More from pulpit and pew

| The New Mexican

5/3/2008 - 5/3/08

More events sponsored by area faith communities this weekend and in the coming weeks:


The Jewish Women's Circle at Chabad Jewish Center of Santa Fe invites women to gather together to share and celebrate the Jewish experiences of study, understanding, friendship, creativity and kinship through studying the 10 Sefirot and performing Mitzvot.

At 6:30 p.m. on May 12, the circle will be at Chabad to discuss and celebrate Yesod —Pleasure, Bonding and Kosher High-End Cooking.

Those who attend will enjoy High-End Kosher Cooking with master chef Linda Bergh and learn the secrets of creating better tasting and healthier food — and all of it kosher. Meeting costs are $5 for members and $8 for nonmembers.

Chabad Jewish Center of Santa Fe is at
242 West San Mateo. For more information, visit the Web site at www.jewishwomenscircle.com or call 983-2000.


At 2 p.m. on Sunday, Our Lady of the Woods will celebrate the sabbat of Beltane at North Mesa Park in Los Alamos. The celebration is sure to include a traditional Maypole. Those who attend are asked to bring a contribution for the potluck to be held after the ceremony.

Our Lady of the Woods is a church and coven of the Wiccan faith serving Los Alamos, Santa Fe and the Northern Española Valley. It is led by Mist, the high priestess. For more information on a specific event, directions to events, or on Wicca in general, visit the Web site at www.ladywoods.org or call 672-1278.


At noon on Tuesday, Cool Closet, a project of the Interfaith Leadership Alliance will have a grand opening at 420 La Madera, on the grounds of YouthWorks. Cool Closet provides services for youth ages 16 to 25 years old who are seeking a job or are working.

Cool Closet helps youth select clothes and shoes appropriate for job interviews, will purchase uniforms and basic tools if necessary, and offer mentors to help make the transition to the world of work and economic independence easier. There is no charge for any service.

Mayor David Coss will cut the ribbon officially opening Cool Closet, and remarks will be offered by a few members of the ILA. A light lunch will be served.

Reservations are requested by Sunday. Send an e-mail to info@coolcloset.org or tbssac@comcast.net or call Sue Breslauer at Temple Beth Shalom, 982-1376.


Congregation Beit Tikva, sharing Jewish values in the Reform Tradition, holds Shabbat services at 7 p.m. on Fridays.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, children ages 5 to 8 years old are welcome to attend Sunday School. Applications are now being accepted for the fall session of school for pre-school through seventh grade. Preparations for both Bar and Bat Mitzvah also are available.

From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Rabbi Nicolas Behrmann will lead the weekly study class based on The Torah, A Women's Commentary, edited by Tamara Cohn Eskenazi and Adrea L. Weiss. For more information, call Eva Wohl at 577-4977.

At the 7 p.m. Shabbat service on Friday, Behrmann will discuss "You Can Never Have Too Much Hope" to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, marking the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel. Cantor Michael Linder will lead the congregation in chants and song.

Beit Tikva is at 2230 Old Pecos Trail. For more information, visit the Web site at www.beittikva.info or call 820-2991.


At the 10 a.m. Sunday service at Lutheran Church of the Servant, Pastor Sonnie Eriksen-Fish will preside at the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Tracy Denardo, director of music, will perform at the piano and keyboard. Children's church school is held during the 10 a.m. service.

The adult lectionary class meets at 8:45 a.m. on Sundays. Choir rehearsal is at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

• The Milagro Community Garden begins its 11th year with plots available for growing food and flowers. Plots are available. For information, send an e-mail to Milagro _Garden@att.net or call Lauren or John at 438-2815.

The church is at 2481 Legacy Court. Visit the Web site at www.santafelcos.org or call 473-0626.


Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church will celebrate a Mass to honor and pray for the intentions of the volunteers and donors who helped with the "Honoring Her" auction.

The Mass will be celbrated at noon on June 1 at the Santuario, 100 Guadalupe St.


At the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Santa Fe, Alice Springer will discuss "Faith Development and the Life Journey."

Springer is the director of religious education at the church. Her focus will be on James Fowler's idea of faith as a verb and how faith development is intertwined — for a lifetime — with religious education.

