The United Church of Los Alamos
 
 
 

United Chimes:  Vol. 41, No. 5, May 2005

Table of Contents
Front Page News
Mexico Auction 2005
Please Take Note
For Our Children & Youth
Children’s Worship
Second Grade Bibles
Sondays Kids
Vacation Bible School
Sunday School
Dinner and a Movie
Senior High Youth!!
Church News and Announcements
May Sunday Worship Themes
Endowment Committee
L.A. Cares
Lunch Bunch Callers
Missions Corner
Singles with Soul – you’re invited!
Sanctuary Flowers
. . . In Total Communion . . .
Moms and More
Do You Have a Musical Talent?
"What's the Driving Force in Your Life?"
Church Attendance
WCSS Circle Meetings
Reminders!
Chimes Newsletter Deadline
Coffee Hosts for May
Progressive Christians
Highlights Refrigerator Calendar
Members of the Month
Table Talk from Don
From Mexico We Return
Prayers, Praises, Thanks and More
Prayer Concerns
Prayer Letter
Summer Intern
Congratulations
Chimes Newsletter
 
 

This year’s auction raised $18,168.88 for building materials for the houses our kids built in Mexico.  Once again we met our goal: four more houses for families in need, and we have you to thank!  Our success is due to the generous donations of auctionable items and cash from so many individuals within our church andcommunity, and also the donation of many hours of our volunteers’ time.

I’d like to say thanks to our youth and adults who spent much effort collecting and tagging the donated items, entering them into a database, and generating the auction program.  Thanks to our publicity volunteers for writing articles for the Chimes and the LA Monitor, generating flyers and posters, creating a showcase at the Mesa Public Library, and creating banners to be posted around town.  Thanks to our volunteers for setting up the auction tables, managing both the live and silent auctions, handling the cashiering, and helping with the cleanup and other follow-on tasks.  I’d like to express thanks to Mardel for accepting many donations during the week and coordinating many phone messages, to Steve and Sue Watkins for donating their Ford Taurus - a real hit, to Betty Nance Smith for her ever popular oil paintings, to Virginia Stovall for donating her heirloom china, and to so many others too numerous to mention here by name.  And finally, a very special thank you to Laura and Randy Erickson for their tireless effort and dedication to organizing and overseeing the entire Mexico mission project each year.  I am proud to be associated with such a worthwhile event.

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Please Take Note
The next CHIMES  deadline is Sunday, May 22nd at 12:00 noon for  the June 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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May 8th The Good Shepherd and the Wolf

May 15th The Good Shepherd and the Lord’s Supper

               Last Day of Children’s Worship

               Gold Story Boxes presented to Second Graders

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Second Grade Bibles
Bibles will be presented to second graders on Sunday May 15 during the worship service. Please make sure you call the church office, 662-2971 with the correct spelling of your child’s name for the flyleaf of the Bible.

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Sondays Kids
This special program for our kindergarten through second grade kids will begin June 5th. Volunteers are needed to lead this program every Sunday during the last half of the church service. Please contact Jean Picard if you can help.

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Vacation Bible School
Get ready to go on our VBS Serengeti Trek June 20-24 from 1-4 pm. Volunteers are needed to help set up and decorate prior to VBS. We also need station leaders and crew leaders. Please contact Jean Picard, 662-2971 to volunteer. Snacks and supplies are also needed. There will be a list posted on the Kiosk in Fellowship Hall and in the office if you can donate some needed supplies.

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Sunday School
The last Sunday for children’s Sunday School will be May 15. On Sunday May 22 we will recognize and thank our Sunday School teachers with a special brunch at 11:00. Please come and recognize all the wonderful volunteers who give so generously of their time to support our Christian Education program.

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Dinner and a Movie
Mid High youth! Save May 15th for a visit to Chef Mac’s home for dinner and a movie.  You’ll get to help make your own dinner (a hamburger you won’t forget and all the fixin’s) and a special movie on Chef Mac’s BIGGG screen TV.  Arrive at Chef Mac's at 5 pm and have your parents pick you up at 8 pm.  If you need directions call Mac Ennis or John Charles  Bring a friend and come have fun!

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Senior High Youth!!
Join Sue Tonelli and Angie Chipera on May 15th for

Asain Cooking Night!

Bring a favorite recipe. We are hoping to
have a guest chef from China to share
with us as well.

Meet at 5:30 in Graves Hall kitchen.
We’ll all have dinner together!

