Newsletter The Mountainside United Methodist Church Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of our Community and the World. May 2017 Issue No. 157 Trumpet e Hoarder! Needless to say, this past month has been a whirlwind of activity as Lindy and I have had to search for a new home in Albu- querque and then went through the home purchase process. e process went incredi- bly well thanks to the amazing work of one of our members Lindsay Schwebke (a realtor, of course) who helped walk us through the purchase of our new home. One of the most challenging parts, as many of you know who have lived a long time in one place, is the sorting and packing in preparation for the move. We don’t have nearly the storage that we had in the parson- age, so we had to throw out as much as possible. One member told to me shortly before the move, “Once you get over 50 moving is a lot harder.” at was so true and part of what makes it more difficult is not just be- ing older, but some of us tend to accumulate more stuff over the additional years that is hard to throw out. However, it wasn’t just sentimental stuff we had ac- cumulated, but a lot of junk that I hadn’t taken time to throw out earlier. In the end, I threw out at least three to four trailer loads of junk, so far. At one point, I had a revelation, “I’m a Hoarder!!” I couldn’t believe that I had become a little like one of those troubled souls that they make reality shows about. Yikes! en I had an epiphany. Hoarding isn’t just a reality that some of us experience related to our physical home. Some of us are “Soul Hoarders.” What is a “Soul Hoarder?” We hold on to matters of the heart and soul that we should be throwing out and discarding. Soul Hoarding is when we hold on to re- sentments and relationships where we don’t forgive others. Soul Hoarding is where we don’t resolve relational matters that need to be addressed, but we are afraid or don’t want to expend the energy to confront. Soul Hoarding is when we don’t receive forgiveness from Christ for our own sins and failures. Soul Hoarding is a DRAG! It’s such a drag that there are ministry opportunities and dreams that God has for us that will miss out on or never reach, because we chose to be a Soul Hoarder instead of breaking free and walking in forgiveness and reconciliation. It’s not easy, but it sure is worth it and is a vital part of our call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Oh, by the way just to be clear, even though we have moved into town, we are still here. Lindy and I will be here each Sunday through June 4 and we will be in prayer for everyone during this upcoming transi- tion. Recently we had a great visit with Dr. Doug Mills and his family as they toured the parsonage. ey are looking forward to moving in and being a part of the Mountainside family. Please lift up our church family and the Mills during this time of transition. Blessings, Pastor John Mother’s Day should come every day but this is a special time to honor our Mothers and all they do for us! Join us between services on May 14th for a Mother’s Day Brunch in the MAC, cooked and served by our youth. Adult and Children’s Sunday School will still be going on so feel free to take some food to share with your class. You do not have to be a mother to attend. A Very Special ank You to all the mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and adopted mothers out there! Mother’s Day Brunch
Transcript
Newsletter
The Mountainside United Methodist ChurchMaking Disciples of Jesus Christ for the
Transformation of our Community and the World.
May 2017 Issue No. 157
TrumpetThe Hoarder!
Needless to say, this past month has been a whirlwind of activity as Lindy and I have had to search for a new home in Albu-querque and then went through the home purchase process. The process went incredi-bly well thanks to the amazing work of one of our members Lindsay Schwebke (a realtor, of course) who helped walk us through the purchase of our new home. One of the most challenging parts, as many of you know who have lived a long time in one place, is the sorting and packing in preparation for the move. We don’t have nearly the storage that we had in the parson-age, so we had to throw out as much as possible. One member told to me shortly before the move, “Once you get over 50 moving is a lot harder.” That was so true and part of what makes it more difficult is not just be-ing older, but some of us tend to accumulate more stuff over the additional years that is hard to throw out.
However, it wasn’t just sentimental stuff we had ac-cumulated, but a lot of junk that I hadn’t taken time to throw out earlier. In the end, I threw out at least three to four trailer loads of junk, so far. At one point, I had a revelation, “I’m a Hoarder!!” I couldn’t believe that I had become a little like one of those troubled souls that they make reality shows about. Yikes! Then I had an epiphany. Hoarding isn’t just a reality that some of us experience related to our physical home. Some of us are “Soul Hoarders.”
What is a “Soul Hoarder?” We hold on to matters of the heart and soul that we should be throwing out and discarding. Soul Hoarding is when we hold on to re-
sentments and relationships where we don’t forgive others. Soul Hoarding is where we don’t
resolve relational matters that need to be addressed, but we are afraid or don’t want to expend the energy to confront. Soul Hoarding is when we don’t receive forgiveness from Christ for our own sins and failures. Soul Hoarding is a DRAG! It’s such a drag that there are ministry opportunities and dreams that God has for us that will miss out on or never reach, because we chose to be a Soul Hoarder instead of breaking free and walking in forgiveness and reconciliation. It’s not easy, but it sure is worth it and is a vital part of our call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Oh, by the way just to be clear, even though we have moved into town, we are still here. Lindy and I will be here each Sunday through June 4 and we will be in prayer for everyone during this upcoming transi-tion. Recently we had a great visit with Dr. Doug Mills and his family as they toured the parsonage. They are looking forward to moving in and being a part of the Mountainside family. Please lift up our church family and the Mills during this time of transition.
