Updates Beginning 13 September 2026

Today is Rally Sunday!  Our thanks to Coro Lux (our ensemble in residence) for joining us today. Following worship, please join us in Fellowship Hall for our Town Hall Potluck.  This will be a chance to enjoy a meal together and collect our thoughts on our congregational vocation. 
Next Sunday, 20 September is God's Work Our Hands!  This ELCA-wide annual day of celebration helps us to re-up on our service in the world.  For us this day, we'll again gather in the Fellowship Hall after worship, and engage in a group project putting our own hands to work.   Our Partner, Abbey Reed, Director of Neighboring at Central United Methodist, will speak and lead us in putting together 400 Hygiene Kits for CNM, UNM, Enlace, and Blue Door Neighborhood Center.  I fully trust the Spirit to provide lots of opportunities for camaraderie and learning more about supporting our community!
Proudly wear your St. Paul or God’s Work Our Hands tshirt both Sundays! (We still have some St. Paul ones available in the office.) ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Remembering the Saints, November 1. All Saints will be upon us before we know it! The Visual Choir will once again be hanging our All Saints photo banners. Many of you have loved ones (Our Saints) represented on these memorial collages. They have proven to be very effective in remembering those who have gone before us!
For anyone who would like to add a photo of someone who has died this year, please bring or email your photo with all of the pertinent information. Your photos will be printed in black and white for the banners and will be displayed on our "Dia de los Muertos" ofrenda, in color or as you provide. You will have your photo returned to you unharmed.
There will be a box in the Welcome Center for you to submit them (or hand them to me, Jo Browning, Karen Bunch, Kathy Callahan, Teresa Dubuque, Shirley Nilsson, or Matt Pettersen) or email them to: janobowers68@gmail.com by Sunday, October 18. Thank you! ~Jan Bowers

Please help our ushers! When passing the offering baskets, please help our ushers keep them moving down the row.  We only have a few ushers and even using one half of the sanctuary we are often spread out. If anyone would like to become an usher, please speak to Matt, Buzz, or Jeff. We always welcome new participants in our worship! ~Terry Cole for Worship and Music

Come Sing with the St. Paul Choir!  Choir rehearsals are underway at St. Paul Lutheran Church! We meet Fridays from 8:45-9:45 a.m. in the Choir Room.
Everyone is welcome to join! Our choir is low-pressure, welcoming place to make music together. Whether you have years of singing experience or simply enjoy making music, there is a place for you in our choir! Come sing, make music, and share in fellowship with our St. Paul community.
If you are interested in joining us or have any questions, please reach out or talk to me, Riley Abbott (Director of Music Ministries) at music@stpaulabq.org. 

General Election on 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 here next Sunday, 20 September! I will be set up in the Hospitality Center, and you can quickly accomplish this task.  There will also be a laptop there if you want to check your registration status.  Voting is your SUPERPOWER as a citizen...please vote this year! ~Jane Voelkel

The St. Paul Directory is Coming! The St. Paul Directory Team is working on a major St Paul goal: to update the St. Paul congregation database and to put together a 2026 directory.
In the last month, we identified database individuals who will be archived and those we will include in the 2026 directory. Over the next month, after Sunday services, we will review and update address, phone, and email information and take pictures of directory individuals. You can also choose to limit the information that will go in the directory.
The Directory Team will begin gathering directory information and taking pictures after service on September 20 and will continue gathering information through September. Keep an eye out for a table in the Narthex Welcome Center. We will also reach out to directory individuals who do not attend services. Finally, you can contact me on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday at the church office to update your info or to get your picture taken.
Directories will be available later this fall. You will be able to request a printed directory. You will also be able to view online the basic records (phone, email, address) of congregation individuals who have granted access.
Please reach out to me, Nancy Matthews, Paula Eglinton, or Kathi Boissiere with questions. ~Sally Trigg, Projects Coordinator

