From the pulpit and pew

| The New Mexican

4/12/2008 - 4/12/08

Activities planned in area faith communities:


According to the Rev. Talitha Arnold, the environmental movement rallies around "Save the Earth ... or the whales ... or the planet."

This Sunday at the United Church of Santa Fe, Arnold invites the community to consider how the Earth, the planet, the whales and all the rest of creation actually save human beings.

In both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services, as well as in Children's and Youth Ministry, the focus is the 23rd Psalm, a song of the Hebrews that imagines God as the Good Shepherd who cares for human beings throughout creation and with creation — leading individuals by still waters, giving people green pastures. The sustaining, renewing and healing power of the Earth and all creatures is one of the greatest gifts God offers human beings, Arnold said. "We would be wise to save it in order to save ourselves."

Soprano Catherine Robinson sings African American spirituals at both services. Steinway artist Jacquelyn Helin plays works of Johannes Brahams. The Sanctuary Choir, directed by Robinson, also sings at the 11 a.m. service.

At 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, two adult forums are offered:

•  Cheryl McChesney, a psychiatrist and spiritual director, begins a five-part series on "Spiritual Practices." Based on Practicing Our Faith by Dorothy Bass, forums will explore basic spiritual disciplines such as discernment, living in community and healing. The series starts with "Honoring The Body," a practice based both on the sacredness and the vulnerability of our bodies. The forums are free and open to the public.
• "A Whole Earth Covenant — A Faith and the Environment Series" is the focus of the other forum at the church during April — Earth month. Throughout the month a series of presentations on the link between faith, spirituality and care for creation will be held. On Sunday, Larry Rasmussen, professor of ethics, emeritus, from Union Theological Seminary, begins the series with a presentation on "A New Covenant?" Rasmussen is an international leader in environmental ethics and recently returned from a lecture series in New Zealand. Subsequent sessions will focus on water, building green, transportation and the future.

The forums are free and open to the public.

Child care and Children's and Youth Ministry are offered throughout the morning.

The United Church of Santa Fe is part of the progressive United Church of Christ, open and affirming for all people. It is at 1804 Arroyo Chamiso. For more information, call 988-3295.


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. She will discuss the enthusiasm of the early believers. 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 will meet a 8:45 a.m. on Sunday.

The choir rehearses at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

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


At the April 20 service of Eckankar — the Religion of the Light and Sound of God, Matthew Mitchell will discuss "Giving the Gift You Came Here to Give." The 10:30 a.m. service provides readings, singing HU (a love song to God), a talk, open discussion and fellowship.

Services are held at the Woman's Club, 1616 Old Pecos Trail. For more information, visit the Web site at www. eckankar.org. Call 989-5767.


Sunday at Immanual Lutheran Church, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ continues with the observance of the 50 days of Easter. Each week, during Sunday divine services, Easter hymns and liturgical songs are sung. This Sunday, the Rev. Douglas Escue will focus on Christ's Resurrection and how the Scriptures, the Bible, point to God's son, Jesus Christ, as the savior of the world.

Escue will discuss Jesus not only as the Passover lamb, sacrificed for the sins of the world, but also the "shepherd and overseer" of each person's soul.

At 8 a.m. on Sunday, morning prayer begins. Divine service with extended liturgy is held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School and adult Bible study are held at 9 a.m. Escue continues a study on the New Testament book of 1 Peter. All are welcome to join. All first-time guests receive a Lutheran work of art in recognition of their visit.

•  The church also sponsors and operates Gentle Shepherd Lutheran Preschool. The school is taking registrations for its summer session that begins July 15 and operates for six weeks on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. For more information and to register a 3- to 5-year-old child, call 983-9383.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The church is at 209 East Barcelona Road. For more information, call 983-7568.


Bishop Daniel Dangaran will preside at the Sunday celebration of Holy Eucharist at the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch —
Malabar Rite's celebration of Holy Eucharist. He will discuss "Who Was Jesus?" Special music will be performed by Annette Cantor.

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 combines a blend of ancient ritual with progressive spiritual dialogue in a welcoming environment. All are welcome to take communion and all faiths are honored. The church 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 at
111 W. Cordova Drive. The Rev. Mother Carol Calvert will host this Wednesday's service. Following the service, "Air Share" offers those who attend to share what is happening in their lives.

