September 23, 2022

Community Garden Workday on Saturday

Have you noticed all the plants growing in the hoop houses and garden boxes as you drive by the west side of St. John's? We've had a bountiful crop of produce this year! Chef Tim has used many of the veggies in the meals he prepares for the food insecure and what he hasn't been able to use, he's frozen for future use. Along with the bountiful crop of produce, we also had a bountiful crop of weeds! 

After a successful clean-up day in August, we have decided to establish a regular Garden Ministry workday on the fourth Saturday of each month. The next one will be September 24, 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. (come and go as your schedule permits). We'd love your help so please mark your calendars and join us!

Volunteer for Omelet Bar on Sunday

It’s here again! Omelet Bar Mix-and-Match happens the fourth Sunday of each month, and the next one is coming up on Sunday, September 25. Omelet Bar is in the SonShine Cafe between 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. You can get a made-to-order 3 egg or egg white omelet that you can choose to fill with a generous selection of meats and veggies plus a piece of toast with jam or butter. All for just $7 per omelet with a drink included! Bring a friend and enjoy a quality, made from scratch breakfast and great conversation around the cafe tables with folks from all 3 Sunday services! 

We need volunteers to take money and be a runner—no running required. To sign up, text or call Nancy Douglas de Baca at 505-238-5895 or sign up using the button below.

We Care Group Meets on Sunday

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The We Care group will meet Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m in the couches behind the Hospitality Center. This group is a way for caregivers to support and care for one another. We will meet each month and are also planning some special events as we are finding new ways to care for ourselves as we care for others.  If you are interested or have questions, please contact Pastor Tiffany, Fay Barz, or Rachel Perovich. 

Stress-Busting for Caregivers Starts October 4

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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.

Coping with Stress & Anxiety: United Women in Faith Meeting on October 6

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Stress and Anxiety: We all feel it from time to time, right? Could we use some strategies on how to cope with it? Absolutely! Please join our United Women in Faith on October 6th, as our own Susan Brumbaugh, presents some tips on building skills to deal with the stressful moments in our lives. Susan is the wife of our senior pastor, and serves as our St. John's licensed mental health counselor. She leads weekly meditations and will share some of that information at our meeting on October 6. We'll meet, in person, at 10 a.m. in Room 241/243. If you'd prefer to join via Zoom, please contact Carol, in advance, at carolmwiggins@aol.com to receive the link. Everyone is welcome! 

Women's Bible Study on The Gospel on the Ground Begins October 10 & 11

Women's Bible Study will be starting a new study on The Gospel on the Ground: The Grit and Glory of the Early Church in Acts by Kristi McLelland. We are offering this class at two times:

• October 10 - November 21 (7 weeks), Mondays, 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m., ZOOM 
• October 11 - November 22 (7 weeks), Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., ZOOM
• Facilitator: Donna Bruce
• Register by emailing donnabruce@comcast.net

Join biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland as she unpacks the life of the early church in the book of Acts. Seven studies show how the kingdom of God is always on the move - always looking outward to bring meaning and joy to a world searching for true fulfillment and hope. Explore the call of Jesus to His disciples then and to us today. See how God's Word can sustain us even in the most difficult of times, and embrace the transformative grace we experience as children of God in His kingdom of celebration.

Women's Bible Study on Lose Control, the Way to Find Your Soul Starts on October 11

Join Women's Bible Study as we explore Lose Control, the Way to Find Your Soul by Mary Shannon Hoffpauir.

• October 11 - November 22 (7 weeks), Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. IN PERSON
• Facilitator: Barbara Stanfield
• Register by emailing donnabruce@comcast.net

Have you ever thought you had life under control―until you didn’t? Perhaps thinking “God is in control” but living as if you are. It's like walking around with a hot cup of coffee, afraid that with one wrong move it will spill and be a burning hot mess. Then you realize what little control you have and how dependent on God you truly are.

In Lose Control, Mary Shannon Hoffpauir takes you on a journey through the book of First Samuel, which is an epic story about a fight for control. Despite God’s warnings through the prophet Samuel, the nation of Israel was determined to take control by having their own king. As you dig into the saga of King Saul and David, who would become the next anointed king of Israel, you will discover that no plan or purpose of God can be thwarted by human beings. Even the worst of circumstances can be used by God to accomplish His purposes in your life. In her no-nonsense, authentic teaching style, Mary Shannon encourages you to lose control so that you can find your soul through a trusting relationship with your faithful God.

