COVID-19 Update
As of July 4, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the following number of new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population by county:
· 15.2 cases per 100,000 in Bernalillo County
· 8.3 cases per 100,000 in Los Alamos County
· 8.3 cases per 100,000 in Rio Arriba County
· 8.3 cases per 100,000 in Santa Fe County
· 8.3 cases per 100,000 in Taos County
All of these counties have reported an increase in the number of new cases. Santa Fe County now is considered to be in the “high” category. Unfortunately, even some of our McCurdy staff members have had COVID-19 recently despite safety measures and being fully vaccinated.
Please know that McCurdy continues to implement health and safety measures regarding COVID-19 protocols. It is our utmost desire to ensure the safety of the children and youth we serve as well as our staff and volunteers. Because of these protocols, please note that all VIM team members are required to be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks prior to departure to a week in mission at McCurdy.
If you are bringing a VIM team to McCurdy this year, please be sure all team members review the McCurdy COVID-19 Protocols: LINK
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New Mexico wildfires
The state of New Mexico has been hit especially hard by wildfires this year. Part of the problem has arisen because the western United States has been experiencing one of the worst droughts ever recorded.
Two of the fires, the Black Fire and the Calf Canyon/Hermit Peaks Fire, have burned more than 340,000 acres, devastating the dry landscape. In particular, the Calf Canyon/Hermit Peaks Fire has destroyed hundreds of structures and displaced tens of thousands of residents. While the good news is that these fires are now 93 percent contained, the cost of the damage is in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Please keep the New Mexico families impacted by these devastating fires in your thoughts and prayers.
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Lawrence Martinez
If you have served on a McCurdy VIM team or as a long-term volunteer in recent years, you have met and worked with Lawrence Martinez, McCurdy’s Maintenance Supervisor. Lawrence has been a valuable member of the McCurdy staff and has faithfully served McCurdy since 2017.
Unfortunately, because Lawrence’s mother passed, he has submitted his resignation effective at the end of July. He now will be devoting his time to caring for his elderly father.
Lawrence knows the aging facilities on the McCurdy campus better than anyone else, so his departure is a huge loss to our ministry programs. Please join us in expressing our heartfelt thanks to Lawrence by emailing him a note of appreciation before the end of the month. His email address is lmartinez@mccurdy.org.
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A Journey of 6000 miles (Part Two)
by Sarah Allen
Sarah’s Journey of 6000 miles this summer was similar in purpose to the hundreds of trips and gatherings over the past 110 years of McCurdy Ministries history – to be in connection with those for whom we pray and are a vital part of our ministry of creating hope and empowering lives in Española, New Mexico.
The next major leg in the journey was visiting several amazing volunteers and teams in Texas including those from White Chapel and Lewisville UMC as well as Covenant UMC in Dothan Alabama. (The photo above shows Sarah with Karen Smith, White Chapel UMC Mission Team Leader.)
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Then it was time to attend and have a booth at the wonderful United Women in Faith Assembly in Orlando. It was so inspiring to speak with and listen to so many inspirational women from around the world that were gathered there. Many came to visit the McCurdy Ministries Community Center booth and it was wonderful to hear many stories from those who had volunteered or taught there in the past or were hoping to come in the future. (This photo shows Sarah visiting with Bishop Karen Oliveto at the McCurdy booth.) |
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It was a time of reflection and renewal as well as excitement, which was partly generated by the theme “Turn It Up” and by the amazing United Methodist Women themselves. You can’t be around that many remarkable people and not be recharged for the time ahead with almost minute-by-minute demonstrations of faith, kindness, and passion for God and efforts to make the world a better place. (The last photo shows Sarah working at the UWF Assembly Day of Service.) |
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McCurdy summer programs
The following information was provided by Ed Payton, an active member of Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ed currently serves as the coordinator of the Boston Avenue – McCurdy Ministries Partnership.
The McCurdy Campus Outdoor Counseling Area and Therapeutic Garden, built by Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is being utilized by two of McCurdy’s summer programs.
