1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

First United Methodist Church | The Cathedral of the Rockies | A Place of Promise and Hope
NLI 2015
Northwest Leadership Institute
With Workshop Speakers
Including:
TONY CAMPOLO, Speaker,
Author, Sociologist, Pastor,
Social Activist, and Passionate
Follower of Jesus!
LEADERSHIP: Rev. Rebekah
Simon Peter, Pastor Ric Shewell,
Rev. Steve Ross, Rev. Dr. Duane
Anders*
DISCIPLESHIP: Rev. Vance
Ross, Pastor Debbie Coutts,
Rev. Marie Smith*
WORSHIP & ARTS: Rev. Steve
Ross, Joe Prin, Rev. Brian Brown*
MISSION: Rev. Dr. Tom
Dozeman, Brian Snively*
*Full list of presenters
listed on website
Team discounts available.
$25 for COTR members.
Free for anyone under 30!
REGISTER AT
cathedraloftherockies.org/NLI
Goal To create a growing community where people are becoming deeply committed Christians
Mission Statement To make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world
Strategic focus
#1
#2
#3
#4
To reach a growing percentage of the Treasure Valley with the good news of Jesus Christ
To move the congregation of Christ-followers toward community, spiritual maturity, and full participation within the life of the church
To be the hands and feet of Jesus locally and globally by investing our lives, our knowledge and our resources with those in need
To be leaders of leaders, and to raise the tide of leadership locally, regionally and globally
March 2015
2 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
Pastor’s Notes
B
e the Church: Worship, Grow, Serve,
Lead.
We exist to make disciples of Jesus
Christ for the transformation of the world.
This is our journey.
We have entered the Christian season of
Lent, the journey toward the cross. Brian
McLaren reminds us that “Joining the
Adventure of Jesus is a starting line, not a finish
line.” To be a disciple of Jesus is to be one
open to learning and growing. Lent began
on Ash Wednesday and leads us through the
cross to Easter (April 5th). How will you join
Jesus in this journey? How will you worship,
grow, serve and lead?
Worship: We have six worship services each
weekend at our two locations, Amity and
Downtown. Each week we come together
as the body of Christ. Each week when we
gather, we participate in a culturally defiant act
of mutual submission. I have your attention
now! When we gather, we say to the world:
There is another way. There is no ‘them’, there
is only ‘us’. Worship during Lent challenges
us to continue the journey. Make worship a
priority. Even when you travel, find a place of
worship. When our voices unite, we become
Us. When we give together, we change the
world. When we pray, God meets us where
we are and empowers us to change the world.
We have extra opportunities during Lent for
worship. We will have a pray and healing
service downtown on March 8th at 6:30. We
will have the opportunity to pray the Stations
of the Cross on Good Friday downtown or
attend Good Friday services at either campus
on April 3rd. The Good Friday service is one
of the most powerful worship services each
year as we prepare for Easter Celebration. We
will have a sunrise service and Easter Saturday
worship downtown as well as Easter Sunday
worship services at both campuses. Action
Step: Make God a priority, and seek to be in
worship each weekend that you are in town.
Grow:
Disciples are open to growth and
change. How will you take charge of your
spiritual growth? Join or start a small group,
a short term study or a Sunday school class
(Jenny Willison will be your staff contact).
Growth needs a plan in order for the greatest
growth to occur. We grow so much by
learning with and from each other as we seek
to grow. When we study the Bible together,
I hear new things from your perspective
and experiences. The Bible was meant to be
studied in community because we are
to live in community. Information on
classes is available on the website and
at each campus. This month we will
have the opportunity to grow through
the Northwest Leadership Institute on
March 12-13. Tony Campolo will be one
of our keynotes. Come and learn how to
be the church with others from across the
country. Action Step: Set a short term
plan from now to Easter.
Serve: The primary way that God works
is through God’s people. We transform
the world through our serving. How have
you made the service of others a priority?
John Wesley called us to practice the
“means of grace” - specific ways that we
connect with God. One of the normal
“means of grace” for Wesley was serving
those who are poor. Help with Friendship
Feast each Sunday at 5pm, and make a
lunch bag for those who are hungry (we
give out about 100 lunch bags a week
downtown), serve in the Amity People’s
Garden, serve in our growing children
and youth ministry programs. Find a
need and meet it. Consider taking the
next short term mission trip to Tijuana.
Save the date of June 20th - our next
Habitat House Framing Project. We will
need 400 servants that day. Action Step:
Make others a priority by choosing to be
a servant at least once this month in a
community project.
Lead:
Each of us has leadership skills
in some area. One of the reason growth
slows down in churches or even stops is
because the leadership is tired or busy.
