 The
United Church of Los Alamos
United Chimes: Vol. 39, No. 4, April 2003
Table
of Contents
Holy week Schedule April 13th
Palm Sunday Worship at 8:00 and 9:30.
April 17th
Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service at 7:30 p.m.
April 20th
Easter Three services of worship:
The next CHIMES deadline is Sunday, April 20th at 12:00 noon for the May 2003 issue. Articles may be sent via email to: UCChimes@hotmail.com (note new email address) or put in the CHIMES Editor's mail box in the Church Annex (room just outside the Church Office). April 6th: No Children's Worship April 13th:
Jesus' Last Passover
April 20th:
No Children's Worship
April 27th: Jesus is Risen / Mary Children's Worship is for children in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade during the last half of the 9:30 worship service. This special program meets in Room 105. On May 18th, Bibles will be presented to all second graders. Please contact the church office, 662-2971 with your child's name, as you would like printed on the flyleaf of the Bible. Children in grades three or higher who have recently joined the church may also receive a Bible. Please contact the church office or Jean Picard. Mark your calendars and plan to attend Vacation Bible School during the week of June 23-27th. Each afternoon the United Church will host S.C.U.B.A.; a wonderful, energetic, fun vacation bible school program from Group Publishing. This event is designed for children entering Kindergarten through 5th grade. Adult and teen help will be needed for crew leaders and station helpers. If you'd like to volunteer, contact: Jean Picard, 662- 2971. Dig in, take hold, reach out, build up! Sunday April 13th is the Sunday that One Great Hour of Sharing will be collected. Fish shaped coin boxes were distributed in March to help you and your child participate in this valuable mission project. Boxes should be returned to the church on or before April 13th. Pastor Deb Worley Returns to Active Ministry! Welcome back, Deb! (She and I are communicating about details of the transition, so that things can happen as smoothly as possible.) Thank you for the lending of the kids, the office, the books, the keys, and the trust. Peace and blessing, always! Transition to "New" Youth Ministry It has been quite an exciting -and sometimes tense-month in the life of the people closely involved in the Youth Programs here at United. The young ones, though not at all unanimous in their opinions, expressed those opinions, and were heard by the Youth Task Force as well as at the recent Congregational Meeting -with at least one youth rising to the podium to speak out loud. Though this was a somewhat new experience for all, this democracy thing, it will have lasting good effects in the young people who got involved. Ministry is a two-way flow of energy and communication. Many thanks to Randy and Brad in particular and to other members of the Youth Task Force team for a tough job done well. The combined hard work of all the adults and young people involved during this tough phase will make the transition back to Deb's ministry a lot easier than it would have been had we not processed events as thoroughly as we have. Youth activities for the coming weeks will continue pretty much as they have been, after the Spring Break. For specific ones during the break, please contact Deb by phone or email (same address as it has been). Many thanks to all you people at United for the wonderful, never-a-dull-moment year, a year of much learning and thought, for me, and an excellent opportunity for me to work on my return to active ministry in the church as a whole. Special thanks to all of you who generously gave money and cards as part of the farewell parties of various kinds. (As to the one on Sunday, March 23: It was being called a "reception" during planning at staff, until I pointed out that I was not being "received" but leaving ... so we should call it a "de-ception." Jay Dee countered with, "How about an 'ex-ception'?" And so it went. But "farewell." It is.) For the prayers, the material gifts, the well-wishing, and the appreciation, and most of all, the opportunity to serve, I thank you all. I do have one regret. I wanted to have a solo moment of personal privilege during the final Sunday service to give a sacred, time-honored chanted blessing, but that was not possible. So, here it is. Hope you can imagine or remember the accompaniment: "Happy trails ... to you ... Until we meet again. Happy trails ... to you ...Keep smilin' until then. Happy trails ... to you ... 'til we meet, again. " Farewell, Thanks The Moms and More group continues to meet on Thursday mornings at the United Church. All church women are invited to arrive at or after 9:00 am with a short program that begins at 9:30. The program ends at 11:00 am and child care is available for $2 per child. The children are tended in the nursery while moms meet in the lounge, so you're always near by. The programs for April are: April 3rd: Need a break from Spring Break? All kids are welcome for a presentation on music. April 10th: Gardeners will delight in a professional speaker on trees, plants and flowers. April 17th: Prayer will be the topic for the guest speaker this week. April 24th: Moms morning out (go grocery shopping or get some coffee ALONE). Now available on our WEB site! If you prefer not to have a hard copy sent to you, opting to read the CHIMES on the web monthly, please e-mail us your request at ucoffice@losalamos.org or call the church office at 662-2971.
