March 1, 2024

Josh's Jottings

During Lent, I want to call attention to prayers that can help broaden our relationship with God. This prayer from poet, educator, and theologian Ruth Etchells is a good one that calls us to look beyond the narrow focus of our self-importance and indignation. It's a good prayer for any time, but particularly relevant in our time. 

"O my Lord, I discern in my anger a sense of self-righteousness which is much too close to pleasure. And I think of you, Lord. You were never angry in your own defense, and you took no pleasure in anger: else, why the Cross? But you were angry for God: you were angry with those who sold God as a commodity; you were angry with those who used God for their own status; or who treated God as belonging only to them. 



O Lord, implant in me a holy fear of the wrong kind of anger, which ministers to my own sense of self-importance, or is simply an indulgence of my own frustration. Forgive me, Lord, for all such occasions. Amen." 

Memory Café Albuquerque

Saturday

The next meeting of Memory Café Albuquerque is Saturday, March 2, at 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the SonShine Café at St. John’s United Methodist Church. Our special guest this month is “On a Wing and a Prayer” bird sanctuary. We will also have music by “Better than Therapy” women's barbershop quartet. Snacks and information for caregivers and loved ones will also be available.

Memory Café meets the first Saturday of each month at 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the SonShine Café. It is a supportive fellowship for anyone affected by memory loss/Alzheimer’s and their caring partners. Meet and share with others on a similar journey. This is not a drop-off event. For more information (505) 323-7522 or ssmjens@aol.com. 

United Women in Faith

March 7

Did you know that United Women in Faith has a reading program? We read books that cover areas of Education for Mission, Leadership Development, Nurturing for Community, Social Action, and Spiritual Growth. At the UWF General Meeting on Thursday, March 7, several of our UWF ladies will report on books they have read. Join us at 10 a.m. in Rooms 241-243.

When: Thursday, March 7, at 10:00 a.m.

Location: Rooms 241-243

Mountain Cathedrals Stargazing Hike

March 9

The firmament is as present now as it was in Biblical times, although it seems we pay far less attention to it now. Let us set aside an evening to gaze at it and wonder, share stories about it, contemplate Scripture, share Communion, and hike through the night. Dark skies are as close as Tecolote Peak (near the base of the Sandia Ski Area), and the new moon is right after our hike.

Logistics: Meet at the St. John's UMC (Albuquerque) east parking lot at 5:00 p.m., or at the trailhead (Google Maps: Tecolote Trailhead) at 5:45. It should be fully dark by 7:30. Plan to be back at the parking area by 9:30 and St. John's by 10:15. (NOTE: The spring time change is later that night!) The hike is relatively easy, but it includes some rocky trail. Bring headlamps, something to eat, warm clothing (may be walking in snow), stories, and enthusiasm!

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

Organizers: Mike Furnish, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net, and Brett Reece (youthdirector@stjohns-abq.org).

Save the date: The next Mountain Cathedrals hikes will be March 31 (Easter sunrise hike to Travertine Falls - back by 9 AM) and April 20 (more strenuous hike at a location TBD - please send suggestions!). 

Quintessence Concert at St. John's

March 10 & 11

Quintessence: A Community of Singers, directed by Matthew Greer, will present “It’s Complicated: Music About Relationships” in our sanctuary on Sunday, March 10, at 3 p.m. and Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. The concert will include music by Johannes Brahms, PDQ Bach, Dale Trumbore, Thomas Morley, and others. The Sunday performance will also be available by livestream, and Monday’s concert is free to students of any age. St. John’s members receive a 20% discount on advance tickets at quintessence-abq.com by using the code SJUMC.

Mainstream UMC

March 16

Join us in the sanctuary on Saturday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. for a conversation about the local church, and the future of the United Methodist Church.

With General Conference, our quadrennial meeting of the United Methodist Church coming in April, our denomination is at an important crossroad. There are opportunities to set a new tone in the UMC as we look to the future. St. John's is excited to host Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, the director of Mainstream UMC as well as panel of leaders from the New Mexico Conference to discuss all of this. 

The divisions in the church are not about "liberal" or "conservative." They are about the fundamental question, are you willing to live in a church with others with whom you disagree? 

Join us for a lively conversation. Reception with Mark will follow the event. 

