Save the date! March 1st to March 3, 2013. All women of SOTV and their friends and relatives are invited to attend. There will be fellowship, laughing, studying, sleeping, singing, praying, eating (meals are included). The cost is $150 per person. Half the cost may be paid at the time of registration and the remainder paid the week prior to the event. For those who cannot afford the $150, SOTV may be able to help with a scholarship. Ask about the scholarship before you say no. If you cannot attend this year, please consider a donation to the scholarship fund. For additional information, contact any of the following committee members: Debi Ciddio, Ilse Gay, Lorrie Stepetic, or Maggie Leach. Registration information will be available soon.

Our summer worship schedule begins on May 27^th with one service at 9:30 a.m. Christian Growth classes are planned for 10:45 a.m. during the summer. We go back to the regular schedule on Labor Day weekend.

We laughed, we cried, we DANCED!

The practice of Passing of the Peace began reappearing in congregations in the 60s and 70s but has its origins in the early Christian Church. In the letters of Paul there are several references to greeting one another with "a holy kiss" (Rom 16:16 ; 1 Cor 16:20 ; 2 Cor 13:12 ; 1 Thess 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14 ). In the worship of the early church this took on a specific function in the liturgy. Usually it occurred after the sermon or just before the distribution of communion. Its function was to visibly demonstrate that all who were present were welcome, one in the faith and that no sin stood in the way of their unity with God in Christ.

Of course, over time the actual kiss of peace has given way to either a handshake or an embrace. The purpose, however, is the same: a visible demonstration that we are members of the one body of Christ. Because we have been reconciled to God through Christ, we therefore are also reconciled with one another.

What it is not is simply a time to say "howdy" to every-one, or to talk about what you'll be doing after church. The purpose of passing the peace is to respond to the Good News of God’s reconciling love by demonstrating that we are members of Christ's body. It can be uncomfortable for some, but it can have some tremendous benefits. Consider this: what if you don't want to share the peace with the person sitting in front of you because you are mad at that person for something they did to you or said about you? The fact that you don't even want to shake hands with that person would suggest that indeed there is a need for reconciliation to take place. The passing of the peace helps us to move in that direction so we might live together as one community in the peace of God.

Tom Hart

CHILDREN IN WORSHIP -- worship bags for your kids are available at the rear of the sanctuary. The bags have crayons, paper and other small items to keep your children occupied during worship. All are welcome to pick one up and make use of the supplies. We only ask that when the service is over, you return the bags to the basket near the double doors. Childcare for children up to 5 years is in the Nursery and a Cry Room is located at the back of the Sanctuary.

CENTS-ABILITY jars will be in the sanctuary and the gathering space on Sunday for your coin donations which will go to fight hunger in New Mexico.

SOTV Presbyterian Church invites you to our Contemporary Worship Service, to be held on Wednesday, May 9^th at 7:00 p.m. Our desire is to offer a mid-week worship experience for anyone looking for an opportunity to come together to learn more about the good news of Jesus Christ. Rev. Tom Hart will preach, with praise music led by the SOTV Praise Band.

EKO Coordinator Still Needed - This could be one person or a couple who would like to coordinate the Wednesday night series starting in September. Program participants will be asked to assist in the clean up so that burden doesn't fall on just a few folks. If you feel the call to do this, contact the church office and they will put you in touch with Jennifer.

Our youth praise band, the UTZ, competed in the Rio Rancho Battle of the Bands on Saturday, March 12th at 7:30pm.

Under the leadership of Dan Medrano, (6 0f our 10 member band) Laura and Tomas Atencio,Carlie and Rachel Capener, Emma Hines and Derrick Medrano performed 5 contemporary praise and worship songs in the Rock Alternative category of the competition. The crowd was very responsive and supportive; one of the supporters of another Christian youth band, Focus'd, complimented their song choices and commented on our large group.

Others held up hand made signs and cheered for them. After the competition, the UTZ, and their fans enjoyed an evening of fellowship at Dion's pizza. While the UTZ did not place in the competitition, we are all very proud of the love of God they shared.

This was the first time the UTZ have ever competed, though it is not the first time they have taken worship into the world. For several years now, the UTZ have performed at the annual Chile Festival, which raises money for Habitat for Humanity. And last year, 2010, they provided worship music for the Presbytery of Santa Fe's Senior high retreat at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM.