[printprofilepic]Greetings from just up the road….De Anna Hoyle at your service.
I write this from Southern Colorado, where my husband, Joe and I have lived and worked for the past 7 years. With much excitement we plan our move to northern New Mexico and for me to serve the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos as your Director of Religious Exploration in a lifespan-learning capacity.
My mind and heart are full with the possibilities of beginning my full-time ministry in Religious Education after obtaining my Associate Credential from the UUA more than a year ago. I have served the Pagosah UU Fellowship while in the credentialing program and am grateful for the support from this wonderful community, a sister congregation to the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, I found out. While visiting Los Alamos last month, I was struck by the welcoming spirit and vibrant children and youth programs at this congregation. I attended the Youth Con here in December as a youth advisor, which gave me a wonderful opportunity to see it in action.
I have been a UU since my 25-year-old daughter was two, and have been a member of congregations in southern California and Pagosa Springs. As a volunteer I served as a member of both RE and Nominating committees and taught the junior high class for three years. I was involved in social justice and peace work, coordinated an Equal Exchange coffee and tea program and formed a Caring Network for Pagosa’s lay-led fellowship. I helped plan the women’s retreat for the Pacific SW district and served as a delegate at both GA and district meetings. I know the amount of work and dedication given by volunteers and it is evident in the people I met at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos and seen in the ground work done with Benette Sherman, Interim DRE. She speaks of the enthusiasm from those involved and I am thrilled by the opportunity to work with these amazing people.
For those I have not met, I look forward to meeting all of you soon.
Previous to my working as a DRE, I worked with Joe in a small retail awards business, which has been in existence for close to 25 years. Joe started the business and I came several years later to be a partner in both business and life. We have two 20-something daughters, one living here in Pagosa Springs the other in New York City.
We enjoy the outdoor life of the Four-Corners area and feel grateful for continuing our life in this beautiful area of the country. Joe and I are excited about exploring Los Alamos and its surroundings.
The challenge of beginning a new job and living in a new community is met with much support and helping hands on both ends of the move. I hold the relationships in my life as most sacred. They ground me in times of change and serve as my inspiration to be of service to you, the Los Alamos community of Unitarian Universalsits.
With much anticipation and heartfelt appreciation for our religious movement, let us walk together in love and covenant to affirm and promote all that our living tradition promises.
In Peace,
De Anna Hoyle
RE News
June-August:
We do not hold regular RE classes during the summer, however child care for nursery-6th grades is provided after the Time for All Ages segment. Children sit with their parents through Time for All Ages, and then leave with teen assistants for activities such as playground free play, games, arts and crafts, and snack.
August 8-13: Summer Camp
Registration is accepted until June 15 for K-6th grade (with 5th and 6th graders as helpers)
August 27: Coming of Age Retreat
September 11: Fall RE classes begin
