February 27, 2026

Family Spirit Class

New Study for Lent

Adults, come join us, starting Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 9:30am to 10:30 am at St. John's UMC in room 257 as we study a new book and DVD series, The Last Supper, Conversations That Led to the Cross by Will Willimon. 


Experience Lent through the stories Jesus told on the way to the table.

Travel with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem in this profound six-week Lenten study that explores the parables and stories Jesus told at tables along the way to his final meal. Will Willimon invites readers to experience how these table stories—about searching shepherds, welcoming hosts, prodigal sons, and rejected invitations—illuminate the deeper meaning of the Last Supper and Christ's sacrifice.

Watch this 2-minute video on https://youtu.be/BVt-0CPdj6Q for a quick introduction by author.

See info about book on https://www.abingdonpress.com/product/9781791037383/

Come make new connections as we gather each Sunday. We will share joys and concerns as a small group, then pray, and then watch a short 10-minute video in class with comments from the author and then discuss questions from the Leader Guide. Folks are welcome to drop by any week to sample the class. Come try it out. Free admission. Open to all adults. Questions about this class? Please ask Brian Eagan, Email: eagan.brian@gmail.com 

The Ladies' Book Club

Monday, 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

UWF General Meeting

Thursday, March 5

United Women in Faith's General meeting will be held on Thursday, March 5, at 10:00am in Room 241. Our guest speaker will be Abbey Reid, Director of Neighboring Program. The topic is Food Insecurity of UNM and CNM College Students. Everyone is welcome to join us. For more information contact Carol Wiggins at caromwiggins@aol.com or text or call 505-321-0603.

Memory Cafe

Saturday, March 7

Join your friends at Memory Café for a fun afternoon with the Lucky Pluckers. They will be singing and playing their ukuleles as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and all things spring. Be sure to wear your green! Memory Café Albuquerque will be March 7, 2026, at 1:30pm - 3:00pm in the Sonshine Café at St. John’s United Methodist Church.

Memory Café meets the first Saturday of each month at 1:30pm -3:00pm in the Sonshine Cafe. It is a supportive fellowship for anyone affected by memory loss/Alzheimer’s and their caring partners. Meet and share with others on a similar journey. This is not a drop-off event. For more information (505) 323-7522 or ssmjens@aol.com. You don’t need to pre-register and there is no cost for the event. Join us for a fun time designed for you! 

Please Note: Memory Cafe is looking for a volunteer for a Registrar/Attendance position. This person must be able to send/receive emails and print forms plus attend our meetings on the first Saturday

of each month. If interested, please contact Sharon Jensen @505-238-2586 or ssmjens@aol.com.

 Apollo5 Returns to St. John's

Sunday, March 8

"Music at St. John’s" is proud to welcome Apollo5 for their third appearance on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 3:00pm. This internationally award-winning British vocal ensemble captivates audiences with dynamic, versatile performances and a wide-ranging repertoire—from Renaissance and classical works to contemporary choral music, as well as folk, jazz, and pop.

Click here to get your tickets today!

Please note, this concert will not be livestreamed.

Ask A Pastor

March 15

Our first Ask a Pastor session in December was quite a success even though it was on a snow day – we had 21 people show up full of questions and full of listening to the input from our two pastors of the day. Our next session of Ask a Pastor will take place on March 15, a Sunday, again at 2:00pm in Room 149-151.

Our featured resources this time will be the retired Rev. Carl Schenck and Ms. Lauren Morgan-Smith, our church’s Director of Congregational Care and a candidate for ordination as a deacon.

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? Have you been challenged in maintaining a prayer life? Do you want to talk to someone who is trained in the Bible and in the United Methodist Christian life?

We are testing out the concept of 90-minute sessions of asking and answering questions. A moderator will ask turned-in questions, ask for questions from the floor and the discussion will take off from there. Topics of specific questions to be addressed include personal prayer life and whether we should talk more about the devil.

**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 March 5.

This new event is created by the Look to the Future Work Group, and we would like to see it become a regular enjoyable event full of conversation. 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). 

Thank you from the Wesley Foundation!

The students and the Board of the UNM Wesley Foundation would like to thank the St. John's community for their attendance and donations at the February 12 Love of Wesley dinner. St. John's really came through. We clearly have a most generous church! Thank you for your continued support. 

A Listening Heart,

College Age Retreat

March 6 - 8 at Sacramento Camp

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long loving look at me, you High God.”

 (Psalm 46:10)

A Listening Heart is a weekend retreat camp for college students across New Mexico and west Texas to provide a space to listen for God’s voice, listen to one another, and listen to our own spirits as we live life together.

Set in the beauty of the tall peaks and wide skies of the Sacramento Mountains of Southeast NM, this retreat invites students to meet in community, worship with intention, and learn through guided reflection. Come, spend time away from the noise of daily life so you can reconnect with Jesus and discover where the Spirit might be leading you next.

•  Details: arrive Friday afternoon, March 6, after 3:00pm.
•  Saturday evening karaoke and campfire
• Depart Sunday, March 8, after the morning worship service
• Musicians! If you are musically talented, please bring your instruments especially guitars or easy to transport drums, to help lead music in worship
• In addition to the retreat activities, there will be recreation time. Sacramento Camp offers many fun activities, including disc golf, ATV riding, ropes course, etc., so bring extra money if you want to participate in those recreational activities
• Sacramento also offers many free activities such: hiking, card and board games, etc.

Cost is just $35.00 and that covers food, lodging, and retreat activities. This retreat event is funded in part by a grant from the New Mexico Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC). 

To register, follow the registration guide on https://sacramentocamp.org/

Select “UNM Wesley Foundation Retreat” for the event you are attending.

Retreat will be led by Rev. Paul Escamilla, a United Methodist Pastor, author, and leader with a passion for students and learners who listen for Christ’s call.

For more info about this Retreat event, please contact: Rev. Josh Kouri, email: jkouri@stjohns-abq.org

Apply today for UMC Scholarships

The UMC General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) scholarship application portal is now open for United Methodist students nationwide seeking UMC scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study at universities and seminaries in the United States. Potential scholarships awarded range from $500 to $1,200, on average. Students must re-apply every year. Students can be awarded a scholarship annually for up to 7 years. Both full time and part time students who are members of the UMC are eligible.

Every year, GBHEM awards more than 2,100 scholarships, valued around $4 million, to undergraduate and graduate students at more than 500 U.S. Universities. This financial aid helped college and grad students of all backgrounds to pursue their dreams and higher education to serve as the next generation of leaders. Application deadline is March 6, 2026. Students use a free online form to apply for more than 70 UMC scholarship programs, on https://www.gbhem.org/scholarships/

  Announcing an Evening Men and Women's

In-Person Bible Study Opportunity!

Have you been looking for an opportunity to join a Bible Study group that meets in person during the evening? If so, please consider joining our Tuesday night study group. We will begin our next study on March 17 and continue through April 21 in rooms 245/247 from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. 

The study group will be using Adam Hamiton's book, Christianity and World Religions, to explore four major world religions; Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, and how these beliefs compare with Christianity. We will consider how we as Christians may be able to learn from other faiths and relate to our neighbors of other faiths in a constructive manner. If you would like to purchase the book through Amazon, you can use this link.

Interested? If so, please contact Debbie Benton at debabqq@gmail.com to sign up or to get additional information about the class. You may also sign up at the Hospitality Desk on Sunday mornings!



Five More to Go!

Missed the Fish Fry Dinner last Friday? Don’t worry! You still have five more chances to enjoy this beloved community tradition! Join us each Friday from February 27 through March 27, 4:00pm – 7:00p.m. in the Family Life Center, for a delicious meal featuring fried or baked fish, tasty sides, and chicken tenders for those who prefer something different.

It’s more than just a meal — it’s a perfect opportunity to connect with friends, meet new faces, and share in great food and fellowship.

Have You Noticed the Tip Jars?

Since the beginning of our Fish Fry Dinners, it’s been our tradition to place tip jars on the tables for anyone who’d like to support local “food projects” in Albuquerque. This year, you’ll also find these jars available on Sunday mornings in the Hospitality Center—an extra opportunity to give!

