As 2007 flowed into 2008: Suzanne Gancze again served as administrative assistant after Margery Marquez left and in January 2008 Tina Hysmith joined the staff. Then she joined the church in April 2009. Soon it was May and after a year of service Pastor Jim Elias resigned to engage in new opportunities with wife Kathleen, Faith Initiative in Cheyenne continued.
Roy and Cindy White joined the church. Cindy being a licensed lay minister of caring and nurturing began sharing her gifts and filled the pulpit as needed. The Elders requested the church covenantly support Cindy’s ministerial calling. Rev. Kurt Borgaard suggested E.V. Hall funds pay expenses for part-time staff supporting a Care ministry led by Cindy White and Youth ministry by J.R. Webster.
July saw Cindy hired as Interim Associate Pastor visiting the hospitalized, shut-ins, leading weekly exercises class on flexibility, cardio, strength aspects of fitness, and soon putting mini-biographies of shut-ins in the Church Bell.
Other board action was approving a Trustee Permanent Funds Policy to be given to Investment Centers of America providing documentation for authority regarding funds transfers and responsibilities within the church. In November the Trustees submitted a renewal of the USB mortgage. The refinancing addressed the issue of the legal name of the church to be First Christian Church of Cheyenne. This was done knowing First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a Wyoming corporation, is the official name of our sister church in Casper.
The 2008 budget and going forward would include a line item of $1,200 annual repayment contribution to the principal of the Outreach Endowment Fund (Garrison Fund). Jim McKinnon Kitchen Memorial Funds were used to purchase a fire/sound curtain for kitchen pass-through window and sliding doors on the rolling coffee bar.
In addition to special offerings, Outreach Team sponsored monthly food collection for COMEA, Salvation Army, Needs Inc., and the CanMan tuna program. Support was given to the “Day of Giving”, partnership with St. Mark’s Episcopal church providing Thanksgiving Day meals to the homeless, the Angel Tree Ministry, as well as providing money for local assistance to individuals and families.
The Worship Team formed a Connect Ministry Team with leaders for worship, evangelism, and communication. They sponsored a Living Last Supper, prayer vigil, Dave Stratton’s Hospice sermon, and early worship service with lay-leader Trish Peacock in the chapel during the summer. Then a small group met for a 40-day session using Rick Warrens’ “The Purpose Driven Life”.
“Israel Fam A Lee” Sunday School class was given by Merle Bailey, Susie Gladstone, and Jane Lessenger after their biblical studies trip to Israel. The class included history, geography, political climates, and scripture extending into 2009.
Youth had a busy year beginning with Souper Bowl collection for the Salvation Army, attending regional Mid-Winter Retreat at LaForet, serving the congregation Easter breakfast, participating in CRMR Regional Assembly, running a raffle, working with Windsor Workday, All Youth Vedauwoo outing, a lock-in at church, participating in Dare to Share in Denver, CYF Regional Fall Retreat, COMEA clean up project and meal service, Cheyenne Senior Home clean up, Christmas parade float, shut-in Christmas baskets, shut-in caroling, and ending the year with a sledding trip.
The “GriefShare” group delivered clergy packages to members of the clergy and others attending the “GriefShare” fall sessions. In December a Candlelight Service of Hope was held in the chapel.
Christian Men’s Fellowship group assisted the Property Team and Youth group with different projects including Windsor Workdays. They delivered donated food to the Salvation Army, COMEA, and Needs. Inc. Assisted members in moving and preparing along with delivering Christmas boxes to the needy.
Christian Women’s Fellowship sponsored Church Women United May Friendship Day luncheon, Lydia group held Jerry Voslers’ 80th birthday party, purchased items for the kitchen and held many events for women and the whole church. Besides sending packages to the troops in Iraq they attended CWU World Community Day at Second Baptist Church.
First Christian Church remembers the words of Mathew 25:40 “and the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” 2008 saw many changes within the church and served God’s people in the world.
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