August 7, 2026

Hygiene Kit Assembly Event RSVP Needed!

Friday, August 7

St. John's is partnering with Albuquerque Healthcare for the homeless to assemble hygiene kits for their staff to hand out. The event starts at 5:00pm with a presentation from the Development Director at Albuquerque Healthcare for the homeless.

After the presentation, there will be time for dinner and fellowship. Following dinner, we will assemble the hygiene kits. Since dinner will be provided, please email your RSVP to Jenn Shields at jennshields200@yahoo.com or text your RSVP to 505-450-9978 before Tuesday, August 4.

We Care Support for Caregivers

Saturday, August 8

We look forward to meeting new caregivers (and our returning ones!) at our We Care Support Group for caregivers. This month's meeting is this Saturday, August 8 from 10:00am - 12:00 (noon) in the church library. (park in the West church lot on Arizona St NE).

Topics discussed include Caregiver Burnout and thoughts on creative responses to stress. We offer a safe and confidential place to ask questions, share concerns, maybe cry a little, and laugh a little. This group is facilitated by Carol Dolan and Virginia Worrell. Call the church office or reach out to one of them for more details. 

Mountain Cathedrals Hike

Saturday, August 8

(Otero Canyon Loop South of Tijeras)

Please join us on Saturday, August 8 at 7:30am in the St. Johns East Parking Lot to carpool to the Otero Canyon Trailhead, or at the trailhead (3.8 miles south of Tijeras) at 8:05am (please let me know you're coming!). 

The Otero Canyon/West Ridge loop is a classic Manzanitas loop in the pinons and limestone, with good views of the mountains all around. It is 5.1 miles in length, with 616 ft of climb and some rocky trail, so moderately difficult. Plan to be back at St. John's by 1:00pm.  Bring lunch, water and sun protection.

Sometimes the change in perspective of a time in God's wilderness invites us to examine priorities and ask: are they ours or God's?

If very hot conditions are predicted, we may switch to the Tree Springs route starting from the road to the Crest.

Contact: Mike Furnish, CLM, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net

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. 

Social Concerns Committe 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.

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 though 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.



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 at 3:00pm



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.

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.   

Time for Pie Baking!

September 14 - 19

Now that the pies are made and frozen, it’s time for the next step – baking the pies. I need pie bakers September 14-19 (Monday–Saturday). You may sign up on Sunday mornings, in the Hospitality Center or contact me by text, email, phone: Debby Smith 505-554-4238 dysmith0427@gmail.com.

Even if you already told me, you would bake the frozen pies you are storing, please sign up for the dates you are available. We have 320+ pies to bake, so even baking 2 pies will be helpful! Specific pie baking directions are available, for those, like me, who need directions. 😊  

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.

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. 

Gift Planning ~ Special Seminar

Generosity Matters ~ Hosted by SJUMC

Sunday, September 13 &

Monday, September 14

St. John’s UMC Foundation will be hosting a special seminar, Your Generosity Matters, specifically designed for individuals who wish to explore impactful ways to include charities (the church and others) they love in their charitable estate planning.

The seminar presenters are Justin Gould, Chief Philanthropy Officer and Pamela Gray, Director of Philanthropy, from the Texas Methodist Foundation.



This seminar provides tools to guide your estate planning and charitable giving and is designed to help you create a roadmap that honors your beliefs and values, prepares your estate plan, and impacts your community.

Topics to be discussed include:

• Tax-efficient Giving: Strategies to support the church and charities you care about while maximizing the benefits for your heirs.
• Giving Tools: An overview of endowments, Donor-Advised Funds, and gifts that pay you income, with the remainder going to the church or other charity.
• Expert Counsel: Navigating the technical side of estate planning with a heart for ministry.

Event Details:

Dates:

• Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 1:00pm (after Sunday lunch in the Family Life Center)
• Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:00pm (repeated session)

• Where: St. John’s United Methodist Church
• Cost: None
• Duration: 1 hour, followed by a Q&A session

Whether you are just beginning to think about your estate or are looking to refine an existing plan, this program offers the expert counsel and leadership needed to turn your God-inspired vision into a lasting reality.

While registration is not required, it is helpful (especially for the Monday session). Scan the QR code or go to tinyurl.com/StJohnsTMF.

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.

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. 

Pie Making Volunteers Still Needed!

We still need volunteers for making pies for the NM State Fair Pie Cafe. Please join us for the last 2 pie parties in August. You do not have to know how to make pie, only how to cut fruit, mix pies, and have fun! This is a worthwhile and easy way to contribute to the success of the annual event.

• Tuesday, August 11 from 5:30pm - 8:00pm (evening) 
• Tuesday, August 18 from 8:30am - 11:00am (morning)



"We're just here for the pie. Everything else is a crust issue."

Freezer Space Update

There are 2 more pie parties left in August. Freezer space is still appreciated, especially if you would be willing to bake those pies in September. Thanks so much for your help! Debby Smith 505-554-4238 dysmith0427@gmail.com

Children’s Outreach Council Meeting

Monday, August 10

As experienced by numerous churches across the country, Children’s & Family Ministries at St. John’s have seen a dramatic shift in the programming needs of families with children birth through grade 5.

For a variety of reasons, families are no longer necessarily planning their school years and summer activities around church programs and schedules, nor are they actively reaching out to churches as they did in the past 20+ years. But no matter how things shift, our goal must always be to keep embracing children and families with as much love and support as possible to meet them where they are in their faith journeys.

The Children’s Outreach Council is a new group starting up in August with the primary focus of finding new ways to support children and families within our community at large. If you would like to join this group or just check it out, our first meeting will be held on Monday, August 10 at 6:30pm in the Sonshine Café. For more information, please contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org. Hope to see you there!

Fall Kick~Off!

Join us next 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 to 6 p.m.) 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. 

No Youth Activities

Sunday, August 9

All Youth activities including Sunday School in the morning and Youth group in the afternoon. We will be taking this Sunday, August 9 off to prepare for the new school year.

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.