NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2018 · NEWSLETTER Volume 48—Issue 1 January 7, 2018 - University Presbyterian Church, 139 East Alameda Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282 JANUARY 2018 The Souper Bowl of

NEWSLETTER Volume 48—Issue 1 January 7, 2018 - University Presbyterian Church, 139 East Alameda Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282

JANUARY 2018

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a grassroots, faith-based crusade against hunger. We are joining other churches, schools, organization and individuals across the country to fight hunger and poverty by col-lecting dollars in soup pots on Sunday, February 4, 2018. The resources that make your Souper Bowl of Caring event a success are free. In fact, 100% of the money collected through Souper Bowl of Caring goes directly to the local charities; none of it comes to our national office to cover administrative costs. Your gift helps us equip participating groups and grow this movement of caring. A simple prayer: "Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat" is inspiring a youth-led movement to help hungry and hurting people around the world. This prayer, delivered by Brad Smith, then a seminary intern serving at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, gave birth to an idea. Why not use Super Bowl weekend, a time when peo-ple come together for football and fun, to also unify the nation for a higher good: collecting dollars and canned food for the needy? Youth could collect donations at their schools and churches in soup pots, and then send every dollar DIRECTLY to a local charity of THEIR choice. The senior high youth of Spring Valley Presbyterian liked the idea so much they decided to invite oth-er area churches to join the team. Twenty-two Columbia churches participated that first year, report-ing their results so a total could be determined, and then sending all $5,700 they had raised to area non-profits. That was 1990. Since then, ordinary young people have generated over $100 million for soup kitch-ens, food banks and other charities in communities across the country. Last year alone, $8.4 million in cash and food was raised. In addition, hundreds of thousands of youth have experienced for them-selves the joy and satisfaction of giving and serving, inspiring people of all ages to follow their gener-ous example.

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REMINDER!!

The 4th Sunday of the month (January 28th) is canned food Sunday. Please bring your

donations to the narthex.

FOOD BANKS IN NEED - Because of an ever increasing demand for food, local Food Banks and food pantries are currently very short both of money and protein foods. The pantry at Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) needs your contri-bution of foods like tuna, beans, canned meats, ramen noodles, canned vegeta-bles and soups. Bring them, and any other foods, to church and place them in the boxes in the narthex. If you would like to contribute financially, make out your check to TCAA, with "food pantry" in the memo line, and direct it to the office.

GET CONNECTED Connect to your UPC community!

Check out our website for calendar and news ............................................... www.upctempe.org Like our Facebook page, like and share our posts ................................. facebook.com/upctempe Follow us on Twitter ..................................................................................................... @upctempe

Connect with Pastor Eric:

Email him ............................................................................................. [email protected] See his availability for appointments .................................................. doodle.com/ericledermann “Friend” him on Facebook .............................................................. facebook.com/ericledermann “Like” his Facebook page ............................................................... facebook.com/faithandcoffee Read his blog posts and watch his videos ...................................................... faithandcoffee.com Follow him on Twitter ............................................................................................ @ericledermann

Connect with our ministry staff:

Dianna Philips ........................... Administrative Assistant ............................... [email protected] Carol Rickel .................................... Director of Music ........................................ [email protected] Syndey Boyle............................... Nursery Coordinator ......................... [email protected] Carrie Miter .......................................... Custodian ............................................... [email protected]

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Ponderings from Pastor Eric... ...on the Risk of Peacemaking...

