May 2025 Crosscurrent
May Newsletter
PREACHER'S PART
Dear Siblings in Christ,
A Season of Change and Growth
As summer approaches, I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates and reflections as we prepare for a season of both transition and opportunity here at St. Paul’s.
Celebrating Donnie’s Ministry
After over a decade of faithful service, our beloved Associate Pastor, Donnie Sturgill, will be retiring this summer. Donnie has been a compassionate, steady, and deeply supportive presence in our church family - shaping the heart of this community in ways that will long be felt. I’m personally so grateful for the many hours Donnie and I spent on the phone discussing the future in ministry we’d have together as I arrived in Colorado Springs. I am grateful for his friendship and partnership in ministry over the past four years. We will miss him dearly, but we are excited for this next chapter in his life. We’ll be celebrating his retirement in June with an after-worship potluck on June 29th!
Looking Ahead to Crossfire: faith+gaming Summer Camps
You may know that summer camp ministry has always been close to my heart. It’s where my own call to ministry began at Lazy W Ranch in California, and it's where I’ve seen countless young people connect with God in life-changing ways. Over the past few years, I’ve helped lead Crossfire: faith+gaming - a ministry that bridges the church and the gaming world through online community and in-person day-camp experiences.
This summer, Crossfire is growing in exciting ways: from one camp in 2023, to three in 2024, and now eight camps planned across Colorado and Montana – something I never dreamed possible when I started this in 2017. Some camps are three-day sessions; one is a full week and the first one will be right here at St. Paul’s June 19-21! This means I’ll be traveling often and working remotely for a few of (but not all of) the weeks in the summer. During this time, you will all be well cared for. I’ll remain in close connection with our leadership team, you’ll hear from some familiar and trusted voices in the pulpit while I’m away, and I have a plan in place for pastoral care and visitation needs should they arise.
When summer is over, I look forward to celebrating Rally Day, being home more often, and hitting the ground running in the fall at St. Paul’s. I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous about being away so much this summer. But I trust our team, and I know you’ll all keep the spirit of St. Paul’s alive and well.
I know transitions and changes can bring questions and I am happy to discuss anything in person. Please remember this: the mission and heart of St. Paul’s remains the same.
We are, and will continue to be, a Christ-centered spiritual community that meets people where they are, encourages their faith journey, and shares God’s love in real, visible ways. Whether it’s welcoming new people, serving the vulnerable, worshiping together, or simply showing up with kindness in our city. Thank you for being the church that the world needs. You ARE the hands and feet of Christ in Colorado Springs.
A Season of Change and Growth
As summer approaches, I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates and reflections as we prepare for a season of both transition and opportunity here at St. Paul’s.
Celebrating Donnie’s Ministry
After over a decade of faithful service, our beloved Associate Pastor, Donnie Sturgill, will be retiring this summer. Donnie has been a compassionate, steady, and deeply supportive presence in our church family - shaping the heart of this community in ways that will long be felt. I’m personally so grateful for the many hours Donnie and I spent on the phone discussing the future in ministry we’d have together as I arrived in Colorado Springs. I am grateful for his friendship and partnership in ministry over the past four years. We will miss him dearly, but we are excited for this next chapter in his life. We’ll be celebrating his retirement in June with an after-worship potluck on June 29th!
Looking Ahead to Crossfire: faith+gaming Summer Camps
You may know that summer camp ministry has always been close to my heart. It’s where my own call to ministry began at Lazy W Ranch in California, and it's where I’ve seen countless young people connect with God in life-changing ways. Over the past few years, I’ve helped lead Crossfire: faith+gaming - a ministry that bridges the church and the gaming world through online community and in-person day-camp experiences.
This summer, Crossfire is growing in exciting ways: from one camp in 2023, to three in 2024, and now eight camps planned across Colorado and Montana – something I never dreamed possible when I started this in 2017. Some camps are three-day sessions; one is a full week and the first one will be right here at St. Paul’s June 19-21! This means I’ll be traveling often and working remotely for a few of (but not all of) the weeks in the summer. During this time, you will all be well cared for. I’ll remain in close connection with our leadership team, you’ll hear from some familiar and trusted voices in the pulpit while I’m away, and I have a plan in place for pastoral care and visitation needs should they arise.
When summer is over, I look forward to celebrating Rally Day, being home more often, and hitting the ground running in the fall at St. Paul’s. I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous about being away so much this summer. But I trust our team, and I know you’ll all keep the spirit of St. Paul’s alive and well.
I know transitions and changes can bring questions and I am happy to discuss anything in person. Please remember this: the mission and heart of St. Paul’s remains the same.