How is God calling you to lead? There
are opportunities to serve on the church’s
Leadership Council. Is God calling you? If we each lead in small ways, together
we make a big difference. Set these
dates in your calendar: June 22-26 is
Cathedral College and August 14-15 is
Leadership Summit. Both of these events
will give, inspire, equip, and challenge
you on your journey as a leader. Action
Step: I will grow as a leader by stepping
out in my faith by ______________.
I invite you to consider adding to your
Lenten journey a time of prayer and
fasting. Fasting is often a neglected
“means of grace.” Fasting is the spiritual
FUMC Senior Pastor
Reverend Dr. Duane Anders
practice of abstaining from something for
spiritual purposes. We will be learning
multiple forms of fasting during Lent.
Prayer can be conversation, sharing,
listening, reading the scriptures. We will
be using the book “We Make the Road by
Walking: a Quest for Spiritual Formation,
Reorientation and Activation,” by
McLaren. We will use section III during
the season of Lent (books are available at
the church). Prayer often centers us and
changes us so that we can change the
world. I invite you to pray this prayer
during your Lenten journey.
God, We thank you that we are alive
in your story of creation. We thank you
that we are a church, a circle of learners
and seekers. We thank you that we are
disciples, alive in the adventure of Jesus.
We thank you that we are an uprising in
a new way of living, transformed by the
Spirit of God. Let us share joy and peace.
Let us learn to love you God and serve
our neighbors. Amen.
BOISE FIRST UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
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3 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015
F A M I L Y
L I F E
acting in love
I
am the father of
three. Two little
girls, and a little
boy. Looking across
the room, I can see
their pictures on the
shelf that hangs in
the office that I share
with my wife. Their
images produce in my mind a swirl of
thoughts, questions, emotions, worries,
and fears. You know the old saying…being
a parent is the toughest job in the world. Ten years ago, we thought that getting
a dog would be a great way to “warmup” to being a parent. That’s funny now.
Most nights, I go to bed wondering……
“Am I getting this right?” Unlike the
words and sentences in these paragraphs,
you can’t write and re-write the story of
a child’s life until you get it just right. You kinda only get one shot at this thing. That being said, today I’m not going to
use this space to discuss all the challenges
and joys of parenting, as well as all the
triumphs and defeats. Maybe another
month we can give that a whirl. Today,
I want to share just one small victory.
Recently, my youngest daughter was
telling me about her day, and how a
sad thing happened to a classmate. She described how another little girl
had gotten “ditched” by somebody else
at recess, which evidently means “not
playing with someone after you say
A T
T H E
WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
C A T H E D R A L
by ERIK QUISSELL - DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY
you will.” She added that the girl that
had been “ditched” had done that same
thing to others, including my daughter. So I asked my daughter if it was okay
to be mean to that girl because she
had been mean to others. My heart
leapt when she said, “No, Dad. It
is never right to be mean to another
person.” Proud parenting moment….
Each of us is presented with difficult
opportunities every day, maybe every
moment, and our lives are certainly
more complicated than my daughter’s,
who is mostly concerned about who
to play with at recess. But in our
difficult moments, we often have a
choice to choose to act in love, or
to choose the opposite. Choosing
love in these moments is rarely easy.
What are the things that have helped
my daughter to understand, at least at
a basic level, how to treat others? How
can I help the youth at our church
understand that to be in a relationship
with Jesus Christ is to embark on a
journey unlike any they are used to…a
new way of looking at the world….a new
reality? Let me offer a couple thoughts.
The pictures of my kids sit on a
shelf that my dad made for me when
I was a boy, and looking at it reminds
me of my father and mother, and
how their words, spoken into my
life, are being echoed to my children
today (at least I hope so). If I may
Springing forth
If you have been to the
basement recently, you may
have noticed the addition
of “trees”. At the moment,
they are bare branches simply
attached with fishing line and
3m hooks. WHY? Ah, so
glad you asked! The bare branches represent the
season of Lent – a time of quiet self-reflection
and introspection drawing us ever closer to God.
As we draw near, something changes; trees grow
buds, caterpillars appear, cocoons emerge, and
finally we find ourselves transformed from the
inside out, springing forth with love and grace,
redemption on our wings – we are butterflies!
As interactive learning is an important
part of education, we plan to keep the fun
coming. Check out all our opportunities!
use another cliché…raising my kids, and
the youth of this church, takes a village. It is multi-generational and requires
grandpas and grandmas, moms and dads,
teens and kids, all learning with and
from each other. It takes a community
of believers that consistently challenges
us to be different and better. It also
takes engagement in that community of
believers, and getting up on a Sunday,
or driving across town on a Wednesday
night. It requires taking action, and
sharing in sorrow with others, or sitting
across a table from a stranger and making
eye contact. Here are some MORE
ideas….for our youth, and maybe you
too…..
