May 1, 2026

Josh's Jottings

Over the next few weeks, you may see our youth out and about on Sunday mornings offering to sell stock for their summer mission trip. The stock costs $10 per share, and you are welcome to purchase multiple shares. As the name would imply, this is an investment - in our youth, in their work this summer, and, most importantly, in supporting their growth, development and nurture as young Christians. 

I am so thankful for the passion and care that St. John's holds for young people. Research demonstrates that young people thrive when they feel supported by adults who go out of their way to express care. One simple way you can show this care, is by buying a stock. 

The mission trip this summer is to Georgia. Our youth will work hard, helping residents in rural areas recover from the hurricane that scooped through the panhandle and then up through the south. This trip will help them see the importance of service and mission. 

Thanks to everyone at our church for the support they show our youth on a regular basis, including in this fundraiser. 

Blessings! 

-Josh 

Church Women United (CWU)

May Friendship Day

Friday, May 1



Church Women United will meet on Friday, May 1 at St Paul Lutheran Church, located at 1100 Indian School Rd NE.

The May Friendship Day theme "A Place Called Home", centers on fair and accessible housing. We will be exploring Albuquerque's housing problems for families by a panel consisting of organizations that help people out.

Panel members will be Amy Kindrick of Safe House (a shelter for Women subjected to domestic Violence), Michael Trimm, Director of Family Promise, and possibly others. It promises to be a very educational, down-to-earth program.

CWU will also take collections of needed items for the presenting organizations.

A list of their needed items are listed below.

~ SAFE HOUSE: Blankets (twin & full size) full size bath towels, personal care & hygiene products, household cleaning supplies, and gift cards.

~ FAMILY PROMISE: Cleaning supplies, paper products, bed linens (twin & full size) new in the packaging-pillows, children's socks and undergarments, large bottles of shampoo & conditioner, and canned foods.

Memory Cafe

Saturday, May 2

Celebrate Mother’s Day by honoring mothers and special women in our lives. “I’ve Got Rhythm” by Keri Sutter is our entertainment. Flowers for all our ladies, snacks and games!

Memory Cafe is a social support meeting for anyone affected by memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease along with their care partners and family. It is a setting free of stigma and offers an opportunity to form relationships and share with others who are traversing a similar journey.

Memory Café is held the first Saturday of each month from 1:30pm - 3:00pm in the Sonshine Café @ St. John’s United Methodist Church, located at 2626 Arizona Street NE 87110. (please enter from the parking lot on Phoenix Ave.) For more information please email: ssmjens@aol.com.

Women’s Housing Coalition

28th~Annual Mother’s Day Brunch

Charity Fundraising Event

Saturday, May 2

The mission of the Women’s Housing Coalition is to assist low-income women with children who are motivated to become self-sufficient by providing affordable housing, training and a variety of support needs.

Please join us on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10:00am to 1:00pm in the Family Life Center at St. John’s United Methodist Church. Tickets are $55.00 per person or a table of 10 for $550.00. Brunch will be provided by Tim Nuzum and staff and there will also be a silent auction.

ADVANCED TICKET EVENT ONLY!

Please contact the Women’s Housing Coalition office for tickets.

Deadline for tickets: April 24, 2026

505-884-8856

Servers Needed for the

Women’s Housing Coalition

Mother’s Day Fundraiser Luncheon

Saturday, May 2

For the third year in a row, St. John’s is hosting and catering the fundraiser lunch for the Women’s Housing Coalition! The WHC is dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing affordable housing and supportive services that enable families (mostly single-women headed households with children) and individuals and help them to achieve and sustain social and financial stability.

Servers will help with setting the tables (tablecloths, flatware, salt and pepper etc), serving drinks, bussing dishes, and cleaning up. No server experience required.

If you are able to help serve with this wonderful fundraiser, please click the link below to sign up or contact Chef Tim at 505-883-9717 or tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org.

Sign Up Here

Ladies' Book Club

Monday, May 4

The Ladies’ Book Club will meet on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 1:00pm in Room 241. Come share your love of reading. We will be discussing The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After by Clemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth Weil.

It is the true story of a young girl and her older sister who flee the Rwandan massacre, survive as refugees, and later immigrate to the United States. Contact Sara Perovich: sjperov@yahoo.com.

June book pick: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Safe Sanctuary ~ Training Class

Monday, May 4

The next Safe Sanctuary training class will be held on Monday, May 4 at 5:30pm in rooms 245/257. 

Safe Sanctuaries training is for anyone who serves with youth, children or vulnerable adults here at St. John's UMC. We have a holy and sacred calling as Christ's church to love, disciple, and nurture children, youth and vulnerable adults. This training is required, along with a background check every 2 years for those of us who serve with the vulnerable among us, but it is also a wonderful and important training for all of us as we seek to live out our calling to Love God, Love Others and Change the World.  

