cOVID-19 Update
For the two-week period of March 22 to April 4, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reported the following number of COVID-19 cases by county:
- 577 cases in Bernalillo County
- 25 cases in Los Alamos County
- 35 cases in Rio Arriba County
- 25 cases in Taos County
To help ensure the safety of the children and youth we serve as well as our staff and volunteers, McCurdy continues to implement health and safety measures regarding COVID-19 protocols. Starting in May, we are excited to welcome back VIM teams to our campus.
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McCurdy COVID-19
protocols updated
The safety protocols for VIM teams that were developed and adopted by the McCurdy Board of Trustees in April 2021 were updated on March 24, 2022. The No. 1 priority of these protocols is to help ensure the well-being of the children, youth, and families served by the ministry as well as McCurdy staff and VIM team members.
Some highlights of the updated protocols include:
- VIM team members must now have the CDC recommended booster dose at least 5 months after completing the primary COVID-19 vaccination series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 months after your Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine for optimal protection from the virus.
- Team members are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of departure to McCurdy.
- The ban has been lifted for VIM teams that require traveling to New Mexico by airplane, train, or other public modes of transportation.
- Team members are required to wear either a well-fitting disposable surgical mask, a KN95 mask, or a well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators (including N95s), which offer the highest level of protection.
- Only one VIM team will be allowed to stay in the dormitory at any time. The team will be assigned to the north and east wings (up to 30 beds are available) and will have access to the kitchen in the east wing.
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New pillow protectors
A big “thank you” to the VIM team from First United Methodist Church in Claremore, Oklahoma. The team provided funds to purchase two new sets of Guardmax Zippered Pillowcases for all of the pillows in the Pilling Dormitory. These pillow protectors are 100 percent waterproof and are washable. They will be washed with the bed linens after each mission team departs. These special pillowcases should provide some protection from dirt, dust, and germs for those who use the pillows while staying in the dormitory.
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Project Cariño Restores Hope
Not long ago, another family lost a parent to drugs, leaving behind several young children. It is an occurrence that happens all too frequently in the Española Valley. One of the children was already under the care of Project Cariño’s staff for anxiety and disturbing dreams that were leaving the child withdrawn, emotional, and scared. Death and loss can trouble each of us no matter what our age, but with the help of the caring staff at Project Cariño, this child is slowly recovering and beginning to smile again.
We are grateful for the work of our volunteers who have provided funding and manpower, creativity, and love to help McCurdy Ministries Community Center through all the years. The Project Cariño area has been a special project for the VIM team from Boston Avenue UMC from Tulsa, Oklahoma who have returned again and again and helped to create this beautiful space to help our children who need heal.
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Standing (l-r): Juan Sanchez, Volunteer; Grace Lopez, Intern; Bill Clapp, Counselor
Seated (l-r): Samantha Vigil, Intern, and Amanda Trujillo-Gonzales, Director/Counselor
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2022 McCurdy Fiesta plans
This year’s McCurdy Fiesta is scheduled to be held on Friday, October 28, and Saturday, October 29, 2022. Tentative plans include a Public Private Partnership “Thank You” Dinner for special guests on Friday night.
Saturday’s planned outdoor activities will include an antique car show, volunteers dressed in period costumes, games on the lawn, a “Trunk or Treat” for the children, and more.
Saturday’s indoor activities will include tables for community agencies and Silent Auction items as well as the showing of a new McCurdy video, an update on McCurdy’s ministries, a short presentation on the Campus Redesign, and dessert for all.
Stay tuned as work is ongoing to provide more fun-filled activities to celebrate McCurdy’s 110th anniversary! We hope you will make plans to join us!
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A call for volunteers
Volunteers are needed to assist with setup and cleanup for the McCurdy Fiesta scheduled for October 28-29, 2022. Currently, there are no VIM teams booked either the week prior to the Fiesta (10/24-10/28) or the week following the Fiesta (10/30-11/5). If you have a VIM team that would like to help with the preparations or the cleanup for the event, please consider booking your VIM team for one of these weeks.
Also, volunteers are needed to help host a variety of activities planned on Saturday, October 28, on the lawn and in the McCracken Gymnasium. If you want to volunteer for just the one day, please contact Sarah Allen by email at sallen@mccurdy.org.
To schedule a VIM team, please contact our Volunteer Registrar Eufemia Romero by phone at 505-753-7221, ext. 210 or by email at eromero@mccurdy.org.
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Long-term volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed to fill two long-term positions during the coming months (May-October) when VIM teams return to campus. Long-term volunteers are encouraged to stay for at least two months and longer residencies are preferred.
Volunteers stay in the Retreat Center during their time on campus which provides dormitory style rooms with semi-private bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas for volunteer use.
Assistant VIM Work Coordinator
McCurdy Ministries also needs a VIM Work Coordinator. This person will assist McCurdy staff with coordinating the work schedule of VIM teams while on campus.
General duties of the VIM Work Coordinator include:
- assigning specific work tasks on a daily basis;
- providing general orientation on proper safety protocols while working;
- ensuring team members have proper tools and supplies for their work assignments;
- serving as a resource for any questions volunteers may have about their assigned work tasks; and
- updating McCurdy maintenance staff of any issues the VIM team members encounter while working on campus.