Salt & Light Youth Ministry
ongoing programming
Sunday Youth:
10am • Sundays • “The Mine” (B6)
Youth Group:
6:30pm • Wednesdays • “The Mine”
Upcoming events
March 7 • 11am
Help finish painting “The Mine”
All March Long
“March in Your Socks” Drive
June 20- 27 • San Francisco Youth
Mission Trip - Register with Tracy
ASAP!
by DEBBIE COUTTS - PASTOR OF FAMILY LIFE
Lent for the family: If you missed the ORANGE service, be sure to stop by
the Hospitality Tent in the Family Ministries area – we have a Lenten Family book
for you!
eggsploration!: April 1, 2015: A family fun night for all!
Enjoy dinner in
Fellowship Hall from 5:30-6:30 (Roots) and then head for the kids area in the
basement where you will be self-guided to the kitchen for a Seder taste meal,
the theatre room for popcorn and a movie, and to several other locations as you
create your family’s own Resurrection Eggs (eggs that are filled with the Passion
story of Holy Week). The teens will also offer several rounds of the traditional
egg hunt and the picture booth will be up! It will be a great night of fun and
learning for all!
vbs 2015: June 29 – July 2, EVEREST: Conquering challenges with God’s
mighty power!
Family Camp: August 14-16 at Silver Creek Plunge: This year the Coutts and
Quissell families are taking our Family Ministries department on the road . . . or
rather, off road! We are going camping and would love to have your family join
us! We have room for 80 people so check your calendars and sign-up now!
Register by emailing Pastor Debbie DCoutts@boiseFUMC.org
4 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
northwest leadership institute: be the church
march 12-13 • cathedral of the rockies (downtown)
Keynote speakers: Tony Campolo, Rebekah Simon Peter, Craig Miller, Duane
Anders, and Bridgette Young Ross
workshops include: Leadership, Mission, Discipleship, and Worship Arts
W
hy attend NLI? Because life is too short and the mission is too
critical to just play church. For the last 5 years we have held the
Northwest Leadership Institute. This is about our fourth goal as a
church: lead. When the leader grows, the organization grows. Our goal is not
to just keep growing as a local church but to help and resource other local
churches to expand their Kingdom impact. This year we will have Clergy and
Laity from over 10 states with us. Sign up online to attend for the church fee
of just $25.00. Price includes your lunches. Wow.
WHY ATTEND NLI?
BECAUSE LIFE IS TOO SHORT
and the mission is too critical
to just place church.
Come and grow with us.
A M I T Y
new members
- downtown campus -
James & Pamela Sanderson, Ricci &
Andrea Holmes, Rob & Niki Johnson,
Zach & Annie Stuckey, Sarah Ultis,
and Russell & Cecily Willerton
Baptisms
- downtown campus February 22nd
Tessa Joelle Morandi
Daughter of Patrick & Tara Morandi
Vivien Lee Thompson
Daughter of Daniel & Julie Thompson
deaths
- downtown campus Please pray in sympathy
with the family of:
Roby Hall
C A M P U S
N E W S
If you’re not growing, you’re dying
byKATHY ABEND - AMITY CAMPUS PASTOR
I
f
you
d r i v e
out
to
Amity after
dark,
you
may see a
light shining
from
our
greenhouse
in the back
yard.
The
growing
season has
begun with our first round of flower seedlings
beginning to sprout in the greenhouse. It seems
we just put the garden to bed for the winter
and now it is time to begin the next growing
season. Growth is a never-ending process and
once that seed is planted, if it is not growing,
it is dying. The seedling has requirements for
growth like warmth, soil, moisture, and light.
We have many new seedlings planted at Amity
and we are now in the process of nurturing
the growth of these new relationships, new
Christians, and new programs. We will grow
as a church only if we grow as individuals and
growth must become a part of our Christian life.
Paul tells the Ephesians the church needs us
to grow up fast.
Ephesians 4:14-16
No prolonged infancies among us, please.
We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods,
small children who are an easy mark for
impostors. God wants us to grow up,
to know the whole truth and tell it in
love—like Christ in everything. We
take our lead from Christ, who is the
source of everything we do. He keeps us
in step with each other. His very breath
and blood flow through us, nourishing
us so that we will grow up healthy in
God, robust in love.
- The Message
I ask you, are you growing or are you
dying? We have a new granddaughter
who learns a new skill or a new word
every day and outgrows her clothes
way too quickly. I also know many
older adults who continually grow,
reading challenging books, engaging
in Bible studies and other classes
that constantly nurture their minds,
bodies and souls. Lent is a great time
for personal growth. This is a time
we set apart to allow the seeds within
us to germinate and sprout into
new life. At Amity we have many
opportunities for growth through
our Lenten Study Chocolate on
Wednesday evenings, confirmation
class on Sunday nights, IMPACT for
kids after school on Thursdays, and
Bible studies on Sunday and Tuesday
nights.