In 2016, the 222nd General Assembly approved a significant statement based on a process of dis-cernment initiated by the 221st General Assembly in 2010, following nine years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq—now the longest wars in U.S. history as they enter their seventeenth year. The statement of G.A. affirmed the following five affirmations to “guide the peacemaking witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)”:

a. We affirm that peacemaking is essential to our faith in God’s reconciling work in Jesus Christ, whose love and justice challenge evil and hatred, and who calls the church to present alternatives to violence, fear, and misused power. b. We confess our complicity in the world’s violence and our failures to stand with those who suffer, even as we pray for the Spirit’s courage to unmask idolatries, speak truth about war and oppres-sion, and respond with ministries of justice, healing, and reconciliation. c. We follow Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Reconciler, and reclaim the power of nonviolent love evident in his life and teaching, his healings and reversals of evil, his cross and resurrection. d. Learning from nonviolent struggles and counting the costs of war, we draw upon the traditions of Just War, Christian pacifism, and Just Peacemaking to cultivate moral imagination and discern God’s redemptive work in history. e. We commit ourselves to practice the things that make for peace in our daily lives, families, and communities, to risk calling our nation back from the practices of empire to the highest ideals of our heritage, and to take part in social movements for a domination-free order.

Last month our session finished reading a book that examines these affirmations, written by Chris-tian Iosso, the coordinator of the General Assembly Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWaP, as it is often called). He reframes affirmations as the five “risks” of peacemaking that “Presbyterians must take for peace”:

a. Risk One: Commit to the Gospel of Peace b. Risk Two: Confessing our Complicity c. Risk Three: Reclaim Christ the Peacemaker d. Risk Four: Practice New Peace Strategies e. Risk Five: To Convert Empire (Again!) and Work for Peace

It has been an interesting process reflecting with our session on these “risks.” One conclusion seems to be shared: Iosso is right, peacemaking is risky business. To seek peace in the world is to chal-lenge the powers of this world who are vying for position in the new world order, and risk being brutally trampled by them. To seek peace is to challenge the “might makes right” mentality that many people fol-low, and risk being labeled as “weak” and irrelevant. To seek peace is to risk our lives for the sake of others’ lives. Didn’t Jesus teach and seek peace by non-violent means? Didn’t most of his teachings have to do with how we perceive and treat one another, including those in power (to not demonize them, but seek to convert them through love and compassion)? His risk was great, and he suffered for it—both in his being ostracized from his faith tradition and being executed by crucifixion as a threat against the Roman em-pire. Iosso’s entire book asks the same question in a number of different ways: what risks will working for peace involve for you and for the church? It is a personal question, and a communal question for peo-ple of Christian faith. There is an assumption in his question: peacemaking is risky. I have been wrestling with a call I have felt on my heart to “not be afraid” as God’s messengers tell people throughout our sacred scriptural stories. It is a call to not be afraid to take risks with my faith for the sake of those being marginalized from the centers of power and privilege.

(continued on page 4)

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Ponderings from Pastor Eric… (continued from page 3) ...on the Risk of Peacemaking…

