 The
United Church of Los Alamos
United
Chimes: Vol. 39, No. 12, December 2003
Table
of Contents
Front
Page News
Advent
Workshop 2003
Advent
Please
Take Note
For
Our Children & Youth
Children’s
Worship
God
and Family Program
Operation
Christmas Child
Gifts
for Truchas
KAC
Skating Party
Baking
a Birthday Cake For Jesus
Christmas
Program
“Taking
a Leap of Faith”
Church
News and Announcements
Christmas
Moravian Love Feast
Grief
Support for the Holidays
Church
Attendance
Help
Needed
Advent
Christmas Sunday Worship Themes
Holiday
Highlights Refrigerator Calendar
Church
Belles to Perform
Chimes
Newsletter on the Web
Chef
Mac’s Winter Cooking Class
Reminders!
Chimes
Newsletter Deadline
Youth
Ministry Search Committee Survey
United
Church Women's Annual Christmas Potluck
Coffee
Hosts for November and December
Moms
& More
United
Church Library News
Crop
Walk
Marcus
Borg Seminar
Prayers,
Praises, Thanks and More
Prayer
Concerns
Prayer
Letter Telephone Prayer Chain
Stovall
Scholarship Fund
2004
Calendar Collection
Congratulations
Sympathy
Members
of the Month
From
Our Interim Pastor
Thanksgiving
Front
Page News
Advent
Workshop 2003
Jesus is born!
The Bible tells
us that Jesus is the Light of the World. During the Christmas season
the whole world is glowing with holiday lights. It is easy to become
distracted from Jesus, the true Light for our lives. Come and join
us in Graves Hall on November 30th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. as we search
for the one true Light at our Church Family Christmas Celebration.
This will be a time for families, singles, seniors, children, and youth
to come together for fellowship, worship, singing, and making advent wreaths
and crafts as we begin the Advent season. There will be greens available
to make advent wreaths. Bring your own forms, wire and candles if
you have them. A few will be available for purchase that evening.
We will begin with a finger food supper:
A-G bring sandwiches
H-N Bring fruits and veggies
O-Z bring dessert.
Invite your
friends and neighbors to join us as we focus on Jesus, the Light of the
World, and the true meaning of Christmas.
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Advent
By Howard
Grant, Interim Pastor
What an exciting
and joyous time Christmas season is for children. Little ones fairly bubble
over with anticipation of Christmas Coming. Adult Christians know it is
the time when we again celebrate Christ's birth, but our excitement long
ago may have taken a back seat to a "Ho, hum" attitude. We may wish Christmas
soon is done with, and that things get back to "normal".
Here a prophecy
from Matthew may help. "They shall call his name Emmanuel," which means,
"God is with us." (1:23).
This meaning
may be illustrated by an older couple who were riding down the road peacefully.
Suddenly the woman turns to her husband, who is driving, and says part
wistfully, part accusingly, "You know, years ago we used to ride down the
road sitting right next to each other. You used to put your arm around
me, and we cuddled as we traveled." The man drove on in silence for a while,
then said, "Honey, I'm not the one who moved."
Advent is the
season to again come close to God in Christ. For God is still there for
us. We are the ones who have moved. It is time spiritually to be a child
again. Christmas season is a wonderful time to move over close to Christ
again.
You and I can
do this through worship, by attending Christmas Sunday and our Christmas
eve services with a friend, by praying that Emmanuel, the Christ, again
be with us.
Let us again
snuggle close to God, so that this may be an exciting and blessed Christmas
that we long remember.
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Please
Take Note
The next CHIMES
deadline is Sunday, December 14th at 12:00 noon for the Christmas/Early
January 2004 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.
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For
Our Children & Youth
Children’s
Worship
November 30th
Advent 2
(Mary and Joseph Show the Way to Bethlehem)
December 7th
Advent 3
(The Shepherds Show the Way to Bethlehem)
December 14th
Advent 4
(The Magi Show the Way to Bethlehem)
December 21st
Meeting the Christ Child
December 28th
No Children’s Worship
Storytellers
and Greeters are needed. Please contact Cathy Renfro.
