BLESSING IN BOREDOM
“Consider the lilies of the field.” Matthew 6: 28
Lately I have been having the covid boredom and blues.
Before we went into the stay at home world, I had a fairly fixed daily routine. After breakfast and the morning paper, I would walk to a local coffee shop to sip coffee, read, and people watch. The morning would slip peacefully away.
After lunch I would go to the gym followed by some more reading. Usually in the evening there would be a game of some sort to watch on the television. Often, we would travel to see friends, grandchildren or attend concerts or ball games.
This life was comfortable. It had enough routine to feel secure and enough variety to be interesting. Eating out a couple of times a week and attending St. John’s kept us in circulation. It was not an unusual or thrilling life, but it was a satisfying one.
Stay at home has taken all that away and I haven’t liked it. I have become bored, restless and prone to the blues.
I have also started to search for some blessing in the midst of the boredom. A friend of mine says “paying attention” is a spiritual practice. Before I paid little attention to the humming birds at our feeder. I am learning to watch them meditatively and to experience wonder. I have also found that it is amazing what you can notice when you are not in a hurry. An amazed life is not a bored one. Since I have little else to do, I can listen. Most importantly, I can listen to my loved ones. There is more to love in those to whom we truly listen.
What has boredom taught you?
Spiritual Practice:
Paying attention.
-- Rev. Carl Schenk
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#photosfromhome
Summer Bible Club prep!
-- Therese Macali
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Our new dog!
-- Sharon Jensen
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#PHOTOSFROMHOME
A CALL FOR SELFIES AND AT-HOME PICTURES
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, and I will share them here and compile them for a project! communicate@stjohns-abq.org
-- Shea Perry, Communications Director
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St. John’s will live-stream a worship service 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.
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"MUSIC FROM ST. JOHN'S"
LIVE-STREAM CONCERTS
Wednesdays at 12:00 pm
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
Gabriel Longuinhos
Curtis Storm
Shea Perry
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ZOOM TUTORIAL
The announcements below include using the program "Zoom" to group-video chat. You can find a tutorial on how to use Zoom
HERE!
ZOOM YOUTH GROUP
Sundays from 4:00 - 5:15 pm
Students, come join us for games, discussion, community, and faith-building every Sunday from 4:00-5:15 pm! Go to: bit.ly/UMYFSolidGround (case sensitive) with the password: 048658
PARENTS CLUB
Mondays from 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Is distance learning with your child harder than you thought? Are the challenges of parenting in close quarters overwhelming at times? Or do you just miss talking with other parents? I know that I certainly do, so join us for Parents Club on Zoom Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30 pm! Email tmacali@stjohns-abq.org.
"COFFEE BREAK" WITH PASTORS PAM & KELLY
Wednesdays at 1:30 pm
Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastors Pam and Kelly! Zoom link
HERE. Wednesdays at 1:30 pm.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE CLUB
Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Wednesday Night Bible Club is still on! Grade school friends join us on Zoom to get your weekly Bible lesson, watch the So & So Show, and pray with your friends. Email tmacali@stjohns-abq.org for more information!
"SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT" CLASS WITH PASTOR PAM
Thursdays at 1:30 pm
Join Pastor Pam for a 30-minute spiritual exercise. Space is limited, and the Zoom link will be provided to the first 15 people to sign up! Sign-up is
HERE. Thursdays at 1:30 pm.
ST. JOHN'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY: Theology in Popular Music - Mostly the Good
Last year’s study, “The Songs of Summer” seemed to be a hit, so we’re going to do it again. This summer we’ll listen to some popular music that sings about prayer and healing, some international music, some bluegrass and country, some great young singers who are the future of the Church, and some show tunes.
Download the study guide, or sign up for daily study tips by email by writing or calling Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com or 294-2877.
ONLINE COUNSELING SERVICE AVAILABLE
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.
BEING MINDFUL - SUBSCRIBE TO SUSAN BRUMBAUGH'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
Susan has created a Youtube channel to share videos on mindfulness. Click
here to check it out!
