Read our Newsletter in color!
Click here to download our Summer 2010 newsletter.
New Mexico Conference of Churches Receives Grant to Mentor Adjudicated Youth
The New Mexico Conference of Churches announced August 9th that it has received a $15,000 Daniels Fund grant to support its PEP program.
NMCC brings together churches of eight denominations with other partners across the state to address concerns that impact New Mexicans at all levels. Since 2007, the PEP program has provided mentorship teams to New Mexico youth as they prepare to re-enter society after being committed to a juvenile facility for one, two or more years.
“The grant will enable the PEP program to train and support teams of volunteers as they mentor youth through the difficult period right before and right after release, the time when they are most likely to re-offend or violate parole and head down the path toward the adult criminal justice system,” said the Rev. Daniel Erdman, Coordinator for Congregation and Community Outreach of NMCC.
Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television known for his kindness and generosity toward those in need, established the Daniels Fund to provide grants and scholarships in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.danielsfund.org
“Although most of our volunteers come from congregations, we offer mentoring to any youth who qualifies for the PEP program, with no religious requirements. People do this because of their dearly-held beliefs, but they do not feel the need to impose those as a pre-condition of offering their support and guidance to a youth who had has a troubled life,” added Mr. Erdman, who is the co-founder and Acting Director of the PEP program.
Remarks at the Service of Celebration for the Life of Robert Sandoval
Thursday, July 15, 2010 at All Saints Lutheran Church, Albuquerque
Several years ago I was asked to be on the Board of the New Mexico Conference of Churches. I only knew a couple of board members, and had not attended my first meeting, but it became obvious from the email traffic, that they were in the midst of a major decision: whether to leave their rental office and buy property, and how to best protect money received from the sale of property.
It was at this point that I began to see emails from the Treasurer of the Conference, and at the bottom of each was the proclamation: “FULL TIME SERVANT OF GOD, PART TIME GOLFER” His statements to his fellow Board members were always direct and to the point. He urged us to take action to insure the future of the Conference and to protect and use our financial resources carefully and well.
I had met Robert Sandoval – Full Time Servant of God.
Over the next few years as Robert and I worked together on the Board we developed a mutual appreciation of each other’s gifts and a very deep friendship grew. I knew that his every act and thought for the Conference was done with genuine love and a deep abiding faith, and he was using his gifts for finance (I just play with numbers, he’d say) to help us do mission in a real and meaningful way.
Last year when it became obvious that the Conference of Churches would face a time of transition and be searching for new leadership, it was suggested that I might become the Interim Director and help with this process. The very first person from the Board to contact me was Robert. In his direct way he told me that this was a “no brainer” I was definitely the person for this job, and he would be there to support me. Challenge accepted.
Over the last six months Robert has been there on the other end of the phone or the email to give advice, help interpret, support and work with me at every step. Never have I hesitated to ask him, and never did he hesitate to help.
A true Servant of God reaches out to sisters and brothers to help them on their journey, a true Servant of God expresses hope and faith in all tasks, lifts peoples’ spirits and keeps them focused on the task. A true Servant of God does good works in the name of Jesus the Christ, and practices his Faith by working on common tasks for the good of Humankind.
Robert Sandoval was a True Servant of God, and the ecumenical movement of Christians in New Mexico was the great recipient of his love and faith.
Jim Baird, Interim Executive Director
In Celebration and Remembrance of Robert Sandoval
We are sad to announce that Robert Sandoval of Albuquerque, NM, servant of the church, died very suddenly on Monday, July 12.
Besides his active membership at All Saints, Robert also served on various committees of this Synod, including several years on the Synod Council, 8 years as Synod Treasurer, and several years on the Lutheran Campus Ministry Board for the University of New Mexico, currently serving as its treasurer. He also served on ELCA Churchwide Boards and Committees. Among his many contributions of time and effort to the wider mission of the church, Robert served on the Wartburg Seminary Board, and he was a voting member to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
As his Baptismal Journey comes to the full gifts of God's grace, we entrust him to God's eternal care, and to the Resurrection hope that sustained him in this life. We surround his wife Robina, children Aubrey and Paul, and all who mourn his passing with prayers of comfort and support.
Read our Newsletter in color!
Click here to download our Spring 2010 newsletter.
Nonprofit leader, appointed Interim Executive Director
James K. Baird, Jr. brings his enthusiasm, vision for the future, and years of leadership experience to the New Mexico Conference of Churches during the transition between permanent Directors. The Board appointed Jim as its Interim Executive Director beginning January 2010. He will take charge of the ecumenical nonprofit organization for a period of up to 12 months while the Board undertakes the search and selection process for a permanent Executive Director.
Jim comes to NMCC after 17 years working for the Ghost Ranch National Conference Center of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For the last 10 years of that time, he served as the Director of Program. He was responsible for the planning and staffing of more than 300 educational programs a year the Ranch offered at both its Santa Fe and Abiquiu locations. Jim has a BA degree in English Literature from Texas Christian University and a MA in Theatre and Speech from the Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia. He has been active as a member of both the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) which is his birth denomination. He is an ordained elder in the PCUSA. Jim is not new to NMCC, as he has served in various capacities on the Board for the past four years.
He helped coordinate NMCC's recent two-day members' retreat in January to begin the strategic planning process. The Conference plans to begin a national search for a new Executive Director beginning in the spring.
Read more about Jim
Christians: "Run as Fast as You Can" from the Church of Glenn Beck
Please read this important article by Peg Chemberlin, President of the National Council of Churches.
Supporting aid to Haiti
Many concerned people have called our office asking how to contribute to support disaster relief to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Bread of the World-NM has posted several entries on their blog with contact information for agencies sending aid to Haiti. NMCC recommends you support the organizations on their list.
Here are links to the blog entries:
Light a Candle for Haiti
Each month NMCC highlights a New Mexico organization. If you'd like to have your organization highlighted on our web site, please contact Barbara at bahill@nmchurches.org
