June 2025 Crosscurrent
The July & August CrossCurrents
will be combined.
June Newsletter
PREACHER'S PART
Dear Siblings in Christ,
As the school year comes to a close and the days become warmer, we also approach the “Birthday” of the Church. Pentecost is the day when we remember how the disciples went from fear and uncertainty to being filled with the Holy Spirit. What began as a small, unsure gathering of followers was transformed into a vibrant, Spirit-led movement of grace, unity, and mission.
That same Spirit still moves among us today. As we mark this season of Pentecost, we are reminded that the Church is not simply a building or a schedule of programs, but a living, breathing body of Christ, called to carry hope into the world. Of course, this season comes with warmer weather, busy schedules, and folks traveling throughout the summer months.
That’s ok!
As we look around our pews this summer, if we see a few less faces, let’s remember that it’s because people are out in the world and not just in church. They are still a part of the Body of Christ even when they don’t fill out an attendance card. Let’s give thanks for the ways that God is using people right where they are!
Over the summer months, we may rest, renew, reconnect – with God, with family, with nature, and even with ourselves.
When we reconnect for Rally Day in the fall, we will come back together with rejuvenated spirits, ready to do the work we have been called to.
So wherever this summer takes you – across the country or just across town – know that you are loved, you are held in prayer, and you are considered with compassion by your congregation, your pastor, and the God who never takes a vacation from loving each of us.
Blessings in the month of June and the summer months to come. May the Spirit of the living God continue to move in this congregation and in each of your lives.
Rev. David Petty
As the school year comes to a close and the days become warmer, we also approach the “Birthday” of the Church. Pentecost is the day when we remember how the disciples went from fear and uncertainty to being filled with the Holy Spirit. What began as a small, unsure gathering of followers was transformed into a vibrant, Spirit-led movement of grace, unity, and mission.
That same Spirit still moves among us today. As we mark this season of Pentecost, we are reminded that the Church is not simply a building or a schedule of programs, but a living, breathing body of Christ, called to carry hope into the world. Of course, this season comes with warmer weather, busy schedules, and folks traveling throughout the summer months.
That’s ok!
As we look around our pews this summer, if we see a few less faces, let’s remember that it’s because people are out in the world and not just in church. They are still a part of the Body of Christ even when they don’t fill out an attendance card. Let’s give thanks for the ways that God is using people right where they are!
Over the summer months, we may rest, renew, reconnect – with God, with family, with nature, and even with ourselves.
When we reconnect for Rally Day in the fall, we will come back together with rejuvenated spirits, ready to do the work we have been called to.
So wherever this summer takes you – across the country or just across town – know that you are loved, you are held in prayer, and you are considered with compassion by your congregation, your pastor, and the God who never takes a vacation from loving each of us.
Blessings in the month of June and the summer months to come. May the Spirit of the living God continue to move in this congregation and in each of your lives.
Rev. David Petty
Message from Pastor Donnie Sturgill
As many of you know, I will be retiring on June 30. Traditionally, when a pastor retires or is appointed to another church, they are requested by the conference to avoid attending worship services and other church events, including funerals, at the church where they previously served. Pastors are also expected to refrain from communicating with members of their former church in person, on the phone, or on social media. This is going to be difficult for me and many of you as well. For me, this is one of the most difficult parts of being a pastor.
As I pondered on what to say in this, my last Cross Current article, I considered telling the story of my call into ministry, but that story isn’t as significant as the story that began after my calling, the time I served as your pastor at St. Paul’s UMC.
Some of you were around when my family and I joined St. Paul’s back in 2003. Ten years later I retired from a 27-year career as a high school teacher and immediately joined the staff of St. Paul’s on June 3, 2013, a day when my life changed forever.
