NONPROFITS AROUND TOWN: Christian-Jewish Dialogue and Miracles in Motion

Let’s talk.

It’s what makes the Center for Christian-Jewish Dialogue work.

For 14 years.

At the annual dinner and dialogue Oct. 13 at the Doubletree Hotel World Arena, the man wearing a yarmulke chatted and laughed with the man with a clerical collar; Catholic FMA sisters visited with Presbyterians; James Dobson, of Focus on the Family, greeted Bishop Richard Hanifen.

It is a time, said founding President Rabbi Howard Hirsch, for Christians and Jews to affirm their commonalities, promote understanding and respect one another’s faith, culture and history.

It’s also a time to just enjoy 400 people from throughout the community.

Before dinner, the Rev. Judy Owsley prayed, “Bless our variety. In our diversity is our sparkle.”

Two Dove of Peace awards were presented to classes at First United Methodist Church.

Class President Rod Thornton accepted the award for the Kerygma Class, the largest Sunday school class at the church.

The class, he said, has “dialogue to promote understanding” and Rabbi Hirsch has been one of their teachers.

The church’s Children’s Ministry was described by the Rev. Diane Martin and the award accepted by 10-year-old Holly McKibben.

“Not all children grow up knowing that Jesus was Jewish,” Martin said.

The children had learned some Hebrew and offered a video greeting to those at the dinner.
They had prepared individual scrolls and a blessing, which everyone unrolled and read together from 1 Samuel 20:42, “… go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord …”

Introducing the evening’s dialogue panel, moderator Dr. Alison Walls said, “Peace on Earth begins with peace within.”

Panelists for “Whose Bible Is It?” were the Rev. John Pawlikowski, president of the International Council of Christians and Jews; Will Stoller-Lee, director of Fuller Seminary; and Denver’s Rabbi Bruce Dollin.

Miracles in Motion

Monica Syzmanski is what Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center is all about, and her story brought sponsors, volunteers and patrons to tears at the nonprofit’s ninth annual Miracles in Motion gala Oct. 2 at Norris-Penrose Event Center.

Just two months after her son was born six years ago, a baseball-size tumor was discovered on her pelvis. A rare cancer had surrounded the sciatic nerve, and her left leg and pelvis were amputated.

That didn’t stop the energetic 42-year-old who said, “God brings me angels when I need them most.”

She had always wanted to ride a horse, she said, so off she went to PPTRC wearing her prosthesis. “The first time up … I slid right off,” she said, laughing. “Now I can ride a horse like anyone else, and there are not many things I can say that about.”

Headed back to her table through a standing ovation, she got a big bear hug and a kiss from her smiling husband, Chris.

Another highlight of the event was the first Miracles in Motion Award, which went to George Hess, who helped facilitate “the marriage of PPTRC and the Range Riders Foundation,” and their acquisition of the Latigo equestrian facility.

Art Aldridge of the Thursday morning hippotherapy class received the volunteer award.

The Western evening included riding demonstrations by the Pikes Peak Rangerettes and the PPTRC Mounted Drill Team, which has riders of all ages.

Just mention dessert and the place went a little goofy.

The La Plata table was bidding against the Falcon firefighters, who were bidding against Glaser Gas and Kaiser Permanente for the yummiest of chocolate cakes. “Chocolate cake ...” reasoned auctioneer “Pistol Pete” Husak, “eggs, milk, good for you. It’s a breakfast item!”

The bidding war was on again for a Marigold carrot cake, which the winner sliced up. One slice alone sold for $30.

Phil Price held the winning paddle for a box of cinnamon rolls from The Pantry. “Hey,” yelled Husak, “these are no sissy cinnamon rolls, they’re cow-patty size.” Price sent one single roll back up front, and it went for $40.

Chris Valentine and Carol Pennica co-chaired the successful gala.

Tennyson Center dinner

Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home in Denver serves abused, neglected and at-risk youths from across the state and region.

Local supporters raised an estimated $75,000 Sept. 25 at “Making an Impact,” the 12th annual Colorado Springs Tennyson Center dinner at Cheyenne Mountain Resort.

Planning the benefit were Robert Apodaca, Diane Ashton, Claire Bidlingmaier, Gay and Diana Hatler, Bill and Nancy May, Don and Debbie Metz, Chris and Betsy Straka, and Gail Wilder.