Verse of the Month

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In his great mercy he has given us new birth

into a living hope through the resurrection

of Jesus Christ from the dead.

– 1 Peter 1:3

Eggstravaganza Community Event 

McCurdy Ministries hosted an amazing Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 28, and even had a special guest visit the event – the EASTER BUNNY!! Many of our community partners helped make this community event ‘egg-xtra’ special. Many thanks to:

• CASA for offering face painting;
• United Way future leaders for egg dying;
• Las Cumbres Grandparents Raising Grandkids for art activities;
• Brain Injury Advisory Council for free bike helmets;
• Veterans with Chris for grilled hotdogs;
• LEER children’s literacy for giving away free books;
• Manny and his family for DELICIOUS cupcakes/cake;
• Northern Youth Project intern for ‘bunny’ egg hiders;
• the Easter Bunny;
• Julie from Los Alamos United Methodist Church for pinwheels;
• Jane, Tim, Vicky, D.G., and Gracie for serving as McCurdy volunteers;
• McCurdy Charter School Service Learning Class and Carol, Veronica, and Gracie for helping to stuff eggs; and
• the McCurdy FRC angels (Capriza, Haley, Veronica) for all their help.

New LEER Program Director

Welcome Marcela Casaus, the new Program Director for LEER. Marcela is a certified elementary school teacher who has worked with children and youth in Northern New Mexico for many years. Her experience includes serving as a librarian at the El Rito Public Library, where she ran the Summer Reading Program, and as the Garden Manager/Mentor and Programs Director for the Northern Youth Project.

Before teaching, Marcela was certified in Organic Horticulture at UCSC through the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, in which she learned holistic land management and sustainable agricultural practices. She connects her love for children and the natural environment to help them thrive in natural learning spaces, perpetuating curiosity and a desire to learn. She wants to help children discover their gifts, talents, and potential to motivate them to love learning and reading.

We are excited to have Marcela working with Kercida McClain, our LEER Director, and to have her help with this vital literacy program!

A Moment in History - Blake Hall

By Edith Brown

For this month’s history moment, I thought it would be a good time to learn more about one of our older buildings, Blake Hall, and the missionary for which it was named. Blake Hall has received the attention of many mission teams helping with work projects over the years, from painting and carpentry to removal of the top floor.

In 1919, it was determined that a new building was needed in Santa Cruz to provide a girls’ dormitory and dining space. Previously, the girls were housed in Santa Cruz and the boys were in Velarde. According to Lillian Kendig Cole, Teacher and Principal 1916-1925, “Now, this building was not simply a girls’ dorm. It has been used as a multipurpose building down through the years. The top floor was the sleeping room for forty girls and rooms for five teachers and housemothers. The main floor contained a large kitchen and pantry, student dining room, and a dining room for teachers. Also, the girls’ living room, a parlor, and the principal’s office  were there. This floor made the atmosphere homelike for the whole mission family in those early days. Even the boys who lived in the dorm nearby came over to eat, work, and enjoy social times. The lowest floor, which we called the basement, was also very important. Here were the girls’ and teachers’ bathroom, the laundry and storeroom, and furnace. Also, two rooms on the north end were used as classrooms, for both grade and high school, as the need arose.” (From the McCurdy Message, April 1971)

In 1950, a day student lunchroom was added to the basement. In 1971, the building was condemned for use as a dormitory, and the lower two levels were remodeled into classrooms, a weight room, and a locker room. In 1981, the top floor was removed by summer work groups. The building continued to be used for math and religious studies classes and storage until the newly formed McCurdy Charter School moved to their own facility on Camino Arbolera.

This building that is filled with so many memories was named for Miss Lena Blake. Miss Blake arrived from West Virginia in 1922 and served as a teacher at the Velarde Mission School, then transferred in 1931 to serve as the girls’ dorm matron “for one year.” She retired in 1956! According to Miss Irene Cole, Miss Blake also took the outgoing mail and brought back incoming mail to the Santa Cruz Post Office for the mission family for many years. Her bell used to signal her girls is on display in our Historical Room.

Non-Profit Partner: Gerard’s House

Gerard’s House is a safe place for grieving children, teens, adults and families, where healing happens through acceptance and peer support.

One of the non-profit partners housed on the McCurdy Campus is Gerard’s House. This organization offers weekly grief support groups on Monday evenings for children and adults. This past fall, Gerard’s House also offered a grief group with elementary students at the McCurdy Charter School. Rev. Tiffany Hollums, McCurdy Executive Director, will be working with Gerard’s House this Spring to offer grief groups in the Española Middle School or High School. 

