February 13, 2026

Where Does Your Offering Go? 

I hope this finds you doing well. This will be the first of a regular series to inform you about our finances. We hope they will be informative and that they answer questions regarding how your gifts are stewarded and used. 

Every Sunday, at church, we give an opportunity to give. So where do those gifts go? The Finance Committee, composed of 14 church members, stewards the use of these offerings and composes a budget based on the expected pledges and offerings for the coming year. 

This year, we have approved a budget of approximately $1,408,000 (or $117,333 per month). We expect to pay these expenses regardless of anything else we do. Utilities to heat and cool the building, the salaries of our pastor and staff, supplies for programs, and the church's own offering to the United Methodist Church for global ministries are funded from your gifts. This may seem like a lot; but if everyone is regularly contributing to the church, these expenses are easily covered by you, the congregants. Of all these expenses, about two-thirds are just for staff salaries alone. Since most of these costs are paid monthly, we encourage you to give throughout the year systematically, if possible. Or you can front-load your giving if you have a minimum required distribution from a retirement account. 

This is important. We fund so many important things on a monthly basis, including a wonderful facility, high-quality staff to support ministries, care for our congregation. 

Scripturally, we are challenged to give a tithe, or ten percent, of our earnings to the church. For some, this is a big step. In today's world, we know it is tough with all the pressures on our income. But even if you do not believe or subscribe to tithing, we are called to give the first-fruits of our blessings. So as you live and experience this new year, consider giving those first-fruits whatever amount they may be. It makes your giving, not a chore, but a way of showing gratitude to God for His constant presence in our lives. 

Thank you, 

Linn Reece, Finance Committee Chairperson. 

January 2026 Finance Report

January

Tithes and Offerings: 108,199.56

Miscellaneous Income      2,976.27

Preschool Transfer   2,302.38        

Total Income 113,478.21

Total Budget Expenses 102,495.62

Income vs. Expense   10,982.59

To offer a clearer picture of our finances, the Finance Committee will report monthly in the newsletter. In January, the church collected a surplus of 10,982.59 over expenses. This is great news for our first month of the year and we are thankful to everyone who generously supported the congregation. Let's keep going strong in February! 



Second Annual Wesley Dinner

Thursday, February 12

Join us at Central United Methodist Church on Thursday, Feb 12, from 6pm to 7pm to learn more about the Wesley Foundation and its positive impact on UNM and CNM students, as well as the community. For even more fun, come with a table of friends from your Sunday School class or small group.

The dinner is free of charge. Donations are appreciated, but are not required to attend the dinner. To sign up, go to: https://givebutter.com/lovewesley and press the Donate & Tickets blue button.  To help us with food prep, please reserve no later than Sunday, February 8.

Not comfortable signing up online? No problem! Email your name(s), number in party, and any food allergies/preferences to Alissa Dickey (mhdickey723@gmail.com) and she’ll take care of the rest. Or write that info on a piece of paper and give it to the folks at the Hospitality Center this Sunday. 

Can't come, but still want to support the Wesley? Press the Donate & Tickets blue button, and then press the "I'd just like to donate" button at the bottom left corner of the screen. We appreciate your continued support!



We Care - Support Group for Caregivers

Saturday, February 14

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, February 14 from 10:00am - 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. 

Social Concerns Committee

Correction Date ~Tuesday, February 17

Rev. Josh Kouri will be presenting Bishop Carlo Rapanut's letter to The People of God in the Desert Southwest and New Mexico Conference, and beyond, entitled "What Does the Lord Require?" grounded in Micah 6: 1-8. A discussion around Christian's responsibilities as related to current actions of immigration agencies in our country will follow. The meeting will be at 6:30pm on Tuesday, February 17, on the 2nd Floor in the Library. All are welcome!

Ash Wednesday Service

February 18

Join us Wednesday, February 18 at 6:00pm in the sanctuary as we begin the Lenten season with music, prayer, and the imposition of ashes. All are welcome, and the service will also be available by livestream.

New Women's Bible Study~Lenten Study

February 17 ~ March 24

Seven Words: Listening to Christ from the Cross 

by Susan G. Robb

A new Women's Bible Study will begin Tuesday, February 17 and runs through Tuesday, March 24. Class is from 9:30am to 11:30am in rooms 245/257 for a total of 6 weeks. The study will be led by Christine Cunningham.

While many of us naturally wish to avoid the reality of the cross, it's from the cross that Jesus speaks and shows his deepest love for us. It's from the cross that Jesus' full humanity draws us closest to him. It's from the cross, as Jesus breathes his last breath and speaks his last words, that his deep trust in the Father and his divine glory are revealed. Those who listen to Jesus' last words from the cross will discover what he most wants them (the world) to hear and will experience an intimate and divine awe only available to those who are willing to draw near his cross. The author looks at the seven last words of Christ on the cross through a lens that finds life and hope in his final sayings, while exploring each from a biblical and historical perspective.



