Pastor dons hard hat, builds church for his congregation
BY KENNETH LAFAVE
Tim Klontz wears a hard hat to church. Not on Sundays, of course. And technically, it’s not a church—yet.
“People at church call me ‘Pastor Tim,’” Klontz said, pulling off his work gloves.
People at Klontz Builders Inc. call him boss.
“I’ve been a pastor for 35 years and I got my general contractor’s license in 1998,” Klontz explained of his dual professions.
If preaching the Bible and overseeing construction are not exactly an everyday combination, Klontz cites a precedent:
“Jesus was a builder, too.”
Klontz is senior pastor at Chandler’s Family Bible Church, currently located at 2725 S. Alma School Rd. The construction site for Family Bible’s campus-to-be is at the corner of Ocotillo and McQueen roads.
The 225-person congregation plans to move into the new structure sometime next year.
Family Bible Church has leased its current location since 2010, Klontz said. The economics of owning versus leasing and the need to accommodate a growing congregation led the church to buy land and finance a new, larger building.
“What we have now is around 15,000 square foot, and what we’ll move into next year will be around 25,000,” he said.
“When you’ve been making lease payments on somebody else’s property, you realize that can build your own and it
can end up costing less.”
For most of Klontz’s life, the world of the Word and that of concrete met in his firm’s specialty of building churches.
“I’ve built churches all around the Valley,” he said, reeling off some of their names: Grace Fellowship in Buckeye; Estrella Mountain Church in Goodyear; Grace Church in Mesa; Sun Valley Community Church in Gilbert; Centro de Alabanza Juda in Chandler.
Now, for the first time, those two worlds are meeting in Klontz’s church.
Family Bible Church began in 2004 with a very small congregation that met in Hancock Elementary School in Chandler. After six years, it moved into the rental property, where the congregation numbers about 220. Anticipating further growth over the coming years, Klontz said the new building will have a main space seating 450, plus rooms for Sunday School, a nursery and various ministries.
Klontz is not the only one at Family Bible contributing work on the new building.
“Our children’s pastor is a professional architect named Andrew Carson,” who drew up the plans, Klontz said. Another member of the church is Dana Wheeler of Integra Engineering, who has overseen the engineering. And for financing, the church called on the expertise of member Don Wheeler, a senior vice president at Alliance Bank of Arizona.
It’s in keeping with the volunteer
tradition of Family Bible.
“As senior pastor, I’m the only paid, fulltime employee of the church,” Klontz said, adding that some part-time workers are employed in the church nursery.
“Everybody else volunteers, including our youth pastor and a pastor who visits the prisons.”
Klontz characterizes Family Bible
Church as “a Bible-centered, Christian conservative church that teaches people how to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.”
Kenneth LaFave is an associate editor with the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at klafave@timespublications. com.
St. Andrew hosts fifth Health & Wellness Expo
St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Faith Community has scheduled its fifth Health & Wellness Expo for 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the church, 3450 W. Ray Rd., Chandler.
The free event will feature more than 30 booths manned by folks in all phases of health and wellness—diagnostics, physicians, chiropractic offices, massage therapists, insurance representatives and more. Attendees will enjoy
demonstrations, massages, informational handouts, treats and door prizes. Parish nurses will provide free blood pressure screenings. Flu shots will be available at the Walgreens booth. More than 3,000 people are anticipated. St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Faith Community is a parish of more than 4,700. For more information, call (480) 899-1990, ext. 136, or visit www. standrewchandler.com.
Contractor Tim Klontz is building a church for his congregation. Submitted photo
Chompie’s honors Jewish Day of Atonement
Chompie’s, Arizona’s New York Deli, will have its annual Yom Kippur Breakthe-Fast takeout menu. Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, begins at sundown Tuesday, Sept. 22, and ends at sundown Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Following a time of fasting, families and friends gather to break the fast with traditional Jewish food.
Chompie’s Break-the-Fast Yom Kippur takeout menu features a variety
of holiday classics to enjoy at home. Gourmet smoked fish, house-made deli salads and fresh challah are just a couple of the local favorites. Gluten-free friendly dessert options are also available.
