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Source: The Santa Fe New MexicanSept.儲存倉 14--When the congregation of Christ Lutheran Church met for the first time in 1962, its members gathered in a metal Quonset hut -- formerly a laundromat -- that still stands on Early Street. The church, celebrating its 50th anniversary Sunday, was formally incorporated into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America the following year.Today, Christ Lutheran's 150 parishioners worship in an eclectic sanctuary that was constructed over six months in 1966 at 1701 Arroyo Chamiso Road. Doug Peterson, who joined Christ Lutheran a couple years after the church's founding, remembers when the church was built and the solid wood cross, which hangs above the altar, was hoisted into place.Peterson said the church's sanctuary is " a simple design, but we tried to incorporate as much New Mexico influence as we could." He pointed out vigas and latillas that crisscross the ceiling and noted the sanctuary's many donated objects, such as a carved altar that's been part of the church since its inception, an oil painting by a member of the congregation and a pair of Nambe candlesticks."[The Lutheran faith] is based on the idea that you're saved by grace alone," said Christ Lutheran's interim pastor, the Rev. Kate Schlechter. "We're a hopeful people, and we're no different from you."Schlechter has held her position since November, following the retirement of the Rev. Benjamin Larzelere III after 37 years with the church. A search for a permanent pastor is underway. Schlechter is the church's first female pastor, and she noted that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America also recently elected Elizabeth Eaton as its first female presiding bishop.Christ Lutheran preaches a message of inclusivity: It's supportive of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals and has a long-standing friendship with Temple Beth Shalom, whose Rabbi Schwab often attends services at the church. Every fall, Christ Lutheran hosts a breaking of the fast for Temple Beth Shalom following Yom Kippur, while Temple Beth Shalom buys Christ Lutheran a wreath during the December holidays."Theologically, our interpretation is that there are no distinctions between people, no qual迷你倉價錢fiers," said Rickey Faehl, who has been a member of Christ Lutheran since the 1970s. "We implicitly welcome people of all stripes -- we even have a Buddhist priest who comes on Sundays.""[Inclusivity] is not just about sexual orientation," Schlechter added. "It goes back to civil rights and a strong sense of social justice."Community engagement is a way of life at Christ Lutheran. Back in the early 1970s, the church helped found the Santa Fe Farmers Market, financially assisting farmers so they could bring their produce to town. Christ Lutheran is home to weekly events hosted by outside groups, like court-mandated DWI courses, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and Zumba classes. Every Thursday, congregation members distribute bags of groceries purchased from The Food Depot to 20 or 30 families. When the Cerro Grande Fire led to the evacuation of much of Los Alamos in 2000, the church served as a refuge for people forced to leave their homes.The size of Christ Lutheran's congregation is about the same today as it was in the mid-1960s. "It used to be if you built it, they would come," Peterson observed, "but since the church's founding, the world has changed around it." Currently, the church has five members under the age of 18 and continuously considers how to reach out to youth."It's something we're concerned about, because we really think we have something of value to give younger people," Faehl said.While Christ Lutheran members are united in being good neighbors and, as Faehl put it, "being a Christ-centered community," they don't agree on all political and social issues. But Schlechter believes that's of little consequence."We're diverse, but we're united before the altar," she said. "We're equal before God."On Sunday, Sept. 15, Christ Lutheran will celebrate turning 50 with a catered luncheon. Regular services are held at 8 and 10 a.m. every Sunday. To learn more about the church, call 983-9461 or visit .clcsantafe.com.Contact Adele Oliveira at 986-3091 or aoliveira@sfnewmexican.com.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, N.M.) Visit The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, N.M.) at .santafenewmexican.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉最平