May 15, 2026

PIPE ORGAN PROJECT MOVES FORWARD!

Matthew Greer, Director of Music and Worship

Thanks to the artistry of Jim Ahrend and Nathan Cleaveland, the St. John’s pipe organ is an integral part of our sanctuary worship services. Since it was installed a couple of decades ago, this instrument has beautifully accompanied choral and congregational singing, as well as providing a lovely vehicle for both our staff and guest organists through the years.

What you may not know is that the instrument is incomplete. 

When the organ was built in 2006 (by the Reuter Organ Company in Lawrence, Kansas), the installation was about 2/3 of the size of the instrument that was designed for the space. Because of budget constraints, we went ahead with the project and hoped that one day we would be able to complete it.

A lot has happened in the interim. The price of materials and labor continued to rise, even as there were steady donations to the pipe organ fund. Then, in 2022, Reuter closed its factory after 105 years of building organs. While many folks continued to dream of completing the St. John’s organ, it did not seem likely.

Until this year.

Click here to read the full story and see photos from the build

Mobile Food Drive

Saturday, May 16



The next MFP is scheduled for Saturday, May 16. Volunteers - should arrive at the Family Life Center about 8:00am - 8:30am and distribution begins ~ 9:30am depending on the time the Roadrunner truck arrives. We are usually finished by 11:00am.

Please contact me if you are interested in volunteering. Debby Smith 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. 

Lenten Fish Fry Dinner Celebration!

Saturday, May 16

You are cordially invited to the Lenten Fish Fry Dinner Celebration on Saturday, May 16 from 5:00pm–7:00pm in the Family Life Center! This potluck-style gathering invites everyone to bring a main dish, side dish, or dessert to serve about eight people. Plates, utensils, napkins, serving tools, and drinks will be provided.



We’ll begin the evening with 45 minutes of food and fellowship, followed by a fun Lenten Fish Fry Dinner trivia quiz and the annual report. Come celebrate the success of the 2026 Lenten Fish Fry and enjoy a great evening together!

Please RSVP to me, Wayne Shirley, before Thursday May 14 at jwshirleyabq@gmail.com.

Pop Tarts 2

It's Back! - Bigger, Bolder, and Full of Hits

Sunday, May 17

Join Quintessence - A Community of Singers for Pop Tarts 2-Electric Boogaloo the sequel you didn’t know you needed to our audience-favorite Top 40 playlist concert! Enjoy a surprise setlist filled with iconic hits from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and beyond, guaranteed to bring all the feels.

Click here to get your tickets in advance (available for both in-person and livestream) and don’t forget to use code SJUMC at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase. Round up your friends and join us for a feel-good night of unforgettable music! Event starts @ 3:00pm

Social Concerns Committee

Tuesday, May 19

A presentation will be made by a representative of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) at our next meeting on Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30pm in the church library.  All are welcome!

Grief Support Group

Thursday, May 21

Please join us on Thursday, May 21 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.

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.

Mountain Cathedrals Hike

North Crest Trail South of Placitas

 Saturday, May 23

Please join us on Saturday, May 23, at 7:30am in the St. Johns East Parking Lot to carpool to the Tunnel Spring Trailhead, or at the trailhead in Placitas at 8:10am (please let me know you're coming!) We plan to climb about 1700 feet on this 7-mile round trip route, passing some interesting mining history as well as wonderful vistas of the valley and mountains beyond. This is a moderately strenuous hike. Plan to be back at St. John’s by 3:30pm. Bring lunch, water, sun protection, and possibly trekking poles.

On this, the day before Pentecost Sunday, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit is around us and within us like the very air we breathe. Let us celebrate this, even if feeling a little out of breath at times!

Contact: Mike Furnish, CLM, 505-440-7292; mdfurnish@comcast.net

Future trips: June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, and October 17. Possibilities: Las Conchas, Jemez Fall – Battleship Rock (Jemez), Tree Springs (Sandias), Mt. Taylor, stargazing south of Tijeras - other ideas welcome! 

