocery card program.