October 28, 2022

Betty Newman Memorial Service This Saturday

A memorial service for Betty Newman will be held at St. John’s UMC on October 29 at 10:00 a.m. Click the link HERE to view her obituary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the St. Johns United Methodist Church Music Program.

Fall Festival This Sunday

Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat is this Sunday, October 30 from 4-6 p.m.  Please invite your friends and bring clothes to donate for the APS Clothing Drive! We will have Trunk or Treat in the parking lot and a variety of activities for prizes and candy.

Questions? Please contact Tiffany thollums@stjohns-abq.org.

"Music at St. John's" Presents Joel Becktell Sunday

"Music at St. John's" will present cellist Joel Becktell in recital on Sunday at 2pm in the sanctuary. Joel has been a frequent guest at St. John's, and performed with orchestras all over the world. His recital will include music of J.S. Bach, Domenico Gabrielli, György Ligeti, and Henri Algadafe. There is no admission charge; a free will offering will be received.

The recital will also be available by livestream here. Join us!

United Women in Faith This Thursday

United Women in Faith will meet on Thursday, November 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 241/243. Our presenter is Elaine Montague, author of “Victory from the Shadows, Growing Up in a New Mexico School for the Blind and Beyond,” winner of eight literary awards. The story is gripping in emotional intensity, rich in history, overflowing with powerful lessons, and an inspiring love story. 'Victory' shows how the late Gary Montague, a St. John’s member, lived successfully despite being born with low vision. The book had its beginning in a St. John’s memoir-writing group. Signed books will be available from the author. Everyone is welcome, so we hope you'll join us on November 3 for food, fun, and fellowship. This meeting will also be offered by Zoom; to receive the link, please contact Carol, in advance, at carolmwiggins@aol.com. 

Mary Lou Ashwill Memorial Service November 5

Longtime St. John’s member Mary Lou Ashwill passed away on October 12. A memorial service for Mary Lou will be Saturday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m. in the St. John’s sanctuary. Please be in prayer for her family.

Jolly Elders Meets November 9

Our next meeting of Jolly Elders will be on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, beginning at 11 AM, in the Sanctuary. Adults of all ages are cordially invited to come to our next meeting of Jolly Elders, where we will enjoy a program presented by the church’s Organist and Pianist, Jim Ahrend, on the topic of “My Life as a Musician.” Perhaps we will get to see Jim demonstrate his talent for playing the organ and/ or the piano. Even if you have never attended a Jolly Elders event in the past you are welcome.

The meeting will end by noon to allow everyone to depart church for lunch elsewhere on their own. Everyone must park their vehicles and enter St. John's United Methodist Church on the west side (the 2626 Arizona Street NE side) of the church.

Memory Café is Back on November 12

We’re back! Memory Café will resume on Saturday, November 12. from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the SonShine Cafe. This monthly meeting is for people with memory loss and their family caretakers. We are still looking for people to assist in planning and help with meetings. For more information, contact Sharon Jensen at 505-323-7522 or ssmjens@aol.com.

Youth Fall Retreat November 18-20

Youth Fall Retreat to Sacramento Camp is November 18-20, 2022. Cost is $150 per camper and there are scholarships available!

Access the packing list using the following link:  Fall Retreat Packing List 

To receive the youth updates or information, please email Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org. 

New Advent Bible Study Beginning

November 22

Women's Advent Study: The Angels of Christmas, Hearing God's Voice in Advent by Susan Robb

• November 22 - December 13 (4 weeks), Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.,  IN PERSON
• Facilitator: Dara Bell
• Register by emailing donnabruce@comcast.net

This Advent study explores the angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds in a four-week Advent experience. The participants will explore the visits and dive deep into the history of the angel Gabriel and other angels in the Bible. The messages of the angels hold meaning for listeners both then and now. Pastor Randall will also preach an Advent sermon series on this book. Some copies of the book ($13 each) will be available in the Hospitality Center for purchase beginning this Sunday.

Asbury Pie Cafe Update

Asbury Cafe is donating over $50,000 to these local charities to feed the hungry of Albuquerque: 

The Storehouse, Meals on Wheels, Good Shepherd, The Rock at Noonday, East Mountain Food Pantry, Silver Horizons, S Alb Coop. Ministry, First UMC, The Barrett House, Family Promise, and Rio Grande Food Project.

