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UNITED METHODISTS IN SANTA FE
The 41st Lutheran Advocacy Day took place on Thursday, February 20. The United Women in Faith led over 25 United Methodists to the event, including 12 of our Central folks! We celebrated the newly-elected Bishop of the Rocky Moutain Synod, the Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni. [The United Methodist Church is in 'communion' with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; that is to say, we are partners in ministry and vision as sister denominations.]
As part of the day's events, we were briefed on various issues facing our neighbors in the state. Taylor Cook, the new director of homeless initiatives for the Office of the Governor, informed nearly 160 attendees about the initiatives occurring on both the executive and legislative fronts to more comprehensively address the tremendous challenges we face due to the lack of affordable housing, the large number of New Mexicans living in unstable conditions because of the unbearable cost of housing, and the unacceptable number of individuals living without shelter. (Zero is the only acceptable number.)
We also learned about a Lutheran ministry in El Paso called Border Servant Corps, which is encountering significant financial challenges due to the failure to secure funding for contracts with FEMA. Long-time executive director Kari Lenander and Kyle Boyd participated in the Issue Briefing to provide an update on current happenings and projected developments on the border moving forward.
At the luncheon, advocacy awards were presented. House Majority Leader Rep. Renna Szczepanski received the Legislator of the Year award for 2024. Ron Solimon (St. Timothy Lutheran, ABQ) was honored with the John and Chris Haaland Advocacy Award. LaJune Smith (Peace Lutheran, Las Cruces) received a Lifetime of Advocacy Award, and Bill Jordan (NM Voices, retired) was recognized for his longstanding partnership with and support of LAM-NM.
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NEW MEXICO CONFERENCE NEWS:
The Big Band with Abbey Reed
We're thrilled to announce that Abbey Reed, director of neighboring for Central UMC-ABQ, will be our first guest in this new iteration of The Big Band. She'll join us on THIS Tuesday, February 25th, at 10:00 a.m. MT to discuss her role, how her past experiences have prepared her for it, how others might do something similar in their context, and so much more. After Rev. Ross Whiteaker and Alli Newsom ask theirs, there will be time for your questions.
ZOOM link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82809941136
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ONE : Our Neighbors' Experiences, Tuesday, February 27, 7 p.m. | |
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Ouir special guest is Beatriz Valencia. Beatriz is the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Liaison for the Office of Equity and Inclusion for the City of Albuquerque. She is originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, but grew up on a beautiful island in the Caribbean called San Andres. Previously, Beatriz worked at Sanctuary at ABQ as their Research and Development Director, Albuquerque Public School as their Community School Coordinator, Chencha: The Multicultural Storyteller as their Storyteller for all ages and nationalities, and for Everyone's Ingenuity LLC as their CEO and Founder.
Beatriz's heart for people and devotion to immigrants have allowed her work to have a significant impact on the City of Albuquerque while reflecting a spirit of compassion for all.
To register for this event, CLICK HERE.
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LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR CONCERT, MARCH 2
Sign-up will be available at the church office through Wednesday for $10 lunch per person. It's a Staff singer showcase featuring light opera and Broadway, benefitting Roadrunner Food Bank (bring non-perishable food items).
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OFFERING OF LETTERS BLESSING THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 2
Please do not forget to return your letters this week or on Sunday. We will bless them to be sent to Legislators on Monday, March 3. For more information: https://www.bread.org/offering-letters/.
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WOW ANNOUNCES LENTEN STUDY
WOW (Women of the Word) will begin a Lenten study on March 5 by Susan Robb entitled Remember, the book is available on Amazon, and the videos are on Amplify.
Join us on Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., in Rm. 312.
In this book, Susan Robb leads readers through the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, followed by the new covenant established on Maundy Thursday. The Lenten story culminates with an examination of the cross as another example of God’s promise for a new world.
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EDUCATION Series
on Creation Care ends next week . . .
What is the connection between our United Methodist Christian faith and creation? There are deep connections and it is part of our legacy as a global denomination!
Members of our Green Team lead us in educational experiences during the Sunday School/Christian Education hour (9:45 a.m.) throughout the season of Epiphany. We will gather in the Central to Life Center. All are welcome.
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this week @ central
FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 2, 2025
Church Office: Mon- Thurs, 9a-4p, Fri, 9a-12noon
Monday, February 24
9a : Helping Hands [Central to Life Center]
Tuesday, February 25
10a : Coffee Fellowship [Gathering Area] (featuring Abbey Reed on "Big Band")
10a : New Mexico Conference “Big Band” with Abbey Reed [Zoom]
4p : Bernalillo Food Action Team [Conference Room]
6p : UNM Wesley Foundation [Rms. 301 & 303]
Wednesday, February 26
9:30a : WOW (Women of the Word) Study [Rm. 312]
10a : ID Clinic [Gathering Area]
11a : Wednesday Bible Study [Lomas & Washington]
6:30p : Chancel Choir Rehearsal [Sanctuary]
Thursday, February 27
6p : MassApPeal Ensemble Handbells [Rm. 311]
7p : Our Neighbors’ Experiences (ONE) [Zoom]
Friday, February 28
6:30p : MassApPeal Ensemble Handbells [Rm. 311]
Saturday, March 1
Sunday, March 2
8:30a : Chapel Worship
9:45a : Sunday School / Education Hour
11a : Sanctuary Worship
12:15p : Love Your Neighbor Concert [Central to Life Center]
Website
Submit a prayer request
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Howard Thurman's Guiding Prayer
“Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace.” Teach me how to order my days that with sure touch I may say the right word at the right time and in the right way — lest I betray the spirit of peace. Let me not be deceived by my own insecurity and weakness which would make me hurt another as I try desperately to help myself. Keep watch with me, O my Father, over the days of my life, that with abiding enthusiasm I may be in such possession of myself that each day I may offer to Thee the full, unhampered use of me in all my parts as “an instrument of Thy Peace.” Amen.
The Inward Journey: Meditations on the Spiritual Quest
Howard Thurman (Harper Row, 1961), p.104.
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201 University Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
www.centraltolife.org
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