__________The United Church of Los Alamos
 
 
 

United Chimes:  Vol. 41, No. 4, April 2005









Table of Contents
Front Page News
LA Cares
Please Take Note
For Our Children & Youth
Children’s Worship
Second Grade Bibles
Vacation Bible School
Sunday School
Church News & Announcements
Moms and More
Mother Daughter Banquet & Roundup
April Sunday Worship Themes
Lunch Bunch Callers
Church Attendance
Missions Corner April 2005
Habitat for Humanity
Spring Seminars
Marriage Vitamins
Men of the United Church
Brownbag Study
Mexico Mission Auction News
WCSS Circle Meetings
Reminders!
Chimes Newsletter Deadline
Coffee Hosts for April
United Church Highlights Refrigerator Calendar
Church Bazaar
Table Talk from Don
To Mexico we go!!!
Prayers, Praises, Thanks and More
Prayer Concerns
Prayer Letter
Kay Roberts grandson
Chimes Newsletter

Front Page News

LA Cares
Moms and Nore
LA Cares Food Collection List

Because hunger is a year-round problem and doesn’t go away after the Christmas season, even in Los Alamos, Moms and More is sponsoring a year-round food drive for Los Alamos Cares.  LA Cares packs a box of food and necessary household items each month for anyone calling them and requesting assistance (right now they are typically packing between 45 and 50 boxes each month). Moms and More will be placing a box in FellowshipHall and one in the mailroom of the Christian Education building to collect these type of items for LA Cares.   Each month, we will suggest certain tems that the congregation will then be invited to drop off in either box at any time throughout the month, although any non-perishable food item is welcome at any time or even a cash donation to LA Cares.  The items we are suggesting are items that are very much appreciated by the recipients but are not donated very often.   This month’s kick-off drive is for Apple Juice, Grape Juice, and  Instant Coffee.   Next time you go shopping, buy an extra one of these, and drop it by the church.  There are hungry people in Los Alamos, and this is a simple way we can help.

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Please Take Note
The next CHIMES  deadline is Sunday, April 24th at 12:00 noon for  the May 2005 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).

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For Our Children & Youth

Children’s Worship
April 3rd      Spring Break
                 No Children’s Worship

April 10th    Spring Break
                 No Children’s Worship

April 17th    Jesus is Risen - Mary

April 24th    Jesus is Risen - Emmaus
 
Storyteller and greeters needed.  Please sign up outside Jean Picard’s office.

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Second Grade Bibles
We will be presenting Bibles to our second graders on Sunday, May 15th. Please call the church office with the name of your second grader as you wish it to appear on the flyleaf of the Bible. If you are in third grade or older and need a Bible please call Jean Picard and we will see that you get one.

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Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible school will be here before you know it (June 20-24).  This year’s Serengetti Trek is sure to appeal to even the “tamest” volunteer.  Volunteers are needed is several key areas.  Please contact Jean Picard, 662-2971 to volunteer to help with child care, registration, decorating, clean-up, Chadder’s Theater or Bible Exploration.

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Sunday School
Children’s Sunday School will take a break on Easter (March 27th), and Spring Break (April 3 & 10th). Classes will resume on April 17. There will be a special children’s program at 11:00 on Sunday April 10th on the playground for children of all ages.

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Church News & Announcements

Moms and More
Moms and More is a group of Moms who meet every Friday morning in the Church Lounge from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM for fellowship, food, to learn from speakers, to do occasional service projects for the church, and to support one another.  On April Fools day, the Mom’s will stretch ourselves and have a little recreational fun.  The April 8th meeting is cancelled due to Spring Break.  But on April 15th we will be indulging in a Mom’s Day Out, where child care will be provided while Moms may choose their own activity for the next couple of hours, be it grocery shopping alone, a workout, a hike, shopping, manicure, hair appointment or a spontaneous get-to-gather with some other Moms at Starbucks; the time is yours.  On April 22nd we are arranging for a discussion on stress, its effects on our families and how to combat it.  On April 29th, we will take care of any last minute concerns for the Mother/Daughter Banquet.  All are welcome, even if your children don’t need the child care provided, as noted below.  Come join us.

Childcare is always provided during Moms & More, and a $2.00 per child 
contribution is greatly appreciated.

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Mother Daughter Banquet & Roundup

April 30, 2005
6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m.
Tickets:
Adults $8.00 
Children 5-12 $4.00
Children 4 and under Free

Childcare will be provided
Limited Tickets will be available after church in 
Fellowship Hall and at the church office.
Wear your best western duds!

