Verse of the Month

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,

it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

–1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Sharing the Love of Christ

Valentine’s Day is a day set aside to share our love with the special people in our lives. It also is a great day to remember to share the love of Christ with others, especially the less fortunate and the unbelievers who may cross our paths. 

McCurdy Ministries is working daily to share the love of Christ with the families and children of the Española Valley. Please join us in prayer on February 14 to pray for our special outreach ministries, our staff and volunteers, and the people we serve.

Father (Male Figure)

and Daughter Dance

McCurdy Ministries, in partnership with some special area organizations, are hosting a night of music, dancing, food, and sweet memories for fathers (male figures) and their daughters. This special event will be held on Saturday, February 14 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. in Cole Community Center.

Formal wear for girls and teens along with adult suits for the men were collected and distributed through McCurdy’s Light House Clothing Bank.

Partners for this special evening include:

• Nueva Vida
• United Way of Northern New Mexico
• Fairview Flowers
• CASA First
• Calliann’s Creations
• Alonzo’s Desserts
• Sandoval Photography
• Flowers by DNA
• DJ Danny B
• Porch Light Health

History Note

By Edith Brown

Being a strict United Brethren, Evangelical United Brethren, and United Methodist Mission School, for 60 years dancing was not allowed on campus or at school events. Valentine’s parties and Sadie Hawkins Day consisted of skits, games, and songs. Pep squads performed to pom-pom routines, but there was no dancing.

In the Spring, there was a Junior-Senior Banquet instead of a Prom. Formally dressed seniors, juniors, and sponsors would load into faculty cars and the bus to drive to Santa Fe or other destinations. Highlights of the evening would include songs, jokes, dinner, a talk from a faculty member, and senior prophesies.

Pictured above is the cover from the 1938 Junior-Senior Banquet program and a picture of students from the last Banquet in 1971. The year 1972 ushered in a new era with dances and a Prom for McCurdy School.

The young couple pictured (above) are McCurdy alums Troy and Marilyn (Martinez) Peabody. They have been married for over 50 years and are still active volunteers with McCurdy Ministries. 

Remembering the McCurdy Mission Clinic

Following is an excerpt from Dee Dee Heffner’s recent devotional entitled, “A Future Filled with Hope!” In the devotional, Dee Dee shared historic information about the McCurdy Mission Building that was torn down recently to provide more greenspace for our children’s programs and our campus.

“It became clear in the 1940’s that there was need for medical care at the McCurdy Mission, and a clinic was built and staffed by nurses. In September 1946, Dr. Sam Ziegler and his wife, Isabel, arrived. Sam had just returned to the U.S. from running MASH units during WWII. Sam wrote, ‘The clinic building hospital soon became a very busy place, with ill McCurdy students and patients from the community.’ He shared stories of delivering babies and of emergency surgeries, with Isabel and missionary nurse, Lillian Moffatt, as helpers. Within a year or so, it was clear that a larger hospital was needed, and in 1948, a large mission hospital was built on the west side of Española. Today, that hospital is a full-service, highly rated public hospital.”

In 1969, a Licensed Practical Nursing Program was established in the clinic and was a successful venture until 1982, when it was offered to what was then Northern New Mexico Community College. Later, the building was used for classrooms, as the elementary library, and for Title I programs.

On January 27, Rev. Tiffany Hollums, McCurdy Ministries Executive Director, provided a prayer and a decommissioning ceremony to honor the history and significance of the building.

To view the Facebook Live feed of the decommissioning, use this LINK.

McCurdy Ministries Foundation Scholarship

The McCurdy Ministries Foundation was originally created in 1971 to assist students at McCurdy Mission School. It has continued to be an active 501 c3 non-profit entity currently supporting students receiving services from McCurdy Ministries. The Foundation is managed by a ten-member Board, seven of whom are volunteer board members along with three staff members.

One of the services provided by the Foundation is to provide an annual scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to a student desiring to further his/her education by attending a university or trade school.

Scholarship information has been sent to the three church-related private schools in the Española Valley, including the McCurdy Charter School and the Española High School.



The Scholarship Committee will review applications and make a selection by April 30. The winner of the scholarship will be announced at the appropriate school’s Awards Assembly.

Wichita VIM Team Fundraiser

University United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, has been sending work teams to McCurdy Ministries since before the COVID pandemic. For the last three years, they have generously raised funds for the team members through a McCurdy Pie Auction and Soup Lunch held in early February. 

While work team participants provide plenty of help with the preparations, other church members also donate pies and auction items as well as support the event through spirited bidding. (And a “Pie Parade” during worship announcements gives everyone a preview of what is to come.) The money raised is doubled through a Mission Matching Fund, so funds raised will easily cover the expenses for this year’s mission trip.

Time to Register a VIM Team for 2026!

NOW is the time when Volunteer in Mission (VIM) teams make their plans for the mission season. We hope you will prayerfully consider recruiting and scheduling a team to volunteer at McCurdy Ministries in 2026. VIM Teams can be large or small, young or old, as there is a wide variety of ways to serve our vital ministries.

Currently, here is a list of weeks when there are no teams signed up to serve during the spring and summer months:

• MARCH - March 1-7, March 8-14, March15-21, March 22-28, March 29-April 4
• APRIL - April 5-11, April 12-18, April 19-25
• MAY - May 10-16, May 17-23, May 24-30
• JULY - July 5-11, July 12-18, July 19-25

We especially need volunteers to help level books for the Forest of Reading; to sort and organize clothing for the Light House; to help in the food and diaper pantry; to help with the maintenance of campus buildings; to help with mowing and maintaining the campus green spaces; and to serve as a volunteer librarian for the Enchanted Forest of Reading.