I remember when the Rev. Mark Adams preached at UPC during our “Race, Racism, and the Bi-ble” mission month. He opened his sermon with these powerful and prophetic words: “My name is Mark, and I’m a racist.” It was an acknowledgment of affirmation/risk “b”: confessing our complicity in systems of violence. Rev. Adams’ opening statement is made even more prophetic if you know him, for he is one of the kindest, most compassionate, most faithful people I know. He can be strong-minded, of course—he has strong convictions. But he also has a way about him that is incredibly welcoming and one that seeks understanding, especially of those who are different from himself. In April, 2014, I participated in a program borrowed from the Episcopal Church called “CREDO,” in which clergy are invited to an all-expenses paid week long retreat for mid-career reflection. Our main leader for the week was the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, currently the stated clerk of GA, but then was the director of the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness in Washington, D.C. I spoke with him about my struggle with “taking risks” with my faith—this was before the affirmations came out. This was a man of color who had embattled systems of racism his whole life, watching his father (also a Presbyterian min-ister) on the front lines of protests and responding to unfair treatment of black people in the south. The threats and risks are far more real for J. Herbert than me. He said he was going to pray for me, that I might have the courage to step out and risk the ridicule and threats that come with peacemaking. At the end of our week together, the twenty or so of us gathered for worship. He leaned across two empty chairs between us, and said to me in a hushed voice: “I don’t know where I’ll be or where you’ll be, but I’ll be expecting you to send me the first mug shot.” With that he leaned back and worship began as I sat there, rather stunned by his assumption, and squirming with a growing feeling of discom-fort. At the 222nd General Assembly in 2016, where J. Herbert was standing for the position of Stated Clerk (he was elected by a landslide vote, a testament to the respect he has within our denomination), I happened to see him in a hallway. He and his entourage were heading somewhere in a rather deter-mined manner. I was heading somewhere also. He immediately stopped, reached his hand toward me for a handshake. Assuming he didn’t remember me and was just being kind and friendly, I reached back. He pulled me into tight “man hug,” and whispered in my ear: “I still haven’t received that mug shot.” With that he continued on his way, as, once again, he left me stunned and wondering. No mug shot, for sure. But, I still struggle with this call to take risks in my faith. What am I afraid of? What will people think? What will my family think? What will the people of my congregation think if I were to take more risks for the sake of the unprivileged? If I get arrested for a cause, will I alienate some of them? Will they still respect me as their pastor? Will you still love me? I’m not looking to get arrested, but I have resigned myself to accepting it should it happen in the course of my ministry. I was prepared for that possibility when Luis was seeking sanctuary at UPC in late 2014—J. Herbert’s words still ringing in my ears. I have considered it in the event we were to wel-come another undocumented person into sanctuary, especially in the current political climate. Nearly 17 years into this strange and wonderful calling as a pastor, and I’m still wrestling with what it means to be a pastor. I’m still wrestling with what it means to be a Christian following in the Way of Jesus. The way of Jesus led to persecution and death. His resurrection serves as a clarion call to say that the powers of oppression can take our lives, but they cannot rob us of our souls, our dignity or our understanding of God’s visionary kingdom—unless we let them. What faith-risks are you wrestling with? How might 2018 be an opportunity for us to explore them together? What might that mean for you? For me as your pastor? For us as a church? For the Body of Christ?

Be of good courage, and know that you are loved!

Peace and love in this new year, with new challenges presenting new possibilities, Pastor Eric

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Adult Christian Education

TOGETHER: LEARNING, SHARING, PRAYING, CARING, AND EATING

Spring Semester SUNDAY CLASS line-up (see ACE brochure for more information).

Sunday morning, 11AM in the UPC Meeting Room

January 7 - 21 and February 4 The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion Is Seeking a Better Way to be Christian by Brian McClaren, led by Dan Abbott

January 28 NO CLASS - Congregational Meeting February 11 NO CLASS - Dimanche Gras Celebration February 18 - March 18 Mission Month Speakers on UPC Values March 25 NO CLASS - Celebrating our values – Agape Meal April 1 NO CLASS - Easter April 8 - 22 The Belhar Confession, led by Reverend Shelly Moe April 29 - May 20 Connecting with God: Prayer, Meditation, and Contemplation,

led by Reverend Al Gephart, UPC Pastor Emeritus

The FRIDAY BOOK CLUB will meet three times during the Spring semester, 7pm to 9pm. Potluck appetizers and drinks. (see ACE brochure for more information)

Jan. 26 Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

April 6 This Is How It Always Is: A Novel by Laurie Frankel May 11 First Impressions: A Reader’s Journey to Iconic Places of the American

Southwest by David J. Weber & William deBuys

PRIME TIME will meet the second Wednesday of the month, 6pm-7pm, in the UPC Meeting Room.

Jan. 10 Elizabeth May, Beverly Weiss – US Cadet Nurse Corps

Feb. 21 (3rd

Wed.) Chris Casanova, Ryan Arnold – Autism-Sharing

March 21 (3rd

Wed.) Fred Boyd – Reflections-Teaching on the Navajo Reservation

April 11 Amy Silverman, Ray Stern, & Sophie-Downs Syndrome

May 9 Mona Dixon – Homelessness & Childhood

CHANGE OF ADDRESS (Correction)

Carol Allen 7620 E. McKellips Road, Suite 490

Scottsdale AZ 85257

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The Mitchells Installment No. 4 – January 2018

“Hey Steve, it’s good to see you,” Mr. Adams said as he approached Mr. Mitchell at a small table in the corner of the coffee shop.