Blessings, Pastor John
Mother’s Day should come every day but this is a special time to honor our Mothers and all they do for us! Join us between services on May 14th for a Mother’s Day Brunch in the MAC, cooked and served by our youth. Adult and Children’s Sunday School will still be going on so feel free to take some food to share with your class. You do not have to be a mother to attend. A Very Special Thank You to all the mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and adopted mothers out there!
Mother’s Day Brunch
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May 2017
Mountainside is a very busy church when it comes to Missions. We impact our immediate East Mountain community, Albuquerque, outlying areas in NM, the United States as well as several foreign countries. Our Mission Committee knows that Mountainside is here to make a difference in our community, our state, our country and our world! Below are missions that Moun-tainside is involved in, with the first being in our immediate area-our East Mountain area.
EAST MOUNTAIN FOOD PANTRY runs a facility in Tijeras that distributes food to the low-income fami-lies and persons in the East Mountains. Mountainside donates food directly and also collects and repackages numerous food items for delivery to the food pantry. Winnie Pearsall serves as the co-director of the Pantry and welcomes any participation. Contact her at 281-0467 or [email protected].
CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS is a terrific minis-try for the Christmas season. Foodstuffs and gift items are donated and given to 25 to 30 families who in need at the holidays. Julia Beach does a great job organizing this activity Contact her on her cell at 505-239-9677
We also reach out to several different missions in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Some of these missions are:
MEALS ON WHEELS (MoW) is a nation-wide nonprofit organization that home-delivers nutritious, medically tailored meals and friendship to people in need for a reduced cost. MoW has been active in Albu-querque since the 1970’s and provides more than 500 meals each week. MUMC currently delivers meals on two routes, two days each week in northeast and south-east Albuquerque with the support of five volunteers. If you would like to explore the MoW ministry and help us more fully staff our volunteer team, please contact Kathy Freas, 999-0427 or [email protected].
ST MARTIN’S HOSPITALITY CENTER provides critical services for people experiencing homelessness and near homelessness. This non-profit merged with Project Share (which MUMC has supported in the past) last year and offers a new opportunity for service to the homeless. P.J. DePalma is leading our support to
this ministry and solicits people to prepare and serve an evening meal once per quarter at St Martin’s main downtown facility. Upcoming 2017 evening meal dates are May 1st, July 3rd, and September 4th. If interested please contact P.J. DePalma, (719) 332-9624 or [email protected]
JUNTOS is a ministry of the Navigators organiza-tion serving at-risk youth in the East- Central Ave area of Albuquerque. The youth participate in a variety of Christian activities including a gathering every Monday evening during the school year. Mountainside currently serves a meal to approximately 90 youth, staff, and volunteers once a month during this time. We will be expanding our interaction in 2017 and will be advertis-ing needs and opportunities. Interested? Contact Jim and Penny Morris, 296-1198 or [email protected].
THE FORGOTTEN INITIATIVE works to support children, foster care families and foster care service pro-viders. Specifically, we work with The Bair Foundation which is a Christian foster care provider. Right now, we are collecting items for the children such as Journey Bags, comfort items, birthday party supplies and gifts. If you would like more information, you may contact Mandy Burke, 401-3911 or [email protected]
SPOKEN FOR is a local non-profit organization that is working to stop Human Trafficking. The ongoing need will be toiletries and feminine products and Target Gift Cards. Many opportunities will be available for those whose heart is touched by this ministry. Training will be available. Please contact Barbara Burkdoll, 235-8107 or [email protected] or [email protected]
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, “seeking to put God’s love into action, brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.” We are on the Albuquerque chapter’s list of volunteers and have just learned that we will have an opportunity to join a construction team this fall. Several MUMC members have already indicated an interest in being on a Habitat team. If you would like to join this group, please contact Rob Easterling, 286-8796 or [email protected].
What’s Happening in Missions at Mountainside?
