A Letter From Leadership:
Changes to In-Person Services

Dear Church Family,

As of Sunday, June 6, 2021, SJUMC will discontinue the pre-registration process for worship services and will no longer require masking and social distancing for those members and guests who are fully vaccinated. This decision follows the latest Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico, as well as guidance from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Leadership team has reviewed the CDC Guidelines, the New Mexico Public Health Order, and the new All Together New Mexico document. Although contradictory in some respects, we feel that it is time to remove the mask and social distancing mandate for vaccinated people.

We also understand that while vaccination has slowed the rates of infection, the COVID 19 virus is still very much a reality. While we have air cleaning devices installed in the sanctuary and the family life center, everyone is still breathing the same air. We ask that all be mindful of those who will continue practices such as social distancing and mask-wearing, whether for conscience, comfort, or self-care, and honor them.

We encourage mask usage for anyone who feels it is right for them. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and participate remotely. If you have been at church and test positive for COVID, please contact the church immediately so that others may be notified of exposure.

Children in the Children’s programs will continue to be masked since vaccination is just now being discussed. Youth and adults in the Youth program will continue to wear masks since vaccination rates among youth are lower due to the relatively recent approval of the vaccine for their age group.

The staff will continue to wear masks in and around the building. We are mindful of staff members who are immune-compromised and ask our members to be aware of this as well.

On Sunday, June 20, we will resume Sunday School classes. If you choose to have your class in the church building, please call Debbie to reserve a classroom.

Lastly, while we are removing the pre-registration process for both the Abide and 11 am Sanctuary services, we want to know you are with us. Rather than passing around the normal sign-in pads of the past, everyone will receive a “let us know you are here” card to register your attendance.

Please look for information in the near future about fellowship and the 8:15 service. We look forward to a day when COVID 19 is a dim memory. Please join us in worshipping on Sunday.

Rev. Dr. Pam Rowley, Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Randall Partin, In-coming Senior Pastor St. John’s Leadership Team
Watch the Livestream of Our Sunday Services
11 a.m. Sanctuary Service
9:30 a.m. Abide Service
New Sermon Series Starts This Sunday

This Sunday will start a new sermon series by Rev. Pam called "3 Simple Rules". This week will feature rule #1: Do No Harm.
Pastor's Coffee Chat Takes Summer Break

Pastor’s Coffee Chat will be taking a summer break. Thanks to all who spent time together in conversation each week over the past year!
Tomato Cages Needed

Do you have extra tomato cages lying around that you would like to get rid of? The garden team would love to have them! Email Chef Tim or call 505-883-9717 ext. 141.
Welcome for Our New Pastor - Thank You

Many thanks to those of you in the St John’s community who provided Pastor Randall with a personal note of welcome and introduction. We had many wonderful submissions including some handwritten and one from a participant in the virtual Abide service who has never been to NM, much less attended live. I read only far enough to alphabetize by submitter, but even then I was quite moved by the response. We are putting your submissions in a book and will present them to Pastor Randall this month. Thank you all for your support.  SPRC- Stan Mortimer
Family Promise Fundraiser: Matching Funds Offer Announced at Sweet Jazz Concert

Family Promise has received a matching funds offer, announced at the Sweet Jazz Concert. The matching funds are $43,000.00. Match is dollar for dollar. Please designate Sweet Jazz on check memo or on online giving (donate button on Family Promise's web page). Checks should be mailed to: Family Promise, 1516 San Pedro Drive NE, 87110. Donations will be matched until the goal is reached or until June 24 (whichever happens first). This is an incredible time to make your donations count for DOUBLE! Thank you from the St. John's Family Promise Team!
Monday Morning Music with Matt

Join St. John’s Music Director Matt Greer this Monday at 9a.m. MDT as he talks about exciting things coming up in the Music Ministry, and welcomes a special guest from New York: soprano and composer Adrienne Danrich! Click the video above on Monday morning to watch live.
Church Wide Movie Night June 6: "Soul"

Our Summer movie group, Reel to Real, kicks off Sunday night, June 6th with our first feature film “Soul” (PG) inside the FLC at 4:00- 7:15PM. Bring yourself and your family to this one. We will watch the film inside, enjoy some free pizza (outside on the lawn), and spend a few moments talking about what it says about life afterwards. Remember to wear your mask, sit 6-feet apart, and bring a more comfy chair if you like. Subsequent summer films will be posted on our slack channel.
Youth Tailgate Tuesday

