I have lived in the old part of the South Valley, next to Isleta Pueblo, for 40 years. Time has stood still here, so I forget that there are gated communities, high rise apartments, and rapid, crowded highways in other parts of town. I can back out of my driveway, turn right, and find a flock of sheep grazing in a field nearby. My neighbors are not large ranchers; most have between 5 and a dozen animals, just enough to provide for the family and sell something at the South Valley Growers’ Market. Horses are raised for competition riding or personal pleasure (hitting the “drive through” at Mc Donald’s to grab dinner), but not to be sold. A dozen chickens lay enough eggs for breakfast and a few left over for neighbors. I haven’t eaten a white egg in years; my neighbor’s chickens lay speckled or brown eggs. There are emus squawking across the road from the sheep; Emu eggs are delicious and the feathers can be made into fashionable accessories. There used to be several dairies within a mile, but Albuquerque decided they were contaminating the water table, so the dairies had to go. Too bad; the milk was really fresh and you knew the cows that made it. You could walk right up to the cows and talk to them about their grade of milk if you wanted to.

There are 4 greenhouses within a half mile, so fresh vegetables are within walking distance and the neighbors are always willing to stop and talk about the growing conditions or what their kids are up to or how things changed when a perfectly good wheat field became a Walmart supercenter. People now shop at the Walmart all the time; the wheat growers moved across the street, so everybody’s satisfied. My neighbors also grow corn and alfalfa to feed the horses. After the harvest, sandhill cranes drop by and pick up the leftovers on their way south for the winter.

This way of setting aside crops is the way traditional Navajos practice farming: you get to keep 1/3 of your crop for your family use, 1/3 is to be sold or given away, and 1/3 is for the birds and animals who share our world. Other cultures practice the tithe, where 10% of your income is to be given to God to be used in service of others.

When the COVID19 pandemic hit, my neighbors were as worried about food shortages as anyone. But word went out in the neighborhood that folks had extra eggs or vegetables or goat milk to be made into cream or butter for baking, or

wheat or corn to grind to make tortillas. The South Albuquerque Cooperative Ministry Food Pantry didn’t have meat, but chili, beans, rice, cereal and canned goods were available for anyone who asked. Isleta Lakes said they were stocked with fish if anyone wanted to come over. Nobody had steaks or pork chops to offer, but what they did have was shared. It reminded me of Joseph (Genesis 41:37-57), son of Jacob and Rachel, who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his older brothers because they were jealous of his coat of many colors and the attention he got from Dad. Joseph told pharaoh a seven year famine was coming, so food should be put aside during the good years. When the famine came, Joseph was able to feed all of his neighbors and even his brothers, who came begging.

Jesus repeatedly talked about the obligation we have to care for our neighbors, to care for others. If you care for others, it is as if you are caring for Jesus Himself. Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, came along 2000 years later to explain further, in his Hierarchy of Needs. If you don’t have the basics (food, sleep, health, shelter, a safe place to be, you cannot expect to be able to interact with others and form goals, to conceive of a future. All you are trying to do is get by, just for today; a person has no hope that things will get better. But if immediate needs are met, families and neighbors can begin to hope, and together have aspirations for a better future.

St John’s Methodist Church has taken this obligation of caring for our neighbors to heart by feeding the homeless, by caring for Zuni Elementary School’s needs, by donating to Silver Horizons, by making lap cloths for the sick, by inviting First Responders and teachers to our Lenten Fish Fries. St John’s supports charities like Meals on Wheels and food pantries, through Asbury Café. Please continue to support St John’s outreach programs through your food donations, your time and your money. You are doing this as unto Christ Himself. You are being a true neighbor.

-- Dee Billops

Click HERE to view the poll!

Would you be interested in submitting a daily devotional for the Newsletter? If so, send an email to Pastor Pam at prowley@stjohns-abq.org!

Please include the following items when writing a devotion:

A Focus Word or Phrase

A Scripture (it can simply be referenced)

The Body of the Devotion (one page is a good guideline)

A Prayer or a Spiritual Practice

Hi there! I love showing you photos of what we are doing at the church, but what I think would be an even more amazing thing to share is a picture of you! Send me pictures and/or videos of you/your family/your pets/your garden/your cooking/etc with a short description. communicate@stjohns-abq.org

St. John’s will live-stream a worship service on Sunday morning at 9:30 am (Contemporary) on the Abide Facebook page and 11:00 am (Traditional) on the homepage of the website. We hope you’ll worship with us! (Pastors Pam and Kelly will lead, along with Shea Perry, Jim Ahrend, and Matt Greer). We hope that you’ll participate by singing and praying at home! Any questions? Email Matt at mgreer@stjohns-abq.org.

