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Inside This Edition>>>
- "Why Do You Attend Central?" quotes from CUMC church members
- Who is Jim Dimes?
- What is former CUMC Pastor Greg Henneman doing now?
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Vibrant Tradition
Honoring our rich past to nurture a thriving future
The second part of the Mission Values, embedded within our Vision Pathway, is Vibrant Tradition.
Vibrant (adj) – full of energy and enthusiasm, spirited, lively, energetic, vigorous, vital, vivacious, dynamic, exciting, passionate, fresh, new
Tradition (n) – the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation
When looking at these definitions some may say putting the two words together creates an oxymoron. How can the old customs and beliefs be vibrant, alive, fresh and new?
The Bible gives examples of Vibrant Tradition:
David dancing in Samuel 6:14, with all his might before the Lord.
Pentecost in Acts 2, when the disciples, filled with and enabled by the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues.
From CUMC’s history:
The Great Getting’ up Mournin’ service when we sit shoulder to shoulder and clap, sing, and shout AMEN and some of us even dance.
Even so, some of us may feel pessimistic about the Vibrant Tradition thing. Sparse attendance, singing the same old hymns with the same tired voices, reading together the same old words, sitting in the same pews with minds full of what happened yesterday and what we should do later.
How can old customs and beliefs, songs and words be alive, vibrant, fresh and new?
If we depend on ourselves the answer is: They can’t be.
We need to remember what Jesus taught us:
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
And from the Old Testament:
Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are
new every morning; great is His faithfulness.
Psalm 40:3 God is the One who puts a new song in our mouths, a hymn of praise.
We can experience God’s Vibrant Tradition if we come with expectations:
- God will be there with us.
- He will give us rest.
- He will open our hearts and minds to all the new He promises:
o this new day,
o the new songs He gives us to sing,
o the new creation each one of us is becoming through His love and grace and mercy.
Vibrant Tradition? Our rich past with God guarantees a thriving, vibrant present and future. When we trust and depend on God anything and everything is possible.
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Outside The Walls
Rev. Scott Sharp
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"I am the vine, you are the branches." Vibrant tradition reminds us that we're rooted in that vine - that's the tradition part; but we're also the fruit of that vine - that's the vibrancy part
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Inside The Walls
Governance Team
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As we move into our next
Listening Post process to hear what our church community has to say on some new topics, I believe we should reflect a bit on the outcome of our last effort.
Communication was the most often mentioned topic. Following that lead, we have formed an amazing Communications Team that is now publishing a monthly Newsletter covering a myriad of topics that truly make Central transparent as requested by many. Also, brand new is a CUMC web page that will be state of the art and providing access to what is going on for us at Central at the touch of a key pad.
Second was Bible study led by our Pastors. Over the past year, Pastor Scott and Pastor Kelly have offered opportunities during the Sunday School hour and recently Wednesday nights. I hope we have all taken advantage of their biblical teachings.
What’s up for the next few weeks? Karl Jarvis is developing a few questions that are focused on the 5-Year Plan. Where are we headed? How do you envision we get there? With his information about MOVEMENTUM, how might you fit into the process leading us into the future?
Karl will also be providing an instrument that will offer you the opportunity for personal spiritual discipline evaluation that may reveal where you might fit into the 5-Year plan and allows each of us to become an active participant in the transition of Central to a church sharing the love of Christ with a population who may have never been exposed to Jesus. Hmmmm…
The
July potluck was a vibrant success - in the grand old Methodist tradition! Over 150 of us enjoyed amazing food and delightful togetherness - a true community meeting. The next Potluck is scheduled for the
September 10 Town Hall Meeting. The Governance Team and Youth hosted our first potluck - we're looking for Sunday School classes (or one class) to do the same in September. The details of the Potluck will be completely yours to decide. It's really a light load - one that is well worth the effort!
