February 6, 2026

Josh's Jottings

I want to offer a last minute invitation to all who want to attend a special dinner on February 12 to support the UNM Wesley Foundation, our United Methodist Campus Ministry, at University of New Mexico. Wesley is a place where students find community, explore their faith, ask hard questions, and experience care during some of the most formative (and stressful) years of their lives. Much is changing at Wesley! They have a new director this year, and new opportunities for service both at UNM as well as at CNM. There is much to learn about, and much to support!

Over a shared meal, you'll have the chance to learn more about these new opportunities, hear stories and testimony from students, and see how God is present at our Albuquerque Campuses. Dinner will be at 5:30pm at Central UMC 

The Wesley dinner is free to attend, though we do need people to RSVP. There will be an opportunity to support Wesley financially for those who feel led to do so. Your generosity directly supports students. 

St. John's is hosting a table at the dinner this year. If you still wish to attend, please RSVP to me by Sunday at 5:00pm by emailing me at jkouri@stjohns-abq.org. It's going to be a great night where we celebrate ministry with students and young people. You don't want to miss this!

 Olympic Party ~ Has Been Cancelled

The Olympic Opening Ceremonies Party scheduled for today, Friday, 2/6, has been cancelled. Stay cozy at home and enjoy some Italian food while you watch the parade of nations in Milan from the comfort of your couch. 😊

Mountain Cathedrals Trip

Saturday, February 7

Aluminum Yucca & Eye of the Sandias Area

 (Note change from earlier plan due to adverse trail conditions)

Please join us at 8:30am in the St. Johns East Parking Lot to carpool to the South Foothills Trail 365 Access Point, from which we will hike parts of the open space in the foothills north of I-40. Highlights will include the Aluminum Yucca so visible above the Interstate, and the hill country leading up to the Eye of the Sandias. The exact route will depend on what I find on my check-hike later this week and the group's wants and capabilities. Plan to be back at St. John's by 2:00pm.  Bring lunch, water, sun protection.

The next Mountain Cathedrals hike will be March 14. In this season of Epiphany, we focus on welcoming Christ into our own lives. What better way than in God's wilderness? Contact: Mike Furnish, CLM, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net.

Note: We are planning trips for the year. Please contact Mike if you have thoughts or suggestions

Memory Café

Valentines’ Celebration

Saturday, February 7

Join your friends at Memory Café for a Valentines’ Celebration! Who are the most famous and infamous couples in history? Play the game to find out! We will also have an opportunity to have a special photo with your Valentine. Special Valentines music and snacks. Memory Café Albuquerque will be February 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 register and there is no cost for the event. Join us for a fun time designed for you!  

Church Women United Retreat

Saturday, February 7

Church Women United Retreat - St. Julian of Norwich - will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 9:30am 12:00pm at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, located at 5301 Ponderosa NE. Erica Lee-Simka, pastor of the ABQ Mennonite Church, will be our leader for the retreat. She will center our deliberations around St. Julian of Norwich, an English "anchoress" of the Middle Ages.

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!



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 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.



"Social Concerns Committee"

Tuesday, February 13

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 13, on the 2nd Floor in the Library. All are welcome!

        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



Congregational Directory

The congregation directory, prepared by the 75th Anniversary Celebration Team, is ready for pick-up. Copies are only available to those who gave us permission to publish their information. Pick-up Sunday after each service or come by the church office, while supplies last.

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!

Ramps Project   

Looking for a Few Amateur Handypersons!

In June of 2019, four men of St. John's got together to solve a big problem. There are thousands of disabled people in New Mexico that have a difficult time climbing the stairs in and out of their homes. Some are elderly, some are infirm, and others have had devastating injuries or were born with their debilitating health challenges. This can lead to isolation, depression, falls, medical issues and potentially even suicide. Their vision became the New Mexico Ramp Project, eventually growing into a group of about a dozen teams statewide that use donated money and resources to build ramps for the disabled at no cost to the recipient. To date 667 ramps have been built throughout NM! Gaining easy access in and out of their homes is life changing for the disabled, their caregivers, first responders, medical personnel, and insurance companies. Unfortunately, the St. John's team was sidelined not long ago when their leader moved out of state. But a new leader has just stepped forward so if you might like to help St. John's re-establish a team to change someone's life by helping build a ramp in March please contact Dennis Smith at (505) 238-0502 or dennisksmith@protonmail.com. If you would like to learn more or donate please go to this website: NMRAMP.ORG.

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!

Fish Fry Cards!

Did you know we have Fish Fry Dinner postcards available? Share them with friends, neighbors, family members, or drop them off at your doctor's office, favorite business, senior center, and more! Let everyone know about our fantastic dinners. Visit the Hospitality Center to pick up a few postcards and help spread the word about our delicious fish fry events!



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

Mary Young 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 Mary. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Mary. "Heavenly Father, we lift Mary into your loving care. Wrap her in your peace that surpasses all understanding, and let your healing power flow through every part of her body. Strengthen Mary's spirit when she feels weary, and remind her that she is never along in this journey. 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.