January 31, 2025

Josh's Jottings

I want to encourage you to join us this Sunday in church and for a 3:00 p.m. concert at St. John’s with the legendary Ken Medema! With his boundless energy, deep storytelling, and incredible gift for improvisation, Ken’s music is more than just a concert—it’s an experience of joy, connection, and inspiration. Blind since birth, Ken sees the world through the lens of music, crafting songs in the moment that speak to the heart. His infectious enthusiasm and soul-stirring melodies will leave you uplifted and renewed. At the concert at 3:00 p.m. he will be joined by our talented, joyful, and downright cool organist, Jim Ahrend. 

Whether you’ve been a fan for years or are hearing him for the first time, this is a performance you won’t want to miss! Ken’s passion for music and faith creates a space where laughter, reflection, and community come together in perfect harmony. Bring your friends, your family, and your spirit of wonder, and prepare to be moved. Join us at St. John’s UMC and let Ken Medema’s music fill your soul with joy!

Memory Café Albuquerque

Saturday, February 1

Memory Café Albuquerque will meet Saturday February 1, 2025, from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in the SonShine Café at St. John’s United Methodist Church. Celebrate Valentine's Day with music by Grumpy Old Men, photos with your favorite Valentine, and Famous and Infamous Couples Game. Information for caregivers and loved ones will be available.

Memory Café meets the first Saturday of each month from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in the SonShine Café. It is a supportive fellowship for anyone affected by memory loss/Alzheimer’s and their caring partners. Meet and share with others on a similar journey. This is not a drop-off event. For more information call

(505) 323-7522 or email ssmjens@aol.com. 

"Music at St. John's" Presents

Ken Medema & Jim Ahrend in Concert

Sunday, February 2

Join us in the sanctuary on Sunday, February 2 at 3:00 p.m. for an unforgettable afternoon of music! "Music at St. John's" presents Ken Medema and Jim Ahrend in Concert - A dynamic concert featuring a mix of original improvisations, timeless jazz standards, and dueling piano arrangements.

This program will also be available by livestream for those who would like to tune in from home. Click here to watch online.

Ladies Book Club

Monday, February 3

The Ladies’ Book Club will meet Monday, February 3 at 1:00 pm in Room 241. Share in the discussion of My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman. In the novel young Elsa’s best friend is her grandmother who leaves behind a legacy of fantastic stories and also, letters to people she has wronged. Come read with us as you are able in 2025! Contact Ann Look at mapalook@comcast.net with any questions.

March book pick:  The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King

United Women in Faith General Meeting

Thursday, February 6

Come and meet Barbara Tegtmeier, head Chaplain for the Albuquerque Police Department on Thursday, February 6 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 241. Barbara has been a chaplain for seven years and is also a certified lay minister who recently served at Cornerstone UMC. She will speak to us about the role of APD Chaplain and will share insights on the passion she has for lay servanthood in the UMC. All are welcome.

Women's Bible Study

Monday, February 10

Thrive: Living Faithfully in Difficult Times (a study of the book of James) by Jennifer Cowart

Mondays, February 10 - March 24 (7 weeks), 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., IN-PERSON, led by Barbara Stanfield (bring your brown bag lunch). Participants can register by contacting Susan Perry at teachersusan@comcast.net, signing up in the Hospitality Center on Sundays or by contacting the church office. Participants must purchase their own books.

In "Thrive", author and teacher Jen Cowart helps women develop the habits and attitudes necessary to thrive, whatever their circumstances. Leading readers through the Book of James, a letter written about enduring hardships, she lifts up six characteristics of mature Christians. From endurance and humility to controlling our words, Jen helps participants find the divine and the practical in living faithfully.

Safe Sanctuaries Training

Thursday, February 13

The next Safe Sanctuaries training will be held on Thursday, February 13 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., in rooms 245/257. The instructors for this training will be Mike and Linn Furnish. This session is open to all St. John’s members and regular attendees.

Note: If you work with children, youth, or vulnerable adults at any point throughout the year, you are required to complete Safe Sanctuaries training. Please RSVP to Reneé Honn at reception@stjohns-abq.org or call the church office at (505) 883-9717 if you plan to attend.