For those feeding a crowd, there are fish, salad, fruit and dessert platters available for a minimum of 12 people.
For all take-out offers, provide the nearest Chompie’s with 24 hours’ notice to ensure the order is ready. Visit www. chompies.com to view the complete menu.
Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation lists upcoming events
The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation is an established reform congregation that meets at the Sun Lakes Chapel on the second Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Services are a great opportunity to meet new people, connect with Judaism and learn. New attendees are invited to be introduced at the service and members of the congregation connect with the attendees. Oneg Shabbats are held immediately after the services at Sun Lakes Country Club. Everyone is invited to attend. The services and Onegs are a great place to meet members, ask questions and learn more about the congregation.
welcome by the president; Rabbi Irwin Wiener and Cantor Rhonda Polesky; meeting board members and committee chairs and learning about their roles; introduction to Sisterhood and Men’s Club; donation and social action; discovering the online Shpiel; listening to the renowned choir; Passover Seder; adult Bar and Bat Mitzvah, adult education and Hebrew classes; formation of new social groups and Chavarahs; trip to Israel and affordable dues. For those who wish to attend should email Doris Codkind at Randor55@gmail.com or call (480) 8831378 or Jeff Spear at Jeff.Spear46@gmail. com or call (480) 556-1284.
Sisterhood events resume
Sun Lakes Sisterhood has resumed its meetings, the first of which will be held Thursday, Oct. 15. Gwen Tierney, a docent from the Phoenix Art Museum, will be presenting a program, with slides, on the fashions of “Downton Abbey” and the changing world of fashion. Her talk highlights the glamorous fashions adorning the aristocratic Crawley family and the functional clothes worn by the staff. Tierney joined the docent program at the museum in 1999 and has been an active participant since. Her recent focus has been on the Fashion Design Gallery. The New Member Luncheon will be held on the same day. The meeting will be at the Chapel Center, starting at 1 p.m. Call Anita at (480) 895-8203 or Norma at (631) 889-2048 for those who would like to be included.
The board would like to take the
opportunity to thank some of the members of the business community who graciously and generously contributed goods and/or funds to the Card Party last February.
Other businesses include Dr. Edward Tokatlian/Associated Internists of Ahwatukee; MICA Creek-Sagamore Capital Partners, LLC; Millennium Lighting LLC; Rue Bax; Dr. Scott Kriener/ Ahwatukee Sports & Spine; Jim McFazden; Border States Industries Inc; Dr. Randall Porter/Neurological Associates LTD; Debi Rizzo/L’mage Salon Studios; Kellis Nails; Alex the Salon; Southwest Jewelry & Coin; Jeffrey S. Garelick, D.D.S./Ocotillo Dental Care P.C.
Other upcoming events include the Card Party on Tuesday, Feb. 2, and the Sisterhood Shabbat on Friday, Feb. 12.
Potluck, walk, concert celebrate
International Peace Day
The Potluck and Labyrinth Peace Walk, followed by Celia Concert, will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20.
The International Peace Day is a day of global ceasefire and nonviolence. In recognition of this day, Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center will hold its
celebration in Apache Junction. An address will be provided upon RSVP. Bring a chair for seating.
For more information, call the Rev. Julianne Lewis at (480) 593-8798. To RSVP, visit www.interfaith-community.org.
Epiphany Lutheran Church offers ‘The Story’
“The Story” is a book of selections from the Bible, arranged chronologically, that reads like a novel. During this unique 31-week experience, every member of the family reads their own version of “The Story.”
The journey will be held 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19, and at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 800 W. Ray Rd., Chandler.
For more information, visit www. epiphanychandler.org.
The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation is hosting a meet and greet to introduce individuals to its organization from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. The social gathering will include a
The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation invites everyone to come to the Friday, Oct. 9, Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. where new members will be honored. In honor of the holiday of Sukkot yizkor will be recited.
enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to news@ santansun.com.
Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website. Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not those of the SanTan Sun News.
Rabbi Irwin Wiener. Submitted photo
SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS
Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting you would like listed in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to news@santansun.com.