Grief Support Group

Thursday, February 19 

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. Please join us on Thursday, February 19 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm in the Church Library, on the 2nd floor. This group is facilitated by Carol Dolan and Karen Hall. Call the church office or contact them for more details.

The Ladies' Book Club

March 2

The Ladies’ Book Club will meet on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 1:00 pm in Room 241. Come share your love of reading. We will be discussing The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife: A Heartwarming Story of Redemption, Forgiveness, Second Chances, and Found Family by Anna Johnston. When Fred’s broken life takes a positive turn, he uses the opportunity to spread kindness to others. Contact Sara Perovich: sjperov@yahoo.com.

April book pick: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawthon



        Putting Your Gifts to Work

Without the “Desperation” Recruiting!

Have you ever been tapped on the shoulder after a service for a “quick favor” that somehow turned into a three-year commitment? At St. John’s, we love our volunteers, but we realize that our current "informal" way of doing things has started to put a bit of a strain on our amazing staff, lay leaders and volunteers. To move from just "getting things done" to true discipleship, we are excited to officially introduce the Volunteer Coordination Program (VCP).



What is the VCP? It’s not just more paperwork—we promise! The VCP is a structured framework designed to maximize our ministry impact by connecting your unique, God-given gifts and skills with the perfect opportunities to serve. We want to move away from "desperation recruiting" and toward "smart matching" so that everyone has a balanced workload, with jobs that fit their gifts, talents and desires, and a clear understanding of their role.

How It Works: The "Identify, Equip, Celebrate" Cycle The program follows a simple three-part process to make sure you are supported every step of the way:

1. Identify: We are building a centralized database (using CCB) that acts as an inventory of gifts for all congregants at St John’s. Whether you have trade skills like plumbing, professional skills like accounting, service skills like teaching, or spiritual gifts like administration or hospitality, we want to know about them!
2. Equip: We’ll provide clear, job-like role descriptions so you know the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of your position. We also ensure everyone is safe and prepared through standardized orientation and Safe Sanctuaries protocols.
3. Celebrate: Because retaining volunteers is much better than constant recruitment, we are making recognition and appreciation a core part of our culture.

The Program is Underway—And We Need You! We are currently in Phase 1, which is all about establishing our infrastructure and cataloging the incredible talents within our church family. Our collection of volunteer information is ongoing, and we invite you to help us populate our "single source of truth".



The cataloging effort is intended to capture information from the entire congregation, whether you are currently involved as a volunteer or not. So, please take a few minutes to fill out our online volunteer application form at VCP Sign Up or scan the QR code (located in the upper left corner of this article) on your phone. You can also pick up a paper copy in the church office.

By sharing your interests and availability, you help us ensure that no one gets burned out and that every ministry at St. John’s can thrive. If you have any questions about the program or how you can get involved, feel free to send an email to lesbrucenm@gmail.com.

Let’s work together to build a sustainable culture of service where everyone feels seen and valued!  

Tai Chi Class

Location Change During Lent

The Tai Chi class will meet in the Narthex on Thursdays at 10am beginning February 19 through March 26 as the Family Life Center will be hosting the Fish Fry. Please park in the west lot.

Come join us for a relaxing session of gentle movements. For questions, please contact Dianna Muller at DLM_NM@MSN.COM



Orientation for Hospitality Center Volunteers  

 Sunday, February 15



Have you admired the smiling faces of the Hospitality Center volunteers on Sunday mornings? Have you wondered how to become one of the friendly folks who welcome visitors and answer their questions?

We invite you to attend an Appreciation/Orientation Luncheon in the Sonshine Cafe at 12:15pm right after the Traditional Service on Sunday, February 15. You will join our current volunteers as we thank all of you for your past and future Hospitality Center service. After lunch, we will adjourn to the Hospitality Center (HC) to provide information about the policies and procedures that guide our service there. You will leave knowing where to find the new member packets, the boxes of tissues, the first aid kit, and many other interesting things you've wanted to know about the HC! Please RSVP to Susan Perry by Sunday, February 8 at teachersusan@comcast.net or 505-350-9633 so our lunch count is correct. We look forward to seeing you there!

Mark Your Calendars!

Fish Fry Fridays Are Back!

Friends, it's that time of year again! Starting February 20 and running every Friday through March 27, we're firing up the fryers (and ovens!) for our beloved Lenten Fish Fry dinners in the Family Life Center from 4pm to 7pm.

Come hungry—we've got fried or baked fish with all your favorite sides waiting for you. No reservations needed, just show up! And yes, we've got gluten-free options for those who need them.

A Quick Note About Pricing: You'll notice dinner prices have changed this year: $20 for adults and $9 for kids 10 and under. Here's why: rising food costs have hit us all, and we've decided to lean into it by officially making our Fish Fry a fundraiser for other non-profit food organizations right here in Albuquerque. Your meal supports neighbors in need—that's something we can all feel good about.