The growing season has begun at
Amity. Come grow with us!
5 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015
M U S I C
&
W O R S H I P
A R T S
A T
T H E
Winter warmed up
WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
C A T H E D R A L
T
he Epworth Chorale would like to thank
everyone who helped to make this year’s “Warm
Up Your Winter” fundraiser a success. Your
ticket purchases and participation in both the silent
and dessert auctions have helped to make the spring
mission tour more affordable for the students. While
Epworth is on tour this spring, they will be providing
music for the opening service of the Idaho-Oregon
Annual Conference in Salem, OR.
Those who shared their various talents in the talent
showcase helped make the evening enjoyable for all in
attendance. Choir members also wish to thank all the
parents and staff members who worked so hard on the
event. Without their help, none of it would have been
possible.
T
he Cathedral Concert Series ‘Chamber Spectacular’
will be held on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 PM. Artists will include Craig Purdy, violin; Brian
Hodges, cello; Carola Winkle, clarinet; Jennie Ficks, horn,
and Peggy Purdy, piano, in various chamber ensemble
combinations. The performers will present works of
Brahms, Dunhill and Piazolla. The concert is free of
charge but with a suggested donation of $10 for adults.
Opening the evening will be the Allegro from Johannes
Brahms Trio in A Minor for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano. A quintet for violin, clarinet, horn, cello, and piano will
perform a work in three movements by Thomas Dunhill. This composer represents the Romantic era as does the more
well-known Brahms. Concluding the concert will be a violin,
cello, piano trio presenting a work by Piazolla. The Argentine
born Piazolla incorporated classical music and jazz to form
a ‘Nuevo Tango’, thus revolutionizing the tango during the
middle to late 1900’s and pleasing audiences world-wide.
Craig Purdy conducts the Boise State University Orchestra
where he teaches violin and string pedagogy. Brian Hodges is
also on the Boise State University Music Department faculty
where he teaches cello and string pedagogy. Peggy Purdy is a
collaborative pianist as well as the owner and teacher of her
own private studio. Jennie Ficks is the BSU Music Department
Administrative Assistant. Carola Winkle supervises music
student teachers at Boise State, teaches in her private
clarinet studio, and co-directs the Cathedral Concert Series.
The Cathedral Concert Series will have two more events
following the March concert. On April 10, the third annual
Rising Stars Spectacular will feature outstanding college and
university performers. On May 8, the series will conclude
for the year with Mirari Brass Quintet. This nationally
recognized ensemble is on tour and Boise Cathedral
Concert Series will be their first performance. Two of the
members are new to the faculty at Boise State University:
Alex Noppe on trumpet and Sara Paradis on trombone.
CD’s of the Mirari Brass Quintet will be available at the
concert. This concert promises to be a highlight of the series.
6 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015
M U S I C
&
W O R S H I P
A R T S
A T
WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
T H E
Stations of the cross
C A T H E D R A L
by JENNY WILLISON - DIRECTOR OF ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
The origin of the tradition
of the Stations of the
Cross is not entirely clear,
though it seems to be
associated with Christian
Pilgrimages to Jerusalem
in the early centuries. However, since the vast
majority of Christians
weren’t able to go to
Jerusalem to pray in the
actual location where Jesus was crucified, The Stations of the
Cross enabled them to engage in a “mini” pilgrimage, so everyone
would be able to journey through the final events of Jesus’ life.
In February of this year, a ministry team of artists was formed
to read, study, pray over and reflect upon the meaning of these
scriptures. Their art will be the expression of this experience.
We pray that these stations will provide a way for you
to enter into a deeper understanding and experience of
Jesus’ final day. The journey that Jesus makes to the cross
is not easy. And it is in this
mode of remembering
that events become more
than dates and places.
This journey is also about
the power of love, the
commitment of God to
humanity, the faithfulness
and grace of a God that
knows no limits and will
yield to no boundary;
a love that will risk even death itself for the sake of new
life. These stations become markers of our journey as
we walk in the darkness and then come into the light of
God’s presence. The Journey of the Cross winds through
Holy Week, from the singing crowds on Sunday to the
darkness of Good Friday. Easter Sunday will come, but not
without the journey through Good Friday and the cross.