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
COMPASS POINTS_________Ted Balph
FINANCE________________ Ken McVey
GOVERNANCE ___________ George Faulhaber
LAY LEADER______________Jim Sumner
NOMINATIONS
___________
Scott Sharp
STAFF PARISH RELATIONS
__
_
Jean Hawk
TREASURER
______________Ellen Shrak
TRUSTEES
_______________ Maurice Ikle
In order to more fully outline the responsibilities of the various advisory members, the Newsletter will include an ongoing in-depth look at each of the committees.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chairperson: Ken McVey
Members: Ellen Shepherd, Don Small, Martha Bedeaux, Robin Harder, Sandy Roberts, Pat Wilkins, Bob Waldman, Peggy Murtagh, Jim Sumner (Lay Leader, non-voting), Clergy (non-voting)
The
Finance Committee has as its priority the responsibility of stewardship of church financial resources throughout the year. Its specific duties include:
- finding creative ways to turn our congregation into a tithing congregation;
- receive all financial requests for inclusion in the annual budget which is then turned over to the Governance Team for review and adoption;
- develop and implement plans to raise sufficient income to meet the budget adopted by the Governance Team;
- write and maintain written financial policies to document internal controls of CUMC;
- arrange for annual, independent audit of all church finances;
- monitor and provide control adequate policies on effectiveness of policies.
It is obvious that the members of this committee be persons of integrity, dedication and trustworthiness. Finances undergird the ability of Central to carry out our programs and ministry to those both 'inside and outside the walls'. We are blessed to have a collection of folks who more than meet those standards. Our finances are indeed in good hands and we are thankful for that fact - a fact we do not take for granted!
CHURCH TREASURER
Ellen Thorne Shrak
The
Church Treasurer has the responsibility to gather all financial information from the Finance Committee and the church bookkeeper and produce all financial documents necessary for the Church. Other responsibilities include:
- research into Hanna funds investment and possible changes;
- work with accountants on audits.
Ellen, despite her self-declared 'lack of financial acumen' does her usual quality professional job at this position.
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Do you have any announcements, events, or information that you would like to share in this section of “Our Church Family”? Please contact Pat Briggs – contact information is at the end of the newsletter.
September 9 - a special day for two amazing ladies!!
Dorothy Gordon will be a young 94 and
Mary Fletcher will be a young 90! Be sure and catch them (not always easy - these are two busy ladies!) and wish them Happy birthday.
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Greg Henneman, our loved former associate pastor, was in Albuquerque to share his work at United Methodist Church for All People in Columbus, Ohio. Gregg shared many stories and learned truths with us. Truths and stories that can be experienced by any church that determines to do so.
Divine Economy of Abundance:
- God is a God of abundance, not scarcity.
o We believe God ordered creation out of abundance, not scarcity.
- Scarcity is actually nothing more than the consequence of human sins of greed, fear, hoarding and abuse of the abundance in creation.
- Human generosity triggers a return of the Divine Economy of Abundance.
o We discovered the ongoing reality of the divine Economy of Abundance and how it is unleashed by generosity.
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Two Paths -- Two Solutions:
Needs
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what is not there
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services to meet needs
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consumers
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programs are the answer
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Assets
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what is there
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connections and contributions
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citizens
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people are the answer
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Greg told us that the word 'need' is banned from all conversation at his church. Any other word is accepted for what it's worth, but that one word is forbidden! The conversation is focused fully on assets and contributions - never needs. Try it - it's difficult to change from scarcity needs based assessments to abundance based assessments = difficult but imperative
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Why Do You Attend Central?
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There are hundreds of churches in Albuquerque; there are 23 United Methodist churches in Albuquerque. Every one of us has made the intentional choice to worship at Central. There are lots of reasons we all make this choice out of many possible choices. Maybe you'll find your reason in this list - maybe one of the reasons matches your unstated one - maybe you have one that isn't included.
Whatever your individual reason, we have all made a promise to support Central 'with our time, our gifts and our service' - and we're a far, far richer place because of those promises!!
"I attend Central because of the choir and what I feel is a calling - music is so
powerful in worship, for me - to give something back to the congregation for
letting me sing my faith. My friends and fellowship are here and so am I.
My friends challenge me and keep me moving forward in my faith journey."
BJ James
"....to support my husband and to spend time developing my relationship with
Christ as well as in my old relationships and making new ones...."
Seribeth James
"I was brought up in this church. My parents felt church was important and Central was like a second home to me. I drifted away at some point as many do, but found myself missing Jesus. I felt drawn to Him and returned to church. Coming back was very comfortable. It seemed everyone still knew me; they greeted me warmly and were genuinely interested in me. The people of Central were Jesus' voice that spoke to me kindly, His hands that welcomed me home each time I returned and His heart that taught me and took me step by step through the process. That is why I continue to be a member of this church."