Food Service Opportunities in February

Would you like to help feed people and support philanthropist organizations, Chaplains and the college students at the UNM Wesley Foundation? You’re in luck, as the Food Ministry is making meals this February for PEO Founders Day Fundraiser Lunch (Feb. 1), a Chaplain Appreciation Lunch (Feb. 4), and For the Love of Wesley Fundraiser for the UNM Wesley Foundation (Feb. 13). Duties will be helping set the tables for service, serving drinks, serving dinner, bussing dishes, and helping with clean up. 

The PEO Fundraiser and Chaplain Appreciation Lunch are both at St. John’s in the Family Life Center, and For the Love of Wesley Dinner is at Central United Methodist Church.

Saturday, February 1, PEO Lunch: Sign-up here

Tuesday, February 4, Chaplain Appreciation Lunch: Sign-up here

Thursday, February 13, For the Love of Wesley UNM Wesley Foundation Fundraiser Dinner: Volunteers will report to Central UMC. Sign-up here

Orientation Class: Learning about St. John's

“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 in February and March. The first class will start Sunday, February 23, 2025, and we’ll end on Sunday, March 16. We will meet in Rooms 149/151 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., get to know each other and discuss the topics of our Christian faith, Methodism, St. John’s,and more.

To register for the class, sign up in the Hospitality Center or contact Jack and Carol Nuzum at (505) 265-5241 or jcnuzum@juno.com. 

Family Promise's Sweet Jazz Concert

This year's Sweet Jazz Concert and Silent Auction is March 2 at 4:00 p.m. hosted by Sandia Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance online here. You may also purchase tickets through Linn Furnish at swimsew@comcast.net or (505) 884-6626 or Jenn Shields at jennshields200@yahoo.com or (505) 450-9978. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

McCurdy Children's Story Book Drive

Join in the fun of donating new or gently used children's books during the month of February. Please deposit them in the boxes visible around the church. They will be delivered to McCurdy in person on February 28 at our United Women of Faith Spiritual Retreat at McCurdy.

Charles Johnson Memorial

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to Charles Johnson's Memorial fund. After his funeral expenses were paid, over $800 was donated to the food ministry - a ministry Charles thoroughly enjoyed! Thank you all so much!

Fish Fry Dinner Drink Coordinator

The Drink Coordinator is responsible for staffing and scheduling volunteers, ensuring the drink station is set up and ready on Fridays by 4:00 pm, preparing drinks, and overseeing the drink station during the Fish Fry Dinners. Duties include making coffee, tea, and lemonade, coordinating ice cream service, managing condiments, and maintaining cleanliness. The role requires organizational and communication skills, along with the ability to lead a team. On the job training provided! If you are interested in this coordinator position, please contact Wayne at (505) 294-1018 or jwshirleyabq@gmail.com.

Sharing Love, Hope, & Support for California

We have heard about the wildfires in California and seen the awful devastation on TV since January 7th. With thousands of homes and businesses destroyed, fires still burning, and multitudes of folks suddenly displaced, there are many people saying, “What now?” Both Community UMC in Pacific Palisades and Altadena UMC in Altadena have been destroyed, including both preschools. We want to be able to do something to help everyone who is hurting so much, but what can we do from New Mexico? After contacting Rev. Dr. Denyse Barnes with the California-Pacific Conference of the UMC to find out how our kids can help their kids, we now have a specific focal point. She has suggested donating books to the preschools that will need to be rebuilt and supplied once again. Dr. Barnes has sent a list of specific books that will help little ones to cope with the trauma and emotions they now face as families try to rebuild their lives. St. John’s Children’s & Family Ministries are now collecting books for the preschools in California. Donations of new or gently used books for children ages 5 and under can be dropped off in the front office. If you would like to donate funds to purchase books, please drop off cash or checks (made out to SJUMC with Memo of “California Preschools”) to the front office. Gift cards to Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc. are another option. If you are interested in purchasing one of the specific titles to help children in their healing, please contact Angela Lybarger directly at (505) 250-3875 or childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org. Thanks so much for your help as we wrap our love around God’s children and try to bring them some peace and comfort.

Please Help Family Promise Host Week in February

We need your help for Family Promise host week February 16-23, 2025. Family Promise is a national program that supports homeless families in cities across the United States including Albuquerque. For six weeks during the year, St. John's is responsible for meals brought to the Montgomery site. In addition, we are asked to stay on site for two hours to give relief to the permanent staff. If you would like to pair up with someone to provide a meal and stay for two hours, please contact Jenn or Linn.

