The St. Lawrence Church library is organized and maintained by Pam Tovik. A library clerk for the Santa Cruz Public Library system in her "other life," Pam is a lifelong book lover. She was approached to create a library for the church before its move into the permanent building in the winter of 2002. Pam agreed, not anticipating what a big job it would become. Donations of books poured in over a period of months, so that the library has grown to several thousand volumes.

Pam has several helpers who take turns manning the library during coffee hour on Sundays, but she does most of the cataloging and maintenance of the library herself. Still, she does not regret making this commitment, although it takes a lot of her time. She believes firmly that "the Holy Spirit can really touch people through books."

Pam's personal experience certainly bears this out. As a nonbeliever back in 1976, Pam read the novel The Word by Irving Wallace, which discusses historical evidence for Jesus' existence. This novel got her thinking and inspired her to go looking for a church. The church she happened to find was Wee Kirk, a tiny church in Ben Lomond that later joined with others to form the St. Lawrence community. It was Easter, and the sermon was on the theme, "Jesus is alive." Pam knew in her heart at that moment that not only did Jesus live and die two thousand years ago; He is alive today and loves mankind. She was deeply moved, and she kept going to Wee Kirk from then on.

Pam met her husband, Nick, at Wee Kirk soon after. They got married in 1978 and have two grown children.

Pam encourages everyone to make use of the library regularly. There is a good selection of literature, reference books, and children's books in addition to Orthodox books, periodicals, and videos, and new materials are coming in all the time. "Reading is a good way to deepen your walk with God," says Pam.

Come visit the library soon! For help in choosing books, see "On Spiritual Reading."