August 14, 2026

Mobile Food Pantry

Saturday, August 15

Volunteers, arrive at the Family Life Center about 8:00am-8:30am and distribution begins around 9:30am, depending on the time the Roadrunner truck arrives. We are usually finished before noon. Please contact Debby Smith @ 505-554-4238 or dysmith0427@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.  If you have small to medium boxes, please drop them off during the MFP at the Family Life Center, or contact me to pick them up. 

A Big Thank You to

All the Pie Volunteers!!

 Last Pie Party

Tuesday, August 18

For the past 5 weeks, so many wonderful volunteers have rolled up their sleeves and helped make the pies for Asbury Pie Cafe happen!

From cutting fruit and crimping crusts to squeezing rhubarb and mixing up pies, you brought your time, energy, and good humor to every batch. Every pie is a little more special because of the hands and hearts going in to making it.

Thank you for showing up, pitching in, getting your hands messy, and helping create something delicious for our community. We couldn't have done it without you!

Last pie party: Tuesday, August 18 at 8:30am - 11:00am

  "Cut my pie into 4 pieces, I don't think I could eat 8."

      ---Yogi Berra---

Social Concerns Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 18

Kateri Zuni, Geneva Sandoval, and Sue Schuurman from the New Mexico Environmental Law Center will be offering a presentation of the many things they are working on around New Mexico, as our state's environment is constantly threatened. The Social Concerns Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 18 at 6:30pm in the church library, Room 231.  All are welcome to attend!

Chancel Choir Resumes

Wednesday, August 19

Chancel Choir is back from our summer break, and it’s a great time to join! Rehearsals are in the choir room at 6:30pm on Wednesday evenings, beginning August 19.

Singers of all levels of experience are welcome!

Email - Matt Greer or Nathan Cleaveland for more information!

Grief Support

Thursday, August 20  

Please join us on Thursday, August 20 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm in the Church Library, 2nd floor, Room 231. This group is facilitated by Carol Dolan and Karen Hall. Call the church office or contact them for more details.

Everyone has or will experience the grief that comes when we lose a spouse, a beloved loved family member, a dear friend, or a precious pet. Grieving is felt differently by different people and may be expressed through different emotions such as anger, sadness, and depression. Loneliness also often accompanies grieving. Some people find support in their grieving through meeting with others in a caring, compassionate, and safe space where feelings can be explored, and support may be found through talking with others. We offer an invitation to those who are newly experiencing grief and for those who have suffered significant loss over time. Grief has no definitive ending.

UWF Zoom Reading Group

Thursday, August 27

The United Women in Faith is doing its next Zoom Reading Discussion Group on Thursday, August 27 at 7:00pm.  The book discussion will be We are not Here to be Bystanders: a memoir of love and resistance by Linda Sarsour.

This book is from the UWF 2025 book list under the category of Leadership Development. This is a powerful memoir about the author growing up as a Palestinian Muslim American and how she was empowered to become a globally recognized activist on behalf of marginalized communities across the country. She used her voice for the good of others. The dialog will be led by Doris & Nancy Bowen. Nancy Bowen has personally met the author, Linda Sarsour and follows her on Facebook. It should be a great discussion. Please join us! All are welcome to participate in this discussion group.  An invite to the August Zoom meeting will be sent out on Monday, August 24.

If you are interested in joining, please contact

Julie Bencoe at dabencoes@yahoo.com or

Regina Hampton hamptonmason1@msn.com. 

All~Church & Neighborhood

Ice Cream Social

Friday, August 28

Come one, come all to a fun-filled evening at our Ice Cream Social on Friday, August 28, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm in the Family Life Center!

Enjoy free ice cream, door prizes, live music, a photo booth, and information about our exciting new Spanish Language Ministry. Kids will have a blast with the bouncy house and toddler splash pads—and everyone is invited to celebrate with us as we burn our mortgage papers! It’s going to be a wonderful night of fun and celebration for all!

ONE SKY~A Benefit Concert for the

Next Generation of Composers

Saturday, August 29



On Saturday, August 29 at 3:00pm, St. John's will host a free concert to benefit the newly launched Rahim AlHaj Scholarship Awards. Having witnessed gifted young composers forced into silence by circumstance, AlHaj created this initiative to support promising composers, 13 to 18 years of age, whose talent deserves to flourish.

The afternoon brings together an extraordinary lineup of musicians: Iraqi oud virtuoso Rahim AlHaj with his Little Earth Orchestra, Latin powerhouse Nosotros, pianist Amy Greer, Flamenco guitarist Juani de la Isla with dancer Carmen "La Chispa" Montes, and 13-year-old cellist-composer Evan Daitz. Legendary actor Ali MacGraw joins as special guest. Admission is free, with donations to the Scholarship Awards warmly encouraged. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music in support of this worthy mission.