Missing getting together with your St John’s family after church? Join us in the virtual Sonshine Coffee Zoom immediately following the 11:00 am Worship. Church Leadership Team members starting with Jim Hickman will be hosting with the Pastors Pam and Kelly joining if they are available. Zoom registration is HERE.

Join us for a new series of concerts live-streamed from the St. John's sanctuary! Concerts are a benefit for Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless. musicatstjohns.org

Olga Perez Flora, mezzo-soprano

James Flora, tenor

Kristin Ditlow, pianist

FogoNuevo Duo

Gabriela Fogo, violinist

Luiz Barrionuevo, violinist and violist

Gustavo Pimentel, guitarist

The class always welcomes new faces, whether they wish to become permanent members, are interested in a particular study, or need a Sunday School family while on temporary assignment in Albuquerque. We typically alternate between modern books and books of the Bible. We are currently nearing the end of I’d Like You More If You Were More Like Me, by John Ortberg. Contact Regina Hunter, drhunter@nmia.com, to be added to the invitation list on Sundays and to learn of the next book.

Family Spirit Class meets by zoom on Sunday mornings, 9:30 to 10:30. They are studying John Ortberg’s book The Life You've Always Wanted. Brian Eagen and Doug Sweet lead this study. Please contact Anita Hallstrom at anitah1@comcast.net if you would like to join this zoom class.

Christian Classics Sunday School Class is meeting by Zoom at 3:30 PM on Sundays. We are studying The Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault. Contact Jack Nuzum at jcnuzum@juno.com to join in.

On September 25, the youth group is heading up to Grace Park @5:00PM for a Social Distancing campout. Parents will caravan up with us then either drop off & comeback or stay with us the weekend; pitch your own tents; Cost is $15 (Use discount code “Campingfree” if you need help with the cost); let’s get out of town & experience the great outdoors together, yet apart. https://conta.cc/2QxFRSx

To better streamline all the ways we communicate, the Youth Group has adopted the Slack app to merge and integrate the our direct messaging, digital calendar, Zoom account, and all our online documents. It is easy to join the threads that apply just to you. Join in here: bit.ly/joinumyfslack1

Summer is past, and as we get back to school? Our Solid Ground youth group will resume meeting every Sunday at 4:00-5:15PM with new games, discussions, and faith-building activities plus new features of the student led Soap Box and Top 5s. Log-in. at: bit.ly/Fall2020UMYF (case sensitive).

While we are not yet allowed to sing together, stay informed about the activities of the Sonrise Youth Choir, including weekly Zooms on Thursdays at 4:00 pm (Jackbox games!!), and musical workshops in the Fall! Email Shea at sonrisechoir@gmail.com!

We will be offering all our classes via ZOOM so you can attend from the convenience of your own home - perhaps even in your pjs if you want!

God of Covenant, a Study of Genesis 12-50 by Jen Wilkin, led by Donna Bruce

Deadline for registration: September 24

Maximum number for class is 11

Broken and Blessed, How God Used One Imperfect Family to Change the World by Jessica LaGrone, led by Barbara Stanfield

Deadline for registration: October 8

Maximum number for class is 11

Get Your Life Back, Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge, led by Karen Tidler

October 20 - November 24 (6 weeks), Tuesdays, 9:15 - 11:15 am

Deadline for registration: October 8

Maximum number for class is 11

United Methodist Women will meet, by Zoom, on Thursday, October 1, at 10:00 am Our speaker will be Kristi Rhinehart, Program Director and Training Specialist for Four Winds Behavioral Health Center in Rio Rancho. Kristi will explain the program, as well as provide an update on the newly completed residential drug treatment center in Espanola. This meeting is open to anyone and everyone, so if you're interested in receiving a Zoom invitation, please contact Regina Hampton at: hamptonmason1@msn.com. You may arrive as early as 9:45 am, if you'd like to chit chat a few minutes prior to the meeting. We hope to see your smiling face!

Come join us for St John’s Blessing of the Animals. All God’s creatures are welcome! Chef Tim will have treats for us all and we will celebrate our relation to all creatures, as we worship with all creatures great and small, and witness to God’s goodness in creation.

Come receive communion in your car on Wednesday, October 7 and gather in safe community to worship and praise God. We encourage you to bring your own elements (bread & juice). If you do not have your own elements, we will provide individually-packaged elements. We will gather in the east parking lot of St. John's (2626 Arizona Street NE).

