August 5, 2022

Server Instructions for Zuni/Preschool Teacher Appreciation Lunch Today!

Thank you to each of the servers who have signed up to help with the Zuni/Preschool Teachers Appreciation Lunch today! In case you didn’t see the file link on the Sign-up Genius, here are instructions on what to wear and what to expect. Servers should arrive at the Family Life Center 10:30 a.m. and expect to serve to 1:15 p.m. at the latest. If you have questions, please contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org. 

Back to School Blessing on Sunday

There will be a back to school blessing next Sunday, August 7, in all 3 services. Students and teachers, bring your backpacks and receive a special prayer and blessing for the new school year! 

Family Choir is Back and Starts on Sunday!

Are you a shower crooner wanting to go public? Have you ever wanted to try out choir at St. John’s? Family Choir is for you! August 7 and 14 at the 11 a.m. service, the Music Ministry will be offering a just for fun choir experience for ALL ages. Children, youth, and adults are all welcome. Rehearsal begins at 10:15 a.m in the sanctuary, and anthems are easy and fun. For more information contact mgreer@stjohns-abq.org.

Here’s What We’re Singing:

August 7 | Assurance arr. John Ness Beck 

Combining Phoebe Knapp's enduring hymn, Blessed Assurance with J. S. Bach's, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, this classic choral anthem is one of the true gems from the library of John Ness Beck. See a PDF of the music here.

August 14 | Seek Ye First arr. Douglas E. Wagner

This blockbuster setting features two classic canons cleverly brought together by Douglas Wagner, "Seek Ye First" by Karen Lafferty and Pachelbel's Canon in D. See a PDF of the music here.

Asbury Cafe Events in August: Extra Pie Party Next Week

August 9 - Extra Pie Party: There will be an extra Pie Party on Tuesday, August 9 at 6 p.m .in the kitchen and Family Life Center. Freezer space still needed!

August 11 & 18 - In-Person Asbury Cafe Training (LOCATION CHANGE): There are in-person Cafe training classes in rooms 245/257 on Thursdays - August 11, and 18 at 6:30 pm. Please attend if you plan to volunteer at the Cafe as there are changes this year at the Cafe. 

Asbury Cafe Training Online: If you are unable to attend the in-person training, you can click here to watch the training online. 

All of August - Sign Up to Volunteer at Asbury Cafe: Every Sunday in August, sign up to work at the Cafe and bake pies. The sign-up table will be outside of the church. For more details on sign ups contact Dave Young at dajsover@wans.net or Blake Reese at bdreece55@gmail.com.

For questions, more information about training, or to volunteer freezer space, contact Jenn Shields at 505-450-9978 or jennshields200@yahoo.com. 

Solid Ground Youth Kickoff August 13

Youth Kickoff for Solid Ground will be August 13 from 4-6 p.m. and it will be 'Adults Versus Youth' Water Wars, so come ready to get we​t! We are inviting all the youth parents to please come and join us. There will be a very quick Fall informational meeting during the youth time.  

Mountain Cathedrals Hike Saturday, August 13

The peaceful forest of the Manzanitas area south of Tijeras offers a good place to reflect on the questions God is asking us each day. This is a temperate expanse of Ponderosa forest at around 7500 feet elevation. We'll start from the Mars Court trailhead and hike the David Canyon loop (about 6 miles with 600 feet of altitude change - moderate hiking). Please join us for this hike of meditation, wilderness, and time apart from our normal schedules.

Logistics: Meet at St. John's east parking lot at 7:30 a.m. or at the trailhead at 8:00 a.m. We'll plan to return by 2:00 p.m., so bring some lunch, water and sun protection.

Organizer: Mike Furnish, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net

Save the Date: The next Mountain Cathedrals hike is planned for Saturday, Sept. 3.

Register Now for Online Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers 

Do you provide care for a loved one with a chronic illness or disorder? You are not alone.

Being a family caregiver is stressful and can lead to total exhaustion and burnout. If caregivers do not take care of themselves, their own health is in danger.

The Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers provides education and support, at no cost, for family caregivers of people with chronic illness. The program teaches stress management strategies and ways to cope better with the stress of being a caregiver.

We welcome you to join other family caregivers for a 9-week session that lasts for 90 minutes/week. We have been doing online classes using Zoom, and they have been a huge success.