We are, and will continue to be, a Christ-centered spiritual community that meets people where they are, encourages their faith journey, and shares God’s love in real, visible ways. Whether it’s welcoming new people, serving the vulnerable, worshiping together, or simply showing up with kindness in our city. Thank you for being the church that the world needs. You ARE the hands and feet of Christ in Colorado Springs.
Message from Pastor Donnie Sturgill
Since I am a creature of habit, some might say I live in a rut, and in some ways I do. I know what I like and what I don’t like, seeking the former and avoiding the latter as much as possible. Living in rut can be comfortable because you are surrounded by the familiar, minimizing surprises that can to lead to disruptions in our world…change.
Living in a rut can be appealing for some, but doing so can significantly reduce opportunities that can enhance and our lives, both big and small. Life is more than likes and dislikes. How about the things we believe we dislike while never even attempting to find out? Sometimes we need to get out of our rut and seek to try new things and make new discoveries that might enlighten us and enrich our lives.
I have tried new things and didn’t like them. For example, my mother loved liver and onions. Though I didn’t like its smell or appearance, I ventured taking a bite and it was hate at first taste. I think I went through an entire tube of toothpaste before I got the disgusting taste out of my mouth.
Other times I have tried new things and liked them. For years I knew I didn’t like seafood and fish, even though I had never tried eating those creatures of the sea. But, once I tried eating them I found I liked eating seafood and fish. I think back to all those years I missed out on eating all that good food I once “hated.”
There was a time when I knew I disliked musicals. That is, until I actually watched The Sound of Music, and loved it. I once knew I didn’t like reading for pleasure. Books were meant to be read for the purpose of succeeding in school, I thought. That is until my wife, Daphne, introduced me to the joy of reading for pleasure when she suggested I read a book named To Kill A Mockingbird. I think back to all the books I could have already read if I had only tried reading for pleasure earlier in my life.
It’s been the same with my Christian journey. During my formative years growing up in the church, I was taught what was right and what was wrong, what was true and what wasn’t, and what to believe and not believe.
But as time went on, I began to question some of what I had been taught. Though I still agreed with much of what I previously learned, as I continued to study scripture I did change or modify some of those interpretations. I strongly believe the Sunday school teachers from my childhood were faithful Christians, but like all of us, they were capable of misinterpreting scripture or not discovering different interpretations to ponder on.
Instead of blindly accepting the Christian teachings of my past as well as what I hear today, I do not hesitate to question interpretations of scripture that create dissonance within my personal theology. When I want to learn more, I talk with Christians I believe to be faithful to God and knowledgeable of scripture.
In doing so, I sometimes receive clarity regarding my questions. Other times, I learned the dissonance I was experiencing would remain, maybe for the remainder of my life. Regardless, whether my theology stayed the same or evolved into something different, I’m glad I realized I didn’t know everything there is to know about living a Christian life.
One of the great things about being a United Methodist is we are all free to question what we have been taught or heard, and we aren’t required to share the same theology. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed Christian theology should be based on scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. What I like about Wesley’s methodology for developing our theology is it gives us the opportunity to learn about God at our own pace and in ways that can help us grow closer to God.
I pray, for the remainder of your Christian journey you will strive to understand beliefs different from your own. Don’t worry if your beliefs don’t align with others; because, though our theologies will vary, as long as we don’t stray from loving God and our neighbor, we can be confident our beliefs aren’t far from where God wants us to be.
Listen to these words Jesus spoke to his disciples soon before he was crucified so you may be confident that our knowledge of God will continue to evolve and grow:
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…and he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
John 16:12-14
~Pastor Donnie
Living in a rut can be appealing for some, but doing so can significantly reduce opportunities that can enhance and our lives, both big and small. Life is more than likes and dislikes. How about the things we believe we dislike while never even attempting to find out? Sometimes we need to get out of our rut and seek to try new things and make new discoveries that might enlighten us and enrich our lives.
I have tried new things and didn’t like them. For example, my mother loved liver and onions. Though I didn’t like its smell or appearance, I ventured taking a bite and it was hate at first taste. I think I went through an entire tube of toothpaste before I got the disgusting taste out of my mouth.
Other times I have tried new things and liked them. For years I knew I didn’t like seafood and fish, even though I had never tried eating those creatures of the sea. But, once I tried eating them I found I liked eating seafood and fish. I think back to all those years I missed out on eating all that good food I once “hated.”