Calling All Knitters & Crocheters: Prayer Shawls. St. Paul has an ongoing prayer shawl ministry. The shawls are kept in a basket in the Narthex and everyone who attends church is encouraged to take one to any person that is or has been hospitalized, just had a baby, is seriously ill or just needs a warm, soft blanket to cuddle in. However, our basket is low! We have yarn available to pick up as well as patterns. If you are a knitter or crocheter, please consider making some shawls for our basket! ~Sharon Hamilton

Engraved Brick Pavers: Have you noticed the engraved bricks in the landscaped entrance to our church? Many years ago, we invited you to purchase an engraved brick to remember a loved one or to honor someone in your life. That offer is still good…there are lots of bricks ready to be personalized. The cost for one engraved and installed brick is $75. Contact me if you are interested at 505-363-2284 or peglinton@comcast.net. ~Paula Eglinton

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Film Screening: “American Doctor” (2026, 93 min):

Get Your Season Tickets Before Time Runs Out! Available through September 15th. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy all our shows at a discounted price! Choose between a standard season ticket or our Deluxe Package, including A Candlelight Messiah. Special senior prices available for those 60 and over. Visit abqcorolux.org for more details.

This Saturday:

You're invited to Rio Grande Food Project's 11th Annual Hike to End Hunger & Community Festival on 17 October, 10am-12:30pm! Gather with RGFP's staff, board, volunteers, friends, partners, and community members at Pat Hurley Park Lower Loop (3828 Rincon Rd NW Albuquerque, NM 87105) for a fun-filled morning of lawn games, face painting, local food, partner activities, and a heart-healthy walk while learning more about RGFP's critical food security work. Online Registration is OPEN & FREE! https://rgfp.networkforgood.com/events/103362-11th-hike-to-end-hunger? (We highly encourage pre-registration to help us plan our event)

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Every Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner has a story to tell—and we are excited to share another RIC Impact Story with you.
          Find the latest story on the ReconcilingWorks Stories of Impact webpage, a place dedicated to highlighting the ways RIC Partners are transforming their congregations, communities, and the lives of the people they serve.
          These stories are more than milestones. They are testimonies of faithful ministry rooted in welcome, inclusion, celebration, advocacy, racial equity, and anti-racism. They showcase communities where LGBTQIA+ people are embraced as beloved children of God, where courageous conversations lead to meaningful change, and where public commitments become lived expressions of God's love and justice.
          Each month, we'll feature a new story from an RIC Partner across the United States or Canada. Whether it's a congregation deepening its welcome, a campus ministry creating belonging, a synod leading with courage, or a community making an impact beyond its walls, we hope these stories will encourage, inspire, and remind us of what is possible when people faithfully live out God's call to justice and love.
          Visit the Stories of Impact webpage today and read our newest featured story. As you explore these stories, we invite you to share them with your congregation, friends, and community. Together, we can celebrate the incredible witness of Reconciling in Christ Partners and inspire even more communities to live into God's vision of welcome and belonging for all.
          Thank you for being part of this movement. We look forward to sharing a new story with you every month.
https://www.reconcilingworks.org/ric/stories-of-impact/

Urgent: New Rule Could Put Refugee Families in Immediate Danger.
Policymakers at every level of government need to hear from their constituents before the rule goes into effect. We need your help right now.
          The administration is preparing to release a new rule that appears aimed at taking away or shortening the only notice refugees get before the government tries to end their status. Because this type of rule takes effect immediately once published, leaders must act quickly to prevent serious harm.
          Refugee families that have fled war and persecution could face sudden detention, family separation, loss of housing and jobs, interrupted medical care, and re-traumatization.
          Communities would feel the impact too — disrupted workplaces, closed small businesses, reduced local revenue, and increased strain on schools and hospitals.
          More than 200,000 refugees have arrived since FY 2021, and many are still waiting for their green cards due to long delays. 
          This is a critical moment. Leaders at all levels of government must speak out — and they need to hear from you.
          Thank you for acting quickly and for standing with refugees.
https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/campaign/169243/

