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UNITED CHIMES OCTOBER 2015 Vol. 51 No. 10

THE UNITED CHURCH

OF LOS ALAMOS Email: ucoffice@unitedchurchla.org

Website: www.unitedchurchla.org Telephone: 505.662.2971

FROM THE PASTOR:

You gotta love October! I don’t know about you, but

my calendar is pretty booked. There’s so much to do as

we enjoy the cooler days of autumn and the various

festivals around town and beyond. Life around The

United Church is no exception. Within the pages of our

newly formatted Chimes are many opportunities for us to

participate in the life of this church. Along with our

weekly worship services, Sunday School classes,

Woman’s book study and retreat, and children and

youth programs, we begin the month by celebrating

World Communion Sunday, October 4 at the 8:00 and

9:30 a.m. worship services. This year the Elders invite you

to bring a loaf of bread that is a specialty of your family

or cultural origin. The bread will be placed on the

Communion table and then shared during our coffee

and fellowship time after the services. What a wonderful

way to not only begin the month of October, but to

share in the unity we have as the one body of Christ in

this world.

I hope you are able to take advantage of these

and other opportunities to come together as friends and

family in faith. May the weeks ahead offer us blessings

and mercies each day.

David Elton

Upcoming Events

October 4

World Communion

October 9

Women’s Retreat

October 10

Stewardship Campaign

Important

Announcement

Weekly Word email: If you

would like to receive the

email I send out each week

about the upcoming

Sunday, please email or call

the church office and tell us

to add you to the “Weekly

Word” list.

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Companioning the Mourner: Essential Principles

(from The Handbook for Companioning the Mourner, by Alan

Wolfelt)

Tenet Ten: Companioning is about learning from others; it is not

about teaching them.

If you have been following this series of articles about the

principles of companioning, you have probably realized that each

tenet is a variation on the theme of heartfelt listening rather than

telling people what and how they should feel as they navigate the

turmoil of loss, grief, and mourning. Tenet Ten adds to this by

reminding us that our job as companions is to listen and learn.

This does not mean we cannot share our own stories when it is

appropriate and helpful. It does mean that our story can never be

seen as normative for others. Each of us has our own story, our

own way of dealing with the loss of someone from our lives. In

fact, each loss we experience is different based on a number of

factors such as our relationship with the person who died, our

personal circumstances at the time of the death, the nature of the

death, etc. It is through telling our story of life with the person and

of their death that we are able to begin to understand that person’s

place in our life and see a way to go forward. But this is seldom a

one-time process: tell it and get on with things. Understanding

comes “not in the telling of the story once or twice or even three

times, but over and over again.” (p.98)

In order to do this, people need companions who are willing to

listen and reflect on their stories, helping individuals to mine them

for insights and learnings, accepting that people may need to

revisit the same story many times before they are ready to move

on. The companion’s role is to invite the mourner to teach them

what it is like for him/her to grieve and to encourage and support

him/her in exploring the difference the loss makes to their lives.

Monday 11:00 – 12:30pm

Women’s Book Study

Lounge

All women of the church

and their friends are

welcome to attend this

group. The books for

discussion are selected by

the group. Our next book

will be And Not One Bird

Stopped Singing: Coping

with Transition and Loss in

Aging.

LUNCH BUNCH for

OCTOBER

CALLERS are:

Irene Powell

Beth Dermer

Nancy Bolme

Terry FitzPatrick

Joann Brown

Loree Lynch

Chris Sierk

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2015 WOMEN’S RETREAT

The Reverend Doctor Donna McNiel will be our speaker for

this year’s Women’s Retreat. She has been the Executive

Director of the New Mexico Conference of Churches since

2011. McNiel earned her B.A. from Austin College, her Master

of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

and her Doctor of Ministry from Episcopal Divinity School,

Cambridge, Massachusetts. Prior to coming to the New

Mexico Conference of Churches she served as the University

Multifaith Chaplain at the University of the Pacific in Stockton,

California.

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Information for Registration

Name_________________________________________

Address_________________________________________

Phone___________________

Email__________________________________________

Special physical or dietary needs_______________

_______________________________________________

I plan to drive and can take_____people with me

Payment of $150.00 ________cash ________check

WOMEN’S RETREAT

So, What did Paul Really Say

about Women?

This retreat is open to all

women of the United Church

and their friends. Our motto

for the weekend is everyone

bring someone.

October 9 – 11th

Sonlight Christian Camp

Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Sign up now!

Deadline is October 1st.

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WEEKLY CALENDAR

MONDAY Women’s Book Study (11 am

Lounge)

TUESDAY Staff Meeting (10 am Lounge)

WEDNESDAY Thrift Shop (8:30 – 12:30 pm)

THURSDAY Men’s Koffee Klatch (9:30 am

Lounge)

FRIDAY Friday Bible Study (10 am White Rock

Presbyterian Church)

SUNDAY Sunday Worship (8 & 9:30 am)

Children’s Worship, Sunday School

and Adult Education

OCTOBER CALENDAR

October 4 World Communion Sunday

October 9-11 Women’s Retreat

October 18 ALL Church Potluck Lunch –

Board meetings, Executive

Council meeting

October 21 CHIMES Newsletter articles due -

Aspen Ridge Conversation

October 22 Sombrillo Nursing Home worship

Thursday 9:30 – 11:30 pm

Men's Koffee Klatch

CE Building, Lounge

All men of United Church

are invited to coffee,

refreshments, and

fellowship! There are no

lesson plans, no required

or suggested topics, no

devotions, no leaders, but

there is a lot of fun!

Hosting duties are passed

around within the group.

The wit and wisdom

shared cover all sorts of

topics and the discussions

have proven extremely

interesting, informative,

and supportive. We laugh

a lot! See you there!

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OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

Sonja Smith 01 Cheryl Warren 01

Susan Tonelli 05 Nancy Bolme 06

Brad Meyer 06 Karen Leach 11

Brian Belobrajdic 12 Kaylinda Crawford 14

Chad Lauritzen 16 Steve Myers 17

Nancy Nunnelley 17 Jerry Strickfaden 18

Don Brown 20 Rosie Shalek 20

Betty Smith 24 Jody Rigg 26

Larry Brown 29 Darren Naud 29

Alice Mutschlecner 30

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NURSERY VOLUNTEERS:

Are you wanting to help out in the church nursery, but

can’t commit to a lot of time? I am in great need of

volunteers for the nursery. There must be two people with

the children and a least one of those has to be 18+ years

of age. Mid High and High School students are welcome.

If you would like to help in the nursery, please call Jody at

662-3055. Thank you.

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PRAYERS

Please continue to hold these persons in your prayers

during the month of October.

HOMEBOUND: Jane Hamada, Grace Ogden, Murlin

Nutter, Ann Thomson and Bob Malone.

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ILL: Laura Cox, Nona Brandt, Jim

and Ina Coulter, Lavella Lock-Watson, Sarah Kelly, Nona

Bowman, Tom Reader (Garth’s father), Maggie Davis, Kayla

Leigh Daly, Jean Riegle (Jen Buckman’s mother), Peggy

Chambers, Jewell Roberts, Jen Sprinkle, Sandy Brownell, Jewell

Roberts, Bernadette Verna (Bernadette’s mother), Hannah,

daughter of Kim Sierk, Janet Tallman and Jean Picard.

PRAYERS for friends and family of David Powell upon the

death of his mother, Ollie Faye. Prayers for friends and family

upon the death of Nina Lujan.

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2016 Stewardship Campaign

The Finance Board would like to give everyone an advance notice of the upcoming Stewardship Campaign to support the ministries and missions of the United Church in 2016. We will be mailing a Stewardship letter to all members and friends of the church around October 10. The campaign will close on Loyalty Sunday, November 8. With the near completion of construction activities at the church, we hope we can embark on exciting new activities and outreach in our beautiful updated facilities. Please prayerfully consider how you can support our growth in service in the coming year. Finance Board of the United Church

Upcoming Events

October 10

Stewardship Campaign

November 8

Loyalty Sunday

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LOVE VITAMINS OCTOBER 2015

TOUCH ME

“In an era dominated by virtual communication such as by cellphones, the internet and wireless technology,

it can be even more important to realize the value of being physically close.”

Mayo Clinic Health Letter Aug. 2015

We need to be close to others for our mental, physical and emotional health. MAYO CLINIC’S Health

Letter’s recent article, HOLD MY HAND: THE POWER OF TOUCH says, “Touch, unlike language, is a

form of communication that comes from the gut.” Neglect, or touch that hurts, can produce mental and

emotional deficits throughout a person’s life. It is even more important than verbal interaction for infants and

toddlers, bonding the child and establishing a foundation for future kinds of communication later in life.

Studies show that marriages having more frequent touch tend to be generally happier and more secure than

those without much touch. The body’s stress response can be lessened with caring touch such as a hug or pat

on the back. It “can lower blood pressure, heart rate and production of cortisol, a key stress hormone.” It has

also been found that women who are hugged more often by their partners “show higher levels of oxytocin, a

hormone linked to bonding behaviors, as well as lower blood pressure levels.”

Warm contact with a partner (a hug or pat on the back) has been shown to help before stressful events,

lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and production of the stress hormone cortisol. In studies, brain-imaging

scans were taken of people receiving slight shocks, with a visual cue, while holding hands with a spouse, a

stranger or no one. Hand holding actually mitigated the brain’s stress response to a threat, especially with

people who had good relationships. Yet even strangers felt the calming effect.

Jesus touched many people including the “unclean” and social outcasts. Many brought loved ones to him to

be touched.