For more information, call 988-4244.


At 8:45 a.m. on Sunday at the Santa Fe Center for Spiritual Living, the early meditation service begins.

At 10 a.m., in preparation for the service, Kelvin McNeal and the center's music staff will lead the congregation in inspirational chants.

At the 10:15 a.m. Sunday service, the Rev. Bernardo Monserrat will discuss "If God is All, Then Who Are We?" Monserrat says that the "ever-presence of Spirit is the very quality of being that is the greatest challenge for an individual."

This week's special musical guest will be Gayan Gregory Long, a master drummer, mystic, Sufi teacher, singer, storyteller, ritual leader and composer.

The youth program is available to all children during the 10 a.m. service. Judy Blaise is the youth director.

This Sunday, the congregation hosts a new member potluck following the service.

Other events at the center include:

• The book club will focus on Eckhart Tolle's The New Earth. The group meets at noon on Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. For more information, send an e-mail to judyblaise@comcast.net or call Judy Blaise, 424-8429.

•  Foundational Teaching Class is the entry- level class in the study of the Science of Mind. Monserrat is teaching this 12-week course. The cost is $195. Call 983-5022 for more information.

•  Inspiration Line is 795-PRAY or 795-7729.
• Kelvin McNeal, the church's music director, offers more information on special music
• and musical events at his Web site at www.
• KelvinMcneal.com.

The center (Science of Mind) is at 505 Camino de los Marquez. Visit the Web site at www. religioussciencesantafe.org or call 983-5022.


At 6:45 p.m. on May 7, St. Bede's Episcopal Church will host Desiree Mays, author of Opera Unveiled 2008. She will discuss the Santa Fe Opera season. The Rev. Randy Lutz will offer insights into the tales, scenery, props and costumes. Refreshments will be served after the talks, billed as an opera double-header.

The public is invited to attend the free event. Opera Unveiled will be available for purchase.

The Sunday Holy Eucharist services at St. Bede's Episcopal Church are at 8 and 10 a.m.

The Sunday adult forum is held at 9:15 a.m. in the church library. The topic is "Religious Orders." This Sunday, the topic will be "The Revival of Monasticism." All adults are welcome. For more information, call Clarke Garrett at
982-9459. Regularly scheduled events at the church include:

• At 5:15 p.m., the Contemplative Prayer group meets.
• From 10 a.m. until noon on Tuesdays, the Prayer Shawl Group meets. For more information, call Sandy Pitre at 983-0749.
• From noon until 1 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month, the Brown Bag Book Club meets. For more information, call Rickie Sherrill at 955-8550.
• At 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays, there is a Holy Eucharist and healing service.
• t 7:15 a.m. on Fridays, morning prayer is held, followed by Bible study.

The church is at 1601 S. St. Francis Drive at San Mateo Road. For more information, call
982-1133.


At the 8:30 and 11:45 a.m. Sunday celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Church of the Holy Faith Episcopal, the Rev. Kenneth Semon will preach.

Brother Robert Hugh of the Society of St. Francis, an Anglican/Episcopal Holy Order, will discuss "Holy Orders in the Episcopal/Anglican Church" at the Sunday adult forum.

Nurseries are provided from 8:15 a.m. through the 11:45 a.m. service.

Coffee and refreshments will be served at 10 a.m. and after the 11:45 a.m. service.

• From 9 a.m. until noon today, Hugh will discuss "How Our Covenant God Transforms Our Prayer Life." Hugh calls this time a "quiet morning." The public is invited to attend.

The church offers a joyful, dignified worship with vibrant preaching and teaching proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is at 311 E. Palace Ave.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.holyfaithchurchsf.org or call 982-4447.


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 and will focus on "The Mission of John the Baptist," Lesson No. 6. The Gospel Doctrine Class will discuss "Seek Ye for the Kingdom of God," Lesson No. 12. The Gospel Essentials Class will discuss "The Last Judgment," Lesson No. 46.

From 10 a.m. until noon on April 19, the Santa Fe Stake Relief Society Spring Fling will be held in the Cultural Hall. This event is for all women and girls, 12 years old and older.