New classes start Tuesday, October 4, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you are interested in participating, contact Sharon Lewis at 830-377-1484 or slewis2@unm.edu. If you have questions or would like general information about this program, you may also contact: Carol Dolan, RN, a Stress-Busting Program facilitator at 505-235-6206 or carold@lobo.net or Linn Furnish, RN, Parish Nurse at 505-884-6626 or swimsew@comcast.net. Click here to download and share the event flyer.

Online Church Directory will be Available in September

At St. John’s, we have a new church management computer system that we use to keep all our church business organized, called Church Community Builder. In September 2022, we would like to allow Church Members only to login to this secure system and use it as a directory so they can contact one another. To access this directory, you will need a username and password that can be given to you by the church office. Only church members and St. John’s staff will have access to this online directory.

This directory will include contact information, such as:

• Name (and name of spouse)
• Phone number
• Home address
• Email address

If, for any reason, you do not want to be a part of this church directory, please let us know you would like to opt-out so we can remove your information. There are several ways you can opt-out of participating, including:

• Calling the church office at 505-883-9717
• Emailing Joy Heaviland, our church receptionist at reception@stjohns-abq.org
• Visiting stjohns-abq.org/directory and submitting our opt-out form online

Are you a church member, but you do not have a username and password to login to our new system? Contact our Communications Director Nicole Creaturo at ncreaturo@stjohns-abq.org to receive your login credentials, or if you have any questions about our online directory.

Soul Care in Tough Times: Err on the Side of Grace by Pastor Tiffany

"Soul Care in Tough Times" is a blog series written by Associate Pastor Tiffany Hollums, about caring and understanding yourself in our trying, modern times. To see all the articles in this series, click here (or read her latest article below).

There are just some days, weeks, months, and even years that seem require extra care. I know that I’ve had a few of these moments and days in which I find myself a bit more anxious, grumpy, overwhelmed and just plain weary. It’s difficult for me to admit this, but I know I’m not alone in this because every week I have someone share with me how they are feeling this strain as well.

Why? Aren’t we almost through this pandemic? Maybe….though the world seems different. We are different. And it is important to remember that change is uncomfortable and we are all trying to figure out what ‘normal’ looks like or if it is even possible. When WILL things go back to normal? Again, I’m not sure. And again, admitting that is tough….but honest.

But you are not alone in this... Click here to read the full article. 

Ways to Volunteer to Help Others

Mobile Food Pantry

Our Mobile Food Pantry, in partnership with Roadrunner Food Bank, serves approximately 50 households in need of support on the 3rd Saturday of each month in our Family Life Center. Volunteers spend approximately 2 hours setting up and distributing the food and can volunteer when their schedule permits. Debby Smith, our new Coordinator, welcomes anyone who wants to join this group in service. Contact Debby for more information at 505-554-4238 or at dysmith0427@gmail.com.

Silver Horizons

Silver Horizons assists low-income seniors (50 years and older), many of whom are raising grandchildren and existing on as low as $700 per month, meet their basic needs and maintain a quality standard of living.

St. John's has a "time slot" of the first Wednesday of each month from 1 - 3 p.m. to work at Silver Horizons facility helping them by sorting food, packing bags to be distributed, packaging individual items for their food markets - there is always something that needs to be done. They are located at 1913 Eubank NE, 87112. If you would like to join other people from St. John's in this fantastic ministry, click here to sign up. Contact Donna for more information at donnabruce@comcast.net.

Trinkets & Treasures Sale Looking For Sellers, Crafters, and Buyers

Mark your calendars for the United Women in Faith (UWF) sponsored Trinkets & Treasures Sale next April 14 and 15, 2023, in the Family Life Center.

We will need sellers (look around for those trinkets & treasures that you thought your kiddos might eventually take but you've found out they have no interest in them whatsoever!) crafters (overflowing with your creations and want to sell them somewhere?) and buyers (we know you will find some trinket or treasure you've been waiting for in your shopping excursions).

More information and reservations for a booth will be available after the first of the year. Contact Regina Hampton at  hamptonmason1@msn.com  or Donna Bruce at donnabruce@comcast.net with questions.