This was all possible through the commitment of volunteers. Many thanks to the volunteers who worked at the Cafe, prayed, donated, made pies, organized pies, stored pies, baked pies and ate pies. This was the most successful year to date.

St. John's Jammers Meeting Date Change

The St. John’s Jammers will meet Thursday, November 3, and December 1, at 5:30 p.m. Jammers are welcome to join the Families of Faith dinner at 5:30 p.m. and then gather into room 149/151 for a jamming session.

Angel Tree Ministry

The Angel Tree ministry has been supported by St. Johns for many years. If you’re not familiar, Angel Tree provides gifts for children whose parents are incarcerated, in the name of the parent! Of course, it could not be done without the generosity of the people of St. John’s. You will have two opportunities to pick your “Angel” from the Trees that will be in the Narthex and the Family Life Center on November 13 and 20. Then you’re off to shop for a gift of clothing and a “fun” gift for “your” Angel, spending $20 on each gift. You can return the wrapped gifts, with the Angels attached, to church on November 27th and/or December 4. Volunteers will sort the gifts into family groups, and then make certain they are delivered to the Angels before Christmas!

If you are unable to shop, but would like to support the program, please pick your Angels, and give the volunteer at the tree your $40 contribution. Volunteers will do the shopping and wrapping for you.



Should you be interested in volunteering in some way, please contact Kathy Scherlacher at 505-918-5990.

Each year this Christmas time ministry brings great joy to the children and the love of Christ to their parents. Thank you, St. John’s, for your time, your gifts, and your support of Angel Tree.

"Rhythm of the Saints" Art Show

The St. John’s UMC Joie de Vivre art ministry shares its new installation, “The Rhythm of the Saints” starting this week. Artwork is on display throughout the building, having been shared specifically for this show by members and friends of St. John’s, with art from family members, friends, and loved ones who are no longer with us, but whose memory we still carry, and whose art still blesses us and others.

As the Church remembers its saints on All Saints (typically November 1^st or the first Sunday in November), we are invited in this season to ponder the handiwork and lives of these beloved children of God in all their variety, giftedness, and beauty. Hebrews 12 teaches us that we are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” May this show remind us of the witnesses of the faith and bring to blessed memory all those who have gone before us.

Write a Letter to Our 2022 Confirmands

Confirmation is a very important journey of faith in which young people commit to learn and study about what it means to be a Christian and to join the life of the church as an adult in the faith. These confirmands, (below) have been meeting since last Fall and have been so faithful in coming every Sunday for 2 hours to learn what it means to confirm their faith. On Sunday, November 6, they will be confirmed and we wanted to invite you, their church family, to write them letters welcoming them to the church, share wisdom, prayers, or favorite verses. There will be red bags with the confirmands names at the Hospitality center where you can place these letters and the confirmands will receive these at the reception on November 6. Thank you for investing in the lives of these amazing individuals as they take this important faith step. 

Our 2022 Confirmands:

• Henry Eaton
• Alanah Hamilton
• Dylan Jones
• Zander Mauck
• Illuminata Hime-Penasa
• Lily Lybarger
• Alejandro Quinlan
• Scarlett Sharp

Virtual Prayer Quilt

Barbara Antonio (friend of Elda Pinsonneault) is the recipient 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 Barbara: "Father God, please comfort Barbara and wrap your arms around her as she mourns. May she share abundantly in the grace, love and comfort that only you can provide. Amen.”

The Purpose of Prayer Quilts

The purpose of this ministry is not to make and distribute quilts, but to encourage prayer through the use of our quilts. The idea behind these prayer quilts is simple. Thread is taken through the quilt layers and the ends are left free to be tied. As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is said for someone in special need, who then receives the finished quilt. We “hang” a prayer quilt in the Narthex every two weeks or display it virtually through the eDisciple. If you know of someone in special need for whom you would like to request a prayer quilt, please contact Donna Bruce at 505-883-1373 or donnabruce@comcast.net.

St. John's United Methodist Church

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.

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.