Thursday
June 4, 2020
A LETTER FROM THE
CHRISTIAN SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
(Click image below)
AN UNANTICIPATED INSIGHT

Genesis 21:22-23
“At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, ‘God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.’”

Early in our tenure as missionaries to the poverty-ridden Central American nation of Guatemala, my wife and I were determined that we would not be “ugly Americans.” We had heard about other American missionaries who went into third world countries and lived as aristocrats, hiring maids and gardeners and chauffeurs and valets, and we weren’t about to be like those.

We were assigned a three-room apartment on the second story of a church building in the middle of Guatemala City. The senior pastor of that church, shortly after we arrived, offered to help us interview several Guatemalan women as potential maids to cook and clean for us. I was offended, and told him so: “We don’t want to be like that. We’ll do our own cooking and cleaning, thank you.”

In response the pastor took me outside the church and introduced me to the 40 or more people who lived beneath an awning just outside our church building. That partially-covered area was literally their home; they had no other. And he began to educate me to the realities of living, as an American missionary, in the third world. My salary – what I considered an anemic $400 U. S. dollars per month – was 20 times the average per capita income back then in Guatemala. Unemployment in Guatemala was, and still remains, a permanent 50 percent.

Most Guatemalans don’t beg and they don’t take charity – they’d rather die first. But if I offered gainful employment, at a fair wage by their standards, I would not be acting like an ugly American. Rather, I’d be doing a very positive thing in Guatemala. If I hired a maid, at $30 per month -- or, better still, if I employed a cook and a housekeeper at $30 per month each, I would be enabling two families to survive who might otherwise die from starvation.

I learned much of a very different culture and way of life while I was a missionary. One part of that learning is this: U. S. values and ways may be right and appropriate for us, but they don’t always fit the rest of the world.

Praise God, however, there is one thing I know that is equally good the world over: the love of God, expressed in Jesus Christ, for all men and women, boys and girls. From Andorra to Zimbabwe, it’s the perfect answer to every human’s deepest needs.

Prayer: 
O God, you see the big picture. My perspective is partial and incomplete. Help me to understand that my way is neither the only, nor always the best, way. Expand my horizons, Lord, to include precious people the world over. Amen.

--Excerpted from Dr. Dave Ring’s 2019 published devotional book, Reflections 365
DRIVE-IN WORSHIP SERVICE
Saturday, June 6
7:00 pm
Come and worship in your car on Saturday, June 6 and gather in safe community to worship and praise God. Message will be given by Rev. Scott Sharp. We will gather in the east parking lot of St. John's (2626 Arizona Street NE). As a gift offering for this service, please consider bringing either toilet paper, paper towels, or cans of soup. These items will be given to Silver Horizons for their senior clients.

YOUTH SUMMER SURVEY
The Summer months are here & Solid Ground United has a quick 3-minute survey where we want to hear from parents & students to help us plan how we get back together in person; entries are put in a drawing for a $30.00 gift card to Starbucks or Keva Juice. Everyone please go to: bit.ly/youthsummersurvey
St. John’s will live-stream a worship service on Sunday morning at 9:30 am (Contemporary) on the Abide Facebook page and 11:00 am (Traditional) on the homepage of the website . We hope you’ll worship with us! (Pastors Pam and Kelly will lead, along with Shea Perry, Jim Ahrend, and Matt Greer). We hope that you’ll participate by singing and praying at home! Any questions? Email Matt at mgreer@stjohns-abq.org.
An Invitation to Discipleship for Peace & Justice
#photosfromhome
Live-stream worship & teaching a Zoom guitar lesson
-- Jarrod Conyers
#PHOTOSFROMHOME
A CALL FOR SELFIES AND AT-HOME PICTURES
Hi there! I love showing you photos of what we are doing at the church, but what I think would be an even more amazing thing to share is a picture of you! Send me pictures and/or videos of you/your family/your pets/your garden/your cooking/etc with a short description, and I will share them here and compile them for a project! communicate@stjohns-abq.org
-- Shea Perry, Communications Director
"MUSIC FROM ST. JOHN'S"
LIVE-STREAM CONCERTS
Wednesdays at 12:00 pm
Join us for a new series of concerts live-streamed from the St. John's sanctuary! Concerts are a benefit for Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless. musicatstjohns.org

Christine Fawson, trumpet
Jim Ahrend, piano

SJUMC Music Staff
Natalie Bonelli, soprano
Therese Macali, soprano
Curtis Storm, tenor
Shea Perry, soprano
DRIVE-IN COMMUNION SERVICE
Wednesday, June 10
7:00 pm
Come receive communion in your car on Wednesday, June 3 and gather in safe community to worship and praise God. We encourage you to bring your own elements (bread & juice). If you do not have your own elements, we will provide individually-packaged elements. We will gather in the east parking lot of St. John's (2626 Arizona Street NE).

MOUNTAIN CATHEDRALS
Mountain Cathedrals is headed out June 20 at 7:30 am from St Johns east parking lot. We will travel to a trail at the far corner of the Manzanita Mountains, called David Canyon, just south of I-40, less than 25 miles from St John’s.  NOTE: due to church closure the bathrooms will not be open in our building before or after the hike. We will plan to stop on the way to the trail. We will also take individual cars, so no ride shares will be offered. 

