June 12, 2026

Josh's Jottings

I am so thankful to everyone who volunteered this week as we welcomed dozens of children for our dual Music Camp and Vacation Bible School. It has been a highlight for all of our church staff to hear children laughing, singing, and having fun as they make new friends, learn about the joy of music, make crafts, and hear God's stories made real. 

If you volunteered this week, I am certain you're tired but also filled with a sense of purpose from your work this week. You can see it in the smiles of our kiddos. 

In particular, I want to thank Angela Lybarger, Matt Greer, and Nathan Cleaveland, our wonderful music and children's staff who pioneered this offering for children at St. John's. It has been years since we held a music camp, and VBS faces a lot of competition from other camps and activities during the summer. Angela, Matt, and Nathan planned for months and envisioned an event that would engage young people, and I am thankful for their care. 

Additionally, a big thank you to our youth who volunteered throughout the day, the adult volunteers who poured in time and joy, the kitchen staff for providing a great lunch every day, all of our musicians and educators who jumped in to help with music camp, and every parent who registered and brought their children. It took a lot of hands to pull Music Camp and VBS off. We are thankful, and lives have been changed!

Pipe Organ Encounter

with Jim and Nathan

Have you ever wondered how the pipe organ works? Have you ever wished you could obverse Jim or Nathan’s playing close up? Would you like to know more about the St. John’s Organ Project?

Join Jim Ahrend and Nathan Cleaveland on Sunday, June 21 at 9:30am in the Sanctuary for an exploration of the St. John’s pipe organ. Jim and Nathan will demonstrate the varieties of sounds and colors that the instrument offers and give an overview of the technology of the pipe organ. You’ll be able to get up close to the organ console and also get a peek into the organ chamber to see all of our new pipework. They’ll also discuss the status of the current organ project and answer any and all questions. Join us!

Taste and See

Discovering God Among Butchers,

Bakers, and Fresh Food Makers

by Margaret Feinberg

A new Women's Bible study will be held on Tuesdays, starting June 23 - July 28 for a total of 6 weeks from 9:30am - 11:30am in Rooms 245/257 and will be led by Shanlii Payment.

To register, stop by the Hospitality Center on Sunday mornings or contact Susan Perry at teachersusan@comcast.net.

Join Margaret Feinberg as she sets out on a remarkable journey to unearth God's perspective on food. What you discover will forever change the way you read the Bible - and approach every meal. This groundbreaking book provides a culinary exploration of Scripture. You'll descend 400 feet below ground into the frosty white caverns of a salt mine, fish on the Sea of Galilee, bake fresh matzo at Yale, ferry to an island in Croatia to harvest olives, spend time with a Texas butcher known as "the meat apostle," and wander a California farm with one of the world's premier fig farmers. With each stop, Margaret asks, "How do you read these Scriptures, not as theologians, but in light of what you do every day?" Perhaps God's foodie focus is meant to do more than satisfy our bellies. It's meant to heal our souls, as we learn to taste and see the goodness of God together. After all, food is God's love made edible.

WE CARE Support Group

Saturday, June 13

Please join us on Thursday, June 18 from 1:30 to 3pm in the Church Library, 2nd floor. This group is facilitated by Carol Dolan and Karen Hall. Call the church office or contact them for more details.

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, June 13 from 10:00am - 12noon 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. 

Grief Support Group

Thursday, June 18

Please join us on Thursday, June 18 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.

Mountain Cathedrals Hike

Saturday, June 13

Jemez Falls to Battleship Rock (Jemez Mts)

Please join us Saturday, June 13 at 7:30am in the St. Johns East Parking Lot to carpool to the Jemez Falls area (1:35 min). We’ll plan to walk down to Battleship Rock but may substitute a shorter hike slightly to the east (Las Conchas–Slot Canyon) if closures preclude the original route. Moderately strenuous, but wonderfully scenic hiking in the magnificent Ponderosa Pines. The alternate route is also amazing! Plan to be back at St. John’s by 3:30pm. Bring lunch, water, sun protection, and possibly trekking poles.

Perhaps we can make some inroads on the concepts of happiness and joy?

For all the details please contact: Mike Furnish, CLM, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net

Future trips: July 11, August 8, September 12, and October 17. 