At the 11:30 a.m. Sunday service, Springer will speak on "Religious Education Sunday: The Transitions of Our Year." This will be an intergenerational service celebrating the many aspects of the past year in the religious education program. Graduating seniors as well as RE teachers and volunteers will be honored. There also will be the annual "moving up" ritual for both junior and senior high students.

Featured at the 8:30 a.m. monthly Sunday adult forum will be a presentation on "Lessons From Deep Time." This will be an illustrated lecture on 13,000 years of human history at the Blackwater Draw site. Dr. John Montgomery, director of the Blackwater Draw Museum and professor of anthropology at Eastern New Mexico University, will make the presentation.

Nursery care is available during both services.

The church is at 107 W. Barcelona Road. For more information, call 982-9674.


The Pecos Benedictine Monastery will host the following retreats:

• Friday through May 11: Pentecost Retreat
• May 16-18: Dream Retreat: Exploring the Language of God

For more information on these retreats, visit the Web site at www.pecosmonastery.org, send an e-mail to guestmaster@pecosmonastery.org,
fax to 505-757-2285 or call 505-757-6600.


At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family will continue its study on "Where Do We Go From Here?" At 10:30 a.m., a Deacon's Mass will be led by Deacon Kay Anders. The church is at 10A Bisbee Court in Rancho Viejo. For more information, visit the Web site is www.holyfamilyepiscopal.org or call 660-4720.


Yahshua Malkenu Beit Midrash holds shabbat service at 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The service is followed by Torah study and a shared meal as family in Messiah. A special Shabbat study, titled "Ephraim Who?" will focus on the restoration of the two houses of Israel. At 6:30 p.m. on Mondays, the women's weekly Hebraic Bible study is held. The congregation meets at 13 Los Caballeras. Call Richard or Donna Seitzinger at 474-3737.


HaMakom, The Place for Passionate and Progressive Judaism, offers the following services:

• At 9:45 a.m. on Saturdays, HaMakom offers Shabbat service and Torah study at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, 1601 St. Francis Drive. Services are led by Rabbi Malka Drucker and Cantor Cindy Freedman.
•  From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, a Ma'arive service and teaching by Drucker are featured.
•  Monthly continuing education classes are offered.

For additional information, visit the Web site at www.hamakomtheplace.org or call 992-1905.


On May 16 and 17, Bishop John Shelby Spong, one of America's most prominent and controversial voices in redefining Christianity for the 21st century, will be in Santa Fe.

Spong, the retired Episcopal bishop of Newark, N.J., and author of more than 20 books, will give two talks at Temple Beth Shalom sponsored by the Santa Fe Jewish and Christian Dialogue and the David L. Dykes, Jr. Foundation of Jackson, Miss.

On May 16, Spong will speak at Temple Beth Shalom following the 7:30 p.m. Shabbat service. His topic will be "How the Synagogue Shaped the Jesus Story".

At 3 p.m. on May 17, Spong will discuss "What Did Paul Mean When He Said, 'Jesus died in accordance with the Scriptures'?"

Both talks will be held at TBS, 205 E. Barcelona Road. The lectures are free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be accepted.

Seating is limited. Those who plan to attend are asked to reserve a seat. Call TBS at 982-1236.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.faithandreason.org.

On May 12, Spong will be interviewed live on Diego Mulligan's Journey Home program on KSFR — 90.7 FM which airs from 5 to 6 p.m. weekdays.


At the 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday services at St. John's United Methodist Church. The Rev. Scott Penrod continues a sermon series on "Fruits of the Spirit" with Sunday's message on generosity. He'll ask those who attend to consider how much time and material resources each person is actually giving — to God, to the poor, to other people — and whether it is the least amount or the most. The answer and response to these hard questions, Penrod says, could result in a "harvest" as Paul wrote to the Galatians.

The Children's Moment with program director Janet Dennison is an integral part of each service.

The Church Nursery is available for young children from birth through 5 years of age. The Sunday School Hour is held from 10 to 11 a.m.

A coffee hour for fellowship is held in Fellowship Hall from 9:30 until 10 a.m.

These events are planned:

• Vacation Bible School: Santa María de la Paz Catholic Community, San Isidro Catholic Church and St. John's United Methodist Church will collaborate to present this year's Vacation Bible School — Power Lab — which provides the perfect solution to summertime boredom. The Power Lab will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to noon from June 23 through June 27. Children entering kindergarten through those who have completed fifth grade are eligible for the program. Call Janet Dennison at 982-5397 for registration information.

