Friday, March 19, 2021
The Wildwood Word Weekly
We are God's progressive voice in the Ute Pass of Colorado. Join us at Church in the Wildwood, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation in the United Church of Christ, as we extend Christ's radical welcome to all.
Holy Week/Easter
Let our Worship Rise with JesusEx
The coincidence of Easter with COVID vaccinations and emergence from the strictest pandemic precautions is powerful. As we enter Holy Week, local COVID conditions continue to improve and the majority of our congregation is completing vaccination. How wonderful it is that we can bring new life back into our worship services as we move toward Christ's resurrection! We still will need to mask, distance and forgo large fellowship gatherings for a while. But we can begin to return more time and content to our live services in the coming weeks, including more celebrants, scripture and music. Thanks be to God for the gifts of science and medicine and for our conscientious members! (For more information about Colorado's public health guidelines for worship, click here.)

Below is a preview of our Holy Week worship opportunities. Look for next week's Weekly Word for more details.
 
 
Holy Week Worship:
 
Palm Sunday, March 28, 10:30 a.m. MT: Palm/Passion Sunday Worship. Come wave palm fronds and welcome the live choir back! Reservations are recommended.
 
Maundy Thursday, April 1, 4:00-6:00pm MT: Stations of the Cross. Come immerse yourself in Jesus' final days and sacrifice of love through self-paced, interactive prayer stations around the sanctuary. To maintain safe distancing, reservations are recommended.
 
Good Friday, April 2, 12:00-3:00pm MT: Stations of the Cross. Come immerse yourself in Jesus' final days and sacrifice of love through self-paced, interactive prayer stations around the sanctuary. To maintain safe distancing, reservations are recommended.
 
Easter Sunday, April 4, 10:30 a.m. MT: Easter Worship/Building Re-Opening. Rise with our Christ in Easter celebration. After the service, help "roll the renovation stone away" and tour our renovated facilities!

Toward Rolling the Stone Away
Renovations Progressing for Easter Reopening
Renovation crews are working full speed ahead toward a joyous Easter church re-opening. The critical infrastructure work - much of it only discovered as work began - is finally completed, so the finish work can now proceeding quickly. Most of us cannot appreciate all the structural work that was required:
  • new heating, plumbing, and a gas main all the way to the street to meet a repaired high-pressure gas meter;
  • new support beams in ceilings,
  • new, safer surface concrete and ramps out front and back,
  • a new fire escape stairway, and
  • constructing an elevator shaft up through the center of a building that is over 100 years old.

But we can begin to appreciate the new finish construction as the building comes back together, more useful and beautiful than ever. Three new restrooms will not only have better access and lighting, but more historic styling.
For the first time in CWW's history, our new elevator gives all people access to every floor in the building. (Did you know that there five levels to our church?) We anticipate more people will be using all the floors of our building, including refurbished meeting rooms with the latest audio-visual and conference technology. The elevator opens right into Tatter Hall, and the stairway from the narthex is now reversed, wider and safer. Transom windows above the new doors between the narthex and Tatter Hall allow people to see all the way to the fellowship area from the sanctuary. The narthex is not only receiving new paint, but new doors with matching walnut stain and improved fire ratings.

Outdoors, new concrete is poured to provide safe surfaces for walking with canes and walkers and using wheelchairs all the way from the street into both sets of courtyard double doors. Special insets are formed to hold memorial pavers old and new. The double doorway nearest Tatter Hall will soon get glass doors and a portico to match our entrance into the narthex. The Tatter Hall entrance will be used more often, as it leads directly to the elevator lobby. We have actually gotten rid of an exterior door to our building; can you recall where it was? Our courtyard hospitality to town visitors will not only include free wifi but a water bottle refilling station.
FULFILLING THE LAW OF CHRIST
The Joy of Bearing One Another’s Burdens at Wildwood Pantry

One of the sacred joys of the Wildwood Pantry is how it fulfills Jesus’ call to bear one another’s burdens in a circle of mutual care that not only nourishes bellies, but respect and care for each other. New neighbors coming to our pantry often tell us that they have been hesitant to seek help but are reassured by others that they will be greeted at the Wildwood Pantry with respect and genuine kindness. One of the mottos that pantry team volunteers reassure neighbors with is, “This is a hand up, not a handout.” What humbles pantry volunteers is how pantry recipients complete the circle of mutual support, bringing donations of surplus food they may have, insisting on making financial donations like the “widow’s mite,” and returning to “give back” once they regain material stability.
 
This past week, an older gentleman came into the church asking for the list of pantry needs. He had fallen on hard times earlier in 2020 and stretched his limited funds by getting food from the pantry for a while. He spoke passionately about how much both our food and our caring had helped get him through a terribly tough time, and how the first thing he wanted to do when his fortunes changed was to give back to help others the same way. Those of us present celebrated his return to stability and thanked him for thinking of us. Food Pantry coordinator Bonnie informed Pastor Darlene a few days later that she was surprised and overwhelmed by the amount of food this man delivered, and that he was apologetic because he couldn’t get everything on the needs list!
 