From Lutheran World Relief: Our team in Nepal always works hard to help families overcome poverty. But since the massive landslide and flash flood on August 26, they’ve been working day and night to provide relief to families affected by the disaster.
          This tragedy killed more than 1,000 people, and more than 4,400 remain missing. Bridges, power sources and other critical infrastructure were destroyed, and some estimates say more than 84,000 people are affected by the damage and loss.
          Meanwhile, our Humanitarian Action and Nepal teams began coordinating with local government officials to ensure our relief efforts are meeting the most important needs. 
          On September 4, Lutheran World Relief staff assembled and distributed essential supplies for families who lost their homes in the hard-hit Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. This distribution included hygiene supplies for 500 families and clothing for 1,500 people. Each package of hygiene supplies included 20 different items, including soap, towels, toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs, a clothesline and clothespins, menstrual supplies, a flashlight and more.
          Clean water is an immense need for families in the flood zones. For these families, your love also looks like two 5,000-liter water tanks with pipes and taps that will be delivered in early September to communities in great need. 
          In collaboration with local agencies, LWR also identified a need for sturdy temporary shelter for families who lost their homes. This is likely to be heavy-duty tents that can protect families from freezing temperatures, rain, snow and high winds as cooler seasons approach. 
          LWR continues to coordinate closely with local government officials to ensure that the emergency supplies we provide align with the broader relief effort — and that they reach the families who need them most.
https://lwr.org/ 

Updates Beginning 6 September 2026

Next Sunday, 13 September is Rally Sunday!  It's a time to regroup after a busy, travel-filled summer.  Coro Lux (our ensemble in residence) will join us, providing special music as a thank you for sharing our space for their choir rehearsals and concerts.  Please bring your favorite dish to share for a Town Hall Potluck following worship in the Fellowship Hall.  This will be a chance to enjoy a meal together and collect our thoughts on our congregational vocation. 
20 September is God's Work Our Hands!  This ELCA-wide annual day of celebration helps us to re-up on our service in the world.  For us this day, we'll again gather in the Fellowship Hall after worship, and engage in a group project putting our own hands to work.   Our Partner, Abbey Reed, Director of Neighboring at Central United Methodist, will speak and lead us in putting together 400 Hygiene Kits for CNM, UNM, Enlace, and Blue Door Neighborhood Center.  I fully trust the Spirit to provide lots of opportunities for camaraderie and learning more about supporting our community!
Proudly wear your St. Paul or God’s Work Our Hands tshirt both Sundays! (We still have some St. Paul ones available in the office.) ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

This Week: It is time for ice cream again. Come and meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 1:30PM.  We decided to switch the location to Burque Licks, 4207 Lomas NE (between Washington and Carlisle)  Hope to see you there this Wednesday, Sept 9th. ~Herb Korff

Come Sing with the St. Paul Choir!  Choir rehearsals are underway at St. Paul Lutheran Church! We meet Fridays from 8:45-9:45 a.m. in the Choir Room.
Everyone is welcome to join! Our choir is low-pressure, welcoming place to make music together. Whether you have years of singing experience or simply enjoy making music, there is a place for you in our choir! Come sing, make music, and share in fellowship with our St. Paul community.
If you are interested in joining us or have any questions, please reach out or talk to me, Riley Abbott (Director of Music Ministries) at music@stpaulabq.org. 

