Every time I sit to write a newsletter I am amazed at the passage of time. Currently, I am thinking not only about this week’s upcoming worship but also Lent, and Holy Week and Easter… And the upcoming workshop I’m doing in New York at the end of February with a Sacred Conversa-tions2End Racism colleague…and picking up a little request from our Conference Minister…and all the things that we are doing here. I know, it sounds like I am making this essay about me. And I am…but you too.

One of the biggest points about which we are reminded, over and over again, in seminary and clergy circles, is self-care. And one of the biggest failures we clergy have is our self-care. We try to take days off; set bound-aries regarding contact with folx on those days and on vacations; limit the number of extra things we take on—don’t say it. You get the idea.

But if we are lucky, and I am, then the churches in which we serve agree build in a designated portion of time for pastor to take a sabbatical. Typically, this is a 3 month period of renewal after a pastor serves for 5 years. And guess, what?? This is exactly where we are. My 5-year anniversary was this past fall and as such, I have started the application process for a grant from the Lily Endowment for Clergy Renewal Program.

As stated in their website: “National… Clergy Renewal Programs provide an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for drinking again from God's life-giving waters, for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.” And so it begins.

As many of you know, I have been participating in a very intensive racial justice study through the national UCC church. Last month I was one of nine people in the country who was certified to facilitate this study. (Although I had gotten the go-ahead to lead our group beginning last spring). Beginning in April my Colleague from this study Kris Watson and I, will begin another SC2ER group at La Foret retreat center as a combined La Foret and RMC endeavor. Needless to say, I am compelled to engage folx in the process of eradicating racism. My sabbatical grant will reflect this, and I will share this with you as I muddle through the application process! (continued on page 3.)

Special points of interest:

• Adult education 8:30 a.m.

• Sunday morning worship at 10:00 a.m.

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ARTICLE 44

Feb/March 2020

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General Information 2

Stewardship 3

Invite from Jon Forshee 3

News from Mallory 4

Lenten Season 4

Faith Formation 5

Mission 6

Facilities/Financial Chart 7

Fellowship 7

Covenantal Partner 8-9

Calendars 10-11

Planning for My Upcoming Sabbatical by Rev. Clare Twomey

Lead Pastor's Hours

Office hours are flexible.

If you’d like to meet with Clare, please call her at 719-351-0168.

2019 Executive Committee:

Moderator – Kayan Cross; Assistant Moderator – Vacant; Treasurer – Dana Zimmerman; Financial Secretary – John Tinsley; Clerk – Members-at-Large – Carol Burbank and Jeannie Harrington

The Wider Church—The United Church of Christ

Our Staff

Lead Pastor—Rev. Clare Twomey

Minister of Vision and Support—Rev. Deborah Tinsley

Music Director—David Hudson

Office Administrator—Donna Bristow

Nursery Attendant—Valerie Karr

Security Expert—Timotheus Cross

Finding Home Ministry—Mallory Everhart

Page 2 Vista v iews

The next newsletter will be the April/May 2020 edition. Deadline for articles is March 15 E-mail your articles to admin@vgcc.org

Coming March 20-June 20, 2020 from the Rocky Mountain Conference

The Bee the Church campaign is an invitation to care for our earth by creating environments in which our bees can thrive. Churches are encouraged to put up “Bee Hotels” and plant pollinator-friendly vegetation on their grounds. It’s simple, inexpen-sive, and vitally important stewardship work that’s sure to cause a buzz…

Check out the website to see how you can be involved https://rmcucc.org/bee-the-church/

Page 3

In addition, this grant is designed to provide funds so that the congregation can have its own renewal experience. There are many details yet to be ironed out. If you are interested in learning more about this process you can go to http://www.cpx.cts.edu/renewal/apply/national-program and peruse the application.

And so, as we turn this corner out of Epiphany and towards the Lenten season, I have a thought. Let’s be intentional about what renewal can look like, both on the community level and also in our personal, spiritual lives. What are we looking for? What do we need? What would renewal look like; feel like; behave like? What would it take to be refreshed as a church?