United Women in Faith

Thursday, May 7

In April we were planning to have Joann Landry, but due to a fire at Interfaith Bible Center her visit was postponed to Thursday, May 7. The general meeting is held in Rooms 241/243 at 10:00am. Interfaith Bible Center (sometimes associated with or referred to as the Compassion Services Center) is a faith-based outreach ministry focused primarily on helping people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Albuquerque. The Center is located in the International District near Trumbull and Louisiana. Interfaith is best known for direct hands-on aid, serving hot meals daily. The Center furnishes showers and basic shelter, currently with 38 beds.

The Center's basic mission is essentially to provide compassionate and basic needs and to support vulnerable populations, especially the homeless. Despite the name, this is not primarily a traditional church congregation with typical Sunday services. It functions more as a community outreach ministry/service center.

Please join United Women in Faith on Thursday, May 7 to hear Joann, a dynamic and passionate speaker. Donations we are collecting include shampoo, body wash, coffee, creamer, and sugar. Thank you for your support.

We want to thank Christine Cunningham for stepping up at the last minute to fill in at the April meeting. For more info - contact Carol Wiggins at 505-321-0603.

New MexiChords~Spring Concerts

Friday, May 8 &

Saturday, May 9

New MexiChords present their spring a cappella show, "Hi Neighbor!" with concerts on Friday, May 8 at 7:00pm and Saturday, May 9 at 1:00pm, here, at St. John's in the Sanctuary, with special guest quartet, "Moving Parts." Get your tickets at the door for $15. Join us as we take a journey through feel-good songs! Hope to see you there!

POLO

(People of Leisure and Others)

Friday, May 22

POLO (People of Leisure and Others) is getting together for fun, fellowship and CHOCOLATE. We will meet at Eldora Chocolate Factory, located at 8114 Edith Blvd. NE, on Friday, May 22, with lunch at Tula’s Kitchen, located at 5021 Pan American Freeway NE (Pan American and Jefferson). 

Eldora specializes in handcrafted chocolates, and the tour shows the chocolate-making process. There can only be 15 people per tour, so we are offering two (2) tour options. Sign up by Sunday, May 17!

1) Meet at the Eldora Factory at 11:00am, with lunch to follow at 12:30pm.

2) Meet at Tula’s at 12:30 pm for lunch, with the tour at Eldora at 2:00pm.

Price is $17.00 per person for the tour, cash or check to St. John’s with POLO Tour in the memo line.  Everyone will need to wear a hairnet during the tour. Lunch is on your own.  Please join us!  Sign up in the Hospitality Center by May 17. Got Questions - Email barbarastanfield@comcast.net.

Family Spirit Class

Canceled on Sunday, May 3

On Sunday, May 3, the Family Spirit Class will NOT meet. Class is canceled for one week since the class instructor Brian Eagan will not be at St. John's UMC this Sunday, May 3 to teach the class, and no one volunteered to be a substitute teacher. 

Instead, this Sunday morning, Brian Eagan and some St. John's UMC staff, will all be at the ABQ Zoo for the 2026 Run for the Zoo event.

See Run for the Zoo

The Family Spirit Class will meet the following Sunday, May 10, which is Mother's Day at 9:30a.m. to 10:45a.m., in classroom 257.

Got Questions about this class? Please ask Brian Eagan, Email: eagan.brian@gmail.com

Celebrate the Grand Opening of Saranam's

Westside Campus!

Thursday, May 7

Join us to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Saranam ADC Family Campus. Saranam is a nonprofit organization - providing housing, education, and support to families experiencing homelessness.

The grand opening will be on Thursday, May 7 from 10:00am to 12:30pm at Saranam's Westside Campus located at 4651 Montaño Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120.

Transforming families and ending generational homelessness, one success story at a time!

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Activities:

• 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Opening remarks
• 11:00 – 12:30 p.m.: Campus tours 

Mark Your Calendars

for the Upcoming

2026 NM Annual

Conference of the UMC

June 11 -13

Join us in El Paso at the 2026 NM Annual Conference of the UMC on June 11 - 13. The New Mexico Annual Conference of the UMC will be held Thursday, June 11 from 9:00am until Saturday, June 13, around 12-noon, at Western Hills UMC - El Paso, Texas. 

The theme of the next three years of NM annual conferences is A Season of Growth: Rooted in Christ - Growing for the World. The specific theme for this year is Pruning for Clarity. The supporting Scripture is John 15. 

(Please read Bishop's Call Letter for more information.)

We will be celebrating our 150th Anniversary of the NM Annual Conference with a fiesta on Thursday night, June 11, 2026. There will be good food, always warm fellowship, and a time to share our stories of conference memories past. Please bring your photos and memorabilia to share during the 2026 NM annual conference.

