Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship
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Sunday In-Church Services Suspended per Colorado COVID-19 Recommendations
​(Virtual Services only)

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“What does the Sea Have to Teach Us?”
Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 10:00 AM (First Sunday of Lent)

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Watch the Sunday, February 21, 2021 Virtual Service on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAUjInATTxc

NOTE: If you  are not part of our e-list and do not receive an invitation to our Zoom Service, you can watch the service on YouTube as soon as we get it posted after the service. We will put the link here.

FOCUS for First Sunday of Lent
The voice of God pierces the deep, calling us to deep relationship. With the floodwaters behind us and the waters of baptism holding us, our relationship with God establishes our identity with other people and the world we live in.

In his younger years Bill Steffenhaugen received his engineering degree the New York State Maritime College on Long Island, NY. And though his maritime career was short, he did have quite a few experiences at sea. Let’s see how these experiences relate to our Lenten theme of “going deep.” 

“God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.” — William Cowper

ABOUT OUR VIRTUAL SERVICES:
When weather does not allow for outdoor services, we hold Virtual Services at 10:00 AM on Sunday. When we do so, we post information about the service on the Website.

​Then we post a video of the worship service on YouTube as soon as it is available. A list of all virtual services, their Worship Service bulletins, and sermon transcripts (if available) are published on: the Sermons web page.​​

ABOUT OUR OUTDOOR SERVICES ("WORSHIP IN THE PARK)
When we hold outdoor services, service starts at 10 am. We meet at Library Park on the north side of the Old Town Library, across the street from our church. All are welcome!

Bring your mask and chair, and enjoy being in nature.

Masks are required. We sit more than 6 feet apart from one another to listen to scripture and music. ​

Stay Updated

  • Here is the link to the City of Fort Collins COVID-19 updates:
    https://www.fcgov.com/eps/coronavirus
  • ​Here is the link to the State of Colorado COVID-19 updates:
    https://covid19.colorado.gov/

A Prayer For Help and Hope

Lord,

​Enlighten what is dark in me,

Strengthen what is weak in me,

Mend what is broken in me,

Bind what is bruised in me,

Heal what is sick in me,

And lastly,

Resurrect whatever peace and love has died in me.

Amen

Stay Positive!

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NOTE: If you would like to contribute your ideas to this column, please send them to martharoden@gmail.com

This is the time to realize how important our perceptions are and to how important it is to stay calm. 
 
As we watch the behavior of others, we also watch our own. Some of us do well in crises, others not so well. We all have different backgrounds, different things that trigger our fears, and different things that rile us up and calm us down.
 
We all have an amygdala, the older, “reptilian brain” that responds at the speed of light (well, maybe not that fast) to anything it senses as dangerous … even if it isn’t really dangerous. For example, we see something on a trail when we are hiking and our amygdala screams out, “Danger! Danger! A snake!” Our  heartbeat races and we start to shake.
 
Our frontal cortex, the newer part of our brain that is more rational, does not respond quite as quickly … but it does respond. A few moments later we calm down because we realize, “Oh, that’s only a piece of string.”
 
If we can just cut ourselves some slack and know that ALL of us respond to what is going on in different ways, then we spend less time worrying about others, blaming, or disliking them. After all, worrying about something does not change it … it just robs us of peace of mind.
 
And the hormones that course through our body when we are fearful and distressed, are the very ones that damage our immune system.
 
What I am hoping to do with myself, is to find ways to calm myself down (for me, it’s deep breaths and counting). That way, my fear lessens and I can think more clearly. Think about the things that calm you -- maybe praying, meditating, exercising, walking in nature, looking at photos of nature, sewing, cooking, singing -- and do them! 

Plus, if you happen to believe, as I do, that our thoughts and feelings actually contribute to the energy of those around us, staying calm can help others as well.
 
I try to remind myself that WE are all in this together. As Winston Churchill said in Great Britain during World War 2: "We are all in this together. Let's all do our part!" (don't hold me to this -- it is not a direct quote) 

And as the British motivational poster reminded people during World War 2:
"Stay calm and carry on!" 