May we celebrate Easter with new joy and freedom! The
Stations of the Cross will be in the Sanctuary and open
to the public from 8am-8pm March 30th-April 3rd.
the diaries of adam & eve
March 13 & 14 at 7pm
March 15 at 2pm
fellowship hall • Downtown Campus
directed by Rick Strader
performed by olivia mcfadden elliot and riley fairgrieve
tickets are $5, available at the door
prior to each performance.
proceeds to benefit new lighting and
drapes for the Fellowship Stage.
www.cathedraloftherockies.org
7 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015
O
WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
Peru mission team 2015
n April 13, The Cathedral of the Rockies will send
a mission team of eleven to Peru and Bolivia. They
will serve two weeks with the local missionaries at
Misión Fronteras (Borders Mission) which surrounds Lake
Titicaca of Peru and Bolivia. This is a mission site that
we, The Cathedral of the Rockies, initiated through our
covenant with the national Methodist churches of Peru and
Bolivia in 2009. Misión Fronteras continues to thrive and
grow as an Advance Site under the General Board of Global
Ministries and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.
You are a vital part of our mission team….no passport needed!
You can help provide the following to send in April and
support the mission programs in Bolivia and Peru:
• Monetary donations, labeled: “Bolivia/Peru Mission” (OR designate their greenhouse project)
cathedral mission team member matching eyeglasses with local needs
• Donations of toothbrushes for their School Dental Program (OR designate a monetary donation)
• Donations of prescription eyeglasses and sturdy reading glasses (powers 1.25 through 2.25)
• Donations of bilingual Spanish/English children’s books
• Prayers for our mission team and our brothers and sisters of Bolivia and Peru
All donated items can be left at the hospitality
desk. Please donate before March 29th, 2015.
¡Muchísimas Gracias!
Mission volunteers also support dental clinic efforts
financials December 2014
Y
ear to date revenues for the downtown campus are at
$1,966,256. This is $291,131 over the targeted budget
amount. Year to date expenditures are at $1,815,339,
which is $140,570 over the targeted amount. Amount due at
the end of December for the Building Loan is $1,038,729.
Amity Campus revenues for the operating fund are at $190,785
year to date. This is $26,000 below the targeted budget amount.
Expenditures year to date are at $222,000 which is $5,000
under budget.
The Opening Doors Campaign has received $1,334,049
towards the goal of $1,600,000 to date.
Full financial statements are available at www.cathedraloftherockies.org/giving
8 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015 WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
A D U L T
D I S C I P L E S H I P
A T
T H E
C A T H E D R A L
Adult discipleship leader highlights!
by JENNY WILLISON - DIRECTOR OF ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
This winter, we have nearly 30 leaders involved in Adult Discipleship! These servant leaders are teaching classes,
leading small groups and creating opportunities for all of us to grow in our faith. This has made it possible for
31% of our congregation this past month, to participate in spiritual growth opportunities!
Steve Tornga has been leading the Breakfast Club since its creation over six
years ago. Each Friday, his group meets in downtown Boise at Moon’s Kitchen
Café at 6:45am. The Breakfast Club has enjoyed a mix of topics over the years, but
particularly studies that provide controversial subjects, challenging them to think
and grow more deeply in their spiritual journeys. Steve recently shared that one of
the greatest successes of the groups is that they have all felt “comfortable over time,
and free to share in the discussions, testing ourselves within a safe environment
to move and grow.” Small Group leader in early morning, Packaging Engineering
Consultant by day, fly fisherman on the weekends, Steve is also busy father to
Stacie and Jessica, and husband to Brenda. The Torngas have been part of this faith
community since 1983 and Steve has been a servant in many areas including Ad.
Council Chair and part of the grass roots effort to develop the Blue Jeans service.
THE WALTONS arrived in Boise less than three years ago, and went right to work
sharing their gifts, experience and time in their new faith community! Coming from
a tradition of Sunday school opportunities, they sought out others who had that
same desire and created the Wesley Class. Joanna shared about the Wesley Class
birthday that was recently celebrated, “It was just 2 years ago, that the Wesley Sunday
School Class began at Cathedral of the Rockies! We have been blessed during these 2
years in making new friends, meeting up with former friends, making plans together
for Sunday mornings and having some social times together. Our Mission Statement
has been our guide, and continues to keep us focused on our lives as Christians. ‘The
Wesley Class is a Sunday school class for retirement age adults. It is a class with
Christian based lessons and an opportunity for fellowship during a 55 minute session. Our goal is to provide a welcoming place to experience God’s presence and to deepen our understanding of faith through a variety
of teachers, topics, and activities.’” Tom and Joanna also began a small group in their home last year during the January series,
“What On Earth Are We Here For,” and that group continues, now called the Adelphians, every Thursday morning at church. Tom, a retired engineer, helps equip and maintain the hearing assistance devices for both sanctuaries – a ministry that now serves
many in our congregation. And in their spare time they enjoy delivering kits to schools for Mirror Image, baking treats for church
fundraising efforts and Friendship Feasts, and praying regularly for the pastors and leadership of our church. Their invitation to
be part of the Wesley class is warm and genuine, “We meet in the Olivet Room from 10-10:55, allowing everyone to attend the
worship service at either 9 AM or 11AM. Do come and join us!! We’ll love to have you!”