These are not rhetorical questions. As you mull these ideas over share them with each other, with me, with our council. Let’s create an opportunity to be renewed, together!

ARTICLE 43

Pastor Clare Continued from Page 1.

Stewardship Moment by Dana Zimmerman

The Stewardship Ministry Team wants you to know that this will be an ongoing team throughout the year. Although several members from last year are willing to remain on the team, we are always open to new people who would like to join us. Our focus is not limited to the pledge campaign in the fall but will also cover other sources of income to the church. We will be using the book Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate by J. Clif Christopher as the foundation of our plan for financial stewardship at VGUCC.

We want to celebrate our fall pledge campaign which resulted in a 40% increase in pledges to the general budget and 32% increase in the mission pledges. We are excited about what this will allow us to do in 2020 regarding programming, additional staff, and much needed improve-ments to the building, as well as continuing support of our many missions. THANK YOU for your contributions and affirmation of the work that VGUCC continues to do in our community.

Please contact Dana Zimmerman at 313-0120 if you would like to be a part of this vital ministry team and help us be good stewards of VGUCC’s financial resources.

Jon Forshee invites you (his church family) to his upcoming presentations on literature and music. Both events are free and open to the public. He’d be delighted to have you in the audience!

March 20, 4:00 - 5:30pm, at the UCCS Downtown Center (102 S Tejon St Suite 105a)

Lecture on Apocalyptic Literature and Music. This talk will present themes from the apocalyptic genre in liter-ature, and demonstrate some ways in which binding musical relationships to liter-ature, and apocalypticism in general.

March 26, 6:00pm, Chapman Recital Hall, Ent Center for the Arts

On March 26 Jon's new composition for chamber orchestra and computer will be premiered by UCCS faculty with members of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. This composition is the creative result of Jon's apocalyptic lit. studies and demonstrates many of the

ideas presented on March 20 in Jon's lecture on Apocalyptic Literature and Music.

Vista V iews

Written on the Body: A Tattoo Storytelling Event

Hosted by Finding Home: A Community for Spiritual Outsiders and VGUCC. Saturday Feb 29 (7-9 p.m.)

For many, tattoos bear a special meaning beyond the beauty of the image itself. Body art can be a testament to how we have survived, what we have lost, and what we want to car-ry with us on our journey. Come and tell the story of your tattoo and celebrate its meaning and artistry. We will be joined by Kaitlyn Marie Mercy of KM Creative, who will be taking professional photos of your tattoos for your use. Prints of the photographs will be available for a charge.

Worship During The Lenten Season

Sunday February 23—Jazz/Mardi Gras Sunday worship. Welcome to New Covenantal Partners

Wednesday February 26—Ash Wed, Taize Service at 6 p.m.

Sunday April 5—Palm Sunday

Tuesday April 7 – Meal and Conversation at 5:30 p.m.

All Church Read—”Evicted” by Matthew Desmond (read more info on page 9.)

Thursday April 9 – Maundy Thursday at 6 p.m.

Sunday April 12—Easter Sunday Worship and Egg Hunt.

News from Mallory … Finding Home

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"In This Season of Lent: Spirituality of Giving and Receiving"

This workshop will be held on Saturday, 14 March, 11:30 a.m. at Vista Grande UCC. (snow date is March 21.) Facilitated by Rev. Deborah Tinsley, we will explore our heartfelt emotions, both our desires and fears, around offering all of ourselves to our Beloved and being open to receiving boundless blessings when we live into that great love.

A light lunch of soup and salad will start us off.

All who consider Vista Grande UCC their spiritual home are invited to attend, along with those from the community who wish to explore this area of spirituality. We will begin at 11:30 a.m. and end at 1:45 p.m. Please RSVP to revdeborah2@gmail.com or 719-439-2321

Adult Faith Formation “Percolate” 8:30 a.m.

We are tackling Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor.

This book is a small window on a large subject. Set at a private liberal arts college in the foothills of the Appalachians, it is the story of a Christian min-ister who lost her way in the church and found a new home in the class-room, where the course she taught most often was Religions of the World.