People are comfortable with different amounts of touch, so asking for permission can be a good idea.

Individuals can learn to want touch more gradually if they are not used to it. Human touch “in many cases

allows for a deeper connection than words.”

So, REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE.

On behalf of good imperfect relationships, Betty Smith

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Mission Prayer Partners for the month of October 2015

For the week of October 4, we ask your prayers for Waterlines. Waterlines is an

organization based in Santa Fe, NM which provides funding and technical support for

water projects in rural developing countries. Waterlines focuses on basic water systems

that use gravity-flow, rainwater collection, and spring protection to provide drinking water

to communities that need it. In each location, they work closely with indigenous non-profit

organizations and individuals skilled in drinking-water supply projects. (Chad Lauritzen, 672-

4089) www.waterlines.org

During the week of October 11, we ask your prayers for Lyn Westman, whose role in Mercy

Ships is as a consultant for the mental health program mainly in Africa. She feels this is a

growing program. (Betty Nance Smith, 662-4076) www.mercyships.org

For the week of October 18, please pray for The Truchas Day Care Center The preschool

provides an experience for two to five year olds to improve their social development and

languages skills (especially English) using a holistic approach. Students are well prepared

for kindergarten after attending the preschool. Our support provides books, art supplies,

educational toys and snacks to enhance their experience. (Mary Venable, 663-0107)

We ask your prayers during the week of October 25 for Kairos NM. KAIROS INSIDE provides

well-organized and well-trained volunteer teams of men and women from the

communities surrounding an institution to present an introductory 3-day weekend, a short

course in Christianity. A monthly follow up visit is part of this program. KAIROS OUTSIDE is a

special weekend retreat designed to support women who have loved ones who are or

have been incarcerated. In both environments men and women interact with others who

are in similar situations and learn to form small Christian groups to support and give them

strength for the challenges they face. (Janet Hall, 672-6404) www.kairosnm.org

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Building Fund Summary as of August 31, 2015

Phase 1 & 2 Pledges (113 Pledges) $ 2,337,578.00

Phase 3 Pledges (62 Pledges) $ 308,806.00

Total of all Pledges $ 2,646,384.00

Income – Pledges Phase 1 & 2 $ 2,629,486.52

Gifts $ 65,396.40

Phase 3 Pledges & Gifts $ 227,981.14

Interest and Misc $ 6,245.12

Total Income to Date $ 2,929,109.18

Expenses-Misc Startup $ 39,475.80

Architectural - Phase 1 & 2 $ 204,307.64

Building Permits $ 12,587.46

Phase 1 Construction $ 1,285,187.68

Phase 2 Construction $ 1,187,145.26

Phase 3 Construction $ 85,996.49 Note 1

Loan Fees for Line of Credit $ 8,323.94

Total Expense to Date $ 2,823,024.27

Building Fund Balance in Cash $ 106,084.91

Phase 3 Pledges Still to Come In $ 80,824.86

Funds Available for Additional Phase 3 Activities $ 186,909.77 Note 2

Note 1: For the Parking lot West of the CE Building

Note 2: With all bills in, we used ~$36k of Phase 3 funds to finish Phase 1 & 2 work (we had projected ~$50k)

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ALL CHURCH Fall Clean-Up! Join us on

Saturday, October 3rd for our annual

Fall Clean-Up.

We are working on beautifying our campus - the

landscape company is working on areas around the

construction, the Trustees have removed 15 dead trees,

etc. There are still several areas around our grounds

that need to be tamed for the winter. Bring your work

gloves (hat, sunscreen), clippers, loppers, trimmers,

rakes, etc. We will meet at 8:30 am in the Church

Lounge, and send out teams from there (after coffee &

donuts)! Come when you can - we'll be here all

morning - the more the merrier! Questions, call Laura

Erickson at 690-8285. See you October 3rd!

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NEEDED at the THRIFT SHOP

More warm bodies to sort & price. The Church Thrift

Shop is now receiving more donations and it also means

more income. The income goes to 24 different missions in

Northern New Mexico. The list is posted in the Thrift Shop.

The Thrift Shop contributes items to 17 various places of

need and is very environmentally conscious.

To learn more about this group of enthusiastic

volunteers contact:

Corine Christman 662-7184 or corine.c@comcast.net

Friday 10 - 11:30 am

Friday Morning Study

White Rock Presbyterian

Church

All women are welcome

to come try out our Friday

morning group! We are

largely comprised of

women of The United

Church, although not

exclusively, and you are

certainly welcome to

bring a friend with you!

We spend time each

week in study and,

equally as important, in

fellowship and prayer.

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THE OCTOBER CHIMES Newsletter

The United Church of Los Alamos

2525 Canyon Road

Los Alamos, NM 87544

POSTMASTER PLEASE

DELIVER BETWEEN

September 24 - 26

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