On Palm Sunday, April 13th from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM the United Church will sponsor a Pancake Breakfast in Graves Hall. The breakfast is provided at no charge, although contributions will be accepted. All offerings from the breakfast will be donated to One Great Hour of Sharing. Please join us. If you think you'll be coming, please call the church office to sign up by Wednesday, April 8th, so we'll have an idea how much food to have on hand. Please join us, though, even if you aren't signed up in advance. We believe in the One who multiplied the loaves and fishes . At a special meeting of the congregation on Sunday, March 9, important decisions were made regarding the future of The United Church. The by-laws were amended to add another person to the Mission Board. The recommendation was brought by the Mission Board because of folks who want to serve on that Board. Such enthusiasm was unanimously endorsed by the congregation. The congregation took official action to request the Presbytery of Santa Fe join with the church in dissolving the pastoral relationship between Jay Dee Conrad and the church. Though Jay Dee's official retirement begins August 1, his final Sunday in the pulpit will be July 6. (The Conrads will move to Bend, Oregon, shortly after that date). The congregation discussed and took action on a report and recommendations from the Executive Board via the Personnel Board and the Youth Task Force regarding the immediate and long term youth ministry at The United Church. In short, the congregation voted to begin a search for a full-time director or pastor of youth ministries. The congregation also voted to accept Deb Worley's proposal to return from maternity leave on a half-time basis (totally dedicated to youth ministry), and to augment her ministry with another half-time person. This youth ministry arrangement will continue during the search time for a full-time director or pastor of youth ministries. Though timing can never be exact, it is hoped that the search committee will present a candidate for the youth ministries position shortly after a new senior pastor has been called. In other words, two search committees (Senior Pastor and Youth Ministries) will be working simultaneously. Comments from members of the congregation are always welcomed by the various boards involved in these processes (Executive, Elders, Personnel, Christian Education) and, when elected by the congregation, the Search Committees. Even more, please keep these boards and individuals and, indeed, the whole church in your prayers. News Update from Wayne and Katherine Niles Dear friends, What happens when six boys play basketball on the weatherworn and crumbling cement slab porch in front of your house and the ball bounces unpredictably off the uneven and cracked pavement? At our house, those six boys (our two, and four of their Haitian friends) decided their "court" needed a face-lift. After consultation with Wayne (who was otherwise absorbed editing a video), they scavenged sledgehammers and pick axes and spent the day breaking up the concrete. A heavy cement "bench" built beside the porch stymied them for hours. I suggested they break it up, but they deemed it appropriate to move the bench. They wanted it behind the basketball net, a place for them to "rest" after playing in the future. Using an engine hoist from Wayne's workshop, they chained the bench, lifted it, and with a little help from the crew at the workshop, moved it to the place of their satisfaction. Looks like we will pour concrete in the near future! Spiritual healing is one of the most important aspects of the work of the clinic in Danda. In addition to the patients who are healed through the medical care we provide, God touches hearts through our counseling ministry. Each clinic day, many patients seek counsel and prayer support from Mr. Jacob, a layperson in the church who volunteers his time at the clinic. Last summer, Mr. Jacob, and our clinical staff, participated in a week of training, which pened our eyes to the needs of patients' hearts and souls. This past Saturday, we met again with staff from three other church-based clinics for a refresher seminar and evaluation of this ministry in each clinic. It blessed my heart to ee the growing sensitivity of our nurses to patients with spiritual needs. One nurse described her consultation with a young man caught up in a lifestyle destining him for infection with the HIV virus. The nurse talked with him at length about the physical implications of his lifestyle, and the negative results of the HIV test done for him in our laboratory, and introduced him to the Lord. She then referred him to Mr. Jacob, who helped the young man give his heart to the Lord. His journey in his new life is just beginning, but we rejoice in his first step. A couple weeks
ago, Wayne and Christopher (our oldest son) went to the annual "harvest
service" of a Baptist church in the mountain town of Valliere. It
took them three and a half hours to make the 45-mile trip. The road
up the mountain is badly washed out, with huge boulders and deep gullies
through which to maneuver the vehicle tires. The view from the top
is breath taking.
