A Note From Pastor Randall
Dear Beloved of St. John’s,
Let me begin by acknowledging that when it comes to COVID, we are not where we had hoped we would be a few weeks ago. The return to on-site worship and ministries has been a welcome blessing to so many, and the energy and enthusiasm about continuing to re-open or “bring back” ministries and programs was real and taking real (but joy-filled) effort. Nevertheless, increasing cases of COVID in our area (even and especially among those who are fully vaccinated), increasing hospitalizations, and the threat posed by the Delta variant is a genuine cause for concern. As I’m sure you’re aware, the CDC recently released new guidelines recommending mask-wearing indoors for all persons (regardless of vaccination status) in areas of “high” or “substantial” transmission. Where we had all felt a sense of progress and forward momentum, now we are faced with the gut-wrenching possibility of a step back.
That said, it is our hope to maintain as “normal” a sense of normalcy here at St. John’s as we can under these circumstances--we hope to continue to offer worship, ministries, and programs in all the ways that make us who we are as St. John’s. We will, however, be strongly encouraging everyone who enters the building to wear a face mask (in compliance with the new CDC guidelines, since Bernalillo County is currently an area of “substantial” transmission). This is one simple thing that everyone can do to help minimize the transmission of the virus and keep our programs and ministries running and all of our members, guests, and visitors safe.
We also ask that if anyone in our community tests positive for COVID, that they let Debbie Brown in the Church Office know as soon as possible (and let her know when and where they have been in the building so that we can assess the risk of exposure for our community). We will communicate to the congregation as quickly as feasible when instances of positive COVID cases have been in the church (keeping the identity of the person confidential). This is another way we hope to keep our members, guests, and visitors safe even as we keep our facilities open.
With the Preschool starting the week of August 9th, we will also be implementing some adjustments to the building use for that area of the campus during the week--primarily affecting the Garden Ministry and Food Ministry activities. With those adjustments, however, we are hopeful that we can maintain all these vital programs and ministries and keep everyone safe.
In many ways, it feels as if we’re entering an entirely new phase of the pandemic. What worked a few months ago may not serve us well today, and what works today may need to be updated tomorrow. I’m so grateful for the leadership of St. John’s that is prayerfully and thoughtfully trying to find our way in this moment. I ask for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement as we try and find our way together.
Blessings,
Randall
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Pastor Randall's Listening Groups
We are planning two final listening groups for Pastor Randall to meet you and hear your thoughts. There will be a Zoom meeting on Monday, August 2 from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and in person meeting on Monday, August 9 from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. The in-person listening group scheduled for Thursday, August 5 has been cancelled. Please register using the buttons below. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Tidler at 239-0291.
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Register For the Zoom Listening Group
Monday, August 2 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Register For th In-Person Listening Group
Monday, August 9 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Welcome Associate Pastor Tiffany Hollums!
It’s such an honor to be appointed as St. John’s associate pastor. I grew up in Lovington NM and answered the call to ministry as a senior in High school and began the candidacy process toward ordination. I began serving in ministry at Sierra Vista UMC while I was in college at Angelo State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Ed. I also met D.G. Hollums at college and was smitten from day one! He loves Jesus like no one I’ve ever met and makes me laugh every single day! We were married in 1998 and moved cross country for me to attend Asbury Theological Seminary. I attended seminary and also served as youth minister at First UMC Lexington, KY.
As an ordained deacon, I am called to serve in the church and in the world. I’ve served in many different communities, in many different ways from being the Executive Director at the Ida Spence United Methodist mission in Covington, KY which was located in a government housing community to serving most recently as a case manager for foster children in Austin, TX. I have also served in many different ways in United Methodist churches: as Associate pastor (Whiterock UMC, Asbury UMC in Cold Spring, KY) Youth minister(First UMC Lexington, KY; Florence UMC in Florence, KY; Cook’s
UMC in Nashville, TN and St. Stephen’s UMC in Albuquerque, NM), Family minister (Bee creek UMC, Spicewood, TX) and treatment foster care case worker (Albuquerque and Austin, TX).
D.G. and I were blessed to be able to adopt Gracie at birth 10 years ago and she truly has been Grace to us after over a decade of infertility. We also have been a foster family to incredible children and pray that someday soon we can find the rest of our family in foster care.
We moved from living right beside my parents in Austin, TX to our home in Santa Fe, NM where D.G. is appointed as the pastor at Zia UMC. Gracie is excited about being a pastor’s kid at not just one, but 2 churches!!
I love to laugh, crochet prayer blankets, read, journal, and love spending time with Gracie and D.G. My heart is always looking for those people and places who tug on God’s heart, and I’m so humbled to join St. John’s to serve together.
Abide,
Tiffany Hollums
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Changes at the Sonshine Cafe
Due to the increase in the number of COVID cases nationally and in New Mexico, the easily transmissible nature of the Delta Variant, and the recent mask recommendations from the CDC, we will not be serving donuts in the Sonshine Cafe this Sunday. Coffee, tea, and water will still be available at this time. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you at the Sonshine Cafe!
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New Video From Family Promise of ABQ |
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We are excited to announce that Family Promise of Albuquerque has a new video to tell the story of the remarkable work our staff and volunteers do with families experiencing homelessness. The video highlights the best FPA which is offering hope to those who are in need along with the tools to change their lives for the better. We are blessed to share a video with you, our partner congregations, first!
Thank you for your abundant and faithful support of families experiencing homelessness. You have changed the lives of 550+ families who have graduated from the shelter program and hundreds more who use the Day Center services.
