Loveland Youth Volunteer Over 9,200 Hours in Week of Hope

The Loveland community recently engaged in two significant faith-based events: the upcoming labyrinth walk at All Saints Episcopal Church and the conclusion of the annual “Week of Hope” organized by LoveFirst Community. These initiatives foster spiritual connection and community service, reflecting the values of compassion and support.

Labyrinth Walk Offers Sacred Space for Reflection

On August 13, 2025, at 18:00, All Saints Episcopal Church, located at 3448 N. Taft Ave, will host a Wednesday Walk at their labyrinth. This event is designed for individuals seeking solace from personal challenges or the broader pressures of contemporary life. Participants are encouraged to arrive as they are, whether feeling tired, hopeful, or overwhelmed.

The evening will begin with a brief welcome and a centering prompt, followed by time for quiet walking, resting, or simply existing in the moment. The labyrinth provides a space for release, renewal, and deeper listening, concluding with a shared blessing. For more information, interested individuals can contact Mary Thoma via email at [email protected] or call the church office at 970-667-0303.

Youth Serve Loveland During Week of Hope

In a remarkable display of community service, 306 teenagers from church youth groups participated in the “Week of Hope” mission projects, which recently concluded. This initiative is organized by Group Mission Trips and saw youth volunteers traveling from 14 states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Carolina, to serve the Loveland area.

The youths collaborated with 16 local organizations, including Brigit’s Bounty, Catholic Charities, and Habitat for Humanity, contributing an estimated 9,200 hours of service. Not only did they volunteer their time, but they also covered their own expenses throughout the mission. After their daily service, the youths worshipped at the LoveFirst Community center at 2000 N. Lincoln Ave.

Leading the operational aspects of the Week of Hope were three college-age women: Mary Becker from Wisconsin, Antonia Yang from Washington, and Karis Lindstam from South Carolina. Lee Sparks, the Mission Team Leader at LoveFirst Community, expressed gratitude for the youth’s efforts, stating, “This annual summer mission is a great way for youth to show love first in their actions and words. These youth and the churches who support them have given Loveland much-needed services this summer.”

LoveFirst Community is a new congregation formed from the merger of the First Baptist Church and the First Christian Church, demonstrating the power of collaboration within the faith community.

Upcoming Faith Events in Loveland

Several other faith-related events are scheduled in Loveland, further enriching the community’s spiritual landscape. The Buckhorn Church will host a Blessing of the Animals Worship Service on August 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 8762 N. County Road 27. For more information, contact them at 315-806-4793 or via email at [email protected].

Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 300 42nd St. SW, Loveland, will conclude its sermon series titled “The Secret: Your Key to Peace, Power, and Purpose” on August 16 at 10:45 a.m.. They also offer Bible study classes for all ages every Saturday at 9:30 a.m..

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites visitors to explore the Fort Collins Temple grounds at 2180 Majestic Drive on Sundays from 15:00 to 18:00 until September 28. Additional details can be found at their website.

First United Methodist Church at 533 N. Grant Ave. is hosting “August Outdoors” every Saturday at 11:30 a.m. through August 24. More information can be found at fumcloveland.com.

The Namaqua Unitarian Universalist Congregation will hold a service titled “Traffic Dharma: Lessons From the Road” at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, exploring the teachings of Buddhism. This service will be led by Rev. Dana Lightsey, with music provided by slp.

Finally, the Council of Catholic Women at St. John the Evangelist Church is seeking craft vendors for their annual Fall Festival and Craft Show on October 25-26 in Loveland. Vendor applications are currently being accepted at a cost of $40 for the two-day event. Interested vendors can contact Pat Laky at 970-689-0514 or via email at [email protected].

This column welcomes announcements from Loveland-area churches and church groups. Community members can submit details of their Lenten season church activities to [email protected] by Wednesday for inclusion in the Faith Briefs, which are published on Fridays.