September 25, 2026

Josh's Jottings

On Sunday, we'll start a new series in worship and our yearly emphasis on stewardship. You likely have received in the mail a packet with a brief annual report of some of our activities over the last year. We are excited to share how your generosity has changed lives, led to new ministry opportunities, and helped us forge a community centered around Jesus' love in 2026. You also will receive with that report an estimate of giving "pledge" card for 2027. Thank you to every one of you who will prayerfully consider how you can give next year. You make a big difference!

This year's series is entitled Living Gratitude. There is power in gratitude. When we live grateful lives, we are more aware of God's grace and provision every day. Anxiety loses its grip on us, fear flees from our hearts, and we become more aware of our identity and calling in Christ. It turns scarcity thinking into a mindset of generosity and love.

Let's take this journey together and focus on gratitude between now and Commitment - Sunday on October 11. I am grateful for your partnership in our church and all of the ways we live our gratitude together. 

See you Sunday! - Josh

All are Invited!

APD Intervention De-Escalation

Team Training

Saturday, September 26

Please join us for a hands-on and practical training led by the Albuquerque Police Department Intervention Team. The session will focus on helpful strategies for navigating challenging interactions safely and effectively.

Staff members who have attended this training in the past found it very valuable and informative. The training will be on Saturday, September 26, from 9:00am - 11:00am in the Family Life Center. All are invited! Attendance is strongly encouraged for each committee, ministry, and team with 1–2 representatives from each.

Please RSVP to Jamie Davidson/Executive Director at jdavidson@stjohns-abq.org by Sunday, September 20 with the names of your representatives or your name if you plan to attend.

For questions or concerns, please contact the church office at 505-883-9717. We hope to see you there!

Start Time Change

Omelet Bar Mix & Match

Sunday, September 27

Please Note: Due to staffing considerations, Omelet Bar will start at 9:00am this month. Come by “Son”Shine Cafe between 9:00am 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, 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.

Ask A Pastor

Sunday, September 27

On Sunday, September 27 we will be holding our third ASK A PASTOR discussion in Room 149/151 on the first floor near the Family Life Center. All ages are welcome. We have a list of questions to be addressed by Rev. Jim Hawk and Lauren Morgan-Smith. How it goes is that the moderator, Melanie Dodd, introduces the question and one of the leaders starts the discussion. The audience is encouraged to participate in the discussion and to ask more questions as we go along.

These are very enjoyable conversations, and you are invited to come for the 90-minute event. Bring your questions along. Working through questions and hearing what others know and believe always expands your own experience of being a person of faith. See you there. Please contact Donna Berry (505-604-4487) and Joan Shirley (505-238-1663) for more information.

United Women in Faith

Thursday, October 1

United Women in Faith will meet on Thursday, October 1 at 10:00am in Room 241.  Our speaker this month is June Parsons. She is retired from the US State Department. Her job took her to places all over the world. Anyone that is interested in learning more about this fascinating lady is welcome to attend.  For more information contact Carol Wiggins at carolmwiggins@aol.com or 505-321-0603.

Registration is Open!

50/50 Concerts presents Evan Aguilar

Thursday, October 1

Our very first 50/50 concert is this Thursday! Pianist Evan Aguilar will perform music of Handel, Mozart, and Chopin, with 50% of proceeds benefiting Road Runner Food Bank. Seats are limited, so reserve yours now.

50/50 Concerts are intimate, informal Happy Hour concerts held on Thursdays in the St. John's Choir Room. A free will offering is split 50/50 between the performers and a local charity of their choosing, and great food and drink follow every concert. See you Thursday!

Memory Cafe

Saturday, October 3

The next meeting of Memory Café is Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 1:30-3:00 in the Sonshine Café at St. John’s United Methodist Church. October is special in Albuquerque, from Balloon Fiesta to Halloween, we are here to celebrate! Wear your costume or spooky hat. We will have special music, crafts, games, and snacks. Join us for a fun afternoon! 

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. For more information (505) 323-7522 or ssmjens@aol.com. Join us for a fun time designed for you! 

All Abilities

Art Fair

Saturday, October 3

• Dates: Saturday, October 3, 2026
• Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm
• Price: FREE
• Location: St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church
• 425 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
• Email: info@adacnm.org

The Ladies’ Book Club 

Monday, October 5

The Ladies’ Book Club will meet on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 1:00 pm in Room 241. Come share your love of reading. We will be discussing Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. When a stranger comes to a small Southern city, the spirit of generosity and kindness he shares changes the lives of those he meets. Contact Sara Perovich: sjperov@yahoo.com.



