The United Church of Los Alamos
 
 
 

United Chimes:  Vol. 41, No. 7, July 2005

Table of Contents
Front Page News
  Serengeti Trek 2005
  Please Take Note
For Our Children & Youth
  Sondays Kids
  Fall Programming
  A Quick Word From Keith……
Church News and Announcements 
  July Sunday Worship Themes
  Hallie Bare, summer youth intern
  Church Office Hours
  Pastors Office Hours
  Lunch Bunch Callers
  All Church Camp
  United Church Highlights Calendar
  More Marriage Vitamins
  Missions Corner July 2005
  Sanctuary Flowers
  Phoenix Affirmation Forum
  Women's Retreat
  Church Attendance
  Reminders!
  Chimes Newsletter Deadline
  Coffee Hosts for July
  LA Cares
  WCSS Circle Meetings
  From the Thrift Shop
Table Talk  from Don
  Summer Worship Focus
Prayers, Praises, Thanks and More
  Prayer Concerns
  Prayer Chain
  Chimes Newsletter
  Sympathy
  Congratulations
  Thank you
 
 

Fall Programming
It seems like summer has barely begun but it is already time to plan for Fall.  Individuals interested in teaching this fall for grades K through 6 should contact Jean Picard, 662-2971. KAC (Kids Adventuring with Christ) will also resume in the fall and will need sponsors for monthly events as well as the annual Harry Potter Night. Are you called to help in these areas? Contact Jean Picard at 662-2971.
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A Quick Word From Keith……
Thank You! Two simple words but very heart felt when it comes to expressing my gratitude for the warm welcome I’ve received here at UCLA.  I am excited to finally be in place and learning “the ropes” at United Church.  Over the course of the next few months we’ll look at planning for fall/spring youth programming and talk about visions for the future of youth ministry.  Remember to check the calendar for all of our summer activities.  I am always amazed at how quickly time flies!  I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday nights and during our special events.  Trevor and Halle have worked hard to put a great summer in place, jump on board it’s gonna be fun!  Finally to youth and parents who helped with VBS a final word of thanks for your hard work during the week.  The smiling faces on children Sunday morning was a sure sign that things went well.

I’ll see YOU on Sunday morning. 
Blessings, 
Keith
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Hallie Bare, summer youth intern
Hallie Bare, summer youth intern, will be in Guatemala from the 5th of July through the 18th.  In cooperation with the University of Denver she will be installing water filters in the Ixcan region for mountain villages where the people must travel miles for potable water. Back in the states she travels directly to Sonlight Camp for a week with the Junior High church group.
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Church Office Hours

Pastors Office Hours

Lunch Bunch Callers
Lunch Bunch Callers for July are:  Janet Tallman, Pat Slentz, Marge Lewis, Evelyn Ullrich, Laura Parker, Dee Wilson and Mary Freese.
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All Church Camp
All Church Camp is an annual weekend experience for members and friends of The United Church of Los Alamos. The event is held at Ghost Ranch Conference Center North of Abiquiu, New Mexico. The week-end includes a speaker, scheduled activities for children and youth, and large blocks of free time for families to spend together or with other church families. A nursery is provided during lectures. Group activities include dinner together on Friday evening, Sunday worship, a pot luck lunch on Sunday and evening campfires. Attendees also organize group hikes, swimming, and athletic events such as volleyball. 

There are a number of options for accommodations during the event: 
     . camping at Ghost Ranch with or without hookups [must provide your own meals] 
     . a ranch room, either in a dorm setting or in a room with a shared connecting bath 
     . commuting from Los Alamos (75-90 minutes). 
     . Some individuals have chosen to make their own arrangements and stay at the Abiquiu Inn or at one of the Bed and Breakfasts in the area. 
The majority of attendees either camp or commute. We try to pair up commuters with campers for lunch and dinner on Saturday. The last speaker presentation ends about 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Those who wish to stay through Monday are welcome to do so. 

       Relationships:
                Eutopia or Terror
A series presented by Bruce Swanson. Bruce is a pastor in Nampa, Idaho. He spent his beginning years of ministry in para-church organizations such as Young Life, Youth for Christ, Serendipity, and National Park Ministries. Ordained in the Presbyterian church in 1980, he served three churches in Oregon before accept- ing a call to the Nampa church six years ago. He has been very involved in com- munity outreach ministries with every church he has served. Each church he has served has grown. Most recently he has been involved with other churches in us- ing grant monies from Health and Human Services to start a Healthy Families program which works in the community for the well-being of young people. 

Bruce says of his presentation: "My message is probably tied to some of my com- mitments. I am deeply committed to lay people... The ministries at each place [I serve] find themselves somehow balanced between evangelism and social witness." 

According to former United Church member, Gary Eller, "Bruce is an inspiring and animated speaker. He has a hilarious and somewhat offbeat sense of humor. A really interesting person." 
 

