 The
United Church of Los Alamos
United Chimes: Vol. 39, No. 7, July 2003
Table
of Contents
You and your family are invited to join us at this year’s All Church Camp, to be held, as usual, at Ghost Ranch over the Labor Day weekend, August 29th - 31st. Our speaker this year will be Dr. M. Eugene Boring, Professor of New Testament at the Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian Ministry, Forth Worth, Texas. He is the author of and contributor to eight books and numerous articles emphasizing New Testament theology. He has been a Fulbright Scholar for studies in Germany, among many other honors. Dr. Boring will present three talks under the general heading “The New Testament is the Church’s Book”, stressing what it means for the Church to have a Bible. On Sunday, August 30th, he will also present a sermon with the provocative title: “The Word Became Flesh—Will it Ever Do It Again?” If you’ve been to All Church Camp before, you know about diversity of activities: the lectures, hikes, swimming, group sports, camp fires, and lots of time to meet with friends over lunch and dinner. But you do need to register! In this issue of the Chimes, you’ll find further information on schedules and activities as well as a registration form. Registration may be done in either of two ways: (1) fill in this form and return it with your payment check to the church office, or (2) register following the worship service in the Fellowship Hall during July. You need to register no later than July 27th so that we can make the necessary plans. Note that there are several options for your attendance: (1) stay at the Ghost Ranch residences, (2) camp at Ghost Ranch, (3) stay at one of the nearby commercial inns, or (4) commute daily to and from Ghost Ranch. Hope to see you at Ghost Ranch! Activities
at Ghost Ranch
Weekend Itinerary Friday, August 29th 7:00
Dinner at the camp fire (prepared)
Saturday, August 30th 8:00 Coffee,
juice and snacks
Sunday, August 31st 8:00
Coffee, Juice, and snacks
Afternoon Activities: Walking the
Labyrinth with Kathleen
Church
Camp Meal Plan
This year, we are counting on the congregation to bring some food for Friday and Saturday dinners and Saturday and Sunday breakfasts. Friday night dinner will be near the bonfire. The church will provide grilled meat (chicken or hamburgers) and drinks, and the camp goers should bring a salad or dessert item to share. Families whose names begin with the letters A - Q, please bring a salad; families with names beginning with the letters R - Z, please bring a dessert. For breakfast on Saturday and Sunday under the big tree, the church will provide drinks, fruit, and hard boiled eggs. The camp goers should bring pastry items, muffins, or other such things to share. The church will provide lunch on Saturday and Sunday under the big tree. The Saturday night potluck will be done just like always in small groups at individual campsites. Families should decide before they get to Ghost Ranch who they want to have dinner with and what they want to eat. If you're new or don't have any one in mind to share dinner with, there will be a sign up sheet at the registration table that will be used to match camp-goers for the Saturday night potluck. The Sunday night dinner at the pavillion will be a potluck made up of leftovers from all the preceding meals. If you have any questions, please contact Mac Ennis or Eric Schmierer . "The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a star." -- Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin Please call the Church office at 662-2971 for a registration form. Please
Take Note
