January 9, 2026

Josh's Jottings

In 1955, in Life Magazine, Albert Einstein published an essay to the young entitled, "Old Man's Advice to Youth: 'Never Lose a Holy Curiosity.'" In it, he writes, "The important thing is to never stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence...It is enough if one tries to comprehend a little of this mystery every day." 

I appreciate Einstein's sentiment. Curiosity is the soil that cultivates a healthy mind and a healthy faith. The great moments in the Christian church have come as responses to good questions. In the 16^th century, Martin Luther questioned the intermixing of greed and control into the church's theology through selling indulgences, ecclesial corruption, and other important issues. His questioning birthed the protestant church and called the Catholic church to account. In the 19^th century, Social Gospel preachers asked if God loves the poor, why does the church not act like it? Their questions sparked reform in most denominations. Wesley asked why our faith did so little to inform how people actually live and introduced class meetings and holiness of heart and mind as a revolution in piety. 

Questions help the church. 

At St. John's, we want to kindle a sense of questioning and curiosity as well. On January 25^th we are hosting the first of an ongoing series of events called "Ask a Pastor," a forum where we invite you to bring your questions. We'll have pastors and educated laypersons who will take on your questions and invite a forum for dialogue. We hope this will create space where curiosity is nourished as we discuss our questions together. Join us after church at 2:00 PM in rooms 149/151 for this event. We look forward to your questions!

UWF Zoom Reading Group

January 29, 2026

The United Women in Faith are doing their next Zoom Reading Discussion Group on Thursday, January 29, at 7 PM. The book we have chosen to read is The Women of the Bible Speak by Shannon Bream. It is on the 2025 UWF Reading Program List under Spiritual Growth. The author describes sixteen biblical women's stories in paired comparisons, exploring their faith journeys, struggles, and lessons that can transform modern lives through examples of bravery, hope, and devotion.    

This reading group meets every two months on the fourth Thursday in the evenings at 7 PM. All are welcome to join this discussion group. Please contact Julie Bencoe at dabencoes@yahoo.com or Regina Hampton hamptonmason1@msn.com. An invite to the January Zoom meeting will be sent out on Monday, January 19th.

The March 26th zoom discussion book is Highway to Tears by Jessica McDiarmid. This book is from the UWF 2026 book list under the category of Social Action. The author and journalist, Jessica McDiarmid, investigates the murders of Indigenous women and girls along a desolate stretch of highway in British Columbia, exposing acts of systemic racism and indifference towards women that have been allowed for decades. 

Plants for a Biblical Garden

Join St. John's email Bible study as we wander through a garden of plants mentioned in the Bible.  A scripture passage and a brief study tip will be distributed to most participants by email five days a week, or you can pick up a study guide in the Hospitality Center. To begin receiving daily study tips by email, write or call Regina Hunter at drhunter@nmia.com or (505) 294-2877.

Mountain Cathedrals trip Saturday

Jan. 17 - Bosque del Apache

Please join us at 8 AM to carpool down to the Bosque del Apache, 90 minutes from St. John's. During the midday we expect to see a wide variety of waterfowl and other wildlife. This trip will include stops at the Visitor's Center and a variety of observation points, and a couple of modest loop trails (hiking difficulty: easy). Plan to be back at St. John's by 4:00 PM.  Bring lunch, water, sun protection, and cameras/binoculars.  This National Wildlife Refuge is a U.S. fee area. 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. 

Second Annual Wesley Dinner

Feb 12, 2026

Join us on Thursday, Feb 12, from 6 to 7 pm to learn more about the Wesley Foundation and its positive impact on UNM and CNM students, as well as the community. During this inspiring dinner, you will hear from students sharing the meaningful difference the Wesley Foundation has made in their lives, connect with board members, and learn about exciting initiatives from our new Executive Director, Rev. Michele Walton.

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.  

