Rev. Cynthia Kristopeit, Pastor

Rev. Cynthia L. Kristopeit came to Los Arcos in 2009.  She was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin.  She first experienced God’s call to ministry during a three year confirmation program at her Lutheran Church. 

It was after she married and left home that she made a prayerful decision to join Kenwood UMC on the University of Wisconsin campus.  There she immersed herself in social justice ministries.

A family move to Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1984 afforded her the opportunity to complete her undergraduate degree at Northern State University with a history major and English minor.   During that time she was asked to serve Rockham UMC and Miranda UMC, two small rural churches, as a Student Local Licensed Pastor.  Upon graduation from Northern State University, she continued to serve as a Local Licensed Pastor.

In 1993 she enrolled in the Master of Divinity Degree program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL.  After graduation she returned to the Dakotas to serve two churches in Rapid City.  She was ordained a deacon in 1996 and ordained an elder in 1998, in the Dakotas Conference.

After several years of serving in the Dakotas Conference, she felt the Holy Spirit calling her back to the Wisconsin Annual Conference.  She guesses one of the Spirit’s reasons included meeting her husband, William Uminski.  In 2004, an opportunity opened up for them to move to the Desert Southwest Annual Conference making a long-term dream a reality.

Cindy has two children:  Jennifer (Geraldo Bruno) Ruud, and Christian (Anne Schafer) Ruud.  All of them live in Little Rock, AR.  Bill has three children:  Candi Koenig of Racine, WI, Tamara and Matt Pomeroy, and their son Adam of Racine, and Kristi and Max Maksimik, and stepson John of Hammond, IN.

Pastor Cindy has published in many professional journals and in two books.  Her ministry passions include preaching, teaching, mission outreach and enriching people's experience of the holy mystery of God so that we may all grow closer into God's heart of love and shalom. 

Pets:  We have a Chinese Crested Powderpuff named Bailey.

Favorite Color:  Green

Best Summer Memories:  My childhood vacations at Johnson Wax resort for their employees in Woodruff, WI.

Best Drink in the World:  Tejava Ice Tea (from Trader Joes)

If I weren't at work, I would definitely be exploring Arizona’s back country or fishing.

Bible Verse that means the most to me:  I John 4:7-14—God is love!

My hobbies include travel, photography, fishing, hiking, camping, exploring forest service roads, old mines and ghost towns, cross-stitch, reading and writing.

Mary Anne Boyles, Secretary

I was brought up in church but did not know Jesus as my personal Savior till I was in my thirties. We had a Lay Witness team from another Methodist church come and talk about knowing Christ as a real personal friend and I did not understand what that meant. I had an intellectual knowledge of Christ but not a heart knowledge; as person who loved me and was with me wherever I went and was with me no matter what circumstances I was going through. After accepting Christ, my life and focus was drastically changed and I’m thankful for His presence each day.

I have had many work experiences; as a teacher, day care director, credit manager, school secretary but this position here at Los Arcos has been the most enjoyable.

Although I’m from North Carolina, I have felt at home in Arizona. I love the people at Los Arcos who have been so helpful and supportive while I have been getting settled in Scottsdale.

My most meaningful Bible verses are:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. II Peter 3:9

My favorite pastime besides reading is finding a bargain at the Goodwill, thrift store or yard sale.

My most enjoyable fiction author is Dee Henderson who wrote the O’ Malley Series.

My favorite foods Tapioca pudding and dark chocolate.

David Topping, Music Director

I was born in California to a "musical" family (we even had a family folk-music band) and both my brother and I went into music professionally. I met Jody at California State Fullerton (although we also sang in an honor choir together before we knew one another), where I received a Bachelor's in Music Education. I came to Arizona for graduate studies and earned a Master's in Choral Conducting. My choral training also included studies at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Musikhochschule in Frankfurt, Germany (with renowned Bach scholar Helmuth Rilling).

In addition to serving as the Director of Music, I sing professionally in the Phoenix Chorale (formerly known as the Phoenix Bach Choir) and am the Computer Systems Manager for the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. I am involved in the operation of ChoralNet.org, the Internet's hub of choral music information, which I helped to found and develop. I have taught music in public schools at all levels, from elementary school through college. I am a bass-baritone soloist, having appeared with the Phoenix Symphony, the Arizona Bach Festival, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, the Phoenix Bach Choir, the American Bach Series, ensembles in Europe led by Helmuth Rilling, and in a number of college operatic productions. I also design and host websites through my HyperCreations internet business.

Jody Topping, Director of Sidewalk Sunday School

I was born in Brazil, Indiana, but moved to Southern California when I was three years old, so I really consider myself a “California Girl” at heart.  I grew up in a middle class suburb of Los Angeles where my family attended the Methodist Church in Tujunga (later Tujunga United Methodist Church).  I was not only baptized and confirmed in that church, but attended both Junior High and Senior High UMYF, and was married there in 1979 as well.  I attended Crescenta Valley High School, got my Bachelor of Arts Degree at California State University, Fullerton, married my husband, David Topping while attending CSUF, then spent a year living in Germany while David studied choral conducting in Frankfurt.  We eventually ended up in Porterville, CA where our two children, Ryan and Erika, were born while he was teaching high school choral music and I was working in the Personnel office of the school district office.  One day, while pregnant with Erika, David announced he wanted to move to Tempe, Arizona to go to graduate school…so we packed up our little family (when Erika was 6 months old) and moved.  The intention was we would be here long enough for David to finish his degrees – the reality is that we’re still here, nearly 19 years later!!  I eventually went back to school and earned a Masters’ Degree in Human Resource Administration, and in 1990 started working for the City of Mesa Human Resources Division, where I am currently the Employee Benefits Administrator.  My responsibilities include managing the City’s health and welfare plans, many of which are self-insured and self-administered.  In order to keep my vocal talents current, I sing in the choir at Los Arcos UMC (where David is the Music Director).

My ministries at Los Arcos UMC include directing Sidewalk Sunday School, which brings me great joy each and every week.  This ministry, which targets underprivileged children in our south Scottsdale neighborhood, strives to bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to children of all ages who might otherwise not know what a joy it is to have Jesus in their lives.  I’m also a certified lay speaker at Los Arcos, which means I can provide love and care to members of our congregation, as well as preach from the pulpit in our pastor’s absence from time to time as needed.  I see this as a stepping stone toward the possibility of entering the ministry sometime in the future…God and I are still having discussions about that!

Family?  Children?  Grandchildren?
Husband David; Son Ryan; Daughter Erika;  No Grandchildren…please, not yet!

Pets?
Daisy (a mixed breed) and Sheba (a Sharpei and who-knows-what-else mix).  Both are high energy, young dogs…like having two little kids again!!

Hobbies or Special Interests…
Scrapbooking and crocheting blankets.

Best summer vacation memory…
Several years ago David and I went to Tahiti with my mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law.  It was one of the best vacations I ever had…no stress!!  One day David and I went bike riding, another we went canoeing…although I still haven’t forgiven him for waking me up early and dragging me out to the beach to watch the sunrise nearly every morning!!

Favorite color…
Almost any shade of blue

Someday I want to…
Retire from my job and do the things I WANT to do instead of the things I HAVE to do!!

Favorite restaurant…
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant

Most influential person in my life…
My mom…she was not the most educated person in the world, but she had strong values and a firm belief in God that she passed on to her children.

Favorite Christmas Carol
Silent Night, sung in German, by candlelight, accompanied by guitar.

Bible verse that means the most to me…
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  John 15: 13
(This verse was first shared with me when I was in high school by a very dear friend of mine and it has stayed with me all of my life.)