“It’s good to see you, too, Don,” Mr. Mitchell responded as he stood to greet Mr. Adams with a friendly hand-shake.

“I’m going to grab a cup of coffee,” Mr. Adams said. “Of course,” Mr. Mitchell responded as he sat down. With both hands wrapped around his hot cup of coffee, Mr. Adams sat across Mr. Mitchell and said, “Steve, I

need to apologize to you.” Mr. Mitchell looked up from his café latte, having never before heard those words pass Mr. Adams lips. “I’ve been . . . well, an ass.” Mr. Mitchell, not saying a word, tried to hold back the awkward smile he felt coming across his face—but it

showed. “Seriously, I’ve been a jerk to so many people all these years,” Mr. Adams said, looking straight into Mr. Mitch-

ell’s eyes. “It’s a new year, and I’m realizing I need to reboot. I need to make amends. Isn’t that one of the steps for people in addiction recovery? I feel like I’m recovering from jerkaholism.”

“Well, Don, you’re a passionate guy and everyone knows . . .” Mr. Adams cut him off, “There’s no excuse for how I’ve treated people. Do you remember a couple months ago

when Pete Rossling and I got into it?” “Yes, I do,” Mr. Mitchell said, with eyes cast down at his cup. “You walked away. We were all really worried

about you.” Mr. Mitchell lifted his eyes to look at Mr. Adams. “It was a wakeup call for me,” Mr. Adams confessed. “I walked away, at first pretty upset that everyone was

ganging up on me.” “Well, I don’t think . . .” “They were, and they were right. I was so caught up in protecting the Church, that I forgot what it meant to be

the Church. Isn’t that what Pastor Gary talks about: we need to not just ‘go’ to church, we need to ‘be’ the Church.” “Well, yes, he does . . .” Mr. Mitchell was trying to understand what was happening. He and Mr. Adams had

known each other for a long time, but they had never really been friends. He was surprised to receive Mr. Mitchell’s email about having coffee—this was a first.

“I went home that day, and I felt my anger turn into hurt, and then my hurt turn into shame, and then my shame turned into something else I’m not sure how to describe.”

Mr. Mitchell’s smile quickly settled. His eyes turned soft as he felt the same sense of compassion and love for Mr. Adams he felt that day at Church when he watched Mr. Adams walk away.

“I needed some time,” Mr. Adams explained. “I had a lot to think about. I’ve spent my whole life trying to do what was right. I’ve always been clear on how things ought to be, and I’ve worked hard to make that happen. What I never thought about was that my self-righteousness was getting in the way of the God I thought I was defending and fighting for. Well, what I realized, and it took several weeks, was that God doesn’t need defending. What God needs is humbly faithful people who are willing to love no matter what.”

Mr. Adams had always been passionate about Faith Presbyterian. He has served as an elder for decades. He was a faithful member of the Facilities Stewardship Committee even when he wasn’t a member. When something needed to be fixed, when a last-minute usher was needed, when the volunteer sound technician didn’t show up, he was the first to step in. He was never a deacon—emotions are not his forte. So, this whole “confession” was very uncharacteristic, and a little unsettling for Mr. Mitchell.

“Why are you telling me all this?” Mr. Mitchell finally asked. “Because, Steve, you are one of the people I respect the most.” Mr. Mitchell could feel his cheeks getting warm. “Oh?” (continued on page 7)

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The Mitchells Installment No. 4 – January 2018

“Yes. You’re the one everyone respects. You’re always so calm. You’re always so thoughtful. You say what

you mean, but always in a way that people can hear. And, to be honest,” Mr. Adam’s gaze returned to his cup, “I’ve always been jealous of the way people listen to you.”