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews 

The St. Paul Directory is Coming! The St. Paul Directory Team is working on a major St Paul goal: to update the St. Paul congregation database and to put together a 2026 directory.
In the last month, we identified database individuals who will be archived and those we will include in the 2026 directory. Over the next month, after Sunday services, we will review and update address, phone, and email information and take pictures of directory individuals. You can also choose to limit the information that will go in the directory.
The Directory Team will begin gathering directory information and taking pictures after services on September 6 or 13 and will continue gathering information through September. Keep an eye out for a table in the Narthex Welcome Center. We will also reach out to directory individuals who do not attend services.
Finally, you can contact me on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday at the church office to update your info or to get your picture taken.
Directories will be available later this fall. You will be able to request a printed directory. You will also be able to view online the basic records (phone, email, address) of congregation individuals who have granted access.
Please reach out to me, Nancy Matthews, Paula Eglinton, or Kathi Boissiere with questions. ~Sally Trigg, Projects Coordinator

Love God Love Neighbor: St Chad's is excited to host the first Love God Love Neighbor Multi-Church Youth Collaborative event for the new school year!
What: Join us to create hygiene bags for A Light in The Night Community Outreach, which supports people experiencing homelessness.  We will also be playing Gaga ball!
Who: Youth (middle and high schoolers, 5th graders welcome)
When: Sunday, September 13th,  12:30-2:00pm
Where:  St Chad's Episcopal Church
7171 Tennyson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122
(St. Chad's will not be providing lunch.)
To Do:
1-Please let me know if you have 5th - 12th grade students who want to attend.
2-We’d love it if you could contribute! …we need travel size (3.2 ounce) mouthwashes. We will have a donation box starting next week (in the Welcome Center on Sundays and in the office during the week). Please let me know if you have any questions! ~Darra Kingsley at 505-333-8509, or intern@stpaulabq.org.

Calling All Knitters & Crocheters: Prayer Shawls. St. Paul has an ongoing prayer shawl ministry. The shawls are kept in a basket in the Narthex and everyone who attends church is encouraged to take one to any person that is or has been hospitalized, just had a baby, is seriously ill or just needs a warm, soft blanket to cuddle in. However, our basket is low! We have yarn available to pick up as well as patterns. If you are a knitter or crocheter, please consider making some shawls for our basket! ~Sharon Hamilton

Engraved Brick Pavers: Have you noticed the engraved bricks in the landscaped entrance to our church? Many years ago, we invited you to purchase an engraved brick to remember a loved one or to honor someone in your life. That offer is still good…there are lots of bricks ready to be personalized. The cost for one engraved and installed brick is $75. Contact me if you are interested at 505-363-2284 or peglinton@comcast.net. ~Paula Eglinton

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

This Friday: Church Women United will be meeting on September 11th for our Human Rights Day program. We will meet at First Presbyterian Church (215 Locust St. NE) at 9:30 a.m. The theme is “Truth is Power”. Our speaker will be Rev. Shelley Repp of the NM Dream Center. She will educate us on the issue of human trafficking, especially as it involves our youth. In addition, a Human Rights Award will be given. In addition, we’re taking up a collection of snack items and drinks for their teenage clientele…protein bars, cheese crackers, trail mix, M & M’s, cookies, potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. Drinks to include juices—mango, apple, orange and carbonated drinks such as Coca Cola, Ginger Ale, Sprite, etc. See you there….and bring a friend!

Get Your Season Tickets Before Time Runs Out! Available through September 15th. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy all our shows at a discounted price! Choose between a standard season ticket or our Deluxe Package, including A Candlelight Messiah. Special senior prices available for those 60 and over. Visit abqcorolux.org for more details.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

What's Going on at Lutheran Family Services RMS – ABQ
School is now in session and thanks to the support of all of you, we were able to give out 150 backpacks loaded with school supplies.
          We want to offer a special thank you to Interfaith Los Alamos for their donation of 45 backpacks filled with school supplies and a generous donation of $600 in gift cards to the Refugee School Impact Program. Volunteer David Izraelevitz delivered the backpacks and the gift cards to our office in August.
          We are proud of the support that we are able to offer to our refugee families, and your generosity is a huge factor in our success! 
Our backpacks for middle and high school students included headphones, a water bottle, a calculator (scientific calculators for high school students), Purell wipes, tape, Kleenex, pencils, pens, highlighters, a pencil sharpener, a ruler, notebooks, folders, graph paper, and index cards.