Social Concerns: Help Tutor Albuquerque Youth with ABQ Reads

Are you concerned about the education of our children here in New Mexico? Do you like to read? Would you like to spend an hour and a half as a "tutor" for ABQ reads, working one on one with two different children for a half hour each? Then go to abqreads.com and click on the volunteer button. They'll get in touch with you and provide you with information about background checks and things like that. It's a very painless procedure, and the kids, AND the program, need you very much. You'll work either with a kindergarten or first grade group, and there are a number of schools where this program is in effect. I've been doing it for a while, and it's wonderful fun to help these really neat little kids improve their reading skills. Thanks - Dennis Scherlacher

St. John's is Seeking a Nursery Manager

St. John's UMC Nursery is looking for a Nursery Manager starting in September. Our nursery is offered on Sundays during the 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship services and also during various weekly activities and we are looking for a person who loves children, loves welcoming new families, and can manage nursery staff. The position is part-time and is currently 10 hrs a week, including Sunday mornings. If you are interested, please contact Tiffany Hollums at thollums@stjohns-abq.org. 

Are You a Caregiver?

We are hoping to organically form a supportive group of people who are actively caring for loved ones. This can look differently for people. Perhaps you're someone caring for an aging parent or grandparent (either in your home, at a facility or long-distance) or are caring for someone with special needs. You may have been doing this for a while, or it's recently become a new reality. We want to offer support, meet you where you are on this journey, share, and walk with one another. 

Let's meet. We'll take a deep breath, and see where this goes. You are not alone. Our first meeting will be Sunday, August 14, at 1 p.m. in the Welcome Center (across from the Sanctuary). Questions? Please reach out to Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org or 505-883-9717 Ext. 126.

Volunteer to Serve in the Nursery Sunday Mornings

The Nursery is always looking for volunteers to serve and help with the children. This is a wonderful way to serve every few Sundays and to be a loving and friendly face to new families and children in our church. If you are interested in serving, please contact Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org. 

August Special Offering: Sacramento Methodist Assembly

"Come to the mountain. Let God refresh your soul". Recently our youth did just that and helped spruce up the beautiful camp near Cloudcroft as well, as have people of all ages for over 90 years. God often speaks to us most profoundly when we can leave daily life for a while and spend time in the beauty of God's creation. But the existence of the camp depends on our support. So please give generously to allow future generations to experience God at Sacramento.

"Urgent Call" for Food

"Urgent Call" for food: We've received word from both The Storehouse and Silver Horizons that their supplies of food are rapidly diminishing. Therefore, let's act quickly and help replenish those empty shelves!  In August and September, we're planning a major food drive to benefit both organizations --- whatever we receive in donations will be divided between these two non-profits! Your donations of non-perishable food items of all types will be greatly appreciated. Please place your donations in the wire bins in the Hospitality Center, remembering that so many people in our community are experiencing food insecurity right now. Thank you for your continued generosity!

Let's Give Teenage Students a Boost!

Because there are ever-increasing needs among school children in our community, let's take the month of August to continue collecting snacks for teenagers (middle and high school) as they return to school this month. It's a fact that if students are well fed, they're better able to learn, and as caring Christians, that's exactly what we want for them! When you shop, please pick up any of the following snack items and bring them to the Hospitality Center (all single-serve sizes; no nut-related items): granola bars, cheese-and-crackers, protein bars, cereal bars, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, cheez-its, dried fruit, popcorn, and cup-of-noodles. Many of these same teenage students are also in need of basic school supplies, art supplies, backpacks, and reusable water bottles. Your donations of these non-food items are appreciated and will help students start the school year off right. Thanks so much!

Help Provide Sunday Snacks for Youth Group

Would you like to help provide snacks for our youth Sunday nights? We have a growing youth group and would love for friends in the church to help to provide a snack and drinks for the youth! If you are interested, please contact Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org and there will also be a sign up at the Hospitality Center!

Virtual Prayer Quilt

Chuck and Sharon Jensen are the recipients for the prayer quilt currently on display in the Hospitality Center.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Chuck and Sharon: "Loving God, we pray that you will comfort Chuck and Sharon in their suffering, lend skills to the hands of their healers, and bless the means used for their cures. Give them such confidence in the power of your grace that they put their whole trust in you, through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Pastor 24-Hour Hotline | (505) 808-1624

Pastor care is available for after hours emergencies. Any congregational care needs, please send those to Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org as we all work together to love one another well.