To volunteer, click here, or sign up at the Hospitality Center, the Abide service, or contact Jenn Shields at (505) 450-9978 or jennshields200@yahoo.com or Linn Furnish at swimsew@comcast.net. To see more information about Family Promise click here.

Support UNM College Students at the "For the Love of Wesley" Dinner

In support of our local college ministry, the UNM Wesley Foundation, we invite you to For the Love of Wesley - a dinner and fundraiser at Central UMC on Thursday, February 13, at 6:00 PM. Dinner will be COMPLIMENTARY and will include a short presentation about UNM Wesley's work in the lives of students. At the end there will be an opportunity to offer or pledge financial support. 

If you wish to attend this positive, fun, and important event, contact Pastor Josh jkouri@stjohns-abq.org, Nancy Bowen bowenna@earlham.edu, or Alissa Dickey mhdickey723@gmail.com to reserve a spot at one of the St. John's tables. We are excited to share how the Wesley is continuing to grow and reach new students. Thanks for your support and encouragement of our college students at the Wesley Foundation. If your would like to be a front of house server at the dinner, please sign up here.

If you are unable to attend the dinner, but would like to support the Wesley Foundation ministry, you can write a check to Wesley Foundation at UNM, put cash in an offering envelope and clearly note it’s for Wesley Foundation (include your name to have it recorded on your giving statement), or use St. John’s PushPay system (include in the note that the donation is for The Love of Wesley or Wesley Foundation).

Save the Date: Pretzel Day

Come enjoy Pretzel Day! Saturday February 22 starting at 9:00 a.m. Come learn the Christian history of the pretzel as we enjoy making and eating them. We will have crafts to do while our pretzels bake and be done by 12:00 p.m. This is a fun activity for all ages and everyone is welcome!! Contact Linn Furnish with any questions at swimsew@comcast.net.  

Save the Date: Multigenerational Wellness Fair

St. John's will host a Wellness Fair for all ages on Saturday May 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

We are looking for members of the congregation: nurses, docs, OT, PT, dieticians, exercise, and other wellness specialties to be part of this intergenerational wellness fair. Please contact Linn Furnish RN Parish Nurse at swimsew@comcast.net or Rev. Molly Shannon care@stjohns-abq.org if you are interested. Thank you!  

75th Anniversary Celebration Lunches

You are invited to the first of five 75^th Anniversary Celebration Lunches, Sunday, February 16, 2025, beginning at 11:45 a.m. and going until 1:30 p.m. The theme of this lunch is God With Us as We Built a Foundation. We will be celebrating our first 25 years and would especially hope to see members and non-members from that time frame. But we also want our newest attendees (and everyone in-between) to hear about the start of St. John’s UMC, so please come! If you know of former members of St. John’s who attended 1950 - 1975, please share this information with them. Price of the meal is $16 for adult, $10 for ages 12-17, $5 for ages 5 – 11, and under age 5 is free.

Come to this lunch. . .

• to see what St. John’s looked like 75 years ago.
• to observe some of the buildings under construction.
• to talk to people who were part of St. John’s in the early years.
• to learn some history of St. John’s, Albuquerque, New Mexico and beyond from 1950 – 1975.
• to hear anecdotes from a few members who joined between 1950 and 1975.
• to listen to music you may not have heard in years, or maybe ever!
• to look at early artifacts from St. John’s.
• to taste an old-time church potluck favorite.
• to be reminded of your youth, or your parents’ youth, or your grandparents’ youth.
• to take home a little favor to remind you of this first celebration.
• to visit with old friends and make some new friends.

Contact Barbara Stanfield with questions at barbarastanfield@comcast.net.

Where Are They Now?

As St. John's UMC Albuquerque celebrates 75 years, we are reaching out to all children and youth who attended confirmation classes and/or UMYF anytime in the past 75 years. We would love to hear from you, where you are and what you are doing! We plan to include information we receive in a newsletter which will be sent to those who participate. No information will be posted on social media. If you would like more information about this effort and/or how to participate, please contact Donna Bruce at donnabruce@comcast.net.

