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Published on 06/05/1995 All articles from this issue

United Methodist pays tribute to a longtime, gracious volunteer

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By Clyde Noel / Town Crier Staff Writer

Marie Cieslak's work with the church goes back almost 40 years

Tears started running down Marie Cieslak's cheeks when the music began. And the combo started to play, "There Will Never Be Another You."

More than 300 members of the Los Altos United Methodist Church felt the same way. They gathered for the "Celebrate Marie Cieslak" retirement dinner May 20, in the Creekside Center, located on the church grounds at Foothill Expressway and Magdalena Road.

"Marie and I have worked together for more than ten years," said Nancy Roslund, director of lay ministry. "She is one of the most giving and caring persons this community has ever produced, and she is the greatest volunteer this church has ever seen."

United Methodist Church members are all aware of Cieslak because she maintains regular contact with them. She's made a regular habit of helping people in nursing homes or those who are house bound due to illness or advancing age.

Cieslak visits homes and hospitals and provides worship services at nursing or convalescent facilities. She also helps coordinate arrangements for memorial funeral services and receptions.

"Marie teaches everybody how to give and does it in a way that makes you amazed at her capacity for generosity," said John Dodson, senior pastor of United Methodist Church.

Cieslak's work with the church goes back as far as 1956. Her husband, Alfred, was transferred from Chicago to the Bay Area by a research firm. When they started to look for a place to live, they used the train to house hunt.

"The train we were on came to the Rancho station and the conductor and engineer got off to eat at the Cookhouse restaurant which is now the Blintz," Cieslak said. "We noticed a sign across the railroad tracks, now Foothill Expressway, that said, 'Strawberry Ice Cream Festival.' "

It was Memorial Day weekend and the festival was provided by the Methodist Youth Fellowship. The couple went to the festival and came back the next Sunday for church services.

"Coming from Chicago, we were so impressed with this laid-back community that we decided we wanted to live here," Cieslak said.

The Cieslak's moved to Los Altos, joined the United Methodist Church during the church's infancy and lived here for many years.

"My husband thought the church was so small they would have a building campaign if it grew any bigger. After we joined, I was asked to join the membership committee and my husband became a member of the building committee. What a great way to get acquainted in the late 1950s," Cieslak said.

Cieslak taught fourth grade Sunday School in the Bethel Methodist Church in Chicago and agreed to become a substitute teacher. After one year of substituting, she agreed to have her own Sunday School class.

Cieslak, at 15, was a member of the Epworth League and went to a Methodist youth fellowship convention in Kansas. While at the convention she had a call to the ministry. "I made a commitment at that time to serve Christ in my life." Cieslak said.

In 1957, the Cieslak's helped form the couples club which is still functioning as the Keystone Club. One Sunday after services the Cookhouse was closed, so the Cieslaks invited the members to their house for breakfast. She continued the practice until her husband's death in 1983.

"After my husband died, I went through a period of grief, and I had some long and angry conversations with God. Through prayer I saw a vision that told me I had not completed my commitment to full time service," Cieslak said.

After thinking it over a few days, she went to her pastor, John Dodson and consulted him. Listening attentively, he concluded that if it's a real call to the ministry, time would tell and she should proceed as if it was. Cieslak went to the Center of Ministry in Oakland and after some testing received an affirmative answer.

Her pastor, Dodson, then made arrangements to attend Fuller Theological Seminary at Menlo Park. The program lasted four years and she received her Master of Arts in Theology in 1990.

When the Cieslaks came from Chicago, Marie started working in real estate with Wayne Miller Properties. She gained further experience working at Cornish & Carey and then moved to Whitecliff Realty where she acted as agent and owner broker.

During the time she was attending Fuller Theological Seminary, Cieslak ran Whitecliff Realty, volunteered at church, and went to school evenings and weekends.

When she applied for ordination as a diaconal minister she discovered she was beyond the retirement age, so she returned to United Methodist full time as the parish visitor. As a parish visitor, Cieslak offers the message of the church to people who can't come to church.

At the retirement dinner, fellow worker and church member Hallis Ayres remarked, "I work in the office with Marie. She is gentle, loving, caring and she probably embodies the true meaning of being a Christian and a real dear friend."

When Pastor John Dodson asked the audience, how will you remember Marie? Members commented, "She goes grocery shopping for those who are ill." "She serves as a notary republic." "She is the unofficial church social worker and at community bible study she does everything that John does."

"That's Marie's way of expressing her love to God," Stan Barkey, chair of the staff-parish relations committee explained. "When God decided to give us love, he gave us Marie."

Carol Schaefer, administrative assistant to the senior pastor affirmed, "We have a living breathing angel who we see every day. She makes our day brighter. I am sure everyone has heard of Marie. She has touched more lives in a positive way than anyone I know."

After a presentation of gifts, more tributes, a presentation of a memory book, a musical tribute by the Morning Glory Choir and more remarks by Dodson, Cieslak gave thanks.

"I can't leave this stage without saying thank you, God, for the privilege of serving such a wonderful group of people," Cieslak said. "It has been a tremendous journey, and I only pray that God will bless each of you as God has blessed me."