Spirituality - Los Alamos Daily Post

Faith & Science: Evolution 6 p.m. Today

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 8, 2015

LAFSF News:

The faith and science talk for today, presented by Nelson Hoffman, deals with the idea of evolution, the meaning of the term, and various ways that Christians look at evolution (Evidence for or against evolution will be discussed by a future speaker).

The term evolution has several meanings: adaptation or microevolution, where traits of organisms go through a succession of relatively small genetic variations that often cause the formation of new subspecies; the observed changes in physical anatomy preserved by the fossil record; the general

Pastor Granillo: Foundational Purpose

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 5, 2015

By Pastor RAUL GRANILLO

Los Alamos

There is an old Chinese proverb which goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now.”

As I get older, I begin to realize how fleeting life really is. After high school I was “smart” enough to drop out of college so that I could spend more time “enjoying life.” Of course, now I realize that my decision cost me many wasted years that I can never get back.

I can dwell on those wasted years and wonder where I would be now if I had only listened to where God was leading me, or I can realize that He calls me still and is willing to use me from where I am at Read More

Unitarian Officials Break Ground On New Church

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 1, 2015

Unitarian Church of Los Alamos officials break ground Tuesday at 1738 N. Sage St. where their new church will be constructed. From left, Rick Bolton, Rev. John Cullinan, Galen Gisler, Dawn Venhaus and Dale Arnink. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com

Members from the congregation and community turn out for Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new Unitarian Church on Sage Street. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

The old Unitarian Church at 1738 N. Sage St. has been demolished and a groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday

United Church of Los Alamos Back In Business

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 30, 2015

The United Church of Los Alamos at 2525 Canyon Road. File photo

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN

United Church of Los Alamos

The United Church of Los Alamos at 2525 Canyon Road is back in business again as doors opened after a series of renovations.

While a formal open house is slated for the month of August, summer time often finds families with a little more free time on their hands and perhaps looking for something new. Technically the church isn’t back in business, but back in the main sanctuary after holding services for quite some time in their Christian Education building as progress continued Read More

Faith & Science: A Finely Tuned Universe July 1

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 30, 2015

LAFSF News:

This week’s faith and science topic is “A Finely Tuned Universe: its beginnings and dynamics”, presented by Glenn Magelssen.

Scientific evidence suggests that the universe is very old, roughly 13.7 billion years and that it started with a “Big Bang”. Furthermore the physical laws are fine tuned in such a way that galaxies and stars can form allowing nuclear reactions to produce the energy that sustains the “starlight” we see.

The sun is an example of a star that releases energy in a way that allows life on Earth. Scientific evidence will be

Unitarian Church Groundbreaking 6:30 p.m. Today

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 30, 2015

CHURCH News:

The Unitarian Church of Los Alamos is celebrating the groundbreaking of its new building project at 6:30 pm. today at the new building site, 1738 North Sage St.

Rev. John Cullinan will lead a short ceremony and all are welcomed to attend. Attendees are asked to wear closed shoes and carpool if possible, as limited parking will be available in the Mason’s lot next door. All ages are welcome, but parents are advised to keep children close on the active construction site.

The congregation has been actively working toward building a new building since 2008. Architects Mullen|Heller

Wednesday’s United Church Thrift Shop Canceled

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 30, 2015

UNITED CHURCH News:

Wednesday’s planned opening of the Thrift Shop at the United Church of Los Alamos is canceled due to parking lot renovations.

The Thrift Shop will open 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday July 8, at the United Church of Los Alamos at 2525 Canyon Road.

Stop by next week and check out the selection. Read More

Pastor Granillo: All Powerful Access

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 28, 2015

Pastor RAUL GRANILLO

Los Alamos

Billy Sunday once said, “If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power.”

I confess that I have struggled with the importance of prayer in my Christian walk. I’m an action guy and I am driven to engage physically in whatever needs to be done. My struggle has been with the reality that I can accomplish more from my knees than from anywhere else. I struggle with this because my natural instincts tell me that being on my knees makes me weak, and to depend on God’s power is a gamble.

Even for the mature Christian, it can be difficult to grasp the fullness of God’s power. Read More

WR Baptist Church Launches 30 Hour Famine

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 27, 2015

WRBC News:

Over the years, the youth from the White Rock Baptist Church have participated in an event called the 30 Hour Famine. At the famine, students and adult sponsors go 30 hours without eating anything.

