Membership

The Membership Committee meets the second Monday of the month at 2:00 pm. Our goals include:

Creating a more visible presence for LPPC and our ministry in the Placitas community.

Improving visitor welcoming and follow-up processes.

Integrating new members so they become quickly active in the life and programs of the church.

Improving internal and external communications.

Promoting more activities and gatherings for the congregation

Coordinating the Time and Talent commitment process on a year round basis.

Following up on inactive members.

Reviewing and updating church history archives and pictorial documentation

To fulfill these goals we train and oversee usher/greeters and "Visitor Hosts" who watch for and introduce newcomers at each service; and we've decided to schedule a congregational "activity" of some sort every month, except months where there are other all-church social gatherings such as the Easter Brunch, enchilada dinners, etc. We have planned Isotopes baseball outings, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner potlucks at several different homes, and small group barbecues during the summer. We also help plan the picnic for the outdoor worship Sunday.

Please make a special effort to welcome all visitors and newcomers during this holiday season. Introduce yourself. Engage people in conversation. Ask how they heard about LPPC. Tell them some of your own story. Inquire about their backgrounds. Introduce them to someone else who might share their interests. Invite them to one of our many special events this month. YOU are the eyes and ears and hearts and hands of God’s welcome and our hospitality.

Visioning Retreat

We will meet at the church from 9:30am to 1:00pm on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, along with invited guests from other committees. We are inviting folks who have a special interest in M&E, some who are on committees whose responsibilities overlap or coordinate with ours (Fellowship, Worship & Music, Stewardship, Admin, Session) and newcomers and old-timers who are willing to vision with us. For these folks, this is a one-time commitment and we really value their input. We will meet for a couple of hours, break for a salad potluck and dessert lunch, then wrap things up. If possible, committee members might stay for a bit afterwards to make a plan for next steps we want to take.

We will do several processes together, including:

Sharing perceptions of what we are currently doing (well & need for improvement),
Identifying how our responsibilities overlap with others and should be clarified,
Brainstorming creative ideas for reaching out in evangelism, welcoming visitors, engaging, integrating & nurturing members.

Isotopes baseball Sunday, June 22, 2008!

It's that time of year again and we are going to the ballpark! Game day is Sunday, June 22nd at 6:05 pm and tickets at our group rate is $7.50. The Isotopes will be playing the Iowa Cubs. We will be sitting on the 3rd base line side of the field. I need a minimum of 20 people to sign up and, hopefully, make payment before June 12th. Also, if anyone wants an Isotope ball we can get them at $3.25 each - they are great for gifts! Please email me at your earliest convenience, call me at home or see me after church next Sunday. Thank you and ......let's play ball! Vicki.

June 8, 2007: Nearly 40 adults and kids weathered the windy weather at Isotopes Park to watch our local heroes engage in the great American pastime for our annual Take Me Out to the Ball Game evening, Friday June 8^th. Although the chilly temp and dusty gusts prompted some early departures, everyone had a wonderful time and a few brave souls lasted to the bitter end. Vicki D coordinated the group ticket sales. The Topes played the Memphis Redbirds at 7:05pm. We had a great time watching them win 7 to 4. Thanks to Nancy W for her efforts in getting the youth group to the game. Go Isotopes! We’ll be back next June.

Soup Supper Conversations with Elizabeth

Pastor Elizabeth reports that Soup Suppers are a smashing success. She has enjoyed meeting members and friends of LPPC in more intimate small groups and hearing their stories. These Soup Suppers have turned into joyful occasions of connection and story telling for members and friends of LPPC.

Every Wednesday night during February, March and April, groups of 7-9 folks are gathering in someone’s home at 6:00pm for a POTLUCK SOUP SUPPER and conversation with Elizabeth. The host makes the soup; guests sign up to bring bread, salad, or dessert. Everyone is responsible for lively conversation!

Thanks to all who hosted and attended these Soup Suppers. Participants have enjoyed getting better acquainted and sharing their stories about LPPC. We are giving Elizabeth a break from the Wednesday night routine for May and June. We will plan to schedule a couple more gatherings this summer. Watch for news of dates and times!

If you are willing to HOST a Soup Supper in July or August, please clear the date with Pastor Elizabeth.

BLESSINGS ON THE WAY- We bid farewell to Dave and Su

On April 13, 2008, our congregation bid farewell to Dave and Su S who have been such faithful members of LPPC during their years in Placitas. During the service we honored them with A LITANY OF BLESSING, as follows:

Leader: Beloved in Christ, as you go from among us we send you with our love and our blessings

People: May God bless and keep you.

Leader: We send you trusting that though we may be physically separated from one another, we remain one in Christ.

People: May Christ cause his face to shine on you and be gracious to you.

Leader: We send you with our prayers that God’s peace and well-being will surround you always.

People: May the Spirit abide in you, and give you peace.

Leader: The Holy One will keep your going out and coining in from this time on and forever.

All: God is with us, God before us, God behind us, God on our right hand, God on our left hand, God beneath us, God above us, God in us, God in the heart of each who thinks of us, God in our lying down, and in our arising. Amen.

After the service a very special cake and lots of other goodies were served to all.

Chair of the church expansion committee, Dave recently crafted our beautiful new baptismal font. He also built the cross that graces the exterior wall of the new addition and the wood appointments of the Upper Room. Su spent several years serving as church treasurer and supporting the music program. We will miss them both and wish them God’s blessings as they return to Minnesota.

New Worship Folder Tells Our Story

Look for the new gray tri-fold brochure developed for visitors. However, even old-timers may learn something from the information-packed panels:

Welcome letter describing our congregation
LPPC Mission Statement and History
What is a Presbyterian? How to join LPPC
Our Worship Bulletin, Our Sacraments
Our Church Programs, Ministries & Missions

Thanks to Pastor Elizabeth for the inspiration and to Charlotte L, Doug C, Joan D, Wendy I, Tina T, and Nancy T for their creative input.

Member in the News

Katharine D has been named a Macey’s Scholar for the 2007-2008 academic year at New Mexico Tech. Katherine also received a prestigious Tau Beta Pi scholarship sponsored by the National Engineering Honor Society. She is majoring in environmental engineering. Congratulations, Katharine—and to Cliff and Rhea as well!

Invite a Friend to Church Sunday, September 9, 2007

Once a year we encourage the congregation to reach out and invite a neighbor or friend to church. As the only Protestant church in Placitas, we have a responsibility to make our presence known, to open our doors and hearts to newcomers and old timers, welcoming them to our community for worship and fellowship. For the past two years we have combined Welcome Back Sunday and Invite a Friend to Church Sunday, hosting a potluck lunch after the 10:30am service to facilitate interaction between old friends and newcomers alike. This is a great way to share the spiritual depth and warm hospitality of LPPC with others.