Mid-Week Email

ALL CHURCH EMAIL

Thursday, May 28, 2020

All Church Email

Here's what's happening this week at the Cathedral

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A Message from Pastor Duane

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized withwater, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” -Acts 1:4 & 5 (NIV)

Speak his name: George Floyd. #blacklivesmatter

This week we celebrate the birth of the church as we celebrate Pentecost. The church was born with the gift of the Holy Spirit to build unity, breakthrough barriers, and model radical inclusion. We need a Pentecost moment in the midst of the sin of racism in our world. Jesus empowered his followers to witness right where they were, and then to their neighbors and then even to their enemy. Our witness during COVID-19 has been love to neighbors of all races and faiths as we have shared grocery gift cards, lunches, and Friendship Feast with all in need. Come Holy Spirit.

As we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us and move us beyond our comfort, I invite you to consider reading Jim Wallis book America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America and/or White Fragility: Why it’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Both books will continue to allow the Spirit to do the work of racial reconciliation in us.

So often, we have defined racism as those who held a conscious dislike or hatred of someone because of their race. Based on that definition we are not racist. So we get frustrated when it’s suggested that we are racist or have work to do. When we define racism as occurring when a racial group's preference is backed by legal authority and institutional control. When white gun-toting militias can storm capital buildings and shout down authorities and then walk away but a black man suspected of forgery is killed at the hands of authorities, well then we all live in a country where racism is normal and we have a lot of work to do. Come Holy Spirit.

This is hard work, but this work done in love will make us better! The Holy Spirit has done this work in us before and can do it again. Come Holy Spirit, come!

Grace and peace.
Rev Dr. Duane A Anders (he, him, his)

P.S. Join us for online worship this weekend as we celebrate our 2020 graduates.

Read Apply Discuss Returning Summer 2020
Beginning Tuesday, June 2nd • 10am • For All Teens

Things will look a little different this summer as we follow state guidelines to ensure everyone's health and safety, but we can't wait to gather together with you! If you’re not already receiving Salt & Light youth emails, contact Tracy Quissell to be added for more information.

Virtual Vacation Bible School: FOCUS
July 20th-23rd • Online • Multi-Campus Event

Summer 2020 may LOOK a little different than we originally planned, but we’re still excited to host the very best summer for your family!

The VBS fun your kids have come to know and love is coming to your doorstep! Focus VBS will help kids dive deeper into their faith by putting the FOCUS on God and God's amazing plan for us. Your preschoolers through preteens will have a blast as they discover how to trust in what they can't see because of what they can see.

Registration is $30 per family and includes a supply kit hand-delivered to your doorstep (or mailed if you’re out of state) as well as an online component. Sign up here today!

Click here to donate supplies or here to help us bring Virtual VBS to life!

Contact Hillary Hahn for more info.

Friendship Feast Volunteers Needed
Every Sunday at 1pm and every third Thursday at 5pm • Downtown Campus

Volunteers are needed for the month of June. Help our cooks box the to-go meals served outside to people who are experiencing homelessness and are food insecure. Very small teams work safely together in the church kitchen.

If you would like to sign up to help prep food or to be a greeter, please go to the following links for Sundays or third Thursdays. Please keep the donations coming! Your generosity of bottled water, cookies, and individual bags of chips keep our budget manageable during uncertain times. Drop off these items at the church from 11am to 2pm Monday through Friday.

Family Sunday School & Family Game Night
Every Sunday • Online All Day • Multi-Campus Event

Join us each week for Family Sunday School - an event for the whole family! Lessons are available here and can be accessed at any time. THIS week, be sure you have a cake, some cupcakes or other special celebration treat ready to enjoy as together we will celebrate the birthday of the church!

Join us TONIGHT at 5:30 pm (yes, this is 30 minutes earlier than usual) for a special edition of our virtual Family Game Night! Bring your dancing shoes; we'll be joining families around the globe as Group Publishing hosts a VBS dance party! Use this link and the password t9fVgz to get connected. Contact Hillary with questions. We look forward to seeing you soon!

PS. Our normal Family Game Night time will remain 6-6:30 pm each Thursday on Zoom.
Contact Hillary Hahn with any questions.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

During this time of COVID-19, the Cathedral of the Rockies wantes to spread a little joy by announcing an exciting new campaign to support our frontline workers, called “Not All Heroes Wear Capes”. We need your help to spread some gratitude and love to our Healthcare workers - especially during this, National Nurses week and next week's recognition of Healthcare workers week!

Attached here you will find a printable 8.5”x11” poster to be displayed on your door, in your window or yard, wherever you want! Print out a few, and pass some on to others so they can do the same.
Attached here you will find a digital image perfect for sharing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Be sure to share the post as many times as you can to spread the word and don’t forget to tag your healthcare worker friends and family.
Copy & paste these hashtags with your post: #notallheroeswearcapes #allmeansall #cotr #healthcareheroes #flattenthecurvechallenge #takesavillagetobuildavillage

TAKE THE NEXT STEP!

Fuel the Frontline is a website which connects you with ways to give back to frontline workers - send an essential worker a meal, gift card, or care package to help them through this time.

Church Board Seats OPEN
Monthly meetings • Multi-year terms • Multi-Campus Board

Looking to serve your church? Perhaps a rotation on the church board is of interest to you. Each year new board members are added while some board members rotate off. If you feel God calling you to serve our church in this capacity, please contact Executive Director, Jerri Walker to receive an application and schedule an interview.