Weekly eNews

January 19, 2024

This Weekend at St. Michael's

Mental Health: Loss & Faith

This Sunday, 9:15 - 10:10 AM

Special Guest: Janet Perreault

How can faith lead you through loss? Join Rev. Matt with special guest and parishioner, Janet Perreault, for for a faith inspired response to handling grief, loss, and disappointment. In Janet's words, " I know from experience how incredible good can come out of unspeakable grief. In other words, the climb is steep, but the change is deep." Janet co-founded the Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership and has been an educator to young and old alike on issues of depression and mental illness for decades. You won't want to miss this! Join live in the nave or online.

View St. Mike's Mental Health Resources

Family Sunday School

This Sunday, 9:15 - 10:10 AM

Parents with children PreK through 12 grade are invited to accompany their children to Sunday School this Sunday for our once a month Family Sunday School. This month's theme will be "Healthy communication for healthy families!"

Seraphim (Adult) Choir

Welcoming New Members!

Revised Schedule

Amalia has modified her choir rehearsals in hopes this might attract new members - particularly tenors and basses - who have previously had scheduling conflicts. The new schedule is as follows:

Soprano & Alto sectional rehearsal - Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Tenor & Bass sectional rehearsal - Sundays, 9:15 - 9:45 AM
All Choir Rehearsal - Sundays, 9:45 - 10:15 AM

No tryouts are required and all are welcome! Please contact Amalia at amalia@stmikeschurch.com with any questions.

More This Weekend:

Widows Support Group - Sunday, 12:00 PM

The Widows Support Group is meeting for brunch at noon this Sunday after the 10:30 AM service at The Margarita at Pine Creek, next door to the church. Email Mary Dee Weigel at jmandmdweigel@aol.com if you plan to attend.

BeYou! - Sunday, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

All middle and high schoolers are invited to join with youth from affirming churches all over Colorado Springs at First Lutheran Church (1515 Cascade Ave) for fun, fellowship and faith...diving into the age old question of why do bad things happen to good people. Contact Owen at owen@stmikeschurch.com with any questions.

On the Calendar

This Sunday, January 21

Third Sunday After the Epiphany

Volunteer to Help with Worship this Sunday

Worship Volunteers Needed

Can you be an usher, greeter, lay reader, nursery helper, or assist with coffee hour?

Click above to sign up today & thank you!

Worship with Us

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist

10:30 AM Holy Eucharist with Choir

- Watch on YouTube

- Watch on Facebook

- Worship Bulletin

Education & More!

9:15 AM Education for All

Sunday Forum - Janet Perreault, Loss & Faith

- Watch on YouTube

- Watch on Facebook

9:15 AM Family Sunday School

Nursery Care is available for Children 5 and under 7:45 - 12:00 PM.

Join for Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall after the service.

View Weekly Church Calendar

A Case for Love Movie

Next Tuesday, January 23

4:00 & 7:00 PM

We are thrilled to have over 100 people from St. Mike's attending the two showings of A Case for Love next Tuesday. All of our pre-purchased tickets have been claimed, BUT if you'd still like to join our group, you can! Simply click on the button below to be directed to the sign-up where you'll find more detailed movie information along with a link to purchase tickets online directly from the theater. Or you can purchase in person at the theater. There are still many seats available! We have some exciting extension activities planned to go along with the movie, and we look forward to sharing this as a community as we prepare to focus on The Way of Love in Lent.

Learn More & Register for Movie

Choral Evensong

Next Thursday, January 25

7:00 PM

"O God, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul, has caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may shew forth our thankfulness by following the holy doctrine which he taught."

We will be marking the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, a pivotal moment in the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, with a mid-week Choral Evensong next Thursday. Take a break from the noisy world and enter into a place of quiet contemplation. This service will be in-person and livestreamed.

Upcoming Events & Parish Life

SMASH "Linner"

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2:00 PM

A few spaces still remain if you'd like to join for the St. Michael’s Active Senior Happenings (SMASH) group's "linner" (late lunch/early dinner) at the Olive Garden near Chapel Hills Mall/Cinema (7815 N. Academy Blvd) prior to the 4:00 PM showing of A Case for Love. Click below to RSVP for SMASH Linner. RSVP separately for the 4:00 PM showing of A Case for Love. Contact Diane at diane@stmikeschurch.com with any questions.

Creating Space

Saturday, Jan. 27, 9:00 - Noon

Creating Space resumes its fourth Saturday of the month meetings next Saturday, January 27. As the group continues to explore new ways of expressing God's life and love, St. Michael's own talented Darlene Greenhut will join for a discussion of various painting composition concepts and her creative process. She will even help participants with a small watercolor project. All are welcome.

"Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God."

- Julia Cameron

Funeral Planning Seminar

Monday, Jan. 29, 1:00 - 2:30 PM

It's clear from the response we've had so far that many of you are interested in planning ahead for your funeral or that of a loved one. There is still space to register if you too would like to join Rev. Matt to learn how this process can be a reflective, blessed experience. Click below to sign up. If you are unable to attend, you are encouraged to view the funeral planning resources available on the website by clicking HERE.

Learn More & Register for Funeral Planning

2024 Outreach Grants

Due January 31

St. Michael's Outreach budget includes grant money to provide to organizations in need. Are you passionate about a particular organization? If so, you are invited to submit a grant application describing the organization and corresponding need for funds. The Outreach Committee will review all applications and vote on funding disbursements in February. Click below to access the grant application which must be submitted in writing by end of day January 31, 2024. Email Susan Futey at susanfutey@gmail.com with any questions.

Access Grant Application

Annual Meeting

February 4, 9:15 - 10:10 AM

We hope you have saved the date for our upcoming annual meeting. This is an intentional time set aside to come together as a congregation to celebrate all St. Michael's has accomplished in 2023, vote in new Vestry leadership, and hear about some of our exciting plans in the year ahead. Click below to view the Annual Meeting website page which includes Vestry candidates and bios. Online voting information will be coming soon!

View Annual Meeting Information Page

Sacred Land

Beginning Tuesday, February 6

Only 3 Spaces Remain!

How does the food we eat affect the climate crisis? What does our food cost, to those who work to bring it to us, to the environment, and to our own health? The Creation Justice Team is offering Sacred Land: Food and Farming, beginning February 6, for ten weeks on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 for those interested in learning more about the connections of food, farming practices, and the climate crisis. Only three spaces remain, so register soon if you're interested. Contact Mary Anderson at mpand@comcast.net with any questions.

As we have just begun to settle into Epiphany after the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, it's hard to believe Lent is less than four weeks away! But it is! Following are the activities coming up to start our Lenten season which officially begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Join us for worship as you are reminded, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 14

7:00 - 9:00 AM: Ashes to Go in the Parking Lot

12:00 PM: Liturgy & Imposition of Ashes

7:00 PM: Liturgy, Choir, & Imposition of Ashes

Lenten Retreat

Saturday, February 10, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

As a part of the self-examination we are encouraged to embark on in observance of a Holy Lent, this Lenten retreat will look at some of the teachings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (Ammas and Abbas) who began a powerful movement to renounce the world and follow God’s call centuries ago. The retreat leader is The Rev. Bonnie Sarah Spencer who served as a priest in the Diocese of Colorado and now has her own spiritual direction practice. Click below to learn more about the retreat and to register.

Learn More & Register for Retreat

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

February 13, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Join for our annual pancake supper full of pancakes, sausage, laughter, and plenty of syrup. All are welcome with a suggested donation of $5 per person. No RSVP required. You can also get pancakes to go by stopping by the Gathering Space between 6:00 - 7:00 PM. All men of the parish (especially those who have been looking for the perfect opportunity to jump in) are invited to help set up, cook, serve, and clean up. Click below to sign up for a slot.

Volunteer for Pancake Supper

Wednesday Lenten Soup Suppers

February 21 - March 27, 5:30 - 7:00 PM

On Wednesdays during Lent, you are invited to enjoy delicious homemade soups and fellowship as we explore The Way of Love, Bishop Michael Curry's invitation to follow Jesus through seven practices: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go & Rest. Each Wednesday, Rev. Matt or Rev. Vicki will be taking a deep dive into a practice and how it can enable a more Jesus-centered life. Every week we will need individuals to prepare soup, set up, serve, and clean up. To volunteer, click below.

Volunteer for Soup Suppers

Prayer Partners

Connecting Adults & Children

We are still seeking participants for our new Prayer Partner program connecting adults and children in the parish. We are excited about this intentional opportunity for different generations to be a blessing to each other through prayer and relationship building. This initiative partners adult members of St. Mike's (Sages) with children in the parish ages Pre-K through 5th grade (Sprouts). Are you interested in becoming a Sage or Sprout? Click below to complete the form, get connected with your partner, pray, and repeat.

Lost and Found

Please Claim Your Items!

Do you think you've possibly left something at church in recent weeks? Did you know the church has a Lost & Found bin in the hallway outside of the office? It is currently overflowing, so please stop by and claim any items that might be yours. We will be donating all remaining items to the Arc Thrift Store at the beginning of February.

Quick Links of Interest