There was a pause in the conversation as both men sat there looking at their cups. Lifting his gaze to Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Adams leaned in and said, “What I realized these past couple of months is that I

a lot of my anger was just insecurity. And it’s been liberating! I don’t have to be jealous of people like you. What I need to do is learn from you. Man, what an opportunity I’ve been missing to learn how to live, really live, ‘more deeply,’ like Pastor Gary says all the time.”

A huge smile was fixed on Mr. Adam’s face. His eyes were wide with anticipation. “Well, Don, I . . . I don’t know what to say about all this,” Mr. Mitchell finally said after yet another awkward si-

lence. “Steve, this has been a total revelation for me,” Mr. Adams said, still looking at Mr. Mitchell with his wild eyes

and an uncharacteristic smile. “I feel like my heart grew by 20 spiritual years just in the last couple of months. Ha! It’s like I’m the Grinch and I finally see the real power behind the people of Whoville—it’s love! It’s love, man! I’ve been missing this whole love thing about Jesus.”

“Wow, Don,” Mr. Mitchell said, not sure what else to say. “I know, this is a lot to take,” Mr. Adams offered. “I sound crazy, but I just realized how much I’ve been missing

with my grumpy attitude all the time. I realize that all those people I’ve criticized over the years, all those people I’ve snapped at, are people who love the Church just as much as I do. Who am I to say they’re wrong and I’m right? I’ve realized that right and wrong isn’t even the point!”

“Well, what is the point?” Mr. Mitchell asked. “That’s the question, Steve,” Mr. Adams said, as he sat back and wagged his index finger in the air. “That is the

question. I’m not sure how to explain it yet, but I know the point is not what I’ve been focusing on. It’s something so much bigger.”

“Shouldn’t you be talking to Pastor Gary about this?” Mr. Mitchell finally asked, half hoping it might relieve him of some of the pressure he was feeling.

“Oh yeah, I already have an appointment with him. But I wanted to talk to you first. We’ve been friends for a long time, but we really don’t know each other. I want to get to know you more, Steve. I hope we can do that.”

A little surprised, and a little cautious, Mr. Mitchell responded, nodding his head, “Of course, Don. I’d like that too.”

“I know we both need to get to work here,” Mr. Adams said, as he picked up his phone from the table and put it in his pocket. “But, I just want to thank you for all you do, and for how patient you’ve been with me. You’ve defend-ed me, even when, I’m sure, you didn’t totally agree with me. I want you to know I noticed. I look forward to having coffee with you again.”

Both men stood. As they shook hands, Mr. Adams pulled Mr. Mitchell in and they embraced in an awkward “man hug.”

“This was great, Don,” Mr. Mitchell said as Mr. Adams released him from his tight embrace. “It was,” Mr. Adams responded. “I’ll talk to you soon, ok?” “Will do,” Mr. Mitchell said. “I need to go to the bathroom before I leave, so I’ll see you later.” “Okay,” Mr. Adams said as that big smile returned. It just looked so weird! But, Mr. Mitchell thought, a really

good kind of weird.

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PAZ DE CRISTO

As part of the mission of University Presbyterian Church, we prepare and serve dinner at Paz de Cristo to 225 + people, the 4th Tuesday of every month. Each 4th Tuesday we re-quire 12-15 people to prepare dinner from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and another 12-15 to serve (and then clean-up!) from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. Paz is located at 424 W. Broadway in Mesa. Besides providing a meal each night of the year, Paz assists families with food boxes, hygiene items, job searches, etc. Thanks for the continuing support from the congregation with peanut butter and jelly, hotel shampoo, soap, lotion, razors, etc. If you would like more information please call Joanne Maloney at 480-242-2060 or [email protected]

UPC NewsLetter

Especially today, let us remember in our prayers: Military service personnel serving stateside and abroad

Homebound UPC members and friends Barbara Bell Evelyn Colby Florence Coursen Betty Dumond Gerry Edson Betty English Trudy Hebert Elaine Murray Bill Overton Wally King

