The United Church of Los Alamos
 
 
 

United Chimes:  Vol. 39, No. 11, November 2003

Table of Contents
Front Page News
  2004 Stewardship Campaign Begins
  Please Take Note
For Our Children
  Childrens Worship
  KAC Party
  Operation Christmas Child
  Thanks
Advent Workshop
Church News and Announcements
  Women's Christian Service Society
  Wanted
  Chimes Newsletter Deadline
  Grief Support for the Holidays
  Truchas Day Care Center Christmas
  November Sunday Worship Themes
  Church Attendance
  Chimes Newsletter on the Web
  Sing the Faith
  Live in the Moment
  Welcome Newest Members
  Coffee Hosts for November
  WCSS Circle Meetings
  Reminders
  November 2003 Lunch Bunch
  Stephen Ministry Continuing Education
  United Church Library News
  Chef Mac’s Winter Cooking Class
  Hand in Hand
  Thanksgiving Eve
  Stovall Scholarship Fund
Prayers, Praises, Thanks and More
  Prayer Concerns
  Prayer Letter Telephone Prayer Chain
From Our Interim Pastor
  Fruit Bearing
 
 

Members and friends of the United Church will soon be receiving the 2004 stewardship message and pledge package materials in the mail.  Recipients will immediately notice that the message from the Finance Board has a much more business-like look and tone than previous years’ messages.  Readers will also appreciate that this change in tone is accompanied by very serious message regarding the state of the Church’s finances and the need for the substantial increase in our goal for pledge income over 2003.

Beginning in 2002, a very serious gap between actual income and our budget goal of approximately $80,000 appeared and continues through 2003.  Possible explanations for this include a loss of senior membership following the Cerro Grande Fire (people leaving town), the senior pastor’s sabbatical, and now the process of finding a senior pastor.  This gap between budgeted and actual income has been managed through a combination of fortunate circumstances such as light snowfall and voluntary restraints in spending by the Missions, Trustees, and other boards.  Even with this, we had to use $12,756 from reserves to make ends meet in 2002, and we currently estimate that another $5,000 to $15,000 will be needed in 2003.

The use of reserves to make up for shortfalls in income cannot continue.  If income is not increased, a structural reduction in expenses will be required.  A review of the proposed budget section in the stewardship message shows that there are only two options for achieving significant cost reductions, cuts in mission commitments or staffing – both, I believe, are unacceptable to most members.

Although this stewardship message classically bases our goals on the needs of the Church as outlined in a budget, there is also a higher challenge presented.  This higher challenge is to raise our level of giving beyond the minimum needs of the Church as expressed in the budget in order to fulfill our individual spiritual needs as followers of Jesus who want to give as an act of discipleship.

Prayerfully consider this information when considering your pledge for 2004.  The stewardship of the Church is the responsibility of all of us.  Your financial support provides the resources needed for the Church to carry out its missions in our community and around the world.

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Please Take Note
The next CHIMES  deadline is Sunday, November 16th at 12:00 noon for the Thanksgiving/ Early December 2003 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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Childrens Worship
November 2nd  The Promised Land (Feast Day)

November 9th   Exile and Return

November 16th How the ChurchTells Time

November 23rd  Advent 1

November 30th  Advent 2

Children’s Worship is for Children in grades Kindergarten through 2nd Grade during the last half of the 9:30 worship service.  This special program meets in room 105.  Greeters and Storytellers are Needed.

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KAC Party
The KAC kids (grades 3-6) will meet Friday, November 7th in Graves Hall from 6:00-7:30 pm.  SAVE THIS DATE.  Details will follow in the KAC newsletter.

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Operation Christmas Child
This year we are collecting items for a special project called Operation Christmas Child.  The Sunday School classes will be collecting small gifts and toys to fill wrapped shoe boxes.  The boxes are then sent to Samaritan’s Purse and distributed to children throughout the world.  We will collect items from now until November 9th.  On November 9th we will wrap and prepare the boxes during the Sunday School hour.  For more details contact: Betty Apperson or Jean Picard.

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Thanks
A big thank you to everyone who helped make the Harry Potter Party a huge success.  A special thank you to Dennis Powell for planning the games and activities. Thanks also to Beth Dermer for the great dinner and to Verlene Stam and Pat Whicker for the awesome decorations.  Thanks to the Professors and helpers: John Stam, Peggy Morris, Lisa and Garth Reader. Betty Smith, Courtney and Betty Apperson, Julia Bell, Pat Reardon, Leslie Geyer, Joann Tykoski, Mardel Schmiedicke, Lisa Moore, Clark DeNevers, Pat Slentz, Karen Boebinger, Kay Birdsel and Nancy Bliss.  We had great prefects in Elliot Breshears, Tanner Johnson, Dylan Stupka, Ashley Reader, Lindsey Reader, Dana Boebinger and Rachel Baker. 