For Registration Information, please call the church office, 662-2971.
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United Church Highlights Calendar
 

July 5th	YOUTH GROUP in Craig Hall from 6:30 - 8 pm
July 12	YOUTH BOARD GAMES/PIZZA NIGHT in Craig  Hall from 6:30 - 8 pm
July 13	YOUTH TO CLIFF'S AMUSEMENT PARK – meet in  parking lot at 8:30 and return at 5 pm
July 14	SENIOR HIGH BREAKFAST BURRITO in Youth Office (Room 201)
July 19	YOUTH BIGGER OR BETTER in Craig Hall from 6:30-8 pm
July 21	SENIOR HIGH BREAKFAST BURRITO in Youth  Office (Room 201)
July 26	YOUTH REGRESSIVE DINNER in Room 212
July 28	SENIOR HIGH BREAKFAST BURRITO in Youth Office (Room 201)
July 31	YOUTH SERVICE PROJECT - Room 212 (TBA)

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More Marriage Vitamins
Ten Ways to Cope With Conflict

One of the things that we gained from Marriage Encounter and Marriage Enrichment has been advice which when stated seems obvious, but in life we often ignore. A basic fact of marriage is that there will be conflict and it does not erase love. When conflict is handled properly it can strengthen love. Here are some excellent suggestions:

1. Don’t avoid conflict with the silent treatment.  Tackle the problem as soon as possible.

2. Don’t save up emotional ammunition from the past.

3.If possible, prepare the setting for disagreement. (Admit your feelings and set up a time when
 you have cooled off a bit to talk about things.)

4. Attack the problem, not each other.
   *back up accusations with facts
   *remember to forget and put the past in the past
   *no cracks about in-laws or relatives, friends, etc.
   *no cracks about your mate’s appearance
   *no dramatics

5. Don’t throw your feelings like stones.

6. Stay on the subject.

7. Offer solutions with your criticisms.

8. Never say, “You never…” or “You always…”

9. Don’t manipulate your mate with, “It’s all my fault…”, and remember, “It’s all your fault” is not
 true either.  It always takes two to create a conflict.

10. Be humble—you could be wrong.

One of the greatest things we have learned is to admit we are angry without blasting each other. 
OWN YOUR FEELINGS.  “I FEEL____________.”  Never say, “You make me feel_______________.”
No one can force you to feel anything.  You choose how to react.
“I feel _______________(name the emotion-angry, frustrated, very sad, etc.) and “ I need some time to cool off, then we need to talk,” can be a great way to start working through your conflict.
 

On behalf of imperfect marriages everywhere and the board of Elders, “May you fight fair and well.”
And, may conflict actually bring you closer in the end!!!!

Missions Corner July 2005
Your Missions Committee provides support for a local organization, the Casa Mesita Group Home. Casa Mesita Group Home provides the structure and tools needed by adolescent girls to grow and mature, deal with their problems, and to achieve their goals of returning to their families or establishing an independent life. Girls at Casa Mesita come from throughout the state of New Mexico ranging in age from 12 to 17. Girls have diverse family, cultural, and economic backgrounds. All have a variety of problems with their families, their friends, their school, and their lives. What they have in common is the need for a structured and supportive living environment and the desire to change their lives. Casa Mesita’s program provides an active process of identifying problems, setting goals, establishing plans of action, and evaluating progress. “STEP contracts” are the framework of the program, allowing each girl to progress at her own pace in assuming increasing responsibilities in return for
increased privileges in the Home.
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Sanctuary Flowers
Thank You for the Sanctuary Flowers
In May and June

The altar flower committee wishes to express our appreciation to the following for flowers in May and June.  Thank you, Emily and Bob Nance, Barbara and Phil Seeger, Linda Goforth, Marlene and Ivars Henins, Dorothy and Ted Crawford, Judy and Rick Posada, The Contemplative Prayer group, Wilma and Frank Durham, Janice Childers, Alice and Paul Mutschlecner, Tim Mutschlecner family, Chris Sierk, and Kelly Myers.

There are a few Sundays in August, September and October that are still available to provide the altar flowers; you may sign up by calling the church office or call Dorothy Crawford.
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Phoenix Affirmation Forum

At the recent meeting of the United Church of Christ Southwest Conference there was a resolution encouraging congregations to study and dialogue about the “Phoenix Affirmations”. The Affirmations were developed by a congregation in Arizona with the hope of opening a dialogue among Christians. The affirmation begins:

“The public face of Christianity in America today bears little connection to the historic faith of our ancestors. It represents even less our own faith as Christians who continue to celebrate the gifts of our Creator, revealed and embodied in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Heartened by our experience of the transforming presence of Christ’s Holy Spirit in our world, we find ourselves in a time and place where we will no longer be silent….As people who are joyfully and unapologetically Christian, we pledge ourselves to the way of Love.”

The Executive Board asked Don Childers to put together an opportunity to discuss the Affirmations.