SUNDAYS
Ecstatic Dance
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 20
Join in on the fun and move. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800.
Celebration Service
10:30 a.m. Sundays
All with peaceful beliefs are welcome to this inclusive, loving, thriving UNITY Community. Join the group at 10 a.m., preceding the service, for fellowship. Youth and toddlers meet during service. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline, Suite 102, Mesa. Info: (480) 593-8798, www. interfaith-community.org
Kids’ Sunday School
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays
Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800, www.unityofchandler.org
Lift Your Spirit
10 a.m. Sundays
Hear inspirational messages and music. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800, www.unityofchandler.org
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
7:30 a.m. traditional worship
9 a.m. traditional worship and choral music
11 a.m. contemporary worship with live Christian rock band There is also a service at 12 p.m. Wednesdays.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W. Erie St., Chandler. Info: (480) 899-7386, www.saintmatthewschurch.org.
MONDAYS
The Art of Parenting
7:30 p.m. Mondays
Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99. Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. Info: (480) 855-4333, rabbi@chabadcenter.com
TUESDAYS
Silva Class and Meditation
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays
Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800.
Career Connectors
9 a.m. to noon, fourth Tuesday of month
Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to high-quality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies,
networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits. Central Christian Church, Gilbert Campus/Student Center, 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert. Info: www.careerconnectors. org, (480) 442-5806
Christian Business Networking, Tri-City Chapter—Chandler, Tempe, Mesa
7:15 a.m. Tuesdays
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Crackers and Co. Café, 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa. Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com
Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter
7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays each month
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Chandler Christian Church, Room C100, 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler. Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com
Grief Share
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays
A combination seminar and support group that meets weekly with people who understand because they have “been there” themselves. Fee for materials is $15, but scholarships are available. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Info: (480) 963-4127, www.htlutheran.com
HOPE—Help Overcoming Painful Experiences
7 p.m. Tuesdays
Free weekly small group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free child care for children ages 10 and younger. Desert Springs Church, Room 106, 19620 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler. Info: hope4all@comcast.net, www. helpovercomingpainfulexperiences.org
Shalom Chapter of Hadassah
11:30 a.m. second Tuesday of each month Iron Oaks (Oakwood) Clubhouse, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes. Info: Cyril, (480) 802-0243; Kathy, (480) 895-5194; Shirley, (480) 883-9159; or Joyce, (480) 802-4902.
Monthly Women’s Fellowship
6:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month
The monthly fellowship Bible study with the East Valley Chapter of Christian Women’s Devotional Alliance “ministers to women’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs.” Best Western-Mezona 250 W. Main St., Mesa. Info: (480) 232-3773
Narcotics Anonymous (Nar-Anon)— Chandler Chapter
7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Twelve-step program for families and friends of addicts. Faith Community Church, 1125 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler. Info: www.nar-anon.org
WEDNESDAYS
Pranic Healing
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday
Receive a 15-minute energetic tune-up. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800.
Gong Meditation and Yoga Nidra
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday Presented by Will Zecco, gong master. Bring yoga mat, blanket and pillow as desired. Love offerings will be accepted. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Suite 102, Mesa. Info: (480) 593-8798 or www.interfaithcommunity.org.
“A Course in Miracles” with the Rev. Julianne Lewis
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesdays
The weekly group is an interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for course beginners, as well as longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith
CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline, Suite 102, Mesa. Info: (480) 5938798, www.interfaith-community.org
The Art of Parenting
9:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99. Chandler Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler. Info: (480) 855-4333 or rabbi@chabadcenter.com
Panic Healing and Meditation
7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays
Guided meditation and healing for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in their lives. Love offering requested. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800
Grief Care
6:30 p.m. Wednesdays
A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone. Epiphany Lutheran Church, South Campus, old church building, 800 W. Ray Rd., Room 325, Chandler. Info: www.griefcareaz@gmail.com
Healing Prayer and Meditation Circle 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays
Guided prayer, affirmations and visualization for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in their lives. Love offering requested. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800
Join us for a 31-week life-changing sermon series beginning September 19 and 20 at 6 p.m., 8:30 and 11 a.m.