Want to Gift a Dinner?: Wayne Shirley will be at the Hospitality Center every Sunday between now and the end of Fish Fry season. Stop by to purchase advance tickets as gifts for family and friends (they'll still go through the line when they arrive—everyone loves that Friday night energy!). You can also donate tickets for our first responders or drop a little something in the tip jar to help support our Zuni Weekend Meal Bag Program and tutoring snacks for Tierra Adentro NM (TANM) Charter School.

We Need You!: These dinners don't happen without our amazing volunteers. If you can spare a Friday evening (or two!), Wayne has sign-up sheets ready and waiting. See him at the Hospitality Center on Sunday morning or just reach out to him at jwshirleyabq@gmail.com.

So grab your family, bring your friends, and join us for delicious fish, warm fellowship, and the chance to make a real difference in our community. See you there!

Join Our Second Shift Cleanup Team

We Need You!

Have you ever wondered who helps keep our Fish Fry dining area welcoming and running smoothly during the second shift? It's our dedicated second shift cleanup crew – and right now, they could really use a few more friendly faces! We're looking for volunteers to join the team from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Don't worry if you've never done this before – we provide on-the-job training, and the work is straightforward and rewarding.

What you'll do: help clear tables as diners finish their meals, reset places with fresh placemats and silverware for the next guests, circulate through the dining room with water and iced tea pitchers (it's a great way to chat with people!) and keep the floor tidy and handle any small spills.

It's a short 90-minute shift that makes a huge difference in everyone's dining experience. Plus, you'll be part of a vital team that keeps things running behind the scenes. If you'd like to help out, please reach out to Wayne. He'd love to hear from you! Contact: Wayne at (505) 294-1018 or jwshirleyabq@gmail.com



Recycling Donations Still Needed

Children’s & Family Ministry still needs your donations of wrapping paper tubes, paper towel, and toilet paper tubes (and any other sizes of cardboard tubes). We will be using these items during VBS this summer and we’ll need lots of them! Please bring all donations of cardboard tubes to the front office. Questions? Contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org. Thanks for your help!

Routine is Good



Youth Sunday School is on Sunday mornings during the 11:00 a.m. service in room 258. This semester we are enjoying a deeper dive into the childhood favorite videos of Veggie Tales. Then in the afternoons from 4 to 6 p.m., join us for Youth Group as we have snacks, play games, and discuss how our faith can grow and be applied to everyday life.

If you need any additional information or have any questions, please reach out to our Youth Director Brett Reece at youthdirector@stjohns-abq.org.



Prayer Quilts



Liz Davis (friend of Dara Bell) is the recipient for the prayer quilt currently on display in the Hospitality Center. 

If you pass through the Hospitality Center this week, please tie a knot in the quilt while praying for Liz. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Liz. "Father, we pray for courage for Liz as she walks through this battle with cancer. May your strength be made perfect in her weakness. May your presence bring comfort and assurance, and may Liz feel your loving arms around her at every step. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen." 

    February Special Offering

Support our Missionary

We are eager to continue our support of UMC Missionary to Nicaragua, Dr. Belinda Forbes. She is a liaison for Faith and Health Partnerships with AMOS Health and Hope, a group that provides many services to unreached communities in Nicaragua. For example, people struggling with chronic diseases such as diabetes are able to see a doctor for the first time ever at an AMOS Health Fair. Expectant and young mothers receive support at "Parenting with Love and Health" groups. But most of all, Belinda runs dental clinics. There is only 1 dentist for every 20,000 people in Nicaragua. When 10 year old Justo arrived at a clinic recently he said, "all my teeth hurt"! What a relief when he left! And after learning about preventative strategies to keep his teeth healthy, he was excited to receive his gift bag of dental supplies.

  We at St. John's can help Dr. Belinda continue to help children like Justo and be the hands and feet of Christ in Nicaragua. Please give generously.

February 2026~Special Collection

Help Local Seniors Keep

Their Furry Friends Fed

We're launching a pet food collection drive to support low-income seniors in our community who are struggling to afford food for their beloved pets. Many older adults on fixed incomes face an impossible choice: buy food for themselves or their companions. Too often, seniors share their own meals with their cats and dogs, which can lead to health problems for their pets and leave our neighbors without adequate nutrition themselves.

During the month of February, we're collecting unopened bags and cans of dog and cat food for Silver Horizons to distribute to low-income seniors with pets. Most needed items are: dry dog and cat food (all sizes), canned pet food, senior pet formulas, and small breed options.

Your donations will go directly to seniors in our area, ensuring that no one has to choose between feeding themselves and feeding a cherished companion who provides comfort, companionship, and purpose. Please place your donations in the missions' bins in the Hospitality Center. Thank you for helping us keep pets and their people together and healthy. 

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.