Wayne's current project, among others, is filming and putting together teaching videos in Creole on chicken and rabbit raising, and building an efficient wood stove. His narrator is Madame Grimard, a prominent member of the Haitian Baptist Women's' society. They hope the videos will thus appeal to Haitian women. The Haiti director of Heifer Project asked Wayne to produce these videos about a year ago and Wayne finally found time to do them. When finished, they will be used all over Haiti by Heifer and Haitian Baptist Women's groups. When the world
economy is depressed, the poorest countries often suffer the most. The
value of the Haitian currency (Gourde) has lost half its value against
the U.S. dollar in three months. Prices are rising almost daily.
Many of our Haitian brothers and sisters are struggling to know how they
will keep going. We often wonder how much hardship an already poor nation
can bear. Please continue to pray for this country and for us as
we work beside many who face unbelievable difficulties. In
many ways, we struggle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities
and powers. We thank God that the victory is His. We thank
Him, too, for your faithful partnership with us in this battlefield.
Please remember our One Great Hour of Sharing on Palm Sunday. On that day, Christians will join in helping those in need around the world. Here's an example of the how some of these gifts will be spent to provide help to 20 million refugees. The oppressive Taliban regime drove large numbers of refugees out of Afghanistan into neighboring Pakistan and the war against the Taliban drove out many more. With our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, Church World Service purchased fabric and cotton batting in Pakistan. Four hundred refugee women were put to work sewing quilts. Altogether, 25,000 quilts were produced in three months in time to be distributed to 8,000 families in time for the cold weather. Other self-help programs were pushed ahead in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Balkans. Please give generously on Palm Sunday to those in need around the world. Interim Senior Pastor Search Working Group March 12, 2003 An Interim Senior Pastor Search Working Group has been formed within the Board of Elders. Initial work of this group is focusing upon attributes appropriate for the person who will fill the Interim Senior Pastor position of the United Church during the period of time after Pastor Conrad retires and the arrival of a new Senior Pastor. Members of the United Church congregation are invited to provide thoughts, suggestions, and ideas important to the future of the Church and the search for an Interim Senior Pastor. Working Group Members: Brad Meyer, Georgia Strickfaden & Norm Wilson for Senior Pastor and Pastor/Youth Director Search Committee. If you are interested in serving on either committee or know someone who would be good serving on either committee, please call Roger Smith. As I write this, Sarah is just over 11 months old, and almost walking. As you read this, she'll be just under a year old and maybe, barely walking! It's so exciting and so much fun to watch. Thank you all again for the opportunity to stay home with her this first year. It truly has been a gift from God, given through all of you. Thank you, too, for the opportunity to come back. As I write this, I'm still on leave, but as you read it, I should be back-once again a member of the staff of The United Church, once again part of the ministry team, once again serving the youth of our congregation and community. And while it will certainly be an adjustment to not be with Sarah all day every day (well, at least most of the day on most days!), the transition will be made easier by the fact that I am excited to come back to work. I really am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and digging in and getting dirty. Wait-I'm not going on the Mexico trip this year! Well, I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and digging in and serving among you, anyway. After April 1st, feel free to stop by my old ... or Michael's old ... or my current office and say hello! Hope to see you soon!