POLO Trip to Harvey House Belen on October 14

Join POLO (People of Leisure and Others) on Friday, October 14, to learn the history and culture of Harvey Houses. Belen's Santa Fe Hotel, built in 1901, was extensively remodeled in 1910 and became a Harvey House, one of a number of restaurants at railway stations in the U. S. southwest. Cost is $5.00 per person, plus lunch at Pete’s, across the street from the museum. The museum curators ask that you visit their website, www.harveyhousemuseum.org, before the tour if at all possible. 

You may meet us at the museum, 104 North 1st Street, Belen, at 11:15 a.m. We will eat at Pete’s, then tour the museum at about 12:30 p.m. If you would like to carpool, please meet in the West parking lot by 10:15 am. We hope you can join us for this interesting glimpse into a facet of the history created by the railroads. Please sign up in the Hospitality Center. You may pay Mary Beth or Barbara, or make a check payable to St. John’s, with a notation—POLO. If you have questions, contact Mary Beth Spletzer, 505-508-4829, or Barbara Stanfield, 505-275-8551. 

Passing of Member Betty Newman

Betty Newman, St. John's member since 1973, passed away on September 16 2022. She was a faithful member of the Chancel Choir for several decades, as was her husband Bud. She was also a volunteer in the music office for many years. Her family would like to have a service to remember Betty this fall. Betty was such a joyful and faithful presence. May choirs of angels receive her.

Passing of Member Robert Martin

Robert Martin (well known as "Bob"), St. John's member since 1958, passed away September 16, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Donnie. At his request, there will be no local funeral services. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. Condolences can be sent to Donnie at slopoke67@msn.com or 3890 N. Buffalo Dr., Unit #108, Las Vegas, NV 89129.

A Note From the Church Treasurer

Financial Giving statements for 1/1/2022 to 8/31/2022 were mailed out on Monday. If you have questions, contact the church treasurer Doris Bowen at 505-410-7213 or bowen_g@msn.com.

Join Reconcile: Conflict Transformation for Ordinary Christians Book Study

This fall, Pastor Randall invites everyone to read and study together John Paul Lederach’s book, Reconcile: Conflict Transformation for Ordinary Christians. We have several classes and small groups who will begin studying this book at the end of September through November, including:

• Family Spirit Sunday School Class on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in room 257. Contact Brian Eagan for more information (eagan.brian@gmail.com).
• Small group study offered by Gina Rivera in her home on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Contact Gina for more information (rivera.vg@gmail.com).



The books will be available for purchase at the Hospitality Center this Sunday for those who would like to join!

New Process to Submit Articles to Newsletter

We are starting a new process to submit articles to be published in our electronic and print newsletter. If you would like to submit an article for consideration, please email it communicate@stjohns-abq.org by 5 p.m. on Wednesday evening to be published on Friday (in the digital newsletter) and Sunday (in the print newsletter) that week. Contact Nicole Creaturo at ncreaturo@stjohns-abq.org with any questions.

Virtual Prayer Quilt

Joyce and David Apple are the recipients of the prayer quilt currently on display in the Hospitality Center.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Joyce and David: "Joyce and David, may the Lord be your solid rock. May He be your refreshing fountain. May the Lord be with you always. 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.

Giving and Sharing

It's what we do so well at St. John's, and yet, we're always aware of the need to step up and do more! When it comes to food scarcity, our community is blessed with several food distribution agencies that have truly fine-tuned the process of quickly getting the food out to those in need. The Storehouse and Silver Horizons are the focus of our giving this month, and both agencies are reporting critical shortages of all types of non-perishable foods. That certainly makes the shopping easy for us! So, as you shop this month, please remember the families and senior citizens all around us who possibly face food scarcity, and let's fill --- to overflowing --- our wire bins in the Hospitality Center. Let's never stop "giving and sharing" from our abundance (and our hearts)! Thanks.

Zuni Weekend Meal Bags: Donations Needed

With a new school year now underway, the St. John's Weekend Meal Bag production process is in full swing and running like clockwork! Providing weekend breakfast, lunch, and dinner for approximately 45 Zuni students is no small task, which is a good reason for us to rally around the organizers of this project with our support. We're requesting the following in-kind donations this month: (single-serve sizes) granola and/or breakfast bars (w/o nuts and w/o peanut butter), oatmeal packets, pudding and/or jello cups, and single-serve veggie cups, such as corn, peas, and green beans. Please place your donations in the wire bins in the Hospitality Center. If you'd prefer to make a monetary donation to this project, please make checks payable to "St. John's UMC", with "Zuni Meal Bags" on the memo line. Thanks for your generosity. 

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.