For nearly 6 years, SUZANNE AND SUE have been co-leading the Women’s Wednesday
Night Small Group. What started as a follow-up study to a movie at a women’s event
on the life of Esther in 2009, grew to become a small group of women truly doing
life together. “We’ve had wonderful women who might come and go, but when they
come back it’s like they were never gone!” Suzanne shared. As she reflected on the past
years in small group, she said, “We’ve seen awesome answers to prayers. We have a
prayer chain and have prayed for each other through losses of loved ones, challenges
with kids, and we also take care of each other when one of us has had surgery.” The
small group experience has also helped them grow in their faith. Sue shared, “My
faith has grown so much, and hearing from others has helped me grow.” Suzanne
added, “Hearing the way someone else views scripture in a way I hadn’t thought has
been very important for me.” The group engages regularly in ministry and mission within the church and outside the church,
including helping with Roots dinners, providing yarn for the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and praying over and blessing each prayer
shawl. They’ve enjoyed social time together and have even taken fieldtrips to see speakers such as Beth Moore. Suzanne is a Credit
Manager for Agri-business at Simplot and has been coming to the Cathedral since 1999. Her free time is filled with grandkids
and their many activities! Sue is a Library Consultant with The ID Commission for Libraries. Naturally, in her spare time she
likes to read! But she can also be found walking outside and enjoying the great outdoors.
9 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015
WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
Hope with the necessary components of
faith, willpower, skills & goals
by BETSY JOHNSON
W
hat is the
meaning
of hope?
Does it help us
through our times
of gloom?
Some believe hope is a quality that infuses
us with trusting and believing in the face of
difficulty. It is an inner process that allows us
to look at the world with faith and wonder.
For others, hope is related to expectations or
wants. In this way, a person is in a state of
mind where hope is a thought or wish to be
taken from misery or loss.
Hope is a process involving the active pursuit
of goals, a resolve of finding an approach to
reach a desired outcome or objective through
the willpower to see these to attainment. Hope
requires creativity and challenge to discover
approaches for survival by using connection,
action, and commitment. Hope prompts
faith. It encourages us to act and think with a
spiritual component.
Psychologists have researched the formation
and growth of hope in children and infants.
Frequently it has been noted that an important
ingredient of hope is “goal selection.” This
begins to develop after birth. Infants’ mastery
includes learning how to select necessary
goals through the protection, comfort, and
feeding given by the parent. They learn
specific behaviors produce desired results.
For example, crying expedites support and
comfort. We grow and begin to find strategies
and skills that help us get what we want.
T
Asking assertively versus screaming and
demanding are skills that precede hope.
Through actions we learn through trial
and error to overcome obstacles with a
certain amount of frustration to reach
our goals. Perseverance and work lead to
seeing ourselves as capable of influencing
change in the world.
Children who live in fear or who have
experienced certain amounts of loss and
stress learn to abandon or shut down
efforts toward a desired outcome. Loss
and trauma make many, young and old,
question our sense of value, worth, and
confidence and we start believing our
goals that were helpful become obscure.
The next step is willpower. Willpower
supplies commitment and mental energy
that are important to stepping toward
our goal and hope. Willpower requires
nourishment, concentration, self-care,
and exercise. Another requirement
of willpower is practice and patience.
Willpower also asks us to notice negative
thinking and behaviors and encourages
us to exchange these with positive beliefs
and words.
When reaching for hope we find that
we are being pushed to recognize goals,
to determine approaches and ideas that
will help reach goals, and to nurture
our spirit and our energy to see them to
completion.
Hope starts us on a path toward action
and accepting that, in turn, elevates our
mind to wonder and brings us to a place
Legacy Committee
of faith. With hope we act with respect,
responsibility, and dignity. We become
vibrant and imaginative, inspired toward
mastery over our outcome. We grow both
internally and externally to find our place
in this world.
An inward search is inevitable along this
path. Some learn and study with religious
leaders, others practice prayer and journal
to practice God’s ways. “Maimonides
asserts, in our struggles to know ourselves
and our world better, we begin to see
and honor God’s infinite wisdom and
wondrous works.” The Torah refers to
this as “cleaving” “one cannot know the
ways of the world without knowing and
loving God’s ways as well.”
“Cleaving” gives us the ability to be
grounded in the world. It empowers
us to give of ourselves whole-heartedly
because our insecurities vanish away and
the fear is gone. We see God in ourselves
and others while remaining original and
unique. Spirituality makes the path of
hope, faith, willpower, skills, and goals
possible.
