We have been very fortunate to experience firsthand how Holy Faith lives its mission statement:  after 30 years in London, although we had been coming to Santa Fe for many years, our transition has been difficult and turbulent at times.  One anchor has remained constant, and that is the Church of the Holy Faith.  We no longer refer to them as the "Comfortable Words" in the Eucharist, but Christ's promise to refresh "all ye that travail and are heavy laden" has been kept for us in the sacraments, the preaching, teaching and music, and the warm welcome we have received from parishioners living their faith.

I hope to repay part of that generosity, if elected, by bringing my financial and church governance experience to the Vestry.  I plan to continue to serve as a reader, helping at the homeless lunches, and as a board member of the homeless shelter.

Ashley Margetson

I appreciate the Bible based faith that Holy Faith stands for, and the scriptural training we get in our worship and teaching. I believe in the Apostle's and Nicene Creeds.  

I can offer some useful qualities as a vestry member at Holy Faith.  I am committed, very organized, and a hard worker with the ability to think outside the box. People say I am smart, and I bring business experience, 2010 marking 21 years with Sothebys International Realty. Mostly, I love Jesus and I love Holy Faith. I pray that God would use me and the talents He has given me to help His church thrive, attract more people to His word, and further His glory.

Mike McGonagle

I was raised and educated in Colorado graduating from the University of Colorado with a B.S. degree in Accounting and Finance.

While living in Santa Fe since 1964, I have been active in various companies and businesses. For the last twenty (20) years I have been President, Director, and Shareholder of Century Financial Services Corporation, which is the corporate parent of Century Bank, of which I am also an Officer and Director.

I have been active over the years with a variety of community and non-profit organizations.

Since joining Holy Faith about one (1) year ago, Wendy and I have attended church and church functions regularly.

 The Holy Faith Mission Statement is very clear and understandable, further, it is supported by both Wendy and me.

As a vestry member I am sure I can be the most help in the financial areas of the Church.

Bill Shrecengost                                                              

I joined the Episcopal Church in Lincoln County, New Mexico, in the early 1950's; served on the Vestry, as an usher, a Eucharistic Lay Minister, and led complete Christian services by myself at chapels in Fort Stanton, Lincoln, and Glencoe, New Mexico. I moved to Santa Fe and had my membership transferred to, and became active in Holy Faith in 1993.

I have served as an usher during most of this time.

I have scheduled lectors (lay readers) and read during nearly all of this time.

I have served two elected and two appointed terms as voting delegate to Diocesan Convocation/Conventions, most of the terms as voting Northeast Deanery member.

I served as a licensed Lay Eucharistic Minister for many years, as well as serving at the altar.

I have participated actively in Faith at Work since its inception at Holy Faith years ago.

Ray Wallace

Ray Wallace and his wife, Martha, have lived in Santa Fe for 11 years.  Ray has retired from two careers:  34 years as an officer in the U.S. Navy, and seven at Los Alamos National Laboratory working in facility operations and management.  He still does part-time consulting in the energy-related field.  A native of San Antonio, Texas, he has a BS degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, an MBA degree from the University of Phoenix and completed a year's course of study at the Indian National Defense College in New Delhi, India.  He is a registered Professional Engineer. Ray and Martha have two children and five grandchildren. 

At Holy Faith he is a member of the Outreach and Missions committee, ushers, and participates in two Bible studies.  He was Holy Faith's Junior Warden for three years, 2005 - 2007, and chaired the Stewardship Committee in 2006. Ray fully supports Holy Faith's mission statement and feels very blessed to have been led to this congregation.  He believes the focus on declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the source of the church's vitality and strength in the community.  He sees the role of Vestry members to be responsible to the congregation for the governance of the church, as well as seeing that Holy Faith's mission of proclaiming the Gospel is always at the center of everything we undertake.  He believes it strengthens Holy Faith if Vestry members are participants in a wide array of church activities. 

My wife Ann and I have been married for 46 years.  We have two grown children and three grandchildren.  We moved from Dallas to Santa Fe about 20 years ago. I have been a real estate developer, consultant and investor since graduating from the Stanford Business School in 1965.  My undergraduate degree is from the University of the South, Sewanee.

Ann and I have been members of Church of the Holy Faith since the mid 1990's. I have been a member of the Finance Committee for a number of years, an usher many years and a member of the Wednesday Men's Bible Class. 

