St. Paul's Episcopal Church 301 E. Stuart Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Phone: 970-482-2668 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.stpauls-fc.org View as Webpage

A Rule of Life Laurie Gudim I want to give you a brief report on our study of what turns out to be Bishop Michael Curry's Rule of Life for all Episcopalians. A Rule of Life is just a set of practices that keep us in relationship with God. This is a simple and yet thorough approach to living as followers of Jesus. It is something that can be tailored entirely to what works for each of us, the practices that God invites us into if we listen to God's promptings in our hearts. Turn: How do you recognize and turn toward God and Christ in your daily life? Is it in moments of recognition, as when a beautiful sunset reminds you of our Creator and you offer a brief prayer? Or perhaps there have been special moments when you felt God's presence and God's invitation to you to be in relationship with God, and you turned in a more lasting way. Turning to God is a daily practice, and we can find ways of doing it intentionally. Learn : What is your practice of getting to know who God is and who Jesus is? Through the course of our lives we are invited to "grow in knowledge and love of God." Do you read a daily commentary or reflection that follows the lectionary? Do you enjoy writers like Richard Rohr or Marcus Borg, Joan Chittister or Elizabeth Johnson? How do you find your next spiritual learning experience? How do you continue to learn? Pray: For me this is the heart of Christian practice. Prayer is relationship with God. How we do it changes over the course of a lifetime as we grow in understanding of who God is, because prayer is the expression of our theology. How are you growing in relationship with God and how does that inform how you pray? Do you listen for how God is inviting you into conversation? Who are your prayer mentors and what have they taught you? Worship: Christianity is essentially a communal practice. We need each other for support, stimulation, comfort, and invitation into new understanding. Since the very beginning, when Jesus gathered disciples around him, we've worshiped together. The Holy Communion is a central mystery for Episcopalians. How do you worship? What does it mean for you? How can you grow into more deep and appreciative service to God in this area? Next week we will consider "Bless" and "Go", and then in the final week of our study and reflection we will consider "Rest". Go HERE for more information.

Habitat for Humanity Build Days by Bill Hoelzel Many of us have heard the stories of how difficult it is for some people to begin moving towards home ownership. So many factors seem to block their way to having their own place in which to live. This situation occurs both in the United States and in other countries.   Some people, knowing this challenge, contribute money directly to Habitat for Humanity as a way for them to do at least something. Others actually donate their time and energy to help build a house, although for most of us those opportunities are beyond our geographical reach.   Well, not so for those of us who reside in the greater Fort Collins area. Habitat for Humanity has a rather large “build” going on right now in Fort Collins. For those of us who have been wanting to do something tangible to reach out to those who yearn for their own house, this might just be the time.   Through St. Paul’s, Trinity Lutheran Church, and several other Lutheran congregations in Fort Collins, there is an opportunity to join a work crew once a month. While there always seem to be some very knowledgeable people on hand who know a great deal about various aspects of home building, the majority of volunteers know very little. For most of the volunteers there are opportunities to do very rudimentary building jobs, always under the friendly supervision of a terrific foreman. And, for those who can manage a paint brush or roller, there are ample opportunities to exercise those abilities as well. The bottom line with Habitat for Humanity is that if one has the desire to do something, there is a job waiting for her or him. A typical Saturday work crew is made up of women and men of various ages and walks of life. And, a fun fellowship develops quickly as all come together to help make a difference. Plus, a great lunch is always provided onsite by one of our fellow congregations.   If this sounds like something you would like to do, please contact St. Paul’s Habitat for Humanity coordinator, Gray Currier at (970) 962-4057 or [email protected] . Your desire to help will be warmly and thankfully received!   P.S.: Our next 2019 Build Dates are Saturday March 30th, Thursday April 25th, and Saturday May 18th. Please contact Gray soon and join our happy crew!

A Mind of the House Statement from the House of Bishops and a letter from the Bishops' Spouses Planning Group regarding the decision by the Archbishop of Canterbury not to invite same-sex spouses to the upcoming Lambeth Conference is here

Lenten Midweek Soup Suppers and Holden Worship    Wednesdays March 27, April 3 & April 10: Supper at 6 pm, Worship at 6:45 pm During the worship, join with Trinity Lutheran and Mary of Magdala Ecumenical Catholic Community to experience “The Potter and Me” - a Lenten drama (written by Pastor John Trump). The first two episodes were a blast! Sioux and Jeff Icenhower have designed the sets! Sign up to bring soup or bread. The sign-up sheets are in the narthex on the counter.

Food Bank Volunteers Save the date and sign up for Friday, April 5 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  The sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board, or email Jo Baietti or call 970-223-1686. We continue to have a faithful group of volunteers but can always use a few more. This outreach ministry is so important as we truly make a difference in the lives of thousands of folks who access the Food Bank every month. Many thanks to our volunteers!

Refocus on Recycling at Trinity Now that the kitchen and Parkside room remodeling is finished and the dust has settled, this is a great time to renew our efforts to better manage our trash, recyclables and compostables at church. Signage will be consistent for blue recycling bins at all such locations around the building. But there will be a special emphasis on the fellowship hall where two new recycling, composting and waste sorting "stations" will be located. The goal is to make your choices for doing the right thing easier and convenient. So, watch for the new look and let's do our part as we enjoy our fellowship time at Trinity.

Free Bike Tune Ups The City of Fort Collins FC Bikes and partners are offering free tune-ups at convenient locations around the community. Plus, you can stay for fun activities and grab a snack while your bike is repaired! 5 Locations: Lee Martinez Park, CSU Trial Gardens, Shepard of the Hills Church (adjacent to Avery Park), Trinity Lutheran Church, Rogers Park (Note: this location is subject to change) More info here or call (970) 221-6987 or email

Braiding Sweetgrass As people start to turn their attention to the outdoors, St. Paul’s is going to sponsor the reading of Braiding Sweetgrass, a book that is a gift of braided stories meant to heal our relationship with nature by weaving together the three strands of indigenous ways of knowing, scientific knowledge and the story of an Anishinabekwe scientist. It brings these strands together in service to what matters most. We are hoping people will read the book during April so that we can have meetings to discuss it on May 1, 8 and 15. Further details to be publicized soon. For more information, please contact Terry Birdsong [email protected]. The book is available at Amazon.

The Trinity Men’s Bible Study Group is organizing an invitation of the Mental Health First Aid Colorado|MHFACO workshop to Trinity We do not yet have a date or time, but need to get a list of interested people who would attend this training at a future time (to be scheduled based on the most popular date and time). So far we have 10 people from our men’s breakfast who want to attend + spouses. If you are interested, please contact Larry Salmen .

Joint Eco-Justice Team Are you interested in Ecology and the Environment? Come and join us! Trinity, Mary of Magdala and St. Paul’s are now joining together for projects and educational opportunities inspired by our desire to care for our sacred earth. Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 26, at 5:30 pm. Location to be announced. For more information, contact Judy Matthews , the Joint Eco-justice Team liaison for St. Paul’s.

The First Annual Joachim Viens Memorial Lecture April 9 at 6:30 pm at The Drake Center, 802 West Drake Road, Fort Collins .  The World Wisdoms Project is proud to offer the first annual Joachim Viens Lecture, bringing quality speakers in multi-faith issues to the Fort Collins area. Explore the world of public spiritual care with Dr. Winnifred Fallers Sullivan. Today, chaplains who do not identify themselves with a particular faith offer spiritual care in a variety of secular institutions: businesses, hospitals, first-responder venues. Chaplaincy traces its origins to the medieval church and yet this profession is at the very forefront of a rapidly changing and diverse religious scene in the twenty-first century. The work that chaplains do, their training for that work, their responsiveness to the spiritual marketplace, and their regulation by the government, deserve attention. Come find out how chaplains are able to offer spiritual care in today’s workplaces. The speaker, Dr Winnifred Fallers Sullivan, is Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, Professor of Law in the Maurer School of Law, and Director of the new Center for Religion and the Human, all at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. The lecture begins at 6:30 pm, followed by a question and answer session, and then a reception. There is no charge.

Holy Week and Easter Worship Monday, April 15 , Holy Communion - 7 pm Tuesday, April 16 , Holy Communion - 7 am and 7 pm Wednesday, April 17 , Tenebrae - 7 pm Maundy Thursday, April 18 , Holy Communion, Footwashing, Stripping of the Altar - 8 pm Good Friday, April 19 , Seven Last Words of Christ - 12 pm Good Friday , Stations of the Cross and Solemn Collects - 7 pm Holy Saturday, April 20 , Great Vigil of Easter, kid-friendly - 2:30 pm Easter Sunday, April 21, Service of Holy Communion - 8:30 am

Easter Lilies can be purchased for $13 each. Pick up your order form on the counter in the narthex or stop by the church office between 9 am and noon on weekdays. A payment must accompany the order, and checks can be made out to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, with "Easter Lilies" in the memo line.

Flowers for the Altar T o dedicate altar flowers in memory of a loved one, in celebration of a birthday or anniversary, or just to express gratitude to God, sign up on the list located on the red bulletin board where we used to gather for coffee. The money for these flowers comes from donations. We ask for a $25 donation, but any amount is acceptable. Write the check to St. Paul’s, put “Flowers” in the memo line, and put it in the offering plate. Thanks!

Need a Lift or Able to Give Someone a Lift?   Judy Matthews is coordinating the effort to match people who need rides with those who can provide them. Please contact her (and let her know which part of town you live in).

Building Towers and Setting Armies Marching " It has to do with commitment. This is a common thread through the Gospels: no one can serve two masters, so we need to figure out who and what is most important to us. We need to count up the cost of discipleship and either commit all the way or do something else with our lives . "  -- Laurie Gudim writes for Speaking to the Soul at the Episcopal Cafe. Read the full reflection HERE .