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Jumpstart Camp
The McCurdy Pre-K Jumpstart Program helps prepare Pre-Kindergarten students for their upcoming Kindergarten experience. This first photo shows the Jumpstart program preparing to use part of the Outdoor Counseling area, which includes a gazebo with ceiling fan, a fire pit with benches, and a recreational area. These facilities were built in the last two years by funds and volunteers from Boston Avenue UMC.
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Camp Stars
Camp Stars, a 6-week summer educational enrichment camp for students from kindergarten to 6th grade, also took advantage of meeting in some of the new outdoor facilities. Camp Stars includes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning and faith sharing through Vacation Bible School fun and service.
The second photograph shows Dorothy Swalley, one of McCurdy's long-term volunteers, working with some of the Camp Stars children (grades 4-6) in the gazebo of the Outdoor Counseling Area. Dorothy, who is a retired social worker, comes twice a year from her home in Texas to help with the Project Cariño ministry. This group of children have gathered to listen to stories, to discuss, and to share and grow in their skills at becoming adept in social/emotional behavioral skills.
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Sign up a VIM team today!
If you have a team looking for an opportunity to serve in mission, please prayerfully consider scheduling a VIM team to McCurdy Ministries Community Center. Your help is needed now more than ever! There are still several weeks this fall when no teams are scheduled. If you cannot come in 2022, please consider making a reservation for a week in 2023.
To schedule a VIM team for any week, simply contact our Volunteer Registrar Eufemia Romero by phone at 505-753-7221, ext. 210 or by email at eromero@mccurdy.org. She can help you determine which weeks are still available and answer any questions.
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2022 McCurdy Fiesta
Excitement is building for this year’s 110-anniversary celebration – the 2022 McCurdy Fiesta! We hope you are making plans to attend the events that are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29, 2022. Some of the planned activities will include a Public Private Partnership Dinner for special guests, an antique car show, volunteers dressed in period costumes, games on the lawn, “Trunk or Treat” for the kids, a Silent Auction, a Virtual 5K walk/run, a special anniversary celebration presentation, dessert for all, and much, much more.
If you have an idea for an activity for this year’s celebration, please feel free to share it with Sarah Allen: sallen@mccurdy.com
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McCurdy design contests
Hey, we need some artistic and creative ideas to help us design a special tee shirt to commemorate McCurdy’s 110th anniversary this year. In addition, we are looking for 12 designs or photos for a 2023 special edition calendar.
Get your creative juices flowing and enter one or both of these design contests. Simply summit artwork or a photograph reflecting the various seasons in the Española Valley or the various places McCurdy has had schools throughout its history (Santa Cruz, Velarde, Alcalde, and Vallecitos).
All entries must be artist’s original work or photograph and no more than two entries per individual. Everyone is eligible to enter, no matter the age. Entries must be received by August 1, 2022. Winners will be announced by August 31, 2022.
Prizes for winners:
The winner of the tee shirt design contest will receive a McCurdy tee shirt, a McCurdy 2023 calendar, and a $50 gift card.
For the calendar contest, there will be 12 winners. One winner will be selected for the calendar cover and will receive a free calendar, a McCurdy tee shirt, and a $50 gift card. Their entry also will appear as the graphic for one month. In addition, there will be 11 monthly winners who will receive a free calendar and a $25 gift card.
Contest rules:
Hurry! Time is running out, so please go to the McCurdy website for the full list of entry rules and a contest application form: https://mccurdy.org/
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Here’s a great recipe to serve anytime. It’s from McCurdy’s very own collection, Recipes of a Century Past, published in 2012 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ministry. This recipe was contributed by Natalia Coriz, Class of 2011.
Chicken Enchilada Quiche
- 1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup Half and Half or milk
- 1 (12-1/2 ounce) can chunk chicken breast in water, drained
- 1-1/2 cups broken tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup thick and chunky salsa
- 1 (4-1/2 ounce) can chopped green chiles
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Sour cream
- Salsa
Preheat oven to 350o F. Place pie crust in a 9 or 9-1/2 inch glass deep dish pie pan as directed on the box for one crust filled pie. In a medium bowl, beat eggs with a wire whisk until blended. Beat in Half and Half. Stir in chicken, chips, both cheese, salsa, green chilies, salt, and pepper. Pour into pie crust lined pan. Sprinkle pepper over the top of filling. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until crust is light brown and a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Cut into wedges. Serve with sour cream and/or salsa. Yield: 6 servings.