To say I wasn’t qualified for my position at the church would be an understatement, but God, the leadership of the church, and the congregation, saw something in me I didn’t see in myself. I can’t imagine what it was like for those sitting in the pews as they listened to my early sermons…and many that followed. Writing sermons was a sink or swim experience for me because I had very little training in how to write and present a sermon. Fortunately, there was always someone from the church who would rescue me from drowning in the lake of bad sermons. The grace and encouragement you have given me throughout my ministry sustained me through the times when I doubted myself.
Did you know when someone goes from being a member of a church to becoming a pastor of that church; it often doesn’t turn out well? A Rabi once told me that a person isn’t a true Rabi unless they had been run out of a synagogue at least once. I feel fortunate I didn’t need to go through the rite of passage of a Rabi.
During my time at St. Paul’s, I have been fortunate to serve with three amazing Senior Pastors…Rev. Patti Agnew, Rev. Leslie Wood, and Rev. David Petty. They were all mentors and contributed in my growth as a pastor. I’ve learned much from David even though he’s young enough to be my son! David is a gifted and passionate pastor who is dedicated to working with all of you as St. Paul’s continues to grow as a vital church. He is blessed to serve all of you; just as you are blessed to have him leading St. Paul’s into the future.
I want to remind you that church communities have a commission to encourage all people to discover how they can use their individual gifts to serve God. We have children and youth who are already serving in the work of the church. They touch our hearts and show us God’s love through their words and actions. It is a role of the church to help give these young people the confidence and courage to continue to serve God as laypeople or maybe, as clergy. Your encouragement and support are vital as they mature in their faith. Jesus said in Mark 10:14, “Let the little children come to me…for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”
There are adults of all ages who are a part of St. Paul’s who are also waiting to hear God’s call to service. Sometimes an affirmation about the gifts you see within them is all it takes for them to find their calling. I was 52 years old when I was called into the ministry; however, I have known people much older who have been called to serve God in new ways as clergy or laypeople. Each of you need to remember to listen for God’s call. You may already be serving God, but based on my personal experience, God can always call you to do something differently or to a totally new task.
Those of you wondering if there is any role in which you might serve God, only need to remember God has a habit of calling those who appear to be the least qualified. The one thing all these “unqualified” individuals have in common is their response to God, “Here I am, Lord.” God’s words to Israel spoken through the prophet Jeremiah apply to us today as they did to the Israelites, “For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and hope.”
Thank you for allowing me to serve each of you. I am humbled by your love and grace. If someone asked me if I was disappointed that I served my entire ministry in only one church, I would reply that I wouldn’t have wanted it to have been any other way. It’s been an honor to serve as your pastor.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
~Ecclesiastes 3:1
~Pastor Donnie
As I pondered on what to say in this, my last Cross Current article, I considered telling the story of my call into ministry, but that story isn’t as significant as the story that began after my calling, the time I served as your pastor at St. Paul’s UMC.
Some of you were around when my family and I joined St. Paul’s back in 2003. Ten years later I retired from a 27-year career as a high school teacher and immediately joined the staff of St. Paul’s on June 3, 2013, a day when my life changed forever.
To say I wasn’t qualified for my position at the church would be an understatement, but God, the leadership of the church, and the congregation, saw something in me I didn’t see in myself. I can’t imagine what it was like for those sitting in the pews as they listened to my early sermons…and many that followed. Writing sermons was a sink or swim experience for me because I had very little training in how to write and present a sermon. Fortunately, there was always someone from the church who would rescue me from drowning in the lake of bad sermons. The grace and encouragement you have given me throughout my ministry sustained me through the times when I doubted myself.
Did you know when someone goes from being a member of a church to becoming a pastor of that church; it often doesn’t turn out well? A Rabi once told me that a person isn’t a true Rabi unless they had been run out of a synagogue at least once. I feel fortunate I didn’t need to go through the rite of passage of a Rabi.
During my time at St. Paul’s, I have been fortunate to serve with three amazing Senior Pastors…Rev. Patti Agnew, Rev. Leslie Wood, and Rev. David Petty. They were all mentors and contributed in my growth as a pastor. I’ve learned much from David even though he’s young enough to be my son! David is a gifted and passionate pastor who is dedicated to working with all of you as St. Paul’s continues to grow as a vital church. He is blessed to serve all of you; just as you are blessed to have him leading St. Paul’s into the future.
