February 23, 2024

Josh's Jottings

Join us for a conversation about the future. 

I want to invite all of you to a special event hosted by St. John's on Saturday, March 16. That evening we will welcome Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, a United Methodist pastor and the director of Mainstream UMC. Mainstream UMC is a United Methodist advocacy group working for unity in the Body of Christ. Since 2019, they have worked to find a way for people of all political backgrounds to have a home in the United Methodist Church. In their own words, Mainstream UMC believes "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?" 

We will host a conversation, led by Rev. Dr. Holland with a panel of leaders, both clergy and laypersons, from the New Mexico Conference. With General Conference approaching in two months, we have the opportunity to set a new tone and look to new possibilities for the future of the United Methodist Church. Mark will lead us as we look to those possibilities and how they shape the possibilities here at St. John's and in other local churches. 

Join us on March 16 at 6:30 PM. We'll have a short reception afterward with refreshments. Also be sure to let friends or others who attend any United Methodist Churches in the community about this upcoming event. See you there!

Music at St. John's

Sunday

“Music at St. John’s” will present the Mars Smith Duo in concert this Sunday at 3 p.m. in our sanctuary. Internationally-acclaimed flutist Daniela Mars and Paul Smith, co-founder of the GRAMMY-nominated a cappella ensemble VOCES8, will present a seamless and contemplative program of music by composers ancient and modern, inspired by nature and the healing power of music. They’ll be joined by a small choral ensemble directed by Matt Greer. There is no admission charge; a free will offering will be received. The concert will also be available by livestream.

"Dots and Lines" - A Music-Reading Workshop

With Jim Ahrend

Are you a little lost when you look at a musical score, or a hymnal? Does sight-singing seem like a mysterious skill for only a select few? Would you like to improve your music-reading skills, or build a better foundation of musical literacy? Then this 3-session class is for you. Practice skills in a group setting, get your questions answered, have fun!

Join Jim Ahrend in the St. John’s Choir Room from 5:15-6:15pm on the next two Wednesdays: February 28, and March 6. All skill levels and backgrounds are welcome!

Memory Café Albuquerque

March 2

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. 

Easter Sunday Lunch

March 31

On Easter, avoid the traffic of going out for your Easter meal, and come to lunch after the worship services. Chef Tim and his Kitchen Crew will be serving Slow-Roasted Honey Chipotle Ham, sliced to order from 11 am to 1 pm in the Family Life Center. $14 for adults, $8 for 12-17 years old, $5 for 5-12 years old, 4 and under free. Let us rejoice! Psalm 118:24

World Day of Prayer (WDP)

March 1

Friday, March 1, you are invited to a program and worship service prepared by the WDP Committee of Palestine and the WDP USA Committee. This service will feature a presentation by Lamia Faruki who serves on the Board of Tomorrow's Women, a group that brings together Palestinian and Jewish young women for a six-week experience in learning about each other's culture one-on-one. Either Lamia or Holly, the Director of the group, or both, will be with us to introduce us to their group's mission and to show us interviews with some of the young women who have been part of the experience in the past.

When: Friday, March 1, registration begins at 9:15 a.m.

Location: Manzano del Sol Village, 5201 Roma NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Parking: Parking is on Roma and adjacent streets or in the small parking lot at the southwest corner of the San Mateo and Roma intersection.

Pancake Breakfast

March 9

You're invited to a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 9, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., hosted at Albuquerque Christian Children's Home. Come enjoy some warm pancakes, fresh cooked bacon and sausage, and coffee fresh from the pot! Fellowship around company, tour a campus cottage, and encourage the house-parents, staff, and children of ACCH.

Adults: $5, Children 6-12: $3, and Children under 6: Free

Albuquerque Christian Children's Home 5700 Winter Haven Rd NW 505-898-552

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.  

Reflections on Lent

By Dee Billops

As some of you know, I broke my knee 4 weeks ago, coming home from work. My 13-pound dog was so happy to see me, he jumped up and threw me off balance. As I landed on the floor, he eagerly jumped on my chest to lick my face. That little maneuver caused me to be out of his life for 3 weeks while in hospital and rehab, learning to walk again. My balance on the walker is bad, but at least I can get out and attend church again. I hope to be back in the choir and taking communion to shut-ins very soon. As an advanced practice nurse practitioner, I have dealt for years with folks with mobility issues, but am now confronted by my own. I believe God had a lesson, or several, for me to learn.

