April 19, 2024

Josh's Jottings

Psalms 120-134 are often called the pilgrimage Psalms or the "Psalms of Ascent." According to tradition, they were sung by Israelites as they walked up the hill to Jerusalem on their journey to worship at the temple. This weekend, a small group from St. John's will be making a pilgrimage of sorts to Hobbs, New Mexico. There, we will worship with the United Methodist Community that is forming in the wake of disaffiliation. These folks have been worshipping together for about 4 months now, and are intent on remaining connected to our denomination and tradition. 

We want to go to Hobbs to support them, worship with them, learn from them, and most important be in connection with them. Please pray for us on our journey. We are praying Psalm 133 as we travel - a very appropriate Psalm of Ascent for our moment in the United Methodist Church. 

"How very good and pleasant it is 

when kindred live together in unity! 

It is like the precious oil on the head, 

running down the beard, 

on the beard of Aaron, 

running down the collar of his robes. 

It is like the dew of Hermon, 

which falls on the mountains of Zion. 

For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore." 

One more word. Please also pray for the United Methodist General Conference which will begin its quadrennial meeting next week in Charlotte, NC. After so much has happened these last four years, please pray that we would all live together in unity. 

-Josh 

Mobile Food Pantry

Saturday

Volunteers arrive about 9:00-9:30 a.m. and distribution begins at 9:30 - 10:00 a.m., depending on the time the Roadrunner Food truck arrives. We are usually finished before noon. For more information, please contact Debby Smith at 505-554-4238 or dysmith0427@gmail.com. 

The annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign is in its 11th year and runs in Walmart stores, Sam’s Club locations, and online from April 1 – 29, 2024. It’s easy to join in! There are three ways for customers and members to participate and support Roadrunner Food Bank through this campaign: click here to find out how you can participate.  

Mountain Cathedrals Hike

Saturday

The boulder-filled foothills of the Sandias, not far north of I-40, are the setting for our next Mountain Cathedral hike. Excellent vistas of Albuquerque, and of the mountains above, await. The legendary Eye may have been painted to reflect sorrow at the encroachment of the city on the wilderness. Humanity is becoming more unavoidable, and the need to "get away" is important. Where is the balance between reaching out to others and leaving them to be alone?

Logistics: Meet at the St. John's UMC (Albuquerque) east parking lot at 7:30 a.m., or at the trailhead (Google Maps: Copper Trailhead) at 8:00. 

Moderate to strenuous (3.5 miles, with about 1300 feet of climb and sandy/rocky trail conditions). Plan to be back at the parking area by noon and St. John's by 12:30. Bring sun protection, snacks, and water. Trekking poles and sturdy walking shoes are recommended. Enthusiasm is welcome!

Please join us for this hike of meditation, wilderness, and time apart from our normal schedules.

Organizer: Mike Furnish, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net.

We are trying to schedule the next several Mountain Cathedrals (May onward) - stay tuned!  

Omelet Bar Returns

Sunday

Omelet Bar will return this month, one week early. Come by the SonShine Café Sunday, April 21, between 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. to get your made-to-order omelet that comes with your choice of toast and a drink, all for just $7! Choose from a variety of fillings of meats, cheeses, veggies, and salsas to make your omelet unique to you. Invite a friend to enjoy a conversation over a hot breakfast!

We need volunteers to make Omelet Bar happen. If you would like to volunteer to be a cashier, omelet runner or toastmaster, please sign up HERE, or contact Nancy Douglas de Baca at squidgete@yahoo.com or Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or 505-883-9717.

"Music at St. John's"

Presents Kings Return in Concert

Sunday

“Music at St. John's” will present the Grammy-nominated a cappella group Kings Return in concert in our sanctuary on Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m. Deriving inspiration from gospel, jazz, R&B, soul, and classical singing, this quartet has racked up more than ten million views of their performances on social media. Tickets are available at musicatstjohns.org.