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So often when I start to say my prayers at the end of the day, my mind is filled with the words and music of the great hymn, How Great Thou Art. The words of the first verse and chorus resonate through my soul, and I often sing it silently to my Heavenly Father before I begin my prayer time with my Lord.
The following information about the origins of the hymn is taken from the All About God website.
How Great Thou Art
“The history of the hymn How Great Thou Art begins with Mr. Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940). He was a Swedish pastor, editor, and member of the Swedish parliament. Mr. Boberg was enjoying a nice walk when a thunderstorm suddenly appeared out of nowhere. A severe wind began to blow. After the storm was over, Mr. Boberg looked out over the clear bay. He then heard a church bell in the distance. And the words to How Great Thou Art begin to form in his heart -- O Lord, my God, When I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands hath made. . . Can you imagine what Boberg felt as he formed these words? There was such calmness after the fierce storm he could only utter those words of peace.
This poem, titled O Store Gud (O Great God) was published in 1891 in Witness of the Truth, the weekly newspaper that Boberg edited. It was later translated in German. In 1927, it was published in a Russian version of the German text.
How Great Thou Art was translated by Stuart K. Hine, the English missionary to Ukraine. He found some version of the Russian text and sang it at an evangelistic meeting with his wife. He then translated the first three stanzas into English, which was sung at an evangelistic meeting in England during World War One. He published the first three verses (in both English and Russian) in 1949 in Grace and Peace, a Russian evangelistic paper which Hine edited. He later wrote the fourth verse as a triumphant message of life eternal.
Of the hymn’s importance he said: ‘When we reach that heavenly home, we will fully understand the greatness of God, and will bow in humble adoration, saying to Him, O Lord my God, how great thou art.’ May we all live in such a way that we will be ready when Jesus Christ appears to receive the saints. Our heavenly home awaits us, all of those who have received Christ in obedience.
…Today millions across the world continue to sing this beautiful song. Giving God all praise, glory, and honor for who He is -- the Creator of this universe.”
Use this link to read the full story as well as the original hymn’s verses: LINK
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Do you have a favorite hymn or scripture that helped you through a difficult time? If so, would you be willing to share your story with me and with our readers? If so, please email it to me at lpolson1966@gmail.com.
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Shaping Worries into Prayers
By Sharon Jaynes
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
…So what do we do when those anxious feelings creep in? When our hearts start to race, our palms start to sweat and our blood runs cold with worry?
As tempted as we might be to feed the worry, obsess over it with our friends or loved ones, or go into "fix-it mode" with Google, our first action should be to pray and give our burdens and worries to God. (Psalm 55:2)
Paul wrote, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done" (Philippians 4:6).
The Message paraphrase of Philippians 4:6-7 says it this way: "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
Don't you love that? "Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers." Like a potter shaping clay into beauty, we have the opportunity to shape our worries into beautiful petitions to God.
I don't know what you're anxious about today, but I do know God is in control. And He is good.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the omnipotent God who takes care of every need and calms every anxious heart. I give You my worries and concerns, knowing that You are in control, and You always have a good plan. In Jesus' Name, Amen.”
Use this link to read the full devotional: LINK
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McCurdy Ministries Community Center creates hope and empowers the lives of children, youth, adults and families through education, life skills, and faith-based programs in Española, New Mexico.
The month of June brings abundant flowers, a vast array of summer fruits and vegetables, and a desire to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. May you take some time to renew your spirit as you soak up some of God’s abundant splendor during this first month of summer!
McCurdy Board and Staff
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Through our Volunteer Newsletter, we are providing the latest information about volunteer opportunities at McCurdy Ministries Community Center and sharing helpful tips about planning a mission trip to Española. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or suggestions about articles or resources. Send your suggestions or questions to Linda Polson at lpolson1966@gmail.com. Linda is an MMCC Board Member and experienced VIM Team Leader.
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McCurdy Ministries Community Center creates hope and empowers the lives of children, youth, adults and families through education, life skills and faith-based programs
in Española, NM.
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