A Letter From Rev. Partin

Dear Beloved of St. John’s,

This Tuesday, I convened the Leadership Team, which was formed last year by Pastor Pam to quickly collaborate and respond to the COVID pandemic.  While we continue to return to worship and on-site programming and ministry, how we return and the pace at which we return is something that needs continual monitoring.  

One topic in particular that I wanted to report on from our recent Leadership Team conversation is the status of the 8:15a.m. service.  Some of the distinctives of that service (prior to the pandemic) such as the Youth Choir and weekly communion are either not-yet-ready to come back online or need to be thought through more carefully, if not reimagined.  I have asked (and the Leadership Team agreed) to form a small workgroup focusing on how to restart the 8:15a.m. service, including the possibility of reimagining some of the elements of that service while retaining some of its distinctives.

It is my hope that this group will meet soon and work quickly so that we can set a date for a return to the 8:15a.m. service.  It is also my hope that if you have input, thoughts, and/or concerns of a constructive manner, that you will share them with our workgroup:

Randall Partin (rpartin@stjohns-abq.org)
Matt Greer (mgreer@stjohns-abq.org)
Les Bruce (lesbruce@comcast.net)
Jim Hickman (jchickm@comcast.net)

I am grateful to be alongside you in mission and ministry and look forward to what God has in store for all of us!

Blessings,

Randall W. Partin
Listening Groups with Rev. Partin

In these gatherings, hosted by a member of SPRC, you’ll have the chance for one-on-one introductions with Rev. Partin, and our new Reverend will have a chance to listen to your thoughts, hopes, and dreams for our ministry together over the coming months and years.

We recognize that some folks may prefer the convenience and comfort of ZOOM gatherings, so we’ve scheduled both on-site and online meetings. Please register for one of these sessions using the links below. Additional gatherings will be scheduled beyond these first groupings, so if a time does not work for your schedule (or if these fill up, there is space for 20 participants in each session), we will offer additional meetings in the future.
Register For a Zoom Listening Group:
July 7 From 6:30-8p.m.
Register For an In-Person Listening Group:
July 1 From 6:30-8p.m or July 10 From 9-11a.m.
Welcome Rev. Randall Partin & Family: Introducing Sophie
Hi! I am Sophie Partin, the youngest daughter of the family. I’m 19 and graduated from La Cueva in 2020 and currently attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan. I’m studying forensic psychology and have interests in performing arts, criminal justice, activism, and philosophy. I am a childhood cancer survivor (leukemia) and although that is a very big deal, I don’t remember very much of it (I started treatment when I was 2 ½ years old and finished when I was five). I’m terrified of spiders. I love music and animals (but not spiders) and I enjoy making people happy! Our family has fostered kittens with PACA for the past several years, and we all volunteer at the Saturday cat adoption clinic at PetSmart.
Montague Memorial Service July 17 at 10:30a.m.

Gary Montague Memorial Service
  • Saturday, July 17 at 10:30a.m.
  • St. John's UMC Sanctuary
  • Reception Immediately following service in the Sunshine Cafe

In honor of Gary, please do not wear black. Gary loved bolo ties, so if you have a bolo tie, please wear it. (Please park in the south east parking lot, closest to the sanctuary).
Sonshine Cafe Now Open for Coffee, Hot Tea and Ice Water

Come by the Sonshine Cafe Sunday mornings between 9a.m. and 11a.m. for “pay what you can” hot coffee or hot tea. Ice water is available to cool you down and stay hydrated! Everyone is welcome! Stop by before or after Abide, before or after Sunday school or before the Traditional Service. Let’s come together over a cup of hot coffee with people from other services! One cup. One church. ☕️ ✝️ 🤎
Disciple Connections Moving to One Newsletter Per Week Starting Next Week

Starting the week of July 4, Disciple Connections will begin running one issue per week. The newsletter will run every Friday morning (with the first Friday newsletter coming out on July 9). To submit an article to be included in the weekly electronic newsletter, please submit your story to Nicole Creaturo by 10a.m. on Thursday morning. Please email Nicole with any questions.
"Oh What a Beautiful Morning!": Garden Ministry Update

If you know the above line from the musical Oklahoma!, you know that coming up in the lyrics is, “The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye.” The Garden Ministry has recently planted four rows of corn and two rows of beans in our west garden. As of this week 106 Ambrosia Corn Bicolor kernels have sprouted and 35 Blue Lake Bush Beans have sprouted. While they won’t be “Knee high by the Fourth of July” we’ll hope to be near an elephant’s eye in a few months!... Click here to read the full article.
Volunteer for the Asbury Pie Cafe