Many of the Wildwood Pantry’s generous donors convey an awareness that “But for the grace of God go I.” They also understand that the Wildwood Pantry subsists off private funds and programs. From its founding, our pantry has forgone government-funded programs that place significant restrictions on how food can be distributed, so that we can stock our pantry and tailor our help according to people’s actual needs. This difficult decision was validated when people suffered unprecedented financial crises during the pandemic due to extended un- and underemployment, while rents and food costs increased. We have been free to assess our neighbors’ changing needs and adapt our operations throughout the pandemic, to help them make it through. Thanks be to God and all our supporters that our food ministry is able to support Christ’s circle of caring.
 
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Please Remember In Prayer
If you or others you know wish others to pray for their needs, please send prayer requests to Prayer Team Coordinator Sue Frindt:

Important: please know that this newsletter is widely distributed and available on the internet through our website, so any information printed in this segment will be publicly accessible. It is important for people to understand this and grant permission to publish prayer requests here. It is still possible to have the Prayer Team pray confidentially, or to list some prayer concerns without naming recipients. Please be in touch with Sue Frindt with any questions.

Please Remember In Prayer:
  • Margaret Peterson, with thanksgiving that her post-surgery check-up was good news! Margaret shared: "No additional treatment needed at this time. Possibility of cancer returning is minimal. Exams every 3 months for the next 2 years and then every 6 months for the final year to follow up.Thank you everyone for the love and support. XOXO. ~moving forward~"

  • David McAllister as he begins a new medication in hope of improving his hearing

  • First responders who will be out in the elements this weekend through the snowstorm.

Please stay warm and safe this weekend and stay off the roadways
if at all possible. - Sue Frindt
COVID-19 Vaccine Update


Portia's Vaccination Update as of March 4, 2021

The Colorado web site for updated Covid Information is https://covid19.colorado.gov/. It includes information about those who are eligible for the vaccination, providers and locations and the ability to register for the vaccination. I recommend registering with multiple providers and scheduling with the first provider that contacts you. You can then decline if other providers contact you.

You can also contact the Colorado COVID-19 Vaccine Finder. There you can  fill out requested information to find out if you are now eligible to receive the vaccine. The site also will give sites where you can call for an appointment: This site contains links to county-by-county information about vaccination programs and pharmacy appointments available at all CVS, Pharmaca, Safeway/Albertsons, Sam's Club, Walgreens, and Walmart locations in Colorado. Thanks, Bonnie for the tip! Click on the website name above to visit the website or go to: https://vaccine-finder.nickm.org/CO/.

If you know someone who is homebound and unable to go to a vaccine site. You or their family can call 211 to schedule an appointment for them to receive the Covid vaccination at home. Pikes Peak United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline serves as a centralized phone number to direct community members to COVID-19 vaccine providers. 2-1-1 serves the following counties:Alamosa -Conejos -Costilla -Chaffee -Cheyenne -El Paso -Lincoln -Mineral -Park -Rio Grande -Saguache -Teller
Joe Hollmann, Public Communications Specialist



Stay safe and continue to wear your mask!


God Bless,
Portia Isaacson
Our Ongoing Mission Needs
Wildwood Food Pantry
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wildwood Food Pantry is considered an "essential service” and our wonderfully dedicated volunteers are continuing this mission to help our neighbors. We have transitioned into a "Client Choice" Pantry so our guests are able to select the items they need from a menu (as supplies are available).
 
For the protection of our guests and volunteers, our curbside service will continue until further notice, with all appropriate safety protocols being followed. This curbside service is from 4:30-6:00pm on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Tuesday of each month. Please drive up in front of the church, park and stay inside your car. A volunteer will come to your car and take your order. We will then fill the order and load it into your vehicle for you.

Current Wildwood Pantry Needs:

  • Jelly, jelly, jelly
  • Spam
  • Graham crackers
  • Pudding mix
  • Mayo
  • Oriental meal mixes 




How to Donate
We appreciate each and every one of you for helping us help our neighbors. You make this possible; we only hand it out. You can donate to the Wildwood Pantry in the following ways:

  • Grocery Gift Cards: for Walmart, Safeway and City Market. Grocery gift cards especially helpful as we are able to quickly get items on sale when they are available.

  • Food donations: foods must be sealed and within expiration dates.

  • Online donations through our website WildwoodUCC.org

  • Checks made out to "Church in the Wildwood." If you wish to restrict your donation to direct pantry food or expenses, please write "Wildwood Pantry" in the memo line. Know that some of the cost of the pantry mission is born by the church itself, which provides space and utilities and staff time, so donating to the church's general fund benefits the pantry.

To arrange for drop-off donations, please contact us at: Pantry@WildwoodUCC.org or 719-684-9427 or mail to: Church in the Wildwood UCC, ATTN: Wildwood Food Pantry, PO Box 26, Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819.








