Creating a Culture of Renewal in the NM Conference
Thanks to Martha Benn for the photos

 
 
MissionInsite
 
MissionInsite in the El Paso District


MissionInsite in the ABQ District

Policeman's Daughter Dreams of Day Police,
Black Lives Matter can Work Together  

By Dr. Sheron C. Patterson, Communications Director of North Texas Conference
     I am an African American clergywoman who supports the Blue, and the daughter of a retired Charlotte policeman who supports Black Lives Matter. My social media posts bear both hashtags. I endorse both without betraying the other because they are not mutually exclusive. Also both are organically in my DNA.
     I was steeped in a fusion of blue pride and black pride. Growing up. my friends knew my dad, William Covington, was a cop and that gave me a feeling of status and protection. They dubbed me "Police Daughter" and I liked it. A duality was created in this black girl growing up in the 60's, hearing chants of "Black Power" and experiencing a love for her daddy's police community.
       His circle was other strong, proud black men who protected and served. People smiled when my dad walked into a room and they knew his name. I also grew up proud of my blackness. Whatever term was in at the time; Negro, Afro American, or Black, it was a good thing. Brown skin, curly hair and wide noses were to be cherished.
     Black Lives Matter and the police are often at odds across America. I stand between the two, divergent organizations. Often it is like holding the reins of two strapping horses who want to charge off in opposite directions. I cannot let go of either set of reins. Holding on threatens to rip me in half. I feel the anger, frustration and fear of both.
 

Lydia Patterson students bring 'gift of hope' to Louisiana

     The students of the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso know what it means to face challenges-and to overcome them.
     Students of the school, a majority of whom live in Juarez, Mexico, leave their homes on week days as early as 4 a.m. to travel to "La Lydia," as the school is affectionately known. They cross the bridge at the Mexico/United States border, and when they arrive at the United Methodist bilingual institution of learning, scholarship students often work for an hour on the chores they  have been assigned. "In exchange for tuition, these amazing kids perform kitchen chores or assist with mowing and keeping school grounds neat. Many of those same youth don't leave campus until around 7 or 8 if they participate in sports or after school activities. Then they begin their journey back across the bridge," said the Rev. Tom Garmon, vice president of Religious Affairs and chaplain for the Lydia Patterson Institute.
Read the full article

VanderWaal Wins It All
Twelve Year Old United Methodist Wins on America's Got Talent
from GNJ UMC News 

     Grace VanderWaal, the 12-year-old musical prodigy from Archer UMC in Allendale was crowned the 2016 winner of NBC's 'America's Got Talent' on Wednesday, September 14.
From the moment she confidently performed an original song she wrote titled "I Don't Know My Name" back in May, her name went viral. The video of her jaw-dropping debut garnered more than 60 million views, setting VanderWaal up to be the show's early front-runner.
     Sobbing as her name was announced, show judge Howie Mandel, who granted VanderWaal entrance into the completion via the golden buzzer, rushed the stage to give her a big hug. NBC stated that the season's finale earned the most votes from the audience in the show's history. Taking home a $1 million grand prize, VanderWaal is set to headline inside the PH Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on October 27-29. 
Click here to read the full article 

Chuck Knows Church - Blessing
Chuck Knows Church - Blessing
Chuck Knows Church - Blessing
 

Upcoming Events
 
October 
Oct. 2-5 - Fall Clergy Retreat - Sacramento
Oct. 3 - Healthflex Presentation - Sacramento
Oct. 7-8 - Lay Servant School - Asbury UMC, Odessa
Oct. 13 - Healthflex Presentation - Covenant UMC, ABQ
Oct. 14-15 - UMW Fall Meeting - Grace UMC, Alamogordo
Oct. 19 - Healthflex Presentation - St. Mark's UMC, El Paso
Postponed - Coaching - Basic Training - Grace UMC, ABQ
November 
Nov. 4-5 - Lay Servant School - FUMC, Belen
Nov. 7-11 - Prep for Prof. Coaching Cert. Training - Sacramento
Nov 24-25 - Conference Office Closed
December
Dec. 23 & 26 - Conference Office Closed for Christmas
Dec. 30 - Conference Office Closed for New Year's Eve
January 
Jan. 2 - Conference Office Closed for New Year's Day 
 
Click here for the Conference Calendar

Classifieds
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UMC website
 


RELEVANT, PASSIONATE, AND LIFE-CHANGING CHURCHES

New Mexico Annual Conference  

11816 Lomas Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87112

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Receptionist Hours: 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

(800) 678-8786 toll free; (505) 255-8786; (505) 265-6184 fax

 Click here to view our staff listing  

 

 

Please send photos, articles, events, etc. to Alli Costello, Communications Director at alli@nmconfum.com.  Send classified ads to frontdesk@nmconfum.com.