The church on

The church is changing.

We all know it and it shouldn’t alarm us. The church has changed in every age since its birth at Pentecost. Every 500 years or so, though, hinges of history have produced large-scale changes. We’re hinging now, it seems, and no one is any more certain of the shape the church will emerge with after this reshaping than we were at other key moments.

People of faith should take to heart that God is at work in the world and in us in mysterious ways that aren’t all bad. They should also take to mind that all change isn’t necessary or necessarily good. Wisdom knows the difference, and it makes all the difference to know the difference.

Young adults today embody many of these challenges to the church. Traditional churches generally bemoan their absence in our pews. What’s become of our kids? We reared them in the faith. We taught them the Bible. We showed them the way. Doesn’t the proverb say, “Train up children in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it”? Do we have to wait for them to get old to see them return?

Many young adults have left the church altogether because they deem it either too judgmental or not firm enough, too political or not socially relevant, too uptight or too laidback. Others who share these contradictory concerns have found new church expressions that reinforce their spiritual values. These new churches look and feel quite different from the churches they knew as children. This concerns their parents and the preachers who preside over traditional churches.

Again, this shouldn’t surprise us. We are trying to find our way in a new day. Allow me to speak to each in turn.

To faith-weathered Christians first I would say, keep your heart open to what God might be up to with young adults. See if there is something to learn from those who are trying to hold the faith as surely as you but differently. Some are discouraged by our slow pace of change in addressing issues of the day they find compelling. They have seen the destructive power of a spiritual life that divides institutional religion and the unchecked pursuit of wealth. They believe the church should say something to the way the world is organized. They don’t understand why we tolerate the gap between rich and poor, why hungry children go unfed in a world of plenty, and why their gay friends are ostracized from the church. More conservative young adults are seeking answers to the moral breakdown they see in their own broken families, in a fragmented society, and in the churches they grew up in. They want a more secure world that keeps chaos at bay. They are seeking churches that take their concerns seriously—one way or another.

To faith-fledging Christians I would say, the church wasn’t invented yesterday. Everything that has been passed down isn’t wrong, worn, or needing to be shorn. Every age needs to rethink the faith, but the church doesn’t need reinventing as we do. The church isn’t a current clique; it’s the body of Christ extending across time. Those who came before you bear wisdom worth listening to. If you only worship with those of your generation or your opinion, you will stunt your spiritual growth. The church needs you, and you need the church. Older Christians need you, and you need them. Critics sit on the sidelines and never get hurt; players may get bruised in the contest but have the thrill of being in the game.

To both groups this: Truth is stubborn. Sometimes it’s more black and white than you want it to be; sometimes it’s grayer. In each case, it is what it is. You can’t bend it the way you want it. You have to bend to it.

May God keep us in one peace as we discover the path forward together.

City Hall

City Manager Mary Suhm’s recommendations for a $600 million bond package include constructing 47 miles of bike lanes. Suhm also recommends upgrading six miles of roadway to make “complete streets” to serve pedestrians, cyclists and motorists equally. Almost $334 million of the package would be spent on flood control improvements, most of that in the Baylor hospital area, which is plagued with flooding problems. About $55 million would go to economic development. City council is expected to vote on the bond package in August. If approved, Dallas residents would vote on the bond package in November’s general election.

Community

White Rock Paddle is open now through October, offering paddling lessons on the lake. Rentals of single and tandem kayaks run $15 an hour or $55-$65 a day. For information, visit whiterockpaddle.com.

People

Ally Collier, a Lake Highlands High School alumna, was featured in Style Archive online magazine in May, described as “the perfect mix of Kate-Bosworth-hip meets old-schoolLynn-Wyatt-chic.” Collier is a University of Oklahoma graduate working at Verdura, a jewelry boutique in New York City.

Lake Highlands resident Scott Dahlberg recently joined the staff at Preservation Tree Services, a professional tree care company serving the Dallas-Forth Worth area for the past 17 years. Dahlberg graduated from Southern Methodist University and is a certified arborist. He spent eight years in Vail, Colo., managing a resort before returning to Dallas.

Schools

Adam Meierhofer replaced Luke Davis in May on the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees, representing Lake Highlands. After 12 years of serving on the board, Davis decided not to run for re-election this year, and Meierhofer ran unopposed. The new board has elected this year’s officers: KimQuirk, president; KarenHolburn, vice president; KrisOliver, secretary; Kim Caston, treasurer; and LanetGreenhaw, Texas Association of School Boards delegate.

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Area Home Values

Seats in genuine colors & special shapes to match your toilet.

The Big Idea: How local women turned passions into professions

Very few can say they are passionate about their work, which is why the stories featured in these pages are so inspirindividual passions and transformed them into successful careers.