Barbara Fuller
"We have been members of Central since our children were in elementary school. We have remained committed members because of the pastors, the fellow church members and the various service ministries - especially those centered around the most vulnerable. We have seen the church through the years, change and not change. We believe CUMC can move into the future revitalized, but it will take vision and efforts on all our parts!"
Chris and Pat Briggs
"I like my Sunday School class."
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"I stay because of my Sunday School class. I have found answers to the doubts I have always had. The class keeps me seeking."
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"I attend Central because of my progressive, open-minded Sunday School class. I feel very comfortable around the class members and serve in several worthwhile community social mission programs supported by the class."
Members of Alfies Sunday School Class
"Central is the church my husband, Dan, especially wanted us to attend, and I've
been doing just that for 20 years. He loved worshiping at Central and we were both
blessed by the teaching we received and the strong friendships we made. Following Dan's
death I have continued worshipping at Central because it connects me to Dan and because
of the love and support I've received."
Jeanne Dailey
"Central is a church of light! Tom and I came from a dark situation and coming to Central
was truly like walking into the light. From the music to the preaching to the overwhelming
welcome we received, to the physical light in the church, we felt the presence of God's love."
Tom and Judy Williams
"Central is probably the first church I have felt connected to and a part of, as opposed to just attending. I am blessed to be involved in many aspects of the church and those communities are my glue. I found a small group though Sunday School that allowed me to build meaningful relationships. I am also proud to be part of a church community that lives its mission works by including the homeless in the same pews and serving them and considering them as brothers and sisters in Christ."
Jim and Janice-Honeycutt Hering
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Why Go To Church
If you’re spiritually alive, you're going to love this!
If you’re spiritually dead, you won't want to read it.
If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a
newspaper & complained that it made no sense
to go to church every Sunday.
'I've gone for 30 years now,' he wrote, '& in that
time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons,
but for the life of me, I can't remember a single
one of them.
So, I think I'm wasting my time & the preachers
& priests are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.'
This started a real controversy in the 'Letters
to the Editor' column.
Much to the delight of the editor, it went on for
weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
'I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my
wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life
of me, I cannot recall the entire menu or a single one
of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished
me & gave me the strength I needed to do my work.
If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be
physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to
church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!'
When you are DOWN to nothing, God is UP to something!
Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible & receives
the impossible!
Thank God for our physical & our spiritual nourishment!
IF YOU CANNOT SEE GOD IN ALL, YOU CANNOT SEE
GOD AT ALL !
B. I. B. L. E. simply means: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!
When you are about to forward this to others, the devil will discourage you.
So go on ! Forward this to people who are DEAR to you & TRUST GOD.
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Saranam – Central’s Program for Homeless Families
Frances Thaxton Ash, long time member of Central UMC (she attended CUMC for 93 years!) most valued family and having a home. When she died in 2001, she bequeathed her substantial estate to her church. The gift came with a stipulation that it be used to end homelessness in families. Nine members and then Senior Pastor, Charles Crutchfield, worked for two years to create a program that would honor Frances’s vision. Their study led to the formation of Saranam in 2004. The Frances Thaxton Ash Endowment still supports Saranam covering around 25% of the program budget. The endowment contribution allows 100% of all other contributions to directly support programming!
Saranam is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 with the mission to empower families to end their homelessness and poverty through housing, education and supportive communities. Saranam is an innovative two-generational program that guides homeless families to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Rather than taking a “band-aid” approach, our holistic program addresses some of the underlying causes of homelessness—lack of support systems and community, poverty, despair and isolation. At Saranam, families reside together in an Albuquerque apartment complex with a playground and community garden and are supplied with basic living items--food, clothing, household goods, childcare and a small stipend. This support frees adults to focus on acquiring the education, life skills and a career path for independent living. Saranam provides basic adult education, extensive life skills education, vocational coaching, and case management to assist adults with moving forward on a positive life path. Saranam also assists with referrals, counseling, crisis management, daycare, transportation and enriching community activities. Our Children’s Support, Tutoring And Resources (STAR) Center provides children with tutoring, reading circles, enrichment activities, and life skills classes that mirror some of the adult classes.