Possibilities: Tree Springs (Sandias), Mt. Taylor, stargazing south of Tijeras - other ideas welcome!   

 Jazz Up Your Weekend!

Jazz Vespers

Saturday, June 13

Join us on Saturday, June 13 at 5:00pm in the Sanctuary for Jazz Vespers - a meditative worship service featuring some of New Mexico's best professional jazz musicians. This month's lineup includes pianist Robert Lah, vocalist Dianna Hughes, flutist Linda Davidson, bassist David Parlato, percussionist John Bartlit, and guitarist Michael Anthony. Stay after for cookies and fellowship! Can’t come in person? Click here to watch the livestream. 

Mobile Food Pantry

June 13 ~ Cancelled!

Please note ~ Due to the Juneteenth holiday observance by Roadrunner Food Bank, and staffing shortages on Saturdays, we had to cancel our June 13 Mobile Food Pantry. Clients will receive information about how to find other food pantries.

:       @Home Communion

          Sunday, June 14 

"Are you an @Home church member who would like Communion brought to you? Our @Home Communion servers will visit on Sunday, June 14 or the early part of the following week. Please let us know you're interested by contacting coordinator Susan Perry at (505) 350-9633 or teachersusan@comcast.net by Friday, June 12." 

Church Office Closed

Friday, June 19

Please note the Church office will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth National Holiday. Please conduct any church office business before or after this date or email reception@stjohns-abq.org for any inquiries, and someone will be in touch with you the next business day.

Family Promise Meals Needed

for June 21 - 27

St. John's host week is coming up. Family Promise is an organization that strives to end homelessness while still keeping families together. We partner with them to provide groceries and meals to the families currently staying at their residential location next to Montgomery Church of Christ.

Please click this link Sign Up Genius or visit the Hospitality Center to sign up. For information regarding families staying at Family Promise, or other questions, contact Jenn Shields at (505) 450-9978; jennshields200@yahoo.com or Linn Furnish at swimsew@comcast.net. 

Reel to Real

The youth ministry continues their summer Reel to Real program this Sunday, June 14. We will meet at 3:00pm. in the upstairs theater room, #250. We will watch a movie and then discuss it, concluding at 6:00pm. Any incoming sixth graders all the way through just graduated seniors are invited to participate all summer. This Sunday’s movie will be Superman, 2025, PG13.

Sweet~Sweet~Summer!

This Thursday, June 18, all youth are invited to spend an hour at Bahama Buck’s, located at 4411 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite E12, at 5:30pm for some refreshing shaved ice and some time to just hang out and play games. This fun activity will continue each week throughout the entire summer. See you there!

Prayer Quilts

Sarah Buttram 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 Sarah. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Sarah. "Father, we lift up Sarah to you today, a woman of faith, love and sacrifice, who is walking through a season of deep challenge. Lord, surround her with your peace, strengthen her spirit, and remind her that she is never alone. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen." 

  June Special Offering

Zuni Special Supplies

This month we will continue our long support of our neighbor Zuni. In addition to the weekend meal bags that we provide, when school starts in August we do something more. Teachers eagerly await the luncheon given for all of the staff. Why? Not only do they get a great meal, but we give them presents galore, supplies for their classrooms based on their specific requests. So with our giving this month, we all have the opportunity to put smiles on the teachers faces as they help the children of Zuni. Let's give generously for really big smiles!

  June Special Collections

       Hygiene Kits for Albuquerque

Healthcare for the Homeless

Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Their work includes primary health care, social and behavioral health, street medicine and harm reduction outreach and dental care. Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless collaborates with public and private sector organizations to ensure the best care for their clients, and to address the systemic causes of homelessness.

During the month of June, we have the opportunity to support this important ministry by collecting the following items needed for hygiene kits for the homeless: plastic water bottle (16 oz), sunscreen (travel size), socks (new), deodorant, ChapStick, Ziploc gallon baggies, bar of soap, toothpaste (travel size), toothbrush (individually wrapped), shampoo (travel size) and band-aids.

These simple items can make a meaningful difference in someone's daily life. Donations may be placed in the bins located in the Hospitality Center. Thank you for your generosity and for helping care for our neighbors in need.

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.