Help Us With I-HELP

Thank you to everyone who has made this mission project work. With all of us working together we are able to provide food and shelter for approximately 40 homeless men and women every month. Our next night to host is Friday, January 19th. If you would like to participate in any way, please visit the sign-up sheet on the patio after church. There are many needs in addition to the dinner and breakfast items. They are white socks, underwear, T-shirts, dis-posable razors, toothbrushes and travel size toiletries. If you have any extra pillow cases, they would be greatly appreciated as well. If you have any questions or want to help, please contact Jill Russell at 602-315-9026 (e-mail: [email protected])

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M U S I C N E W S

Happy New Year! Looking back we join to thank all of our musicians for a wonderful year! Our choir and bells will be taking a two week rest after Christmas but will be back in swing with regular Wednesday re-hearsals January 10

th. The Chancel Choir gets a running start on the new year with our Winter

Retreat, January 6th from 9 am to 1 pm. NEWCOMERS are welcome!

GODSPELL IS COMING TO UPC! The Worship Committee has invited members of the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, NJ to perform the musical in our sanctuary on Wednesday, FEBRUARY 21

st at 7 pm. We are excited to welcome the 30-member cast to Tempe for this

wonderful celebration! We will be looking for families who can house small groups of the 30-member cast (grades 8-12). They will arrive Wednesday afternoon, eat dinner in Fellowship Hall with the rest of our UPC group before their evening performance. Host families will provide sleeping arrangements and breakfast. The group will depart for NJ on Thursday morning. The theater troop tour from First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell has been an annual event since 1988!!! We are the last stop in a schedule of many performances so let’s make it a GREAT CLOSING EVENT for them as well as UPC. Trusting that you and your families will have had a wonderful holiday season, we look forward to a “best ever”- 2018. Keep a song in your heart.

Carol Rickel, Director of Music 480-966-3437 or [email protected]

TIME TO UPDATE THE UPC DIRECTORY

After the first of the year, we will be putting out an updated church directory. If your information is correct in last year’s directory, then you don’t need to do anything. Please review your information first. If you have moved, changed your email, added a new cell phone number or disconnected one, etc., please contact the church of-fice by email ([email protected]) or leave the new information on Dianna’s desk or call the office during business hours with the changes. The deadline for getting in the changes is Sunday, January 14, 2018.

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Presbyterian Women News Happenings for Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women (PW) Purpose: Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ and em-powered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves: to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study; to support the mission of the Church worldwide; to work for justice and peace; and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA), and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.

Circle Meetings Wednesday, January 17th, Chinle Circle will meet at 1:00pm in the Meeting Room at UPC. Martha Walker will do the devotions and Jan Beal will lead lesson 4 of this year’s Horizon’s Bible study, In Community with the Living God. Kay Hosek-knauss will serve as hostess. (Mary Danforth, Circle Coordinator – 480-296-4423; Bev Philips, Circle Coordinator – 480-290-0639)

Monday, January 22rd, Kayenta Circle will meet from 6:30-8:30 in the Meeting Room at UPC. Bev Roselieb will lead Lesson 5 of this year’s Horizon’s Bible study, In Community with the Living God. Chris Casanova and Suzanne Niemann will host. (JoAnne Dahlmeier, Circle Coordinator- 480-756-0230)

Paz de Cristo Paz de Cristo is dear to our hearts and a mission that UPC and PW have supported for many years. Since Paz is our focus this month, please take a moment to visit their website at pazdecristo.org .Here you can learn more about all the great things they do for their clients and consider making a tax credit donation and /or volunteering to serve at the center.

Friday Book Club We’re looking forward to the Friday Book Club discussion. The book has not been chosen yet. Announcement of book, time and place will be in the Sunday bulletin soon. Contact Catherine May 602-363-4119 for details.

Christmas Candlelight Tea Thank you to all those who planned, decorated tables served as hostesses, made grafts for the boutique and most of all our guests that came to enjoy the evening. The tables were beautiful and we were treated to a performance by a husband and wife musical couple. Some of us even sang along.

Fat Sunday PW Brunch Planned for February 11, 2018 more details in next month’s newsletter.