Thanks.  Jean Picard.

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Watch for more details about the dinner and program in your December issue of the CHIMES. This event is a great way to open the Christmas season, so please save the date.

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Wanted
Friends/Mentors for the Special Adults.  Our exciting new curriculum has a time for one-on-one for members of the class.  This involves only 15-20 minutes at the end of the class- so enjoy the Fellowship Time and amble on over!  Teens Welcome.  Contact Jean Picard or Barbara Seeger.

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Chimes Newsletter Deadline
Thanksgiving/early December 2003 issue is Sunday, November 16, 2003, 12:00 Noon.

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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 tentatively meet on Thursday, November 13th at 7:30 p.m. in the Pastor'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 or Dorothy Crawford.

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Truchas Day Care Center Christmas
The Truchas Day Care Center is planning to celebrate Christmas with the members of the Truchas Senior Center again this year.  Last year's party was a joyous occasion.  For the children between 2 1/2 and 5 years of age, we would like to have stretch gloves, caps, stuffed  animals, toys, candy, books, coloring books and crayons or paints, glue, scissors, games, or anything a youngster will be happy to find in his big paper bag from Santa (John Charles).  We have been making the Christmas party  for these youngsters a memorable time for several years.  They greatly enjoy and appreciate our generosity.  Jean Picard will assemble the gifts.  Thank you for remembering these little ones at Christmas time.  There will be about twenty-five children.

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November Sunday Worship Themes
 

November 2nd	All Saints Day:  Howard will be preaching on “Gifts of Love” which he will base on the text of Mark 12:41-44.  His theme is that Christ appreciates the spirit and love with which we bring him gifts.
November 9th	Stewardship Dedication Sunday:  Howard will be preaching on “Being Near to God’s Kingdom,” using Mark 12:28-34 for his text.  His theme is that Christ urges us to love our neighbor with everything we’ve got.
November 16th	Howard will be preaching on “Provoking Each Other to Good Deeds” and  using Hebrews 10:11-29 as his text.  His goal is that all who worship more fully receive and act from the spiritual power of Christ’s forgiveness in our lives.
November 23rd	Thanksgiving Sunday and Sunday of Christ the King:  Howard will be preaching on “Christ’s Power Over History.”  His texts will be John 18:33-37 and Revelation 1:4-8.  His theme today is that Christ transcends all history and yet touches on each moment of it.
November 30th	First Sunday of Advent:  Kathleen will be preaching. Text will be Isaiah 9:2-7.  The theme for this first Sunday in Advent is HOPE.  During this season we will be focusing on the theme “from Darkness to Light”

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Church Attendance
 

Date	8:00 Service	9:30 Service
September 21st	25	196
September 28th	21	208
October 5th	33	172
October 12th	27	163

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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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Sing the Faith
Our new supplementary hymnbooks, SING THE FAITH, are here and will soon be in the pews for us to use. On November 2nd, our church Anniversary Sunday, the Music Board will be hosting an all-church potluck in Graves Hall at 12 noon (bring “finger foods” to share), followed by an informal sing-a-long to get acquainted with our new songbooks. If you would like to dedicate one or more ($10 each) in a loved one’s memory, there will be an opportunity to do so at that time. 

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Live in the Moment

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 Welcome Newest Members

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Coffee Hosts for November
Everyone appreciates our coffee hosts.  If you have never been a coffee host before, the instructions are posted inside the cabinet in the kitchen located at the back of the church.  All the supplies you need are right there.  Now that the weather is getting colder and wetter, we will be enjoying our social time in Fellowship Hall after church, so there are no tables to set up outside or coffee pots to carry out.  Please call Irene Powell if you would like to make coffee on a Sunday morning in November or December.  Thank you!

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WCSS Circle Meetings
 

Circle I	Tuesday, November 11th at 9:30 am	Mary Mariner and Ann Thomson, Hostesses
Circle IV	Tuesday, November 11th At 1 pm	Alice Waterman, Hostess
Moms & More	Every Friday 9 am to 11 am	Lounge

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Reminders
Greeters for November:  Arlene & Zach Stephens, Laura & Bill Parker, Christa Manning, Youth and Bob & Wilma Cowan.

Liturgists for November:  Kelly Myers, Nina Thayer, Youth, Brian Newnam, Paul Mutschlecner.

