Spirituality

Living Two Worlds: An Indigenous Perspective On Growing Up In Los Alamos

Unitarian Church News:

The Unitarian Church of Los Alamos will host its Second Sunday Forum Dec. 10, featuring an indigenous perspective – that of Patrick Cruz – about growing up in Los Alamos. Cruz has lived two lives – one as a Los Alamos resident/kid – the other as a Pueblo person from Ohkay Owingeh.

About his talk, Cruz writes: “A big part of Los Alamos’s demography consists of people coming to town, staying for a duration of time, then leaving for other job opportunities. Often, newcomers come from, and leave to, places that have only a scant or invisible presence of Native peoples. As a Pueblo Read More

Chanukkah: The Jewish Winter Holiday

By Rabbi JACK SHLACHTER
Los Alamos Jewish Center

To really appreciate the minor, 8-day Jewish holiday that begins this year on December 7th at sundown, it helps to have a sinus infection. In Hebrew, there’s no ambiguity about the spelling of this eight-day celebration of a victory by Jews over the Greeks who had defiled the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem – it’s חֲנוּכָּה‎. The name of the holiday means (re)dedication, and the word begins with a guttural letter. But therein lies the problem – English has no guttural letter. The sound can perhaps be described as what we hear when someone is clearing their Read More

Exploring The Jewish Experience Course Begins In January

Rabbi Jack Shlachter

SPIRITUALITY News:

Three local Jewish educators have come together to offer the Exploring the Jewish Experience (EJE) Course starting in January 2024 in Santa Fe.

Rabbi Jack Shlachter of HaMakom, Rabbi Dov Gartenberg of Shabbat with Friends, and Joy Ellen Rosenberg of Santa Fe will form the teaching team of the EJE Course.

The EJE course offers an engaging study of Judaism and the Jewish people, touching on the most consequential teachings, history, and enduring characteristics of one of the oldest continuous religions and cultures.

The course is designed for a wide variety Read More

Fr. Glenn: Greatest Of Gifts

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Ah, here we come to December. We who are a bit older may gasp: “What? Already?!”, the daydreams of children—young and old—are beginning to wander toward thoughts of holidays and the magic of Christmas season: wrappings and ribbons, cards and carols, pastries and presents, are all floating before imagination’s eyes. Oh, the aching anticipation.

And, of course, for Christians, Christmas is—as the very word implies and heralds—remembrance of one of the most singular events of their faith’s year: the remembrance of the coming of the eternal God in the flesh—becoming incarnate Read More

Christmas Parties For Children!

Child Evangelism Fellowship News:

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Northern New Mexico is sponsoring several FREE children’s Christmas Parties in Los Alamos and White Rock.

Each party is 2 hours long and features the Christmas story from the Bible, songs, snacks, crafts and prizes:

  • Saturday Dec. 9, noon to 5 p.m., at First Baptist Los Alamos – Parents’ Day Out;
  • Saturday Dec. 9, 2-4  p.m., at First Baptist Los Alamos Christmas party;
  • Sunday Dec. 10, 2-4 p.m., at 133 Aspen Dr. in Los Alamos (Prichard house);
  • Sunday Dec. 17, 2-4 p.m., at 569 Rim Road in Los Alamos (Pigott home); and
  • Wednesday Dec. 27,
Read More

Scenes From 2023 Creche Show

Shafer Hensell checks out the creche show held Saturday at the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Los Alamos Ward. This year’s show featured 280 creches. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Juli Miller’s nativity set is featured in the creche show Saturday. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Juli Miller’s nativity set is featured in the creche show Saturday. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Jared and Lisken Mason’s nativity set from Guatemala is featured in the creche show Saturday. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

The Chamberlain family’s nativity set is featured Read More

All Shall Be Well: Advent – More Than A Calendar

Clergy from left, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Assistant Rector Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Courtesy photo

By Reverend Lynn Finnegan
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith
Santa Fe

I have childhood memories of patiently marking the December days before Christmas with a paper window-opening Advent calendar. Nowadays, in the ever-increasing zeal for Christmas profits, Advent calendars have escalated into a holiday of their own. You can get calendars that reveal twenty-five days of chocolates, mini wine bottles, socks, beef jerky, and my personal favorite: Read More

Community Invited To Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Hosted By Freedom Church Sunday Dec. 24 At Ashley Pond

Freedom Church Pastor Mike Brake speaking at a previous Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Ashley Pond. Courtesy/Freedom Church

Scene of Ashley Pond at Christmastime. Courtesy/Freedom Church

Freedom Church News:

Freedom Church in Los Alamos is hosting a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 4:45-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24 at Ashley Pond. It is outside, casual and open to everyone in the community.

“This Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is a wonderful way to gather as a community this holiday season,” Freedom Church Pastor Mike Brake said. “Join Freedom Church Los Alamos for a special time Read More

Fr. Glenn: Continuing Thanksgiving

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Well, the Thanksgiving holiday has come to its end and life returns to (relative) normality in the coming week. Yup … back to work, you people!! But we look forward to December and those pre-Christmas and Christmas seasons—hectic, but “that most wonderful time of the year.”

But, hopefully, though Thanksgiving Day has passed, our inner thanksgiving continues as we remember not only good times with family and friends of the past, but also those of the present and of the future. Yes, inevitably there are some (many) persons with those trials and difficulties that come with life, Read More

Priedhorsky: Generosity And Gratitude In This Holiday Season

Courtesy/UCLA

By BILL PRIEDHORSKY
Board President
Unitarian Church of Los Alamos

As the holiday season closes in, what are the Unitarians thinking about? Unitarians certainly do not all believe the same things. The vision statement of the Los Alamos church begins “We celebrate diversity of belief and seek unity in action.” Congregants are a mix of many beliefs, or none at all. But we have a great deal in common, as we come together to bring justice and compassion to our congregation, the community, and the world.

The church’s theme for November has been Generosity. This is indeed an apt theme for Read More

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