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God
and Family Program
Once again
we will be offering the God and Family program for interested 3rd-6th graders.
This program is appropriate for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H members.
If you are interested please contact Jean Picard (662-2971) so we can set
up a schedule of meetings.
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Operation
Christmas Child
WOW! Over
50 shoeboxes were filled with candy, toys, school supplies and items for
children around the world. Our Sunday School students and teachers,
Kindergarten through High School spent Sunday morning, November 9th, filling
the boxes. (Check out the bulletin board on the second floor of the
C.E. building for some great pictures.) A special thank you to Betty
Apperson for coordinating this wonderful project. Thanks to all who participated.
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Gifts
for Truchas
Beginning
November 30th we will be collecting hats, stretch gloves and mittens, small
toys, school supplies and candy for the children at the Truchas preschool.
Please donate items appropriate for 3-5 year olds. We will accept
items until December 14th. Items will be bagged and sent to Truchas
with Virginia Stovall and Santa Claus on December 19th. Thank you
for helping with this outreach to Northern New Mexico.
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KAC
Skating Party
The next KAC
event will be Sunday, December 7th from 2-4 pm at the County Ice Rink.
The cost is $3 per person + Skate rental @$2 for figure skates. Hot chocolate
and cookies will be available. Please contact the church office by
Friday, December 5th if you plan on coming. Bring a friend.
If you would like to chaperone this event contact Jean Picard or Beth Dermer.
Chaperones skate for free with skate rental at $2 for figure skates.
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Baking
a Birthday Cake For Jesus
On Sunday
December 21st we will bake and decorate a cake and cupcakes for the 7 pm
Christmas Eve Service. Please come to Graves Hall at 11:00 am to
participate in this family oriented event. Adults and children are
needed. Questions? Contact: Jean Picard, 662-2971 if you can
help.
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Christmas
Program
The United
Puppet People will present a special Christmas show on December 14th in
Graves Hall at 11:00 a.m. There will also be a special presentation
by the 5th and 6th grade Sunday School class. You won’t want to miss
this special holiday event.
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“Taking
a Leap of Faith”
Several of
our young people are “taking a leap of faith” by participating in this
year’s Discipleship Class. We began meeting earlier this month, and
those that decided to join will do so on Sunday, February 29th, thereby
taking that LEAP!
We’ve gotten
off to a good start, with our group consisting of these mid high students:
Tanner Johnson (8th grad), Sheriden Smith (7th grade), and Missy Wageman
(7th grade). Ashley Reader (9th grade) went through the class last
year without joining and so has decided to participate with us this year
as well. We are a small group this year, but even after just our
first get-together, I can tell we will be a mighty group.
Keep watching
and reading for more news about this group, as we all continue growing
our faith together.
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Church
News and Announcements
Christmas
Moravian Love Feast
During both
worship services on December 21st we will once again celebrate a Moravian
Love Feast. The Love Feast is a service of song and scripture at
which a simple meal is served. The meal, based on early Christian
agape meals, is an act of fellowship, love and spiritual unity. It
reminds us that we are brothers and sisters in Christ and ought to love
one another as Christ loves us. The Christmas Love Feast is one of the
most beautiful services of the Moravian Church. The custom originated
on the European continent in the year 1747 and spread throughout the Moravian
world. Rather than a full meal, the Love Feast is a ritual meal using
sweet bread and coffee or, as in our meal, hot chocolate. The love
feast or agape meal has always differed from the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist
which celebrates God’s love for us, rather the love feast celebrates our
love for God and for one another.
If you would
be interested in helping prepare the sweet rolls for this service, please
contact the church office for the recipe for the Moravian Love Feast Buns
which we serve.