• On the Move: "Walking with Jesus" encourages healthier lifestyles, two simple dietary changes and daily increased walking. This program focuses on the journal Walking with Jesus which includes daily Scriptures, meditations, and spaces to log progress during the six-week program. The cost of the journal and pedometer is $5. Call Jane Thomas at 466-6122 or Cynthia Rector at 984-1680 for more information.

•  Knitters for Peace: This group meets monthly to work projects — from cotton blankets for the local animal shelter, blankets or warm clothing for people in Afghanistan (Afghans for Afghans), hats and scarves for military personnel or contributing to the Linus project. Knitters for Peace meet in the church library on the first Sunday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Call Marlita Reddy-Hjelmfelt at 466-1475 for more information.

The church is at the corner of Cordova and Old Pecos Trail. For more information, visit the Web site at www.stjumc.com or call 982-5397.


Free meditation classes will be offered to fine tune and deepen heart meditation techniques — music, visualization, chanting, breathing, focusing on objects and reading — for dynamic and peaceful living. The classes will be held in the Pick Room of the Santa Fe Main Library, 145 Washington St. Follow-up classes will be held at the same location. The classes will be at 7 p.m. on this Thursday (May 8) and on May 13 and 15.

For more information and to register, call 995-8690.


The Santa Fe Study Center of the Theosophical Society in America, Wheaton, Ill., meets the first and third Sunday of the month. The group has a vision of wholeness rooted in service, study and meditation and explores the integration of spirituality, religion, philosophy and science. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. The group will be reading Ed Abdill's The Secret Gateway.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.theosophical.org, send an e-mail to marie@la-tierra.com or call 820-0062 or 852-4455.


Temple Beth Shalom, the only liberal, nationally affiliated Reform Jewish community in Northern New Mexico, will hosts these events:

• Camp Shalom 2008 is now enrolling children from 2 to 7 years old. The summer adventure camp will be held on the TBS grounds. For more information on the summer program or on the 2008-09 TBS Preschool enrollment, call 982-6888.

•   From 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, the Jewish Literature Group will meet. The group will discuss The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein.
  

• At 7 p.m. on May 22, Yeshayahu Prishkulnik will discuss his life in a talk in the sanctuary. Prishkulnik was born in a small town in the Ukraine, and survived World War II by fleeing with his family to Siberia. After the war ended, he was "shipped" to Israel by youth organizations. The event is free and open to the public.

The temple is at 205 E. Barcelona Road. Visit the Web site at www.sftbs.org or call 982-1376.


Sunday services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin at 10 a.m. with Sacrament meeting, followed at 11 a.m. with Sunday School. The Priesthood and the Relief Society meet at noon. The Gospel Doctrine Class will discuss "Eternally Indebted to Your Heavenly Father, " Lesson No. 15.

At 7 pm. on Thursday, the Relief society class titled "A Heart Like His" will be presented at the home of Kerrie Allen. Call 424-0125 for directions. All Relief Society Sisters are invited to attend. The contact person for the class is Linda Whitton. Call her at 466-8055.

The Single Adult Group has planned a Taos Pueblo Tour and Taos Gallery Walk for May 10, with lunch at the Bent Street Deli. Van or carpooling will be available from the Santa Fe chapel at 8:45 a.m. Española members can meet at the church, 1101 E. Fairview Lane, in Española at 9:40 a.m. Those who participate will gather at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 235 Camino Del Santiago in Taos, for a brief talk about the history of Taos before proceeding to the Taos Pueblo. For more information, call Cathy Medina in Taos at 505-751-0113 or Lara Lauder in Santa Fe at 992-6865.

The church is at 410 Rodeo Road. Call 982-9233 for further information.


At the 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday services at Christ Lutheran Church, the Rev. Benjamin Larzelere continues his sermon series for the Easter season with the reading from the Gospel of John in which Jesus prays for his followers' protection and unity. Larzelere will discuss the need for unity in mission for all believers.

The church is a Reconciling-in-Christ congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, open and affirming and welcoming of all persons regardless of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation or identity. It is at 1701 Arroyo Chamiso. For more information, visit the Web site at www.ckcsantafe.com or call 983-9461.


At the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Terry Purvis-Smith will preach. Coffee and fellowship in Pope Hall will follow the service. Children's Christian education classes are at 10:45 a.m.

