August 12, 2022

Solid Ground Youth Kickoff on Saturday

Youth Kickoff for Solid Ground will be August 13 from 4-6 p.m. in the east parking lot 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 on Saturday

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. on Saturday, August 13, 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.

Family Choir is Back: Sing 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 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 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.

Chancel Choir Reconvenes August 17!

If you have ever wanted to try singing with Chancel Choir, now is the time! Rehearsals resume this Wednesday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m. The choir sings every Sunday in the 11 a.m. service, under the direction of Matthew Greer and Therese Macali, and is accompanied by Jim Ahrend. NO experience is necessary and there is no audition. For more information, write to Matt or Therese. We’d love to have you sing with us!

Training for Asbury Cafe August 18

August 18 - In-Person Asbury Cafe Training (LOCATION CHANGE): There is an in-person Cafe training classes in rooms 245/257 on Thursday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. 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. 

New Children's Activities for the Fall

NewSound Children’s Choir and Kids Bible Club has a new day and time. We are calling it Families of Faith.

What is Families of Faith? It is a time for families with young children (babies to grade 5) to gather and strengthen our walk with Jesus. Starting September 15, (and going through the spring) a light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. Kids will be shepherded to Bible Club and NewSound rehearsal for spiritual growth through games, music, and fun. Parents will enjoy fellowship, book studies, and games. Childcare for ages 6 weeks to 3 years will be provided. Our evening ends in prayer at 7:30 p.m., just in time for bedtime!

Look for more information next week! Can’t wait? Email thollums@stjohns-abq.org or tmacali@stjohns-abq.org for more information.

Help Our Neighbors Affected by Fires & Floods

Our neighbors need our help. We should help them. Isn't that what we're supposed to do?

In Northern New Mexico, 432 homes have burned. Some pastures are covered in two feet of sluge. These disasters have affected our neighbors.  

On August 20, Hap Escue (our Early Response Team, ERT, trainer) will be providing an ERT class so that we can be good neighbors and help do some cleanup, so that those most affected by the fires and floods can begin to build their lives again.  

Everyone is encouraged to please attend the training on Saturday, August 20, from  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at ST. Paul's UMC in Albuquerque. Please call Hap at 505-453-2800 (HapEscue@aol.com) or Mike McGinnis at 505-328-4774 (michaelterry_mcginnis_235@msn.com) directly to let us know your coming by the end of the day on August 15. 

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.

Sunday Morning Nursery

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. 

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. 

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!

Virtual Prayer Quilt

Carol Sharp 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 Carol: "Heavenly Father, we pray that you will sustain Carol by your grace that her strength and courage will not fail; heal her according to your will. 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.