Johnette Taylor of Roundtree Landscaping is every bit as passionate, but she always knew she’d rather work outside of four walls. “I looked at forestry and some different options, and had never really heard of landscape architecture, until a friend of mine in high school said, ‘I think this is something you would enjoy. Look into it.’” Initially Taylor’s mother was skeptical. “She said, ‘Wow, there’s a lot of math and science in there, I’m not sure that’s for you, honey.’ ” Undaunted, Taylor explored the program at LSU, and plunged ahead. “I was fascinated by all the things landscape architecture encompassed,” she says. founded her company, Roundtree Landscaping. Today she manages a busy staff and a full agenda, serving commercial and residential properties.

Local dentist Dr. Kelli Slate turned her passion into a reality by returning to school to become a dentist. Now an established professional, Dr. Slate advises, “Don’t be afraid to advertise. It’s critical to get your name out there.” Dr. Slate says she was grateful to have solid family support when she returned to school, which is one path to success, but not the only path.

Dr. Debbie Shirico of Total Hearing Care found her life’s work during a summer gig at Lion’s Camp for Crippled Children. “I fell in love with some of the deaf children there,” she says. “I decided I wanted to work with deaf kids, so I went in sign language and enjoyed working with deaf kids and understanding deaf culture. “It’s like a whole world of its own. Learning how the deaf think and interact is like landing on a new island in another country.” Her career path took her through diagnostic testing and ultimately led her to hearing aids.

“I love helping people hear and putting a smile on their

With her passion for East Dallas, Elizabeth gives you solutions to all of your real estate needs

Extensive knowledge of market trends and broad-based marketing strategies coupled with a designer’s eye, gives her the ability to recognize the potential in every house. Buying you with more. to take a chance on acquiring an existing hearing aid business

Shifting Gears: How to change careers

There was a time when a career change seemed like a radical decision, but over the past decade changes in technology and economics have transformed the landscape. Whether by choice or necessity, career changes are more common — and more desirable — than they used to be.

Lake Highlands High School graduate Meghan Adams trained to be a broadcast journalist, lived in Washington, D.C., worked on “Nightline,” and even interned at the White House. It was an exciting beginning, but soon family pressures and several relocations took their toll. When she found herself back in Texas and closer to her family, she brainstormed with her sister (another LHHS graduate), and soon the two opened a business: The Hospitality Sweet.

so we could stay home with them and still do something creative,” says Adams, who has always enjoyed cooking. She thought there the business gravitated toward sweets. “Cakes, cookies, cupcakes, cake balls — and we also do hors d’oeuvres and box lunches.” erly Hills to make a special delivery. “We did a thousand cake balls for him,” Adams says.

Until recently, customers have picked up orders from Adams’ home, but this year the business has set up shop in London Café inside Timothy Oulton at Potter Square. Although they still take special orders, Adams says, “Now people will be able to come into the store and buy our sweets, rather than having to order a day ahead.”

Another local businesswoman who adjusted her work for her family life, Stacy Huston worked for 16 years in banking before she found her career of choice. When her daughter was born, she decided to try her own business, although the business she chose surprised her friends. She opened a Handyman Matters franchise. “People who know me know I’m not handy,” Huston been working on our home. It might sound crazy, but I thought I could be the one to change that for East Dallas.” You might expect Huston’s customers to be surprised that the business is owned by a woman, but she says that rarely happens. “The majority of people that hire us are women,” she says. “It makes logical sense. When something’s broken, they’re the ones who take care of it.”

Local Realtor Marissa Fontanez worked in corporate America for 10 years before finding her passion. “I got tired of sitting in a cube,” she says. “Now, I absolutely love real estate. I would never do anything different.” Fontanez has been a Realtor for seven years, and her favorite part of the job is the people connection. “I love seeing excitement on their faces, either when they first get their keys after a purchase, or that look of relief when they can say ‘Sold!’ and move on.”

For those who are interested in a career change, Realtor Scott Carlson suggests real estate. “Real estate is a great opportunity for someone who wants a career that revolves around their family, but also supports their need and their desire to work and bring home an income,” Carlson says. He also points out that the work can be satisfying for someone who wants to help others. “You have birth, marriage, death, divorce — all these life challenges or transformations — and you help people move to the next phase of their life.”

Even someone who does not change fields can migrate to a different area. “I did pediatric training before I did dermatology, and discovered I had an interest in rashes and birthmarks,” says Dr. Lynne Roberts, who went on to develop a pediatric dermatology program at UT Southwestern and Children’s Medical Center. “My interest in birthmarks got me interested in the laser field. Lasers for birthmarks didn’t come out until the ‘80s.” Once Dr. Roberts found lasers, she started on another new path. “Now we have seven lasers in the office,” she says. “As the field evolved, I was able to expand my practice. Now I do all laser and cosmetic dermatology.”