Saranam has the capability to serve up to 20 families at a time. Every August a new cohort of 8 to 10 families enters the program. This is an exciting time where many donations and volunteers are needed to prepare a fully furnished apartment and gather supplies for the new families. This year we will accept nine new families putting us at operating capacity for the fourth year.
Since our founding Saranam has served 102 homeless families, including 119 adults and 205 children. Our program has demonstrated a 74% rate of families successfully exiting the program into permanent, safe, stable living situations. The 74% of families who exit successfully do so on their own income, which they earn through employment or scholarship and use to provide for their own housing, utilities, and basic living supplies. Saranam has maintained contact with 64% of families who exited the program one year or more ago. Of those families, 100% who left the program successfully remain stable after one year. With our research-driven, two-generational approach of serving families, Saranam aims for greater impact and long-lasting positive outcomes for our families.
Saranam is showing great success in ending generational poverty and homelessness. We had 563 wonderful volunteers, many from Central UMC, who donated 3733 hours in 2016! Volunteers help with donations, lead adult and children’s classes, tutor adults and children, are a majority of our Board Members and help make everything Saranam does possible.
Every year Saranam provides everything a family needs to live in their newly furnished apartment. This includes an initial set up of a week's worth of food, toiletry supplies, paper goods, cleaning supplies and first aid kits.
If you would be interested in donating toward these items, a check can be made out to Saranam and given to the church.
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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a 1939 movie (yes, movies were actually made that long ago) about a gentleman who believed he could make a positive difference in government. It is at its most basic a story about how the American rule of law works and how one man can bring change in how government operates.
Jim Dines goes to Santa Fe is not a movie, but the theme is very much the same. Jim is a second term Representative from the Far Southeast area of Albuquerque. He retired from a successful law practice, and after spending several years enjoying 'free time', was approached to run for this position. He agreed, not because he had any desire to go into politics, but because he wanted to "give back to the State that had offered him such a successful career and life". That desire to return good-for-good and his strong ethical beliefs led him to make a most important decision about his campaigns and future service. He determined to, "Do it my way. At no time would reelection be an issue in my deliberations. At no time would I ever take any money or favors from any PAC or lobbyist." He immediately returned any such donations from these two entities and refused any offers from same. One lobbyist commented, "I've never heard of such a thing." Jim called the event planner for a sponsored dinner in Santa Fe and asked for cost information so he could buy his ticket to the event. The response was, "I have no idea how much it costs; no one has ever asked before."
Jim has continued this practice, demonstrating to all who see that it is possible to remain independent and honest and open to listening to all points of view with no prior commitments clouding the issue. He avoids support for 'sliver bills' (narrow special interest issues) and instead concentrates on the greater good for the entirety of New Mexico. He looks for points of agreement, asking only that people listen to each other. "Compromise is not a dirty word!" He credits his belief in God in that he always 'asks for guidance to do the right thing for the right reason." His loyalty to these positions earned him deserved and honored recognition from New Mexico First with its Spirit of Bipartisanship Award and from the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce with its Chairman's Award for work on the Ethics Commission. Jim seems especially proud of his sponsorship of the Ethic Commission Bill. New Mexico is one of only 6 states to not have an ethics commission. The bill passed with unanimous bipartisan support and will appear on the 2018 General Election. His work has given New Mexicans a chance to impact corruption in New Mexico politics - an issue with a 90% concern rate among corporations looking at our state for their business location.
When asked what the people of NM can do to effect positions, Jim lists several things constituents must demand from the political system:
- transparency in government,
- informed and knowledgeable representative and voting public,
- accountability for money spent,
o where is it going and why
o explicit information.
How do we do this? Again, several methods on the best way to get their attention:
- get to know your legislators - really know
o legislators have no interim staff - call them and you have a good chance of actually talking to them
- write personal letters
o not chain letters or robo-emails
- host get-togethers in your homes
o invite folks of different outlooks for a genuine discussion on the issues
o do this in the interim period - don't wait till election chaos hits
Jim stresses the tremendous importance of political involvement on the local and state level. When asked what folks should do if they want to enter politics, he lists several important qualities:
- strong foundation of beliefs,
- strong moral compass,
- willingness to take risks - boldness,
- realization of and determination to make decisions based on "doing the right things for the right reasons".