Save the dates
of October 10th-12th for a great Women's Retreat at Sonlight
". . . . and indeed, it was very good." Phase I of the Seven Days of Creation project has drawn together a wonderful and varied group of people who are beginning to develop imagery produced during an extended encounter with Genesis 1:1-2:4. We are now entering Phase II where we will generate designs to reflect our work with this story. Our next two meetings will be on Sunday, April 27th, and May 4th, 2-5 pm, in Graves Hall. If you are interested in joining this process, please call Marilyn Robbins (day and evening). Lunch Bunch Callers for April 2003 are Cathy Renfro, Karen Boebinger, Joann Brown, Emily Nance, Gloria Gilmore-House, Nona Bowman, Ann Thompson and Pamela Massey. Janet Tallman, Lunch Bunch Coordinator Greeters for April: Ina and Jim Coulter, Pat Slentz, Art and Joan Cox & Jan and Ken Sinclair Liturgists for April: Georgia Strickfaden, Jan Lippiatt, Greg Boebinger, Kyle Wanningman & Larry Brown. Coffee Hosts for April are: Marilyn and Victor Bond, Roger and Betty Smith, Brad and Pam Meyer and Eric and Jennifer Schmierer. Coffee host volunteers are always in demand. If you can help one Sunday, please call Karen Edwards. Newest Members of the United Church Discipleship Class Dana Boebinger
New Members Linda G. Goforth
Vision and Goals for the United Church (Prepared and endorsed by the congregation in 1998) The Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) and the Executive Board shaped a vision of our future that preserves our strengths and makes clear we are moving to change. The following vision addresses new opportunities, and summarizes and articulates who we are and what we believe God is calling us to be in the next four years. Belonging: We will serve Christ by actively inviting and including each other into our family of faith by caring for each other, treasuring each individual, and bonding as a family through affirmation of the United Church covenant. We hope to achieve this vision in the next four years by: 1. Inviting new members: We will invite each new member to participate in some aspect of the life and ministry of the church. 2. Encouraging individual participation: We will incorporate an invitational mechanism into all activities. 3. Extending opportunities for caring fellowship: Building upon our caring fellowship we will create opportunities (including intergenerational) for broader interaction amongst members, utilizing small group ministry. 4. Deepening our caring fellowship: We will define methods and means to deepen our caring fellowship for "missing" members. 5. Caring fellowship for youth: We will provide a caring fellowship for all young people that excites and challenges Christian growth and secures a sense of belonging and importance in our church and community. Worship: As a worshipping community and in support of our ecumenical nature, we embrace a rich variety of worship experiences. We hope to achieve this vision in the next four years by: 1. Creating alternative worship experiences: We will explore and develop additional worship opportunities for the United Church, while keeping the existing worship services. Spiritual and personal growth: As those who "live in and not of the world" and understand that the use of time and resources reflect our values, we will honor the uniqueness and gifts of each member, providing opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. We hope to achieve this vision in the next four years by: 1. Expanding ecumenical experiences: We will continue expanding ecumenical efforts by supporting increased pastoral and lay attendance to various denominational activities, and providing many opportunities to share these experiences with the congregation. 2. Developing spiritual opportunities: We will explore and develop spiritual guidance approaches to serve the spiritual growth needs of our congregation. 3. Helping people with time and resources: We will offer to help people explore their use of time and resources in serving what they value. Planning and evaluation: We will be good stewards of all of our resources through continual and careful evaluation of our personnel, programs and organizational structures. We hope to achieve this vision in the next four years by: 1. Offering volunteer opportunities: Annually we will give each member an opportunity to serve in the life of the church. 2. Evaluating volunteer and staff requirements: In order to better utilize all available resources, we will evaluate the current use of volunteer and staff required to fulfill the bylaws of the church. 3. Instituting regular program evaluation: We will establish and implement a church- wide process to regularly evaluate programs in light of the current goals, mission and vision of the church. 