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Endowment Committee
The Endowment Committee has renewed Lindsey Sprinkle's scholarship for the 2005-06 school year.  Lindsey will be a sophomore at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.  The scholarship is from the Wooten Scholarship Fund, established in 1991 in memory of Jay Wooten.

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L.A. Cares
Because hunger is a year-round problem and doesn’t go away, 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). There is a box in Fellowship Hall and one in the mailroom of the Christian Education building to collect items for LA Cares. This month’s request is for Paper Towels. Next time you go shopping, buy an extra one of these and drop it by the church at any time throughout the month. And remember that any non-perishable food item is welcome at any time, or even a cash donation to LA Cares.
 
 

May:  Paper Towels

June:  Fresh Fruit and Vegetables – need to tell people what date to have it by

July:  Dish Soap / Dish Washer Soap – Cascade

August:  Fresh Vegetables and Fruit – need to tell people what date to have it by

September:  Pasta, any and all kinds, and Spaghetti Sauce (canned)

October:  Vegetable Oil and Shortening

November:  Flour (small bag), Sugar (5 lb bags)

December:  Bath Soap, Shampoo / Conditioner

January:  Hand Lotion

February:  Toilet Paper, Tissues

March:  Laundry Detergent

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Lunch Bunch Callers
Lunch Bunch Callers for May are: Ginny Phillips, Janie Kelly,
Pat Slentz, Jill Forman, Virginia Stovall, Emily Engel and Joann Brown.

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Missions Corner

Featured this month are two missions supported by the United Church through your Mission Board: The BRIDGE Ministries at NMSU and World Vision.

“A Bridge of Faith and Healing Over a River of Doubt and Pain” is the mission of BRIDGE Ministries. Christian outreach is provided through four ministries that rely heavily on volunteer NMSU student interns. From January through August 2004, over 840 hours of volunteer service were provided through the following four ministries:

   Campus Ministry provided by the Presbyterian Church (USA), Disciples of Christ, and United Church of Christ. NMSU students lead weekly Bible studies and fellowship  activities under the direction of the Campus Minister.

  Christian Counseling Ministry has five therapists who provide Christ-centered counseling to the people of NMSU and Dona Ana County. Counseling is provided in Spanish as well as English. Services are offered for families, children and adolescents.

  Compeer Ministry is a mentoring program designed to help adults or children who are suffering from mental illness. The program selects volunteers and carefully matches them with people in need of a friend. These COMpanion PEER relationships are the essence of the program.

  Special Programs Ministry provides a coordinator for the Southern Dona Ana Action for Youth Partnership, who facilitates over seven different youth programs in southern Dona Ana County.

World Vision is an international Christian relief and development organization working to promote the well being of all people—especially children. Through emergency relief, education, health care, economic development and promotion of justice, World Vision helps communities help themselves. In 2003, World Vision offered material, emotional, social and spiritual support to 100 million people in 99 countries.

Established in 1950 to care for orphans in Asia, World Vision has grown to embrace the larger issues of community development and advocacy for the poor in its mission to help children and their families build sustainable futures. The heart of World Vision’s work is in helping communities build stronger and healthier relationships. The absence of such relationships impoverishes communities.

World Vision focuses on children because they are the best indicators of a community’s social health. When children are fed, sheltered, schooled, protected, valued, and loved, the community thrives. World Vision seeks to help children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.

World Vision functions as a partnership of interdependent national offices, bound by a common mission statement and shared core values.  As much as possible, operational decisions are made at the local or national level.

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Singles with Soul – you’re invited!
Wishing you could meet other singles in town? Come join Singles with Soul for supper, coffees and desserts at our first gathering, Friday May 6 starting at 6:30 at Daylight Delights. We’ll have wonderful guitar music live from Lee Weinland of First United Methodist, great conversations and plans for future events. Singles with Soul is an ecumenical social group for single people ages 25 – 75 (give or take a few) sponsored by Los Alamos churches for the purpose of meeting and enjoying each other’s company in a friendly, comfortable environment. What could be better than fun, food and fellowship on a Friday night?

If you have questions or would like to be added to our email list for future events, please contact Pat Slentz.

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Sanctuary Flowers

The altar flower committee wishes to express our appreciation to the following for flowers in March and April. Thank you, Krik and Pat Krikorian, Mary Venable Hospice daffodils, Joel and Ronnie Moss, Clark and Barbara DeNevers, Lars and Emily Engel, and John and Nancy Bliss.