There was a time when I knew I disliked musicals. That is, until I actually watched The Sound of Music, and loved it. I once knew I didn’t like reading for pleasure. Books were meant to be read for the purpose of succeeding in school, I thought. That is until my wife, Daphne, introduced me to the joy of reading for pleasure when she suggested I read a book named To Kill A Mockingbird. I think back to all the books I could have already read if I had only tried reading for pleasure earlier in my life.
It’s been the same with my Christian journey. During my formative years growing up in the church, I was taught what was right and what was wrong, what was true and what wasn’t, and what to believe and not believe.
But as time went on, I began to question some of what I had been taught. Though I still agreed with much of what I previously learned, as I continued to study scripture I did change or modify some of those interpretations. I strongly believe the Sunday school teachers from my childhood were faithful Christians, but like all of us, they were capable of misinterpreting scripture or not discovering different interpretations to ponder on.
Instead of blindly accepting the Christian teachings of my past as well as what I hear today, I do not hesitate to question interpretations of scripture that create dissonance within my personal theology. When I want to learn more, I talk with Christians I believe to be faithful to God and knowledgeable of scripture.
In doing so, I sometimes receive clarity regarding my questions. Other times, I learned the dissonance I was experiencing would remain, maybe for the remainder of my life. Regardless, whether my theology stayed the same or evolved into something different, I’m glad I realized I didn’t know everything there is to know about living a Christian life.
One of the great things about being a United Methodist is we are all free to question what we have been taught or heard, and we aren’t required to share the same theology. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed Christian theology should be based on scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. What I like about Wesley’s methodology for developing our theology is it gives us the opportunity to learn about God at our own pace and in ways that can help us grow closer to God.
I pray, for the remainder of your Christian journey you will strive to understand beliefs different from your own. Don’t worry if your beliefs don’t align with others; because, though our theologies will vary, as long as we don’t stray from loving God and our neighbor, we can be confident our beliefs aren’t far from where God wants us to be.
Listen to these words Jesus spoke to his disciples soon before he was crucified so you may be confident that our knowledge of God will continue to evolve and grow:
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…and he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
John 16:12-14
~Pastor Donnie
May Mission Focus - Medical Mission
The Christian Healing Network dba Mission Medical Center was established in 2004 by a group of church leaders who noticed a lack in available health services for people that were uninsured. MMC operates with only 2 full time employees, 3 part time employees, and over 65 active and extremely loyal volunteers, 24 of which are healthcare providers who regularly see patients. Last year, we saw nearly 600 patients and provided $192,000 in free medical visits.
Our primary care clinic is our busiest clinic and is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 4pm. We offer hour-long appointment times so our providers can spend time getting to know the patient, adequately treat their concerns, and offer spiritual care services as needed and/or requested. Through our primary care program, we offer free laboratory testing to our patients through our partnerships with Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp. We work with Colorado Springs Imaging to obtain x-rays and CTs when we need them for our patients. We have a small in-house lab and can run a few tests right in the office, including hemoglobin a1c, glucose, and UA testing.
MMC also has a fully operational dental clinic with 7 volunteer dentists, 4 dental assistants and a dental hygienist. We have dental x-ray machines, including a panoramic x-ray machine. We perform deep cleanings, fillings, extractions, and extensive oral hygiene education. Lastly, MMC has a Spiritual Care Center staffed with volunteer chaplains. We believe faith and medicine working together improves the lives of patients.
Our primary care clinic is our busiest clinic and is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 4pm. We offer hour-long appointment times so our providers can spend time getting to know the patient, adequately treat their concerns, and offer spiritual care services as needed and/or requested. Through our primary care program, we offer free laboratory testing to our patients through our partnerships with Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp. We work with Colorado Springs Imaging to obtain x-rays and CTs when we need them for our patients. We have a small in-house lab and can run a few tests right in the office, including hemoglobin a1c, glucose, and UA testing.
MMC also has a fully operational dental clinic with 7 volunteer dentists, 4 dental assistants and a dental hygienist. We have dental x-ray machines, including a panoramic x-ray machine. We perform deep cleanings, fillings, extractions, and extensive oral hygiene education. Lastly, MMC has a Spiritual Care Center staffed with volunteer chaplains. We believe faith and medicine working together improves the lives of patients.
Thank you all for the tremendous support for our hands-on Mission project of the Health Kits for UMCOR. We were able to send 55 Health Kits, which were delivered to the Sager Brown Depot on April 8th. A check has been sent in the amount $155.00 to pay for toothpaste for each kit, and the cost of shipping kits to where they are need ($110) the extra monies will be used by UMCOR to buy supplies for kits.