Client Success Story: Nay Win Aung and Gracie Toe.
Nay and his wife Gracie Toe used to run a student hostel in their home country. The community-style hostel housed six to seven students in each room and in addition to managing the property, the two also prepared sushi for the students every day. Throughout years of this work, they honed strong skills in culinary arts and business management.
Unfortunately, the government seized the property where they ran their business, and they were forced to leave. In the United States, Nay began his new life working at Amazon, but the two have worked diligently to secure an opportunity to operate a sushi stand inside Albertson's.
          Before opening, they hosted a tasting event in order to introduce their potential new customers to their delightful sushi rolls and generate excitement in the community. The positive response they received confirmed that there is a strong demand for authentic, high-quality sushi.
          During the first two weeks of operation, their Zenshi stand generated approximately $12,000 in sales and each day, they prepare fresh sushi with pride and excitement for what is to come. Gracie Toe and Nay dream of purchasing a standalone sushi restaurant which will allow the business to grow into a full-service operation.
          Nay and Gracie Toe are reminders that success isn't linear, and it isn't about where you start, success stems from finding the exceptional courage and stamina to start again. We're stoked for Nay and Gracie Toe, and our Micro-Enterprise Development program is available to help them at every step of their business journey.
          Be sure to stop by the Zenshi stand inside the Albertson's at 10131 Coors Rd and say hi to Nay and Gracie Toe while purchasing some of their delicious sushi!

This unusually hot and dry growing season continues to present challenges for the clients at Tres Hermanas Farm. However, the hard work is paying off. One of our clients is enjoying the okra they have planted, especially for its value in aiding the treatment of diabetes. Other clients are beginning to harvest cucumbers and eggplant. The cooling weather has brought cheerier-looking crops, and the farm managers are beginning to plant cold-season crops such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, peas, and Tokyo bekana.
          Volunteer hours at the farm are Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and are open to anyone. 
Contact Cally Tate for directions if you want to help but have never been: treshermanasfarm@lfsrm.org. 
          At Tres Hermanas Farm, we also welcome volunteer groups. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and community involvement, please contact us at treshermanasfarm@lfsrm.org. 
          If you would like to support the work of Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains through a monetary donation, please visit the Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains website to use the donation portal. If making a donation for Tres Hermanas Farm, please include "Tres Hermanas" in the donation description. lfsrm.org

Lawmakers are once again considering the SAVE America Act (S. 1383) attached to multiple legislative vehicles. Lawmakers should be aware of the challenge these attempts pose to eligible voters.
          Over 10,000 messages have been sent to Congress through the ELCA Action Center to reject voting barriers, and we thank you for your continued advocacy!
          Following a spring executive order targeting access to mail-in voting and removal of Election Assistance Commission leadership (EAC), ongoing litigation has renewed concern for the uncertainty voters may face this November. The order – directing the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with the Social Security Administration in compiling state-specific lists of sensitive voter information – and recently published USPS final rule add to the concerning threats to local and state rights to administer elections. Additionally, harmful provisions from the SAVE America Act have returned, attached to multiple vehicles. This provides a timely opportunity to ask Congress to respond to these threats and oppose restricting access to voting.
          The SAVE America Act (S. 1383) would create far-reaching changes to federal voting law. Changes would include adding requirements for voters to provide burdensome proof of eligibility, including documentary proof of U.S. citizenship like birth certificates, to register to vote and stricter photo identification, such as passport requirements, for casting a ballot. These changes would not make any noticeable change to election security. By making it harder to both prove eligibility and register to vote, the adjustments would disproportionately impact rural, low-income and marginalized communities, and members of Tribal Nations.
          The ELCA affirms voter participation as an exercise in citizenship and condemns efforts to restrict access for all – especially low-income communities which are often left out of the election process. As developments regarding proposed changes for mail-in ballots and consideration of restrictive Voter ID legislation continue, lawmakers should be aware of the challenges these attempts pose to eligible voters.
          Urge Congress to oppose the SAVE America Act and vote NO on any attempt to include similar language in upcoming legislation.
https://act.elca.org/page/93823/action/1?

