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February.pdf
Check out all our ministries below, and if you can't find the one you need then let's start it!
Our Purpose is to be Jesus Christ to the World by...
...having the Bible be the foundation of our faith and life.
...being a church community dedicated to prayer.
How has prayer impacted my life?
...having a personal relationship with God through our faith in Jesus Christ.
How do I know I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
What difference does a personal relationship make in my life?
...reaching out to others with the Good News.
Can others see my faith on a daily basis?
How am I serving others to bring about Gods kingdom?
...committing to a lifestyle of intentional spiritual growth with honest accountability.
Who are you encouraging to grow in the faith?
How have you grown as a Christian this year?
...having children and youth be of utmost importance in our relationships.
What am I doing to draw younger generations into a relationship with Christ?
...being a vibrant and culturally relevant church.
members miss it?
How do I see the Holy Spirit at work in the culture?
Am I presenting the Gospel in ways the culture can understand?
Rev. Jeff Huber has been Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Durango since July or 2002. He holds a Masters in Divinity degree from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado and a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Pastor Jeff has also attended the Beeson Institute through Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He was ordained in the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1993 and served Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation in Ames, Iowa; Smoky Hill United Methodist Church in Centennial, Colorado; Calvary United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado before coming to FUMC in Durango.
While most of Pastor Jeffs family is from the Denver area, he spent much of his younger years in parts of California and Oregon. He graduated from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California where he was also active in the youth group at Lafayette United Methodist Church. It was in that church that Jeff had his first preaching experience. The people of Lafayette UMC encouraged him to pursue ordained ministry and while he fought it for a while, God finally got a hold of him when he was active at the Wesley Foundation campus ministry while at CU Boulder.
Pastor Jeff's passion is leading God's church and God's people towards a deeper faith that is relevant in today's world. His hope and prayer is that we at First United Methodist Church in Durango will pursue God with our whole heart and strive to be Jesus Christ to the world. Jeff has been married to his wife Tami for 20 years and they have two children, Thomas and Viktoria.
email
I have been on staff since January 1st, 2008. First as Pastoral Associate and then, through a process of study, interviews, and discernment I become a Licensed Local Pastor. After receiving my license I was appointed to serve Durango as a Licensed Local Pastor. It is a privilege to serve this awesome congregation. My passion is Pastoral Care in all of its diverse forms. I was a Volunteer Hospice Chaplain in Portland and it is a sacred honor to journey with the dying and those who love them.
I came to Durango from Portland, Oregon (I miss the rain). I came to be closer to my two daughters living in the area; Laura my oldest and Rebecca my middle child. I also have a son, Daniel, and a granddaughter, Julia.
Outside of work I enjoy concerts, foreign films, travel, dogs, and clowns. I keep chocolate in my office so stop by for a visit!
I have served as the Business Manager since January 2006. I have been a member of FUMC Durango since 1992 and over the years have been fortunate to see our church grow and prosper. It is a dynamic church that truly puts Jesus Christ at the forefront and strives hard to walk the walk of being Jesus Christ to the World.
I have been married since 1990 to my wife, Amy, and we are blessed to have three awesome children. Chloe 13, Jacob 11, and Zane 6 are all great kids and I am grateful to watch them grow up as young people of faith. In my spare time I enjoy watching and participating in most sports and also coach some of my kids activities.
Hello! My name is Cherie Cobb and I head up the Adult Education and Equipping Ministries for FUMC. I am a native to Colorado and absolutely love living here in Durango where I met my husband, Michael and my handsome step-son Garrett and we have two Labradors who keep us on our toes! We are avid skiers and love being outdoors for camping, hiking and or just sitting by the river! It is all good.
I come to FUMC with a business corporate background mostly within the Telecommunications Industry and have held a variety of positions ranging from middle management, marketing and sales, and account management positions. So as you can see, this is my first job with a non-profit and my first job with a church.
I believe we all have gifts from God and I have finally landed a position where I fit and where I can help and serve others to find their gifts and encourage people to be connected! For me, it is all about the connections, the relationships we create and value and my goal in this position is to provide opportunities for people to grow and stay connected and deepen their faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. I don't have all the answers and I am growing myself every day as a new wife, a new step-mother and within my role at FUMC. Come by and see what we are all about and I look forward to meeting you!
