Sunday Church Services Suspended per Colorado COVID-19 Recommendations
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Worship in the Park: July 5, 2020
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FCMF: Authentic, Compassionate, And Inclusive!
Here at Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship (FCMF), we practice the "radical inclusivity" of Jesus. This means working with, having compassion for, and getting to know people who, as Jesus said, are the “least of us” and are often on the margins of society. Whether it’s welcoming sexual and gender minorities into our community, hosting homeless families in the Faith Family Hospitality program, welcoming homeless individuals who visit us for warmth, food, and fellowship, helping immigrants, or working for a healthcare system that benefits all, we try to walk in the footsteps of Jesus as best we can. We use our hands to do God's work, focusing on issues of social justice, peace, and helping those in need. North Aztlan Shelter Closure is Just Plain WRONG!
In March, the City offered up the North Aztlan Center as a day center and overflow shelter for homeless individuals. This ensured that people could sleep safely at night with adequate distances between cots, they had a place where they could take showers, relieve themselves, and wash their hands, as well as could get snacks during the day.
Having a safe place to shower, go to the bathroom, rest during the day, and sleep at night has made a huge difference to many people. WHY CLOSE THE SHELTER? But now it appears the City Council has voted to close North Aztlan homeless shelter on June 19. Why? Because the City says it needs the North Aztlan Center for Camp FunQuest and daycare. Interestingly, the City already has an alternative location for Camp FunQuest, good through mid-July. And I sure there are plenty of other schools where they could hold the Camp after that. In fact, I bet there are businesses, schools, churches, and property owners that would be willing to host the Camp. Instead, the City has put the call out to businesses and individuals, looking for alternative accommodations for the homeless. But surprise, surprise, surprise, none have been found. We suspect it is a lot easier to find an alternative location for daycare and a kids' camp than to find an alternative location to shelter the homeless -- complete with showers, kitchen, and sleeping accommodations. WHAT'S THE IMPACT? Sadly, the City did not take enough time to create a comprehensive solution to ensure that ALL those housed in North Aztlan Center would have a safe place to stay before they are turned out of North Aztlan Center. As the “regular” shelters re-open and struggle to deal with the influx, they will do so with limited capacity to ensure they can address social distancing. This means less of a chance to get a meal, a bed, or a shower! Not to mention that only 2 of the city’s 35 public bathrooms and port-a-lets are anywhere near the Old Town area. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Please contact the City Council today. Tell them they cannot turn people out on the streets when there is no other place to go! Ask them if they really want to be responsible for forcing the most vulnerable members of our community out on the street, without adequate places to safely sleep, eat, go to the bathroom, shower, wash their hands, or get a drink of water? Urge them to show compassion and find alternative location(s) for CampFun and day care, instead of trying to find alternative location(s) for the homeless. In today’s unprecedented times, our recreation center serves a far greater purpose for the community as a homeless shelter! Thank you, Martha Roden What Does Our City Need to Do?
We have asked the City and County to look into ways to help the most vulnerable – the homeless. These are people who are two times as likely to get and spread COVID-19 because they do not have home where they can isolate themselves and must often eat and sleep in crowded conditions.
But we must keep the pressure on them since time is of the essence! We suggest you send them an email at: cityleaders@fcgov.com Consider making points such as these in your letter: The current crises that we face requires immediate and sweeping actions to protect the most vulnerable in our community. 1) Immediate moratorium of the city's camping ban. This must also include folks sleeping in their cars and RV's. NOTE: The City did allow camping near Northside Aztlan Center, but reversed the decision one the "Stay at Home" orders were lifted. Once again they need to allow camping with these provisions:
2) More space for daytime and evening shelters. Current locations are simply not sufficient NOTE: The City opened Northside Aztlan Center as a Day Center and overflow evening shelter. But on June 19, they closed the shelter, which will put a strain on the other shelters that must sustain social distancing protocol, which means far fewer people can use them and more individuals will be without shelter. The City must consider opening more unused facilities that can shelter or feed folks while giving each individual appropriate physical space. 3) Safe places for the most vulnerable who may need to be quarantined:
NOTE: The City is allowing a building owned by the Colorado State University Research Foundation on Myrtle Street to be used as a shelter for those experiencing homelessness. The Foundation-owned building, located at 1105 W. Myrtle Street, will be a shelter for those who are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms. The Myrtle Street building allows for proper quarantine procedures. 4) Suitable housing for the elderly and others who at high risk of being infected. 5) Help service providers with additional funding to purchase necessary supplies. (NAME and address) A Prayer for You
This wonderful prayer was written by a Franciscan priest in Italy while the country is in lock-down.
LOCKDOWN by Father Richard Hendrick, OFM March 13, 2020 Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death. But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again. They say that after just a few weeks of quiet The sky is no longer thick with fumes But blue and grey and clear. They say that in the streets of Assisi People are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them. They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound. Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighborhood So that the elders may have someone to call on. Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting All over the world people are looking at their neighburs in a new way All over the world people are waking up to a new reality To how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To Love. So we pray and we remember that Yes there is fear. But there does not have to be hate. Yes there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness. Yes there is panic buying. But there does not have to be meanness. Yes there is sickness. But there does not have to be disease of the soul Yes there is even death. But there can always be a rebirth of love. Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now. Today, breathe. Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic The birds are singing again The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love. Open the windows of your soul And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Sing. |
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Services and Activities
(TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED) Sunday Service: 10:00 am
Sunday School: During service Wednesday Potluck: 6:00 pm Womynfolk: 1st Monday, 6:30 Mennonpints: 1st or 2nd Friday, 4:30 |
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We're the "little church that could" ... small in size but mighty in action. If you'd like to help us financially, please make out a check to FCMF and mail it to the address listed to the right. --Thanks!
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Our pastor is Steve Ramer:
(970) 412-7510 stevemramer@yahoo.com Our address is: 300 East Oak Street Fort Collins, CO 80524 |