Sunday, October 19, 2025
The meeting of the Secretariat was called to order by Lay Director Alan Day at 2:30 P.M. Present were Pastor Debra, Mary Kartak, Kim Sparkman, and Alan. The Pray of the Holy Spirit was recited. A motion to accept minutes of the last meeting was made by Alan and seconded by Pastor Debra.
Alan reported that he and Brick Thompson are still working on the changing of authorized signatures for the Wells Fargo Bank account.
Alan stated that Rick Hanzlik has updated the Utah Via de Cristo website and that it is much improved but remains a work in progress. He stated that Rick is in possession of the Utah VdC computer and that Rick also knows the whereabouts of the Keyboard.
Alan stated that he was a participant when some VdC men who went through the contents of the shed that Utah VdC has on the grounds of Good Shepherd and that they, “Tossed a bunch.” He stated that most of the mattresses were okay and might be donated, perhaps to an organization supporting the homeless. He stated that the songbooks for VdC were among the contents.
Alan stated that he was able to be a part of the volunteer group that supported the Kairos weekend at Camp Tracy. Members of the Walk to Emmaus group also assisted.
Alan noted that while Walk to Emmaus officers have expressed an intention to show support for an upcoming VdC weekend, it is generally expected that organization and Utah Via de Cristo will hold separate weekends. Camp Tuttle is currently the most viable site option. October of 2019 was the last time that Utah Via de Cristo held a weekend. Walk to Emmaus is no longer able to use the Wanship site due to their reduced number of participants. Both organizations have expressed commitment to providing manpower for each other during their respective weekends.
Mary reported that a schedule of quarterly Ultreyas for 2026 has been developed and that flyers stating dates and locations are printed for distribution at the Ultreya on this date.
Alan attended the National Via de Cristo gathering in Charlotte NC this summer. He stated that 150 to 200 were in attendance. He was able to assist by helping to serve communion, by providing a reading, and by ushering. Rick Hanzlik attended and served as the Utah delegate. The national convenor was re-elected to serve again in 2026. The national gathering is scheduled for the last weekend of July next year in San Antonio, Texas.
Mary made a motion that Bryan C., the national convener, be invited to attend one of the Ultreyas scheduled for Utah VdC in 2026. Kim seconded the motion which passed.
Mary informed the group of her resignation as secretary of the Secretariat and as Liaison/Ultreya coordinator. Her resignation was accepted.
The secretariat meeting ended at 2:50 pm, followed by informal interaction with Ultreya attendees prior to the time of worship at 3:00 pm. The Ultreya was attended by 50 + men and women. Candace Hockett served as the Good Shepherd liaison. Pastor Stephenson provided communion and a short message. Musicians were Lonnie Hockett, Tom Krause and Bruce Brunswold. Generous amounts of food were brought for the potluck. Serving supplies for the next Ultreya were placed in the possession of Cathy Ricci, Liaison for the January Ultreya.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Kartak, Secretary