Hi, my name is Jake Forsythe and I am the Director of Student Ministries at First United Methodist Church. I have been the director since August of 2007. I am a Durango native and I currently live in Bayfield with my wife Carrie and our kids Taylor and Noah. We are also foster parents and have foster children in our home often.
I have a passion for young people and I love working with them and helping them grow in their faith. My desire is for every student in our ministry to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and for them to continue down the road of discipleship long after they leave our ministry. I believe each of us has a purpose and I encourage all my students to find their purpose and pursue it with all their heart.
I am also a die hard Denver Bronco fan and I love sports, camping, fishing and spending quality time with my family. I am truly blessed to be a part of the staff at FUMC and I love coming to work every day! I also have a wonderful volunteer staff and I cant thank them enough for their love and support. What a blessing!
Welcome to FUMC! My name is Kate Uebersax and I am the Director of Children & Family Ministries. I have been in Durango since 2005 and am originally from the Midwest where I earned a bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Huntington University and a Masters degree in Christian Education through Asbury Theological Seminary.
I enjoy many things about my job here, from helping families connect with each other and with Jesus, to doing random things around the building, to leading our preschoolers in chapel each week. I am excited to be part of the team here at FUMC and look forward to meeting new families and individuals as you arrive.
Blessings to you and your family!
Lawrence Nass is a music composer, arranger, singer, teacher & performer. He is currently music director for several youth and adult worship bands at First United Methodist Church of Durango.
He has three cd recordings of his original piano compositions. Two are solo improvisational works and the third is composed, using many of L.A.s top studio musicians. He has also composed soundtracks for film, theater and dance and has taught private piano lessons for over thirty years.
Lawrence has opened for jazz greats Mose Allison and Maynard Ferguson and has played a concert of duets with the Native American flautist, R. Carlos Nakai. Locally, he has performed with the San Juan Symphony as well as many other musical groups, focusing on jazz, country, blues & rock n roll.
My name is Jeanette Johansen and I am the director of the Christian School and Child Care Center here at FUMC. I have lived in Durango for 27 years and have been director of the school since it opened in 1998. I have 2 wonderful sons - one lives in Fort Collins and one lives in Durango.
I am blessed to work with a great team of people in a job that I love. The early childhood years are so important and I am passionate about supporting young families and children in their unique development. Besides working with children and families, I enjoy hiking, gardening, watching movies and reading.
For 20 years I taught school. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to teach and spent most of my high school years volunteering through my church at an inner city afterschool program or babysitting. Years later, leaving professional teaching, I became a nanny.
A move from Vermont to Colorado found me at loose ends. The church email announced they were looking for office help and my prayers were answered.
I am still surrounded by people, I can use my spiritual gifts of administration and helping people. The blessings I feel each time I walk through the door to my office, knowing what a great job it is, is your gift to me and I thank you.
Hi there! Welcome to FUMC. My name is Angie Raulston
and I am one of the secretaries here at FUMC. In 2004 our family
made the move to Durango where I began working here at the church.
My husband and I have been married for 23 years and we have two
wonderful children. The opportunities here at FUMC have been wonderful.
It is a high energy-Christ motivated place to be and work.
I am truly blessed to be a part of this wonderful church staff and amazing church family.
Joshua Mietz and Veronica Turner are the Choir Directors at the First United Methodist Church of Durango. Mietz and Turner began working together while studying for a Masters of Music at the University of Montana, Missoula; Mietz in clarinet performance with an emphasis in conducting, Turner in vocal performance with extensive musical work at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Missoula. After graduation, the two relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska in pursuit of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. After attaining positions at Fort Lewis College, the two are excited to relocate to Durango.
Mietz Bio.pdf
Turner Bio.pdf
Hi! My name is Tim, and I (try to) organize all of the volunteers and technology for our 4 weekend services, as well as leading and coordinating our Thursday night alternative service. I grew up in Bayfield, Colorado, with my brother, sister and parents. In 2009, I married my amazing wife, Ashley, and we now live near Bayfield with our two dogs and a cat who thinks he's a dog.
Leading passionate worship to God is why I am working here, and I hope to see you at one of our services. Whatever your background or musical preference, we have something that (we hope) God will speak to you through.
