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Sesquicentennial Drama Premieres Oct. 24-25

In this year of celebration of Boulder’s 150th birthday, retired theatre teacher and director Jean Hodges has written a play, “Rolling Back—Growing Forward”, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the First United Methodist Church. On Sat., Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 25 at 3 p.m., a cast of some thirty-five persons will bring to life the history of our church.

The image of the church as a stagecoach on a bumpy road is the metaphor to describe the past 150 years of this “church in the heart of Boulder.” It began in 1859 with Jacob Adriance, the first circuit rider to preach in our area’s gold mining camps. Did you know that John Chivington, was a Methodist deacon as well as the notorious colonel who ordered the U.S. militia in l864 to “take no prisoners” in the Indian village of Sand Creek? That’s an example of “the bumpy road” of history the drama will visit.

Of special interest to newer members will be the twenty-year journey from l976 the year Boulder first faced rampant homophobia when a human rights ordinance that protected same-gender orientation was defeated, through some tumultuous years when the congregation struggled with overcoming their fears, to l996 when they voted to become a Reconciling Congregation to welcome LGBT persons to full inclusion.

This 150 year history will come alive with a series of dramatic vignettes as well as memories shared by some members. Projections of old photographs and the addition of music will bring the remembrances to life. In the Methodist tradition, the story will be punctuated by singing. Newcomers or old-timers to Boulder or FUMC are welcome to this free performance. There is much to be learned; much to remember; much to make you smile and appreciate about the growth of our city as well as this church. Rolling Back—Growing Forward will bring history alive---with a Methodist twist! This is a once-in-every-150-years event. Don’t miss it!

150th Anniversary Year!

For more information about upcoming events, contact members of Team 150 -- Ginny Wells, William Arndt, Ruth Irvin, or Jean Hodges -- or contact the churches directly:  Golden First United Methodist Church, St. James United Methodist Church, Trinity United Methodist Church .

Composers for our Commissioned Anthems and Hymn Selected for FUMC's 150th

Composers have been selected to mark this very special event. Through a selection process by a committee and the evaluation of the Chancel Choir, two established composers were chosen out of eight applicants to write anthems for the 150th Celebration Service on November 22. Here's a bit about each one.

Gary Davison is Organist and Choirmaster of Saint Francis Episcopal Church in Potomac, Maryland. He served as Composer-in-Residence and Keyboard Artist for the Washington area's Cantate Chamber Singers for seven seasons, and has held two fellowships in composition at The
Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. His work as a keyboard artist, composer, and conductor has been described by various critics as "seductive and spirited . . . smooth, flexible and clear, allowing the music to shine from within" (Hamburger Abendblatt, Germany), "persuasive. . . imaginative and polished . . . sumptuous and engaging" (The Washington Post), as well as "breathtaking and exquisite" (The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians).

Tadd Russo (b. 1976) is currently a staff arranger with the U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, DC and teaches music technology at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. Russo completed his Masters in composition from Ohio State University and has composed for their symphony. Tadd has worked extensively in theatre and dance, creating scores for plays and for dance productions. His music has been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the NOW new music festival (Capital University) at the OCEAn festival (Oberlin Conservatory), the Electrolune Festival (Lunel, France), the Contemporary Music Festival (The Ohio State University), the Society of Composers National Convention (San Antonio, Texas), and by the Dallas (Texas)Wind Symphony. Tadd has been commissioned to create works ranging from electro-acoustic to orchestral, including chamber music and music for solo instruments. He has also composed works for solo voice, children's choir and SATB choir. Several of his compositions for voice incorporate the writings of American author Edgar Allan Poe.

In addition to two anthems, we will be experiencing another first-a hymn written for this church and the occasion. Julian Rush will compose a hymn the tune of which will be named ADRIANCE. Many of the current members of FUMC know Julian's music through the hymn "In the Midst of
New Dimensions," which we sang on our Reconciling congregation anniversary celebration. Members with a longer history of FUMC may remember Julian as our gay Methodist minister whose coming-out caused national news and painful memories for this church. (The story which
continues to impact individuals and congregations is now told in a book, Julian Rush-Facing the Music: A Gay Methodist Minister's Story.) We are grateful to have this opportunity to have music written that expresses who we now are and where this church has been, and it's exciting to know that we will be leaving a legacy through this new music.

HELP with Children's Ministry!
Spring is a time for all things growing – including our children’s ministry here at FUMC. Won’t you prayerfully consider your own gift of time to our children’s ministry? Help us fulfill the vows we made in the waters of their baptisms. Please see Aerin Bender-Stone.
YOU ARE NEEDED!!
Opportunites:
Ð Sunday School Teachers (10:00-11:30 once a month for the year or for ONE four-week monthly stretch; with ages 5 through 10)
Ð Helping Hands Workers (9:00-10:00 AM once a month/6 weeks; ages 5 through 10)
Ð Nursery Substitutes (9:00 AM – noon as needed for sickness, etc.; with ages newborn through 4 years)
All persons involved in ministry with minors at FUMC shall be subject to the guidelines for Safe Sanctuaries congregations.

The Oral History project in co-operation with Carnegie Library continues under the leadership of Sue Brighton. If you'd like to schedule an interview, contact Sue. If you prefer, pick up a "Remember When . . . . " form to add some written memories of favorite experiences at FUMC.

150th Anniversary Celebration:
The First United Methodist Church of Boulder, 14th + Spruce Streets, is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2009. Not only is First Church Boulder’s oldest congregation, it is one of the oldest in Colorado. Churches in Boulder, Denver, Gold Hill, Central City, and Golden, were all founded by Rev. Jacob Adriance, who was sent to the area by the Nebraska Conference to bring Methodism to the gold camps.

First United Methodist has been in the same location since 1872. The current building was dedicated in 1892, with additions in 1914, 1953, and 1960. It is a City of Boulder Landmark. Check this site for listings of 150th Anniversary and other events.

The 150th logo our of bell tower was created by Joan Wolbier.

Barack Obama's Speech on Race ~ In his sermon 1/18/09 entitled “Me, a Racist?” Keith refers to Barack Obama’s 3/18/08 speech on race. He recommends that you watch and/or print out and read the full speech. You can watch or read it in full.

Also, please see this racism resource information sheet.

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