Rev. Cynthia Kristopeit, Pastor

I was born and raised in Racine, WI, where my father worked for S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc.  From the moment I can remember, we were active in the Lutheran Church.  Sunday School and Vacation Bible School are warm memories in my heart. 

When I turned 12, I went through three extensive years of confirmation, and it was during that structured immersion in the life of the church that I received my call.  Of course, I didn't know it was a call then, but confirmation had a profound affect on my life.

I spent many years working for S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. in Racine, WI.  Much of those years were spent in the credit department and then later in the Marketing Department working on the company's RAID line.

After a move to Milwaukee, I made a prayerful decision to join with a United Methodist Church on the campus of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  I became very active in that church's social justice ministries and outreach. 

Through the ensuing years, I continued to feel God's gentle call.  A family move to Aberdeen, South Dakota gave me an opportunity to complete my college education, and get my B.A. from Northern State University with a major in history and a minor in English.

In 1997, while I was in college, the Dakotas Annual Conference asked me if I would like to serve two small rural churches (Rockham and Miranda) as a Student Local Licensed Pastor.  Both of these congregations affirmed my call, while actively loving me into ministry.

In 1992, our family experienced a major life shift, and it was during that time that my Bishop encouraged me to pursue ordained ministry.  I enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL.  Upon completion of my Master of Divinity degree, I returned to the Dakotas to serve two churches in Rapid City.  I 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, I felt the spirit was calling me back to my home in Wisconsin and I transferred into the Wisconsin Conference. 

While in Wisconsin, I met my husband, William Uminski.  How we met is a great story, and we'd be happy to share that with you sometime.  We married July 5, 2003.  Bill is retired from Johnson Wax in Racine, WI. 

For many years, off and on, I would occasionally look into an appointment in Arizona, as my parents have lived here since 1983.  In 2004, I was offered an appointment. 

I have two children.  My daughter, Jennifer Ruud is married to Geraldo Bruno.  They live in Little Rock, AR where Jenny works in higher education, and Gerry is involved in producing commercials and documentaries.

My son Christian Ruud is a lawyer in Minneapolis and on May 21, he will be marrying Anne Schafer in the British Virgin Islands.

Bill has three children:  Candi and Keith 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.

I have one sister, Susan Majarrez who lives in Flagstaff.

I come to Los Arcos with over twenty years of ministry experience.  I am a two-time recipient of the Georgia Harkness Scholarship presented by The Division of Ordained Ministry, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.  I have had the opportunity to author several issues of Word and Witness (now Preaching Word and Witness) and published a sermon in Seasons of Preaching (Liturgical Publications, New Berlin, WI), a compilation of sermons collected from Word and Witness editors.  I have a story in Sharing Visions:  Divine Revelations, Angels, and Holy Coincidences, John E. Sumwalt, Editor.  Other published works include poems and an essay entitled "Women and Their Call to the Priesthood.”  I currently chair the Desert Southwest Conference Commission on Religion and Race. 

My 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 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.

Both Bill and I are honored to be appointed to Los Arcos United Methodist Church, and are looking forward to serving with you in ministry.

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.

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.)