For more information about Hope,
Faith, Willpower, Individual and Couple
Counseling for a wide variety of struggles,
EMDR for big and little traumas, DBT/
Cognitive Behaviors skills, and more please
contact Betsy Johnson, LCPC, EMDRIA
Certified Counselor at 407-0688 or
todaybewell@gmail.com
by MELINDA SANDER
he longer, warmer days are coming and soon we will be thinking of spring. Cleaning comes to mind for many of us as
we prepare to change seasons. Spring brings us Easter, the celebration of Jesus life on earth and the resurrection. Soon we
will all be proclaiming, He is risen! We also begin to think about tax season and how taxing it can be for the people and
ministries trying to stretch their assets to meet funding needs. Remember, the mission statement for your Legacy Committee is
to establish and promote the legacy fund to support the programs and ministries of FUMC Boise. We encourage members to
support your legacy fund through present or future gifts. It can be very easy to become a vital part of this ministry. Please ask
yourself when you prepare your tax return; can you also consider making a commitment? The members of the committee can
help with information or an application. You can be a recognized or an anonymous member. Whichever you choose, a name
plate gets added to our plaque, with your name or the word anonymous in your honor. We hope you will consider sharing a
portion of your financial blessings for the future ministries of the church.
10 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
Joe’s View
H
ave you ever thought about how
prepared you are? We hear in
church to “Prepare our hearts
and minds…” Valid, but I am going a
bit of a different direction here today.
We do not like to think about it, but
bad things can and do happen and it
seems logical to prepare for situations the
best we can or are so motivated to do.
Recently I have been thinking about it
more and more (I have to stop watching
late night TV).
My conclusion is that there are multiple
layers of preparedness. In the simplest
form, Mom told me to wear clean
underwear in case I am in a car accident.
Mom taught me to be prepared. So did
the Boy Scouts.
Others store food and water to be
prepared for a financial or regional
emergencies. Extreme preparedness can
be for when the zombies attack.
My thoughts have been around the
inconveniences that would result by not
being prepared for something that would
disrupt my life for a couple days. What
could I do about this? For example:
What if my house gets flooded or burnt?
What if I got stuck in Iowa for two days
when flights got canceled? What if my
car broke down in Rexburg? All could
be overcome but the first few days would
be… difficult.
It relates to stress. I am all about
reducing stress and being prepared
helps with that. God gave us the brains
by JOE PRIN - BUILDING SUPERINTENDANT
to not blindly fumble through life
assuming we will be taken care of. We
are told to be alert, aware, prayerful and
thinking ahead. Prepare.
So because of that, I now pack around with
me things that if I am inconvenienced, at
least I am prepared. I have a small travel
bag with my prescriptions and basic
hygiene items. I have copies of my driver’s
license, passport, a doctors list, and extra
keys. I have a password protected digital
record of credit cards, photos, and a
complete computer back up. I also have
instructions on who to contact if I am
unable to speak.
That stuff alone, the items above, is
probably more than most would ever
consider lugging around with them.
However, it achieves my goal in that it
takes away stress if a bad thing happens.
Some people may do a lot more and
construct an actual “Bug Out Bag” for
total self-sufficiency. There are websites
to instruct you on this and what to
include. Looking at the list, it must be a
very big bag.
Now on to a more “churchy” thing to
do. We all have friends we can count on.
If not, make some. Talking about being
prepared is a great dinner conversation.
Invite them over one evening and talk
about how if anything happened to
either of you, that your homes would be
available to each other to get you through
a few days. If you can, entrust your
friends with needed information and
access to your home.
My next door neighbor and I have an
agreement. They have our house keys,
we have theirs. Likewise for a set of car
keys and garage door codes. I know how
and where to shut off his water, gas, and
power and he knows how to do mine. We
each have a list of each other’s family and
veterinarian contacts and instructions.
We watch out for each other.
Throughout history, the church has been
a gathering point in case of emergency.
In times of crisis, church bells would ring
to let everyone in town know to come
in and find out what was happening.
Families would tell each other that if we
ever get separated, meet at the church. I
would extend that offer to you and your
family.
So is this over doing it? Is this needlessly
worrying about something that in today’s
day and age we should not have to do?
I do not think so. The news these days
takes us to places and people in crisis.
We pray for them and feel their pain. We
reach out and help when and where we
can. Ask any of these people and they will
say that they never expected it to happen
to them. They were not prepared.
fix-it Fridays are back!
C
an you help with some repair and maintenance projects
at the downtown church? Fix-It-Friday is back, March
27th 9am-3pm. All materials and tools are provided, we
just need your help to get some much needed spring detailing
done. Projects include inside and outside painting, decorating,
sorting, carpentry and landscaping. Skill levels from 0 to 10 are
welcome, there is something for everyone, all ages. Lunch will be
provided at noon. Childcare is available. Please join us and invite
a friend! It is a great time of fellowship and service. Confirm your
participation to Joe Prin at jprin@boisefumc.org or call 573-1082.