I did not take kindly to all the appointments I had to cancel because of being in the hospital. I had a course to teach student nurses at the community college, people to visit on Tuesdays with communion, a chaplain meeting to attend, choir practice, needing a substitute to cover my weekly clinic practice, and getting my teeth cleaned. But very quickly God showed me the reason I was in rehab. I was attending daily morning coffee with other residents when I heard Sandra lament “I don’t know why God doesn’t just take me?” Being new to this facility, I just listened. Then Christine said “Look at the beautiful phone holder I wear around my neck so I have my phone ready when family calls. Sandra knitted it for me.” Sandra smiled. I said “That is why you are here.” You have the gift of knitting so that you can share with others and bring beauty to their lives”. I met 3 new friends that day, women who live in the long-term care wing of the rehab hospital who have graciously allowed me to come visit them and take communion to when I am able to return to visitation.

Since I can drive again, I attended church in person this past Sunday. What a blessing to hear Jim’s prelude, the choir’s anthem, Gil’s passionate prayer response and Josh’s message that prayer and work must go together. I saw the congregation’s love for one another and how mobility-challenged folks were stepping up to greet others in Christian love. No one would fault people with mobility issues for staying home and watching the service on the computer, yet here people were whizzing around in wheelchairs, on crutches, with walkers and canes, smiling and greeting others, putting in the work as well as praying for one another. They even showed concern for me, helping me with the door. It was truly humbling, as well as awesome. I will hopefully not need a walker soon, but in traveling their experience for this short term, I have realized how marvelous this church is and how much love the congregation has for each other. I have also learned where the handicapped parking is, where all the cracks are in the sidewalk and how difficult it is to maneuver doors with a walker. These are lessons I will remember and thank God daily for the people who are part of this body of Christ and who are constantly doing their part with the gifts God has given them, as large or small as they may be.

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 1

We had an exciting Fish Fry Dinner on Friday, February 16! That night:

• 468 meals serviced (Second Highest Attendance)
• 7 firemen attended
• $334 was collected in the Tip Jars for Silver Horizons
• A total of 118 workers worked on Thursday and Friday
• 10 Boy Scouts from troop 286 volunteered their time to work Fish Fry

What We Need

• Donations for dinner tickets ($16 each) for first responders
• 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!

Parents' Day Out - Rescheduled

March 2

Parents' Day Out has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Angela Lybarger, childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org. New RSVP deadline is Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

Children's Council Meeting

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 on Sunday, March 3, currently scheduled to take place during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. 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.

Prayer Quilt Recipient

Melanie Amend 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 Melanie. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries! Either way, please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Melanie: "Heavenly Father, we thank you for who you are and how you walk with us in our valleys. We thank you for your compassion, and we plea for your healing for Melanie. We know if she puts her hand in yours, you will guide her, give her courage, and comfort her. Help this truth inform her heart and hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.”

February Special Offering:

Covenant with Missionaries

February is the month that we support our UMC Missionary Dr. Belinda Forbes in Nicaragua.

Dr. Forbes provides community-based dental care. which is greatly needed in her area. Many of us remember her visit to St. John's last March. We learned much about the ministry and the community she serves. Let's continue with our generous support.

Our Zuni Weekend Meal Bags

During the month of February, we are seeking single-serving donations for our ongoing Zuni Weekend Meal Bag project. We're collecting: shelf-stable white and chocolate milk; microwavable mac-and-cheese cups; microwavable ravioli cups; nut-free granola or cereal bars; cheese and crackers; and cookies. Please place your donations in the wire bins located in the Hospitality Center. If you wish to support this ministry with a monetary donation, please be sure to put "Zuni Meal Bags" on the memo line. Your donations are making a difference for the hungry students at Zuni Elementary and we thank you, from the heart, for supporting this program.

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.

Pastor 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.