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Grief
Support for the Holidays
The United
Church staff and volunteers will be offering a grief support group focused
on working through the additional stresses of the holidays. The group
will continue to meet on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas
and New Years) in the Howard’s study through mid January. Grief may
be from the death of a loved one, divorce, national events and other losses.
The group is open to any one in need.
If you would
like more information, please contact the church office 662-2971.
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Church
Attendance
| Date |
8:00 Service |
9:30 Service |
| October 18th |
25 |
200 |
| October 26th |
32 |
215 |
| November 2nd |
36 |
172 |
| November 9th |
25 |
175 |
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Help
Needed
Help is needed
for the Hanging of the Greens for the Christmas Season, Thursday, December
4th, 9:30a.m. until finished. Men , women and children are needed
to help decorate the church for the Christmas Season. The flower
committee with Lynn Parker, Chair, will provide instructions.
Some of the tasks to be completed are: creating 4 large wreaths,
7-8 smaller wreaths, garlands for the windows and alcove, wrapping and
placing many Poinsettias. So please come help, for many hands make
light work! Also, please participate in the Advent workshop on November
30th, since many of the wreaths and garlands used are created there.
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Advent
Christmas Sunday Worship Themes
| November 26th |
Thanksgiving Eve: We will
have a joint Thanksgiving service which will be held at the Jewish Center.
This service has grown to be quite special to our people, and we hope all
will consider enhancing the meaning of this Thanksgiving by attending.
It will begin at 7:00 p.m. Kathleen will provide leadership from
our congregation for the event. |
| November 30th |
Advent and Christmas: First
Sunday of Advent: Kathleen will be preaching. Text will be
Isaiah 9:27. The theme for this first Sunday in Advent is HOPE.
During this season we will be focusing on the theme “from Darkness to Light.” |
| November 30th |
This evening, 5:00 to 8:00 in Graves
Hall: Advent Workshop “Jesus is Born!”
A Church Family Celebration of
Carols and Crafts with a finger food supper. If you last name begins
with:
A - G Bring sandwiches
H - N Bring fruits and veggies
O - Z Bring dessert |
| December 7th |
Second Sunday of Advent: Deb will
be preaching and her text will be John 1:4. “That light was the life of
all.” The theme for this second Sunday in Advent is PEACE. Special
music will be provided by the Praise Choir. |
| December 14th |
Third Sunday of Advent: Music Sunday,
and our text is “Ye are all children of light” and is based on 1 Thessalonians
5:5, John 12:36 and Ephesians 5:8. The theme for this third Sunday in Advent
is JOY. The Sanctuary and Junior Choirs will lead us in a festival of lessons
and carols. |
| December 21st |
Fourth Sunday in Advent: Howard
will be preaching and his text is “Let us walk in the light of the Lord,”
based on Isaiah 2:5 and 1 John 1:7. The theme for this fourth Sunday in
Advent is LOVE. We shall celebrate the season using the traditional
Moravian Love Feast. |
| December 24th |
Christmas Eve: “Arise, shine,
for your light has come” is based on Isaiah 60:1. The theme for Christmas
is Jesus Christ as the LIGHT of the world.
4:00 P. M. – Traditional
Christmas worship service. Special music by individuals.
7:00 P. M. – Jesus’
Birthday Party. Centers on families and children. All are welcome.
11:00 P. M. – Traditional Christmas
worship service. Our unique Christmas Choir will sing.
|
| December 28th |
First Sunday of Christmas: College
Sunday and our college aged young
people will prepare and lead this
service of worship under the leadership of Deb Worley. |
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Holiday
Highlights Refrigerator Calendar
November
26 Thanksgiving Eve at 7 pm at the Jewish Center
November
30 Advent Workshop in Graves Hall from 5 to 8 pm
December
5 Chef Mac: Desserts in Graves Hall at 6 pm
December
7 Christmas Praise with the Praise Choir at 9:30
am in the Sanctuary
December
14 Christmas Music Sunday
Puppet Show and Christmas Program in Graves Hall at 11 am
December
21 Moravian Love Feast at 8 & 9:30 worship services
Bake a Birthday Cake for Jesus in Graves Hall at 11 am. Children
and Adults are welcome.