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'd also like to thank those of you who donated to the St. John's special offering in November! For more information, contact Nancy Bowen bowenna@earlham.edu or Alissa Dickey mhdickey723@gmail.com



"Ask The Pastor"

(January 25)

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? St. John’s is blessed with a group of retired pastors who know quite a few answers to our questions. We are testing out the concept of 90-minute sessions of asking and answering questions by creating our first "Ask The Pastor" session on January 25, on a Sunday at 2:00pm in rooms 149-151. There will be 2 retired pastors in attendance to field these questions. The conversations will be informative and very interesting. A master of ceremonies will ask turned-in questions, and the discussion will take off from there. We invite you to find our two collection boxes: in the Hospitality Center and on the usher table in the Abide service. There are cards available for you to write out questions and leave them for use at the Ask The Pastor sessions. But whether you do that or not, we invite you to attend our session on January 25 at 2pm. Please note, 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 January 15. 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 and ask questions in the great conversation we expect to create. Contacts are Donna Berry (505-604-4487) or Joan Shirley (505-238-1663).

Family Promise Host Week

(January 18th - 25th)

Family Promise Host Week - will be the week of January 18 - 25 for dinners only. St. John's will be providing dinners for the families staying in the program. The staff is currently staying with the families during the day and also in the evening but no longer doing overnight stays. This means there will be a staff member during dinner. Family Promise does request that volunteers stay for weekday dinners and drop off is on Saturday. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up on line at Signup Genius or contact Jenn Shields at jennshields200@yahoo.com or 505-450-9978. Thank you!

We Care Group—Support for Caregivers

Caregivers experience unique stressors as they care for their loved ones. Whether you anticipated being in a caregiving relationship or unexpected life changes brought you into a caregiving role, navigating that role can be easier with the loving support of others experiencing the same challenges. The We Care Group meets monthly on the second Saturday from 10am to noon in the St. John’s Library to support one another with resources, understanding, and experience. Sometimes we laugh and sometimes we cry, but we always manage to lift one another up in our struggles together. This month's meeting will be on Saturday, January 10 from 10am to noon. Park in the West parking lot and ring the bell for entrance. We welcome you to join this vibrant group. Contact Carol Dolan or Virginia Worrell for more information or email care@stjohns-abq.org.

Grief Support Group

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, January 15 from 1:30 to 3:00 in the Church Library, 2^nd floor. Park in the West parking lot and ring the bell for entrance. Contact Carol Dolan or Karen Hall at care@stjohns-abq.org for additional details.

1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ 

(by Jen Wilkin)



Our inheritance through Christ is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. In 1 Peter, a man of faith and flaws and eyewitness to the life of Christ challenges us to look beyond our current circumstances to a future inheritance. He shares his concerns on big picture issues for the early church, describes believers' true identity in Christ, and ultimately helps readers discover what it means to experience the Living Hope they have in Christ. Key themes of humility, submission, and identity in Christ guide the study of 1 Peter.

This class will be held on Tuesdays, starting on January 13 - March 10 via Zoom for 9 weeks, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will be led by Donna Bruce. All participants please register by contacting Susan Perry at teachersusan@comcast.net, or you can sign up in the Hospitality Center on Sundays. You can also contact the church office. Please note: All participants must purchase their own books.

WBS - Starting in January 2026

Anxious for Nothing:

Finding Calm in a Chaotic World 

(by Max Lucado)

Does the uncertainty and chaos of life keep you up at night? Is irrational anxiety your constant companion? Let God help you win the war on worry and receive the lasting peace of Christ. We all experience anxiety, but we don't have to let worry and fear control our lives. This study provides a roadmap for coping with and healing from anxiety. You will experience CALM as Max encourages you to: Celebrate God's goodness, Ask God for help, Leave your concerns with God, and Meditate on good things. Join Max on the journey to true freedom and experience more peace, joy, clarity, physical renewal, and contentment by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This class will meet in-person, on Tuesdays, 9:30am -11:30am starting on January 6 to February 3 for a total of 5 weeks and will be led by Dara Bell.

All participants are encouraged to register by contacting Susan Perry at teachersusan@comcast.net, or by signing up in the Hospitality Center on Sundays. You can also contact the church office. Please note all participants must purchase their own books.

Men's Winter Bible Study

Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob and Their Wives

The first eleven chapters of the Bible show a pretty miserable start to the human experiment: disobedience, pride, violence. So, after starting over with Noah, God starts over again with Abraham with the goal of shaping a covenant with people who will bring holiness and righteousness to the world.