PWCT Meeting January 30 at 6:30pm in the Meeting Room. The Coordinating Team Meeting will be held.

January Mission Focus

Paz de Cristo

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UPC NewsLetter

Odds and Ends Gleaned from the Annals of UPC Materials - Part VI University Presbyterian Church marked its 65th anniversary this year. We have noted that there are no longer any char-

ter members active – and maybe none even still living. The church has a long, distinct history, and as the years pass, less and less is known or remembered of its past.

Recently Ruling Elder Stan Settles donated a fat and fascinating collection of UPC annual reports, newsletters and mate-rials going back to 1960s when they joined the church. It is an informative and interesting gathering of material. Since July, we have been sharing items gleaned from his gift in the UPC Newsletter. What follows is a fun sampling of more from the Settles’ donated church publications:

In the 1979 annual report, Ann Armstrong, secretary of the Board of Deacons, praised the leadership of moderator Edna Fink. “We have tried to provide help, understanding and sympathy to those of our church family who were in need.” Transportation was provided during the year to about 50 persons. About $200 from the Deacons’ treasury was given to “charitable and memorial purposes.” The 1980 officers were Worth Hawley, president; Kathy Adams, vice president; Mary Frances Knox, treasurer; and Mary Backus, secretary. Classroom 3 was carpeted and designated for weekday use by Tempe Elementary District 3 as an educational center for hearing-impaired infants and preschool children. Walt Whittard, chairman of the Board of Trustees, lamented in his report, “Our problem roof began to haunt us again, but the addition of numerous drains in the water collecting low spots, along with recoating of silver paint should prevent further deteriora-tion,” Walt said. “Decorative gates in the breezeway and between the classroom wing and the main building, along with additional outside light-ing, were installed to reduce vandalism.” Marion Niemier was appointed maintenance supervisor. Walt ended his report, “Growth should follow completion of our new sanctuary.” United Presbyterian Women invited Mrs. W.T Ruffalo, a well-known actress and singer, as a program for January. PW had a retreat in April to Saguaro Lake Ranch, with Peggy Busler as the convenor on the theme, “You Are Set Apart to be an Easter Person.” The Mother-Daughter Ban-quet in May featured a fashion show with wedding gowns from the late 1800s to the present. Ruth Trimble and Louise Lamberts were delegates to Purdue University for the Presbyterian Women’s national meeting. In November, TV news anchor for KOOL-TV news spoke about her faith and work. PW’s support of projects for the church included funding the sprinkler system for the new playground, carpet and tile for two Sunday school rooms, three rockers and playpen for the nursing, storage room for UPW, an air pot coffee server, silverware trays, serving spoons and carpet cleaning for the lounge, pastor’s study and secretary’s office. The Sacaton Circle led in pledges with $304, followed by Vah-Ki for $185 and Kayenta for $105. The 1979 report from the Mariners, with Emily and Lee Zacharias as the Skippers, noted that “each weekend, the Mariners travel to Montlure Church Camp for a family work camp. Many hours of hard work cleaning and renovating the facilities are offset by our enjoyment of tall pines, cool weather, hiking and long evenings around campfires.” The Junior High youth program report noted a 24-hour hunger marathon raised more than $700 for Cambodia. “We also drew secret names and for one week did loving and giving tasks for that person without getting caught,” they said. The youth did Christmas caroling, highlighted by nearly 30 minutes spent with Scott Ranney’s sister who was convalescing. The Senior High group during 1979 had a surge in growth to about 30 active teens when 15 joined in September. The three-pronged focus was fun and fellowship, learning and service to others. About 20 went on an outing to Telluride, Colo., to ski. “A particularly moving experience involved participants expressing how they felt about themselves and their spiritual lives by writing and discussing letters written to God.” Youth also made crafts to be handed out when University teams delivered Meals on Wheels. The 1980 annual report listed Betty English as church organist, Dr. William English as choir director, Judy Riden as church secretary, Jim Carroll as clerk of session, John Wilson as treasurer, Sharlan Pierce and Alice Morton as attendance secretaries and Bonny and Chet Henry as church school superintendents, followed in September with Phil and Barbara Boyd. The Rev. Bill Howell declared, “The year 1980 has been a landmark year in the history of our congregation. It was indeed a thrill to see the completion of our new sanctuary and be present for the dedica-tion service on June 22. … A number helped install pews in the last minute effort to have everything ready for our dedication service, and even more worked in the hot summer sun on three different occasions to finish our landscaping…Our architect, Mr. Bob Hershberger, deserves our high praise for his beautiful and practical design. Although our expectations were high, the finished church has far surpassed them.” Rev. Howell noted that his work during 1980 on the Presbyterian denomination’s Vocation Agency Board had taken him to Canada, Puerto Rico and “numerous places in the United States.” Associate Pastor David Hunter was formally installed on April 13, 1980. In June, he married Linda Morton. It was the first wedding in the new-ly built sanctuary. The church’s statistical report showed communicant membership of 537 at the start of the year. By year’s end it was 542. There were 52 transfers into the church and 52 removed as “inactive.” The church school had 244 students registered, plus 36 teachers. There were 25 wed-dings and eight funerals. The Mission Committee said 11.5 percent of the budget or $13,000 was going for mission, including $5,600 to General Assembly. The Outreach Commission report noted that Pastor Ralph Osbourne from Hollywood Presbyterian Church was the guest speaker for a Days of Renewal gathering for a “rededication of our lives to God.” Dwayne Fink was chairman of the Risk Evangelism program, which was in its third and final year. The fall stewardship campaign in November yielded 202 pledges totaling $126,000 in promised giving.

