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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. |
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June 10 at 10:00 am
“My Father’s House" 
Today we discuss the question of male authority in scripture and culture.
Why is our current Father's Day celebration so commercialized and contaminated with traditional views of masculinity? Have we lost the biblical understanding of God the Father and the characteristics of personhood that would best serve us? We will look at how our culture honors the characteristics associated with white male supremacy and fails to honor the characteristics of love, faith, nurture and care supported in scripture. “You may call God love, you may call God goodness. But the best name for God is compassion.“ — Meister Eckhart 
Get Involved: Fight the Criminalization of Homelessness!
We take our cue from Jesus’ statement: "What you do to the least of us, you do to me." How do you feel about people without homes being prevented from sitting and resting without getting fined? Not having access to adequate public water fountains or bathrooms? Not having access to safe shelters? Not having access to lockers to safely store their belongings? If you feel this is wrong, consider getting involved with the Fort Collins Homeless Coalition. The organization is looking for new members who want to participate and get loud! Today our City seems to be working to criminalize homelessness, one ordinance at a time, to preserve the "image" of our Old Town. However, we want to live in a city where ALL members of the population are treated with respect and dignity. Not just those who are fortunate enough to be able to rent an apartment or buy a house. Not just those who have the money to go to the hair dressers or barbers and get a haircut. Not just those who can afford to buy new clothes online or at a store. Not just those with high-paying high-tech jobs and spiffy new cars. But everyone! Fort Collins Homeless Coalition meetings are Monday at 2 pm in the glass-walled Collaboration Room in the Old Town Library. For details, contact Cherly Distaso: info@fccan.org or (970) 419-8944
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Locker Jam vs. Log Jam
Great BBQ, delicious food, awesome music, and wonderful people made our Locker Jam a BIG success on June 1! Neighbors, donors, congregation members, those with homes and those without all mingled.
It’s time to turn up the heat with the City and attack the log jam of obstacles they are putting in front of our locker project. First the City asked for groups to host lockers for the homeless and FCMF was the only group to volunteer. Then they promised funding for locker purchase and installation. Next, they pulled the locker funding. Then they told us us lockers were allowed on our property if we raised the money … so we raised the money with our GoFundMe campaign. Recently, Planning and Zoning said we had to hold a “development under proposal” meeting to get our lockers approved. We filled out the the necessary "Minor Adjustment Application," paid the $350 fee, and submitted the paperwork. Fortunately, P&Z staff recommended that the P&Z Board approve our locker plan. But within 24 hours of the P&Z Board meeting, the City Manager’s office pulled the locker topic off the agenda. Guess they didn’t like P&Z’s recommendation. However, after discussing the storage lockers with other City staff last Monday, the City Planner determined they needed time to ”properly analyze the safety issues” regarding storage lockers. The issue will be discussed at the July 19 P&Z meeting. Please plan to attend. And make sure to write to Clay Frickey, City Planner at: cfrickey@fcgov.com and Deputy City Manager, Jeff Mihelich at: mihelich@fcgov.com. We need to remind the City that THEY could have provided funding to Murphy Center for larger lockers and extended hours, but they did not. THEY could have funded the lockers themselves and installed them in a safe place, but they did not. They left it up to the "rest of us," and FCMF was the only group willing to take on the task. And now they are putting obstacle after obstacle in our way! What's wrong with this picture? The Little Church that Could ... Did!
Yes, we did it. We reached and exceeded our initial Go Fund Me goal of $8,000 for lockers! So many people have already been telling us they can't wait for a locker! Some have contacted us in person and others via Facebook to share their gratitude and excitement! We will be installing the first 13 large-size lockers for our homeless brothers and sisters. These lockers and locks were donated with a value of at least $1,800! We will use our collected Go Fund Me funds to purchase the rest of the lockers. We are still waiting on some additional funding from various grants to pay for security lights, cameras, and an enclosure to make the lockers safe to access late at night. We just learned that we did NOT get one of our grants. This means we need extra Go Fund Me money to purchase the security items we listed above. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all who donated. You are making a huge difference in the lives of all those who are without homes. So please press the Donate button if you have not yet done so! When the City chose not to fund our locker project for the homeless, we raised the money on our own. But now we need more money for security items for the lockers (lights, cameras, enclosure).
Click the button to learn more and donate today! 
Why Lockers for the homeless?
The 2015 Fort Collins Homeless Coalition Survey found that lockers are a high priority among the homeless. 40% of those surveyed said they were NEVER able to store their belongings securely. 75% experienced harassment, discrimination, difficulty with employment, were told to move or sit elsewhere, and were banned from stores because of their backpacks. All had to stash their belongings outdoors, resulting in a high rate of theft. 90% said they would use a free, large-sized locker if available. 
New Group:
"Non-Bible" Bible Study Are you between the ages of 18 and 30? Wonder why people believe what they believe .... and how their beliefs impact their actions? Feel like getting into some cultural anthropology and philosophy discussions while enjoying food and drink at a coffee house? Then this study group is for you: Click here to learn more! |
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Services and Activities
Sunday Service: 10:00 am
Sunday School: During service Wednesday Potluck: 6:00 pm (on vacation this summer) Womynfolk: 1st Monday, 6:30 Mennonpints: 1st or 2nd Friday, 4:30 |
Recent Sermon
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Donate
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 |