April 12, 2024

Josh's Jottings

There is a good chance that you were contacted this week by someone posing as me in an email. The emails are typically cryptic, and if you write back, the person requests you purchase gift cards on my behalf. Just to be clear, these emails are a scam. I will never ask you to buy gift cards or do anything else to send untraceable funds. 

If you are like me, you are probably tired and exasperated by these phishing emails. We typically hear from congregants on about a weekly basis that they have received such messages. I can only imagine the good these people could do if they would apply their creativity to something positive instead of taking advantage of people's good nature. It angers me that these people not only steal, but also nip away at the web of solidarity and trust that is so precious in a church community. 

Here is a simple way to verify if a message you receive is from a church staff-person or from a scammer. Look at the sender's email address. Any legitimate communication you receive from a St. John's pastor or staff-person should come from an email address with "@stjohns-abq.org" as part of the address. If an email comes from any other source, you should treat it as suspect. 

We thank you for your patience and understanding if you have been contacted by a scammer. Please pass the word along to others so that everyone in our church can be safe from this dishonest practice.

Best wishes to you this week!

-Josh 

Tend the Soul While Tending the Soil

April 13

With the onset of spring, comes the onset of new growth - "the good, the bad and the ugly!" - so we are scheduling a St. John's Garden Workday for Saturday, April 13, from 8 a.m. - noon. Can't be there the entire time? Then please come and go as your schedule permits.

Bring your hoe, trowel, rake and sunscreen! Bottled water will be provided. We really need the help and hope you can make it - if even for a short time. Questions? Contact Regina at hamptonmason1@msn.com.

Orientation Class April 14 - May 5

Orientation Class: ORIENT/REORIENT: Learning about St. John’s: Starts soon!

What:

 Class 1: Christian Beliefs (April 14, 2024)

 Class 2: Methodist History and Beliefs (April 21, 2024)

 Class 3: St. John’s Programs and Organization (April 28, 2024)

Class 4: Where do I fit in? What can I contribute? (May 5, 2024)

When: Each Sunday 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Rooms 149/151

Who: Anyone (visitors, prospective members, new members, old members) who want to know what we believe and do as members of St. John’s congregation.

How: Interactive discussion

Contact: Jack or Carol Nuzum (jcnuzum@juno.com; 505-265-5241) Call or email Jack or Carol soon so we can plan, or sign up Sunday in the Hospitality Center.

Mountain Cathedrals Hike

April 20

The boulder-filled foothills of the Sandias, not far north of I-40, are the setting for our next Mountain Cathedral hike. Excellent vistas of Albuquerque, and of the mountains above, await. The legendary Eye may have been painted to reflect sorrow at the encroachment of the city on the wilderness. Humanity is becoming more unavoidable, and the need to "get away" is important. Where is the balance between reaching out to others and leaving them to be alone?

Logistics: Meet at the St. John's UMC (Albuquerque) east parking lot at 7:30 a.m., or at the trailhead (Google Maps: Copper Trailhead) at 8:00. 

Moderate to strenuous (3.5 miles, with about 1300 feet of climb and sandy/rocky trail conditions). Plan to be back at the parking area by noon and St. John's by 12:30. Bring sun protection, snacks, and water. Trekking poles and sturdy walking shoes are recommended. Enthusiasm is welcome!

Please join us for this hike of meditation, wilderness, and time apart from our normal schedules.

Organizer: Mike Furnish, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net.

We are trying to schedule the next several Mountain Cathedrals (May onward) - stay tuned!  

Omelet Bar Returns

April 21

Omelet Bar will return this month, one week early. Come by the SonShine Café Sunday, April 21, between 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. to get your made to order omelet that comes with your choice of toast and a drink, all for just $7! Choose from a variety of fillings of meats, cheeses, veggies, and salsas to make your omelet unique to you. Invite a friend to enjoy a conversation over a hot breakfast!

We need volunteers to make Omelet Bar happen. If you would like to volunteer to be a cashier, omelet runner or toastmaster, please sign up HERE, or contact Nancy Douglas de Baca at squidgete@yahoo.com or Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or 505-883-9717.

"Music at St. John's"

Presents Kings Return in Concert

April 21

“Music at St. John's” will present the Grammy-nominated a cappella group Kings Return in concert in our sanctuary on Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m. Deriving inspiration from gospel, jazz, R&B, soul, and classical singing, this quartet has racked up more than ten million views of their performances on social media. Tickets are available at musicatstjohns.org.

This event WILL sell out!

Safe Sanctuaries Training

April 14

As Christians sharing life together in community, we covenant to protect one another, particularly those who are most vulnerable. One of the best ways we can honor that covenant is by following the guidelines of Safe Sanctuaries, an important program which guards children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Broadly speaking, Safe Sanctuaries includes two important aspects. First, all volunteers with vulnerable persons are required to undergo a criminal background check. Second, volunteers must also attend a periodic training on how to follow rules created to prevent abuse. 

This year, Safe Sanctuaries best practices are being revised. We are asking all volunteers to contact the church ASAP if you haven't already had a recent background check. This incudes volunteers beyond those who work with youth or children. Almost all of our volunteer positions involve some kind of interaction with a vulnerable person or population. The background checks remain confidential and they are important. Second, if you haven't had a recent Safe Sanctuaries training, please sign up ASAP, for the April 14 training offered by St. John's. Deadline for registration is noon on Friday, April 12.