Did you know that a group of 14 youth and adults of our congregation spent all day Saturday, June 14th, raking pine needles for several other members of the congregation? Oh wait, raking pine needles and shoveling mulch and pruning bushes and cutting down tree branches and digging up scrub oak seedlings and stumps and pulling weeds and taking several pick-up loads of brush to the landfill and more! The group gathered at the church at 8:30 that morning for breakfast, worked (and worked hard!) in 3 yards here in town until about 1:30, went back to the church for lunch, headed down to White Rock for the last 2 yards (i.e., almost 3 hours), and finally ended the day at McDonalds for a very well-deserved ice cream cone (or sundae or Flurry). “Oh sure!” you might think. “I’d be happy to spend my Saturday working in other people’s yards, too, if someone paid me!” Let me tell you how much did these folks got paid: NOTHING! There were offers of payment by those whose yards were worked in, but the group decided that rather than accept their payment, they would like any money to be given to either the Animal Shelter in Espanola or the Bienvenidos Outreach, an organization which serves homeless teenagers in Santa Fe. Thank you, all of you who gave of your time and energy to serve (including the serving of our breakfast and lunch! ), and to those of you who allowed us to serve you. It was a wonderful day! “The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve…” (Matthew 20:28) 3-2-1…
Here’s what
it is:
So each week, when we do it right J , 12 kids get a little handwritten note from one of the four of us (LeeAnn, Becky, Jeffrey, and myself); 8 additional kids get a phone call; and 4 additional kids get prayed for! We talk about having a “relational ministry,” and this is one way that we’re trying to. July
Youth Schedule
EVERY THURSDAY MORNING: Senior High Prayer Breakfast, 7 a.m. Deb Worley’s Office 7/15 Putt-Putt golf and shopping in Abuquerque.!!!!! - Mid and Senior High 7/17-7/20 Elitch Gardens weekend Denver - Mid and Senior High 7/22 Coffee and conversation 7pm - Mid High 7/24 Girls serve guys Dinner - Senior High 7/25-7/26 Camping in the Jemez - Senior High 7/29 The beach water park in Albuquerque - Mid and Senior High If you answered yes, then we have the job for you. This summer’s youth interns are looking for adults with a kid’s heart to be sponsors during this summer’s activities. You get to do fun things such as: going to Elitch Garden’s in Denver, heading to the Beach Water Park, going without a shave for a week, wearing the same clothes as yesterday and having no one care, and spending time with youth while helping encourage a life with our Lord Jesus Christ. If these activities sound good to you call, Becky, LeeAnn, or Jeffrey to reserve your spot out of the boring, dreary office known as the corporate world. Our number at the Church is 662-2971! Sunday
Hikes
Chimes
Deadlines for 2003/2004
Editor may
edit for brevity and space availability. Submission of articles may
be sent via email to the editors, Steve & Sue Watkins at: ucchimes@hotmail.com
Articles may be submitted on disc (with a hard copy) in the CHIMES Editor
basket in the office annex (prefer in MS Word 2000 or less - no MAC please).
If you must leave only a hard copy or hand written, please submit 1 week
in advance of deadline.
July (for August issue) 7/20 August (for Sept. issue) 8/24 September (for Oct. issue) 9/21 October (for Nov. issue) 10/19 November
11/16
December 12/14(Christmas/January 2004 Issue) January 2004 (for Feb issue) 1/18 February 2004 (for March issue) 2/22 March 2004(for April issue) 3/21 April 2004 (for May issue) 4/18 May 2004 (for June issue) 5/23 June 2004 (for July issue) 6/20 July 2004 (for August issue) 7/18
WCSS
Circle Meeting
There are no regular WCSS Circle meeting in July or August. Regular Circle meeting will resume in September.