The coffee is ready. Come on Sunday morning.

Faith Formation

ARTICLE 43 Page 5

Construction Notice from Colorado Springs Utilities

If you travel Union Blvd from Academy to Woodmen you’ll be affected by this construction!

Colorado Springs Utilities and the City of Colorado Springs are partnering on infrastructure improvements along North Union Blvd. Water pipeline improvements and paving/resurfacing work begins the first week of January and continues through fall 2020.

Traffic and access will be restricted. Expect delays and detours.

Finding an alternate route is strongly encouraged.

Jazz Sunday—Mardi Gras

David Hudson has arranged for a 9-piece band to offer a variety of music. This will include solo pieces, duets, instrumental pieces, and congregational singing.

We’re making some changes to KIDS’ FAITH FORMATION so we can get to know your children better. Beginning March 1, the first Sunday in Lent, worship will begin at 9:50 with a short segment designed especially for our children. Led by Donna Bristow and Sara Weather-man, we will share a story or start a project, introducing the theme for the service or highlighting the scripture for the day. Adults are welcome to look on. Clare will pick up on what the children are doing as part of her sermon. Children may then stay at the table or join their parents. Young children are welcome to join us for a few minutes before going to the nursery.

As Donna, Sara, and Clare develop this new project, ideas from parents and others are welcome. Let us know what you think!

REMEMBER: KIDS’ WORSHIP BEGINS AT 9:50 STARTING MARCH 1ST

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Vision for Mission

Mission/Outreach is an integral part of VGUCC ministries. We will pursue opportunities that are reflective of Justice and Peace, denominational and ecumenical, local and global, participatory and financial. Our mission and outreach will make a difference – empowering recipients and inspiring givers to act in the spirit of Christ; exemplifying the 3 Great Loves: Love of Neighbor; Love of Children; Love of Creation.

The 2020 Hope, Hearts, and Home Benefit Luncheon is coming,

Sunday, February 23, 2019 at 12:30 pm.

Family Promise of Colorado Springs (your Interfaith Hospitality Network) and its many supporters will gather at The Antlers for food, fun, and to support families with children who are experiencing housing instability and in homeless situations. Vista Grande has 9 people attending. El Centro de Los Pobres (immigrants & low income)

Service Type: Clothing Assistance, Emergency Services, Family, Finances, Food Assistance, Medical Assistance, Prescription Assistance

Description: El Centro de Los Pobres provides aid to more than 5,000 families of migrant workers in the Diocese of Pueblo. Faye Gallegos continues to take your donations to the folks at Los Pobres in Avondale, CO. They continue to need flour, cooking oil, pinto beans and canned tomatoes. These are common staple items for the families who drop by the center. ~Wednesdays~Inside Out Youth Services

Qmmunity Dinner – 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM - Every Wednesday afternoon, we gather and have a home cooked meal together as a community.

Check In – 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM - A daily event at Inside Out where we each share our name, age, and pronouns, talk about the rules of the space, and get to know each other a little better! We also make time for youth announcements, which gives everyone an opportunity to share about what’s going on in their lives!

Nancy and Bob Hollins spend most Wednesdays sharing a meal with the youth.

One Nation Walking Together—check out their website at onenationwt.org

We at Vista Grande have made it our mission to build relationships with the mission we support.

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Mission

Page 7 ARTICLE 43

A new year is upon us and we are gearing up for refreshing our building and grounds.

With this cold weather our focus turns indoors. We are planning some painting, sanding and refinishing work as well as deep cleaning. Please watch the Sunday bulletins for coming events and work days!! Some will be weekdays and some on weekends. Let any of the following people know if you notice any problem areas! Thanks for all you do!

Jan Morgan, Carol and Richard Burbank, John Tinsley

Phil Puterbaugh, David Bristow

Facilities Report

COMING UP … Our ANNUAL FRIENDSHIP DINNER

If you are new to Vista Grande, this is a time to gather as friends; singles, couples, families.

We usually meet at a local restaurant for a meal. Individuals checks are issued. We do need for you to sign up though so Carolyn can make the appropriate reservation.

