Call to Worship Based on Isaiah 35:1-10
by Rev. Nathan Decker
 
Too long have we walked this dry desert wilderness searching for salvation.
We've drunk the cup of sorrow, burned our feet upon the sands of misery, and watched as our children were devoured by jackals, lions, and beasts.
"Be Strong! Do not fear! Here is our God! God will come and save you!"
Today, we walk in the Holy Way, the highway of the wise!
Where the lame leap as deer! Where grateful blind eyes see colors!
And the speechless sing out to our merciful Lord!
Blessed be the Lord our God!
Praise the Lord, O Zion!

Bishop Bledsoe & NM Conference Reps Travel Across the Conference

Bishop Bledsoe will be visiting towns across the Conference on a spring itineration. Joining him will be the DS of location, CF&A representative, Insurance/Benefits representative, Randall Partin, Provost and Sid Strebeck, Conference Lay Leader.  

The United Methodist Church is facing change and challenge from within.  Simultaneously, we have the opportunity to bring light and grace to an uncertain world without.  The Bishop felt compelled to travel throughout the NM & NWTX Conferences to provide an update and address questions and concerns.  At a time when our differences tend to be more prominent, this will be an opportunity to talk and focus on what binds us together.  Please choose a time and location that is most convenient and join us for a time of sharing.  The Conference wants to hear from you!  Questions or topics you would like addressed?  Contact Randall Partin at (505)255-8786 or randall@nmconfum.com

Important Reminders

  • All 2016 Tithe Monies must be received by January 10th.
  • Deadline for church statistics is January 20th.
  • You will be receiving the brochure that shows how to input your statistics.  DO NOT THROW IT OUT. Your church username & password is on the back. 
  • Click for the Statistics Webpage



SAVE THE DATE
Mid-Year Clergy Retreat
February 5 - 8, 2017
Sacramento
More info to come 


NM Conference Member will Serve on the
Commission on the General Conference 2017-2020.
photo: Kathy Gilbert UMNS
Susan Brumbaugh will serve on the Commission to organize the 2020 General Conference to be held in Minneapolis.  Susan is standing in the back row, third from the right.
Click to read more about the Commission

2017 Albuquerque District Missions Awards
     The Albuquerque District Missions Committee met on November 15, 2016 to award funds to various mission projects for 2017.  Eighteen projects were funded for a total of $11,500.    
     Thanks to all the churches that made second mile contributions to the Albuquerque District Missions.  Without your support and the support of District Superintendent, James Large we would not be able to provide this assistance.
From Reuben Thomas, Chair

Click for the list of Awardees 

Among the bell ringers are Conference Office staff members & spouses:
Cathy Anderson, Susan Brumbaugh, Dru Ann Kuntz,
Marilyn Large, Diane Lippitt, & Randall Partin
 

In Election's Aftermath, Hispanic Groups Challenge Church 
by Sam Hodges 
photo: Mike DuBose, UMNS
 
     Hispanic/Latino groups within The United Methodist Church have issued a flurry of statements since Election Day, calling on the denomination to strengthen support for immigrants and refugees, and insisting denomination leaders speak out forcefully against discriminatory rhetoric and actions.
     U.S. President-elect Donald Trump acknowledged  on CBS News "60 Minutes" that he was saddened to hear his victory has resulted in reports of harassment of minorities. He used the interview to say: "Stop it."
     MARCHA (Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic/Latino Americans) issued a lengthy  post-election statement noting reports of hundreds of such incidents, and highlighting  harassment of Hispanic youth attending the North Carolina Conference's Pilgrimage 2016 event. 
     "Amidst our political and ideological differences, we are now confronting a greater conflict: intolerance, persecution, discrimination and hatred," said the statement, signed by the Rev. Lyssette Pérez, the group's president, and Bishop Elías Galván, its executive director.
Click for full article 

Lay Servant Training Opportunities
Lay Servant School - Asbury UMC-Odessa
Saturday, January 21st
Registration Deadline is January 7th.
Contact: Charles Cotten (432)296-2975 or (432)366-4455
Lay Servant School - FUMC-Bloomfield
January 27-29
Contact: Kathy Potter: (505)632-3732  or  click for more info


Covenant UMC-ABQ is Selling Luminarias! 
Covenant UMC is taking orders for luminarias - $8 per dozen. The proceeds benefit the church's ministries. To order, call the church at (505)822-8828. Pick-up will be 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the church - 8510 Wyoming, NE, across from La Cueva High School. 

Upcoming Events
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
Jan. 10 - All 2016 Tithe Monies must be received by Conf Treasurer
Jan. 20 - Church stats deadline
Jan. 27-29 - FUMC-Bloomfield Lay Servant School 
February
Feb. 19 - Mountainside UMC's 50th Anniversary - Bishop Preaching
Feb. 5-8 - Mid-Year Clergy Retreat - Sacramento

Important Deadlines
Jan. 10 - 2016 Tithe Money Due
Jan. 20 - 2016 Statistics Due

Bishop's Itineration Schedule 
January 21 - FUMC-Roswell - 2:00 pm  
January 28 - FUMC-Perryton - 2:00 pm 
February 4 - St. Paul's-Abilene - 10:00 am 
February 19 - Center Street-Tucumcari - 3:00 pm
March 4 - FUMC-Childress - 10:00 am
March 5 - St. Stephen's-Amarillo - 2:30 pm 
March 11 - El Paso - Trinity-First - 2:00 pm 
March 18 - FUMC-Odessa - 10:00 am 
March 19 - FUMC-Lamesa - 3:00 pm 
March 25 - ABQ - St. John's - 2:00 pm
April 2 - Lubbock - FUMC - 2:00 pm
April 8 - Plainview - FUMC - 10:00 am 
May 13 - FUMC-Farmington - 10:00 am

Annual Conference - May 31 - June 2, 2017
 
 
Click here for the Conference Calendar

Classifieds
Conference Calendar
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.