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INTERFAITH MEETING AT FIRST UMC MONDAY EVENING, JULY 26 FROM 7 TO 8:30 PM

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH is sponsoring an Interfaith Meeting on MONDAY EVENING, JULY 26 FROM 7 TO 8:30 PM for members and invitees of COMMON VOICE, our local interfaith network, as well as members of FUMC and other interested community members regardless of their spiritual affiliation. Our special guest who will lead the discussion is Rev. Dr. Isabel Docampo, our theologian in Residence from Perkins School of Theology of Southern Methodist University who has extensive experience in addressing interfaith issues. She and her friend and Muslim colleague, Dr Hind Jarrah, co- founded and have been co-leading an interfaith dialogue group in Dallas Texas. Light refreshments will be served. For information call 303-448-1708

Welcome Pastor Pat Bruns!

“In our difference is blessing; all are precious in God’s sight.”  These words, printed on the business cards of the Reverend Dr. Patrick R. Bruns, capture the philosophy of the man who will become Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church on July 1, 2010.  The Rev. Bruns (who prefers to be called “Pat”) has served as Senior Pastor of Brentwood United Methodist Church since 2000.  During his tenure, he led a ministry team in revitalization of an urban congregation through development of a multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-lingual faith community that reaches out into the community in three different languages:  English, Spanish and Vietnamese. 

Since 2007, he has served as a consultant to the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, working with various conferences to develop visions and plans for intentional ministry with Latinos/Hispanics.  He also serves as Chair of the Denver Metropolitan District Urban Ministries Committee, as well as the Hispanic/Latino Ministries Committee, developing vision and strategic plans for transformational ministry in Denver urban United Methodist Churches.  Prior to his appointment to Brentwood UMC, Pat served as an ordained elder in the Northern Illinois Conference.  He received his Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1977 and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in 1982.  He is a Certified Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Relationship Therapist and a fellow of the American Psychotherapy Association.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee of First UMC unanimously and enthusiastically accepted the appointment of the Rev. Bruns after spending time with him discussing his experience, values, and pastoral gifts.  His views embrace our stated values, in particular those relating to social action, the Reconciling Congregations movement, and the validity of other faith traditions.  He identifies his own particular strengths in the areas of pastoral care, preaching and worship, and development of visions and strategies for ministry, mission and growth.  While he will miss the ethnic diversity of the congregation and area he is leaving, he looks forward to enriching the diversity of First United Methodist Church in Boulder through outreach to the larger community.  He appreciates the rich tradition of our historic church and will bring energy and enthusiasm to his role as Senior Pastor.

The Revs. Claire Childress and Keith Thompson are Retiring

On Sunday, June 27, we celebrated nearly six years with Claire Childress and Keith Thompson as the Co-Pastors of First United Methodist Church.  They came to us in September, 2004, bringing with them a unique partnership that provided a full range of pastoral gifts, from Claire’s inspired and eloquent sermons to Keith’s classes and witness on social justice issues.  Keith’s frequent observation that together they make up “one pretty good senior pastor” is certainly an understatement!

At least twice each year, Keith has led church-wide study and discussion classes, introducing us to the insights and understandings of theologians such as Marcus Borg, Dominic Crossen and Henri Nouwen.  As one member of his classes stated, Keith is “a deep thinker, well-read and a fun person too… and he’s certainly on the leading edge of progressive theology, which we appreciate.”

Claire’s gifts have been especially evident in the creative and thoughtful worship experiences she has brought us, as well as the profound reflections on life and faith found in her sermons.  Her compassionate presence in times of need have comforted many members of our congregation, and she will be remembered for her beautiful prayers and meaningful rituals marking the passages of life.  For one member, “she is a storyteller, actress and pastor all rolled into one!”    

Keith and Claire also have left their mark on FUMC through the establishment of new initiatives for church growth and renewal.  In their first year, they initiated a ReVision process to engage the entire congregation in assessing strengths of our ministries and developing goals for the future.  As part of this process, we developed a comprehensive statement of beliefs, new mission and vision statements, and five-year goals to guide development of new strategies for ministry. 

Under Keith and Claire’s leadership, we implemented Strategic Action Teams (SATs) to address areas such as adult Bible and theological studies, projects to make the church building more warm and inviting, and creation of a website to better communicate with church members and the community at large.  Later SATs expanded publicity efforts, outreach and social justice activities.  In large part due to Keith and Claire’s progressive outlook, we have welcomed a number of new members of young adult generations who had been missing from our congregation.

While their accomplishments are many, their most important legacy will be their impact on the lives of those who have been part of their church family during the past six years.  They have inspired us through their words and actions, they have helped us grow in our faith and understanding, and they have been with us in the joys and sorrows of our lives.  Thank you, Keith and Claire, for sharing your gifts with us.  We love you and trust that your retirement will open new doors for you as you travel new paths in your ongoing journeys in ministry.

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