4. Providing leadership, consistency, curriculum and continuity for all youth: We will use the pastoral leadership to guide the lay leadership in the selection of a dynamic curriculum for ages birth to eighteen with continuity in education sequence and with consistency in involved people. Outreach: Being consistent with our 50 years of missional involvement, we will continue to serve our larger community. We hope to achieve this vision in the next four years by: 1. Recognizing and encouraging church members' participation in the community: Recognizing United Church's contributions in finances and personnel to community help groups and mission activities, we will raise the awareness regarding these activities and encourage greater participation. 2. Providing outside speakers: We will bring to Los Alamos and the northern New Mexico community outstanding speakers that address the spiritual and social needs and issues of individuals and the local, national and international communities. Growth: In response to the great commission as a congregation we will invite people into and nurture them in a life of faith. We hope to achieve this vision in the next four years by: 1. Strengthening new member programs: We will develop a stronger program for welcoming, accepting and supporting new members. 2. Expanding our membership: We expect participation in the United Church programs; the structure is evolving to increase membership. We will grow as we move into the future. The All Church Spring Work Party is on April 19th from 8:00 am to 12:00 Noon. Please bring along your working gloves, rakes, clippers, loppers and other yard tools. The Trustee Board will host and provide juice, coffee and pastries. Even if you can only come for a short time, we need your help. Report from the Personnel Board The Personnel Board is taking the following action in response to the Youth Ministries Task force Report adopted by the congregation on March 9th. Placing the ad in the Chimes and bulletins and a similar ad in the Monitor. (If you know of someone who may be interested, please encourage him or her to apply.) Advertisement
for Youth Ministries half time staff person.
Establish a selection committee to interview and recommend a candidate for the above position to the personnel board. The committee will be 5 members as follows; CE Board representative, parent of mid high and/or high school student, one mid high youth, one senior high youth, Personnel Board representative (Sharon Stover) and Deb Worley, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministries.Annual Staff Performance Reviews In April and May 2003, the Personnel Board will facilitate the evaluation of the staffing roles and individual staff of The United Church in accordance with the Personnel Regulations. The role of the Personnel Board in the review process is one of facilitation, documentation, and akin to the human resources department within an organization, to assure uniformity of review for the benefit of both the employee and The United Church. The substance of the review process is provided through the board representatives and the staff member, not through the Personnel Board. The Personnel Board requests the congregation's input and will distribute it to the board member writing the review. Please leave the signed comments by April 15, in the personnel board mailbox in the church office or contact the board member writing the employee's review. The board members
assigned to writing the reviews for 2003 are:
The remaining staff will be evaluated later in the year after completing 3 months of employment. In 1998, the Long Range Planning Committee worked for most of that year to develop the Vision and Goals for the United Church of Los Alamos for the next 4 years. The Vision and Goals were endorsed by the congregation at a congregation meeting on October 25, 1998. A copy of the Vision and Goals is included in this report (or elsewhere in this issue of the Chimes-editors choice). Now, in 2003 or 4 years later, it is time for the Long Range Planning Committee to review the Vision and Goals, identify what has been accomplished, see how it has been used, think about changes that have occurred in the last 4 years and update the Vision and Goals of the United Church for the next 4-5 years. The results of this review will also support the new search committees in their identification of the needs of the church. This will not be a yearlong endeavor as it was in 1998, but rather a review by the committee based on a variety of forums that will be developed to gather input from the congregation. These forums will include input from each of the Boards, and special meetings where all church members are invited for discussion, possibly