One-Combined-Worship Service

Sunday, August 30

Please note ~ On Sunday, August 30 there will only be one combined worship service at 10:00am in the Sanctuary. This will be a service for the congregation to come together to unveil program and mission opportunities in the year ahead. A BBQ Brisket luncheon will follow the 10:00am worship service in the Family Life Center.   

BBQ Brisket Luncheon

After the One-Combined

 Worship Service

Sunday, August 30

Please join us on Sunday, August 30 after the One-Combined-Worship Service which will be held at 10:00am. You're invited to enjoy a tasty BBQ Brisket Luncheon in the Family Life Center from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

All are welcome! The entire church community, family, friends and visitors alike! Let's all get acquainted and enjoy some delicious food! Cost is $16 for adults, $10 for 10-17 years old, $5 for 5-9 years old and 5 & under are free.

If you would like to volunteer to help cut desserts, set up tables, serve drinks or clean up, Sign Up Here or contact Nancy Douglas de Baca at squidgete@yahoo.com or Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or 505-883-9717.  

Safe Sanctuary~Training Class

Tuesday, September 1

The next Safe Sanctuary training class will be held on Tuesday, September 1 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm in rooms 245/257.

Safe Sanctuaries training is for anyone who serves with youth, children or vulnerable adults here at St. John's UMC. We have a holy and sacred calling as Christ's church to love, disciple, and nurture children, youth and vulnerable adults. This training is required once per year, along with a background check every 2 years for those of us who serve with the vulnerable among us, but it is also a wonderful and important training for all of us as we seek to live out our calling to Love God, Love Others and Change the World.   

A New Women's Bible Study Entitled Deborah

Unlikely Heroes

and the Book of Judges

(Epic of Eden) by Sandra L. Richter

A new Women's Bible study will begin Tuesday, September 1, and runs through Tuesday, October 20. Class is from 9:30am - 11:30am in rooms 245/257 for a total of 8 weeks.

The study will be led by Shanlii Payment. To register, contact Susan Perry at 505-350-9633 or teachersusan@comcast.net.

The Book of Judges narrates one of the most chaotic and morally dark eras of Israel's story. Into this morally ambiguous time comes one of the most unlikely leaders of the biblical text, the prophet Deborah. A wife, mother, priest, and judge, Deborah responds to her call and transforms chaos into order by leading Israel in one of the most pivotal victories of her time. The author illustrates the era of the judges by means of the archaeological record, historical geography, cultural context, and the hard facts of warfare in the ancient world. This study draws you immediately into the grand tale of Deborah and challenges you, as a Christ-follower, to ask yourself where God wants to expand his kingdom in your realm of influence today.

POLO

(People of Leisure and Others)

Friday, September 4

POLO will be taking a tour to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) on Friday, September 4, at 10:30am. They will meet at the IPCC at 10:15am - located at 2401 12th Street NW, ABQ. NM 87104. They will stay for lunch afterward at the IPCC restaurant.



The tour cost is $10 (62+)/ $15 (Under 62) with lunch on your own.

Please sign up in the Hospitality Center by Sunday, August 30. 

Celebrate the creativity and culture of the 19 Pueblos represented at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which describes that “The Center is comprised of museum and gallery space, a collection of murals and other Native arts and artifacts, a library, archives, an education department, a teaching kitchen/restaurant, and cultural programming and events – each celebrating the Pueblo culture of New Mexico.” 

For more information contact Alice Lawson alawson505@gmail.com, Michele Mals, michelemariemals@gmail, or

Barbara Stanfield, barbarastanfield@comcast.net.

You are Invited to Join a

New Tuesday Evening

Bible Study! 

Do you ever have doubts and questions about your faith? Do you have questions about why prayers go unanswered? Is God really out there? Where is God when bad things happen? If so, please consider joining our Tuesday evening group as we study Adam Hamilton’s book, Wrestling with Doubt Finding Faith. Hamilton approaches doubt with honest insight, drawing on the wisdom of the Bible, Christian tradition and his own personal doubts and experiences. This study will focus on trusting God to be able to address and help us with the hard questions of faith.

We hope you will join us on Tuesday evenings at 5:30pm - 7:30pm from September 8 thru October 13 in Room 245. You may purchase the study book from Amazon using this LINK.  

This class is open to all adults who would like to join. Please email Deb Benton at debabqq@gmail.com to register for the class. 

Ask A Pastor

Sunday, September 27

This year so far, we have had two well-attended sessions of Ask A Pastor, a venue of questions and answers plus open discussion on topics requested by church attendees and members. We invite you all to our next session of Ask A Pastor which will take place on Sunday, September 27 at 2:00pm in Room 149-151.

We are aiming to have a space for people with questions to get answers from trained pastors. Have you ever had a nagging question about a Bible story? Is a certain concept from a sermon or group lesson that is puzzling to you? Do you want to talk to someone who is trained in the Bible and in the United Methodist Christian life?

Our guest pastors on September 27 will be Rev. Jim Hawk, retired, and Lauren Morgan-Smith, our director of congregational care here at St. John’s. Lauren is in seminary training at the present time. Our moderator will be Melanie Dodd. 