So, how does that work out? Results are still pending, but the education of the first covenant men and women is quite the story. Genesis is nothing if not honest and the lives of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah and Rachel are full of pitfalls and achievements.

If you are male, join Jack Nuzum on Monday mornings or evenings from January 12 - February 16, 2026. Morning classes are both live in the Library or via Zoom; evenings are Zoom only. Contact Jack for all the details.(jcnuzum@gmail.com or 505-221-9522)

New Tuesday Evening Bible Study

Perfect for Working Professionals

Work all day and wish you could attend a Bible study without going home first? Join us on Tuesdays, from 5:30–7:00pm, starting January 13 through February 17, for a six-week study of The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton. This class is open for both men and women. 

Stop by the church on your way home and dive into six powerful themes from Jesus's teachings: The Kingdom of God, The Sermon on the Mount, The Parables, The "I Am" Sayings in John and more. Discover why Jesus's message remains both life-changing and world-changing, and how it speaks to our lives today. Please feel free to bring a snack or personal meal with you to class if you have not had a chance to eat before you arrive. To order the book for the class through Amazon, use this link.

This class will meet in rooms 245/247. Interested in joining or have questions? Contact Deb at debabqq@gmail.com.

Taking Down Advent Decor

Please join us in taking down the stars, wreaths, trees and banners on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 10:00am. Everyone is welcome and as usual there will be food. For more details contact Anita Hallstrom at 505-409-1777 or anitah1@comcast.net. Thank you for your help.

       New Year's Luncheon: Sunday January 18 Ham with all the Fixings!

Please join us on Sunday, January 18 from 11 AM to 1 PM in the Family Life Center for a New Year's Luncheon. The meal will be a delicious Ham with all the fixings. Please contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org if you can help set up, serve, or clean up! Happy New Year!

Gil Chavez Ministry: Sack Lunches

This January, St. John's is partnering with our fellow United Methodists at University Heights UMC to provide sack lunches for those experiencing food insecurity in Albuquerque's downtown area. For many years, UHUMC has faithfully served the community by distributing these meals every Sunday morning from 8:00 to 9:30 am.

We're collecting single-serve, non-perishable items to fill these lunches. Donations needed include: granola or breakfast bars, cheese or peanut butter cracker packs, ready-to-eat tuna or chicken and cracker packs, vienna sausages, beef jerky, trail mix, dried fruit, packaged cookies, fruit or applesauce cups, and pudding or jello cups. Please place your donations in the collection bins located in the Hospitality Center throughout January. Thank you, St. John's, for your generous hearts and continued commitment to serving our community!

Tai Chi Class

Back to Their Regular Schedule

The Tai Chi Class will resume it's regular class schedule on Thursday, January 15, at 10:00am in the Family Life Center, just in time for those New Year's resolutions. Please consider joining this relaxing hour-long class! Everyone is welcome and you can wear comfy clothes. Class is $3 at the door. For more information, please contact Dianna Muller @ dlm_nm@msn.com.

Mobile Food Pantry ~ January Date Change 

Roadrunner will be closed on Saturday, January 17 in observance of the MLK Holiday, so our food pantry will meet the following Saturday, January 24. Volunteers arrive at the Family Life Center about 8:00 - 8:30am and distribution begins at 9:30am, depending on the time the Roadrunner truck arrives. Please contact me if you are interested in volunteering. Call Debby Smith at 505-554-4238 or dysmith0427@gmail.com. If you have small to medium boxes, you can drop them off during the MFP at the Family Life Center, or contact me to pick them up. Thank you for your support!

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

Nancy Wise (friend of Gigi Graham) 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 Nancy. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Nancy. "Heavenly Father, you are the Great Physician. We place Nancy in your hands, asking for restoration and strength. Let every cell be renewed and every pain be eased. Grant her patience in the process and faith in your timing. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen."  

     January 2026~Special Offering

Youth Mission Trip

This summer our youth will be heading to Georgia to help with the ongoing hurricane relief.  More details to follow, but we want to give them a head start on fundraising. So please give generously. Thank you for your support!

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.