October 16, 2026

Josh's Jottings

This week, I am excited to share that I will be attending the 2026 Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering in Calgary, Alberta. United Methodists from around the globe will gather to seek God's vision for the future of our church through prayer, worship, and holy conferencing. We will listen deeply and discern where the Holy Spirit is leading us. 

I'll be joined by fellow New Mexico delegates, Ellice Whiteaker and Lijah Medina, along with our bishop, Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut. 

Please be in prayer for this conference as it is held October 20-24. Pray for wisdom and discernment for myself, Lijah, Ellice, Bishop Rapanut, and all delegates. Pray for the United Methodist Church as we come to an important moment in our history. 

I look forward to sharing stories and hope with you when I return.

Thank you for your prayers!

-Josh 

Mobile Food Pantry

Saturday, October 17

Volunteers, arrive at the Family Life Center about 8:00am-8:30am and distribution begins around 9:30am, depending on the time the Roadrunner truck arrives. We are usually finished before noon. Please contact Debby Smith @ 505-554-4238 or dysmith0427@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering. If you have small to medium boxes, please drop them off during the MFP at the Family Life Center, or contact me to pick them up. 

Servers Needed for the

Annual UWF Banquet

Saturday, October 17      

The United Women in Faith are having their Annual Banquet at St. John’s on Saturday, October 17. The St. John’s Food Ministry will be providing a plated meal for the banquet and are in need of 5 front of the house servers to help set the tables, serve drinks, serve the plated meals, bus tables and clean up. 

To sign up, please follow the link Banquet Help-Sign Up Here or contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or 505-883-9717 x 141.

Learning about St. John’s UMC

Orientation Class Starts

Sunday, October 18

What:

  Class 1: Christian Beliefs (Sunday, October 18)

  Class 2: Methodist History and Beliefs (Sunday, October 25)

 Class 3: St. John’s Programs and Organization (Sunday, November 1)

  Class 4: Where do I fit in? What can I contribute? Meet Pastor Josh

(Sunday, November 8)

When: Each Sunday 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Where: Rooms 149/151

Who: Anyone (visitors, prospective members, new members, old members) who want to know what we believe and do as members of St. John’s congregation.

How: Interactive discussion

Contact: Jack or Carol Nuzum (jcnuzum@gmail.com; 505-265-5241)

Call or email Jack or Carol soon so we can plan or sign up Sunday in the Hospitality Center.

Partnering with Family Promise

Looks Different

October 18 - 24

Our next host week will be October 18 - 24. We've decided to provide groceries for the families that are staying in the new apartment complex. To help with the cost of groceries, we're asking for $15 - $20 donations. For the donation, please write "Family Promise" in the memo line or description.

If you would like more information or want to help with groceries and other service opportunities, contact Jenn Shields (jennshields200@yahoo.com; 505-450-9978) or Linn Furnish (swimsew@comcast.net; 505-884-6626). 

Family Promise Has Moved!

After many years, they are finally in their new home, ready to serve more families in need. Come out on Sunday, October 18th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm to see the new day center, offices, and tour one of the shelter units. RSVP to Family Promise of Albuquerque Open House RSVP for the open house - address and more information. Donations are needed! Donations to support their work will be accepted as housewarming gifts. Check out the Amazon wish list here for items needed for the new space. Donate here today to be part of their Angel Wall and support the mission of Family Promise. 

Mountain Cathedrals

Sunset Hike in the Bosque

Saturday, October 24

Let's combine the beauty of fall colors, the Bosque sunset, and moonlight! Meet in the East Parking Lot at 4:30pm on Saturday October 24 to carpool to the Cambell Rd. Bosque trailhead (Campbell and Trellis). Alternatively, join us there a few minutes ahead of 5:00pm. Bring a sack dinner, walking shoes, water, and headlamps. We should be back to the church by 8:30pm (sunset is at 6:20pm). This will be a fairly easy walk (3-4 miles, level paths).

Psalm 19 leads us to consider God's divinity and how it appears in our own lives.  Let us explore this as we walk in the beauty of this bottomland.

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

The next trips:

1. November 15 - Sunday afternoon, with St. John’s Adulting Group locating historic trees on the Faulty Trail above Tijeras.
2. December 12 - We hope to explore some new fronts in the near future, such as portions of the Continental Divide Trail and the wilderness of White Rock Canyon. 

Help Serve Soup

at the Empty Bowls Event

Saturday, October 24

St. John’s is hosting the amazing annual fundraiser for the Storehouse, Empty Bowls, and we need servers to help serve the soup, bread, desserts and drinks. If you are interested in helping with this event, that raises thousands of dollars to help feed people who are food insecure, sign up Sign Up Here - Empty Bowls Volunteers or contact Chef Tim at tnuzum@stjohns-abq.org or 505-883-9717 x 141. 

50/50 Concerts Presents

Singer/Songwriter Lara Manzanares

Thursday, October 29

On Thursday, October 29, we continue our 50/50 concert series with singer-songwriter Lara Manzanares in support of Enlace Comunitario, which will receive half of the evening’s proceeds. Want a preview? Click here to see Lara perform "Guantanamera", which was filmed as part of our “Music at St. John’s” series during lockdown. (Fun Fact: This video has been viewed over 49K times on our YouTube channel!).

