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2023 Special Offerings
Each month we present an organization or project to highlight and with whom to share the gifts God has so graciously given to us! Please give generously! Please make your checks out to St. John's UMC and write the name of the organization to whom you wish to donate in the memo field of your check or donation on-line.
June: Albuquerque Christian Children's Home
The people at Albuquerque Christian Children's Home have made it their mission to love and care for as many children as they can. They are dedicated to providing the very best physical, psychological, and spiritual care for school-aged children who have been neglected, abused, or are in need of a safe home. They do not take any state or federal funding, so rely solely on donations from businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals. For more information about the Albuquerque Christian Children's Home at https://acch4kids.org/.
July: Zuni Elementary School Supplies
It's hard to believe, but school will be starting again soon. So this month we have the opportunity to support our neighbors at Zuni Elementary school. Chef Tim has the back-to-school staff luncheon on the calendar, and United Women of Faith, along with this special offering, will purchase school supplies to be given to the school at that time. There may be more opportunities for continued support in the coming year, so please give generously.
August: Wesley House, UNM
This month we have the opportunity to support Wesley House at UNM. College Wesley Foundations are so important in developing the faith of young adults, as Wesley House has shown over the years. The Wesley House at UNM has housed up to eight students and provided meals, Bible studies and fellowship to many more.
But the pandemic has hit Wesley House hard. Fewer students in the house has meant less money from rent. And since Conference funds dried up several years ago, Wesley depends on the generosity of folks like us in the local churches. A Christian home away from home means so much to young adults in a vulnerable period of their lives. Please give generously to Wesley this month.
September: Two in One (Methodist Children's Home and Providence Place)
The offering this month supports troubled children, teen mothers, adoptive parents, and young adults with special needs. The Methodist Children's Home and Providence Place, both in Texas, rely on our support. As one child put it "They (MCH) are here for me when no one else is. They never give up on us. I now know that God is always there for me too." Please give generously.
October: Native American Sunday
Native American Ministries Sunday serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society and in our communities. With more than 20,000 Native Americans within the denomination, this Special Sunday helps to ensure that Native American United Methodist leaders are recognized and to celebrate their special voice in The United Methodist Church.
Donations support vital ministries and churches in the Native American communities and allow The UMC to partner with existing native ministries to develop new programs on behalf of Native Americans. Half of the donations collected remain within the Annual Conference to provide hope to children and youth, hope for a brighter future in impoverished communities and a voice to those who have felt voiceless for years. This fund is distributed by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
November: United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
In November we have the opportunity to give to UMCOR. Gifts this month lay the foundation for UMCOR to share God's love when a crisis such as a hurricane or earthquake occurs. The money we give this month underwrites UMCOR's administrative costs so that 100% of any gift to a specific UMCOR project goes directly to that project. UMCOR is known for its quick and lasting response to crises all over the world. Please give generously. For more information about UMCOR see https://umcmission.org/umcor/.
December: No Special Offering
2023 Past Special Offerings
January: El Calvario Border Ministries
El Calvario United Methodist Church (Las Cruces) is on the historic Camino Real Trail and has been "serving the poor, welcoming the stranger and giving hope to the captive" (Matthew 25) for many years. These days it provides a vital place of hope and help for immigrants and refugees, providing emergency services such as food, clothing, shelter, medical services, transportation. Longer term ministries such as the Resiliency and Well-Being Program focus on job training, education, advocacy, and helping to provide a cultural bridge to new lives in the USA. In January, we have the opportunity to do something to relieve the suffering at the border, both short-term and long-term, by providing much needed financial support for El Calvario ministries. Please give generously.
February: Covenant with Missionaries
February is the month we have the opportunity to support United Methodist Missionaries. Desiree Segura-April lives in Honduras with her husband (also a UMC missionary) and son Nikolas. She is a Resource Person for Children at Risk Ministries in Latin America and the Caribbean. She partners with churches and other organizations to provide safe places for children to experience holistic and creative Christian education.
Our second missionary is Dr. Belinda Forbes. She and her husband (also a doctor) live in Managua, Nicaragua. She works with Accion Medica Christiana (AMC), a Nicaraguan Christian Medical group, which specializes in health and development in impoverished rural communities. As a dentist, Dr. Forbes works with a community-based primary dental health program where she also mentors volunteers and interfaces with AMC's international partner organizations.
So this month, we have the opportunity to help people who don't have access to medical and dental services, and to help children who need a safe and loving place in the midst of often chaotic lives to learn about God's love. Please give generously.
March: Lenten Offering
Lent is the time of preparation, a time of sacrifice, a time of renewed focus on God, a time of giving. Traditionally at St. John's, the Lenten Offering goes to support many and varied local ministries. In the past we have supported such ministries as, the Ramp Project, Mobile Food Pantry, Hopeworks, Asbury Pie Cafe, Wesley House, McCurdy Ministries, Barrett House, Silver Horizons, lunch bags for the homeless and many more.
St. John's has been very generous in supporting ministries that help our community, the need being greater than ever this year. So as we think of Jesus' great sacrifice for us, may we sacrifice in our own small way and continue to give generously to those in need.
April: Youth Missions Trip
St. John's UMC youth will be going to Blueprint Ministries in San Antonio for community home repair. Blueprint Ministries partners with volunteers from across the nation and is committed to making homes healthier, safer, and drier for San Antonio neighbors. Blueprint holds week-long Spring Break and Summer camp sessions for middle school and high school students and gives them the chance to serve inner-city families of San Antonio while training them in servant leadership. For more information about Blueprint Ministries, see https://www.blueprintministry.com/.
May: Sacramento Methodist Assembly
Use the description that is under August 2022 for this special offering. The only change I would make is in the 2nd paragraph take out "Covid has limited some activities." For more information about Sacramento Methodist Assembly, see https://sacramentocamp.org/.