Southwest
Conference Annual Meeting
Judy Green-Davis, SW Conference Associate for Communications and Publications, said it well: “The words ‘annual meeting’ don’t exactly conjure up images of fun, laughter, good food, and song. And yet, that’s exactly what happens at the annual meetings of the SW Conference.” Once again the UCC Southwest Conference annual meeting, held at the Shadow Rock UCC in Phoenix, May 16-18, was inspiring, challenging, and exciting. The theme Jesus and Justice was addressed by Dr. Marcus Borg, who will be here at The United Church in January 2004, and the Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk, long active in social justice issues and the first African American woman to be ordained in the UCC. Dr. Borg helped us think about God’s justice as the passion of Jesus, and how we might communicate and incarnate God’s justice today. Rev. Delk spoke with great energy about her many years in social justice work, rooted in a deep grounding in an experience of the living Christ. We can’t begin to convey all of the excitement of the weekend, but some of the highlights were: A musical worship experience led by choirs and liturgical dancers. A “fish bowl” conversation with those who had committed energy to issues such as border ministries, the death penalty, and bus safety for school children. An exuberant and thoughtful worship led by the youth. A Samoan Feast and Festival provided by the First Samoan Christian Congregational Church, which shares the facilities of the Shadow Rock UCC. Hearing about all of the many programs and activities that are going on in the larger church. We came away from the meeting again reminded of the wealth of resources and ideas that The United Church of Los Alamos has available through our denominational affiliations. We hope to share some of these ideas as time goes on, and we encourage you to participate in opportunities for larger church connections as your interest directs you. Ken and Mary Freese, Lay Delegates United
Church Library News
"Open Mind,
Open Heart": The contemplative dimension of the Gospel by Thomas Keating
CHILDREN'S BOOKS "Miss Hunnicutt's
Hat" by Jeff Brumbeau
Moms
& More
July
August
Search
Committees
Senior Pastor
Youth Pastor
Help
is Needed
One
Great Hour of Sharing
Companions
in Christ
“What have I found in the Companions in Christ?…a chance to actively present myself before God daily…to study, reflect and meditate on the Bible…I don’t think I had any idea what it really meant to be part of a faith community until I joined this group. With the kind, patient, and loving sharing of my companions I am learning the joy of being a part of that faith community.” “Though I was reluctant the first few months to commit the time and effort to be part of this experience, once I got into it I realized how much I need it…A lot of it isn’t at all easy, but it does give new meanings, in a spiritual sense, of ‘no pain - no gain.’ And like physical exercise, it is addictive - I gotta have it…I feel I’m moving to new heights and new depths in my spiritual formation, and that this will enhance the spiritual health of not only The United Church, but the Church Universal.” “Being part of Companions in Christ has been a rich and valuable experience for me. The course has led me to a deeper life in Christ on at least two levels: enlivening my daily and weekly spiritual life…and in sharing my journey in community with others - both my struggles and ‘successes,’ my questions and concerns…I have learned so much from this group; there is a growing love and intimacy among the members…I recommend this course for as many as you can get to make the commitment…” “I have
found the Companions in Christ experience to be enriching and life changing
far beyond my initial expectation. The materials we work with are
ecumenical in nature and written by a group of women and men who provide
a broader worldview than just one person or Christian denomination…The
combination of daily individual work and weekly group work encourages us
to seriously approach our personal spiritual development within the larger
context of support and accountability…My sense of the call of Christ is
to love God and love each other…there is no way to honestly answer that
call without consistent prayer, meditation, study, and discernment of how
my gifts can best be used in service. The Companions in Christ program
is an invaluable tool to me in this effort and I heartily recommend it
to others who desire to nurture their spiritual lives.”