This event WILL sell out!

Memory Café

May 4

The next meeting of Memory Café Albuquerque is Saturday May 4, 2024, at 1:30-3:00 in the SonShine Café at St. John’s United Methodist Church. We are celebrating Mother’s Day with a tea party for our mothers, fathers, and other loved ones. Wear your fanciest or funniest hat for the hat contest. Music is the mellow voice of Randall Perez and his guitar. Snacks and information for caregivers and loved ones will also be available.

Memory Café meets the first Saturday of each month at 1:30-3:00 in the SonShine Café. It is a supportive fellowship for anyone affected by memory loss/Alzheimer’s and their caring partners. Meet and share with others on a similar journey. This is not a drop-off event. For more information (505) 323-7522 or ssmjens@aol.com. 

Memorial Service for Jacque Stuckey

April 22

St. John's member, Jacque Stuckey, passed away on April 11. Jacque and her husband, Johnny, were members of St. John's since the early 50's. She came to know Jesus as her Savior through Bible Study Fellowship and never stopped learning and growing and giving. A memorial service, celebration of her life will be held Monday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Manzano del Sol chapel, 5201 Roma Ave NE. Please keep the Stuckey family in your thoughts and prayers.

Memorial Service for Sam Tolley

April 27

St. John's member, Sam Tolley, passed away on April 6. Sam was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church for 59 years. He particularly enjoyed working with the children's Sunday School and softball league, food ministry, and the men's prayer group. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Reverend Josh Kouri and Reverend Jim Hawk will officiate. Burial will be at Santa Fe National Cemetery, Tuesday, April 30, at 2:00 p.m.

Family Spirit Class

Encounters in Prayer and Love

Please join us at St. John's UMC on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in room 257 as we study Unit 2 in a new book and DVD published in Spring 2024, Encounters in Prayer and Love, the newest book in the Adult Bible Study Series of the UMC, published by Cokesbury.

Each week we will watch a short 10-minute video lesson and then discuss questions from the book. In April and May, we will study Unit 2: Empowering Spirit. “With the hope of resurrection fresh in our hearts, the eight lessons in this unit flow naturally into a vision for peace, reconciliation, and healing in our fractured and polarized world.”

Click the LINK HERE to watch a quick intro video. Take a Look Inside to view a free sample of the book by clicking the LINK HERE. If you like the book, you can buy it online as a paperback book or as an eBook.

Folks are welcome to drop by any week to sample the class and try it out. Free admission and open to all adults.

Questions? Email Brian Eagan at eagan.brian@gmail.com.

Opportunity for Academic Year

Exchange Student Housing

Linn and Mike Furnish have hosted four high school students from abroad for the full year (three with this program), and numerous others for shorter periods. Other St. John's families have hosted exchange students as well. We invite St. John's families to consider this opportunity to enlarge their horizons. Contact Linn and Mike (505-884-6626 or swimsew@comcast.net) for more information or use the contacts below to directly contact the New Mexico AFS team.

AFS Intercultural Programs New Mexico is looking for Host Families for 11th-grade level exchange students who will be attending schools in the Albuquerque area. Families complete the AFS Hosting Application process, provide a bed, three meals a day, and the same care and support that they would give to their own child. AFS Students may be a part of any domestic travels your family has planned. All families are welcome and you don't have to have a teenager to host! If you are interested in such a hosting opportunity, contact Kathie Dodd (khdodd@swcp.com). For more information visit https://afs.org/host-an-afser/.

Bringing the world closer together two families at a time! 

About Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels New Mexico (formerly Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque) is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation founded in 1972 by a group of women from Presbyterian Churches around Albuquerque. They began with 20 clients and 40 volunteers. Today they serve approximately 500 clients and have over 400 volunteers. They delivered 9,400 meals in 1972; today they are delivering over 140,000 meals a year. Meals on Wheels New Mexico provides nutritious meals and crucial social contact each day. Not only do we provide friendship and compassion but we also check the well-being of those we serve.

