June 23 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+Yesterday at Annual Conference, two video presentations were offered. View the video tribute for Bishop Oliveto that was shared at AC at this link. View the video love song from Bishop Oliveto that she shared with the AC at this link.

+The Women’s Summer Book Group will begin meeting weekly via Zoom on Thursday, June 27, from 3:00 to 4:30. We will be reading and discussing the Overture and Chapter One of Somehow: Thoughts on Love by Anne Lamott. The book is available on Amazon and in local bookstores. Please join us if you enjoy lively and interesting discussion. Belinda will be happy to send you the Zoom link.

+July 7 will see the beginning of Pastor Charles' annual summer sermon series. This year, the series is inspired by Peculiar Treasures: A Biblical Who’s Who by Frederick Buechner. It will invite us to consider how people just like us, people with flaws and strengths, hopes and fears, along with emotional baggage and spiritual gifts, have something to share and teach us. This year’s series looks at some of the persons found in the scriptures that perhaps don’t get as much attention as those whose names adorn buildings and who are depicted in art and hymns. From the Old Testament we will hear about Balaam, Bathsheba, Gehazi, and Gideon, while the stories of Onesimus, Zaccheus, and Festus will come from the New Testament.

+Virtual Adult Mission u Study: “Welcome Home” Join us for the 2024 free online summer study on July 9, 16, 23, 30 (Tuesdays) from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. The study leader is Janeen Hill. The study book is Welcome Home. This study

explores how we can know God as an intimate friend who welcomes us. The study leads participants outward so that what starts in our homes expands to welcoming others to join us in our work as co-creators to establish God’s kin-dom on earth. The registration link will be in next week’s News You Can Use. Contact Belinda Alkula if you have questions.

+A former pastor of St. Paul's, Bishop Ed Paup's eldest daughter, Tammy Paup, passed away on Father's Day. While Bishop Paup was serving at St. Paul's UMC, Tammy received a kidney transplant and wasn't expected to live past age 12. She was 56. She lived with her mother who has been her close companion and sole caregiver since Ed's passing in 2011. She remained a positive and joyful person even with her recent blindness. Please keep her mother, sisters, and extended family in your prayers as they adjust to this loss amidst graduations and planned celebrations. If you'd like to send a note or card to the family, Carol's address is: 1101 Calle del Valle, Rio Communities, NM 87002.