A thank you to the flower committee members helping for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday were Myrna Strong, Nona Bowman, Sherron Elliott, Margaret Hanson and Dorothy Crawford, chair.  Especially, for all those who provided Lilies to Grace the Sanctuary on Easter.

If you wish to provide flowers for the altar in 2005, you may sign up by calling the church office or call Dorothy Crawford.

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. . . In Total Communion . . .

      Learning about a labyrinth is easier than building one. That’s one of many lessons the 5th-6th grade Sunday school class learned while constructing a 30’ by 30’ labyrinth using canvas, Velcro, pencils, paint, and hard work.  
      Sonya Smith said, “We sure felt like quitting sometimes, but we knew that we needed to keep going so that others could get to know GOD more.”
      Tia Carmichael agreed. She said, “It was a challenge to measure the path and create the path. But it also gave me a chance to build on my own emotions. I had a lot of emotions tied into it.”
      According to Megan Reader, “It was hard to figure the line length and know how long it was going to be from a picture on a piece of paper. It was really hard.”
      Said Aubrey Powell, “Stick to what you are doing,” really applied.
      “Building the labyrinth was irritating sometimes,” said Alex deNevers, “but I never
realized that going through something like this could bring people closer to GOD.”
      “It was frustrating,” said Sonya. “Sometimes we made mistakes drawing the lines and they were hard to erase. But it’s like life. We can’t erase some of the things we do. Sometimes we can’t fix the mistakes.”
      Alex nodded. “We can’t fix the mistakes, but we can forgive ourselves and others and move on down the path.”

      Sonya worked with her dad, Roger Smith, on drawing this project. Roger scaled the original floor plan for the labyrinth on standard sized paper. “I liked working with my dad,” Sonja said. “He talked to us. When I needed help, he understood. He knew that I didn’t need him to do it for me, but to be there and to talk about it.”
      Clark deNevers and Jeff Carmichael helped out as well. “Working with them was great,” said Megan. “I don’t think we would have been able to finish it without them. It was a hard project to figure out.”  A big “Thank You” to Nancy Bliss for sewing it together.

      The 5th-6th grade students agreed that the purpose of the labyrinth was to get closer to GOD. Why was it made the way it is? Aubrey said, “It’s full of twists and turns, because life is full of twists and turns. So is our journey to get closer to GOD.”
      Sonya said, “The path symbolizes GOD. Its’ Him leading us through it, taking us past our burdens and closer to Him. He helps us with our ups and downs.”
      Megan agreed. “It’s a way to wash away our troubles and become closer to GOD.”
      “It’s different from a maze,” said Alex. “A maze has different routes that we can take, but many lead to the wrong place. Just like our lives. We often make decisions that take us down the wrong path, away from GOD. But the labyrinth has only one path and it always takes us closer to GOD. Instead of thinking which way to go, you are able to meditate on where you are going.”

      While they were constructing the labyrinth, the young teens came up with many symbols that could be used by labyrinth walkers to strengthen their faith. Each walker could carry a piece of cloth to symbolize their material worries. A coin could symbolize financial worries and a sword could represent discord/war. Someone even came up with goatheads for pain!
      In the end, the class decided to stay with the rock. Why? Sonya shrugged, “Because it says in the Bible that Peter is the rock. But it also symbolizes our lives.”
     “Rocks block our path and make it harder,” said Aubrey.
      “But, God is like a rock that strengthens us in hard times,” said Alex.
      Megan took it further. “Rocks are heavy, like our burdens and they stand out. Like rocks, burdens can drag us down. Throwing away the rock is like throwing out the burden.”

      Why do a labyrinth? Wouldn’t it be just as good to communicate with GOD at home, alone? Pat Slentz, the 5th-6th grade Sunday School teacher, explains: “All communication with GOD is good, but it can be a rewarding experience to walk the journey of the labyrinth while others are walking. It reminds us that we are not alone on this journey, and that God welcomes us all no matter what we bring to him.”

      The class chose Ecclesiastes 3, verses 1-8 to build on throughout the labyrinth.
                     “There is a time for everything
                     a season for every activity under heaven. . .
                     . . .a time to heal. . .
                     . . .a time to tear down. . .
                     . . .a time to rebuild. . .
                     . . .a time to cry
                     . . .a time to laugh. . .
                     . . .a time to scatter stones. . .
                     . . .a time to search. . .
                     . . .a time to mend
                     . . .a time to love. . .