Thank you for doing your part to make sure everyone at our church can encounter God's love in a safe and comfortable environment. 

If you plan to attend the Safe Sanctuaries training on April 14, at 3 p.m. in room 245/257, please email Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org, or Joy Heaviland at reception@stjohns-abq.org, by noon today.

Family Spirit Class

Encounters in Prayer and Love

Please join us at St. John's UMC on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in room 257 as we study Unit 2 in a new book and DVD published in Spring 2024, Encounters in Prayer and Love, the newest book in the Adult Bible Study Series of the UMC, published by Cokesbury.

Each week we will watch a short 10-minute video lesson and then discuss questions from the book. In April and May, we will study Unit 2: Empowering Spirit. “With the hope of resurrection fresh in our hearts, the eight lessons in this unit flow naturally into a vision for peace, reconciliation, and healing in our fractured and polarized world.”

Click the LINK HERE to watch a quick intro video. Take a Look Inside to view a free sample of the book by clicking the LINK HERE. If you like the book, you can buy it online as a paperback book or as an eBook.

Folks are welcome to drop by any week to sample the class and try it out. Free admission and open to all adults.

Questions? Email Brian Eagan at eagan.brian@gmail.com.

Family Promise April Host Week April 14-21

St. John's volunteers are providing meals  April 14 - 21. We still need a few volunteers to make dinners and stay from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. on site with the families to give the staff a break each evening. If you would like to pair up with someone to provide a meal and stay for two hours, please contact Jenn or Linn (see below.)

To volunteer, click the LINK HERE. Or sign-up at the Hospitality Center, at the Abide service, or contact Jenn Shields jennshields200@yahoo.com 505-450-9978 or Linn Furnish swimsew@comcast.net.

To see more information about Family Promise click here.

About Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels New Mexico (formerly Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque) is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation founded in 1972 by a group of women from Presbyterian Churches around Albuquerque. They began with 20 clients and 40 volunteers. Today they serve approximately 500 clients and have over 400 volunteers. They delivered 9,400 meals in 1972; today they are delivering over 140,000 meals a year. Meals on Wheels New Mexico provides nutritious meals and crucial social contact each day. Not only do we provide friendship and compassion but we also check the well-being of those we serve.

Meals on Wheels New Mexico is the only home-delivered meal program in our area preparing special diets including diabetes, renal failure, heart issues, chewing and swallowing problems, etc. Their program is currently the only one of its kind in New Mexico. They provide services to anyone of any age. There are no restrictions for age or disability. They can provide meals for any duration, whether they are needed during a period of recuperation or for many years.

St. John's member Debby Smith is a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels on Fridays. She picks up the meals from the Meals on Wheels Presbyterian Northside location. It usually takes approximately 2 hours to deliver all the meals on her route. She would be happy to have someone ride along with her on any Friday. If you think you might enjoy volunteering for Meals on Wheels, riding along with Debby would be a great way to check it out. You can contact her at dysmith0427@gmail.com or (505) 554-4238 to find out more information about Meals on Wheels. This is a great opportunity to volunteer outside the walls of St. John's!

Monumental

Vacation Bible School

St. John's will be hosting a "Monumental VBS" this summer from June 24 - 28 for children age 3 through 5^th grade. It truly does "take a village" to create a meaningful and fun VBS experience for the kids who will join us in June. If you are interested in helping with the planning, decorating, teaching, etc. for this exciting week, please contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org.

Prayer Quilt Recipient

Kay Richards is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display in the Hospitality Center.

If you pass through the Hospitality Center this week, please tie a knot in the quilt while praying for Kay. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries! Either way, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Kay: "Heavenly Father, your love has held Kay and kept her through her suffering. Now may your hope and healing lead Kay quickly to a place of restoration. In your Son's name, we pray. Amen.”

April Special Offering: Cuidando Los Ninos

Poverty and homelessness hurt everyone in a community. The cost is borne by us all.

Cuidando Los Ninos goal is to help break the cycle of homelessness for children and families. They provide high quality early childhood education, case management, supportive housing and parent education.  

This month we can help them help our community with both our financial donations, and in-kind donations (see article below).

Please give generously.

Cuidando Los Ninos

Donations

In addition to our special offering for Cuidando Los Ninos, during the month of April we will be collecting "spring things" for the children. These items include: baby items (6 weeks - 1 year); lightweight baby blankets; spring-themed onesies; kids' sunscreen; sun hats; bubbles; sidewalk chalk; rain boots (children's sizes 4-13); rain jackets; flower/plant exploration kits; spring-themed picture books; kids' gardening tools; butterfly nets; bug catchers; flower seeds for planting; spring coloring books; and stickers. Please place your donations in the bins in the Hospitality Center. Questions? Donna at donnabruce@comcast.net.

Our worship services are livestreamed so you can watch them from home. To watch a worship service live, click on the service that you would like to watch on Sunday morning at its scheduled time.

St. John's United Methodist Church | (505) - 883-9717

2626 Arizona Street NE | Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Pastoral Care Emergency Hotline | (505) 312-3763

Pastoral care is available for after-hours emergencies. Please send any congregational care needs to Rev. Molly Shannon at care@stjohns-abq.org as we all work together to love one another well.