Ministry
MorningStar
Starting September 1, 2019, we began conducting weekly Sunday worship services for the residents.
For over three years, members of High Desert UMC have been leading worship services for the residents at MorningStar Senior Living each Sunday at 10:30 am. This is an essential outreach ministry of the church as we proclaim the Good News and show love and compassion to the residents.
MorningStar is an assisted living and memory care facility located at 2301 Golf Course Road SE, basically at the intersection of Golf Course Road and Westside, just down the street from the church. Right now, the average attendance is about eleven residents. Frank Rotolo and a high school student provide the music, and a lay speaker provides a brief message. We currently have six families that rotate providing the message.
If you feel God calling you to this outreach ministry of the church or if you have any questions, please see Reuben.
Cinco Estrellas (5 Star) Award of Excellence
High Desert received this mission award at the New Mexico Annual Conference on June 14, 2019.
Community of Hope
Every three months members of the congregation prepare and serve meals for the homeless at First United Methodist Church in downtown Albuquerque.
Work Teams
Volunteers have assisted University Heights United Methodist Church with the following maintenance items: painting exterior doors, restriping the church parking lot, and polished pews in sanctuary.
St. Croix
St. Croix was ravaged by back-to-back Category 5 Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017, and Hurricane Maria two weeks later. Hurricane Maria is considered the worst storm to hit St. Croix since Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Jeanne in 2004. Over the last three years, missionaries from High Desert have helped repair roofs and rebuild homes for the residents of the island. Funds have also been provided to purchase needed construction materials and tools.
Interfaith Bible Center
The Interfaith Bible Center located at 7501 Trumbull Avenue SE in the International Zone of Albuquerque serves a hot meal to the homeless five days a week. On some days they serve as many as 100 meals a day; over one recent week they served over 700 meals. High Desert has been providing financial support to purchase food for these meals.
Kairos Prison Ministry
HDUMC is active in Kairos, an international, ecumenical prison ministry. The purpose of Kairos is to establish strong Christian Communities among the populations of correctional institutions.
The Mission is to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them and to assist the incarcerated in the transition to becoming a productive citizen.
High Desert UMC actively supports this organization financially, spiritually, baking Agape cookies and ministry participation.
For more information on this organization, please contact Linnette Carlson (a member of HDUMC) at (505) 450-4162 or click on the following link:
Walk to Emmaus
'Walk to Emmaus' is based on the scripture Luke 24:13-35, which tells of the men's journey on the road to Emmaus and sharing their hearts deepest concerns about the death of Jesus. They encounter Christ, share a meal and recognize our risen Lord; rushing back to Jerusalem to share great news.
The 'Walk to Emmaus' is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as he is revealed to you through other believers. It is a 72 hour experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation.
High Desert UMC has participants that take this journey each year.
For more information on this walk, please contact Linnette Carlson (a member of HDUMC) at (505) 450-4162 or click on the following link:
http://emmaus.upperroom.org/about
Ministry continued
Feed New Mexico Kids
High Desert UMC, through Women with Purpose, is supporting Feed New Mexico Kids, a local nonprofit organization, in providing weekend food packages to children at three local schools. Over 245 children in Rio Rancho are homeless and even more go hungry, especially on the weekend. We would like to thank TLC Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for helping support this mission.
Heifer International
The mission of Heifer International is to work with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Their philosophy is to “teach a man to fish” by providing animals to families instead of handouts. The animals provide both food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey which can be traded or sold at the market. For the second year in a row High Desert purchased two cows under this program.
Operation Christmas Child
Each fall we participate in this project of Samaritan’s Purse which delivers gift filled shoe boxes to boys and girls all over the world.
University Heights UMC Outreach
On Saturday, September 28th members of High Desert UMC held a cookout and mini-Vacation Bible School at University Heights UMC with approximately 65 people attending..