If elected to the Vestry I will support our position as a conservative parish as reflected in our core values and at the same time press for whatever reasonable action we can take to attract more young families and children to our parish. Even at a time when finances are tight, or perhaps especially at a time when finances are tight, we need to invest in the growth of our parish.  We are moving in that direction and need to continue to do so.

Bits and Pieces 

Please note - If you have a building keyand have business at the Church outside of regular office hours, please be sure to turn off the lights and lock the doors if you are the last to leave. Our sextons' schedule will be posted in the hall outside the Palen Hall kitchen and in the Mail Room in Conkey House so you'll know when they are here, and when the responsibility for closing rests with you. If you need to contact the sexton on duty call 231-1681.  Thank you!

As a security precaution, if you need to unlock one of the buildings to come in, please keep the door locked behind you.

The Holy Faith Gift Shop will be closed in January and the first week or two of February, while we await our new 2010 stock. Please call Peggy Bonner at 820- 7595, if you need something special, and she will open the Shop by appointment.

Albertson's Community cards - Temporary cards are here! Help raise funds for youth programs at Holy Faith by using a "Community Card" when you shop at Albertsons. Simply scan it at the register and Holy Faith will receive 1% of the total of all purchases up to $50,000; 5% on everything over $50,000 per quarter. The pink temporary cards will be on the table next to piano in Palen Hall - please pick one up the next time you're at Church! We'll let you know when the permanent cards arrive.

Royal School of Church Music - Enrollment is open for the Royal School of Church Music. Please call the RSCM Director, Monika Cosson-Sheppard, at 982-4447 ext. 112, to learn more about this exciting program for children's musical training and choir.

Living the Rule of St. Benedict in Our Everyday Lives - On Thursday, January 14, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis, Dr. Nancy Copeland-Payton, who is a physician, Presbyterian minister, and Benedictine Oblate of the Monastery of St. Gertrude, will explore with us the wisdom of living St. Benedict's Rule in our family and work-day lives. Sponsored by the Cathedral's Adult Enrichment Committee, the program will be held at 7:00 pm, in Crispin Hall on the Cathedral grounds. All are welcome. For more information, call 982-5619.

Storage space needed for a few pieces of furniture and some boxes. Please contact parishioner Cathi Haga if you have a spare corner in your garage or storage unit of any kind. 474-3150.

International Missions

Mr Baby, the director of Jaipur Children's Aid, has been very sick with malaria and dengue fever, and in need of new housing. These notes were received via email by parishioner Martha Wallace.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

"Praise God." We have shifted to a new house .This place is a little far from the other place where we stayed before. We have just got the internet connection 15 minutes back. Sending the first mail to you all.

The past 2 months were really hectic and full of tensions and worries. As you all know that I had malaria and dengue fever at first, and which I became alright, but I again had the malaria attack twice. Once when we were there in the old house and once after when we shifted to the new place. Once when I recovered Sheela fell really sick because of her breathing problems. Since some months she was having a real hectic time, busy 24 hours and no rest at all. She never even used to sleep properly. She has been continuously having wheezing (difficulty in breathing) because of which she could not even walk for a while. She was taken to the doctor and checked for her lung function and the reports came as her lung functioning is really low. Doctor has asked her for complete rest and very proper care about her health . So we all were again worried about that.

Our kids are all doing well. Their exams are going on. Bittu is also having her exam.

I extremely apologize for not keeping touch with you for a while. We were in a real bad situation here and the shifting work was really hectic. The packing and unpacking and all the government and other formalities for everything has to be done. We have just got the telephone connection today only.

I hope you can understand the situation out here. Now everything is getting back to normal. Please do keep all of us in your prayers.

WWW

May The Almighty Bless you so much in Year 2010 and Bring for You happiness, Success and filled with Peace, Hope & Togetherness of your Family & Friends....Wishing You a...*HAPPY NEW YEAR*

Thank you so much each of you for your great love and support for us . Our heartfelt gratitude for being their in our thicks and thins throughout the whole year. May God bless you and your family abundantly.

WISH YOU A HAPPY AND PROSPERUS NEW YEAR

Yours in HIS service, Thomas Baby, Sheela, Bittu, Alexander, Shobhana and all our kids.

Jaipur Childrens Aid

December Attendance 

Dec. 13               18                    118               123