Family Spirit Class

Encounters in Prayer and Love:

Adult Bible Study Series of the UMC

Starting on March 3, 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 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 March, we will study Unit 1: Prayer. We will study Jesus’s journey to the Cross and celebrate the hope that Jesus’s resurrection brings on Easter Sunday, March 31.

Then 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.”

Watch quick intro video: LINK HERE

Take a Look Inside to view a free sample of the book (Lesson 1 for March 3) on Cokesbury webpage 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 about the class? Email: eagan.brian@gmail.com.

Memorial Service for Bettye Brown

March 8

A Celebration of Life will be held for Bettye Brown on Friday, March 8, at 3:30 p.m., in the Coronado Villa Retirement Resort. Bettye loved music and enjoyed watching the choir, Jazz Vespers, and all the Classical concerts at St. John's. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Music Ministry at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona N.E., Albuquerque NM 87110, (www.stjohns-abq.org), or to American Association of University Women-Albuquerque Chapter, PO Box 92643, Albuquerque 87199 (https://albuquerque-nm.aauw.net). 

Memorial Service for Elaine Vieth

March 15

St. John’s member, Elaine Vieth, passed away on February 18. Elaine was a member over 18 years. Services will be held at French Mortuary on Wyoming on Friday, March 15, at 11:00 a.m.

Serving United Methodist Students

General Board of Higher Education Ministry (GBHEM) Scholarships offers financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, the UMC GBHEM awards an average of $5.5 million to help students in the United States and abroad pursue their dreams through higher education. With this financial aid, UMC GBHEM is opening pathways for students of all backgrounds to earn their degrees and serve as the next generation of leaders for the church and the world. The deadline to apply online is March 13, 2024 - see https://www.gbhem.org/scholarships/.

No Omelet Bar Mix and Match

Until after Easter

With the focus of the Food Ministry currently being the preparation and serving of the Lenten Friday Fish Fries, there will be no Omelet Bar Mix and Match until April, after Easter.  

Security Awareness

We would like to remind you to be aware of potential scams imitating Pastor Josh. If you receive a text or email from a sender claiming to be Josh or staff from St. John's asking for a favor, delete and block the message.

Know that neither Pastor Josh, nor anyone else at St. John's, would ever solicit for gift cards or money through individual text or email.

Fish Fry Announcements

Fish Fry Week 2

We had an exciting Fish Fry Dinner on Friday, February 23! That night:

• 537 meals served (Second Highest Attendance)
• $387 was collected in the Tip Jars for Silver Horizons
• A total of 123 workers worked on Thursday and Friday
• 7 Boy Scouts from troop 285 volunteered their time to work Fish Fry

What We Need

• Thursday afternoon food preppers from 2-4 p.m.

If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, see Wayne at the Hospitality Center on Sunday mornings or contact him through email at jwshirleyabq@gmail.com.

Reserve a Table

Did you know you can reserve a table at the Fish Fry Dinners if you have a group of 6 or more attending together? Contact Wayne at 505-238-4559 or the church office at 505-883-9717 to find out how.

Calling All Medical Professionals

St. John's has a lot of large group activities, such as the Fish Fry Friday dinners, during Lent. I would like to have one or two other medical folks available during each of these activities. We hope no one is needed, but it would be helpful to have folks on hand to step in if a medical situation needs to be assessed.

Please let me know if 1) you are willing to help as available, and 2) any specific dates you are available during the 6 weeks of the Fish Fry.

Thank you! Contact Linn Furnish RN, St. John's Parish Nurse, at 505-884-6626 and swimsew@comcast.net.

Fish Fry Cards

Did you know we have Fish Fry Dinner postcards available? Give them to a friend, neighbor, family member, or drop them off at your doctors' office, favorite business, senior center, etc., to let them know about our Fish Fry Dinners. Come by the Hospitality Center and pick up a few to inform people about our fantastic dinners!

Youth Ministry Team (YMT)

March 3

Monthly meeting of adults this Sunday evening, March 3, at 6:15 to 7 p.m. in room 257 (following youth group). Come learn about our plans for: Confirmation Classes, Holy Week, Easter, and spring events. YMT is open to any parents/guardians of youth that want to join us. Any students that must stay at church while the YMT meeting takes place will have access to the upstairs youth lounge area with games of all kinds, tv, and movies. The youth can hang out while YMT meeting of adults is going on. Questions? Ask Brett Reece, cell 505-414-3037, email: YouthDirector@stjohns-abq.org 

Children's Council Meeting

March 4

The first meeting for the Children's Council will be on Monday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. We will be meeting in the library upstairs, room 231. Please contact Angela Lybarger at (505) 250-3875 with any questions.