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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
There is a distinction between talking about God and talking with God.
When we talk about God and know all the stories of the people dealing with God in the Old Testament as well as the words of Jesus from the New Testament, we can believe God exists and decide to accept Jesus as savior. We can decide to follow Jesus.
Talking with God in prayer, through spiritual disciplines, or when standing beside the wonders of nature, or in the quiet of a beautiful church are ways to develop an intimate and personal relationship with God. This relationship where we share our thoughts, feelings and needs and God shares insight and guidance is essential for spiritual growth. If we only learn about God and don't learn this direct experience of God, then we are not equipped for the long haul. The first big event in our lives may pull us away from God because we only know about God, we don’t know firsthand our divine parent. This experiential knowing God is the goal of spiritual formation and direction.
A session of spiritual direction lasts an hour and happens usually once per month. When you leave your session, you might often have an assignment such as a psalm to read and reread, or a type of praying to try out, or a part of your upset to take to God (you know the part you never pray about). Maybe you will be encouraged to journal or to invent a new discipline that works for you. You will always be supported.
What happens during the session is that the spiritual director facilitates what is really happening: the Holy Spirit is working in your life, working to teach, guide and help you. There will be prayer during your session and maybe some quiet time.
Written by Donna Berry, Spiritual Director certified by the United Methodist Church, educated through Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
COACHING
A coach holds the space for you to examine where you are going in life. We often just spend our time going, never really stopping and examining that action driven life. Holding the space for you allows you, the coachee, to reflect and find obstacles in your way. The whole process will go easier and faster through the listening and asking done by the coach. Together you and the coach find clarity and new ways to look at what you are doing and thinking.
A coaching session will last 30-45 minutes. You as the coachee are the expert on your life. You will define what you are seeking and what you want to work on during that session. The coach will help you do that and will listen deeply and ask open-ended questions. The coach will support you, affirm you, and always be on your side. You will be empowered to do whatever you want to do or to be or to have.
This process is completely confidential.
Donna Berry, ACC, MBA, credentialled by the International Coaching Federation, educated by Coaching4Clergy
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Congregational Care Corner
PRAYER SUPPORT
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
GO-FER TEAM
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
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MENTAL
HEALTH
MOMENT
WITH
SUSAN BRUMBAUGH,
LMHC
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VIRTUAL
TAI CHI
WITH
KATHY
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ST. JOHN'S
VIRTUAL
CHOIR
VIDEO
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GET WELL CARDS
In addition to the suffering, COVID-19 patients are not allowed any visitors. The health care workers at UNM Hospital are asking for cards. An article by KOB states, "the health care workers want to flood the COVID-19 units with love, support and inspiration." All cards can be sent to UNM Hospital - Attention: Barbara Temer; 2211 Lomas Boulevard Northeast, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106.
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ST. JOHN'S FACILITY IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
In accordance with the New Mexico Department of Health order, our facility will be closed until further notice. A re-open date is to be determined! 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!
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ST. JOHN'S PRAYER LABYRINTH IS OPEN
Please come to pray in the labyrinth any time of day. Park in the east parking lot near the front doors of the sanctuary/narthex doors. Our prayer labyrinth is directly to the south of the front doors. It is advisable to have one person on the labyrinth at a time. Enter the prayer labyrinth with a personal prayer and then quietly and contemplatively experience what God has to share with you during this time.
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CONTACT US
Office Administrator, Debbie Brown, will be answering the phone at St. John’s every weekday from 9:00 am-2:00 pm. Please call the office if you have any concerns or pastoral care needs. Debbie will get messages to Pastor Pam and Pastor Kelly. The office number is 505-883-9717.
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Contact Us
www.stjohns-abq.org
(505) 883-9717
2626 Arizona St NE | Albuquerque, NM 87110
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Questions? Contact Shea Perry at communicate@stjohns-abq.org
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