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Last Friday, we had the pleasure of hosting Pastor Erica Lea-Simka from Albuquerque Mennonite Church for a delightful lunch at the ABQ FaithWorks office. Pastor Erica Lea-Simka embodies the spirit of unity that transcends denominational boundaries. We exchanged stories of our respective work that we are both doing within our community. One of the joys of our collaboration is the sense of mutuality. We recognize that we are not isolated entities but rather integral parts of the larger tapestry of our community. This fosters a sense of shared responsibility and a commitment to supporting one another in our collective mission to make our city a better place.


Working in collaboration with congregations like ABQ Mennonite Church brings a rich diversity of perspectives and resources. It allows us to tap into a wellspring of creativity, compassion, and community engagement that enriches our collective work.



On September 21, 2023, ABQ FaithWorks hosted a church administrators meeting, with guest speaker Marc Schmallen, CEO of Choice Recovery Path. Marc gave an inspirational lived experience talk for our dedicated church administrators. This visit left a mark on all of us, reminding us of the dignity of every person.


During the presentation, Marc Schmallen passionately conveyed the core principles of Choice Recovery, emphasizing empathy and helping us to see the commonalities that everyone has for safety, connection, and validation. Marc shared his own remarkable story of transformation.


Our church administrators often encounter people coming to their door for assistance, as congregations have long been places to seek help. Marc's words resonated deeply with our church administrators, inspiring them in their day-to-day work. Marc's visit served as a powerful reminder that positive change is attainable. He emphasized the significance of compassion, empathy, and resilience in fostering a supportive community. Marc inspired empathy in us to look far enough into someone else until you can see yourself. We are immensely grateful for his visit.


To learn more about Choice Recovery, you can visit https://choicerecoverypath.com

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