Meals on Wheels New Mexico is the only home-delivered meal program in our area preparing special diets including diabetes, renal failure, heart issues, chewing and swallowing problems, etc. Their program is currently the only one of its kind in New Mexico. They provide services to anyone of any age. There are no restrictions for age or disability. They can provide meals for any duration, whether they are needed during a period of recuperation or for many years.

St. John's member Debby Smith is a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels on Fridays. She picks up the meals from the Meals on Wheels Presbyterian Northside location. It usually takes approximately 2 hours to deliver all the meals on her route. She would be happy to have someone ride along with her on any Friday. If you think you might enjoy volunteering for Meals on Wheels, riding along with Debby would be a great way to check it out. You can contact her at dysmith0427@gmail.com or (505) 554-4238 to find out more information about Meals on Wheels. This is a great opportunity to volunteer outside the walls of St. John's!

Thanks to Easter Volunteers

A big "thank you" to all the folks who helped create a fun Easter celebration for the little ones who gathered with us at St. John's on March 30. The children enjoyed lots of games, crafts, hugs and pictures with the Easter Bunny, and a wonderful breakfast. Of course, there was egg hunting as well. Your generous donations allowed us to prepare over 2,000 eggs! We had plenty to share within the Children's Ministry, as well as sharing with the Youth program and an underserved neighborhood of children who were also blessed with some extra Easter fun. Your generosity of time, talents, and items was greatly appreciated!

Vacation Bible School

Volunteers Needed

Vacation Bible School at St. John's this summer will be "MONUMENTAL"! We have started planning for VBS fun this June 24-28, and now we need your help. If you are interested in volunteering to help with VBS from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. the last week of June, please contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org or (505) 250-3875. Maybe you're not available in June, but you could help create decorations and backdrops, donate needed materials and snacks, or assist with the many other activities required to create a meaningful experience for children as they learn about and celebrate the greatness of God's love for them. The next VBS meeting will be Monday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the SonShine Café. We'd love to see you there!

Prayer Quilt Recipient

Kay Richards is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display in the Hospitality Center.

If you pass through the Hospitality Center this week, please tie a knot in the quilt while praying for Kay. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries! Either way, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Kay: "Heavenly Father, your love has held Kay and kept her through her suffering. Now may your hope and healing lead Kay quickly to a place of restoration. In your Son's name, we pray. Amen.”

April Special Offering: Cuidando Los Ninos

Poverty and homelessness hurt everyone in a community. The cost is borne by us all.

Cuidando Los Nino's goal is to help break the cycle of homelessness for children and families. They provide high quality early childhood education, case management, supportive housing and parent education.  

This month we can help them help our community with both our financial donations and our in-kind donations (see article below).

Please give generously.

Cuidando Los Ninos

Donations

In addition to our special offering for Cuidando Los Ninos, during the month of April we will be collecting "spring things" for the children. These items include: baby items (6 weeks - 1 year); lightweight baby blankets; spring-themed onesies; kids' sunscreen; sun hats; bubbles; sidewalk chalk; rain boots (children's sizes 4-13); rain jackets; flower/plant exploration kits; spring-themed picture books; kids' gardening tools; butterfly nets; bug catchers; flower seeds for planting; spring coloring books; and stickers. Please place your donations in the bins in the Hospitality Center. Questions? Donna at donnabruce@comcast.net.

Our worship services are livestreamed so you can watch them from home. To watch a worship service live, click on the service that you would like to watch on Sunday morning at its scheduled time.

St. John's United Methodist Church | (505) - 883-9717

2626 Arizona Street NE | Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Pastoral Care Emergency Hotline | (505) 312-3763

Pastoral care is available for after-hours emergencies. Please send any congregational care needs to Rev. Molly Shannon at care@stjohns-abq.org as we all work together to love one another well.