Retreat Center Host
McCurdy Ministries also needs a Retreat Center host or hosts. The host(s) will assist McCurdy staff with VIM teams staying in the retreat center. Couples or an individual can apply for this long-term volunteer position.
General duties of the Retreat Center host/s include:
- welcoming volunteers upon their arrival on campus;
- making sure rooms are supplied with clean linens;
- serving as a resource for questions volunteers may have during their stay including where to find supplies in the retreat center;
- ensuring that common areas are kept cleans;
- updating MMCC staff of any maintenance issues in the retreat center needing attention; and
- providing orientation to McCurdy and sometimes doing a tour of campus.
For more information about serving as a long-term volunteer, please download the Long-Term Individual Volunteer Handbook that includes an application form. The link to the handbook is located on the McCurdy website: https://mccurdy.org/individual-volunteers/.
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McCurdy Amazon “wish list”
A big “thank you” to all our McCurdy friends who have purchased items from our Amazon “wish list”. The list was created so supporters could help purchase some of the supplies needed for McCurdy’s After-School Care, Pre-K, and Project Cariño (mental health counseling) programs. Your purchases furnished needed arts and craft materials as well as some general office, kitchen, cleaning, and safety supplies.
It's not too late to participate. Simply use the link below and select an item or two to purchase just like you would any Amazon purchase. (It operates like a wedding registry site.) Just be sure to select McCurdy Ministries Community Center on the address list at checkout so your items will be shipped directly to Española.
Again, thanks for your ongoing support of our ministry!
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Recipe of the month
If you are looking for something special to serve your family on Easter Sunday, try this traditional recipe from McCurdy’s very own collection, Recipes of a Century Past, published in 2012 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ministry. This recipe is another one contributed by Ruby Brigham Anders, Class of 1959.
Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 3 cups milk
- 3 egg yoks, beaten
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3/4 cup moist coconut
Meringue:
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup coconut
- 1 pie shell, baked and cooled
Mix sugar, salt, cornstarch, and flour, stir in milk gradually. Cook over moderate heat stirring constantly. Cook until thickens. Boil 1 minute slowly stirring in beaten egg yolks. Boil one more minute, stirring constantly. Add butter, vanilla, and 3/4 cup coconut, pour into baked pie shell and set aside.
For the meringue: Beat egg whites and cream of tartar to form peaks. Add sugar, a little at a time. Add vanilla and beat well. Spread on pie and sprinkle 1/3 cup coconut on top. Brown meringue under broiler until light brown. Chill until set (about 3 hours).
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Hymn of the month
Here’s the story behind one of the favorite hymns sung on Easter Sunday. It stirs my heart as strongly today as it did in my youth.
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
“Originally titled ‘Hymn for Easter Day,’ Charles Wesley published the well-loved anthem ‘Christ the Lord is Risen Today’ in 1739 – which was within the first year of his conversion. The song had its debut during the first worship service at the Wesleyan Chapel in London, England known as the Foundry Meeting House.
However, the original lines find their origin long before 1739. The inspiration for this hymn can be traced back to one written in Latin in the 14th century. In the early 1700s that song was translated into English and published as ‘Jesus Christ is Risen Today.’ It was this short hymn that served as the building blocks for what would be adapted and expanded by Charles Wesley.
There have been some changes over the years, and the song you are most familiar with is likely different than Wesley’s original composition. Originally the song consisted of eleven stanzas, without the ‘Alleluias!’ that echoes throughout the unfolding celebration of Christ’s Resurrection.
The original tune that Wesley used for it is also different than what you’re used to hearing...An unknown editor later changed the tune to accommodate the alleluias at the end of each line.
Although many hymnals feature a much shorter version of this hymn – often just four stanzas – versions of this hymn have been enthusiastically sung in Easter services for over 280 years. May it continue to be a blessing to you and your church as you celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday!”
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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You Don't Have to Be Perfect
By Crystal Paine
“…My kids don't need a perfect parent who can preach persuasive sermons. They need a mom who loves them, listens to them and points them to Jesus.
Think about it: If I were perfect, I wouldn't need Jesus. The whole reason Jesus came to earth and died for me is because I am not able to achieve perfection.
As Colossians 2:13-14 says,
‘And you, who were dead in your trespasses
and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.
This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
When I read this verse, I feel such deep gratitude. Christ's finished work on the cross has canceled the record of our debt. He took upon Himself the punishment we deserved for our sins.
He paid our debt in full. Not because of who we are or what we have done but because of who He is and how much He loves us. Because of this, when God looks at us, He sees Jesus. This is the gospel. This is the Good News!
His death on my behalf allows me to live with freedom and joy - free from having to live life chasing after pleasing other people, being perfect or managing my reputation.
Whether it's parenting, marriage, working at our job or just living life with others, we will never do it all right. And that's not the goal. Let's be people who are honest enough to admit our mistakes and imperfections and our need for Jesus each and every minute of the day!”
Lord, help me to release my burdens and stresses to You today. Give me strength when I feel overwhelmed, clarity when I don't know what to do, and grace to face whatever discouragements or difficulties today holds. Thank You that You are my perfect Father and I can rest in You today! 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.
May the true meaning of Easter touch your life in a special way this year as we take time to focus on the Sacrifice and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Special Easter blessings to each of our faithful supporters!
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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