In place of going to Sonic this Summer, bring your own special ice-cream treat and join us at the newly renovated “Sonshine Lawn” off the East Parkinglot at church on Tuesday nights. We will have a Bible study from 6:30-7:30p.m. and a fun board game fiesta from 7:30-8:30p.m. Bring your own icecream/drinks/food, pack a portable chair, and bring a favorite board game you can teach us.
Youth Group Summer Programs Start June 6

All Middle School and High School Students (Rising 6th to 12th Grades) please join us in person this Summer, starting Sunday afternoon, June 6, inside the Family Life Center (FLC) for movies, fun, fellowship and more. Discover who we are. Get to know us. We want to see you. Let’s get ready to have lots of fun together this summer! Please enter the FLC using the east side doors facing the large parking lot. If you have questions about Youth Ministry Programs, please contact: Mr. Jarrod Conyers, Director of Youth Ministries, email: JConyers@stjohn-abq.org.
Ladies Book Club Meets June 7

The Ladies Book Club will meet June 7 at 1 p.m. in Room 241. We will be discussing “The Book of Longings” by Sue Monk Kidd. This is a very interesting read, was Jesus married, is this his family? What and who do we believe? Readers are always welcome, contact mapalook@comcast.net with any questions. 
Group Piano Lessons Start June 7

Just because we are not yet able to sing in groups, does not mean that our musical development should stop! This summer, St. John's is offering group piano lessons. Offering three levels of instruction: Young Beginner Level 1, Young Beginner level 2, and Adult Introduction or Refresher - We will meet once a week to work on the fundamentals of piano playing and musicianship in a fun, group setting. Visit the Children & Families page on the St. John's website and scroll down to the Piano Lessons section to learn more about this program and how to join. Email Therese Macali, Director of Children Family Ministries with any questions.
Wings For Life International Fundraiser June 10-12

Over the weekend of June 10 - June 12 Wings for Life will be hosting one of its largest fundraisers yet. This will be 10 times bigger than any sale we have ever had! 

Imagine two years of collecting items for Silent & Live Auctions. We have two 40’ containers filled with boxes of items.
 
Come and do your Christmas, birthday, graduation, and Father’s Day shopping for your entire family. We have something for everyone!
Drive-In, Drop-Off for Locker #505 on June 12

St. John's, are you ready for another DRIVE-IN, DROP-OFF? 

Saturday, June 12 | 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Locker #505 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing appropriate school clothing to K-12 Bernalillo County students in need. Contact: Donna Bruce (donnabruce@comcast.net) with questions.

Click here to read the full article and see the complete list of requested donation items.
Tai Chi is Back Thursdays at 10:00a.m. in FLC

Tai Chi is back from 10a.m. – 11a.m. in the Family Life Center with Kathy Grassel. Safety protocols will be in place and must be followed. Everyone must wear a face mask. If you would like to attend, please park on the eastside parking lot and enter/exit through the FLC doors. Everyone attending must sign in for “contact tracing” purposes.
Sunday Community Activities

Click HERE to view all Sunday School Classes & groups! Join us in the virtual Sonshine Coffee Zoom immediately following the 11a.m. Worship with church Leadership Team members hosting. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
Click into one of the sections below to read news about each group.
June Special Offering: Locker #505

This month we at St John's have the opportunity to help the APS clothing bank called Locker #505. It provides clothing for students that they feel good about wearing, so they can concentrate on their school work and not worry about how they look.

If we remember back to our school days (I know- a long time ago for many of us!), I am sure we can remember how important feeling good about our appearance was!

This year we have two ways to help. We can donate money or donate clothes. The drive by donation day is Saturday June 12 from 3p.m. to 5p.m. Click here to see the full listed of needed items. Please give generously.
Virtual Prayer Quilt

Nancy Lee Croce (sister-in-law of Doris Bowen) is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display.

In lieu of tying knots, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Nancy: “Holy Father, we know there is healing in your touch for Nancy and we trust in your goodness. Amen.”
SUBMISSION DEADLINE for Disciple Connections is Monday at 12p.m. for the Tuesday edition and Thursday at 12p.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 - Friday, 9a.m. - 2p.m.