On Sunday, August 7, 2005 at 11:15 a.m. (after the coffee hour) interested persons are invited to the Chapel to discuss and dialogue about the Phoenix Affirmations.  You can download a copy at www.jointhewalk.com or contact the office for a copy.
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Women's Retreat
Friday evening, October 14
Saturday, October 15 (with a Saturday night campfire, complete with raspberry smores, special recipe provided by Pastor Kathleen)

Sunday morning, October 16

Sonlight Camp, Pagosa Springs, CO

Our speaker will be Pat Livingston, author of This Blessed Mess, Finding Hope Amidst Life's Chaos.  According to reviews, this 60-year-old lady's particular gift is her ability to tell stories, some funny, some not.  Her how-to list includes developing core beliefs, caring for ourselves, connecting with life, looking for goodness, deepening our joy, hanging in there, praying.  Her books and tapes will be available for sale at the church.

All-inclusive cost is $120.

Registration will be held Aug. 18, and 25,  and the final registration deadline, with full fee due, will be Oct. 2.  Registration forms will be printed in the August and September Chimes. 
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Church Attendance
 

Date	8:00 Service	9:30 Service
May 22nd	22	148
May 29th	22	158
June 5th	28	189
June 12th	25	137
June 19th	31	136

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Reminders!
Liturgists for July

July 3rd    Pamela Massey
July 10th  John Stam
July 17th  Nona Bowman
July 24th  Kelly Myers
July 31st  Kay Swadener
 
 

Greeters for July:

July 3rd    Kenneth and Janet Sinclair 
July 10th  Rick and Judy Joo Posada 
July 17th  Mary Alei 
July 24th  Gene and Beth Plassmann 
July 31st  Pete and Rosie Shalek 
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Chimes Newsletter Deadline
August 2005 deadline is Sunday, July 24th, 2005 12:00 Noon
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Coffee Hosts for July
July 3rd:  Fellowship Committee
July 10th:  Joanne & Don Brown
July 17th:  Nona Brandt
July 24th:  Linda & Dale Breshears
July 31st:  Carol Brown

 
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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LA Cares
Because hunger is a year-round problem and doesn’t go away, Mom’s 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). In May, in fact, fifty-four boxes were packed, and using the paper towels
collected at The United Church along with those they already had on hand, they were able to provide a roll of paper towels in each box and have a few left over! Thanks, United Church folk!

This month’s request for the LA Cares’ collection is SOAP: laundry detergent, dishwashing soap (i.e., for hand-washing dishes, not for a dishwasher), and bath soap. Next time you go shopping, buy an extra one of one of these, and drop it by the church at any time throughout the month.  There is a box in the Fellowship Hall and one in the mailroom of the Christian Education building to collect these items. And remember that any non-perishable food item is welcome at any time or even a cash donation to LA Cares.

Moms and More
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WCSS Circle Meetings
Circle 1:  A summer picnic lunch date and time will be announced.

There will be no regular Circle meetings in June, July, or August. Circles will meet once for lunch, and meetings will resume in September.
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From the Thrift Shop
We appreciate your donations very much, but at the present time are swamped.

So until further notice, please, no donations between Sunday noon and Wednesday
noon to give our hard working volunteers time to sort, price, organize, and tidy up
before Wednesday sales.

Please, the items should be clean and in working order. We do not have any way
to test electronics, or repair any item.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

The United Church Thrift Shop

(P.S. We still need volunteers)

Barbara Seeger
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Peace,
Don 

1.  “Just As I Am”, Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871) and William Bradbury, (1816-1868),   Woodworth L.M.
2.  Wake, Arthur, Companion to the Hymnbook for Christian Worship, The Bethany Press, St. Louis, Missouri , 1970, p.198. 
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Inez Taschek

Jack & Bridget Roberts’ daughter

John Zoltai

Lynn Smith

Ruth Williamson

Kay Swadener

Al Dross

Barbara Jean Wilson
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Prayer Chain
If you have a prayer concern, please call the United Church office at 662-2971  or email at: UCoffice@losalamos.org and Mardel will email the prayer chain.
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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 662-2971.
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Sympathy
Prayers for Randy Erickson’s family upon the death of his grandmother.

Prayers for the Logan family upon the death of Litton’s brother, Joe.

Prayers for Gretchen Amstutz upon the death of her father, Dr. Kenneth Amstutz of Washington State.
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Congratulations
Cassandra Kay, infant daughter born to Gina Halsted Brown and Anthony Brown of Des Moines, Iowa, born on Sunday, June 19th, Grandparents are Mary Halsted and Larry Luck.
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Thank you
Thanks to Dave Thomson, Paul Mutschlecner, Nina Thayer, Phil Seeger & Krik Krikorian for participating in a forum panel about faith vs. arms on Wednesday, June 23rd here at the United Church, and illuminated by Bob Brownlee’s stained glass windows in Fellowship Hall.  Forty-six participants from the Presbyterian Peace Making Conference at Ghost Ranch discussed war & peace and faith with our illustrious panel. It was an awesome experience to share with fellow Christians from a variety of age groups and backgrounds.