50/50 Concerts are a series of intimate Happy Hour performances held on Thursdays in the St. John’s Choir Room. A free will offering is received at each concert. Half of the proceeds support the performers, and the other half goes to a local charity they select. Each evening concludes with food and drink and a chance to connect with friends old and new.

Charge Conference

Wednesday, October 28

The 2026 Charge Conference is called for October 28 at 6:00pm. This year Charge Conference will be held at St. John's. This is our annual business meeting where Lay Leadership is confirmed, pastoral compensation is set, and membership records are updated. Anyone may attend and all members may vote. For more info, contact the church office. 

Zuni Elementary

Asking for Help



St. John’s UMC works closely with Zuni Elementary (across the street north of St. John’s) helping supply weekend meal bags for students, donating food to use in their weekly cooking classes, & more. St. John’s is now also involved with Zuni as part of their Community School Council. During a recent meeting, faculty expressed a few more needs that the people of St. John’s might possibly be able to meet.

Please contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org if you are interested in helping Zuni in any of the following areas for grades K-5. Thank you!

• Math tutor during the school day
• Library volunteer helping kids find/check out books in their interest areas
• Playground volunteer during AM / lunch / PM recesses to help teach kids positive ways to interact with one another during playtime.
• Currently licensed substitute teacher
• Currently licensed substitute educational assistant (EA

Tai Chi Class on

Thursday, October 22 - is Canceled 

 

Please note ~ The Tai Chi class on Thursday, October 22 is canceled. Class will resume its regular schedule on October 29 at 10 am in the Family Life Center. If you would like to join us for this gentle exercise session, please contact Dianna Muller at DLM_NM@MSN.com for all the details.

General Election on

Tuesday, November 3

Are YOU Registered to Vote?

Are you registered to vote for the General Election on November 3? You can register to vote at any early voting site, your voting site on November 3, or THIS SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH. Jane Voelkel, a trained and non-partisan voting registration agent, will have a table in the Narthex between services, and you can quickly accomplish this task. There will also be a laptop to check your registration status. 

Voting is your SUPERPOWER as a citizen. Be sure to vote this year!

The Annual Fall Festival is Coming Soon!

Sunday, October 25

As the season changes to fall, we must quickly realize the Fall Festival is seemingly right around the corner.

The Annual Fall Festival will be held on October 25, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Family Life Center. Please join us for some fun, games, treats, vintage cars, and of course costumes.

The festival is for toddlers and kids through elementary age and will be put on by our youth along with other volunteers. Candy donations would be very much appreciated leading up to the event and can be placed outside the office doors of Brett Reece, our Youth Director, or Angela Lybarger, our Children’s Director. Thank you for your continued support!

Trunk 'n' Treat

Sunday, October 25



Children’s Outreach Council is still looking for folks who can sponsor a Trunk ‘n Treat vehicle during the Fall Festival happening on Sunday, October 25 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Being a Trunk ‘n Treat participant is simple and fun. Just decorate your vehicle/trunk in the spirit of the season (and feel free to dress up in costume yourself 😊) come up with a game or activity kids can play near your space, and provide candy or other goodies to give away as prizes. Yours might be the vehicle to win a prize for best creativity, theme, decorations, or game! Contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org to sign up today!

Prayer Quilts

Karen Lucero 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 Karen. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Karen. "Almighty God, we lift up Karen asking for your strength to fill her heart and mind. Remind her that she is not alone for you walk beside her. May our actions and prayers bring peace to Karen and confidence in your purpose and power. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen." 

October Special Offering

McCurdy Ministries

"The Light of Christ in the Valley of Espanola". McCurdy Ministries provides hope with dignity through many services. In addition to the very important food, clothing and diaper banks, it provides free counseling, a children's literacy program, and classes for adults, as well. McCurdy shares its campus and cooperates with other non-profits. For example, one helps grandparents raising grandchildren, and another provides emergency shelter for teens. AND we can help by giving generously both financially and in kind.



(See article below) 

Let's help spread God's love in the Espanola Valley.

October Special Collections

McCurdy Family Christmas Store

Once again, McCurdy Ministries will host a Family Christmas Store to bless families in their community. Parents will be invited to shop and choose free gifts for their children — and St. John's is proud to help make that possible.

Throughout October, we're collecting NEW, UNWRAPPED toys and items for children ages 0–18. Donation bins are available in the Hospitality Center.

Gift suggestions by age group:

• Infants & Toddlers (0–3 years): Board books, stuffed animals, musical toys, building blocks, bath toys

• Preschool & Early Elementary (4–7 years): Dolls & action figures, art supplies & coloring sets, puzzles, Play-Doh & craft kits, cars, trucks, trains

• Older Children (8–12 years): LEGOs & STEM kits, sports balls (soccer, basketball, football), craft sets, jewelry-making kits, remote control cars, board games

• Teens (13–18 years): Gift cards (Target, Walmart, Amazon, restaurants), headphones/earbuds, journals, sketchbooks, sports gear, personal care sets (lotions, body sprays, etc.)

We will also have the opportunity to support Enlace Comunitario Winter 2026 Gift Drive in November and Zuni Elementary Gift Drive in December.

As always, thank you, St. John's, for your generosity — you help make Christmas morning a little brighter for families who need it most.

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.