Family Resource Center News

The Family Resource Center continues to serve families and individuals every day who walk in or are referred to us through a vibrant and collaborative referral network, including our Casita nonprofit partners such as CASA, United Way, Las Cumbres, and other area nonprofits. We also regularly receive referrals from Pecos Valley Counseling Services (supporting individuals in addiction recovery). We have been able to help connect so many families with children with housing, shelter, resources, food, and clothing.

Diane Burkes Glass, the FRC therapist, began a Grief and Loss Support group in March and is hosting this meeting in our newly redesigned ‘Soft Space’ in Cole. We are excited about this new space and being able to offer a comfortable environment for more intimate groups. 

Scrappy Sewing Ministry

The Scrappy Sewing Ministry has been moved to a classroom in the Cole Community Building to allow members of the community to join in the sewing activities. The room is equipped with sewing machines, a cutting table, fabrics, and other sewing materials.  This sewing ministry uses fabric (sometime repurposed from the Light House unusable clothing) to create comfort items for kids as well as bookbags and feminine hygiene bags. VIM volunteers are encouraged to bring their sewing supplies, fabric, and expertise to help with this ministry. 

Or Sew ‘from Away’!

If you are unable to come to McCurdy, please consider using your sewing skills to create items for children and young mothers. Items that would be appreciated include: crocheting or knitting a baby blanket or a stuffed animal to cuddle. Or maybe your church’s sewing group might be interested in making some children’s quilts or bookbags. Join us in creating an item or two that will help a child feel loved.

Team Fundraiser Idea:

Yard Sale

Organize a yard sale to raise funds for your mission team. Simply gather unused items from friends, family, and other church members. Consider hosting it in your church’s fellowship hall or parking lot. If those sites are unavailable, consider hosting it at the home of a team member or in the parking lot of a local business (with permission, of course). Just be sure there is plenty of parking space for shoppers and that the site is easily accessible.

Then gather your team and put them to work:

• Advertise the event well ahead of time with flyers and posts to social media.
• Set up the items on tables so they are neatly displayed.
• Use labels to clearly mark prices on each item and have a donation box for extra contributions.
• Possibly offer refreshments for additional proceeds.
• Make sure that you have change available.
• Donate any unsold items to a charity.

If well done, a yard sale can help you raise funds for your mission team while keeping overhead expenses at a minimum.

Do you have a great idea for raising funds for your VIM team? If so, please send it to Linda Polson at lpolson1966@gmail.com.

Time to Register a VIM Team for 2026!

More Volunteer in Mission (VIM) teams are needed for the 2026 volunteer season. Please prayerfully consider recruiting and scheduling a team to volunteer at McCurdy Ministries. VIM Teams can be any size and any age as there is a wide range of ways to serve our vital ministries.

Following is a list of the available weeks to sign up to serve during the 2026 volunteer season:

• MAY - May 10-16, May 17-23, May 24-30
• JULY - July 5-11, July 12-18, July 19-25
• AUGUST – Aug. 16-22, Aug. 23-29, Aug. 30-Sept. 5
• SEPT. – Sept. 6-12, Sept. 20-26, Sept. 27 - Oct. 3
• OCT. – Oct. 25-31

Here is a list of some of the tasks your volunteer teams can do:

• help level books for the Enchanted Forest of Reading;
• sort and organize clothing for the Light House;
• assist in the food and diaper pantry;
• sew bookbags and other items for children;
• help with the maintenance of campus buildings; and
• help with mowing and maintaining the campus green spaces.

To schedule a volunteer team for 2026, please contact our Volunteer Registrar, Eufemia Romero, by phone at 505-753-7221, ext. 210 or by email at: eromero@mccurdy.org.

To register your mission team, use the links found on the McCurdy Ministries website:  https://www.mccurdy.org/missionvolunteers

VIM Team News Reminder

I would like to ask all team leaders to send me a short “mission reflection” article plus a few photos for the monthly VIM newsletter. Other volunteers love to read about your mission experience and see photos of your team at work. Also, please share any ideas of places to visit on free afternoons. Teams love to explore the great vistas and unique sites of Northern New Mexico!

Linda Polson VIM Team Leader and Newsletter Editor

Email: lpolson1966@gmail.com

El Santuario de Chimayo

Located only nine miles from the McCurdy campus, El Santuario de Chimayo (also known as the Lourdes of America) is considered one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage centers in the United States. During Holy Week, thousands of pilgrims will walk to the shrine from Santa Fe and other starting points from around the state. The chapel of El Santuario also is a beautiful example of Spanish Colonial architecture.

