The Christmas season is often heralded with excitement, the anticipation of seeing friends and relatives and maybe exchanging a gift or two. However, the season doesnít change things for those struggling to have a roof over their heads, food on the table and shoes that arenít falling apart on their childrenís feet.Churches are known for participating in missions or outreach work that communities often depend on to take care of marginalized and indigent people. The local churches in the Falcon area are doing their part in aiding the community this holiday season and throughout the year.Pastor Dean Cernek of Aspen Ridge Church referred to his church as a small, Evangelical church in Falcon that financially and relationally supports missionaries in several foreign countries.Cernak said they have a budget of $1,200 for anyone in the congregation who discovers a need in an area of interest. He said when they worked on their 2022 budget, they decided in addition to providing support for foreign missions, they wanted to do something at home. ìI know we can just write a check to an organization and call it a day, but I wanted to challenge us and say, if you find a good cause you are interested in engaging in, we will give you seed money to back your pursuit of supporting that cause,î he said.They have also been involved with the Fostering Hope Foundation for the last five years. Cernek said a team from the church works alongside foster families who take in difficult or challenging children. They meet with their family monthly and help with whatever is needed such as running errands, babysitting, etc. He said they have worked with three families so far; the current family is a single mom with five foster children who all have special needs and disabilities.Cernek said the church is about worshiping, hearing the word and serving. ìWe donít have lots of activities or committees that consume peopleís time,î he said. ìI just want the congregation to have time to get out in the community and serve wherever they are led.îPastor Marta Fioriti, from Black Forest Community Church, said, ìWe are a small but mighty, open and affirming congregation that believes there is mission work right in our midst.î†She said during COVID-19, when they werenít meeting in person, they opened their building to house those in need of shelter by creating a small, private and communal space for short-term refuge. They continue to provide this service to individuals and families as needed. Fioriti said they also built a small food pantry in the parking lot filled with nonperishables ó free for the taking.†The churchís mission work also includes justice and equity, providing an environment for people to experience the image of God in each person.†Fioriti said, ìWe not only welcome, but also affirm each person for who they are.î The church also provides classes on complex topics like immigration. ìWe want people to know why they are doing the work and to have a deep relationship with the other,î she said.†ìIn this way, the mission becomes reciprocal; we are doing this with our neighbor, not for our neighbor.îPastor Randall DeVille, Falcon Baptist Church, said they have a benevolent fund to help local people in need. He said several times a month the fund is used to help people†on a one-on-one basis with things like heating, groceries and gasoline. Also, from time to time, the church provides lodging for people passing through, DeVille said.Rev. Patty Walker, First United Methodist Church, Prairie Campus, said they have several projects they participate in on a regular basis. (They are a satellite church of the downtown First United Methodist Church.) One of their monthly projects includes volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. They have worked on several houses, one in particular, for a local teacher who couldnít afford the housing costs in Colorado Springs. Walker said they also work in the garden and collect donated food items for the pantry at the Fresh Start Center. They cook breakfast at The Place, which is a homeless shelter for teenagers, she said.Some of the projects they participate in with the downtown church is the ìNight Out Projectî sponsored by The Place, which took place Nov. 18. Walker said this yearly event invites participants to spend the night outside, to experience what itís like to be homeless; plus, they gather sponsors to raise money for the shelter. She said the Prairie Campus team raised over $1,000 this year.They also collect items for and attend the Christmas in the Parking Lot event. She said all sorts of items are collected for those in need and the homeless and are handed out on Christmas Day. Once a year, they pack meals that are sent around the world for Feed My Starving Children, Walker said. In December, they participate in a gift drive called First Stars Adopt-a-Student to provide gifts for under-privileged local school children.She said their latest project is partnering with Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (the only organization in Colorado Springs that is resettling Afghan refugees), to train a cultural support team, furnish an apartment or home and provide finances to sponsor an Afghan family. Walker said they are ready and waiting for a family to arrive.