Heads up … we are looking at Friday February 21 at 6 p.m. at Mi Mexico

Sign up on the sign up sheet in Fellowship Hall.

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February Birthdays

February

Anniversaries:

Feb 14, 2015 Carol and Phil Puterbaugh

5 Brigit Cherney

11 Sandra Gates

15 TJ (Truman James) Spencer

18 Linda Allen

27 Lori Gardner

March Birthdays

Anniversaries:

March 20, 1993 Dick and Carol Burbank

17 Amy Gunning 1970

20 Jon Forshee

April 7 – Meal and Conversation at 5:30 p.m.

As part of our Lenten Journey, we invite you to participate in an “All church read” book study.

You can purchase the book “Evicted” from the UCC website https://www.uccresources.com/products/evicted-poverty-and-profit-in-the-american-city

WINNER OF THE 2017 PULITZER PRIZE FOR GENERAL NONFICTION In Evicted, Princeton sociologist and MacArthur “Genius” Matthew Desmond follows eight fami-lies in Milwaukee as they struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Hailed as “wrenching and rev-elatory” (The Nation), “vivid and unsettling” (New York Review of Books), Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving one of 21st-century America’s most devastating problems. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible.

On Tuesday April 7 at 5:30 p.m. come to Vista Grande for a soup supper and conversation. This is open to anyone, even if you haven’t read the book.

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VISTA VIEWS

Covenantal Partners

ARTICLE 43 Page 9

Cleaning Schedule

Feb. 1 and Feb 8– The Hollins’

Feb 15 and Feb 22 –Rosemary McBride

Feb 29 and March 7—Jerry and Jackie Moore

March 14 and March 21 – Lyn and Carolyn Gunning

March 28 and April — Dave and Donna Bristow

Purpose, Vision, and Mission of the United Church of Christ

These statements were overwhelmingly affirmed by the UCC Board of Directors at their fall business meeting, October 20-22, 2016.

Purpose Statement (from the Gospel of Matthew): To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.

Vision Statement: United in Christ's love, a just world for all.

Mission statement: United in Spirit and inspired by God's grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.

VISTA GRANDE PLEDGED GIVING for January 2020

Funds Pledged (Jan) Received (Jan) Difference

General Operating 6,863.33 6,260.00 (603.33)

Mission/Outreach 1,554.92 832.00 (722.92)

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COME, GROW WITH US

We are a caring church for thinking people, an inclusive community of faith, united in our common quest to know God, inspired by the spirit of Jesus, and committed to sharing that love in ways that will make a difference in the world.

We are the Open and Affirming (ONA) Church in Northeast Colorado Springs.

Vista Grande United Church of Christ

Location: 5460 N Union Blvd Colorado Springs, CO

Mailing: PO Box 26030 COS 80936 Phone: 719-599-3057 Email: admin@vgcc.org

www.vgcc.org

Vista Grande UCC is an Open and Affirming Church.

“We, the congregation of Vista Grande Community Church United Church of Christ in Colorado Springs, CO declare ourselves to be Open and Affirming. We strive to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of sexual orienta-tion, gender and its expression, marital sta-tus, family make-up, age, mental and phys-ical health and ability, racial and cultural identity or background, and educational and socio-economic status. We welcome all to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsi-bilities, blessings, and joys of our congregation's life in Christ. “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

Vista Grande UCC is a Just Peace Church. “We, the Covenantal Partners of Vista Grande Community Church United Church of Christ, declare ourselves a Just Peace Church. As a congregation and as individuals, we prayerfully strive to live out Jesus’ non-violent words and actions in treating all people and the environment with dignity and respect. With humility, we seek to establish relationships with others through what may be uncomfortable conversations. While calling attention to imbalances of power and privilege, we will promote peacemaking and work to resist and dismantle religious, political, economic and social systems of oppression. We acknowledge that peace and justice work is a dynamic process, and we will need to grow continually in our empathy in order to have a positive impact in our homes, neigh-borhoods, communities, nation and world.”