      So, what is the message from this labyrinth?
      Aubrey said, “The point is to step forward in trusting GOD and liking GOD and working together from one inspiration. It’s a step forward to be closer to GOD.”
      Tia expanded on this. “Some people don’t think he’s real. GOD wants the
non-believers to know that he is real and he is there for them.”
      From Sonya, “Always follow GOD.”

      Before leaving Graves Hall, the construction site for the labyrinth, Sonja agreed to give me a tour. She walked the labyrinth and read about each station to me. “At station six,” she said, “You can sit in the chair. There will be bread and juice to eat, and a candle. When you are in station six, you and your problems are in total communion with GOD.”
      Wow!  I was in total communion with GOD. Wise words from Sonya Smith, age eleven.
      In his peaceful, friendly, quiet, loving way, GOD had spoken to me through these kids. Their wisdom awed me. And humbled me.
      When they are finished with this project, I encourage you all to join me in the labyrinth walk. If you don’t have any problems to bring, be there to help others celebrate total freedom and forgiveness from their burdens. In communion with God, we can all make a difference!

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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 May 6th or May 13th, we are still working on that speaker on STRESS we had planned for the end of April. Whichever of these two Fridays is left open will be Mom’s Day out with some debriefing on the results of the Mother/Daughter Banquet. On May 20th, we will try to relieve some of the stress of finding the stress speaker by doing some physical activity with Cathy Renfro. On May 27th we will discuss some plans for the summer. (Watch out, it will be a short summer; kids go back to school August 18th.) 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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Do You Have a Musical Talent?
Do you have a musical talent that you would like to share with our congregation this summer?  If you would like to provide a solo, duet or be part of an ensemble (vocal or instrumental) providing special music for Sunday worship, please call the Director of Music Ministries, Suzanne Johnson at 662-2971.

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"What's the Driving Force in Your Life?"
A sense of panic?  Or a sense of purpose?  You are invited to join a group who is studying that question (although I'm sure there are more possible answers than the two given above!) through a study and discussion of the book, "The Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren.  This group meets on Wednesdays from 1-2 pm in the Lounge of the C.E. Building, with child care provided in the nursery.  Please contact Deb Worley for more information.

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Church Attendance
 

Date	8:00 Service	9:30 Service
March 20th	34	205
March 27th	Sunrise - 6 am 9 am 11 am	140 239 171
April 3rd	20	121
April 10th	20	130
April 17th	25	210

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WCSS Circle Meetings
 

Circle I	Tuesday, May 10th at  Kitty Russell's in Santa Fe	Kitty Russell, hostess
Circle IV	Tuesday, May 10th at  1:00 pm in the Lounge	Myrna Strong, hostess

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Reminders!
Liturgists for May

May 1st Krik Krikorian
May 8th Karen Edwards
May 15th Norma Puckett
May 22nd M. J. Nilsson
May 29th Lars Engel

Greeters for May:  Linda Baker, The Reader family, Gerry and Georgia Strickfaden, Gary and Nina Thayer and Alice Waterman.

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Chimes Newsletter Deadline
June 2005 deadline is Sunday, May 22nd, 2005, 12:00 Noon

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Coffee Hosts for May
May 1st:  Linda Goforth

May 8th:  Rick & Judy Posada

May 15th:  Chuck & Janet Tallman

May 22nd:  Phyllis Foley 

May 29th:  No one as yet scheduled
 

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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Progressive Christians

"Its time to take back our faith in the public square, especially in a time when a more 
authentic social witness is desperately needed."

Jim Wallis - Sojourners Community
 

Progressive Christians of Northern New Mexico invites you to join a monthly gathering of people of faith from Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Farmington and other cities and towns in our northern area. We have been meeting informally since December 2004 to explore the ways we can put forward progressive Christian views to the larger community. With Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as foundation for both reflection and action, the group hopes to foster the exchange of ideas with those of differing viewpoints, engage law makers on social justice issues, support the programs of the Santa Fe Theologians Institute and encourage both clergy and lay who speak out on issues of peace and charity. Nonpartisan and representing many denominations, we also hope to facilitate networking and information sharing about values and perspectives we hold in common.