Pastor's Discretionary Fund
Each communion Sunday thereafter we will have a basket for those who feel called to give above and beyond their pledge. This "second-mile" giving will help fund the pastor's discretionary fund, which helps meet community needs as they arise, such as gas, lodging, clothing, etc. Feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.
Hospitality
How special was Palm Sunday! From waving palms to a beautiful service and then the
sharing a meal. A big thank you to all who brought a dish to share. What a spread.
I want to especially thank some individuals who where there to help with set up, getting
all the food out, and cleaning up…THANK YOU to Linda Griffin, Kerry and Gerry
Cooper, John Pooler, Clay and Erin Couitt, Jeri Martin and many others who helped
where needed. It would be impossible to do this without all of you. Thank You again!!!
Music Concert
On May 16th, the Home School Music program will be presenting their Spring Concert. St. Paul’s will again be showing our support for this program by providing goodies, such as cookies, brownies, lemon bars, etc... If you can provide a goodie, please have it to the church kitchen by Thursday, May 15. Any questions call Darlene Woods at 719-528-8702.
May 11th Mother’s Day, there is no Brunch this year but there will be Brunch type food for Fellowship Time.
May 16th Music Home School Concert: We are asking for cookies, brownies, lemon bars.
Family Christmas Event
The Family Christmas Event will be on Friday, December 6th. I would like to get a planning group together to meet in later May to help with craft ideas (children-adults). Do we do a meal? And other ideas. If you are willing to help plan…this does not necessarily have to put it together, call Darlene at 719-528-8702 or e-mail at darlene.woods@q.com.
sharing a meal. A big thank you to all who brought a dish to share. What a spread.
I want to especially thank some individuals who where there to help with set up, getting
all the food out, and cleaning up…THANK YOU to Linda Griffin, Kerry and Gerry
Cooper, John Pooler, Clay and Erin Couitt, Jeri Martin and many others who helped
where needed. It would be impossible to do this without all of you. Thank You again!!!
Music Concert
On May 16th, the Home School Music program will be presenting their Spring Concert. St. Paul’s will again be showing our support for this program by providing goodies, such as cookies, brownies, lemon bars, etc... If you can provide a goodie, please have it to the church kitchen by Thursday, May 15. Any questions call Darlene Woods at 719-528-8702.
May 11th Mother’s Day, there is no Brunch this year but there will be Brunch type food for Fellowship Time.
May 16th Music Home School Concert: We are asking for cookies, brownies, lemon bars.
Family Christmas Event
The Family Christmas Event will be on Friday, December 6th. I would like to get a planning group together to meet in later May to help with craft ideas (children-adults). Do we do a meal? And other ideas. If you are willing to help plan…this does not necessarily have to put it together, call Darlene at 719-528-8702 or e-mail at darlene.woods@q.com.
The Church Mouse
The Church Mouse
The Church Mouse
“in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,
and the peace of God that passes all understanding, will rest upon
your heart and your mind through the love of Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Philippians 4: 6-7
His Peace
Often we think of peace as a calm, tranquil surface on a body of water. Waves crash, the ride rolls in, and ripples echo across the water most days. But when we experience God’s divine peace, we are suddenly still. The surface sparkles like glass, reflecting the dappled sunlight and clouds above.
During the course of our day, we sometimes feel as though we’re on a raft hurtling down class-five white-water rapids, about to plunge over a Niagara-sized waterfall. Deadlines get moved up, bosses play favorites, kids get sick, bills pile up. Tempers snap, obstacles pop up, and impossible demands are made. We don’t know how we can remain peaceful in the midst of such a tsunami of forces overwhelming us.
But we can. The peace of the Lord is never about the absence of conflict, stress, or problems. The peace of the Lord is about trusting him to guide you through the rapids. His peace not only transcends our understanding, but it guards both our hearts and our minds. God is always near.
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,
and the peace of God that passes all understanding, will rest upon
your heart and your mind through the love of Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Philippians 4: 6-7
His Peace
Often we think of peace as a calm, tranquil surface on a body of water. Waves crash, the ride rolls in, and ripples echo across the water most days. But when we experience God’s divine peace, we are suddenly still. The surface sparkles like glass, reflecting the dappled sunlight and clouds above.
During the course of our day, we sometimes feel as though we’re on a raft hurtling down class-five white-water rapids, about to plunge over a Niagara-sized waterfall. Deadlines get moved up, bosses play favorites, kids get sick, bills pile up. Tempers snap, obstacles pop up, and impossible demands are made. We don’t know how we can remain peaceful in the midst of such a tsunami of forces overwhelming us.