11 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOOD NEWS • MARCH 2015 WWW.CATHEDRALOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
E AWorshipServices
S T E R United Methodist Women
DOWNTOWN
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
March 30-April 3 • 8am-8pm • Sanctuary
LENTEN SPEAKER SERIES
Every Wednesday following Roots Dinner
FAMILY EGGSPLORATION
April 1 • 6:30-8pm following Roots Dinner
GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
April 3 • 7pm • Sanctuary
EASTER WEEKEND WORSHIP SERVICES
April 4 • 7pm • Emmaus Center
April 5 • 7am • Sunrise Service at Camel’s Back Park
April 5 • 9 & 11am • Traditional Services
in the Sanctuary
April 5 • 10 & 11am • Contemporary
Services in the Emmaus Center
AMITY
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Footwashing & Communion
April 2 • 7pm • Heaton Chapel
GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
April 3 • 7pm • Heaton Chapel
WALK WITH JESUS
April 4 • 10am-12pm • Amity Campus
EASTER WEEKEND WORSHIP SERVICES
April 4 • 7am • East of Building
April 4 • 9:30am • Contemporary
April 4 • 11am • Traditional
THURSDAY BOOK CLUB
“Hidden Girl” by Shyima Hall is the
Thursday Book Club selection for March
19 and April 2. This is the true story of an
Egyptian girl sold into domestic slavery
at age 8. At age 10 the family moved to
California. There a neighbor reported the
family to authorities and the girl, who is
now an American Citizen, was removed
from the home.
The book club meets the 1st and 3rd
Thursday from 1-3 in the church library,
downtown campus.
Ruth Garrison 362-5316.
BUDGET
COACHING
WINTER SPECIAL MEETINGS FOR UMW
The Executive Committee Meeting will be held on March 4 at 10am in the
Fellowship Hall at the Downtown Campus, followed by the General Meeting
and a salad potluck.
Hostess: Martha Circle • Grace: Linda Biggs • Devotions: Mary Getchell
Program: Call to Prayer & Self Denial, Jen Beals
Kenya Hospital, Peggy Thiesen
LYDIA CIRCLE meets Monday, March 9th at 7pm in the Bishop’s Lounge.
Dessert will be served.
MARTHA CIRCLE meets Wednesday, March 11th at noon at the home of
Bonnie Stitzel. Bring a brown bag lunch; soup will be served.
MARY-RUTH CIRCLE meets Wednesday, March 11th at 10am in the
Valley View Retirement Center to visit with members living there. Postcards with
details will be sent to members. Contact Elinor Chehey at 343-8018.
PRISCILLA CIRCLE meets Wednesday, March 11th at the home of Joey
Stillinger. Bring a sack lunch; salad and dessert will be served.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Every Member Enrichment Event (EMEE) • March 21st • Hillview UMC
This year’s theme will be Water, God’s Gift to Cherish. What does the Bible
have to say about water? It is full of references to water from the parting of the
Red Sea, to baptism, to Jesus talking about living water. EMEE attendees will
spend time reflecting on the story of the woman at the well as well as looking
at our water resources and how we can care for them. Registration will be at
9:00 a.m. The program will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The registration
and luncheon fee will be paid by UMW. The deadline for registration is March
14. Please notify your circle chair if you would like to attend.
Social Action Project • March & April
The Social Action Project for March and April will be to collect old eyeglasses,
new low power non-prescription reading glasses and new toothbrushes for
adults and children. These will go to Peru and Bolivia with our mission team.
We will also collect diapers, wipes and other baby goods for the Baby Needs
closet at our church.
GET ON THE ROAD TO
FINANCIAL FREEDOM!
Budget Coaches at the Cathedral:
• Are trained in the Crown Money Map
Financial Principals for budgeting
• Provide FREE and confidential consultations
• Are available on your schedule to meet
one-on-one
CONTACT DEBBIE GREBER AT (208) 343-7511
OR DGREBER@BOISEFUMC.ORG TO SET UP AN • Believe all situations are manageable
APPOINTMENT WITH A BUDGET COACH TODAY! • Have resources available to help you
AT THE CATHEDRAL
Visit us on the web - www.cathedraloftherockies.org
The Good News is a monthly publication. Submit all materials for the Good News to Meredith Messinger at mmessinger@boisefumc.org
The Cathedral of the Rockies
First United Methodist Church
717 N. 11th Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
Periodical
Postage
PAID
Boise, ID
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
AMITY CAMPUS SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
717 N. 11TH STREET • BOISE, IDAHO 83702
4464 S. MAPLE GROVE ROAD • BOISE, IDAHO 83709
9:00am Traditional | 10:00am Blue Jeans
11:00am Traditional | 11:30am Contemporary
Sunday School & Childcare offered during all services
9:30am Contemporary | 11:00am Traditional
Sunday School offered at 9:30am