A few words from our pastor

Since the murder of George Floyd, Rocky Mountain Conference leadership has engaged in much reflection and discernment around our collective responsibility to work together to eliminate white supremacy and to advance racial justice. In a bold and faithful move, the Conference Board of Directors established and funded a new Associate Conference Minister position dedicated to leading us in the vital justice work ahead. Applicants were considered and just this week the Conference proudly announced that the Rev. Dr. Anthony Scott is being called to fill this position. (Rev. Sue Artt is our Conference Minister and Rev. Erin Gilmore serves as an Associate Conference Minister.) We will learn about Anthony in next week’s newsletter; he will be formally introduced to the RMC at Annual Celebration next month. (You can register for that good gathering here if would like to participate free of charge.)

Creating and funding a Conference-level position like this is no small thing. It speaks to the urgency of the present moment and our call as Christians to respond with courage and conviction to what some call American’s original sin—racism. While it’s tempting to feel some pride around this significant move on the RMC’s part, I’m reminded of something Rev. Claire Twomey from Vista Grande in Colorado Springs told clergy last week on Zoom—that the greatest impediment to racial justice happens to be progressive Christians. She went on to explain that it’s this segment of American society that can believe it’s already enlightened and not realize the ways they are holding back progress. Claire knew her comments would sting--and they did.

During the Lenten season some of us read “Dear Church” by Lenny Duncan, a black Lutheran pastor whose book addressed his denomination, the whitest one in the United States. His words to this little band of UCCers were often challenging and regularly compelling. Reading his book together was an important step but certainly does not relieve us of the ongoing responsibility of educating ourselves, wrestling with hard truths, and committing ourselves to creating long-overdue change.

Although Community Spirit is engaged right now in work unique to us as a congregation, by no means are we finished challenging ourselves to be more aware and more engaged in making the world look more like God intends it to look. With our new Associate Conference Minister poised to begin his ministry in our midst, we can count on opportunities to participate with others near and far—all so that together we might be faithful.

With you on the journey,

Be the Church, wherever you are working for the common good of the whole as faithful followers of Christ in community with one another and others. (Community Spirit Church Guidepost)

On Our Way to Pentecost

As we make our way to our 8th birthday on Pentecost Sunday, we are being intentional about considering what it means to enter into sacred covenant with one another and our God. Pastor Karen's sermon focus each week addresses each aspect of this covenant. If you miss a week, you can read her sermon by click the date link below.

• April 18
  We promise to pray regularly for Community Spirit and its pastor. We promise also to participate regularly in worship.
• April 25
  We promise to live into our Relational Covenant.
• May 2
  We promise to participate in Community Spirit’s programs, ministries, and missions.
• May 9
  We promise to serve in life-giving ways and as the Spirit leads.
• May 16
  We promise to support the church financially.
• May 23
  Pentecost Sunday! We make our membership covenant promises as we celebrate CSC’s eighth birthday and the birthing day of the church universal.

This year, as we journey through Eastertide to Pentecost, the Leadership Team is inviting you into sacred conversations — to explore, to lean into, and discover together the new life that is before us. Beginning with these conversations, we want to explore together as a community:

• What does it mean to be in covenant one with another?
• Beyond worshiping together, are we living together in a way that reflects the new life God is calling us to?

You are invited to attend these conversations via Zoom; invitations are sent out shortly before each conversation. We have already had the first two conversations on April 21st and May 5th, but there's still time to participate in the final one on Wednesday, May 19th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. 

The Leadership Team has spent countless hours in preparing for these gatherings and you can show your appreciation (and your commitment to the future of our church) by attending this 90-minute conversation.

By now, you should have received a letter in the mail with the agenda and supporting documents for the May 19th conversation. If you don't receive it by Monday, May 17th and plan to attend, please contact Pastor Karen or Pat Riddell for a copy.

Answering the Call: An Opportunity to Be LBGTQIA Youth Allies in Delta

On Tuesday, Pastor Karen received a call from Xavi Saenz, an LGBTQIA leader in Delta County, asking if members and friends of Community Spirit would show up in Delta on Thursday, May 20 at 5 PM with the important, even life-saving message “Love Wins” as the school district holds public meetings related to adopting age-related sex education and body safety curriculum.

Xavi was asking for CSC support because he knows we are his community’s allies. At the last public meeting, hateful anti-LGBTQIA comments were made by church members from a neighboring community. Xavi knows all too well how assertions like these inflict deep wounds in youth (and their family members) who are struggling with their sexual and gender identities, and that when these hate-filled messages are internalized they can and do result in suicide attempts and completions.

All Xavi is asking of Community Spirit members and friends is that we come in support of the pre-meeting gathering at 145 West 4th Street in Delta. There will be a G-rated drag show/pride parade featuring Delta youth. This is the first time an LGBTQIA leader has reached out to us for support, and the significance of this cannot be overstated!

We will carpool from AutoZone (Main and Townsend), leaving promptly at 4:30 PM. Pastor Karen will have tagboard and pens for those who want to make a placard bearing a message of love. Please reach out to Pastor Karen with questions or concerns.

Special Offering: Strengthen the Church

During the month of May, CSC will receive its second of four UCC special offerings of the year.

The Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. By your generosity to this offering, you build up the Body of Christ.

As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults.

Last year, we raised $45 for this special offering, however, as of today, we haven't received any donations.  

You can donate online at communityspiritucc.org/give or mail a check payable to Community Spirit Church, in care of Kim Floyde, 1516 Barbara Street, Montrose CO 81401. If you want to drop a check off instead, please call ahead (970-765-6615).  Be sure to include "STC" in the memo area to ensure that your donation gets to the right place.

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