Bishop Grant J. Hagiya, retired UMC Bishop from the Western Jurisdiction and current Co-President at Claremont School of Theology, will be preaching the Service of Commissioning and will participate during the Conference.

Our keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Blair Thompson. She is chief learning and innovation officer at Wesleyan Impact Partners and Texas Methodist Foundation (TMF). Blair is a familiar face to our conference. She consistently provides new ideas and new ways for churches to minister to the world. 

See details on https://www.nmconfum.com/2026-annual-conference-home/

To register for Annual Conference 2026 Click here.  If you have any questions about registration or annual conference in general, please contact Roselie Johnston: email

Important Deadlines:

• The last day to reserve a room at the host hotel is May 25th. 

• The registration late fee starts on Monday, May 11. Registration closes on Friday, May 29.

Please share this information with your church members. The registration fee for guests is only $50. The fee includes a celebration of our 150th Anniversary on Thursday, June 11, our keynote speaker, attendance at the plenary sessions and of course, participating in the Service of Commissioning and other worship services.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15: 1-4.

~Evolvement Youth Organization~

Sunday, May 17

Hi church family, my name is Illuminata. I have been a member of St. John's since elementary school. On Sunday, May 17, I'll be in the lobby before the 11:00am service to share some information on a youth organization called Evolvement. I have worked with the Evolvement group for three years now. Through this preventive program, youth from around the state - educate high school students, legislators and the community about the dangers of tobacco and vaping, while developing advocacy and leadership skills. I'm looking forward to you stopping by my table and asking about our current campaigns. Thank you for your support!

United Women in Faith

Annual Summer~Rummage Sale

July 24 - 25

Got Jewelry You Don't Wear? Donate It Today! Our jewelry team is already busy getting ready. If you have jewelry you're not using, we'd love to give it a second life - just label it "ATTENTION: Donna Bruce - Jewelry Donation" and drop it off at the Hospitality Center on Sundays or the Church Office during the week.

We're collecting JEWELRY ONLY right now; other sale donations will be gathered closer to the event.

Early donations help our volunteers sparkle up those displays and make the most for mission work. Thanks so much for your generosity!

Youth Missions ~ Rummage Sale!

Saturday May 9

On the morning of Saturday, May 9, the Youth Group will be hosting a rummage sale in the west parking lot from 9:00am to 11:30am. The sale will include items from the church that deserve a new home in the community as well as donated items of any kind from the congregation and community.

All proceeds will support the Youth Group Mission Trip Fund as we prepare to go to northern Georgia to assist with hurricane relief this July. For more information about donating for this sale, please contact our Youth Director, Brett Reece at breece@stjohns-abq.org.

St. John’s Prom

Saturday, May 23

Why should dances only be reserved for the years we are in school? Come join us on Saturday, May 23, in the Family Life Center for a church wide prom!

The Youth Group will be putting on the event as a fundraiser for our mission trip to Georgia in just a couple months.

The dance will take place from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the evening with light hor d’oeuvres and refreshments. Come dressed to impress and have a fun night dancing with our community!

For all the fun details - please contact our Youth Director, Brett Reece at breece@stjohns-abq.org.

Tickets are now being sold, $25 for single tickets or $45 per couple.

Volunteers Needed for Summer Camps

St. John’s summer camps start in just two months! This year we are offering half-day and full-day options during the week of June 8 – 12.

Quintessence Music camp will be held in the mornings, and True North VBS camp will take place in the afternoons each day. We will need volunteer help every day throughout the entire week.

If you’re available to support our camps and kids, please contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org. All volunteers must have current Safer Sanctuaries training certification. The next Safer Sanctuary Training session before camps start will be held on Monday, May 4. If needed, please contact the front office to sign up for the training session. Thank you!

Prayer Quilts

Carol Million (friend of Greg Hallstrom and the New Mexico Ramp participants) 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 Carol. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Carol. "Father, we pray you will strengthen Carol's body, renew her spirit, and comfort her soul. Help her to remain strong and steadfast, trusting in your plan even when the road seems uncertain. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen." 

   May Special Offering

Albuquerque Disability Arts Collaborative (ADAC)

ADAC fills a special need in our community, offering supportive, safe, accessible and inclusive activities for people with varying needs.

Such activities include arts workshops and classes with opportunities to sell their arts, very popular open mic nights, a cafe and special events. An upcoming special event is at St. John's on May 30th.

It includes an arts workshop, crafts, vendors and a silent auction. In the evening Chef Tim will prepare a fundraising dinner which features Ken Medema as the entertainment. You won't want to miss it!  Have a fun day and a great way to support this fine organization financially as well.

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.