This venue is a 90-minute session of asking and answering questions and holding open discussions. The moderator will ask turned-in questions, ask for questions from the floor and the discussion will take off from there throughout the room

WE NEED YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS. Please find cards to fill out and turn in at the Hospitality Center, on each table at the Abide service (leave them on the table), and in the church office at the front table.

**If you plan to attend and will need childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years, please call the church at 505-883-9717 or email the church at reception@stjohns-abq.org by September 18. 

This program is created by the Look to the Future Work Group and that group is eager for it become a regular enjoyable event full of conversation and learning. The next few months include 3 more planned events - November 15, 2026; February 28, 2027; and May 2, 2027.

Please come and listen as well as ask questions in the great conversation we expect to create. Contacts are Donna Berry (505-604-4487) or Joan Shirley (505-238-1663). 

Come Sing in the Choir!

Sunday, August 16

If you’d like to try singing in the choir for one Sunday, come and join us this week! No experience is necessary. We’ll gather in the choir room at 10:20am to put a simple anthem together, and you’ll be surrounded by plenty of other singers.

Click here for a look at the score and click here to hear a recording.

No commitment necessary, and no robing required. Join us! 

Update on Pie Baking

I appreciate your enthusiastic response to my pie baking call! I have bakers scheduled for 225 pies, so we are about two-thirds of the way to reaching our goal of 330 pies. 

Our baking days are Monday – Saturday, September 15-19. When you sign up to bake, be sure to let me know what days you are available and how many pies you can bake per day. This also applies to those that already have pies and have agreed to bake them. The sign-up tables will be available in the (Hospitality Center & Family Life Center) for the next 3 Sundays. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. Debby Smith 505-554-4238 dysmith0427@gmail.com.  

Asbury Pie Cafe

Workers Needed!

Sign-ups are available for Asbury Pie Cafe worker slots at this year’s State Fair. All proceeds from the cafe benefit local charities. Contact Blake Reece (505-414-3018) if you’re interested in volunteering or visit one of the sign-up tables in either the FLC or Hospitality Center on Sunday mornings. 

Memory Cafe is Looking for a

Data-Base Volunteer

Wanted! A Data-base volunteer for Memory Cafe, who is proficient on a computer and able to keep records, possibly spreadsheets, make forms, and send group emails. Please contact Sharon Jensen for more information if interested: ssmjens@aol.com.

Fall Kick~Off!

Join us Sunday, August 16, in the FLC as we welcome the new school year! All parents/caretakers are invited to join us for the full two hours 4:00pm to 6:00pm - as we enjoy some fun, snacks, and a little bit of chaos, along with handling some paperwork and important details for the upcoming academic year. We will of course be competing in a few "adults vs students" games as well, so be sure to stretch and be ready to play. Contact our youth director, Brett Reece at youthdirector@stjohns-abq.org, with any questions. 

August Special Offering

Wesley Foundation~UNM

Believe it or not, school is about to start! So now is the time to remember students of all ages, especially those beginning or continuing the great adventure of college life.

The Wesley Foundation is a place for students to stay connected with their faith. They can make new friends around communal meals and worship. They can also find opportunities to serve the community by helping with a food bank for food insecure students and families in the UNM community. 

Please give generously!

August Special Collections

Interfaith Bible Center/

Compassion Services Center

Pastor Joanne Landry is the lead pastor of Interfaith Bible Center in Albuquerque and director of Compassion Services Center, a shelter and outreach hub in the International District. Since 2010, she has led the center, first with her husband and now with a team of volunteers, providing shelter, meals, showers, and practical support to people experiencing homelessness.

Joanne’s ministry is focused on helping unhoused neighbors not just survive but thrive. Compassion Services offers training, skills, and resources that support people as they move out of poverty and rebuild confidence in themselves and in community. The center operates a day shelter that serves around 700 meals each week, runs a “warming station” for overnight shelter, and distributes essential items like gloves, blankets, and other cold-weather gear.

In April 2026, a devastating fire destroyed Interfaith Bible Center’s sanctuary. Despite this loss, Joanne and her team continued to feed and serve the community, holding services outdoors and maintaining all outreach programs. Her steady leadership through this crisis has been recognized locally, and she remains committed to helping people “thrive and move forward” even in the face of major setbacks.

This month, we’re collecting winter essentials for Interfaith Bible Center/Compassion Services Center in southeast Albuquerque.

Needed items include: ~ Hand, toe, and body warmers, beanie hats, gloves and socks. Please place your donations in the bins in the Hospitality Center. Thank you for your generosity and for standing with neighbors who are working to rebuild their lives.

St. John's United Methodist Church | (505) 883-9717

2626 Arizona Street NE | Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

If there is an after-hours Congregational Care need, you may leave a message on Lauren Morgan-Smith’s church office phone 505-883-9717, ext. 127 – or email care@stjohns-abq.org and she will respond as soon as possible.