Ktizo is a verb. Our common definition for Ktizo is: God calls into being; God creates; God transforms; God restores wholeness. The ways that we are engaging with God in seeking to create a heavenly community is “ ktizoing.” Our 12 core touch stones for being Ktizo and doing ktizo are: acceptance, action, connection, expression, faith, healing, leadership, opportunity, passion, relevance, truth, and Ubuntu. As we members and friends of Ktizo engage our still speaking God’s Gospel (good news) in our 200 block sanctuary, these core values stand as markers, which will bring loving connection, healing, opportunity, Ubuntu to our community … if not are we ktizoing?

We are truly seeking to inspire, with love, the living experience of the still speaking God, in a community where all, not some, are welcome! (Pastor Ted)

April 13 is Palm Sunday

April 17 Maundy Thursday 7 pm worship

April 20 sunrise service 6 am at 917 E Sheridan St. (front lawn of Conference Center) breakfast , then 11 am worship

Air mattresses rustling. An occasional mosquito buzzes by. A snore begins and then a symphony. Roosters start crowing way before the sun starts to rise. The cooks light the fire in the cocina and the rice and beans and fruit will soon be ready.

So began every day in La Flor. We had an incredible week: a warm welcome to the village, time in the classrooms everyday with the children and teachers, building 2 latrines on the new land where 20 families got new property of their own, rather than living 2-3 generations in a home, building a shower where groups like ours can bathe in La Flor, visiting the micro credit businesses of the women there: all this and more is thanks to the generosity of friends and members of Ktizo.

The stories will be shared on Sunday April 6 by the Nica Team. We have so many photos to download and such an experience to processin our hearts and minds. Each time I speak in La Flor I say,”We are a team of 8 people, but there are hundreds of people behind us making this partnership possible.” We will be planning for our 2015 trip, in the beautiful month of March? If you are thinking of going, talk with any of our team members: Becky Boston, Diane Detweiler Zapp, Susan Felt, Colleen Hallberg, Amy Karansky, Max McHugh, Pastor Nancy.

Easter (April 20 this year) was once about new dresses and gloves, black patent leather shoes, and even a hat. It was about Easter baskets and egg hunts. It was about family dinners.

Today, Easter is about hearing an old, old story in a new, new way. I never got that part about ‘Jesus dying for our sins’. I was only 6 years old and not even I could have done something so bad that Jesus was killed 2000 years ago! That’s it. Jesus was killed. He was killed by the Roman Empire because his message of love and justice challenged the power of the Emperor.

But, love won. The story was told that forgiveness and hope and new life were possible in ANY circumstance. Love won and Love continues to win.

Ktizo is one small example of that. You have heard the words: Ubuntu, Generosity, Abundance, Caring. Easter this year will be about sharing miracles of resurrection in our lives. I have seen a few myself. I believe you have too! Pastor Nancy

I wonder . . .

If we’ll ever get to the point that we can have civil disagreements without saying, “Oh, no! We don’t want to act like the past.” It is possible to express different opinions, and still be friends and still show our caring for one another.

If we can figure out the best way to care for our members in need without some getting burned out.

If we’re making the best use of our resources.

If we’ll find a permanent home one day. There’s still conversation about whether we should rent or buy. Some feel we are over-extending, with the plan to buy with the number in our membership. Others feel that it’s a waste of money to pay rent.

If our members and friends will respond to the small group meetings and take time to share their opinions.

If we’ll look back a year from now and say, “Wow! Why were we concerned about those things?”             I wonder if we are fulfilling our mission. What do you wonder?

I know . . . that the Board and I are doing the best we can with the information we have, and that we’ll keep on trying!!!

Thursday March thirteenth five members of the choir got the sad news that our Nathan was leaving. We felt gut shot. Nathan was a joy to work with. He was a consummate musician who made the piano talk. Somehow he got all of us to do more than we thought we could and did it with a smile and encouragement. His deep spirituality was evident in the music he chose. I know that all Ktizo could feel it in the hymns he taught us. He and his wild piano will be sorely missed, but we wish him well as he follows his dreams for his future.

The Worship Committee and choir will interview candidates for our Choir Master/Musician position. We hope to have a new leader soon. (Verna Lynch)

I sing alto in the Ktizo Choir. I was born in Washington D.C. in 1932. We were an average Presbyterian family, in Frederick, Maryland, where my father sold wholesale hardware. My mother kept house. I had an older brother but much of my life I felt like an only child.