December
24 Traditional Christmas Worship at 4 & 11 pm
Family Worship “Birthday Party for Jesus” at 7 pm
December
28 College Worship
January
4, 2004 Epiphany
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Church
Belles to Perform
The 5 Church
Belles will be performing Christmas concerts of secular and sacred music
on Thursday, December 4th at lunchtime (12:30 pm & 1:30 pm) under the
portal of Village Arts by Marilyn in Los Alamos.
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Chimes
Newsletter on the Web
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.
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Chef
Mac’s Winter Cooking Class
Desserts !
Friday, December
5, 2003 at 6 pm in Graves Hall.
We’ll cover
a variety of desserts, not specifically holiday desserts. Some will
be recipes for special occasions; some for everyday dinners. I’ll
include some recipes with sugar-free substitutions, such as Lemon Cheesecake,
for those on low carbohydrate diets. I’ll talk about equipment, techniques,
mixing methods, altitude adjustments, and other topics that will help you
get the best results. Please sign up in the church office or call
662-2971. Only a few spaces are left!
"The
discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery
of a star." -- Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
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Reminders!
Greeters
for December: Jerry, Betsy & Sally Grindstaff, Maggie Davis,
Tim, Nancy & Emily Johnson, Bill & Laura Parker & family, Joe
& Mary Mariner, Gerry & Georgia Strickfaden and Youth.
Liturgists
for December: Phil Seeger, Kay Newnam, Bernadette Lauritzen and
College youth.
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Chimes
Newsletter Deadline
December/ January
2004 issue is Sunday, December 14th, 2003
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Youth
Ministry Search Committee Survey
In the “Vision
and Goals for the United Church of Los Alamos”, endorsed by the congregation
on September 21, 2003, we stated that “we will provide a caring fellowship
for young people in ways that excite and challenge their Christian growth
and provide a sense of belonging and importance in our church and community.”
With this in mind, please respond to the following statements so that we
may better know the thoughts and feelings of the congregation as we continue
the search for leadership in our ministry to youth.
Please return
your survey in the collection plate, at the back of the sanctuary, or to
the church office, by December 7, 2003. We appreciate your
participation in this important task.
Please
indicate your age: ___under 18; ____18 – 30; _____31 – 45; ____46 – 60,
_____over 60.
Are you a parent of a child or children 18 years old or younger?
___yes____no
Rank Items
A through E in order of priority, with 1 being most important to you and
5 being the least important to you. Please use each number only once.
Important
Unimportant
1 2
3 4
5
I believe
that youth ministry at the United Church should:
____ (A) Have
a strong activity program to attract new youth to the United Church.
____ (B) Provide
a safe haven for children of members.
____ (C) Provide
intergenerational service opportunities
____ (D) Work
to integrate youth with the congregation by evolving toward more open and
inclusive worship services.
____ (E) Provide
an environment for discussing, learning about, and growing in personal
theology and spirituality.
Please fill
in ideas we have not presented which are important to you.
Rank in importance
each characteristic (F through U) of a youth ministry leader on a scale
of 1 to 5, with 1 being most important and 5 least important. To
allow us to prioritize, please use no more than 4 “1”s.
The youth leader
should:
____
(F) be ordained.
____
(G) have formal theological training.
____
(H) have a personal theology consistent with the United Church Covenant.
____
(I) have personal charisma.
____
(J) have preaching ability and experience.
____
(K) have teaching ability and experience.
____
(L) be comfortable working with family members of youth.
____
(M) be able to develop a relational-based ministry (that is, a ministry
based on
relationships with individual youth).
____
(N) be able to develop an activity-based ministry.
_____ (O)
be experienced working with youth in a Christian setting.