There’s year’s event began at noon Friday and participants will break their fast at 6 p.m. today. Students do this event in order to raise their own personal awareness of global hunger issues, but they also do this event as a fundraiser. Students find donors willing to sponsor their famine, and the proceeds go to benefit World Vision—a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization

LAHS Graduate Josh Willms Gives TED Talk

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 26, 2015

Josh Willms gives his TED Talk, ‘What if Everyone Searched for Belief?’. Courtesy photo

By BONNIE J. GORDON

Los Alamos Daily Post

When Josh Willms graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2008, he was a devout Christian. He headed for Texas Tech University in Lubbock with the plan of becoming a physician and a missionary in Africa.

“My belief meant everything to me,” Willms said.

When his father, a pillar of his Los Alamos church lost his faith, it was a huge crisis for Willms.

“I’d try to talk to my dad, but he was so much smarter than me,” Willms said. “I wanted to level the Read More

NNMRC: Four Week Biblical Worship Course

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 26, 2015

NNMRC News:

Four week course on Biblical worship

Many Christians today have a keen awareness that God has more for His people than we are currently experiencing. Jesus said that the Father Himself seeks out those who worship in spirit and in truth (John 4).

If that is indeed the case, is it possible that we are not experiencing God as He intends because our worship doesn’t inspire Him to seek us out? Is there more to worship than we have previously understood? Could there be a deeper level of intimacy with Him that He longs to share with us? What are the characteristics of worship that captivate

First United Methodist Church Hosts VBS July 13-17

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 24, 2015

CHURCH News:

Everest Vacation Bible School will be hosted July 13-17 at First United Methodist Church.

At Everest, kids discover what it means to hold on to God’s mighty power in everyday life. Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and dig into yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s love, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos.

Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something

International Scientific Society Responds To Pope Francis’ Encyclical On Climate Change

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 23, 2015

AGU Executive Director/CEO Christine McEntee

AGU News:

Washington, D.C. — The American Geophysical Union (AGU) represents more than 60,000 Earth and space scientists worldwide and AGU Executive Director/CEO Christine McEntee issued the following statement on behalf of the organization in response to Pope Francis’ recent encyclical.

“The scientific community has long agreed that climate change is one of the most profound challenges facing our global society, and as AGU outlined in our position statement on climate change, there is no question human activity is

Pastor Granillo: Unless

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 21, 2015

By Pastor RAUL GRANILLO

Los Alamos

My father is a Mexican immigrant who came to America 40 years ago looking for an opportunity to reap the benefits of his hard work.

He raised us with the philosophy that a person should work hard and contribute to his family. Like millions of men everywhere, I try to implement that philosophy in my role as husband and father. However, there is one aspect of his philosophy that failed my father and his family—he tried doing it through his own will and strength.

Jesus’ disciples were average guys. They considered things like respect (John 13:8), loyalty (Mark 14:29), Read More

U.S. Energy Secretary Moniz Remarks On Papal Encyclical On Climate Change

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 19, 2015

U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz

DOE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz released the following statement regarding the release of a papal encyclical on climate change by Pope Francis.

“Pope Francis’ call to action on climate change is an important milestone in the global effort on this issue. His is not just a powerful moral voice, he also graduated as a chemical engineer and understands the consensus of climate scientists that accumulating man-made pollution endangers our planet and people around the world.

Watch Time Lapse Of Unitarian Church Demolition

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 18, 2015

Wednesday’s demolition of the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos on Sage Street. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Operator Lee Craven conducted Wednesday’s demolition of the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos on Sage Street.

Craven created a quick time lapse of the 2.5 hour structure demolition. Click here to watch it: https://youtu.be/mCDMwGl19Ew Read More

Scenes From San Miguel Chapel: Oldest U.S. Church

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 18, 2015

The altar screen or reredos from the San Miguel Chapel at 401 Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe, the oldest church in the U.S.A. Photo by Leah Austin

A cross that hangs on a wall in the San Miguel Chapel. Photo by Leah Austin

Staff Report

Few people question whether or not the San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe is the oldest Church in the United States, but many do question just how old it is.

It is no easy task to sift historical fact from traditional belief. The earliest documentation we have of the existence of San Miguel Chapel is from 1628, so we know it was built sometime before then. Oral history holds that San Read More

Unitarian Church Of Los Alamos Undergoes Demolition

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 17, 2015

The Unitarian Church of Los Alamos at 1738 N. Sage Loop undergoes demolition today in preperation to rebuild a new church in its place. Demolition completion is expected by the end of the day. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com