Scene from former Monday Night at the Pit hosted by The United Church. Courtesy photo

UNITED CHURCH NEWS RELEASE

For many summers, Los Alamos National Laboratory summer interns, graduate students and the like have been hosted by The United Church at a Monday evening meal to socialize, and play volleyball (optional).

This summer, the action kicks off on June 6 at 5:30 p.m., and goes every Monday throughout the summer. The church maintains a sand volleyball court with adjacent picnic tables located in the 2500 block of Canyon Road across from the Aquatic Center and the Nature Center.

Church folks look forward to welcoming this young adult crowd to the free tail-gate meal each summer Monday.  It is all informal; participants self-organize for volleyball, and just enjoy meeting and greeting.

The church volleyball court is the result of two Eagle Scout projects.  Stephan Gerstl sited, leveled and placed the sturdy net standards in the 1980s. Refurbished and improved by John Dermer in the last 10 years, the court is available for use by the community. More recently, Girl Scout Jillian Puckett built a meditation pathway in the natural forested area surrounding the volleyball court for her Gold Award.

The United Church of Los Alamos grew out of the desire of a diverse group of Christians worshiping together after WW2. Perceiving strength in a united Christian faith and witness, this bold venture in ecumenism was chartered in 1947 by people involved in the Manhattan Project and the myriad of newcomers to Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. Their average age was 25. The church maintains official ties with Presbyterian Church USA; United Church of Christ; American Baptist Church; Christian Church Disciples; Moravian Church; and Reformed Church of America. Find out more at http://www.UnitedChurchLA.org