Demand Congress Act to Protect TPS for Ukrainians
Four and a half years since the full-scale Russian invasion, the war in Ukraine remains the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II and one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises today.
          Over 250,000 Ukrainians arrived in the United States after the Russian invasion began in 2022. More than 100,000 Ukrainians—both those in the United States before the invasion and those who arrived shortly thereafter—have been approved for Temporary Protected Status.
          TPS has provided a lawful immigration status for Ukrainians while their home country endures armed conflict and other extraordinary, dangerous conditions that make returns unsafe.
          Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine expires on October 19. If the TPS Ukraine designation is not extended next month, tens of thousands of Ukrainians will be stripped of their status and will lose their work authorization. If the designation is not redesignated, thousands of others who should be eligible for TPS will face further uncertainty and ever-dwindling options for lawful status.
          Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have urged the administration to keep and extend the protections of TPS for Ukrainians.
          Let’s keep up the momentum and pressure to urge lawmakers to push DHS and Sec. Mullin to redesignate and extend TPS for Ukraine before its October 19, 2026, expiration.
https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/campaign/168885/

This Week: Bread for the World: Want to learn more about where critical legislation related to ending hunger stands in Congress and what you can do locally right now? Join Bread for the World’s government relations team on Thursday, September 10 at 8pm ET for the September 2026 National Legislative Update. Register at: https://go.bread.org/page/100139/survey/1?

From Lutheran World Relief: We don’t yet know the extent of the lives lost, or how many homes and farms were destroyed by this massive landslide and flood.
We do know that for thousands of people, this terrible moment is only the beginning of their suffering.
In an instant, thousands of people lost everything, and they will be displaced for a long time. In Christ, your loving compassion can help us provide:

• Emergency shelter for displaced households

• Safe drinking water

• Food assistance

• Sanitation and hygiene support

• Emergency supplies

• First aid and medical care

• And much more.

Our team in Nepal is already in action, and we need prayerful and compassionate people like you to join us. Give at:
https://lwr.org/

Anchored Through the U.S. Election Season-A Free Five-Week Labyrinth Series Hosted by The Legacy Labyrinth Project. In times of uncertainty, the labyrinth offers a path to stillness, perspective, and renewed connection.
This fall, The Legacy Labyrinth Project invites participants to Anchored Through the U.S. Election Season, a free five-week online labyrinth journey designed to help us navigate a season of heightened emotions with greater presence, compassion, and resilience.
Each session combines reflective practices, facilitated conversation, and a guided labyrinth experience to explore themes including:

• Grounding ourselves amid uncertainty

• Clarifying the values that anchor us

• Strengthening community across differences

• Discovering meaningful ways to serve

• Reflecting together after the election and carrying wisdom forward

Whether you are an experienced labyrinth facilitator or someone seeking a quiet place to reflect, this series offers a welcoming space to slow down, reconnect with what matters most, and walk together in community.
Hosted by The Legacy Labyrinth Project, this series draws on the timeless wisdom of the labyrinth as a tool for reflection, healing, and transformation.
Five weekly online gatherings in 2026: 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4      
7-8:30 EDT (Note: 11/4 is ET)
https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/anchored
[And come walk the St. Paul labyrinth during this period as well!]

Many families in our care have experienced extremely traumatic events as part of their immigration journey. Some have endured physical and emotional hardships. Others have survived life-threatening danger. And it’s our job to help them get on the road to healing.
Through Global Refuge’s mental health program, Serving Trauma-Affected Refugees (STAR), our highly trained staff helps children and families process trauma, rebuild stability, and begin healing. But now, this program is in danger of ending.
Federal funding for the STAR program ends on September 30, and unless we can raise $126,195 to replace it, vital mental health services may no longer be available to the families receiving them right now.
To help meet our goal in time, a generous donor has offered to match the first $25,000 in gifts, dollar for dollar, so your gifts will go twice as far.
https://secured.globalrefuge.org/page/99999/donate/1?