November book pick: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

Quintessence Celebrates 40 Years

with Just a Number

Sunday, October 11

Quintessence: A Community of Singers kicks off their 2026-2027 concert season on Sunday, October 11 at 3:00pm with Just a Number. This concert is a celebration of Quintessence’s 40th birthday, with music about the passage of time, and the joys and frustrations of living, loving, and aging. Music by Jonathan Dove, Johannes Brahms, Elaine Hagenberg, Dale Trumbore, Taylor Scott Davis, and Bob Dylan. St. John’s folks can get 15% off advance tickets by using the code SJUMC. Click here to get yours today!

When You Pray

New Women's Bible Study

(Via Zoom)

Tuesday, October 13

When You Pray, by Kelly Minter, Jackie Hill Perry, Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Jada Edwards and Kristi McLelland

Tuesday evenings, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, via ZOOM, from October 13 through November 24 (for 7 weeks); facilitator: Donna Bruce.

To Register, contact Susan at teachersusan@comcast.net or come by the Hospitality Center on Sundays to register.

Do you have trouble thinking of words to say to God when you pray? Are you afraid some emotions are too intense to express to God? Do you reach the end of a day only to realize you haven’t prayed at all? You’re not alone.

Prayer is the way we relate to God, but sometimes it’s a struggle. Throughout God’s Word, we encounter many voices who teach us how to pray. In this 7-session study, join with six beloved Bible teachers who will help you study prayers in the Bible that can inspire your own. You’ll learn that God welcomes your praise and lament, your thanksgiving and intercession. You’ll see examples of how to pray when you’re alone and when you’re gathered with others. Above all, you’ll notice there’s no one right way to pray. As you draw near to God through prayer, you’ll find your faith strengthened and your heart united to Christ. 

Orientation Class

Learning about St. John’s UMC

Sunday, October 18

“What is special about being a Methodist?” “What is going on at St. John’s?” “Where do I fit in?”

These are key questions that newcomers ask about our church and we are having a class to discuss the answers. Visitors and new members are the primary focus for the class, but those who have been around awhile may want to reorient and re-energize themselves by entering the discussion. It's a great place to get to know others at St. John's as well.

The class will take place on four consecutive Sunday evenings. The first class will start Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, and we’ll end on Sunday, Nov. 8. We will meet in Rooms 149/151 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm, get to know each other, and discuss the topics (our Christian faith, Methodism, St. John’s, my place.)



To register for the class, sign up in the Hospitality Center or contact Jack and Carol Nuzum at 265-5241 or jcnuzum@gmail.com. 

Wanted! Volunteer for Memory Cafe

We are in need of a Data Base manager. Someone who is proficient on the computer, can make, print and send files and reports to multiple people.

If interested, please contact Sharon Jensen, ssmjens@ aol.com.

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



It’s that time again! Green chiles are roasting, kids are thinking about cool costumes, and St. John’s is planning its Annual Fall Festival. Children’s Outreach Council is sponsoring a Trunk ‘n Treat during the festivities happening on Sunday, October 25 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm.

We’re recruiting enthusiastic folks who would like to enter a vehicle in the celebration. If you haven’t done a Trunk ‘n Treat before, it’s 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.

Our goal is 10+ vehicles this year! And who knows…yours might be the one to win a prize for best creativity, theme, decorations, or game! That’s right – participants not only get to provide lots of fun for all the kids, but they also get to participate in the “Trunk ‘n Treat” contest! Contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org to sign up today!

Prayer Quilts

David Steward 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 David. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for David.



"Almighty God, we know you care deeply about suffering and pain. May your strength sustain David during this difficult time. Guide the doctors and treatments. Let your peace fill David's heart and may he feel your presence with him always. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen." 

September Special Offering

United Methodist

Committee on Relief

(UMCOR)

Earthquakes, wildfires, floods and more seem to fill the news!  And UMCOR is there to provide relief. In 2024 our youth went to Louisiana to work (and sweat) in the UMCOR warehouse! We may not be able to help in person, but we can provide funds for relief efforts. UMCOR partners with churches in stricken communities when possible and is known for staying there for the long hall to help communities recover. This month our financial support makes it possible for UMCOR to respond when disaster strikes. Please give generously.

September Special Collection

Paper Products Drive for

Silver Horizons

For many seniors living on fixed incomes, everyday paper products like toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, aluminum foil and plastic wrap aren't a given — they're a monthly trade-off against groceries and medication. These items aren't covered by food assistance programs like SNAP, which makes them one of the most overlooked but essential needs in our community.

That's why we're collecting paper products for our low-income seniors served by Silver Horizons during the month of September. So let's gather those items: paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, aluminum foil and plastic wrap. Drop off your donations in the bins at the Hospitality Center. Every roll, box, and pack makes a difference. Join us in making sure our neighbors have what they 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.