I want to remind you that church communities have a commission to encourage all people to discover how they can use their individual gifts to serve God. We have children and youth who are already serving in the work of the church. They touch our hearts and show us God’s love through their words and actions. It is a role of the church to help give these young people the confidence and courage to continue to serve God as laypeople or maybe, as clergy. Your encouragement and support are vital as they mature in their faith. Jesus said in Mark 10:14, “Let the little children come to me…for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”
There are adults of all ages who are a part of St. Paul’s who are also waiting to hear God’s call to service. Sometimes an affirmation about the gifts you see within them is all it takes for them to find their calling. I was 52 years old when I was called into the ministry; however, I have known people much older who have been called to serve God in new ways as clergy or laypeople. Each of you need to remember to listen for God’s call. You may already be serving God, but based on my personal experience, God can always call you to do something differently or to a totally new task.
Those of you wondering if there is any role in which you might serve God, only need to remember God has a habit of calling those who appear to be the least qualified. The one thing all these “unqualified” individuals have in common is their response to God, “Here I am, Lord.” God’s words to Israel spoken through the prophet Jeremiah apply to us today as they did to the Israelites, “For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and hope.”
Thank you for allowing me to serve each of you. I am humbled by your love and grace. If someone asked me if I was disappointed that I served my entire ministry in only one church, I would reply that I wouldn’t have wanted it to have been any other way. It’s been an honor to serve as your pastor.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
~Ecclesiastes 3:1
~Pastor Donnie
June Mission Focus - Crossfire Faith + Gaming
Crossfire:faith+gaming is an online ministry (and now a series of in-person summer camps) meant to reach nerds, geeks, and gamers of all ages. Crossfire's online community gathers weekly in an online voice chat and throughout the week in text chats on a Discord* server. Crossfire also produces a podcast, YouTube channel, and live-streaming Twitch.tv* channel. The goal of Crossfire is to help reach generations of people who have felt left out of the church and this ministry often reaches people who have left the church due to church hurt or not feeling like they belong.
In 2023, Crossfire expanded its ministries to include an in-person Summer Day Camp. Now, in 2025, this camp will cover multiple sessions across the front range of Colorado and two cities in Montana. Crossfire Camp is not your typical camp. Crossfire is a whole new camp for a whole new generation of camper. At Crossfire Camp, the kids play games, explore their nerdy side, deepen their faith, and explore the place where faith and pop-culture combine.
As a new ministry reaching an unreached group of people, Crossfire relies mostly on the generous donations of organizations, churches, and individuals to make its ministries possible. Thank you for supporting this vital ministry and supporting the discipleship journeys of youth and young people in your region.
In 2023, Crossfire expanded its ministries to include an in-person Summer Day Camp. Now, in 2025, this camp will cover multiple sessions across the front range of Colorado and two cities in Montana. Crossfire Camp is not your typical camp. Crossfire is a whole new camp for a whole new generation of camper. At Crossfire Camp, the kids play games, explore their nerdy side, deepen their faith, and explore the place where faith and pop-culture combine.
As a new ministry reaching an unreached group of people, Crossfire relies mostly on the generous donations of organizations, churches, and individuals to make its ministries possible. Thank you for supporting this vital ministry and supporting the discipleship journeys of youth and young people in your region.
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
The Family Christmas Event will be on Friday, December 5th. I would like to get a planning group together to meet in later June 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
{Jesus said,} “When you stand praying, if you
hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so
that your Father in heaven may forgive you your
sins.”
Mark 11:25
Real Grace
It’s tempting to blame others when life doesn’t
work the way we want it to. Whether it’s our parents,
kids, spouse, siblings, or other family members, we
often hold them responsible for holding us back.