Sometimes a career change comes after a woman has been successful in one field, but due to her own growth and changes in her industry, she finds she has morphed into a whole new butterfly. Take B.J. Ellis for example: Ellis had a successful, award-winning career as a journalist before becoming a health and wellness coach, as well as a business owner. “I worked for 20 years in journalism. I’m a very hard-charging person,” Ellis says. However, her drive for success had some drawbacks, mostly related to her health. “We live in an age of acceleration, in a culture of expectation, based on achievement and acquisition. It’s no wonder that we’re so stressed out and exhausted. My business, Planet Vitality, is about making a few simple changes that will simply change your life. Choices we make today will affect us years from now, so let’s get started.”

Success Stories: Tips for women in business

Many women have toyed with the idea of starting their own businesses, but how do you know when the time is right? And once established, how do you ensure triumph? These local businesswomen have paved the way and share their secrets to success.

Established dentist Dr. Kelli Slate says she knew it was time to open her own practice when she realized she wanted more stability in the workplace. Slate, who was a hygienist at the time, found herself thinking she could do her boss’s job as well or better than he did. “That light bulb went off in my head,” Slate says. “So at age 32, I went back to four more years of college and furthered - age women to do that, if you reach that point in your career.” After dental school, she bought an existing practice and made her dreams come true.

Maintaining an appropriate work/life balance has played an important part in the success of Dr. Ashly Cothern, DDS. As a dentist and business owner, she says, “If I’m not here then the wife and I’m a mom, and after that I’m blessed to be a dentist.”stantly needs to tweak her approach, because as the kids change, so do priorities. “I certainly know if something gets out of bal-

Lynne J. Roberts, M.D.

Internationally Known Laser Surgeon

ance — If I’m working more than I’m home with my family then I feel out of whack. That’s when I know that something needs to change.”

For several local businesswomen, community involvement has played an important role in their success. Community service is an excellent way to be visible to prospective clients and also make a positive impact. Mary Pat Coco of Ebby Halliday says this philosophy is handed down from the founder of the company. “Sosored two free community events: a free paper-shredding event

Dr. Roberts offers a fullyequipped IN-OFFICE LASER SUITE , with all lasers on site, where she performs laser surgery daily. In addition to laser surgery for adults and children, she also specializes in COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, including skin rejuvenation, Botox, and “fillers”.

PIXEL FRACTIONAL RESURFACING provides firming of the skin and improves skin texture and tone, sun damage, wrinkles and acne scars with minimal downtime.

We are excited to introduce our new HIGHSPEEDLIGHTSHEER DUET LASER HAIR REMOVAL SYSTEM! This advanced technology with a new vacuum assisted, high speed handpiece eliminates the need for topical anesthetics and provides improved comfort, treatment speed and effectiveness. Treatment times for large areas such as legs, back or chest are reduced up to 75%. It is now possible to treat several different areas of the body in one session.

Lynne J. Roberts, M.D.

8144 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 360 Dallas, TX 75231

Clearly there’s a demand for this service in the community. The team will also be visible at the Fourth of July celebration at the Lake Highlands Rec Center, after the traditional neighborhood parade. “We’re planning pony rides, a rock-climbing wall, and some booth games geared toward the young children.”

Johnette Taylor of Roundtree Landscaping operates by the Golden Rule of business. “I treat people the way I want to be treated, and I expect the same in return,” she says. In the early days of her business she took her husband along to help her make a decision about a truck purchase, but was dismayed when the salesman repeatedly spoke to her husband instead of to her. “My husband kept saying, ‘Talk to her, she’s the one buying the truck.’ The salesman said ‘Yeah, yeah’ and then turned back to my husband.” When somebody treats her that way, Taylor says, she doesn’t do business with them, and she is mindful of the lesson when she interacts with her clients and associates.

For Dr. Nirmala Marneni of Oak Heights Dental, education is the key to success. She advocates that women take continuinging a dentist,” says Marneni, who credits her success to diligent planning, discipline and dedication to her dream. “As a result, today I own a business,” she says, and her pride of ownership is evident.

What if you happened to start your business on September 10, 2001, one day before 9/11? Kelly Harris, who owns her Farm-other areas to focus on,” she says. “A lot of agents didn’t make it through that time. But we looked beyond that.” to advertise call 214.560.4203

Golfing for a cause

Dallas Lutheran School executive director Dave Bangert (right) stands with teammates (right to left) director of development Jim Rader, head football coach John Bronkhorst and board member Don McAleenan at Dallas Lutheran’s 20th annual golf benefit held June 4 at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen. The event featured a foursome scramble, silent auction, lunch and prizes. More than 60 golfers participated, and proceeds aid the Dallas Lutheran athletics department.