Yee Haw!!!!
(sponsored by Mom’s and More)

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April Sunday Worship Themes
 
April 3rd Our text today will be Luke 24:13-35. “Their Hearts Burned and Their Eyes Were Opened” is the title of the sermon. Susan Kemper Bryant will assist in the chancel this Sunday while Don is participating in the Mexico Mission Trip.
April 10th “A Blessing on Us All” is the title of this morning’s sermon based on the story of Thomas found in John 20: 19-31.
April 17th “A Snapshot of the Early Church”
Don’s sermon will reflect on the Acts 2:42-47 text. This is a “snapshot” of the early church that challenges us as “church” in the 21st Century. The message will explore some of the challenges facing us today as well as what we can learn from the experience of early Christians.
April 24th Mexico Mission Sunday
Volunteers of the Mexico Mission Trip will develop and lead the worship service.  The service will be a celebration of the mission.

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Lunch Bunch Callers
Lunch Bunch Callers for April are: Pat Krikorian, Jean Nereson, Emily Nance, Sandra Tolmie, Ann Wadstrom, Virginia Emelity and Wilma Durham.

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Church Attendance
 
Date
8:00 Service
9:30 Service
February 20th
21
162
February 27th
31
172
March 6th
25
192
March 13th
30
199
March 20th
34
205

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Missions Corner April 2005
Your mission dollars currently support between 35 and 40 organizations—some located here in Northern New Mexico, and others as far away as South Africa and Russia. Gifts typically include a financial disbursement ranging from $500 to $3,000 per year, or a one-time gift such as through our Alternative Giving    program at Christmas. Church World Service was the recipient of last month’s One Great Hour of Sharing, and is also receiving your individual donations to support tsunami recovery efforts in Asia. Below is some general information about CWS to give you a better idea of how your money is being spent.

Church World Service, http://www.churchworldservice CWS, founded in 1946, is a relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations in the United States. It works in partnership with indigenous organizations in more than 80 countries to help meet human needs and foster self-reliance for individuals whose way is hard.

Within the United States, Church World Service assists communities in responding to disasters, resettling refugees, promoting fair national and international policies, providing educational resources, and offering opportunities to join a people-to-people network of local and global caring through participation in CROP Walks (Christian Rural Overseas Program), and other similar programs.

CWS has recently undertaken a major regional emergency response to Asia’s devastating tsunamis that occurred in December. It is planning a major rehabilitation and long-term recovery program that will span years. It will provide support to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and other affected countries.  Initial support included $1 million in assistance of cash grants and airlifts of family shelters, emergency medical supplies, and blankets and health kits. CWS staff was immediately dispatched to the affected regions to assess  damage and coordinate a response.

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Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity
Call for Volunteers
Habitat for Humanity (HFH) of Española Valley & Los Alamos (EVLA) is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing.

Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to renovate and build Habitat houses. Partner families invest approximately five hundred hours of labor - "sweat equity" - into building and renovating their homes and the homes of others.

A critical shortage of affordable housing for low and moderate income families exists in both the Española Valley and Los Alamos Area. In Española alone, there are over 600 families on the waiting list for low income housing. Elderly and disabled homeowners, single-head-of-households, and those who cannot perform necessary home repairs themselves, need assistance. For these families and others like them Habitat for Humanity's primary goal is to give a hand up.


If interested in volunteering your time for this worthwhile cause, contact the EVLA Office Manager: 
Yvonne Maestas 
Tel: (505) 747-2690 
Fax: (505) 753-7293 
E-mail: habitat-evla@la-tierra.com
 

Additional information may be accessed at the following URL: http://www.la-tierra.com/habitat-evla/

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Spring Seminars
              Spring Seminars
               Thursday Evenings
                 April 14, 21, 28

Dinner at 6:00 P.M.
(cost is $3.00 for adults, $7.00 for families with children)

Program to follow:

April 14  An Introduction to Celtic
   Christianity

April 21  A Celtic Pilgrimage

April 28  The Iona Community

Presenters: Randy and Laura Erickson
                Suzanne and J.D. Johnson
                Litton and Kathleen Logan
                Loree Lynch

Last summer the presenters participated in a two week Celtic Pilgrimage to Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.  Programs will include oral presentations, slides, shared reflections, and worship and music which reflect Celtic thought and practice.

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Marriage Vitamins
Roger and I have been married almost 24 years. For some that may seem like a long time…others will think it short. Whichever crowd you belong to, I think you would gain a lot from Marriage Vitamins. There are many like spending enough time together, working hard at communicating well, seeking to understand the other’s needs and of course, having fun. In our busy world these often get neglected.