Calling all Cars. Many children will not be able to trick-or-treat door to door this year because of Covid-19. Let's create a fun, safe, socially distant, costume-filled, and candy-laden option for children in our community on Oct 31st 2:30-4:30PM. To keep everyone safe, masks are required, gloves are needed, and individually wrapped candies are a must. We are looking for 25 people/families to participate. Can you join us? Please register to volunteer: https://conta.cc/3bPziEM

Photos from the 2019 Trunk or Treat:

St John’s Food Ministry continues to serve the people of Albuquerque--approximately 500 people per month!--with hot meals prepared in our kitchen,  Do you have a surplus of fresh produce from your garden that you would like to donate to St. John's to feed the hungry? If so, please contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org.

The announcements below include using the program "Zoom" to group-video chat. You can find a tutorial on how to use Zoom HERE!

Join St. John’s Music Director Matthew Greer for a new weekly session in which he talks about the music ministry, explores hymns and choral music, and chats with the occasional guest about music they love. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastors Pam and Kelly! Zoom link HERE.

Meet by zoom with Pastor Pam for a 30 minute spiritual practice every Thursday afternoon. We will explore different ways to pray, to commune with God, to nurture our spiritual lives with Christ through the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Space is limited, join the class HERE.

Remember to get started on your family-history manuscript with Terri Link and Regina Hunter, Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00. If you have trouble connecting before 10:00, all Regina at 294-2877.

Most of us have read only read bits and pieces of the book of Daniel: “Daniel in the Lions’ Den” and “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace.” This brief episode of St. John’s email Bible study will examine what else happened to Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Download a study guide, or call or write Regina Hunter for daily scripture readings and study tips, at 294-2877 or drhunter@nmia.com.

Anyone is welcome--no experience is necessary. (And, yes! It's okay for Christians to meditate.) If you want to learn more prior to starting, the sessions will be similar to ones she leads and records on YouTube. Each session will be hosted on Zoom. HERE is the zoom link. Please contact Susan Brumbaugh, counselor@stjohns-abq.org, or 505-506-6716, if you have questions.

Larry Gurule (friend of Jean Jones) is the recipient for the prayer quilt on display for September 14th through September 27th.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer): “Merciful Father, please hold Larry tight in your embrace as he faces medical challenges in his life. Show him your mercy, relieve his fears and anxieties and grant him a quiet mind and an expectant heart. Amen”

With the Church currently closed, the prayer shawls have taken up residence with Hunt and Ann. They are actually quite comfortable in the coolness of their new home but they would love to be of comfort to someone in need of God’s love. Please contact Ann at mapalook@comcast.net or 768-7013 if you would like a shawl. If you call, the basket will await your visit in their courtyard. Blessings -

How we support you and your family in prayer during this difficult time? Prayers for health, employment, peace? Please send your prayer requests to the Prayer Team: mapalook@comcast.net or submit them on our website HERE.

It is hard to get out and many people shouldn’t. Is there something you need delivered from the store? If we are able to help, we have a few volunteers who would like to serve as Go-fers for people who need something but cannot get it on their own. Please pass any requests on to Jarrod at c.care@stjohns-abq.org

The St. John's staff includes a licensed mental health counselor who is available to meet virtually (using a smartphone or computer) in a secure online platform during these anxious times. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, counseling is available. Click here or contact Susan Brumbaugh at 505-506-6717 or counselor@stjohns-abq.org for more details about session and cost information. Susan also has a Youtube Channel with mindfulness tips HERE.

   As summer winds up this year, let's pause and remember the church camp experiences of our lives, wherever they may be.

You may remember youth camps, women's or men's conferences, marriage retreats, lay speaker schools and many more events Some people made their first commitment to Christ in a camp setting. Most remember growing closer to God.

   Sadly, this year most events at Sacramento and other camps were canceled by Covid resulting in not only lots of disappointment, but also serious financial hardship. We at St. John's have the opportunity this month to support our beautiful camp in the Sacramento mountains south of Cloudcroft and ensure future opportunities with other Christians to pray, worship, play and study in God's beautiful creation. Please give generously.

In accordance with the New Mexico Department of Health order, our facility will be closed until further notice. We will keep you apprised as things develop.

Your St. John's pastors and staff are still very much on the job, and are available to you during this time. Please reach out to us if we can help you in any way!

www.stjohns-abq.org

(505) 883-9717

2626 Arizona St NE | Albuquerque, NM 87110

Office Hours (call only): Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm