July 1, 2022

Independence Day Cookout on Sunday

The St. John’s Food Ministry is inviting everyone to an Independence Day Cookout on Sunday, July 3. Come enjoy grilled burgers, brats and hotdogs in the Family Life Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Just $12 for adults, $6 for ages 12-17, $3 for ages 5-11, and under 5 is free. Freely celebrate food, fellowship, and fun. No reservation required. All are welcome!

We need volunteers to help put on the lunch. If you are available, please sign up using the button below. If you have questions, text or call Nancy Douglas de Baca at 505-238-5895.

Nursery Takes "Summer Siesta" Starting Sunday

Our nursery is taking a 'summer siesta' during the 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship services, but we will invite 'littles' (under age 4) to join us in Children's Chapel, which dismisses after the offering in both services. Bring your little to the back of the worship area during the offering where we have incredible staff and volunteers who will help our little friends to worship with us. 

If you are interested in serving in the nursery ministry in the fall, please contact Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org.  

Children's Chapel Explorers Series Starts Sunday

During the summer, children will be exploring our church during Children's Chapel and visiting such places as the garden, the prayer labyrinth, the SonShine Cafe and other places where we will have a wonderful time learning by exploring. Children (ages 1st-5th grade during the summer) dismiss for children's chapel following the offering in the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services. Pickup will be at the nursery (room 138).

Youth Summer Music Sessions Start July 6

Have you always wanted to write your own music but didn't know where to start? Interested in the skills to play ukulele to take your songs everywhere you go? Join us for St. John's Summer Sessions with singer, songwriter, and guitarist Oscar Butler and the always entertaining music educating team Sean Umstead and Judy Castro. All youth grades 6-12 are encouraged to join us each Wednesday in July from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for only $10 a session OR purchase all four sessions for a savings of $5! Reserve your spot now by clicking the button below. For more information contact tmacali@stjohns-abq.org.

Lay Servant Academy Classes on July 8 & 9 Have Been Postponed

All Lay Servant classes that were scheduled for July 8 and 9 have been postponed. There will be more information to come about new class dates. If you have any questions, please contact Gina Rivera at rivera.vg@gmail.com.

Locker #505 Open House on July 9

Locker #505, the charity organization we support by donating gently used clothing for children and teens in Bernalillo county, has officially moved! They are now located to the south of St. John's on Menaul (in walking distance from the church!). Stop by their open house on Saturday, July 9, to take a tour of their facility and see good work in progress.

Men's Summer Bible Study: Joseph and Daniel

Starts July 11

This summer we'll study two 'strangers in a strange land', Hebrew men who find themselves in the court of a foreign king. Hopefully, we'll discover ways of coping when we find ourselves 'out of place,' in situations that are unexpected and challenging.

We'll be meeting for FOUR MONDAYS, July 11 - August 1. We will have both morning and evening sessions, either 10-11:30 a.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. We'll also be taking advantage of the hybrid possibilities at church allowing men to attend both morning or evening sessions live or via Zoom. If you want to meet in person, come to Room 257, which is set up with camera, microphone, and screen to also allow Zoom participants.

If interested, please contact Jack Nuzum at jcnuzum@juno.com or 505-221-9522.

Women's Bible Study on Forgiving What You Can't Forget Starts July 12

Our next Women's Bible Study will be on the book Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa Terkeurst:

• July 12 - August 23 (7 weeks), Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. IN PERSON
• Facilitator: Shanlii Payment
• Register by emailing donnabruce@comcast.net



When you've experienced hurt upon hurt or your heart has been completely shattered, offering forgiveness can feel unrealistic. We know God commands us to forgive. But how? Why? When? And are there exceptions? Though forgiveness is a major part of the Christian faith, most of us have never been taught much about it and have many unanswered questions. After over 1,000 hours of theological study, Lysa has discovered and will share Scripture that not only provides the truth about forgiveness that our souls desperately need, but offers practical ways to let go of our bound-up resentment and finally heal.

United Women in Faith Rummage Sale:

July 29 & 30 

As you begin accumulating donations for our rummage sale, here's a few tips to remember: 1) There's no need to pre-price books or clothing --- we will simply post price signs for these two general categories; 2) As you price your other items, please note that we've set a minimum price of 50 cents, so you may find it necessary to group a couple of items together to equal a value of 50 cents; and 3) Please remember that we are unable to accept: TV's, computers, and other electronics, as we have no way to test their workability for the customer; mattresses; underwear; soiled pillows; unclean kitchenware; gigantic furniture; and magazines, law books, or textbooks. It takes a lot of good and clean donations to make a successful sale, so we truly appreciate your willingness to make this happen! Thank you, and enjoy the rummaging!

Youth Service Teams at St. John's Garden

The St. John's Garden has been blessed with the help of two youth service teams; one locally from Sandia Presbyterian Church and another team from Houston.

The Sandia group raked, weeded, cleaned up, and planted 4 grow boxes in Hoop House 1 with Bob Bowman, Elda Pinsonnault, and Suzanne Shave, with Bob providing a presentation on the issues to be considered for vegetable gardening. In addition, the team made homemade baguettes and learned knife skills with Chef Tim in the kitchen.

The Houston group learned all about composting from Regina Hampton in addition to thinning carrots, pulling weeds, and tasting herbs. Chef Tim taught the group knife skills and how to dice an onion using onions from our herb garden.



Several other youth teams are scheduled for July and August. If you are interested in helping with their visits, please contact Regina Hampton at hamptonmason1@msn.com.

Sign Up for Safe Sanctuaries Training

There will be Safe Sanctuaries training for anyone who needs it (those who volunteer with children or youth-renewable every 2 years) on August 3 at 10:30 am. To register, please email Pastor Tiffany at thollums@stjohns-abq.org.  

Summer is a Great Time to Start Tai Chi

It’s a great time to join the Tai Chi class. The class meets every Thursday from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. in the Family Life Center (great air conditioning).  Tai Chi does not require a particular level of physical fitness or coordination. It  may be done standing or with some modification, can be done seated. No special clothing or equipment is required. All age groups are welcome to join us. Looking forward to seeing you soon. If you have questions contact Kathleen at  kathleen_sta@yahoo.com or 505-220-4814.

Sandbags for Fire Damaged Areas Around San Miguel and Mora Counties

The emergency managers in San Miguel and Mora Counties are expecting a lot of flooding as the monsoon rains increase and burned areas have no way to slow or retain the rain. We would like to provide teams of people to help make and deploy sandbags around those areas. The Annual Conference office is looking for teams of 4-8 persons to go to the fire areas for a day and help make and distribute sandbags that would be a lot of help. Please let Hap Escue (505-453-2800) or Mike McGinnis (505-328-4774) know what you can do and they will work with the county emergency managers to get you on their schedule. Thank you.

Call to Action on Responsible Gun Ownership

Dear Beloved of St. John’s,

Last week at the New Mexico Annual Conference, we were challenged and invited to add our voices and our names to a Call to Action on Responsible Gun Ownership in response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas as well as the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. This Call to Action frames some of these tragic issues around the reality of gun violence in our culture, around a theology of care for the vulnerable, especially the children, and calls on our elected officials in New Mexico, Texas, and Washington, DC to support and act upon responsible firearm legislation. If this is something that you would like to lend your voice to, and add your name to, you can find more information by clicking this link.

Blessings,

Randall

Infant Room Opens July 5

Greetings Church Family!

Our Preschool is now licensed to accept Infants! Infant care will begin on July 5! We are very excited about this addition to our already exceptional program. If you should know someone looking for care, please let them know we are open! Our summer programs in July are bursting with excitement and children. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.

Peace,

Cathy Lubold, Preschool Director

Give Good Stuff for Teens!

July is traditionally the month when our Missions' Team focuses on back-to-school needs, particularly through this month's Special Offering designated for our neighbor to the north, Zuni Elementary. But, let's face it: there are many older students throughout our area with basically the same needs. Therefore, in addition to the special offering for Zuni, we've decided to expand our focus to collect snack items and non-food school items for middle school and/or high school students in our broader community.  We'll collect these donations throughout July and August, and as the school year draws nearer, we'll determine which middle schools and high schools might be in greatest need for these in-kind donations. So, as you shop over the next two months, please keep these snack items in mind (all single-serve sizes; no nut-related items): granola bars, cheese-and-crackers, protein bars, cereal bars, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, cheez-its, dried fruit, popcorn, and cup-of-noodles. Also, when you shop for the following non-food items, please be mindful of the sizes and types that would be preferred by middle and high school students: general school supplies, art supplies, backpacks, and reusable water bottles. Please place your donations in the wire bins in the Hospitality Center.   Let's all join together to help students absolutely thrive in this coming school year --- they deserve it!  We're so very grateful for your generosity!  (Note: Our collection of food items for the Zuni Weekend Meal Bag Project will resume in September.)

Pastor 24-Hour Hotline | (505)585-5435 

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.