FUMC Church Contact Information
First United Methodist Church
2917 Aspen Drive
Durango, CO 81301
Church Phone Number (970) 247-4213
Church Fax Number (970) 247-8063
Methodist Christian School (970) 247-8680
FUMC Staff Contact Information
Senior Pastor - Jeff Huber - email
Associate Pastor - Roger Haney - email
Business Manager - Robb Bourdon - email
Director of Adult Ministries - Cherie Cobb - email
JOLT Youth Ministries - Jake Forsythe - email
Children and Family Ministries - Kate Uebersax - email
Christian School - Jeanette Johansen - email
Christian School Phone Number is (970) 247-8680
Choir Directors - Josh Mietz and Veronica Turner - email
Praise Team Director - Lawrence Nass - email
Worship & Tech Coordinator - Tim Spishock - email
Office Staff - Angie Raulston - email
Office Staff - Linda Heaton - email
Office Staff - Alyse Spencer - email
Physical Plant - CJ White - email
02052012-Living the Blessed Life.pdf
01292012-Why Less is Usually More.pdf
01222012-Finding Peace in a High Anxiety World.pdf
01152012- Remember Rule Number 6.pdf
01082012- Slowing Down in a Hurry Up World.pdf
01012012-One Word You Shouldnt Say in 2012.pdf
12252011- Where do we go from here Sermon for Dec 25, 2011.pdf
12242011-It Was Not A Silent Night.pdf
12182011-Mary Full of Grace.pdf
12112011-Amazed Astonished and Astounded.pdf
12042011-The Piercing of Marys Soul.pdf
11272011-Beginning with the End.pdf
11202011-Prayer and Paul.pdf
11132011-Prayer and Following Jesus.pdf
11062011-Learning Prayer from the Master.pdf
10302011-David and Our Hearts.pdf
10232011-Prayer in the Silence.pdf
10162011-Tongue Tied in Prayer.pdf
10092011-The Bible as the Foundation of our Faith.pdf
09252011-Being the Good News.pdf
09182011-How Do We Grow.pdf
09112011-Ten Years Later.pdf
09042011- Having a Personal Relationship with Christ.doc
08282011-Gods Will for Your Life.pdf
08212011-When Prayers Go Unanswered.pdf
08142011-God and Suffering.pdf
08072011-Making a Connection.pdf
07242011-What if Church Were a Verb.pdf
07172011-Keeping the Main thing the main thing.pdf
07102011-And the Truth Shall Set You Free.pdf
07032011-Even Though they are strangers.pdf
New Word 2007 Document.docx
06192011-Tool Time-Ed Dudley.pdf
Pastor Ovi June 12-13 2011.docx
Love Out Loud June 04-05 2011.docx
05292011-The Watering Hole.pdf
05222011-All About Dung.pdf
05152011-Whos Your Herd.pdf
We try to update our online sermon section every week with the previous Sunday's message. Included with each video is the audio version of the sermon and the written version/message notes.
Please bear with us, as we are switching over to a new video hosting service.
Purpose Statement
Our purpose is to minister to the whole child by providing a safe caring Christian environment that nurtures each child's social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual growth. We also provide emotional and spiritual support to parents and families.
A bit about us...
The First United Methodist Christian School is a non-profit program, supported by the church and licensed by the state of Colorado. We opened our doors in 1998 with our Toddler Center and have continued to grow. We recognize the unique worth of all God's children regardless of their race, sex or cultural backround. It is our desire to minister to all children, sharing Christ's love for mankind.
Preschool Program
Our preschool program is for children 3-5 years old. Here we offer a balance of play and structure that introduces children to the prenumber and language experiences, routines and other concepts that will prepare them for a lifetime of learning enjoyment. Through discovery learning, hands on activities, literature, science experiments, music, fingerplays and art activities, the children explore a variety of themes throughout the year. We also have several family interactive activities during the school year which include an Art Show, Christmas Program and Family Potluck/Story Night.
Toddler Program
The toddler program is designed for children 12 months old and walking up to 36 months old. Two caregivers work with our children encouraging them to explore their world while staying withing the boundaries that make things safe for all our friends. This is a year round program with full and part-time slots. We are open five days a week from 7:30AM to 5:30PM with the exception of some holdiays.
Infant Program
Our most recent addition is the infant center which opened in May of 2005. This bright new area is specially designed to provide for the needs of our youngest children. We have 2 care givers with infants from 6 week to around 15 months old. This program is offered year round, with full and part time slots available.
For more information about any of our Christian School Programs please contact Jeanette Johansen at 970-247-8680 or email at jeanette_fumcdurango.org
Durango CO 81301
Methodist Christian School
(970) 247-8680