_____ (P)
participate in and lead youth activities at the church location (youth
groups, prayer breakfasts)
_____ (Q)
participate in youth activities off-site (Mexico Mission Trip, Sonlight
camps, retreats, etc.)
_____ (R)
have the ability to plan, implement and evaluate youth programs.
_____ (S)
have a strong personal commitment to continually explore and deepen his/her
personal
relationship with God
_____(T) uphold
traditional family values through word and example
_____(U) live
up to a a high standard of moral character
Please include other characteristics of a youth ministry leader which are
important to
you:____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________.
Of the following
statements (V through X), please choose the one which most closely aligns
with your vision for the place of youth ministry in the United Church’s
fellowship and worship. If you prefer, please expand your ideas at
the end of this section.
________
(V) I like the situation much as it is, with youth having their own Christian
Education classes and interacting occasionally with nonrelated adults through
mission trips and Board participation.
________
(W) I would like to develop a supplementary worship service and Christian
Education program designed to appeal specifically to youth and young adults.
________
(X) I would like to evolve our worship service in a direction that
incorporates element inviting to all age groups and encourage more intergenerational
Christian education, mission opportunities and fellowship.
My vision of
the place for youth in our worship and fellowship is:
In the past,
how has the United Church succeeded in ministering effectively to the youth
of its
congregation,
and to the youth of the community?
How has it
failed in this regard?
How can the
youth ministry search committee enhance its communication with the congregation
during the search process?
Thank you for
helping us in our search. If you have additional comments or ideas,
please include them below.
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United
Church Women's Annual Christmas Potluck
Monday, December
8th at 6 pm in Graves Hall
Bring
your favorite pot-luck dish to share.
If your last name begins with:
A – H: bring a dessert
I – P: bring a salad
Q – Z: bring a main dish
You are welcome to bring a friend to
join the festivities.
Following our always delicious
dinner, we will have a devotion
and Christmas music by the
Home School Choir
Please save December 8th
for this event, a wonderful
way to open the
Christmas season
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Coffee
Hosts for November and December
November 23rd:
Nane Fife
November 30th:
Nina & Gary Thayer
December 7th:
Tom & Myrna McDonald
December 14th:
Rusty & Altana Gray
December 21st:
Linda Goforth
December 28th:
Steve & Sandy Paglieri
We want to
thank all those who have made coffee fellowship possible this year.
And special thanks to Mac Ennis for getting our coffee supplies.
It would not have been possible without all of you. On behalf of
the Membership and Evangelism Committee, Irene L. Powell
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Moms
& More
Moms and More
is a group of Moms who meet every Friday morning in the Church Lounge from
9:00 am to 11:00 am for fellowship, food, to learn from speakers, and to
do occasional service projects for the church. It is hard to believe
this "revived" group has now been going for almost one year! We will
meet several more times in December before taking a break for Christmas
and New Year's. The Friday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 28th) we will
not meet but on December 5th we will gather for a "Cookie Exchange."
Just bring 3 dozen cookies with you and everyone will share what they have
brought. You will return home with quite a varied selection.
Don't be scared by the prospects of baking - almost any type of cookie
will be considered "worthy" of exchanging. On December 12th we will
have a brunch at Holly Piazza's house. Please contact Holly to see
what you can bring to this Christmas get-together. We will end the
year on December 19th with a Christmas Party/Planning Meeting for 2004.
Please prayerfully consider what type of programs you would like for the
coming year and what role you would like to play in the Moms & More
group. The Mom & More group will meet again on January 9th, 2004
after the Christmas vacation.
Remember that
childcare is always provided during Moms & More. Unfortunately,
our adult childcare worker had to quit, so Leslie Wallstrom is seeking
a replacement. If you know of anyone who is interested in caring
for children, please let her know.
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United
Church Library News
New Books:
"The Lord is My Shepherd" by Harold Kushner
This is a book of practical spirituality, of inspiration, and
encouragement taken from the 23rd Psalm.