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May 2017
ASBURY PIE CAFE has been a part of the New Mexico State Fair for over 40 years selling homemade pies and grill items. All cafe proceeds from the over 2000 pies we sell each year benefit the people of the Albuquerque area through distribution to local food charities (East Mountain Food Pantry being one of the recipients). As part of the Asbury Pie team, we gener-ally start preparing pies in August working through the duration of the State Fair in September. If you would like to join us for “pie parties”, “baking experiences” or working at the State Fair, please contact Bob VanAl-len, 379-9830 or [email protected]
KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY bringing the love of Jesus to prisoners and their families. Currently there are numerous volunteer opportunities supporting or serv-ing with a men’s group as they prepare for a 3 and half day “Inside Weekend” scheduled for October 19-22. This men’s group will be conducting a yard sale Satur-day, May 20th at Montgomery Church of Christ lo-cated at 7201 Montgomery NE. For more information about joining this group or a women’s Kairos group please contact Don Ferris at 286-1156 or [email protected].
VICTORY QUILTERS make beautiful prayer quilts that are blessed and prayed over in a ceremony during church worship and then sent to sick and hurting per-sons as needed. If you’d like to be part of this fantastic ministry, contact either Judy Robinson at 281-5231 or Ruth Porter at 259-3484.
The world-famous MUMC JUGBAND provides Jug (Joy unto God) music to persons in nursing facilities, retirement homes, churches, community celebrations, and many other venues. If you love the Lord and enjoy singing, contact Bob VanAllen for more information, 397-9830 or [email protected].
MISSION TRIPS For 2017 we are looking at a mini-mission trip this year to the Four Corners Area on the Navajo Reservation. We are in planning stages for a work project with PureWater Ministry, and will be put-ting new siding on a Church’s Sunday School Building. Rob Easterilng is the Point of Contact, 286-8796 or [email protected].
2018 ADULT MISSION TRIP TO APPALACHIA Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky. Our Mis-sion trip volunteers will adopt home repair projects for
one week for less fortunate families of the Laurel Fork Valley of southeastern Kentucky. Our volunteers will meet during the summer of 2017 and select a week to work from May-September 2018. We will need vol-unteers for Project leaders, Bible leader, Travel leader, and Fundraiser leader. The team will eat and sleep at facilities at Henderson Settlement, a Mission Agency of the United Methodist Church. We will need to raise money for our home repair projects, room and board, and travel costs. Come and help us share the love of Christ by meeting basic needs of those in Appalachia! Contact: Mission leader Anne Merkley, 401-5345, [email protected]
MISSIONARIES IN FOREIGN LANDS Moun-tainside also supports with our gifts missionaries in Alaska (Human Trafficking), Czechoslovakia (fam-ily ministry) and one missionary that goes to Africa, Guatemala or wherever God calls her. AND we cannot forget the Lord’s Mountain orphanage we support in Africa. The missionaries occasionally visit the church and give us tremendous insight on living out God’s call in non-U.S. settings. Chat with Diane Turner (507-2816), Don Ferris (286-1156), or Karen Watson (206-2382) for more information.
Did you know Missions has a bulletin board? Check it out!
So where is God calling you to serve? What touches your heart? Where do you want to make a difference? There are numerous opportunities for involvement as well as different levels of involvement. Call, Email, Connect! Just reach out and get involved.
Isaiah 6:8Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom
shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Welcome New Event & Facility Coordinator
Pet Blessing Returns On October 8thPaul Mizell will be chairing the committee to organize the
Pet Blessing for this October. Your help is needed to plan for the worship, blessing, photos, certificates registration, advertis-ing, and pet food drive for needy animals. The first committee meeting will be announced in the near future. Watch for it in the Bulletin. If you have any questions call Paul at 286-9984 or 915-471-3994.
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May 2017
Welcome New Newsletter/ Communication Editor
Jeanne Bowman will be taking over the Newslet-ter Editor position from the magnificent Lois Bradley. Jeanne lives in Albuquerque but loves the East Moun-tains. She is also an illustrator. If you would like to submit something to the newsletter, please email her at [email protected] with the subject title “Newsletter Submission” Thanks!
This past week we hired Kat Crider to work as our Event and Facility Manager for Mountainside. If you want to schedule the use of any room or facility at Mountainside please contact her at (505) 485-8701 or you can email her at [email protected]. Here is an introduction from Kat:
“Hello and blessings! I’m Kat Crider, a local crafter and artist here in Cedar Crest. I’m the grand-daughter of two Methodist pastors in Kansas and I was married here at MUMC to Kevin, my husband of almost 5 years now so the church has always been in my heart and extended family. Many of you are familiar with my wonderful mother, Lois Bradley who previously worked on the church newsletter. I spend most of my free time working with my hands, from gardening and art to automotive. I’m so de-lighted to be here and am looking forward to work-ing with everyone!”
Riley Eric Hein Memorial Bench Dedication
Please join us on Saturday May 20, 1 p.m. as we remember our beloved son, brother and friend with a special service including readings music and fellow-ship with our church family. Light refreshments to follow in the welcome center.
