Patty will be on renewal leave from Memorial Day through Labor Day of 2025.

Rev. Steve Burnett has agreed to serve as an official clergy representative as needed. The staff are working on a plan to coordinate all Prairie Campus activities and Sunday services along with the renewal leave team (Steve Burnett, Steve Earnshaw, Cathy Eskew, Diane Williams, Marlene Bjornsrud, and Corey Kidwell).

FUMC-Prairie Campus will be supported by members of our congregation including clergy and lay members. We expect to invite outside clergy and other speakers to guest preach as well on Patty’s themes of Silence, Sauntering, and Saints.

This is a very important component of life at FUMC-Prairie Campus. The renewal team is working on a variety of strategies to support a warm and heartfelt welcome of visitors and newcomers during Patty’s absence.

If there is a serious emergency, Rev. Eric Strader is the administrative pastor for the downtown campus whose responsibility, even now, includes support with unexpected adverse events.

Patty will get a complete break from communication with congregation members so that she can fully engage in her spiritual journey.

Each of the three renewal themes: Silence, Saints, and Sauntering, will have activities offered to mirror Patty’s journey. Please watch for details on the signature events.

An All-Church Campout is scheduled for July 11-23, 2025.

A pilgrimage to the Amache Historical site of Japanese internment in Colorado is TBD.

There will be a number of contemplative offerings including a silent retreat still TBD.

Yes! Patty is engaging in this renewal for us as well as herself. The Lilly grant requires that the pastor returns to the congregation for at least one year after the leave is completed. Bishop Oliveto confirmed this commitment as part of the grant application.

Patty is working with the planning team (clergy members Steve Burnett, Steve Earnshaw, Cathy Eskew, and lay members Diane Williams, Marlene Bjornsrud, and Corey Kidwell), staff, the Prairie Board, and others to develop a solid plan for the renewal leave. Patty remains our pastor and will drive all decision-making. During the leave, staff and congregational leadership will respond to any needs that might alter the plan (weather, illness, etc.)

Yes! In addition to our existing opportunities for spiritual growth (fellowship groups, book studies, small groups, shared attendance at community events), there will also be thematic activities tied to the concepts of silence, saints, and sauntering. These might include opportunities for meeting “off campus” outside of Sunday worship time and include visits to local/regional sacred places and historically significant sites.

Patty’s salary will continue to be paid per her contract. The Lilly grant will cover approximately $41,000 of additional expenses for Patty’s activities during the leave (transportation, housing, travel costs, etc.) and $19,000 for congregational expenses (staff coverage, speaker costs, field trips, supplies for activities, etc.).

The successful award of the Clergy Renewal Grant from the Lilly Foundation is anticipated to cover the costs associated with the renewal.

There may be an impact financially if summer attendance drops more than typical in the summer or people choose not to give during that time.

The Lilly funds will be divided between funding for the pastor’s activities and congregational expenses and activities.

Yes! Church will continue to be held at the Prairie Campus on Sundays at 10:00 am. This time of worship is important to us as a community and will also be important for newcomers seeking an inclusive, Christ-centered community to connect with in Colorado Springs.

Part of getting ready is beginning to communicate this opportunity early and openly. This allows us time to gather ideas, make flexible plans for the renewal time, dive deeper into the themes with Patty in advance of her leave, and practice some of the spiritual disciplines (silence, sauntering, meditation, and more) with Patty before she leaves. With plenty of “lead time,” we will be better prepared to journey with her from afar and share in our collective love and appreciation for our pastor and our community.

Patty and Roger are making plans to make sure Theo is well taken care of when they are away.

Please ask questions! This is a document that will be updated. Send additional questions to PrairieLayLeader@FUMC-CS.org.