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November 2003 Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch Callers  for November 2003 are:  Emily Engel, Nan Fife, Marilyn Bjorklund, Marge Lewis, Sandra Tolmie, Dee Wilson, Nancy Bliss and Betty Apperson.

Janet Tallman
Lunch Bunch Coordinator

NOTE:  In December, no Lunch Bunch callers.  We all try to attend the WCSS Christmas Pot Luck which is held on Monday, December 8th in Graves Hall.

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Stephen Ministry Continuing Education
A new Stephen Ministry Training Class will begin in Mid January.  If you enjoy people, are able to empathize with their pain, willing to spend an hour a week visiting someone who needs a listener, then we need you!!  Don't know what to say when someone is hurting and afraid you won't do the right thing?  We will teach you what to do.  Just being there for someone is showing God's presence; and remember, you are not alone--He is walking with you as you meet with your care receiver.  Please contact Kathleen Logan, Mac Ennis, Marlene Henins, Bill Purtyman, or Maggie Davis regarding more information for the new class or questions about the Stephen Ministry program.

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United Church Library News
Recent gifts to the Church Library

"Fine Black Lines":  reflections on facing cancer, fear and loneliness, by Lois Tschetter Hjelmstad

"Nurturing Spirituality in Children": This book offers scores of simple lessons that  parents can teach to their children in less than ten minutes at a time, by Peggy J. Jenkins

"Raising PG Kids in an X-rated Society":  by Tipper Gore

The Library has three books by Marcus Borg now.  He will be speaking at the church the first of the year: 
  "The God We Never Knew"
   "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time”
   "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time"

New Books Purchased: 
   "The Gospel According to Moses" by Athol Dickson
    "Bad Girls of the Bible" by Liz Higgs
    "Raising Children to Adore God" by Patrick Kavanaugh

New Children's Books 
    "On Noah's Ark" by Jan Brett
    "On Morning Wings" by Reeve Lindbergh
    "Daisy Comes Home" by Jan Brett

Do come and use the Church Library.  There are many good books and magazines to be checked out.  Everything checks out for three weeks.  Any requests to purchase a new book is welcomed.  Just leave a note in the Library box in the Church office or contact Jan Sinclair.

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Chef Mac’s Winter Cooking Class

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.

"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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Hand in Hand
Hand-in-Hand establishes and supports Jewish-Arab schools in Israel to promote mutual understanding and respect between these people.  At the luncheon, to which all our people are invited, bagels and other food will be served by the Jewish Center.  They will explain in more detail this work, perhaps utilizing a video, and offering opportunity for individuals here to participate financially and otherwise.

Cofounder of Hand-in-Hand, Amin Khalaf, makes this observation:  "I feel great satisfaction when I visit these schools and enter an atmosphere where Jews and Arabs are truly working together to bring up a new generation and create a new reality.  I see staff and parents working hard to bridge the gaps in language, holidays, and even educational expectations.  This struggle is at the heart of our work, and the compromises and solutions that emerge are the fruit of shaping our lives together." 

We invite our people to join with those from the Jewish Center in this meaningful time together on November 16th, at 12:15 pm in Graves Hall.

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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 pm, November 26th.  Kathleen will provide leadership from our congregation for the event.

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Stovall Scholarship Fund
The Stovall Family-United Church  Scholarship Fund Plans to award a Tuition scholarship of $1,000 to a member of the United Church in the fall of 2004.  Applicants must be of high moral character who are or will be pursuing a post secondary academic degree in any branch of science or mathematics at an accredited college or university.  These scholarships are administered by the Stovall Family and The United Church of Los Alamos.  Applications will be available in the church office.  ALL papers pertaining to the scholarship must be returned to the Church Office by 11:00 a.m. Sunday, April 18, 2004.

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Sarah Wallstrom

Ruth Dwinelle

Myrna Strong

Patti Stevenson-Brown

Laurence Gurley

Ina Coulter

Allen Schmiedicke

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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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 Going on through life I have noticed that some people, looked at through the world’s eyes, seem to be puny with little to offer.  Yet these people often bear the finest and most luscious fruits for God.  Others who have rich foliage may produce puny or no fruit for God.

 Which kind of a Christian am I?  What fruit do I bear for God’s kingdom?  I invite you to read Luke 13:69.  Consider:  Who owns the garden?  Who is the gardener?  Will I be able to bear fruit for God next year?

 I pray we each will have Christ’s strength and guidance to do that and to 
produce luscious fruit for God’s kingdom.

In Christ’s love,
  Howard
 
 

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