Compromise - transparency - bipartisanship - agreement - independence - leadership: all qualities sorely needed in folks who seek to direct our democracy. Jim stresses the need for "hope and trust" if we are to be our best. He does all of this with no sense of superiority or showmanship - a humble, genuine gentleman seeking always the 'right thing to do for the right reason'. Our state is well served - thank you Jim!!
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CUMC is updating our PARKING PERMITS. All current parking permits will no longer be valid!
Members can pick up a permit application at the front desk and new permits will be available for pick-up starting August 6.
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WHAT DO 99 YEARS REPRESENT?
Someone’s age? A church milestone? Actually, neither of these.
Ninety-nine is the combined number of years that 7 members of Central have volunteered as receptionists at Central. Chances are that when you call the church Diane Allison, Joan Emerson, Charlotte Hunt, Sue Johnson, Vera Olson, Maxine Todd or Cleo Westmark will answer—with a pleasant greeting and eagerness to help.
When asked “why do you volunteer your time at this job?” a number of responses were given. The primary responses were “to be of service to the church” and “to help the staff.” These ladies are all members of Central and committed to support the church with their presence, gifts, prayers and service.
The social aspects of being at the front desk bring a variety of rewards also…getting to know members, meeting new people, welcoming strangers. It is also a way to better understand Central and how it works. Finally, as one person said, “It gets me out of the house.”
Too often we don’t recognize the substantial value of volunteers. They just become part of the landscape…taken for granted. But these seven women are at the reception desk Monday through Friday, 40 hours a week…answering the phone, controlling entry to the building, greeting visitors at the desk, giving directions to meetings or activities, answering questions, and doing whatever else is necessary to support the staff in keeping the front office running smoothly.
If Central were to hire a fulltime receptionist it would probably cost at least $25,000 a year. Aside from the cost it would be virtually impossible to find anyone with the caring spirit, devotion, and attitude of service that these 7 women have. Please take the time to say “thanks Dianne, Joan, Charlotte, Sue, Vera, Maxine, and Cleo. You are appreciated and loved.” Thanks for 99 Years of Wonderful Service
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OFFERING OF LETTERS
Thanks to all who wrote letters or sent emails to their legislators in support of the Offering of Letters sponsored by Bread for the World. Over 100 letters/emails were sent to encourage legislators to support a 2018 budget that supports relieving hunger and poverty. If you missed the opportunity to send a letter, contact
Dodie Hawkins at 255-2405 or the church office for a sample letter and an address list.
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CONFERENCE GREEN TEAM SUPPORT
Dodie Hawkins, in her enthusiastic continuing support of recycling for our planet, proposed legislation at Annual Conference to promote energy efficiency at all conference churches. With the support of the Bishop and District Superintendent, all churches will be encouraged to conduct an energy audit of their facility, form a 'Green Team' to evaluate church efforts and become Styrofoam free. The United Methodist Women will be in charge of this effort, spearheaded by Dodie.
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Our Coffee Ministry, tentatively scheduled to begin in late August, has been postponed until later inn the year. There were not a sufficient number of volunteers to begin as scheduled. Be watching the Newsletter and Sunday Bulletin insert for further information.
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Watch For More Details...
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- Saranam Open House will be Sunday, August 13, 2-4. Tours begin at 1100 Eubank Blvd NE, Ste A. Come tour the classroom and newly furnished apartment homes before new families move in!
- The next Town Hall get together has been scheduled for Sunday, September 10; more details will be forthcoming. Please notice that, in answer to concerns raised in the last Listening Posts, the Newsletter is published once a month - every month - to keep all members updated on all things "Church". The very successful, enjoyable potluck held on Sunday, July 23 was also a response to Listening Post concerns. Watch for more!!
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Children/Youth Ministries
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On-going Children’s & Youth Sunday School and other activities – for more information, call Kelly or Kathy at church office at 243-7834 or email:
[email protected]
or
[email protected].
Call or text Kathy for more information about youth at 505-401-4541.
Church 4 Kids – Church 4 Kids is on a break until August 13th. Backpack Blessing is on August 13 – kids bring your backpacks for this time of blessing! Church 4 Kids is a time during the 11:00 worship service designated for kids to hear the Gospel lesson in a different way. Kids of all ages are invited to join Pastor Kelly in the Chapel during the 11:00 service sermon time to listen, learn, and experience the Sunday Scripture lesson in an interactive way.
