MCC of Albuquerque » obstacles

Lobby Day at the Roundhouse

Rev. Judith Maynard — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:00:10 +0000

Join us along with ACLU-NM and NM Gay and Straight Alliance Network to advocate for domestic partnerships and basic legal protections for same-sex couples. Monday, February 1st. There is training in the morning to teach you how to advocate for domestic partnership legislation. Training at First Christian Church, 645 Weber Street, Santa Fe, 8 am. We will then go to Roundhouse to talk with legislators. If you plan on attending this event, please stay in the worship space for a few minutes to discuss car pooling.

A Lullaby for Ryan

Neil Macernie — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:12:36 +0000

Comedy Central comedian Jade Esteban Estrada will perform “A Lullaby for Ryan: The History of HIV/AIDS in America” at 7 pm on Thursday, December 3rd at MCC of Albuquerque.

“A Lullaby for Ryan” incorporates comedy with a tribute to Ryan White. White was an American teenager who became an HIV/AIDS poster child in the 1980s when he was expelled from school because of his disease, which he contracted from a contaminated blood treatment.

Estrada’s method is particularly interesting because he uses entertainment-education in his shows. He uses comedy to educate people about HIV/AIDS. The approach is appealing, particularly to young people. The audience is entertained and at the same time learning.

Admission is free, a love offering will be received.

A Light to the World

Rev. Judith Maynard — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:03 +0000

The nation watched in disbelief as Diane Sawyer reported on American’s children living in poverty in Appalachia in her primetime special, ‘A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains.’

Make no mistake, her story depicted real, unimaginable obstacles children face in isolated pockets of Appalachia. But also in the hills of Appalachia sandwiched between two mountains with the babbling creek winding through the property, you’ll find the Hindman Settlement School. On a school day the mountains echo the sounds of laughter of school children and the occasional rumble of a car crossing the wooden bridge entrance. It’s a school of heritage. A school of promise. A school of hope.

Upon arrival visitors will be introduced to the school via a video entitled: Hindman Settlement School: A Light In The Mountains. It tells the vision of a barefoot mountain man, affectionately known as Uncle Sol, who dreamed of more for his people. He wanted to be taught a better way of life, not filled with fighting and feuding. His vision led him to Hazard, Kentucky where he heard of women who came from the big city to set up tents during the summer and taught sewing, cooking, kindergarten, Bible classes, home nursing, temperance and all sorts of social activities. He invited them to Hindman, where eventually, in 1902 the first permanent rural social settlement school in the US was begun. A century later, the purpose of the school remains the same as they strive to provide educational opportunities for boys and girls of the region, always keeping them mindful of their Appalachian heritage.

This little school in the mountains has touched the world through sharing and preserving Appalachian history and heritage; mainly due to the vision of an old, barefoot mountain man who wanted more for his people. We’re a whole lot more sophisticated than what a small piece of Kentucky was in 1902, but some things haven’t changed. The world is still fighting and feuding, and Jesus is still the only answer to a better way of life. Our church is a shining beacon in this community – she offers hope for a new life for individuals facing their own unimaginable obstacles and our church always keeps us mindful of our spiritual heritage in Christ Jesus. Our vision to reach the unchurched population of our area can be a reality as we step forward in faith.
Our prayer is that we will continue to be a light, not only in our community, but to the outermost parts of the world.

Vision of Victory

Rev. Judith Maynard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:27 +0000

Sometimes the biggest obstacle to overcoming what separates us from doing great things for God is simply our eyesight.

Remember in Numbers 13 when the Israelite spies returned from Canaan and were overwhelmed with the obstacles to God’s promised future? The obstacles were GIANTS! They were so big that the Israelites felt like grasshoppers.

Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch Christian woman who survived the Nazi death camps said, Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

Whenever it comes to finding the necessary dollars to fund our churches mission there will be obstacles and fears that can seem overwhelming. Sometimes those obstacles are personal. You may think the church doesn’t need your gift or your gift really won’tmake a difference. But the truth is, you are needed and your gift, no matter the size, coupled with God’s blessing can deliver an amazing victory.

If we focus on our resources we will feel like grasshoppers, but if we focus instead on God’s resources combined with our obedience, we will indeed be giants.

If we continue to walk in God’s will, focused on God’s truth, God will provide the resources and the victory.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Rev. Judith Maynard — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:00:15 +0000

Prayers warriors. You may have heard of them. You may even be one. Usually, a person will have a close friend who is a prayer warrior they call upon when they are making a difficult decision on a spiritual issue in their life. They are desperately needed because obstacle and struggles come your way as Satan tries to discourage, wear you down, or basically get you to change your decision. He and his troops clock in hours and hours of overtime. His tactics may come in the form of doubt or second guessing, an immediate financial disaster, peer pressure, and even sometimes physical and emotional stress. Sometimes, only a miracle will get you through this process.

The disciples needed a miracle as they battled a raging storm. Fear paralyzed their souls. Fear was their only thought, for as the waves crashed against their boat, death was inevitable as they so desperately tried to save their vessel from sinking.

Then suddenly, they had another fear to worry about…a ghost! But, they soon hear the Teacher’s voice say, Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid. (Matthew 14:27), but in all the turmoil, they were not convinced it was Jesus. Peter yelled out above the crashing waves, Lord, it is you, command me to come to you on the water. Jesus replied, Come.

Peter let go of his fears to be with Jesus and once again, Jesus performed a miracle as he and Peter walked on the troubled waters. But when Peter took his eyes off the Savior and began concentrating on the threatening waves, he began to sink. Once again, Jesus saved him and together they walked to the boat, where wide eyed disciples watched and waited. Jesus spoke and immediately the fierce wind stopped, the pounding waves calmed and the disciples were reminded of what walking with Jesus really meant.

Our journeys are no different – and Jesus in the same yesterday, today and forever. He can perform miracles as we walk on the waters of fear, doubt, loneliness, illness, and other monumental waves that crash in our lives, trying to drown us.

We are not alone in this journey. If we pray and keep our eyes on Jesus he reaches out, takes our hand, and calms the storms in our lives.