The 2026 recipients of your generous donations are the Weekend Meal Bag Program for Zuni Elementary and the Tutoring Snacks Program for Tierra Adentro New Mexico (TANM). Many students in our community face food insecurity, and these programs help ensure that kids have full bellies so they can focus on learning. Zuni Elementary, right across the street from St. John’s, has been one of our long-standing partners. TANM, located in Albuquerque’s Sawmill District, is home to one of our own—Janine Burford, a teacher and tutor who sees firsthand the difference an afternoon snack makes for hungry students.

Whether you drop a few dollars in the tip jars at the Fish Fry or contribute in the Hospitality Center on Sunday, every bit helps. Together, we can keep local kids nourished and ready to learn. Let’s do this, St. John’s!

Advance Tickets for the Fish Fry Dinners!

Looking for a fun and meaningful way to show someone you care? Treat them to a Fish Fry Dinner—or two—or three! Advance tickets make wonderful gifts for friends, neighbors, or anyone you’d like to thank and appreciate. You can purchase tickets on Sunday mornings in the Hospitality Center. Recipients will simply bring their tickets and go through the serving line when they arrive.

Ticket Prices are $20 for an adult and $9 for children age 10 & under.  Share the joy and good food—give the gift of a Fish Fry Dinner!



Let’s Go Bowling!

A Children’s & Family Ministries fun activity is planned for Sunday, March 1, from 1:00pm – 3:00pm at Silva Lanes (3010 Eubank Blvd. NE). All families with children in 5th grade or younger are invited to join us. This is a free event for families; bowling, shoe rental, and food will be provided by St. John’s UMC. If your family would like to bowl with us, please RSVP to Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org by February 28. Put on a cool bowling shirt, come knock down some pins, & hang out! (This is not a drop-off event; all children must be accompanied by an adult or high school age Youth.) Hope to see you there!

Egg Hunt Candy Donations Needed!



We are getting ready for the 2026 Children’s Easter Celebration coming on Saturday, March 28! This year all the fun will be back at St. John’s UMC, and it’s time once again to prep LOTS of eggs for kiddos to hunt. If you can help by donating a bag of candy (please no plastic eggs) we’d appreciate your “Egg-cellent” assistance. Stay tuned for more details about the celebration.

Recycling Update

A million “thanks” to all those who are donating cardboard tubes to Children’s Ministry; keep those paper towel, wrapping paper, & toilet paper tubes coming! Now you can also donate brown paper bags or paper to the cause. All items are being used to create building materials for True North VBS happening this summer. Please continue to bring all donations to the front office or place in the boxes outside Angela’s office. Questions? Contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org. Thanks for your ongoing support.

    March Special Offering

Support our Missionary

Snack Drive for Tierra Adentro New Mexico

Throughout March, we’re collecting snack items to support students at Tierra Adentro New Mexico (TANM) Arts Charter School in northwest Albuquerque. TANM serves middle and high school students, including a number who face food insecurity.

Our church currently provides weekend meal bags each week for seven TANM students experiencing homelessness or food insecurity — and our friends at TANM have shared that 50 more students could use our help. This month, we’re focusing on snack donations that will be distributed directly to those students either through the tutoring program or as needed.

Suggested single-serve items include: cheese and crackers, beef jerky, applesauce, pudding or fruit cups, granola/protein/cereal bars, ravioli, Spaghetti-O’s, macaroni and cheese, soups (with pull-tab lids), ramen noodles, trail mix, fruit snacks, boxed drinks or juices, chips, pretzels, Goldfish, Vienna sausages, Pop-Tarts, and oatmeal packets.

Please drop off your donations in the Hospitality Center collection bins any time during March.

Thank you, St. John’s! Your generosity helps our neighbors in Albuquerque know they are cared for — and you truly make a difference!

March Lenten-Special Offering

Lent, the time of preparation for Easter, is a time of confession, prayer, fasting and spiritual renewal with an emphasis on self-sacrifice. At St. John's this offering traditionally goes to local ministries such as the Ramp Project, Roadrunner Food Bank, Family Promise, Asbury Pie Cafe, The Rock at Noonday, Barrett House (emergency shelter for women) and many more.

A long, long time ago, we put daily quarters in a special folder (anyone remember those?!). Today we give in different ways, but the purpose is the same: to daily remember those in need and dig deeper into our resources to show love to our neighbors. 

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.