Sisters Helping Others

Thanks for all your help and support!
 
Wider UCC News, Events

Click on the boxes below to see more United Church of Christ news for our region and the national church.
Supporting the Mission, Ministry of CWW
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While we are not gathering in the church for our activities, staff are working as hard as ever, and both routine and new expenses continue! If you are not a church member but appreciate the community support and missions CWW offers, bare in mind that our work cannot continue if CWW cannot continue.

You can support the ministry and mission of Church in the Wildwood by:
  • writing a check (made out to "Church in the Wildwood") and mailing it to:
P.O. Box 26, Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819.
  • donating via PayPal online or sign up for automated giving at:

Our offerings received are detailed below in the "Offerings and Attendance" section. Our regular church expenses (not including renovations, which have special funding) average approximately $8,000 per month.
Weekly Goings On at the Church
Watch our Recorded Services from Our Website
We began live streaming directly from our own Website on Sunday, April 19th, 2020!! It is now much easier for everyone to find us and "tune in" every week. You can also view several previous services from the same page. To access a service live or view past services, just click the LIVE-STREAM button at the top of any page. Please try viewing last week's service today or Saturday and let us know what you think, and if you have any difficulties.
Watch our Archived Services Any Time on YouTube
You can watch archived services at church-in-the-wildwood.org/youtube.
Watch Archived Services Any Time on FaceBook
You can watch archive services as at https://www.facebook.com/CWWGMF/videos.
You can get to our Live Service via our FaceBook Page.
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Faith Study with Rev. Darlene
Wednesdays at 12 p.m.
Join Rev. Darlene and others on Zoom or in person for faith study and discussion on Wednesdays from 12pm to 1 pm. You are warmly invited to join in our adult faith study by Zoom, telephone or masked and spaced in our church, as public health guidelines permit. Please carefully consider your best health needs when deciding how to participate. (Please scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter for directions on using Zoom or phoning in.)

See the "Animate Your Faith" article, above, about the new study we will embark on in November.
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The Prayer Team
We are maintaining our prayer team, as well as our Prayers of Joy & Concern during worship. Please communicate your prayer requests to Coordinator Sue Frindt (sfrindt4@mesanetworks.net) or Pastor Darlene (RevDar@WildwoodUCC.org).

10 Day Wildwood Calendar
Friday, March 19
Church Office
by phone, email or appointment
Saturday,March 20
Church Building Closed
Church Business Closed
Sunday, March 21
Worship: Live & Live-Stream, recorded for future viewing
10:30 a.m. Worship MT in Sanctuary and by Live-Stream
To participate in sanctuary worship, please make reservations online or phone the church: https://www.wildwooducc.org/
(scroll down page and press link to make reservations).

To view the service recording later, see the links and options at the end of this newseltter.
Monday, March 22
Church Business Closed
Tuesday, March 23
Church Office & Pastor
by phone, email or appointment
4:30-6:00 p.m. MT Wildwood Food Pantry
See information about our food distribution in the "Wildwood Food Pantry" article, above.
Wednesday, March 24
Church Office & Pastor
by phone, email or appointment
12:00-1:00 p.m. MT Through the Wilderness: Lenten Practice Study
To join in live on Zoom, see links below.
Thursday, March 25
Church Office & Pastor
by phone, email or appointment
Friday,March 26
Church Office
by phone, email or appointment
Saturday, March 27
Church Building Closed
Church Business Closed
Sunday, March 28
Worship: Live & Live-Stream, recorded for future viewing
10:30 a.m. MT Palm/Passion Sunday Worship in Sanctuary,
by Live-Stream
To participate in sanctuary worship, please make reservations online or phone the church: https://www.wildwooducc.org/
(scroll down page and press link to make reservations).

To view the service recording later, see the links and options at the end of this newseltter.
More information can be found at https://www.wildwooducc.org/events
Joining Us in Church: Virtually Live or Recorded
TO VIEW WORSHIP SERVICES BY LIVE-STREAM OR VIEW PREVIOUSLY RECORDED SERVICES: Click here or go to https://www.wildwooducc.org/online

TO JOIN ZOOM GROUPS AND FELLOWSHIP SESSIONS:
To join by computer or smartphone with video, download the Zoom software/app from their website (https://zoom.us/download). You can also call in using any telephone.

For directions on using Zoom, click here.

Join by computer/smartphone:

Meeting ID: 362 387 7141
Password: 761127
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,3623877141#,,#,761127# US (Houston)
+14086380968,,3623877141#,,#,761127# US (San Jose)

Dial in by phone:
       +1 346 248 7799 US
       +1 253 215 8782 US
       +1 301 715 8592 US

Meeting ID: 362 387 7141
Password: 761127

TO WATCH PREVIOUS SERVICES:


TO CATCH UP USING OUR ARCHIVES:
Church in the Wildwood United Church of Christ | 719-684-9427 | admin@wildwooducc.org
As a reminder, the deadline for article suggestions will be Wednesday at 5:00pm.
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