Many claim that the soil from the site has healing powers. According to a National Park website, "The healings started as a result of the miraculous earth or sand found under the shrine. It is said that the earth at Chimayo can be mixed with water to make mud and eaten or applied to the skin in order to heal a person of an ailment. Some people take vials of the sand with them as a remembrance of their pilgrimage to Chimayo." One small room in the shrine has walls covered with braces, canes, crutches, etc. along with testimonies of people who have experienced the miracles of El Santuario.

McCurdy

Ambassador Program

There is still time to volunteer to serve the new McCurdy Ambassadors Program. These new Ambassadors will help churches and Annual Conferences across the country increase awareness to the mission of McCurdy Ministries. The first training event for this new program is scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

​

Our Volunteer Ambassadors will visit local churches in their area and display information at their respective Annual Conference Meetings. The displayed information will increase knowledge and support of McCurdy Ministries and will help us to share the love for the Española Valley.

If you are interested in learning more about this program or possibly volunteering to serve as a McCurdy Ambassador, contact Sarah Allen at 928-691-6471 or via email at s.k.allen2227@gmail.com.  

Financial Support

for McCurdy Ministries

Financial contributions help support our ongoing ministries and programs for the children, youth, and families of the Española Valley. Remember, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – Loretta Scott

Please consider providing some financial assistance for McCurdy Ministries in one of these ways. First, simply send a check to: 



McCurdy Ministries

362 S. McCurdy Road

Espanola, NM 87532

Or donate by visiting the online giving tab on our website: LINK

Amazon Wish List

Another way to help support the vital programs for children is to order an items from the McCurdy Amazon Wish List is. Simply purchase one or two of the needed items (toys, sensory items, cleaning supplies, snacks, paper goods, and school supplies). These purchased items help us in serving the children of Española. 

McCurdy Wish List: LINK   

Donate Children’s Books

You also can purchase books online for the LEER Children’s Literacy Program with the Amazon book list that was created to help establish a leveled library. To purchase new books, go to: Amazon Book Wishlist: LINK

New or gently used children’s books can be dropped off or shipped using USPS ‘media mail’ to: McCurdy Ministries, 362 S. McCurdy Road, Española, NM 87532.

Thank you for your generous support

of all our ministries and programs!

QUESTIONS? Email Rev. Tiffany Hollums, Executive Director, at thollums@mccurdy.org. 

Join Us in Prayer

Each Day at 3:20 p.m.

We hope you will continue to pray with us each afternoon at 3:20 p.m. as the McCurdy Ministries’ board and staff continue to seek God’s help and guidance in providing expanded resources, programs, and ministries needed for the children and families of the Española Valley.

Please join us in prayer using Ephesians 3:20 as a prayer guide.

Now all glory to God, who is able,

through His mighty power at work within us,

to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

As we continue to seek God’s leading, we truly see that God is providing answers far beyond what we might ever ask or imagine.

Here is another great dish to serve with your family this spring. The recipe is from McCurdy’s very own collection, Recipes of a Century Past, published in 2012 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ministry. The recipe was contributed by Dee Near and Jill McCabe, Merced CA United Methodist Church.



Church Chicken

• 6 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, or chicken tenders
• Flour, seasoned to taste with salt and pepper
• 6 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 (6-1/2-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts
• 1 (8-ounce) jar Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Lightly flour chicken breasts. In a 9x13-inch pan, put a layer of fresh sliced mushrooms. Place floured chicken on top. Drian artichoke hearts and lightly chop them. Sprinkle over top of chicken. Add entire jar of Ranch dressing over top of pan, covering ingredients. Top with Parmesan Cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes until chicken is done and top is bubbling and lightly golden. (We have served this at our Annual Holiday Bazaar Luncheon, and it is a huge hit.)

A Prayer for the

Easter Season

Heavenly Father, we praise you for the triumph of your Son,

Jesus Christ, over sin and death.

May our lives reflect His victory,

and may we bring glory to your name in all we do. Amen.

Prayer from www.christianity.com

McCurdy Ministries creates hope and empowers the lives of children, youth, adults and families through education, life skills, and faith-based programs in Española, New Mexico.

As we reflect on our Risen Lord and Savior during this Easter season, may we each remember that our Lord calls us to shine the Love of Christ in everything we say and do. May God’s abundant love spill forth into the world through all of our words and actions!

On behalf of the McCurdy Ministries Board and staff as well as the families we serve, we thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial support that continues to help so many children and families. May God bless you and yours!

Blessings,

McCurdy Ministries Board and Staff

McCurdy Ministries creates hope and empowers the lives of children, youth, adults and families through education,

life skills and faith-based programs in Española, NM.

www.mccurdy.org