First United Methodist Church
1005 Stover Street
Fort Collins
Colorado 80524
www.firstchurchfc.org
Welcome from the Conference Local Committee
On behalf of myself and the Harp in Worship 2025 Conference Local Committee, we are pleased to welcome you to the First United Methodist Church in Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado, with beautiful stained glass windows, a pipe organ, and a unique sanctuary design reminiscent of the Old Testament tabernacle. One of our local committee members was even married in this sanctuary! The First United Methodist Church was the very first church established in Fort Collins in 1867, a few years before the town was officially incorporated.
The Harp in Worship Conference is so grateful for the warm welcome and assistance of the leadership of the First United Methodist Church. We are thrilled to partner with FUMC’s talented music staff and look forward to their collaboration in this year’s conference. Many thanks to Dr. Nathan Payant, Director of Music and Arts and the Carillon Handbell Choir, Dr. Joel Bacon, Organist and Artist in Residence, Reverend Bradley Laurvick, Katie Levasseur, Assistant Director of Business Operations, and Henry Reyna, Facilities Manager.
There is so much to explore in Fort Collins! Within minutes of the conference is Old Town Fort Collins, packed with fun shops, fantastic restaurants, and small local breweries. Walk over to the CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens or drive up to Lory State Park or Horsetooth Reservoir and experience the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Or simply enjoy the stunning mountain scenery as you walk around town on nearly fifty miles of paved biking and walking trails. If you need any recommendations about how to spend your free time, please ask any one of us for suggestions.
Join us in Estes Park on Sunday afternoon and experience the breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains in this charming little mountain town nestled at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Stroll through a plethora of small local shops and boutiques downtown, stop in at the Estes Ark (a Noah’s Ark-themed stuffed animal store), or visit the well-known Stanley Hotel. Embrace the great outdoors with endless opportunities to hike, fish, and watch abundant wildlife. Remember to keep our wildlife wild and watch from a safe distance.
We hope you are as excited as we are about the full schedule of workshops and concert offerings by world-class artists who will inspire, equip, energize, and bless you. We are looking forward to sharing an amazing time of Christian fellowship and learning together with you.
Enjoy the fresh Rocky Mountain air… and please don’t pet the elk!
Alaina Bongers, Committee Chair
Alisa DeWitt
Naomi Loschen
Barb Moritzky
Rebecca Moritzky
More information about Fort Collins
www.downtownfortcollins.com
Optional Sunday afternoon excursion to Estes Park
Join us for an afternoon of adventure and relaxation in Estes Park! Once we arrive in Estes (weather permitting) we will begin the afternoon with a walk (0.8 miles) around the picturesque Lily Lake. You can take in some stunning mountain views of Longs Peak, Lily Mountain, and the Twin Sisters Peak as well as see some local wildlife. Then we will go to downtown Estes Park where you can find a variety of shops and boutiques to explore and treat yourself to some ice cream or coffee. Another option is to let your creativity flow at Inspired Artisan Market and Studio, offering many different hands-on art projects, guided by wonderful staff, for you to create your own unique souvenir. We will end the day at the Art Lounge of Inspired and gather for a delicious meal of BBQ from Smokin Daves before carpooling back to Fort Collins.
www.visitestespark.com
www.inspiredartexperiences.com
https://myhikes.org/trails/lily-lake-trail
Schedule:
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch on Your Own
1:15 pm Gather in the FUMC Parking Lot into assigned vehicles for carpool
1:30 pm Leave for Estes Park
2:45 pm (ish) Arrive in Estes Park
3:00 – 6:30 pm Rocky Mountain National Park: Lily Lake Walk/Gentle Hike, Shop Downtown
Estes Park, Souvenir Art Project Inspired Artisan Market, Explore Estes on your Own
6:30 pm Gather for Dinner at the Art Lounge of Inspired Artisan Market (Smokin Daves BBQ)
www.visitestespark.com
On behalf of myself and the Harp in Worship 2025 Conference Local Committee, we are pleased to welcome you to the First United Methodist Church in Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado, with beautiful stained glass windows, a pipe organ, and a unique sanctuary design reminiscent of the Old Testament tabernacle. One of our local committee members was even married in this sanctuary! The First United Methodist Church was the very first church established in Fort Collins in 1867, a few years before the town was officially incorporated.
The Harp in Worship Conference is so grateful for the warm welcome and assistance of the leadership of the First United Methodist Church. We are thrilled to partner with FUMC’s talented music staff and look forward to their collaboration in this year’s conference. Many thanks to Dr. Nathan Payant, Director of Music and Arts and the Carillon Handbell Choir, Dr. Joel Bacon, Organist and Artist in Residence, Reverend Bradley Laurvick, Katie Levasseur, Assistant Director of Business Operations, and Henry Reyna, Facilities Manager.
There is so much to explore in Fort Collins! Within minutes of the conference is Old Town Fort Collins, packed with fun shops, fantastic restaurants, and small local breweries. Walk over to the CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens or drive up to Lory State Park or Horsetooth Reservoir and experience the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Or simply enjoy the stunning mountain scenery as you walk around town on nearly fifty miles of paved biking and walking trails. If you need any recommendations about how to spend your free time, please ask any one of us for suggestions.
Join us in Estes Park on Sunday afternoon and experience the breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains in this charming little mountain town nestled at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Stroll through a plethora of small local shops and boutiques downtown, stop in at the Estes Ark (a Noah’s Ark-themed stuffed animal store), or visit the well-known Stanley Hotel. Embrace the great outdoors with endless opportunities to hike, fish, and watch abundant wildlife. Remember to keep our wildlife wild and watch from a safe distance.
We hope you are as excited as we are about the full schedule of workshops and concert offerings by world-class artists who will inspire, equip, energize, and bless you. We are looking forward to sharing an amazing time of Christian fellowship and learning together with you.
Enjoy the fresh Rocky Mountain air… and please don’t pet the elk!
Alaina Bongers, Committee Chair
Alisa DeWitt
Naomi Loschen
Barb Moritzky
Rebecca Moritzky
More information about Fort Collins
www.downtownfortcollins.com
Optional Sunday afternoon excursion to Estes Park
Join us for an afternoon of adventure and relaxation in Estes Park! Once we arrive in Estes (weather permitting) we will begin the afternoon with a walk (0.8 miles) around the picturesque Lily Lake. You can take in some stunning mountain views of Longs Peak, Lily Mountain, and the Twin Sisters Peak as well as see some local wildlife. Then we will go to downtown Estes Park where you can find a variety of shops and boutiques to explore and treat yourself to some ice cream or coffee. Another option is to let your creativity flow at Inspired Artisan Market and Studio, offering many different hands-on art projects, guided by wonderful staff, for you to create your own unique souvenir. We will end the day at the Art Lounge of Inspired and gather for a delicious meal of BBQ from Smokin Daves before carpooling back to Fort Collins.
www.visitestespark.com
www.inspiredartexperiences.com
https://myhikes.org/trails/lily-lake-trail
Schedule:
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch on Your Own
1:15 pm Gather in the FUMC Parking Lot into assigned vehicles for carpool
1:30 pm Leave for Estes Park
2:45 pm (ish) Arrive in Estes Park
3:00 – 6:30 pm Rocky Mountain National Park: Lily Lake Walk/Gentle Hike, Shop Downtown
Estes Park, Souvenir Art Project Inspired Artisan Market, Explore Estes on your Own
6:30 pm Gather for Dinner at the Art Lounge of Inspired Artisan Market (Smokin Daves BBQ)
www.visitestespark.com