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UPC NewsLetter

It’s That Time of Year Again! For all the Committee Chair People

The annual report is coming. I will need your individual annual committee reports in the office by Friday, January 5th. If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to contact me and I will try to assist you in any way I can. Thanks, Dianna

January

1 - Paula Murray 8 - Joe Simmons 14 - Martha Walker, Kathleen Davison 15 - Bob Knox 26 - Erica Maloney 28 - Carl Smith If your birthday is missing or we have the wrong date, please call the office so we can update our records. We wish a special day to anyone we have missed.

The Deacon of the Month will be at the front of the church to greet members and guests with concerns. For January, the Deacon of the month is Joyce Godfrey (480-897-9452). If you have any needs that we could help you with, please con-tact Denny Martin at 480-802-9312.

Deacon’s Doings

THE TRUSTEE ON DUTY FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY IS:

DIANE WATKINS@864-906-7096

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NEWSLETTER Periodicals University Presbyterian Church Postage Paid 139 E Alameda Drive Tempe, AZ 85282

NEWSLETTER UNIVERSITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USPS 652-720) published monthly by University Presbyterian Church, 139 E Alameda Dr, Tempe, AZ 85282. 480/966-6267. Email: [email protected]. Periodicals Postage paid at Tempe, AZ.

POSTMASTER: change of address to NEWSLETTER :UNIVERSITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 139 E Alameda Dr, Tempe AZ 85282.

Volume 48- Issue 1 January 7, 2018

Worship with us on Sundays at 9:30 am

VISITORS WELCOME!

Child care is available

Pastor - Rev. Dr. Eric Ledermann Administrative Assistant - Dianna Phillips

Music Director – Carol Rickel Organist - Jon Sywassink

Clerk of Session - Kathleen Davison Custodian - Carrie Miter

Website: www.upctempe.org

Email addresses: church office: [email protected]

The Rev. Dr. Eric Ledermann [email protected]

Office Hours: Closed Mondays Tuesday – Thursday

8:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday

8:00 am - 3:00 pm CLOSED FOR LUNCH - 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

NEW OFFICE HOURS

The office has new hours after the first of the year. Closed on Mondays.

Open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and

on Fridays, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Closed 12pm to 1pm for lunch, Tuesday through Friday.