“This class has been a unique experience in learning and relating. It has proved to be hard work but a real opportunity to be part of a Christian group challenging one another and sharing with one another…Each church member could benefit from being Companions in Christ.” “The effectiveness of the Companions in Christ study class gives me disciplines to turn my life more toward God.…The fellowship has helped me grow stronger in my faith, deepening my relationship with God and inspiring me to continue to grow into a person God wants me to be…I recommend this class for anyone who seeks a special time with God and with people…” “Companions in Christ has been perhaps the most meaningful experience for me in nearly twenty years at The United Church. The deepening of my faith experience that was supported by this group helped pull me through a very difficult year in my life. I am deeply grateful to have been a participant as a Companion in Christ.” The first Companions group was a pilot program sponsored by the Board of Elders. Given the enthusiastic response of current participants, the Board plans to continue this offering. New groups will be formed in the fall. Are you yearning for a deeper experience of God? Would you like to be part of a small group of people with whom you can share questions of faith? Would
you like to be part of a small group of people with whom you can share
questions and experiences of faith? Beginning in August you will
have the opportunity to register for the fall
Interim
Pastor Search Committee
Rev. Howard E. Grant, Jr. accepts Interim Pastor Position Reverend Howard E. Grant, Jr. The Interim Pastor Search Committee of the Board of Elders, is pleased to announce that Rev. Howard E. Grant, Jr. has accepted the position of Interim Pastor of the United Church beginning August 1st, 2003. Final Details of the formal agreements have just been worked out and forwarded to Rev. Grant for his approval, as are details of the arrival of Rev. Grant and his wife, Joyce, in Los Alamos. Rev. Grant, an Ordained Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), comes to the United Church from Salida, CO, where the Grant's have resided since 1998. During Rev. Grant's career as a Minister, he has served Pastorates in Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, and Nebraska. After formal retirement in 1998, Rev. Grant served as Interim Pastor to two Pastorates in Colorado and regularly provides pulpit supply when called upon. Rev. Grant was ordained in 1959 at Bethany Christian Church in Houston Texas. Rev. Grant, whose home is Houston, Texas, began his faith journey and received a call to ministry in 1947 while attending Junior High Camp at Christian Youth Foundation at Athens, Texas. Having a strong interest in science, he began higher education at Rice Institute, where from 1952-54 he studied physics. Recalling his earlier interest in the ministry, he entered Texas Christian University and earned a BA in Philosophy with a minor in mathematics in 1956. Rev. Grant pursued graduate studies at Brite Divinity School from 1956-59 where he earned Master of Divinity in 1959. From 1975-78 Rev. pursued further study at Brite Divinity School where is earned the degree of Dr. of Ministry in 1978. Rev. Grant received Interim Ministry Training from 1996-99 with courses taught by Dr. Richard S. Putney. Rev. Grant and Joyce are the parents of three children, Jonathan, David, and Jo Anna. (Jo Anna was a visitor at the United Church on Welcoming Sunday in May.) Joyce, of Pampa, Texas, is a life long musician and a member of the American Guild of Organists. Joyce earned BS degrees from Texas Christian University in Teaching and from Southeastern Louisiana State University in Medical Technology. Joyce said that while she has many interests in academia and community service, her principal career has been that of a Ministers wife. The Search The Interim Pastor Search Committee, Brad Meyer, Georgia Strickfaden, and Norm Wilson, began the process of selecting an Interim Pastor in March 2003. The process began with the definition of an Interim Pastor-Position Description in collaboration with the Personnel Board and Rev. Kathlene Logan. Of special importance in defining the Position is strong preaching and teaching, head of our multi-staff structure, spiritual leadership of our ecumenical six denomination congregation and leadership of our lay person multi-board and committee infrastructure. Specific requirements of the Position Description include: "Practice of Team Style leadership, Ordained and trained as an "Interim" Pastor, Have multi-staff experience, Live in the community of Los Alamos for at lest five days in office, Maintain the current programs and staff of the United Church, Respect the ecumenical nature of the United Church, and Will not be a candidate for Senior Pastor." Regular meetings of the Interim Pastor Search Committee resulted in an announcement of the position of Interim Pastor to the six denomination administrative offices in early April. Thirteen applications for the position were received by the stated application closing date, April 30th. Four candidates were selected for reference contact and subsequent telephone interview. Reverend Grant was invited to visit The Church and Los Alamos. Rev. Grant and Joyce arrived in Los Alamos on May 27th for personal discussions with Interim Search Committee, Personnel Board Chair, Executive Board Chair and Church staff. Discussions included use of the Manse, employment conditions, congregation focus, and community features. A