Children’s Sunday School
Music for Kids- 9:45 – 10:00AM
10:00 – 10:45AM, 4 years old - 11 year olds. Learning through games, crafts, music, and storytelling.
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Youth’s Sunday School and Youth Group
We invite all students in 6-12 grade to join us as we gather together to connect with one another and grow in our faith through a wide variety of events and activities throughout the year.
9:45-10:45AM Mid High & Senior High
Youth group meets on Friday night.
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On-going Sunday School Classes
for more information contact Pastor Kelly
Leaders of Sunday school classes, please regularly provide any class or studies updates to include in this listing which will appear on a regular basis. Thanks! Pat Briggs – contact information is at the end of the newsletter.
If you are new to CUMC or have been coming a long time but don’t belong to a Sunday School class please know that you are invited and will be heartily welcomed to join any of these ongoing classes. This one intentional act will not only increase your feeling of belonging and community at CUMC but also enhance your Christian walk.
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Arts, Literature, Faith (ALFIES)
Sunday at 9:45 in the Conference Room
All adults are welcome to join us for the ALFies (Art, Literature, Faith) Sunday School Class. Upcoming Programs at 9:45 in the Conference Room:
- 8/6 African Mission presented by Mimi and Larry Smith
- 8/13 and 20 "Jesus to Christ" (4th of a PBS series) presented by Vern and Vicki Hagen
- 8/27 Program Planning---bring any ideas!
- 9/3 Labor Day Holiday---No class
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Celebration
Sunday at 9:45 in Room 309
Contact: Bruce Underwood
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Harmony
Sunday at 9:45 in Room 312
Contact: Dodie Hawkins
Harmony Class is dedicated to spreading the love of Christ through study, service and support. Our class study is generally devoted to specific books of the Bible or Biblical ideas and concepts. Social events help solidify us as a Church family that offers love and support in good times and bad.
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Partnership
Sunday at 9:45 in Room 311
Contact: Bill Ortman
We are going to take on quite a challenge for our August lessons using a Cokesbury book by Dr. Roger E. Olson titled Counterfeit Christianity: The Persistence of Errors in the Church. Dr. Olson, a graduate of Rice University, has been Foy Valentine Professor of Christian Theology of Ethics at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University since 1999.
His purpose in the book is to inform interested people about past and present Christian heresies and to help Christians recognize the false from the true. His focus is on describing heresies in their ancient and modern forms, why they are dangerous, and how to handle them.
After defining heresy and orthodoxy, Olson devotes five chapters to ancient heresies and their modern forms, including Gnosticism, Montanism, Marcionism, Adoptionism, Arianism, Nestorianism, Subordinationism, Modalism, Tritheism, Pelagianism, and Semi-Pelagianism. He then devotes a chapter each to three modern heresies: divine determinism, moralistic therapeutic deism, and the prosperity gospel. We'll focus primarily on those last three chapters. Please don't be alarmed or turned off by all the multi-syllable words. We'll try to make it easy and interesting, maybe even a little fun.
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Pastor Led
Sunday at 9:45 in the Life Center
Contact: Pastor Scott
Study of the Parables
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Class of Promise
Sunday at 9:45 in Room 304
The original Class of Promise grew in size when the members of the class graciously absorbed the former Priorities Sunday School class into their fold. It was - and continues to be - a group of vibrant, interested Christian learners who benefit both from the topic being studied and the interaction of the class members. The class is taught by the members who cooperatively decide on the topics to be discussed. The class has just begun a study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. All are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings - we'll always find a chair for you around the table!
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Providence
Sunday at 9:45 in Room 307
Contact: Angus Jordan or
JoAnn Emerson
Providence meets in room 307 and has various programs throughout the year. We use study books to assist us with our Bible Study lessons. We also have DVD Bible Studies. All of our members take an active part in our lessons. Our attendance varies in age from 60’s to 90+. Everyone is welcome to join our class! Our class monetarily supports: CUMC TV ministry, Lowell School Food Pantry, Project Share, Title 1 Homeless Youth Project, Lowell School Uniforms, CUMC Youth, and the Methodist Children’s Home.