Questions or comments can be emailed to Wendy Hein [email protected]
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May 2017
Confirmation Class Visits Fellowship Baptist Church
Confirmations and Baptisms on Palm Sunday
Following our Confirmation Class of 2017 we had youth who re-affirmed their faith, confirmed their faith and were confirmed and baptized. Here are the youth who were a part of the services that were held on this last
Palm Sunday April 9.
Samantha Barondyck Confirmation & Membership
Waldon BrisbinReaffirmation of Faith
Received as Full Member
Caden Burke Baptism, Confirmation &
Membership
Chase Burke Baptism, Confirmation &
Membership
Philip KroutRe-affirmation of Faith
Already a member
Brianna Sirchia Baptism, Confirmation &
Membership
Louisa Sirchia Baptism, Confirmation &
Membership
Seder Passover at Mountainside
About 70 Mountainsiders joined together to celebrate a Seder Passover led by Deb Dubin from Jews for Jesus. We had a great time together as we marked the begin-ning of Holy Week.
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May 2017
On Easter, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus and were reborn ourselves. With more than 100 people in attendance, the children all gathered round for a brief story about the meaning of Easter, and then our little Mountainsiders were let loose in the playground and surrounding areas to hunt hundreds of eggs filled with candy, toys, stickers, jewelry, and stamps that com-memorated this wonderful event that always means so much to us. As children ran around happily with their baskets of fun, we all came together and shared a great meal and memorable fellowship. Thank you to all who helped make this day memorable, from the donated Lily decorations, Spirit evoking music, wonderful meal, and the youth who led our Egg Hunt! Jesus is Risen!
Mountainside Celebrates Easter
Budget Report As of 04/30/2017
Budget Needs 04/30/2017 $156,816.00Received for General Budget $181,596.00Difference *+24,780.00
*We have been blessed with some substantial pre paid annual pledges, giving us a solid financial start to the year, which places us ahead of our budget income projection.
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May 2017
Don’t miss the Youth Skate Night on the last Monday of every month. If you are looking for a chance to take over the skate rink, with lots of room to skate, race, or play tag, join us next time, May 29, 6 – 8 p.m. With so few people, your requested Christian tunes are sure to get played. No RSVP necessary. Event is open to all youth families, siblings, and friends. If you would like to sign up for car pool, to chaperone, or to get your
youth’s entrance and skate rental paid for, please contact Tifani at (505)417-6309 or at
IgniteCalling all Youth, 6th through 12th grade! Join us
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of every month and ignite your passion for Christ with like-minded peers. All youth can bring a friend to join this growing youth group! We start with dinner at 5 p.m., and enjoy fellowshipping, either adult or youth–led devotionals, and a variety of fun activities. Do you know of a youth who has not attended Ignite yet? Pass the word and let them know about us. Yes, adults are welcome to do a devotional for the youth too! Contact Tifani today at (505) 417-6309 or [email protected] for more information or to sign up to HOST the next Ignite, either with food or your own devotional.
Vacation Bible School: Hero Central is coming up June 26-30, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m! Save the date and tell a friend or family member! Children and Youth, ages 3 through 18 are encouraged to join us for a week of discovering your strength in God! All age groups will be separated for certain activities and a Youth class will be added this year, with opportunities to serve through-out the week. We will also end the week with a parent dinner celebration on June 30, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. VBS depends on all the willing volunteers we have each year who want to make His love known. Come serve dur-ing one of the most exciting weeks of the summer! No matter what your age, interests, or availability, there are many places to serve each and every day. We will be having our first volunteer meeting in the Youth Room on Monday, May 8th, 3 p.m. Contact Tifani at 417-6309 or [email protected] to get more information or sign up in the Narthex to volun-teer or donate needed items. Let’s work with the Holy Spirit to make this the best MUMC VBS yet!
Vacation Bible School: Hero Central
New Youth Room Summer Hours
May 30 – August 8Tuesdays12 pm-3 pm .................................Youth Room Open3pm-5pm ....................Life Skills Class (varies weekly)
Wednesdays9am-12pm ..................................Youth Room Open12pm-4pm..............................Opportunities to Serve
May Children and Youth Events:
May 6: IGNITE Youth Group 5 - 7 p.m. May 8: VBS Volunteer Meeting 3 p.m.
May 14: Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 amMay 20: School’s Out Celebration 5 - 8 p.m.May 29: Skate Night at Roller King 6 – 8 p.m.May 30: Youth Room summer hours begin
Youth News
It is nearing the end of the school year and MUMC will be having a School’s Out Celebration for all ages on May 20th, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come let loose with your friends and start the summer off right! Enjoy a variety of games, door prizes from around the community every half hour, and a FREE GIFT for everyone who brings a friend. The nursery will be open with games for the little ones. Pizza and drinks will be served at 6 p.m. for all. Parents are welcome to stay as chaperones or leave and have a night out. Please contact Tifani Vincent with ques-tions or to sign up to chaperone.