If you know of other children or youth who have attended St. John’s UMC and won't see this announcement, please feel free to forward this information to them or their parents or friends.

There’s also a youth group reunion for anyone who has ever attended (U)MYF being planned over the July 4 weekend. Watch for more details!

Joy Junction Craft Care Opportunities

St. John’s Children’s & Family Ministry will be joining kids and families at Joy Junction on Saturday, February 8, for some Valentine’s crafting fun. This event is scheduled for Noon – 3:00 p.m. on 2/8, including travel time, crafting, and going out for ice cream together after our crafting adventure. Email Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org or text (505) 250-3875 by January 31 if you are interested in joining us.

Easter Egg Hunt Traveling to McCurdy!

This year the annual St. John’s Easter Egg Hunt event will be held at McCurdy Ministries Community Center in Espanola! We are excited to partner with Tiffany Hollums and McCurdy to share the excitement and blessings of Easter with children and families in the Espanola area. This event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 12 – time to be determined. St. John’s Children’s & Family Ministry will be sharing games, fellowship, and of course Easter eggs for hunting fun for kids of all ages! If you would like to help us & join in the fun, please contact Angela Lybarger at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org. More information (and candy requests) coming soon.

"True North" Vacation Bible School

Believe it or not, planning for VBS 2025 has begun! This summer our children & volunteers will be experiencing Jesus in the wilderness of Alaska. Vacation Bible School is the largest annual mission opportunity we have through St. John’s Children’s & Family Ministry program. We are trying a different approach this year that will hopefully allow more kiddos and volunteers alike to participate in the blessings & adventures of VBS. Mark your calendars now and consider including TRUE NORTH in your summer plans! VBS will be held June 9 - 13, from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. each day, with a light supper available daily for all participants. More exciting information to follow soon!

Sunday School

Sunday School proceeds this semester as we continue watching a video series by Rob Bell. All students from grades 6 to 12 are welcome to join us in room 258 during the 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning worship service to watch, learn and discuss.

Youth Group

Before spending the weekdays in class and doing homework, spend your Sunday evenings with us at Youth Group. Sunday afternoons starting at 4:00 p.m. in the FLC and going until 6:00 p.m. Enjoy games, snacks, fellowship, and discuss how faith can help us navigate our daily lives. Bring a friend and let’s have some fun!

Families of Faith

Families of Faith will occur most Wednesdays during the school year. We have shifted activities just a little to better meet family scheduling needs. Please feel free to give feedback & let us know if the changes are helpful for your family at childrensdirector@stjohns-abq.org. Thank you!

Prayer Quilt

Gail Robertson 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 Gail. Won't be in the Center this week? No worries, either way please pray this prayer (or your own prayer) for Gail. "Heavenly Father, we pray for the health and well-being of Gail. Bless her with vitality, joy and a body that is resilient. May your healing touch be upon her, restoring strength and bringing comfort. In Jesus's name. Amen.”

January Special Offering and Collection:

The Rock at Noonday

"No Act of Kindness, No Matter How Small, is Ever Wasted"

"A hand up, not just a hand out!" The Rock has been helping the homeless in Albuquerque for over 30 years. Not only do they provide meals, but they provide hygiene services (showers, haircuts, clean clothes) and spiritual guidance (Bible studies, prayer groups, one-on-one meetings) legal help, mail services and more. The Rock leads the way to a future of success for many vulnerable people. "For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me" - Matthew 28:35. This is an opportunity to give generously to help the very least of these in our community.

Following are items we are collecting for The Rock during January. Please place your donations in the bins in the Hospitality Center. THANK YOU!!!

• Used men's pants are in great need
• New Men’s and Women’s Underwear, all sizes are needed
• Bars of Soap
• Shampoo/Conditioner/Lotion; travel size will work, or a larger size can be portioned out
• Pantry Items: Cup of soup (ramen), pop-top cans, and ready-to-eat foods that don’t require warming
• Other Essentials: Bottled water, Walmart bags, or similar bags for use to pack groceries. 

Our worship services are livestreamed so you can watch them from home. To watch a worship service live, click on the service that you would like to watch on Sunday morning at its scheduled time.

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 Rev. Molly Shannon’s church office phone 505-883-9717, ext. 127 – or email care@stjohns-abq.org and she will respond as soon as possible.