during the Sunday school hour in May or June. Please review the Vision and Goals from 1998, think about accomplishments in the last 4 years, what you think the future holds for United Church and watch for further information in the Chimes or Bulletin for opportunities to provide your input to the process. John Puckett, Chair, Long Range Planning Committee The evening men's fellowship has been meeting every other Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and enjoying pizza along with a discussion of various topics such as the meaning of the cross and "What is Evil". Typically we alternate between Craig Hall and Steve Paglieri's house in White Rock. Jay Dee will be participating with us now, so if you have any ideas for discussion, please let him know. For more info contact Steve Paglieri. INJOY! Share the joy of knowing Christ, share the joy of Christian Fellowship, share the joy of small groups and great youth programs, invite your friends and neighbors to church on May 18th. There will be a pot luck at 11:00 a.m., so they can get to know us better. Enjoy! Sponsored by the Membership and Evangelism Board. Bunny Newman
Mexico Mission Trip Participants for 2003 Sympathy to Alice Waterrman and family upon the death of Bob Waterman; Alison Grieggs on the death of her grandmother in Scotland (mother of Anne Caughran); Jim and Ina Coulter upon the death of Jim's Brother, Kenneth A baby boy, James Thomas Cessna, born on February 18, 2003 to Andy and Melissa Cessna of Salt Lake City, Utah, with a proud grandparent Jill Cessna and great-grandson of Jeanne Peterson. Prayer Letter Telephone Prayer Chain If you want prayer for yourself or someone close to you, don't hesitate to call the coordinator, Shelly Wageman. To receive
the Prayer Letter, contact the Church Office at 662-2971 or
It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Acts 3:16b Pat Slentz, this month's volunteer, joined United Church in 1985. Her talents are varied and have been a blessing for the church. Pat helped lead Children's worship for six years and recently taught 5th and 6th grade Sunday school as well as helping with Vacation Bible School and the LOGOs programs. In her service for the adults, she participated in the first Stephen Ministry training class and served until her son, Matthew, was born. During her service, she planned two Stephen Ministry retreats. She has also served on the Christian Education Board, Mission Board, directed All-Church Camp, and led an adult Sunday school class. She is currently serving a term on the Board of Elders. After earning a degree in English and Journalism Education from the University of Kansas, Pat taught high school English and later went back to school for computer science course work. Prior to going on a medical leave, Pat worked for LANL as a TSM computer programmer from 1984 to 1998. In 1996, she used her writing and computer talents to build the first website for the United Church. She also put her writing talents to use by producing an informational brochure about the United Church, which has been used in the sanctuary for visitors. In the fall of 2000, she decided to learn to play the organ. Currently, she plays once every month or two at the 9:30 service. Two of her favorite hymns are Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee and Joy To the World. She finds time to practice nearly every day and enjoys the uplifting experience she gets from worshipping and sharing with music, although playing for services is still difficult for her. To enrich her spiritual wellness, she participates in the Companions in Christ study and the Brown Bag group on Thursdays. When they aren't busy with schoolwork, Pat enjoys time with her children, Carolyn, 13, and Matthew, 10, and the family dog, Zeke, an English cocker spaniel. Outside of the church, Pat has recently volunteered with scouting, helped in her children's school classrooms and other activities, and led a Fibromyalgia support group. Her children, who are busy with Christian youth groups, soccer, basketball, baseball, piano, and violin, keep her busy as the transportation unit. One day she hopes she'll have more energy for her hobbies, music, photography, art and writing poetry. Why does she volunteer? She cares about the church and has a desire to give something back to our church community that has given her so much. I think she does a great job. United Church is blessed to have someone with her varied talents that is so devoted to giving her heart and soul to our educational and worship programs. By Angie Chipera Having been
ordained in 1963 . . .
I've been looking
for a suitable word
Celebratively yours, Jay Dee p.s.
I may turn the poem into a Call to Worship
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