"Clarence Jordan" essential writing by Joyce Hollyday
Clarence Jordan wrote the so-called Cotton Patch version of the New Testament.
"Beloved Savior" images from the life of Christ. Artwork by
Simon Dewey.
This is a lovely book about Jesus's life.
"Next Door Savior" by Max Lucado
"Shepherds Abiding" is Jan Karon's newest book.
"The Heart of Christianity" is Marcus Borg's newest book
Christmas
Books:
Children's:
"Silent Night" by Margaret Hodges
"The Legend of St. Nicholas"
"One Winter's Night" by Leo and Diane Dillon
"Gingerbread Baby" by Jan Brett
"Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve" by Jan Brett
"Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" by Francis Church
Adult's:
"The Christmas Box" by Richard Evans
"Cosmic Christmas" by Max Lucado
"Stories of Christmas Carols" by Ernest Emurian
"Book of Christmas" readings for reflection during Advent and Christmas
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Crop
Walk
Several from
our church will be walking for CROP on Sunday afternoon, November 23rd
at 2:00 p.m. These individuals include Ashley Schmiedicke, Deb & Sarah
Worley, Jean Constant, Joyce and Howard Grant and others.
By sponsoring
a walker with a donation of $10, $20 or more, you are helping needy people
find fresh drinking water, seed to plant, and blankets to keep warm in
winter. Three years ago our community was blessed to have CROP help us
through its working arm Church World Service (CWS). CWS helped Los Alamos
after the fire in 2000 by setting up Interfaith Alliance, assisting fire
victims, resettling refugees, planting trees, and training people so they
could make a living.
The donations
are split, with 75% going to Church World Services or a designated charity
of choice, and the remaining 25% is split between LA Cares and the Interfaith
Alliance, two local charity organizations.
The organizers
hope that the community will continue their support for CROP. Last year
99 showed up for the walk and financial support was obtained from Los Alamos
National Bank.
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Marcus
Borg Seminar
Comming
in Late January! Transformative
Christianity: A weekend with Marcus Borg.
Read
about Marcus Borg
Click
here for Registration form
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Prayers,
Praises, Thanks and More
Prayer
Concerns
Ina Coulter
Allen Schmiedicke
Neil Davis
Barbara Jean
Wilson
Jean Harlow
John Charles
Margaret Browne
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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 email at UCoffice@losalamos.org
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
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Stovall
Scholarship Fund
Applications
for the Stovall Family - United Church Scholarship are available in the
Church Office.
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2004
Calendar Collection
Please leave
your extra 2004 Calendars at the United Church office to share with Senior
Citizens of Los Alamos and Truchas, and members of Day Out and Sombrillo.
Thank you.
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Congratulations
Congratulations
to proud grandparents Sig and Andrea Gerstl, on the birth of their first
grandchild, Benjamin Oliver Bjoern Braun. Born on October 18th in
Colorado Springs to parents Susi and Bjoern Braun.
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Sympathy
Prayers for
Andrea Gerstl and family upon the death of her sister, Sibylle (Bylle)
Colombara of Biberach, Germany.
Prayers for
John Puckett and family upon the death of his father, Marvin H. Puckett
of Ohio.
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Members
of the Month
No matter where Dale and Linda Breshears were living, their church was
always their second home and their church friends were like family.
While they were raising their children, family came first, but many of
the activities the family did together revolved around the church. Dale
and Linda wanted their family involved in the church and felt it was important
to lead by example.
They came to United Church about 36 years ago and became active right away
in the Christian education of the young. Over the years, Linda not only
taught Sunday School, but also taught Bible school and has served on the
Mission, Elders, and Christian Education Boards. She has been active in
her WCSS group and has helped with the Church Bazaar . Currently, she helps
in the thrift shop by coming in 2-3 times during her Circle’s week
to sort incoming goods. Dale and Linda are also “on-call” caretakers for
the nursery.