Omelet Bar Mix & Match

Sunday, May 24

Hungry for food and fellowship on Sunday before or after your worship service? Come by the SonShine Cafe between 7:45am and 1:00pm to get your made to order omelet that you can top with a variety of fillings of meats, cheeses, veggies, and salsas to make your omelet unique to you. Your choice of toast and a drink is included, all for just $8! 

We need volunteers to make Omelet Bar happen. If you would like to volunteer to be a cashier, omelet runner or toastmaster, etc... please Sign Up Here or contact Nancy Douglas de Baca at squidgete@yahoo.com or Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or 505-883-9717.

Garden Talk ~ Soil Properties

Thursday, May 28

On Thursday, May 28 at 8:30am, please join us at the St. John's Community Garden, located in the NW corner of the church lot, for an engaging and informative talk on Soil and its Properties! We recently sent soil samples to Nebraska for testing, and our speaker will help us review and evaluate the results. Bernalillo County Extension Agent, John Garlisch will talk about what the soil analysis means, how soil properties effect plant growth, and what steps can improve garden health and productivity.

John is originally from rural Central Illinois where he grew up on a family farm. He was actively involved in 4-H. He earned his BS in Horticulture and an MS in Agriculture Consumer Economics from University of Urbana-Champaign.

This will be a great opportunity to better understand our garden soil and ask questions about soil care and management. Everyone is welcome!

ADAC Presents

Community Expressions

Saturday, May 30

WHAT:

ADAC Community Expressions Inclusive Arts Festival & Fundraiser,

with the one and only Ken Medema! Supporting ADAC arts programs!

WHERE:

St. John's United Methodist Church Family Life Center and classrooms.

WHEN:

10:00am-3:00pm FREE Art Show with FREE workshops provided by amazing artisans and instructors. *Free all day

5:00-8:30pm Dinner and Variety Showing Starring Ken Medema and a variety of sensational artist performances. *28 dollars per person (ask us if you want a ticket and can't afford it --- info@adacnm.org or 505-451-4175)

WHY?

We are fundraising to expand ADAC's programming and find a new full-time space where we can do ADA Cafes daily, classes, workshops, more Open Mics, a theater company, art shows, expressive arts therapies, and much much more! Help us get there!

Go to www.adacnm.org for a variety show tickets or to become a sponsor! Or call/text 505-451-4175.

Men's Summer Bible Study

Paul's Later Letters

Monday, June 1

The last four letters of Paul (1 &2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon) are addressed to specific persons. They seem to have been written late in Paul's life and largely concern the situation of the churches he's founded. The new believers, he feels, are being misled in both the content and the practice of their faith, and he is instructing his co-workers on how to get them back in line.

Some of his advice is easy to understand, but his instructions to women and slaves to keep their place will tend to rub us modern readers wrong. Paul was in a place that is familiar to us today: How to be true to the Gospel and therefore distinctive, but not so different that we are considered weird. He is both critical of the surrounding culture, but concerned about church's reputation in that culture. These are ancient issues that are still relevant.

If you are interested in discussing these scriptures, please join us Mondays, both morning and evening, from June 1 through July 6, 2026. Morning sessions will be from 10-11:30am both in person in the church library and on Zoom; evenings will be 7:00pm - 8:30pm on Zoom only.

To sign up or for more information, please contact Jack Nuzum at jcnuzum@gmail.com.

Graduation Announcement!