Medicine seeks to cure or lessen symptoms. Vitamins are not a fix, but a strengthening ingredient against marriage ills.

In our 2nd year, I learned about Marriage Encounter, an excellent “vitamin”. After persuasion, Roger agreed to go. We spent a weekend like none we had ever had, focused just on us. We were thrilled about discoveries we had made and had a renewed joy in our love. We were so excited we needed to stop and have a meal before we got back onto the highway. Equally blessed was a retired couple, married for many years.

As our marriage grew, we still had ups and downs. We decided to journey through another “close” Encounter. Later we tried another good flavor of vitamins, Marriage Enrichment.

Barbara and Phil Seeger have also been active in both groups, even leading Enrichment weekends for our church in the past. Barbara describes the two well:
 

“The Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment (ACME) website is www.bettermarriages.org .

Links to topics such as:
    What makes ACME distinctive?
    What makes Marriage Encounter Work?
    Lists ACME Enrichment events.
    . . .and many other things. 

This is NOT a religion based program, but it is often sponsored by churches, and the leaders we have known do incorporate and emphasize the 
importance of a faith in God.  We are certified (i.e., trained) leaders (participating facilitators) in this.

Marriage Encounter’s website is www.wwme.org .

Links:
    What is Marriage Encounter?
    Weekend and other event information
    . . .and many other things.

This is the original and Catholic Marriage Encounter, but they do have a link to "Other Denominations."

Basically, Encounter is led by a couple and clergy person.  The emphasis is on the couple, and they dialogue only with each other.  Focus is on each other. Strengths: non-threatening.  There is a program for engaged 
couples.
Weaknesses: Less a sense of community, do not benefit from experience of other couples, very much work/exposure for lead couple.

Enrichment emphasizes helping couples develop skills of communication, dealing with anger, resolving problems in marriage.  The couple is taught to dialogue, and does so "in front of" other couples.  Strengths: You realize you are not the only one with a particular problem.  And many of the skills can be used in other relationships--children, workplace, etc. 
Weaknesses:  Hard for some couples to dialogue openly before others.

* * * *

Roger and I really enjoyed both styles. On behalf of healthy marriages, and the Board of Elders, we highly recommend looking into Marriage Encounter or Marriage Enrichment for some great vitamins and renewed love.

Betty Nance Smith
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Men of the United Church
Please mark the dates of September 30 - October 2 on your calendar. These are the new dates for the Men’s Retreat at Sonlight Christian Camp. We have already engaged a speaker for this event and wanted to give you plenty of notice so you can plan to attend. If you are interested in helping to plan this event contact Steve Paglieri, Kathleen Logan, or Don Childers. We will keep meeting times for the planning to a minimum so consider joining us in putting together a great event for the men of the church.

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Brownbag Study
A New Brownbag Study will begin on April 21st at noon in the Lounge. We will be reading Sue Monk Kidd’s book The Secret Life of Bees and a second book, Unveiling the Secret Life of Bees, which “explores the embodiments of women, feminine power, relationships, and the importance of women in the life of the church. It looks at the roles of women in the Bible and how those roles are defined or redefined in The Secret Life of Bees, expanding our concepts of the "Divine mother," earthly mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and the "queen bee." Along the way, we Encounter remembrance, forgiveness, reconciliation, liberation, community, rituals, the feminine face of God, and the important role women play in one another's lives.” (quote is from the back cover of the book)

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Mexico Mission Auction News
A big Thank You to all those special people that made the Mexico Mission Auction a Monumental Success!!!

The hundreds of hours of cataloging and entering all the items.  The hours of checking and double checking!  All those wonderful goodies that we snacked on while we checked and double checked our silent bid items!

We had a great time!!
Thank you!!

The auction raised $14,600.00
 

Good Luck and Safe Traveling to all of those going on the Mexico Mission trip.  You're in our thoughts and prayers!

The United Church Congregation
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WCSS Circle Meetings
Circle I Tuesday, April 12th, 9:30 am,
M.J. Nilsson's home
M.J. Nilsson, hostess
Circle IV Tuesday, April 12th,
1:00 p.m. in the church lounge
Ginny Phillips, hostess

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Reminders!
Liturgists for April

April 3rd   Jan Lippiatt
April 10th Eric Bjorklund
April 17th Angie Chipera
April 24th Krista Edwards
               (this is Mexico Sunday) 

Greeters for April:  Dale & Linda Breshears, Bill & Marjorie Chambers, Nancy, Jerry & Cindy Bolme, and Phillip & Heather Jones.

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Chimes Newsletter Deadline
May 2005 deadline is Sunday, April 24th, 2005, 12:00 Noon

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Coffee Hosts for April
April 3rd:    Ronalie & Joel Moss

April 10th: Goforths

April 17th:  Roger & Betty Smith

April 24th:  Ken & Jan Sinclair

 
We all enjoy the coffee fellowship time after church.  It's a great way to stay "in-touch" with other members of our Christian community.  But in order to keep enjoying coffee after worship we need volunteers to host.  It's an easy job--the instructions are printed inside the cabinet in the Sanctuary kitchen.  Just arrive by 9:00 am to start the coffee and hot water pots etc.  Most Sundays you should be finished by 11:00 a.m. Please consider being a coffee host--it's a great way to serve the church, particularly if you can't serve in other ways.  If anyone has questions about being a coffee host, or you have a specific date on which you would like to volunteer please contact Nancy Johnson.

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United Church Highlights Refrigerator Calendar
 
MARCH 27 EASTER SUNDAY
6 am SUNRISE SERVICE at Ashley Pond
9 & 11 am WORSHIP SERVICES, Sanctuary
10:15 am EASTER EGG HUNT FOR Birth to 2nd grade
7:00 pm TAPED WORSHIP ON PAC 8
MARCH 28 7:00 pm CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER, Chapel
MARCH 29 10:30 am STAFF MEETING, Lounge
12:00 pm TAPED WORSHIP ON PAC 8
6:00 pm CHRISTIAN ED. BOARD, Lounge
7:00 pm MISSION BOARD, Rm 115
MARCH 30 8:30-12:30 pm THRIFT SHOP OPEN
7:00 pm SANCTUARY CHOIR, Sanctuary
MARCH 31 4:15 pm JUNIOR CHOIR, Chapel
APRIL1 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
8:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Sangrey Chapel
9:30 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Sanctuary
10:30 am COFFEE FELLOWSHIP, Fellowship Hall
4:30 am PRAISE CHOIR, Sanctuary
6:00 pm STEPHEN MINISTRY CONTINUING ED., Lounge
7:00 pm STEPHEN MINISTRY SUPPERVISION, Lounge
APRIL 2 MEXICO MISSION TRIP until April 9th
APRIL 3 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
8:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Sangrey Chapel
9:30 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Sanctuary
10:30 am COFFEE FELLOWSHIP, Fellowship Hall
4:30 am PRAISE CHOIR, Sanctuary
6:00 pm STEPHEN MINISTRY CONTINUING ED., Lounge
7:00 pm STEPHEN MINISTRY SUPPERVISION, Lounge
APRIL 4 7:00 pm CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER, Chapel
APRIL 5 10:30 am STAFF MEETING, Lounge
12:00 pm TAPED WORSHIP ON PAC 8
APRIL 6 8:30-12:30 pm THRIFT SHOP OPEN
12:00 noon PRE-TRUSTEE BOARD LUNCH MEETING, Library
7:00 pm SANCTUARY CHOIR, Sanctuary
APRIL 7 4:15 pm JUNIOR CHOIR, Chapel
APRIL 8  6:45 am MEN’S FELLOWSHIP, Lounge
APRIL 9 8:00 am TRUSTEE BOARD WORK PARTY
APRIL 10 8:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Chapel
9:30 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Sanctuary
10:30 am COFFEE FELLOWSHIP, Fellowship Hall
10:30 am SPECIAL SUNDAY SCHOOL ON PLAYGROUND
4:30 am PRAISE CHOIR, Sanctuary
APRIL 11 7:00 pm CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER, Chapel
7:00 pm MEMBERSHIP EVANGELISM BOARD, Lounge
APRIL 12 10:30 am STAFF MEETING, Lounge
12:00 pm TAPED WORSHIP ON PAC 8
APRIL 13 8:30-12:30 pm THRIFT SHOP OPEN
12:00 noon PRE-TRUSTEE BOARD LUNCH MEETING, Library
4:00 pm SOMBRILLO WORSHIP, Sombrillo 
APRIL 14  4:15 pm JUNIOR CHOIR, Chapel
6:00 pm SPRING SEMINAR, Graves Hall
7:00 pm TRUSTEE BOARD, Library
APRIL 15 6:45 am MEN’S FELLOWSHIP, Lounge
APRIL 17 8:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Chapel
9:30 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Sanctuary
9:45 am CHILDREN’S WORSHIP
10:30 am COFFEE FELLOWSHIP, Fellowship Hall
10:30 am JOY SINGERS, Room 105
10:45 am JUNIOR FELLOWSHIP, Graves Hall
4:30 am PRAISE CHOIR, Sanctuary
APRIL 18 7:00 pm CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER, Chapel
APRIL 19 10:30 am STAFF MEETING, Lounge
12:00 pm TAPED WORSHIP ON PAC 8
4:00 pm PERSONNEL BOARD, Library
7:00 pm ELDERS BOARD, Lounge
7:00 pm FINANCE BOARD, Library
7:00 pm MISSION BOARD, Room 115
APRIL 20 8:30-12:30 pm THRIFT SHOP OPEN
7:00 pm SANCTUARY CHOIR, Sanctuary
APRIL 21 4:15 pm JUNIOR CHOIR, Chapel
6:00 pm SPRING SEMINARS, Graves Hall
APRIL 22 6:45 am MEN’S FELLOWSHIP, Lounge
APRIL 24 8:00 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Chapel
9:30 am WORSHIP SERVICE, Sanctuary
9:45 am CHILDREN’S WORSHIP
10:30 am COFFEE FELLOWSHIP, Fellowship Hall
10:30 am JOY SINGERS, Room 105
10:45 am JUNIOR FELLOWSHIP, Graves Hall
11:00 am SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES
12:00 pm CHIMES NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
4:30 am PRAISE CHOIR, Sanctuary
APRIL 25  7:00 pm CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER, Chapel
APRIL 26  10:30 am STAFF MEETING, Lounge
12:00 pm TAPED WORSHIP ON PAC 8
4:00 pm PERSONNEL BOARD, Library
7:30 pm EXECUTIVE BOARD, Lounge
APRIL 27 8:30-12:30 pm THRIFT SHOP OPEN
7:00 pm SANCTUARY CHOIR, Sanctuary
APRIL 28 4:15 pm JUNIOR CHOIR, Chapel
6:00 pm SPRING SEMINARS, Graves Hall
APRIL 29  6:45 am MEN’S FELLOWSHIP, Lounge
APRIL 30 6:00 pm MOTHER/DAUGHTER BANQUET, Graves Hall

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Church Bazaar
              YES !!
The Church Bazaar is Coming!   Save 
November 19th on your Calendar.

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Table Talk from Don

To Mexico we go!!!
   As of this writing I am still preparing for the mission trip into Mexico.  I have purchased my work boots, work gloves, wet wipes, sunscreen, and water bottle. I have been impressed by the number of volunteers, the number of young people who are giving up their spring break, and the commitment of The United Church to this mission.  “Hands on” mission brings into focus what mission work is about.
   I remember the first time I spoke at a Skid Row mission, the first time I spent an evening in a large city county hospital emergency room, the first time I worked in an African American community, the first time I worked with transients, or at a prison half way house, or with the mentally challenged---on and on the list goes.  Each time I was the one impacted, I was the one who grew, and I was the one who had the privilege of learning what Jesus meant by service.  The hope of this Mission Trip is not only will be do something loving and significant for the families we help---but we who volunteer will have something loving and significant happen for us.  Love when shared comes back ten-fold to those who love.
   Yet, we do not have to go to Mexico to experience hands-on the plea of Jesus for service.  There are mission opportunities right here.  May our eyes and hearts always be open to God’s leading.

                                                                                  Don

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Prayers, Praises, Thanks and More

Prayer Concerns
Bob Emigh

Jack Mooday

The Mexico Mission Team

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Prayer Letter
The United Church Prayer Letter will be sent out every two months.  To receive the letter or to add a prayer concern, please contact Jane Phillips.

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Kay Roberts grandson
Dear Friends at The United Church, 

I enjoy reading United Chimes every month, and I cherish memories of growing up in The United Church, as well as being a member again after moving back to Los Alamos to teach at Los Alamos Middle School in 1985.  Thanks for supporting me in my journey of faith, and for helping me answer the call to the ordained ministry.  After graduating from Austin Seminary in 1999, the Lord led me to Louisiana, and now to Kent, Ohio where I serve as head of staff for a church with an active university ministry. 

I wanted to share with you the joy of the birth of my first grandson (and my mother Kitty Russell's first great grandson): 

Malachi Jamil Browne, born March 20 to my daughter Kitty (Roberts) Browne and her husband Edward Browne.  Kitty is a medical doctor today, her dream since childhood.  The Stovall Scholarship helped her succeed in her journey through medical school. 

Grace and peace to each of you, 
Kay Roberts

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Chimes Newsletter
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 662-2791.

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Questions about The United Church may be directed to ucoffice@losalamos.org
Last Modified 3/26/2005