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Front Desk Volunteers Needed in September
The office needs coverage the week of September 13-17: Monday through Thursday: 9a.m. – 4p.m., and Friday, 9a.m. – 12p.m. If you can only cover certain hours, that would be helpful too! If you’re interested and available to help out during any of these days, please contact Debbie at 883-9717.
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Asbury Cafe Baking Coordinator Needed
Astonishing fact - Asbury Cafe has been running for 60 years. In the past 60 years over $1.5 million has been donated to organizations that feed the hungry of Albuquerque. About 25 years ago, St. John's became involved in the Asbury Cafe, and up until this year, the people that started coordinating 25 years ago were still the coordinators at St. John's. This charity needs new coordinators to continue.
This year there is no Baking Coordinator. This means that making pies, freezing pies, baking pies, and coordinating freezer storage is a waste because the pies will not get to the NM Fairgrounds... Click here to read the full article and learn more about the Baking Coordinator and other volunteer positions that need to be filled for Asbury Cafe.
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Last Summer Youth Shin-Dig! Sunday, August 1
As we all prepare to go back to school, we wanted to throw a party at Miss Fay’s house (9905 Salem Rd NE, 87112) as a last Hurrah of Summer! We will have a bonfire, Corn Hole, yard games, and a few other surprises. We will also cast the vision for the Fall semester over ice-cream sundaes. Parents are welcome to hang with us and we may need your help driving from Reel to Real to the Shin Dig. Remember your masks; we will party outside from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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Reel to Real Sunday, August 1
Join us this Sunday for our next to last Reel to Real movie group in the FLC from
4 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. We will watch “Serendipity,” (PG-13) which is a great comedy about finding and fighting your destiny. We will enjoy some free pizza and talk about what the film tells us about life afterwards. Remember to wear your mask, sit 6-feet apart, and bring a comfy chair if you like; Last Summer Shin-Dig Afterwards!
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Last Youth Tailgate Tuesday, August 3
In place of going to Sonic this Summer, bring your own special ice-cream treat and join us at the newly renovated Sonshine Lawn off the east parking lot at church on Tuesday night. We will have a Bible study from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. and a fun board game fiesta from
7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Bring your own icecream/drinks/food, pack a portable chair, and bring a favorite board game you can teach us.
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Kids Ministry Summer Bash
Wednesday, August 4
Thank you for hanging out with Miss Therese all summer reading, playing piano, and having fun! We will be taking a break until August 4 from all classes and Sunday School events. But don't worry! We have one more party planned!
"See Ya Later, Summer!" Bash
Wednesday, August 4 at 6:00 p.m.
We will have food, games, and prizes so don't miss it!
For questions, contact Therese Macali: (440) 344-3011 | tmacalie@stjohns-abq.org
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Wings Back to School Party August 7
The Wings For Life Back-To-School Party is back on, and will be held in the Calvalry Chapel East Gym on Saturday, August 7. We need volunteers, guests, and a lot of school supplies to give away to the kids. Please join us as we start to get back to “normal” again! If anyone would like to donate school supplies or used stuffed animals, please drop them off at 2015 Wyoming NE, Suite J. Click here to see the full flier.
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Donation Drive-Through/ Drop-Off August 28
Your St. John's Missions Team has organized another donation drive-through collection for Saturday, August 28, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the east parking lot. Donations will benefit the clients of our Mobile Food Pantry, as well as the low-income seniors served by Silver Horizons. The following items will be collected: 4- to 6-roll pkgs. toilet tissue; 2-roll pkgs. paper towels; facial tissue; plastic wrap; aluminum foil; and packages of food storage bags, such as Ziploc. If you'd prefer to bring your donations to the Hospitality Center on Sunday mornings, we'll gladly accept them through the month of August. Also, if you'd prefer to give a monetary donation toward the purchase of paper products, we're happy to do the shopping for you. We are so grateful for your generosity!
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Volunteers Needed to Assemble Teacher Appreciation Care Packages for St. John's Preschool Plus and Zuni Elementary
Did you know that St. John’s PreSchool Plus starts August 9, and Zuni Elementary across the street starts August 11? Pre pandemic, each August St. John’s Food Ministry would invite the Zuni Elementary teachers and staff and the St. John’s PreSchool teachers and staff to come to the Family Life Center for a plated Teacher Appreciation Lunch prepared by Chef Tim and his staff and served by people from the congregation. This year, with the recent Covid Delta Variant spikes and the new mask mandates, instead of a lunch the Food Ministry is going to assemble Teacher Care Packages on August 6—a package for each teacher/staff that includes baked goods, school supplies, a surprise gift and a note of encouragement
If you are interested, we will be assembling the care packages at 9 a.m. on August 6 in the Family Life Center, for delivery at 11 a.m. Please contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or at 505-883-977 x 141 to sign up. Thanks! Go Teachers!
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Watch the Livestream of Our Sunday Services |
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August Special Offering: Zuni School
It's hard to believe, but school will be starting soon and in person! Hurray! So this month we have the opportunity to support our neighbors at Zuni Elementary school. Chef Tim has the back to school staff luncheon on the calendar, and United Methodist Women will purchase school supplies to be given to the school at that time. There may be more opportunities for continued support in the coming year, so please give generously.
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Virtual Prayer Quilt
Carla Greenleaf is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display.
In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Carla: “Holy Father, we ask for healing, strength, and for Carla to be surrounded with your love as she struggles through health issues. Amen.”
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SUBMISSION DEADLINE for Disciple Connections is Thursday at 10 a.m. for the Friday weekly edition. Click here to send your articles to editor Nicole Creaturo.
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St. John's United Methodist Churc
2626 Arizona Street NE | Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
Office Hours (call only): Monday - Thursday, 9a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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