September 16, 2022

Youth Swim Party on Saturday

Youth will serve at the Asbury Pie Café at the State Fair on today, September 16, from 6:15 p.m. to close (around 11 p.m.). There will be a swim party to celebrate their hard work tomorrow on Saturday, September 17, at 2 p.m. at the Weavers' house (address will be in Slack app). For more youth information, please click here to join Slack or contact Tiffany Hollums at thollums@stjohns-abq.org to receive email updates.

Mobile Food Pantry on Saturday

Our next Mobile Food Pantry will be held on Saturday, September 17. Volunteers arrive at 9:30 a.m. and finish between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Last month we distributed food to 38 households, and donated an additional 175 pounds of "leftover" food to Storehouse. All are welcome to join us! Contact Debby Smith for more information at dysmith0427@gmail.com.

Bone Health and Aging: How to Keep Your Bones Strong Presentation on Saturday

Over the next year, St. John's will host informational and "how-to" presentations for our congregation and community. Our first presentation is on Saturday, September 17, 1 – 2:30 p.m., room 257, when we host Joseph H. Frey Jr., M.D. as he gives information on “Bone Health and Aging: How You Can Keep Your Bones Strong.” This is a presentation for all adults, not just the elderly! In Dr Frey’s presentation you will learn some of the key terms and available diagnostic tests to understand bone health better, find out what risk factors you might have that could affect your bone health, and learn questions to ask your provider related to strong bones when going in for a check-up or a visit. These presentations are free. Come, bring a friend, tell your neighbors and family. Questions about this presentation? Beth Zerwekh at craftylady2331@comcast.net.

Did You Know This Interesting Bone Fact? 

It's never too late at any age to take steps to protect your bones.

"Music at St. John's" Concert on Sunday

Join us Sunday, September 18 at 2 p.m. for the first concert of a new season of “Music at St. John’s.” Mezzo-soprano Olga Perez Flora and tenor James Flora will present a recital of gorgeous music with pianist Jim Ahrend. Also featured will be the St. John’s Chancel Choir performing Robert Ray’s joyous “Gospel Mass,” directed by Therese Macali and Matt Greer. The concert will also be available by livestream on our YouTube channel. There is no admission charge; a free will offering will be received. Join us!

Safe Sanctuaries Zoom Training September 18

There will be a Safe Sanctuaries online Zoom training on Monday, September 18, at 7 p.m. To sign up, please contact Tiffany Hollums at thollums@stjohns-abq.org. 

Community Garden Workday September 24

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!

Omelet Bar on September 25

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.

We Care Group Meets September 25

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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. 

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. 

Purchase Book Study Books at Hospitality Center This Sunday

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. 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.

New Mexico Annual Conference Flood Response

In the last 5 months, many of our New Mexico friends and neighbors have been "beaten up by nature and left badly hurt in a ditch by the side of the road." We need a lot of Good Samaritans to help nurse them back to health. With over 600 homes damaged and/or destroyed, there is a great need for help cleaning up. The New Mexico Annual Conference is putting together and deploying Early Response Teams. If you are interested in helping out in this way, contact Hap Escue at 505-453-2800 or hapescue@aol.com or Mike McGinnis at 505-328-4774 or michaelterry_McGinnis_235@msn.com to learn more about training and volunteer opportunities.

Virtual Prayer Quilt

Georgia Gill 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 Georgia: "Loving God, we pray that you will comfort Georgia, lend skill to the hands of her healers, and bless the means used for her cure. Give her confidence in the power of your grace that she may put her whole trust in you; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.”

September Special Offering: Wesley Foundation at UNM

Following is a letter from the new director of Wesley Foundation updating us on post-pandemic Wesley. This month we again have the opportunity to support this important ministry.

UNM Wesley Foundation is back! After two long years of dealing with Covid, UNM Wesley Foundation is excited to provide in-person ministry with college students this Fall. Beginning Tuesday, September 6 we will provide dinner and devotion every Tuesday evening. Plans are also in the works for some exciting special events! How can you help? We appreciate all financial donations that will help with food, curriculum, and events.

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

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.