Help St. John's Children Show Love in Action

St. John's children are learning about "love in action" during Lent, and we are talking and writing about ways we can all actively show love and caring in God's world. We have started a bulletin board on the first floor by the SonShine Café. Please stop by and add your ideas to the board. Paper, pens, and tape are provided. Pull out a heart, write down your "love in action" idea, and tape your contribution any place on the board you'd like. Our goal is to have the bulletin board covered in love by Easter, and kids will be checking the board weekly to see what ideas have been added. Thanks for your help!

Confirmation

Do you have a student that is interested in being confirmed in the United Methodist Church? A confirmation class will be offered, starting this Sunday, March 3, currently scheduled to take place during the 11:00 a.m. worship service in room 257. Each session will last one hour, and the entirety of the course will be eight weeks, with a break on Easter Sunday.

Confirmation is available to any student from sixth through twelfth grade that would like to take this step in their faith. If you have a student that is interested, please contact our youth director, Brett Reece, at youthdirector@stjohns-abq.org. Thank you.

Children's Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt

March 30

Find your Easter baskets and plan to join us as we play games, eat breakfast snacks, have lots of fun, and celebrate the season! Easter egg hunting will take place March 30 at 9:30 for kids in pre-school through fifth grade (beginning with the youngest kids).

When: Saturday, March 30, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Where: St. John's UMC Family Life Center

Who: Kids, parents, grandparents, cousins, friends from school, kids who live next door to you - all are welcome.

Request for Easter Egg Hunt Supplies

Children's Ministry needs some help preparing for the Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt. If you are able to donate any of the following items, your help will be greatly appreciated!

Individually wrapped chocolate candy

Individually wrapped non-chocolate candy

Individual non-food items (stickers, temporary tattoos, fun erasers, etc.)

Plastic, fillable eggs

Please drop off candy/eggs to the church office, during office hours, before Wednesday, March 27.

Volunteers for Children's Easter Celebration

and Egg Hunt

Calling all volunteer bunnies! Do you know how to face paint? Would you like to help supervise a game area? Are you an expert egg hider?

If any of these opportunities sound like fun, then you are the perfect person to help as we celebrate the Easter season with the Children's Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt on March 30. Please email Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org or text to (505) 250-3875 if you'd like to join in on the fun. Thank you!

Prayer Quilt Recipient

Pam Mitchell 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 Pam. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries! Either way, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Pam: "Lord, we pray that you will renew Pam's body and mind and that she will find strength and healing. Cover her with the love, mercy and peace that only you can provide. Amen.”

Lenten Offering: March Special Offering

The six weeks of Lent are a time of preparation, sacrifice, renewed focus on God, and giving.

Traditionally, this offering has supported many and varied local ministries. Such ministries have included: Mobile Food Pantry, Hopeworks, the Ramp Project, Asbury Pie Cafe, Zuni School, Family Promise, lunch bags for the homeless, and many more.

As we remember Jesus' sacrifice for us, may we also sacrifice in our own way by continuing the St. John's long tradition of giving generously to those in need during this Lenten season.

Snack Items for

Tierra Adentro New Mexico (TANM)

During the month of March, we will collect "snack items" for Tierra Adentro New Mexico (TANM) Arts Charter School, located in NW Albuquerque, and serving mid- and high-school students. We currently provide weekend meal bags each week for five of their students who are homeless/food insecure and will continue to do so. They have also identified an additional 50 students who are food insecure. This month we are collecting snack items which will be distributed by the counselor as needed at TANM.

Suggested SINGLE-SERVE items are: cheese and crackers, beef jerky, applesauce, pudding, fruit cups, granola bars, power bars, cereal bars, ravioli, spaghetti-os, macaroni and cheese, soups (pull tab openings), ramen noodles, trail mix, fruit snacks, boxed drinks and juices, chips, pretzels, Goldfish, Vienna sausages, pop tarts, or oatmeal.

Please place your donated items in the bins in the Hospitality Center.

THANK YOU, St. John's! You're the best!

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 24-Hour 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.