But we can. The peace of the Lord is never about the absence of conflict, stress, or problems. The peace of the Lord is about trusting him to guide you through the rapids. His peace not only transcends our understanding, but it guards both our hearts and our minds. God is always near.
Communion for the Homebound
St. Paul’s members- we need your help. If you know of anyone in our St. Paul’s family who is homebound, in a nursing home, or unable to come to church for a while, please let me know their name and phone number. I will be happy to contact them and see if they would appreciate having communion brought to them. Lu Petersen, 597-2824.
May Birthdays
Carol Horst 5/2
Jeanette Oberhofer 5/2
Brian Marsh 5/3
Caleb Williamson 5/3
Tom Earle 5/4
Stan Chamberlain 5/6
Steve Wenzl 5/7
Jorja Horst 5/8
Scott Kruse 5/9
Donita Nelson 5/9
Dominick Nors 5/12
Susan Cox 5/15
Paul Fredell 5/18
Doug Coffee 5/21
James Barrilleaux 5/23
Julie Coffee 5/23
‘Kristina Kafka 5/23
Susan Kindell 5/23
Don Staudte 5/23
Christine Sturgill 5/25
Tara Kruse 5/28
Julie Becker 5/31
Jeanette Oberhofer 5/2
Brian Marsh 5/3
Caleb Williamson 5/3
Tom Earle 5/4
Stan Chamberlain 5/6
Steve Wenzl 5/7
Jorja Horst 5/8
Scott Kruse 5/9
Donita Nelson 5/9
Dominick Nors 5/12
Susan Cox 5/15
Paul Fredell 5/18
Doug Coffee 5/21
James Barrilleaux 5/23
Julie Coffee 5/23
‘Kristina Kafka 5/23
Susan Kindell 5/23
Don Staudte 5/23
Christine Sturgill 5/25
Tara Kruse 5/28
Julie Becker 5/31
May Anniversaries
Carolyn Myers & Dick Woods
May 1, 2009
16 Years
Bryan Critchlow & Judy Laux
May 3
Missy & Marty Brandt
May 17, 2003
22 Years
David Eckman & Barbara Ballheim
May 19, 2023
2 Years
Margo Bowler & Twinkle Gordon
May 21, 1973
52 Years
Mark & Jorja Horst
May 22, 2004
21 Years
Rich & Teresa Fletcher
May 26, 1996
29 Years
May 1, 2009
16 Years
Bryan Critchlow & Judy Laux
May 3
Missy & Marty Brandt
May 17, 2003
22 Years
David Eckman & Barbara Ballheim
May 19, 2023
2 Years
Margo Bowler & Twinkle Gordon
May 21, 1973
52 Years
Mark & Jorja Horst
May 22, 2004
21 Years
Rich & Teresa Fletcher
May 26, 1996
29 Years
Schedule of Weekly Online & In-Person Events
View our calendar online
Sunday
9:30a Worship & Youth Sunday School
9:45a Children’s Sunday School
9:45a Youth Sunday School10:30a Fellowship Time
5:00p Youth Group
Monday
12:00p Pikes Peak Home School Band & Symphony
6:30p Jubilee Bells
7:00p Vocal Fusion
7:30p Barbershop Chorus
Tuesday
11:00a Line Dancing
Wednesday
8:30a Wednesday Morning Bible Study
12:00p Pikes Peak Home School Band & Symphony
6:30p Sanctuary Choir
Thursday
9:30a Friendship Bible Study
5:00p Brewing Faith
Events during May & June!
May
Girl Scout Troop 49858
Pinewood Derby
3rd starting at 8:00 am
Pikes Peak Home School Music Performance
16th @ 6:00 pm
Church Wide Clean-up Day
17th @ 9:00 am
Church Directory Photo Day
18th & 25th (after the services)
Memorial Day
Church Office Closed
26th
June
Pikes Peak Home School Music Summer Camp
9th - 14th
Annual Conference @
12th - 14th
Juneteenth
19th
The Church Office is Closed
Crossfire Faith + Gaming Camp
19th - 21st
Waddill Hall Painting Party
23rd - 27th
Girl Scout Troop 49858
Pinewood Derby
3rd starting at 8:00 am
Pikes Peak Home School Music Performance
16th @ 6:00 pm
Church Wide Clean-up Day
17th @ 9:00 am
Church Directory Photo Day
18th & 25th (after the services)
Memorial Day
Church Office Closed
26th
June
Pikes Peak Home School Music Summer Camp
9th - 14th
Annual Conference @
12th - 14th
Juneteenth
19th
The Church Office is Closed
Crossfire Faith + Gaming Camp
19th - 21st
Waddill Hall Painting Party
23rd - 27th
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