When I first introduced myself to Foothills back in August, I asked for some grace as I attempted to learn the names of the over 800 people involved in the life of the congregation; and grace has been afforded for which I am eternally grateful. Names are important. There is a reason we all have one, and that ancient christians explicitly included the naming of a child as part of the baptismal rite.
In Confucianism there is a story in which Confucius, approached by the leaders of a particular province asked him “If you were to be the governor of the land, what would your first order of business be?” Confucius answer shocked them all.
“I would rectify the names.”
We cannot, Confucius argued, be successful with anything, if our language is not in concordance with the truth of things. If we call someone a teacher, and yet they do not teach, or if we call a friend a friend but they are not, our language gets away from us. It leads us astray from the truth and our actions fall away.
What I love about Confucius’ answer is that he call us not just to learn the true names but to live up to the names we have been given. In the past month I have been learning what it will mean to be your minister. In a song circle around the campfire at Buckhorn, during staff and worship meetings, and in the countless conversations where I have learned more than just your name but a small slice about your life. There is no way for me to live, grow and deepen as a minister to and with this congregation without this ongoing, and deepening, dialogue. Everyday I am falling more in love with what I find here at Foothills: a music loving, fiercely loyal, motivated, compassionate and eager church. A church, who in Confucius’ vernacular, is striving to live up the meaning of that name: to unleash courageous love.
And this process never ends. We are constantly learning and living into our names (sometimes they even change!), and so I want to extend a special invitation to attend one of the small group gatherings that the transitions team has planned, so we can further getting to know each other. Information can be found below for the different gatherings.
Region: Southeast Fort Collins
Host: Sue Ferguson
Date: Friday, September 23 Time: 1-3 PM
Address: 1313 Tuckaway Ct, 80525
Region: Southwest Fort Collins
Host: Karen Johnese
Date: Wednesday, September 28 Time: 7-9 PM
Address: 2900 Skimmerhorn St, 80526
Region: City Park Neighborhood, Fort Collins
Hosts: Ed and Linda Beers
Date: Friday, October 7 Time: 7-9 PM
Address: 408 S. Jackson, 80521
Please send an RSVP email to (RSVP@foothillsuu.org) and specify which location and how many in your party.
Katie believes the best things in life are the result of collaboration and diverse perspectives coming together to produce something greater than any individual could. She is passionate about systems, efficiency and collaboration for better community outcomes. She loves dreaming up the big picture and drafting the roadmap to make it happen. She has a background in operations, fundraising, communications and program development, as well as over a decade of nonprofit management experience in Northern Colorado.
Her greatest joy in life comes from her family. Her husband, Steven, a principal at Wellington Middle School, and daughters Emmaline and Esmae are the lights of her life. Together they love mountains, music and all kinds of food. She is passionate about women supporting other women in all stages of life and especially through the critical moments that make or break us. She believes that one of the most important things in life is to be kind.
Being outdoors makes her soul come alive. It always roots her in gratitude and is one of the reasons she loves living in Fort Collins.