Dale taught 5-6 grade Sunday School for eleven years, Senior High youth
group for 2 years, and Mid-High for one year. He served on the Board of
Trustees, Board of Elders, and three terms on the Nominating Committee.
He took his turn as chairman on all of them.
Dale has served as a counselor for Mid-High youth at Sonlight Christian
Camp. His latest Senior and Mid-High church-sponsored endeavor was to go
with the youth to Elitch Gardens this past summer. After being urged by
his grandson nearly all day, Dale agreed to try “The Mind Eraser.” The
main lesson he learned was not to do it again.
Linda and Dale went on the Mexico Mission trip in 1995. They taught an
adult Sunday School class called “Growing up with Your Teenager” and a
seminar on parenting a few years ago. They served the community through
the Mariners group that was active many years ago. They are still active
in the Friday night group, a supper and discussion club that started when
George Easley was our pastor.
Linda spent five years as the coordinator of the Building Blocks program,
sponsored by the Family Strengths Network. She matched new mothers with
experienced moms who could coach them through the rough spots, although
she has handed that responsibility over to another. She continues as a
substitute teacher in the public schools, a role she began 17 years ago.
When she and Dale aren’t traveling, she makes cards, crochets, knits, and
reads fiction and historical novels. She also gardens, both flowers and
vegetables. She started a tradition of planting peas and pumpkins with
her grandsons many years ago. They still come over and care for the pumpkins
until fall, when they harvest the pumpkins and make their jack-o-lanterns.
Dale worked at LANL in physical chemistry, but is now retired. He enjoys
reading about WWII and naval history, but also enjoys mysteries and spy
novels.
Dale and Linda raised four sons and one daughter. Dave works at LANL as
an ecologist; John is an architect in Portland, Oregon; Andrew is a Facilities
Manager in Los Angeles; Heather is a mom in Austin, Texas; and Rob just
finished a two-year assignment as Youth Director at Horizon Presbyterian
in Phoenix, Arizona. He’ll be leaving soon for Pagosa Springs, where he’ll
work at Sonlight Camp. They take great delight in their six grandchildren.
Linda and Dale lived a year in Norwich, England when Dave and John were
small. During another year in Cambridge, England they managed to
pass the “travel bug” to all five children. Recently they spent a year
on their own in Sydney, Australia, and continue to enjoy traveling
extensively.
Dale believes strongly in being involved in the church family. He says
“You can’t get to know people without really getting involved. A handshake
after church is not good enough.”
By Angie Chipera
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From
Our Interim Pastor
Thanksgiving
by Howard
Grant, Interim Pastor
In our country, Thanksgiving Day began December 13, 1621. At that time
Governor William Bradford decreed the day be set aside for feasting and
PRAYER, to demonstrate to God the gratitude of the pilgrims who were still
alive.
Governors and then Presidents have set aside a day of Thanksgiving each
and every year since.
Religious thanksgiving was also close to the heart of our Lord. Remembering
God's deliverance, Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples. It
was more than joy in the victory of a nation. It was also thanksgiving
for God's bountiful love and his provisions.
Jesus and his disciples had feasts they remembered and times of celebration
-- holidays, special occasions by which they numbered their years and remembered
the gifts of God to them and their importance as a people.
We may be in common, human bodies -- made of mortal flesh, but when God
lifts us up and when we have thankful hearts something very special happens
within us.
In this Thanksgiving season, Christ wants to transform the common in your
life and mine into something special, he wants to transform the unattainable
and the hopes of your life into something you can grasp and hold. In short,
Christ wants each of his people to have lives filled with meaning and with
service.
Dear
God,
How grateful we are to you in this Thanksgiving season! We simply ask that
your blessing might fill our hearts to over-flowing and that we might respond
to you not only by eating turkey and cranberry sauce, but by being grateful
from the depths of our souls for all that you have done for us. Please
guide us to serve you better.
In Christ's holy name we pray. AMEN.
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