There are no good guys or bad guys in this global situation. There are just ALL OF US – and that includes people, animals, and all of nature. There is some wonderful life force that moves through this planet and it is GOOD. I hope we can all try to get in touch with that presence.
 
Hopefully my writing wasn’t too philosophical or “out there.”
 
Cheers,
 
Martha Roden

P.S. Here is a link to a great article by Father Richard Rohr, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation: https://cac.org/love-alone-overcomes-fear-2020-03-19/

Thoughts For You

During these uncertain times, kind words and thoughts go far. Here are just a few:

“Darkness comes. In the middle of it, the future looks blank. The temptation to quit is huge. Don't. You are in good company... You will argue with yourself that there is no way forward. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has more ropes and ladders and tunnels out of pits than you can conceive. Wait. Pray without ceasing. Hope.” — John Piper

“Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.” —  Samuel Smiles

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” —  Desmond Tutu

“Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.” — Rabindranath Tagore
"45-for-45" GoFundMe Campaign to Help Us Continue to Help the Homeless
UPDATE -- MARCH 21, 2020: We would like to keep our campaign going so we have funds to continue to help the homeless during this time of COVID-19. The money we collect can go to supplies, contributions to other organizations, helping those without funds, etc.
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Please reach out to others and direct them to our GoFundMe site.  SPREAD THE WORD via word-of-mouth, phone, email, and social media (might as well put it to a positive use for once). 
Donate Now to 45-for-45
WHY THE NAME? "45-for-45" stands for "$45,000 for 45 years."

​ABOUT OUR FUNDRAISING: In January 2020, FCMF turned 45 years old!  To celebrate, we wanted to pay off our $45,000 mortgage to free up $1,500 a month. This money will help us expand our Homeless Outreach Program!

Please share the GoFundMe link with your friends: https://www.gofundme.com/f/45-for-45
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​FCMF: Authentic, Compassionate, And Inclusive!
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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.
 
2021 Lenten Theme: Going Deep
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Nearly a year ago we entered the world of isolation and virtual connection with which all of us are now familiar. Suddenly the wilderness of Lent has become all too real, as we were stripped of our usual resources, surroundings, activities, and circles of relationship. During this time our world has experienced both deep grief and invitations to a new spaciousness of time, as we needed to release so much of what usually fills our lives. 
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In the Scriptures and the traditions of Lent, we see a scrubbing away of the excess to get to the core of our Christian journeys and of ourselves. The call to go deeper can be frightening or overwhelming when we feel we are not ready and do not know what we will find. We keep much of our pain in our depths. But only from these depths can the voice of God reach us and call us to a deeper relationship.

Did you miss last week's Service?

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If you missed the Feb. 14, 2021 Service, "Legends of Valentines Day"? you can watch the YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDD1vu-RGC4

Have you ever wondered why there is a Valentine’s Day? Where did it come from? Is there more to it than hearts, flowers, chocolate, and cute cards? 

This Sunday, Denise looks at various Valentine's Day legends to find out why love is so important!

“ 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. ” — Alfred Lord Tennyson
“ Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love.” — Leo Buscaglia

North Aztlan Shelter Closure is Just Plain WRONG!

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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?

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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:

  • Unless individual housing units are available, do not clear encampments.
  • Encourage people staying in encampments to set up tents with at least 12 feet x 12 feet per individual.
  •  Ensure nearby restroom facilities with hand hygiene materials and bath tissue remain open 24 hours per day.
  • Provide access to portable latrines with handwashing facilities.
  • Provide information about COVID-19 hygiene practices.
 
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:
  • Motel rooms or RVs
  • Separate, suitable housing.

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

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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.​


Services and Activities
(In Church 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
Recent Sermon 
"The Way it Is, Isn't How it Should Be: (Oct. 25, 2020)​
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!
Contact Us
Our pastor is Steve Ramer: 
(970) 412-7510
stevemramer@yahoo.com

Our address is:
300 East Oak Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
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