To schedule a volunteer team for 2026, please contact our Volunteer Registrar, Eufemia Romero, by phone at 505-753-7221, ext. 210 or by email at: eromero@mccurdy.org.

To register your mission team, use the links found on the McCurdy Ministries website:  https://www.mccurdy.org/missionvolunteers

New Mexico History Museum

If you love exploring the history of different areas of our country, then the New Mexico History Museum will provide a great experience for you! Located just off the Historic Plaza in downtown Santa Fe, this museum highlights the rich history that the Southwest has played in the development of our country. From the early settlement by a variety of peoples, to the development of the atomic bomb, to the role New Mexico residents played in both World War I and II, the museum provides a broad range of exhibits that provide a view of New Mexico’s diverse cultures.

For more information about planning a visit to the museum, go to their website: LINK

McCurdy Ambassador Program

We hope you will sign up for the McCurdy Ambassador Program’s first training event which is planned for Saturday, February 21.

The goal of McCurdy Ambassadors will be to visit local churches in their area and display information at their respective Annual Conference Meetings. We need people like YOU to help us share information that will help increase knowledge and support of McCurdy Ministries.  

If you are interested in learning more about this program or possibly volunteering to serve as a McCurdy Ambassador, contact Sarah Allen at 928-691-6471 or via email at s.k.allen2227@gmail.com.  

Financial Support for McCurdy Ministries

We are so thankful for your generosity to McCurdy Ministries. It is so true that the love we share is a reflection of the deep love that God shows to us. The community sees this love at work as they continue to trust McCurdy with their families and as we welcome more partners in ministry on our campus. It is our prayer that you sense the Spirit at work through your faithfulness because it is so incredible to see how God is at work in our community.

Rev. Tiffany Hollums

McCurdy Ministries Executive Director

Please know that your financial contributions help support our ongoing ministries and programs for the children, youth, and families of the Española Valley.

Here are two easy ways to provide financial assistance. First, simply send a check to:

McCurdy Ministries

362 S. McCurdy Road

Española, NM 87532

Or donate by visiting the online giving tab on our website: LINK https://www.mccurdy.org/give.

Donations may be designated for any specific ministries or programs on the notation line of your check or when donating online. Unspecified donations are applied to the General Fund which supports all expenses of McCurdy Ministries.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

nothing is going to get better. It's not. – Dr. Seuss

Amazon Wish List

An order from the McCurdy Amazon Wish List is another way to help support the vital programs for children. Simply purchase one or two of the needed items (i.e., toys, sensory items, cleaning supplies, snacks, paper goods, and school supplies). This is another incredible and practical way to help us in serving the children of Española.

McCurdy Wish List: LINK   

Donate Children’s Books

You also can purchase books online for the LEER Children’s Literacy Program with the Amazon book list that was created to help establish a leveled library. To purchase new books, go to:

Amazon Book Wishlist: LINK

New or gently used children’s books can be dropped off or shipped using USPS ‘media mail’ to: McCurdy Ministries, 362 S. McCurdy Road, Española, NM 87532.

Thank you for your generous support of all our ministries and programs!

QUESTIONS? Email Rev. Tiffany Hollums, Executive Director, at thollums@mccurdy.org. 

Join Us in Prayer

Each Day at 3:20 p.m.

McCurdy Ministries board and staff continue to seek God’s help and guidance in providing expanded resources, programs, and ministries for the children and families of the Española Valley. We hope you will join us in praying each afternoon at 3:20 p.m. seeking God’s direction for McCurdy Ministries in the new year.

Please join us in prayer using Ephesians 3:20 as a prayer guide.

Now all glory to God, who is able,

through His mighty power at work within us,

to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

As we seek God’s leading throughout this year, we readily recognize that God is providing answers far beyond what we might ever ask or imagine.

Homemade biscuits are always appreciated by families, especially during the cold winter months. Here is a recipe for some biscuits from McCurdy’s very own collection, Recipes of a Century Past, published in 2012 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ministry. The recipe was contributed by Inez Miller.

Inez’s Angel Biscuits

• 1 (3/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• Melted margarine or butter

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes, stir in buttermilk, set aside. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut shortening in until it looks like coarse meal, stir in yeast buttermilk mixture. Turn out on to floured surface. Knead 4 to 6 turns, roll to ½-inch thickness. Cut with a 2-inch biscuit cutter and place on ungreased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 1-2 hours. Bake in a 450^oF oven for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown. Brush tops of biscuits with margarine or butter. Makes 16-18 biscuits.

A Prayer for Valentine’s Day

Heavenly Father, fill my heart with Your perfect love.

Remove all anger, envy, pride, and selfishness that hinder me

from loving others fully. Teach me patience, compassion, and kindness

so that I may respond with grace in every relationship.

Help me become a channel of Your mercy, blessing others with joy,

encouragement, and forgiveness.

May my heart reflect Your character, bringing peace, understanding,

and spiritual growth to all those around me. Amen.

Prayer from www.perfectprayers.com

McCurdy Ministries creates hope and empowers the lives of children, youth, adults and families through education, life skills, and faith-based programs in Española, New Mexico.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this month, may we each remember that our Lord calls us to share God’s love through our actions as we encounter others throughout our day, remembering that our actions are often far more powerful than any words we might say. May God’s abundant love shine in everything we do.

On behalf of the McCurdy Ministries Board and staff as well as the families we serve, we thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial support that continues to help so many children and families. May God bless you and yours this Valentine’s Day…and always!

Blessings,

McCurdy Ministries Board and Staff

McCurdy Ministries creates hope and empowers the lives of children, youth, adults and families through education,

life skills and faith-based programs in Española, NM.

www.mccurdy.org