The Los Alamos Ward will present the story of "The Ten Virgins" plus a special guest speaker. After the presentations, a potluck salad lunch with muffins will be provided by the Stake Relief Society Presidency.

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 will discuss "Beyond the Gate" on this "Good Shepherd Sunday."

The commemorations for the week include the Rev. Olavus Petri, who died in 1552, and the Very Rev. Laurentius Petri, bishop of Uppsala, who died in 1573. These two brothers studied with Martin Luther at the University of Wittenberg and returned to their native Sweden to introduce Lutheran reforms. All are welcome at the church, a Reconciling-in-Christ congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, open and affirming and welcoming of all persons.

The church is at 1701 Arroyo Chamiso. For more information, visit the Web site at www.
clcsantafe.com or call 983-9461.


At the 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sunday services at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Santa Fe, the Rev. Stephen Furrer will discuss "Sabbatical Plans."

Furrer will share his hopes for his own contemplation and the congregation's while he is away.

Religious Education classes for children and youth run concurrently with the 11:30 a.m. service. Nursery care is available during both services.

At the 8:30 a.m. monthly adult forum on Sunday, Mary Ellen Gonzales, a member of the board of education of the Santa Fe public schools and former president of the board, will discuss issues and problems facing the superintendent in a presentation titled "What Can the Public and the School Board Expect from the New Superintendent of Education?"

From 2 to 5 p.m. today in Fellowship Hall, the Rev. Ruth Correll, a fundamentalist minister from the Washington, D.C., area, will host a discussion on "Fundamentalism."

Correll will explain the basic tenets of fundamentalism, answer questions and lead a discussion about the ways liberals and conservatives are different and how they can work together.

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


The Santa Fe Kabbalah Study Groups welcome anyone interested in the study of Kabbalah.

• The Beginngers Group will meet Thursday to study the sefirot of Gevurah and Hesed on the Tree of Life.
• The Adanced Group meets on May 1 — after the Passover holiday — to study the idea of how the acquisition of experience in the natural world can serve as a way to regain a connection to the level of the psyche present in each individual at birth.

For more information on the groups, call Steve Russell, the groups' tutor, at 466-3137.


At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family, a study on "Where Do We Go from Here?" will be held. This Sunday, the topic covers God's call to the Holy Family congregation. At the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service, the Rev. Tom Woodward will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. After the worship service, there will be a potluck dinner and meeting of the Bishop's Committee. The church is at 10-A Bisbee Court in Rancho Viejo. For more information, call 424-0095.


Congregation Beit Tikva, sharing Jewish values in the Reform Tradition, holds Shabbat services at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays.

• 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 the school for pre-school through seventh grade. Preparations for both Bar and Bat Mitzvah also are available.
• At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Desiree Mays will discuss "The 2008 Santa Fe Opera Season" and her book Opera Unveiled 2008. The public is invited to this free event.
• At the 7:30 p.m. Shabbat service on Friday, Rabbi Nicolas Behrmann will discuss "Clearing Our Minds of Chumetz." Behrmann says the Passover as the spring festival offers an opportunity to clear the mind of winter thoughts and open the mind to the rebirth of the landscape. Cantor Michael Linder will lead the congregation in chants and song.
• Reservations are now being taken for the Community Seder — held on the second night of Passover — at 6 p.m. on April 20 at Hotel Santa Fe, 2501 Paseo de Peralta. The cost is $45 for adult members, $50 for nonmembers; $12 for member children under age 12; $15 for nonmember children age 12; children under age 6 are free. Baskin Haggadahs will be provided. Call the synagogue for more information and for reservations.

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 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.

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. The topic this Sunday is "The 'M' Word in the Congregation's Life."

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


From 7 to 8:30 p.m. starting Wednesday, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church will offer a six-week course based on Pope John Paul II's encyclical "Faith and Reason."

The series includes presentations and discussions on the harmony of philosophy and theology and how faith and reason are, as the pope wrote, "two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth." Thomas J. Farish and Stephen Levings are the instructors.

The church is at 3700 Canyon Road in Los Alamos.

For more information, visit the Web site at ihmcc@cyb ermesa.com or call at 662-6193.