picnic with the Search Committee, planned for Overlook Park, included an impressive demonstration of Los Alamos thunderstorm on Monday evening, May 27th; the picnic was ultimately re-located to the Strickfaden home, which gave everyone the opportunity to get better acquainted. Conclusion The Interim Search Committee is satisfied that Rev. Grant and Joyce will provide The United Church with Spiritual and Managerial Leadership the will assure the continued stability and growth toward the future when a permanent Senior Pastor will come to us. Rev. Grant provided comments that we believe underlines his and Joyce's expectations for their tenure with us. He writes, "Your Church appeals to me because of its ecumenical nature. I live with the motto of Thomas Campbell, one of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) founders, "Let Christian Unity be our Polar Star", written in my soul and you are an ecumenical church." Rev. Grant further writes, "I consider my greatest strengths to include preaching, teaching, effective church administration, caring and reconciling ministries." The Interim Pastor Search Committee wishes to thank the Congregation for the opportunity to pursue this task. We met great candidates for the Interim Pastor position through our communications with them-a privilege. Yours in Christ, Brad Meyer
Special Note: A picture and brief bio of Rev. Grant and Joyce is posted in Fellowship Hall. Volunteer
of the Month
Previous to Los Alamos, she and Greg lived in Westfield, New Jersey. As a member of the Westfield Presbyterian Church, she taught Sunday School, worked in the nursery and started her career in the hand bell choir. She has continued to develop her musical talent with the hand bells and has played at the Methodist Church in White Rock and at the First Baptist Church on Diamond Drive. She has become part of a quartet that plays every other month. Karen is active in her community as well. As the coordinator of the Building Blocks Mentor Program sponsored by the Family Resource Center, she matches new moms with experienced moms to help the new family in their transition. Building Blocks has given her the opportunity to use her MS in Social Work. She’s also a member of the Barranca School Advisory Team, a classroom volunteer, a Girl Scout Leader for Dana’s troop, a Boy Scout volunteer, and the team mom for her children’s sports teams. Whew! She’s busy. When she isn’t doing all those things, she is raising her children - Dana, 13, Matt, 10, Scott, 7 and Greg, 43. He’s a real handful! She also likes to read, camp, and travel. Their latest trip was to Niagra Falls, Quebec, and New England. Karen has enjoyed being home with her children. Before Dana was born, Karen was a social worker at a hospital, working in an intensive care nursery, pediatrics, and maternity. Why does Karen volunteer? She enjoys getting to know new people and has always liked working with people. She feels a sense of belonging in her community and church through her voluntary work. She makes a difference, which is her reward. Ours is that we have someone who is strong in her faith and dedicated to teaching children about Christ. By Angie Chipera Save the dates of October 10th-12th for a great Women's Retreat at Sonlight Christian Camp! Rev. Barbara Moser from Oklahoma will lead our retreat on "Friendship: A Sacred Gift." Barbara will help us "to understand that through our close, committed friendships we can recognize and experience the profound companionship of a loving God". So plan to be there and bring a friend! Musical
Opportunities
One-Time Only Rehearsal Wednesday, July 2nd, 7 – 8 pm. July
2003 Lunch Bunch
Janet Tallman
Reminders
Liturgists for July: Ed Van Eeckhout, Sandie Berner, Youth and Marilyn Sue Robbins. Chimes
Newsletter on the Web
Coffee
Hosts for July
Coffee host volunteers are always in demand. If you can help one Sunday, please call Irene Powell. Prayers for Dr. James Loucks and family upon the death of his wife, Betty Jo Loucks. Congratulations
Bunty Van Vessem Cathy Renfro Thank
You
“Many, many thanks to the young people and adults who came to my house and did such a grand job cleaning up my yard. I certainly appreciated their help! And I know It was a lot of work.” Sincerely, Betty ******************************************************* Thank You Jonathan and Tessa Dowell Long, long ago, in the land of not-so-make-believe, Jonathan and Tessa Dowell became involved in our Puppet Ministry. Now they are moving on to other ministries in the life of our church. A very big thank you to both of them for pulling the right strings (pun intended) in their leadership in our puppet ministry. *******************************************************
******************************************************* Prayer
Letter Telephone Prayer Chain
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.
that I use a cartoon . . . 
for my final Conrad’s Corner.Return to Table of ContentsOver the past few months . . . |
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