Sunday school for children from age 3 through eighth-graders is from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Also, nursery care for children, birth through age 4, is provided by professional staff each Sunday from 8:20 a.m until noon. A pager system that vibrates if you are needed is available to parents.

The adult education class also is at 10:45 a.m. The topic is "Spring Training" and offers language, concepts and skills that help the congregation members work on interim goals.

• At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, a free concert by the University of Indianapolis Choir in will be held in the sanctuary.
• A series on the Santa Fe Opera with Alice Tinkle will begin on May 18. She will discuss the common threads running through this summer's season and the moral lessons in the music.

The church is at 208 Grant Ave. Visit the Web site at ww.santafefirstpresby.org or call 982-8544.


Bishop Daniel Dangaran will preside at the Sunday celebration of Holy Eucharist at the Independent Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch. He will discuss "Behold I am With You, Not Against You, always Until the End of the Ages." Special music will be performed by Trish Ross.

The church meets Sundays at the Loretto Chapel, 207 Old Santa Fe Trail. Doors open at
8:30 a.m. Meditation begins at 8:45 a.m. Mass is celebrated from 9 to 10 a.m.

The church honors all paths that lead to love. It combines the beauty of ancient ritual with progressive spiritual dialogue. It honors the divine feminine as well as the divine masculine. All are welcome to take Communion. It is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.

From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, the church holds a weekly prayer and healing service at the church chapel and rectory, 111 W. Cordova Road. The service includes music, individual prayer treatments and laying on of hands by the clergy. This is followed by a speaker, a group dialogue and potluck refreshments. All are welcome to attend. The Rev. Mother Carol Calvert will lead this Wednesday's service. For more information, call 988-4244.


In May, Santa Fe Quakers ask: How do we share our deepest beliefs with our children and one another?" Some testify by gentle words. Some testify through actions like the Mother's Day Peace Rally on the Plaza, where many Friends and other people of faith will sing, speak, and pray. Some testify by simply showing up and being there, wherever needed.

Quakers invite the public to be with us in Meeting for Worship.

At the historic Olive Rush Meetinghouse, 630 Canyon Road, times are 9 and 11 a.m. on Sundays.

At the former International Institute of Oriental Medicine, 4884 La Junta del Alamo in Agua Fría, the time is 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

For more information, send an e-mail to alison1@cybermesa.com or call Alison Martinez 438-0729.


Starting at 1 p.m. on the Plaza on May 11, the Mother's Day Peace Rally will host a variety of speakers and performers. On display will be Eyes Wide Open — an exhibition of the human cost of the war in Iraq and Iraq/Afghanistan memorial istallation.

Fran Martone will be the master of ceremonies and will introduce the speakers and performers, including Mayor David Coss. Members of the area's Pueblos, as well as members from all the area's faith communities — Christian, Jewish, Moslim — will offer invocation in a variety of languages. Poetry, music and entertainment will be offered throughout the event. The original "Mother's Day Proclamation" by Julia Ward Howe, written in 1870, will be read. All the speakers, performers, organizers and planners have volunteered their time for this event. The public is invited to attend this free event.


The Sunday Holy Eucharist services at St. Bede's Episcopal Church are at 8 and
10:30 a.m. Sunday School for children through fifth grade begins at 10:15 a.m. Nursery care is available at both Sunday services.

• The Sunday adult forum is held at 9:15 a.m. in the church library. A series continues called "Gifts of the Spirit." This Sunday, the presenters will be the Rev. Randall Lutz who will discuss "Day to Day Spirituality." All adults are welcome. For more information the forums, call Clarke Garrett at 982-9459.

Other events at the church include:

• Opera Unveiled: At 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Desirée Mays, lecturer and author of Opera Unveiled 2008, will sign books and discuss the operas. The Rev. Randall Lutz will give a special talk on props, costumes and behind-the-scenes stories.

• El Hogar Ministries of Honduras: The Rev. Richard Kunz of El Hogar ministries in Honduras will be visiting Santa Fe and will be the guest preacher at St. Bede's on May 11. El Hogar Projects provide education, skills, hope and love to abandoned, orphaned and hopelessly poor children in Honduras. For more information, call Doug Willson at 231-5552.

The church is at 1601 S. St. Francis Drive at San Mateo road. For more information, visit the Web site at www.stbedessantafe.org or call 982-1133.