If you are interested in more information or to be added to the e-mail or mailing list of Progressive Christians of Northern New Mexico, contact either Susan Kemper Bryant or Mark Dunham
 
 

          Mission Statement of the Progressive Christians of Northern New Mexico
“We are an ecumenical body of Faithful who wish to pursue the larger church and societal issues described on our respective denominations' websites, from a progressive Christian faith perspective. We are non-partisan, but do plan to be involved at all levels of society in these issues. Our intent is be action-oriented, but also to be contemplative as the need and opportunity arise. Our local body may choose to work with other progressive Christian organizations now in existence, including becoming formally associated if deemed appropriate by the membership.  As an overall guiding principle, we will use the Sermon on the Mount of  Jesus Christ as written in Luke 6:17-49 and Matthew 5-7.”

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Highlights Refrigerator Calendar

April 30	6:00 pm	Mother/Daughter Banquet, Graves Hall
May 8		Mother's Day
May 15	11:00 am 5:00 pm 5:30 pm	Pentecost Second Grade Bibles/ Sacraments Class, Sanctuary Mid High Dinner/Movie Mac Ennis' home Senior High Asain Dinner, Graves Hall
May 22	Noon	Chimes Newsletter Deadline
May 30		Memorial Day, Church Office Closed

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Members of the Month
      Rick and Judy Posada relocated to Los Alamos from Galveston, Texas in January of 2000 and joined the United Church in 2001.
      Both of them have been very active in the life of the church.  Rick is currently serving on the Board of Elders and Judy serves on the Christian Education Board.  Judy also helps with Sunday school, Moms and More, and assists Jean Picard in a variety of ways.  As a family, they have been greeters and coffee hosts.  Rick has served as liturgist.  Their latest project together?  Mother/Daughter Roundup.  Yes, believe it!  Rick will don his best western wear and help serve the meal!
      Actually, for those who know Rick, it’s not that difficult to believe.  As a dentist, he’s a servant by profession.  Devotion to the health and welfare of others is in his blood - Rick comes from a
family of physicians.  Fortunately for Los Alamos, he and Judy fell in love with the southwest while on a vacation to Albuquerque.  Their trek up the main hill road into Los Alamos convinced them that they had to live here!
      One of the things I admire most about Rick is his dedication to his free dentistry day.  Now in its fifth year, his first free dentistry day was on Valentine’s Day.  It was a celebration of opening his practice here in Los Alamos - a sort of open house for those in need.  As part of the tradition, he and his staff lovingly volunteer their time on free dentistry day.  They are very busy, says Rick, but he still sees every patient personally.
      I also admire his strong Christian values.  Christ shines out from him, don’t you think?
      Judy has that same Christian strength.  With a Masters in Education, she’s an educator by trade, but is currently in love with raising their two-year-old son Joshua.  Although she’s frequently out with Joshua for gymnastics, playgroup, or a musical event, she nurtures herself through the
Garden Club, Republican Women organization, or Community Bible Study.
      Together, Rick and Judy work very hard to teach their son about the love of Jesus.  They are committed to God, each other, and to their family.  Doing things together as a family is their favorite hobby!
      They travel about four times a year, in the US and abroad.  In June, they will travel to
Sorrento, Italy, where Rick will receive a Fellowship award from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.  Rick has also been awarded a fellowship from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.  He is one of only three dentists in the entire state that have earned dual fellowships in the above academies.  As some of you LANL people may know, a Fellowship is not easy to get.  Rick said the coolest part was going to Europe!
      His other interests?  Music.  Rick has a passion for all kinds of music, whether it’s classical, rock, or contemporary.  He used to sing in bands in high school and college.  He also collects vintage comic books.
      Says Rick, “I like it when people know by deeds and acts that you are a Christian.  I always try to live my life that way, by being generous to community and others.  The kids in my practice and my church are just as important to me as the adults.”

      It shows, doesn’t it?

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                                                                                         Peace,   Don
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Virginia Stovall

Bob Emigh

Allen Schmiedicke

Joann Brown

John Zoltai

Nan Fife

Samantha Rich

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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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Summer Intern
Trevor Mead is looking for a place to live during the summer months he is here at the United Church.  If you have a room that he can stay in, please call the church office at 662-2971.

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Congratulations
Annelise Parker was born to Cory and Kathy Parker and Grandparents are Lynn and Monte Parker

Megan Kathryn Crawford was born to Mark and KayLinda Crawford and grandparents are Ted and Dorothy Crawford

David Robert Puckett was born to Leslie and Anthony Puckett, and Grandparents are John & Norma Puckett

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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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