We're thrilled to share that our own Jarrod Conyers is graduating from seminary (Saint Paul School of Theology, at Resurrection UMC, Leawood, Kansas) this Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10:00am. Mountain Time Zone, 11:00am. central time zone. You can watch online on spst.edu

Learn more and see link to webcast of graduation ceremony on spst.edu

Jarrod Conyers served as Director of Youth Ministries at St. John's UMC from July 2003 to August 2021. He also served as our Director of Congregational Care for the final few years of his ministry at St. John's UMC Albuquerque.  During his decades at St. John's UMC he mentored and pastored hundreds of our youth, helping them to draw closer to God and to foster a life of genuine and questioning faith. He has cheerfully endured countless lock-ins and overnight retreats, as well as at least a dozen Music & Mission (M& M) trips and other summer mission trips and projects. His impact on our youth (and on our adults) has been immeasurable. Jarrod's years of successful preaching, teaching, and pastoring have resulted in him discerning a call to ministry, which was affirmed by the Church Council and then our congregation of St. John's UMC in 2020.

Beginning in September 2021, Jarrod began a new position at Liberty United Methodist Church in Liberty, Missouri, while he studied at the Saint Paul School of Theology, at Resurrection UMC. Jarrod is currently serving as the Rush Creek Campus Pastor of Liberty UMC in May 2026. In 2021, Jarrod and Whitney relocated to the Kansas City area, along with their children Journey and Jonathan. They still own their family home in Albuquerque, NM in 2026 and they enjoy coming back to see all of us at St. John's UMC multiple times a year. You are invited to watch Jarrod graduate from seminary this Friday morning, May 15, 2026.

Church Office Closed

Monday, May 25

Please note the Church office will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of the Memorial 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.

Safe Sanctuary Training

Class Certificates

Now Available

If you attended the latest Safe Sanctuary training class on Monday, May 4, you can pick up your Safe Sanctuary Training Certificate at the Hospitality Center after the 11:00am worship service or stop by the Church office. Thank you!

The First Smile on a Sunday Morning

Every Sunday, ushers play an important role in the life of our church. Before the first hymn is sung or the first prayer spoken, ushers help create a spirit of welcome and hospitality. Our ushers help newcomers find their way, answer questions, and assist in worship. They also keep us safe if there is an emergency or someone just needs some urgent help. 

Right now, we need a few extra ushers at the 11:00am service. We are hoping to add one additional team starting as soon as possible. If we get enough volunteers, each team will only need to help 2-3 months out of the year. Training is provided, and if you are friendly, dependable, and willing to help people feel welcome and cared for, we would love to have you join us. 

Please contact Karen Hall at klhall66@gmail.com if you can help. It really is a lot of fun!

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!

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 Still Needed for Summer Camps



St. John’s summer camps start in less than a month (June 8-12)! Quintessence Music Camp will be held in the mornings, and True North VBS Camp will take place each afternoon. We will need volunteers for both camps every day throughout the entire week. Currently there are 4 volunteers signed up to help with Music Camp and 6 signed up to help with VBS. We need your help to increase those numbers!

If you’re available to help support our camps and kids as a volunteer, please contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org, or sign up this Sunday in the FLC or narthex before or after one of the morning services. All volunteers must have current Safer Sanctuaries training certification. If you’d like to volunteer but missed the training on May 4, not to worry! There is an online only training available through the NM Conference on Saturday, 5/23. Contact Angela for more information. 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.

  May Collections: Weekend Meal Bags

for Zuni Elementary School

As the 2025–2026 school year comes to a close, we’re already looking ahead. Our Weekend Meal Bag team will resume packing in July to prepare for the 2026–2027 school year—and you can help us get a strong start!

This important program supports food-insecure students at Zuni Elementary by providing weekend meal bags filled with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options when school meals aren’t available.

We’re currently collecting single-serve, kid-friendly items, including individual oatmeal packets, shelf-stable milk (white or chocolate), breakfast or granola bars, cereal cups, chicken or tuna packets with crackers, Chef Boyardee products, macaroni and cheese cups, vegetables in a cup, applesauce, fruit cups, pudding cups, and individual packages of cookies.



Donations can be dropped off in the collection bins located in the Hospitality Center. Your support helps ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals over the weekend. Thank you for making a difference!

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.