Sometimes we may pin blame on our supervisor, co-
workers, or employees. Many times, these other
people in our lives may have offended, injured, or hurt
us in some way—that’s how they ended up in the
bull’s eye of our blame circle.
But Jesus reminds us over and over again that
there’s a direct correlation between how we handle
the offenses of others and how we handle God’s
grace. If we’re not willing to forgive others—let alone
quit blaming them for our responses—we’re not able
to embrace the grace of God. It’s not that He
withholds it from us based on our unwillingness to
forgive; it wouldn’t be grace if that were the case.
It’s simply that when we experience the fullness of
God’s forgiveness in our lives, we’re eager to forgive
others. Real grace is always contagious.
hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so
that your Father in heaven may forgive you your
sins.”
Mark 11:25
Real Grace
It’s tempting to blame others when life doesn’t
work the way we want it to. Whether it’s our parents,
kids, spouse, siblings, or other family members, we
often hold them responsible for holding us back.
Sometimes we may pin blame on our supervisor, co-
workers, or employees. Many times, these other
people in our lives may have offended, injured, or hurt
us in some way—that’s how they ended up in the
bull’s eye of our blame circle.
But Jesus reminds us over and over again that
there’s a direct correlation between how we handle
the offenses of others and how we handle God’s
grace. If we’re not willing to forgive others—let alone
quit blaming them for our responses—we’re not able
to embrace the grace of God. It’s not that He
withholds it from us based on our unwillingness to
forgive; it wouldn’t be grace if that were the case.
It’s simply that when we experience the fullness of
God’s forgiveness in our lives, we’re eager to forgive
others. Real grace is always contagious.
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.
June Birthdays
Amberly Petty 6/1
Nathan Nors 6/10
Linda Griffin 6/13
David Hall 6/13
Robert Meikle 6/14
Norm Thom 6/15
Kristine Thom 6/18
Bob Barnes 6/19
Michael Mowery 6/22
Kerry Cooper 6/25
June Cornish 6/27
Becky Hall 6/30
Nathan Nors 6/10
Linda Griffin 6/13
David Hall 6/13
Robert Meikle 6/14
Norm Thom 6/15
Kristine Thom 6/18
Bob Barnes 6/19
Michael Mowery 6/22
Kerry Cooper 6/25
June Cornish 6/27
Becky Hall 6/30
June Anniversaries
Scott & Amy Kruse
June 3, 2012
13 Years
Scott & Lisa Mowery
June 5, 2010
15 Years
Norm & Lori Thom
June 9, 1973
52 Years
Bill & Ruth Morr
June 14, 1964
61 Years
Ellen & Michael Witham
June 20, 2009
16 Years
Gayle Myers & Dennis Riggs
June 20, 2020
5 Years
David & Terri Kitch
June 21, 1997
28 Years
June 3, 2012
13 Years
Scott & Lisa Mowery
June 5, 2010
15 Years
Norm & Lori Thom
June 9, 1973
52 Years
Bill & Ruth Morr
June 14, 1964
61 Years
Ellen & Michael Witham
June 20, 2009
16 Years
Gayle Myers & Dennis Riggs
June 20, 2020
5 Years
David & Terri Kitch
June 21, 1997
28 Years
Schedule of Weekly Online & In-Person Events
View our calendar online
Sunday
9:30a Worship & Youth Sunday School
9:45a Children’s Church
10:30a Fellowship Time
Monday
7:30p Barbershop Chorus
Tuesday
11:00a Line Dancing
Wednesday
8:30a Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Thursday
9:30a Friendship Bible Study
5:00p Brewing Faith
Events during June!
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
26th - 28th
Waddill Hall Painting Party
23rd - 27th
Pikes Peak Home School Music Summer Camp
9th - 14th
Annual Conference @
12th - 14th
Juneteenth
19th
The Church Office is Closed
Crossfire Faith + Gaming Camp
26th - 28th
Waddill Hall Painting Party
23rd - 27th
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