March 8, 2024

Josh's Jottings

During Lent, I am offering prayers from around the world touching on important themes. This prayer from Desmond Tutu reminds us to pray for our church. Please know that I pray for you and I know you pray for me. Pray also for Christians around the world, and those who would be if Jesus’ message was in new places and often in the face of oppression.

"Lord, we thank you that our churches are like big families.

Lord, let your spirit of reconciliation blow over all the earth.

Let Christians live your love.

Lord, we praise you in Europe’s cathedrals, in America’s offerings,

And in our African songs of praise.

Lord we thank you that we have brothers and sisters all around the world.

Be with them that make peace. Amen"

Mountain Cathedrals Stargazing Hike

Saturday

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!). 

Poetry Event

March 10

Explore a diverse collection of poems inspired by the essence of Albuquerque and penned by local talents. The City and UNM Press invite you to the Albuquerque Museum on March 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. to enjoy readings by New Mexico's Poet Laureates. A poem by Elaine Montague, St. John's member, was selected for the new book, "Open-Hearted Horizon," which is available for purchase in bookstores and online.

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.

Jolly Elders

March 13

Jolly Elders will meet on Wednesday, March 13 at 11 a.m. in rooms 241 and 243. Our speaker will be John Taylor.  Railroads were the key that unlocked the Land of Enchantment to the rest of the country in the late 19^th century.  This presentation will describe the history of railroads in New Mexico and discuss the restoration of a 1940s-era New Mexico railroad icon, the Santa Fe steam locomotive 2926, that is being restored to operational status by a group of volunteers here in the Duke City. Anyone interested in this topic is encouraged to attend and stay for lunch.

With St. Patrick's Day around the corner we'll have a corned beef lunch at noon. Bring a green vegetable, green salad, or a green dessert and your own place setting. So that we will have enough corn beef, please RSVP to Carol Wiggins at carolmwiggins@aol.com or call or text at 505-321-0603.  

Mobile Food Pantry

March 16

Volunteers arrive about 9:00-9:30 a.m. and distribution begins at 9:30 - 10:00 a.m., depending on the time the Roadrunner Food truck arrives. We are usually finished before noon. For more information, please contact Debby Smith at 505-554-4238 or dysmith0427@gmail.com.

March is National Nutrition Month. For information click here to find Tip Sheets, Activity Handouts and more from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Our monthly food distribution contributes to improving the nutrition of 50 families, though last month we distributed food to 58 families! The need for food in our community continues to increase every month. I am grateful to St. John’s for supporting this essential service to our neighbors. 

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 a 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. 

The McCurdy Weekend

April 5-7

United Methodism in the Española Valley has an evolving history stretching back over 100 years. That history will be the focus of a special weekend planned for April 5 through 7. Everyone is invited.

On Friday, there will be a local church historian training. The Heritage Tour is scheduled Saturday. Dee Dee Heffner will take the group on an exploration of the ministry and history of the United Brethren & UMC in the valley area. Conference Archivist, Rev. Will Steinsiek will preach at Santa Cruz UMC on Sunday. You may pick and choose which events you'd like to attend.

Participants may stay overnight at McCurdy or at another motel. If you'd like more information or register for the weekend, please contact Will Steinsiek at: nmarchives@nmconfum.com. Click link HERE for the flyer.

Sweet Jazz

April 7

Join us at Sandia Presbyterian Church for great music, light snacks, and a silent auction as Sid Fendley and Friends dazzle us with their jazz delights on April 7 at 4 p.m. All proceeds from this event benefit Family Promise of Albuquerque and help further their mission to assist unsheltered families in Albuquerque. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance. You can purchase them online by clicking the link HERE, or reach out to Linn Furnish for tickets at swimsew@comcast.net or 505-884-6626.

Saranam Update

Saranam is an innovative, multi-generational program dedicated to breaking cycles of family homelessness and poverty through housing, education, and supportive community. An estate gift from a member of Central UMC started Saranam 20 years ago, and it has grown to be known in our community for deep, impactful and transformative work with families. Saranam serves up to 20 families at a time on our east campus and every year we are only able to meet a fraction of the demand for our program.

We are excited to be building a new campus that will more than double our capacity on the west side of Albuquerque. The first phase of ten homes will be occupied in early April with families who will begin their journey to overcome their obstacles and stabilize their family. We are excited to see this start to take shape – this week we have been painting inside and starting to plant landscape!

The whole campus is planned to be complete by the end of this year and will include 25 homes, adult classrooms, family center, playground, community gardens, offices and donation space. If you are interested in learning more about Saranam or want to get involved, please contact Sunny at sholmes@saranamabq.org.

Click HERE to see pictures of the new campus.

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.

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 3

We had an exciting Fish Fry Dinner on Friday, March 1! That night:

• 642 meals were served (Second Highest Attendance)
• $471 was collected in the Tip Jars for Silver Horizons
• A total of 122 workers worked on Thursday and Friday
• 10 Boy Scouts worked the 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.

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.”

UMCOR Sunday

March 10

UMCOR Sunday is March 10. We are partnering with other UMC congregations in a special offering to support The United Methodist Committee on Relief, an organization that acts on our behalf when there is a crisis in the world.

For example: Last February a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye. UMCOR worked with a trusted partner in Türkiye to respond. Because many displaced people still live in tents where open flames of candles or kerosene lanterns are dangerous, solar lanterns were distributed, thanks in part to gifts from United Methodists. UMCOR was able to respond quickly because they have a trusted partner in the region. United Methodist support through offerings like UMCOR Sunday was transformed into tangible immediate help for survivors.



Please embody compassion and be God’s light by giving generously to support UMCOR Sunday. You may mark your check or the pew envelope to designate this special offering. 

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.