Asbury Cafe Time: The NM State Fair is being held this year, and this means it's Asbury Cafe and pie time. NM State Fair is September 9-19, and there are many volunteer roles for anyone wanting to help. Please email Dave Young or call 505-715-2030, or email Jenn Shields or call 505-450-9978. We need:
  • Pie Party Helpers - Tuesday mornings, 8:30a.m. - 10:30a.m. from July 6 - August 17 in the FLC/Kitchen
  • Freezer Space for Pie Storage - Contact Jenn Shields
  • Workers at Asbury Cafe - Sign up every Sunday in August - East parking lot
  • Pie Bakers - Sign up every Sunday in August - East parking lot
  • Pie Collectors - Sign up every Sunday in August - East parking lot
Flower Deliveries to Shut-Ins

In the wake of our successful Valentine deliveries in February, St. John’s would now like to deliver a bouquet of flowers to some of our members that cannot get out on their own. Dale Amend has grown us a beautiful crop of gladiolas, and now we need your help to deliver them. We expect they will be ready to deliver towards the end of June; we will give you a call when they are ready to pick up from the church. Please contact Jarrod to sign up to help spread some joy: jconyers@stjohns-abq.org.
Volunteer for Family Promise Meals

Thank you for generously giving of your energy and resources to provide meals to the families currently in this program. The new site is still under renovation. The meals will continue to be dropped off at Church of the Good Shepherd (7834 Tennyson St. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87122). In addition to dinners, we have been asked to provide Saturday & Sunday breakfast and lunch on July 10 and July 11. Click here to sign up to drop off a meal. Email Jenn Shields with questions.
Office Closed July 5

The church office will be closed on Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day. No classes will be held.
"Real to Reel" Paused

Reel to Real will not meet for the next two weeks because of the 4th of July and some scheduled vacation time. Join us again on Sunday, July 11th in the FLC 4:00-7:15p.m. as we watch the new release “Mitchell’s vs Machines” (PG).
Tailgate NOT Tuesday

Several of our usual crowd will be on mid-summer vacation, so we will take a two week break for Tailgate Tuesdays and start up again after the 4th of July Holiday on Tuesday, July 6. See you then!
St. John's Garden Open House July 11

The Garden Team will host an Open House, Sunday, July 11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., in the garden area. Drop by and see what has been accomplished so far and what's being planned for the future!
You can access the garden area from inside the church using the double doors on the west side of the education building (by the restrooms) or through the garden gate on the northwest side of the church property.
Happy 90th Birthday Sacramento! Celebration on July 31

Join Us In Celebrating!
Saturday, July 31, 2021
Free BBQ Lunch, Games & Fun
Dessert & Family Life Center Dedication (Discover our new buildings!)

Please RSVP by email or call the camp at (575) 687-3414. Please call or email the camp staff to make reservations for overnight stays at the campground and conference center. Click here to see new lodging options and read the full article.
Women's Bible Study Starts July 19: "Pursued, God's Relentless Love For You"

  • July 19 - August 23 (6 weeks) via ZOOM Monday afternoons, 1p.m. - 3p.m.
  • Maximum number for class is 11
  • Facilitator: Karen Tidler
  • Register by emailing donnabruce@comcast.net

We all want to be loved. We long to be desired, pursued. It’s the story of many of our lives, and it’s the story we see throughout the Scriptures. Although the Bible tells many stories, the main theme is God’s relentless love for us. Click here to read the full article.
The Rummage Sale is Happening July 23 & 24

The Rummage Sale is happening!  If you've been saving your sale donations for the past two years, we'll gladly take them, this year, for our sale on Friday and Saturday, July 23rd and 24th, in the Family Life Center. Because there is no storage space at the church, we ask that you hold your donations just a bit longer, until our donation drop-off dates of Tuesday, July 20th through 22nd. Please note that we have set a minimum price of 50 cents, and there is no need to place price stickers on clothing or books. For additional donation guidelines, please click here to see the event flyer. We truly appreciate your cooperation and donations.
Watch the Livestream of Our Sunday Services
11 a.m. Sanctuary Service
9:30 a.m. Abide Service
Click into one of the sections below to read news about each group.
July Special Offering: Wesley House

This month we have the opportunity to support Wesley House at UNM. College Wesley Foundations are so important in developing the faith of young adults as Wesley House has shown over the years. The Wesley House at UNM has housed up to eight students, and provided meals, Bible studies and fellowship to many more. 

But the pandemic has hit Wesley House hard. Fewer students in the house has meant less money from rent. And since Conference funds dried up several years ago, Wesley depends on the generosity of folks like us in the local churches. A Christian home away from home means so much to young adults in a vulnerable period of their lives. Please give generously to Wesley this month.
Virtual Prayer Quilt

The Ford family (friends of Dara Bell) is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for the Ford family: “Heavenly Father, always remind us of who you are and what you can do. You are bigger than all of our problems or worries. Please give this family healing, strength and comfort in their time of need. Amen.”
SUBMISSION DEADLINE for Disciple Connections is Thursday at 10a.m. for the Friday weekly edition. Click here to send your articles to editor Nicole Creaturo.
St. John's UMC for eDisciple
2626 Arizona Street NE | Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
Office Hours (call only): Monday - Thursday, 9a.m. - 4p.m.
Friday, 9a.m. - 12p.m.