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On-going Bible Studies
Studying the Bible together in small groups is a valuable tool in an individual’s spiritual growth.
For example, participants in one of CUMC’s ongoing Bible studies were recently challenged to spend a day in ‘utter thanksgiving’. To do this the leader suggested that for every complaint that popped into our minds we could replace with 10 thanksgivings. Participants found that this intentional act really helped to reset their minds and spirit. In these days of uncertainty, fear and anger this suggestion is a wonderful way to help all of us live Christ-centered lives.
Friday Fellowship
Friday from 9:30am-11:30am in Room 311
Friday Bible Study Group is preparing to begin a new 7-week study on August 11 - September 22. In
The Gospel of Mark: The Jesus We're Aching For, follow Jesus through His days of early ministry all the way to the cross. It's there we discover what it means to be the recipients of His excessive compassion and the very reason for His all-consuming passion. You will enjoy the author, Lisa Harper who has been lauded as a master storyteller and theological scholar. Cost for the study guide is $20. Please reserve your workbook by August 4th by calling Joan Gustafson, 615-2853.
Contact: Joan Gustafson
WOW Women of the Word
Wednesday at 9:30am in Room 311
WOW returns to a regular schedule of meetings on August 23, 9:30 am in Room 310. We will resume with a discussion of our summer reading of the novel, Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. On September 6, we will begin a new study entitled The Lost World of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2-3 and the Human Origin Debate) by John H. Walton; books are available now.
Contact: Vera, 242-4061
Monday Night Bible Study
Monday at 6:30pm-8:00pm in Room 311
Class will reconvene for 2017-2018 on Monday night September 11. We involve ourselves in an intense, deep study of God's word - and all who are searching for that are welcome to join us.
Contact: George or Donna Faulhaber, 918-4533 or 353-1197
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“SERVE calls us to action. A reading of the Gospels clearly shows that Jesus put his faith into action. At Central we believe that each person is called to serve others. There are multiple ministries at Central that allow for this to happen and range from homeless ministries to homebound communion to cleaning the sanctuary.” From the CUMC Vision Pathway.
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On-going Service Ministries
for more information, call church office at 243-7834 or contact below
Helping Hands
For more information: call 353-1197
- Helping Hands is a ministry whose mission is to assist people who walk in, seeking help, to meet their immediate short term needs.
Lowell Food Bank / Lowell Elementary
For more information: call church office at 243-7834
- Mobile Food Pantry held monthly, volunteers set up at the school and distribute food to families provided by Road Runner Foods
- School Uniform Drive – Partnering with the Assistance League of Albuquerque’s Operation School Bell to provide school uniforms for students at Lowell Elementary.
- Mighty Milers running program
Saranam
- Saranam empowers families to end their homelessness and poverty through housing, education, and supportive communities.
Stephens Ministry
- Stephens Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers – called Stephen Ministers – to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.
Thrift Shop
For more information: call church office at 243-7834
- The Thrift Shop proceeds from items sold are used to support the Church and its ministries. Hours are: Sunday Noon – 1:00pm, Thursday Noon – 3:00pm, and Friday 9:00am - Noon
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What Can You Do?
(World needs can be over-whelming but local needs are more do-able!)
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If you want to notify the congregation of needed items, please contact the Communications Team to put the notification in the monthly newsletter.
Every year Saranam provides everything a family needs to live in their newly furnished apartment. This includes an initial set up of a week's worth of food, toiletry supplies, paper goods, cleaning supplies and first aid kits. If you would be interested in donating toward these items, a check can be made out to Saranam and given to the church. (For more information on Saranam, see the Informational Article section of this newsletter.)
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Communications Team
Information
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Deadline for the September edition is August 16, 2017.
Any questions, please ask the Communications Team
Visit the Welcome Desk in the gathering area for: answers to your questions from a member of the governance team, printed copies of the newsletter (also, in the Narthex), and other written information. Classes and ministries consider placing informational flyers for a study or event at the desk. Connect cards are available at the desk and in the pews to update your contact information for the church and so we can email the newsletter to you.
Phone #: (505) 268-1009 [Briggs Family]
Co-Chairs: Chris Briggs
&
Pat Briggs
Current Team Members:
Donna Faulhaber,
Barbara Fuller, Jesus Valdez,
Rev. Scott Sharp, Rev. Kelly Brooks
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