This hike of approximately 5 miles, includes ponderosa forest and magnificent views of the Manzano Mountains, making it feel like you’re in a remote wilderness. There are Gambel and wavy-leaf oak, as well as open meadows, wild flowers, lots of woodpeckers, hawks, and other birds. You may want to bring binoculars!  

You will need to bring water and snacks or a light lunch for yourself. Make sure you have sunscreen and a hat. This is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of about 500 feet, that is gently sloped. We plan to return to the church between 1-1:30 pm. As with all of our hikes there will be time for reflection on scripture and we will celebrate communion with individual cups and wafers. As we gather at the church we ask you to wear masks. When we arrive at the trailhead, we will space out to at least 6 feet apart as individuals or family units. Masks will not be required on the hike unless you would like to use them. 
Online Classes
ZOOM TUTORIAL
The announcements below include using the program "Zoom" to group-video chat. You can find a tutorial on how to use Zoom HERE!

ZOOM YOUTH GROUP
Sundays from 4:00 - 5:15 pm
Students, come join us for games, discussion, community, and faith-building every Sunday from 4:00-5:15 pm! Go to: bit.ly/UMYFSolidGround (case sensitive) with the password: 048658

PARENTS CLUB
Mondays from 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Is distance learning with your child harder than you thought? Are the challenges of parenting in close quarters overwhelming at times? Or do you just miss talking with other parents? I know that I certainly do, so join us for Parents Club on Zoom Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30 pm! Email tmacali@stjohns-abq.org.

"COFFEE BREAK" WITH PASTORS PAM & KELLY
Wednesdays at 1:30 pm
Log in and have coffee (or tea) and chat with Pastors Pam and Kelly! Zoom link HERE.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE CLUB
Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Wednesday Night Bible Club is still on! Grade school friends join us on Zoom to get your weekly Bible lesson, watch the So & So Show, and pray with your friends. Email tmacali@stjohns-abq.org for more information!

"SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT" CLASS WITH PASTOR PAM
Thursdays at 1:30 pm
Join Pastor Pam for a 30-minute spiritual exercise. Space is limited, join the class HERE.

THE PRACTICE OF PRESENCE
Susan Brumbaugh, staff mental health counselor at St. John's is offering a free (hopefully weekly) gathering to practice mindfulness meditation on Fridays, 9:30-10:00am. Mindfulness is about developing the ability to be present in the moment with non-judgmental awareness. Formal meditation can build neural pathways that help us stay anchored during emotional storms and help us build resilience. Meeting together virtually gives us an opportunity to have company on the journey. Each 30-minute session begins with a brief welcome, a description of the focus (e.g., breath, body, senses, emotions, thoughts), a 15-20 minute guided practice, and an opportunity to debrief and share experiences. Anyone is welcome--no experience is necessary. If you want to learn more prior to starting, the sessions will be similar to ones she leads and records for YouTube Each session will be hosted on Zoom. HERE is the zoom link. Please contact Susan Brumbaugh, counselor@stjohns-abq.org, or 505-506-6716, if you have questions.

ST. JOHN'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY: Theology in Popular Music - Mostly the Good
Last year’s study, “The Songs of Summer” seemed to be a hit, so we’re going to do it again. This summer we’ll listen to some popular music that sings about prayer and healing, some international music, some bluegrass and country, some great young singers who are the future of the Church, and some show tunes.  Download the study guide, or sign up for daily study tips by email by writing or calling Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com or 294-2877.
Congregational Care Corner

PRAYER SUPPORT
How we support you and your family in prayer during this difficult time? Prayers for health, employment, peace? Please send your prayer requests to the Prayer Team: mapalook@comcast.net

GO-FER TEAM
It is hard to get out and many people shouldn’t. Is there something you need delivered from the store? If we are able to help, we have a few volunteers who would like to serve as Go-fers for people who need something but cannot get it on their own. Please pass any requests on to Jarrod at c.care@stjohns-abq.org

ONLINE COUNSELING SERVICE AVAILABLE
The St. John's staff includes a licensed mental health counselor who is available to meet virtually (using a smartphone or computer) in a secure online platform during these anxious times. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, counseling is available. Click here or contact Susan Brumbaugh at 505-506-6717 or counselor@stjohns-abq.org for more details about session and cost information. Susan also has a Youtube Channel with mindfulness tips HERE.

VIRTUAL TAI CHI WITH KATHY
ST. JOHN'S FACILITY IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
In accordance with the New Mexico Department of Health order, our facility will be closed until further notice. A re-open date is to be determined! We will keep you apprised as things develop.

Your St. John's pastors and staff are still very much on the job, and are available to you during this time. Please reach out to us if we can help you in any way!
CONTACT US
Office Administrator, Debbie Brown, will be answering the phone at St. John’s every weekday from 9:00 am-2:00 pm. Please call the office if you have any concerns or pastoral care needs. Debbie will get messages to Pastor Pam and Pastor Kelly. The office number is 505-883-9717.
Contact Us
www.stjohns-abq.org
(505) 883-9717
2626 Arizona St NE | Albuquerque, NM 87110
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Questions? Contact Shea Perry at communicate@stjohns-abq.org