College was just two blocks from home. I studied early childhood education and graduated in 1955. After teaching two years in the area, I met a soldier stationed at nearby Ft. Detrick, while doing a little theater. We had a whirlwind courtship from April to September. He then left the army, returned home to Massachusetts, and got a job. We married in February of 1959 and I moved to Massachusetts. We bought a big old house. I opened a kindergarten which I ran for 8 years.

Dan was a Catholic, which made no waves in our life together, but was a big complication when we tried to adopt children. Mixed marriages were not accepted in Massachusetts. When the opportunity arose we moved to Rhode Island, where the laws were more accepting. We were quickly approved and soon welcomed sixteen month old Christopher into our lives. The next year we welcomed nine month old Margaret. Then, because we weren’t happy in Rhode Island, we moved back to Massachusetts. It was a great shock, soon after that, to discover we were pregnant. Soon we were parents of three children very close together. Thomas was born in 1970.

Dan and I were somewhat unusual because we decided early on to be a couple in both our churches, so we were very busy. I got a job directing the church school at the local congregational church. Dan accepted the job of organizing CCD at his church. This is something like our Sunday School. We had to be very careful when called for information about which church we liked.

Although they were card carrying Catholics, our children were at home in both churches. We did some things as a family because Dan was Catholic (like not eating meat of Fridays during lent) and some things because I wasn’t.

On our sixteenth anniversary we were fortunate enough to make a Marriage Encounter weekend. It was a life changing experience. We learned how to talk to each other more effectively. We learned how to

argue lovingly. Dan learned how to dig for his feelings and share them with me. Loving each other is not enough. A feelings level discussion, instead of opinions, makes a big difference because it doesn’t threaten your mate. It works with children too. We found our whole family was more secure in our love for each other. This gave us the courage to accept a job from Honeywell Phoenix and move across the country, leaving all our support systems behind.

Once here Dan and the children settled in at Saint Jerome Catholic Church. That first summer atmass we saw that the Marriage Encounter group was having a car wash. We stopped by. Seeing the M.E. license plate on the front of our car, several

couples enthusiastically greeted us with hugs and invited us to an ice cream social that evening. That easily we had a Phoenix family.

A Marriage Encounter couple asked if we would like to work with the marriage preparation program. We stayed with this program many years, working our way up to coordinating couple. We were the only mixed couple in the valley leading a prep team but we had one of the best programs in the valley. It really kept us centered on what was important in our “coupleness.” We gave it up when, at 72 yrs of age, we felt that the young couples no longer thought we were relevant.

I spent several years at Beatitudes Church, first at the Sunday 9am service in the choir, and later at the Saturday service. I had come to love Ted and Nancy, so when the break came I followed them to Ktizo. Ktizo is such a special place. The love and support I have found here has been a tremendous help to me through the mental decline of my dear Dan and his passing. God bless you all. (Verna Lynch)

On Sunday, March 16 we had the privilege of celebrating with the Rev. Jerry Leggett, a traveling troubadour who shares his faith through music. He and his guitar were joined by our own Nathan on the piano and our friend John Dorhauer on drum.

The message was about looking for peace and how to find it. We sang and smiled and clapped and swayed and had a wonderful time. We also all got the message that there is more than one way to preach the word. We are all a little richer for the experience.

He elaborated on his theme “Turtle With a Moustache” by telling us a friend said, “You have about as much chance of achieving peace as you have of seeing a turtle with a moustache.” Jerry said, “When the time is right, we’ll have peace, and a turtle with a moustache.” Seen any mustached turtles lately? (Verna Lynch)

Our youth, with the leadership of Clare Broyles, decided to raise money so children of La Flor, Nicaragua, could go to school. It takes $50 per child for the uniform and other costs. The youth’s goal was: $150 (three children in school). They are sending twelve children to school, after raising $634.50. Grant Lewis suggested they try a bake sale to make money. Some youth and parents came to church early on bake sale day, baked their goods, and sold out quickly. Their creations were fresh and delicious. Congratulations to the youth and thanks to all who donated.

We are still negotiating for a building. Proposals and counter proposals have been passed. We hope to have news of our new location soon.