Updates Beginning 30 August 2026

Continuing Today: St. Paul 101 - Sunday August 30th. Want to learn more about Martin Luther and/or St. Paul (1st Century)? Not sure what it means to be Christian in this complex world? Or want to have some conversation about being a Lutheran at St. Paul Lutheran Church?  Then St. Paul 101 is the right place for you!  We'll meet right after worship. Grab some snacks and join us down in the Fellowship Hall!  Come to one or all sessions.  Bring your questions.  Bring your littles.  We're looking forward to our time together. ~Pr. Koppel & Darra Kingsley, Pastoral Intern

13 September is Rally Sunday!  It's a time to regroup after a busy, travel-filled summer.  Coro Lux (our ensemble in residence) will join us, providing special music as a thank you for sharing our space for their choir rehearsals and concerts.  Please bring your favorite dish to share for a Town Hall Potluck following worship in the Fellowship Hall.  This will be a chance to enjoy a meal together and collect our thoughts on our congregational vocation. 
20 September is God's Work Our Hands!  This ELCA-wide annual day of celebration helps us to re-up on our service in the world.  For us this day, we'll again gather in the Fellowship Hall after worship, and engage in a group project putting our own hands to work.   Our Partner, Abbey Reed, Director of Neighboring at Central United Methodist, will speak and lead us in putting together 400 Hygiene Kits for CNM, UNM, Enlace, and Blue Door Neighborhood Center.  I fully trust the Spirit to provide lots of opportunities for camaraderie and learning more about supporting our community! ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Roof Replacement Update (over the offices, Fellowship Hall, and Calico): The roof project has begun! Note that the northwest driveway is now completely blocked off – drivers will use the northeast driveway for both entrance and exit. Please be mindful to slow down-the posted speed is 5 mph and should be observed due to traffic in both directions, with the added issue of preschool families dropping off/picking up their children. This project is anticipated to last 8 weeks, so into mid-October. Let’s keep St. Paul’s campus safe during this time! ~Deborah Ash

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

The St. Paul Directory is Coming! The St Paul Directory Team is working on a major St Paul goal: to update the St Paul congregation database and to put together a 2026 directory.
In the last month, we identified database individuals who will be archived and those we will include in the 2026 directory. Over the next month, after Sunday services, we will review and update address, phone, and email information and take pictures of directory individuals. You can also choose to limit the information that will go in the directory.
The Directory Team will begin gathering directory information and taking pictures after services on September 6 or 13 and will continue gathering information through September. Keep an eye out for a table in the Narthex Welcome Center. We will also reach out to directory individuals who do not attend services. Finally, you can contact me on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday at the church office to update your info or to get your picture taken.
Directories will be available later this fall. You will be able to request a printed directory. You will also be able to view online the basic records (phone, email, address) of congregation individuals who have granted access.
Please reach out to me, Nancy Matthews, Paula Eglinton, or Kathi Boissiere with questions. ~Sally Trigg, Projects Coordinator

Love God Love Neighbor: St Chad's is excited to host the first Love God Love Neighbor Multi-Church Youth Collaborative event for the new school year!
What: Join us to create hygiene bags for A Light in The Night Community Outreach, which supports people experiencing homelessness.  We will also be playing Gaga ball!
Who: Youth (middle and high schoolers, 5th graders welcome)
When: Sunday, September 13th,  12:30-2:00pm
Where:  St Chad's Episcopal Church
7171 Tennyson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122
(St. Chad's will not be providing lunch.)
To Do:
1-Please let me know if you have 5th - 12th grade students who want to attend.
2-We’d love it if you could contribute! …we need travel size (3.2 ounce) mouthwashes. We will have a donation box starting next week (in the Welcome Center on Sundays and in the office during the week). Please let me know if you have any questions! ~Darra Kingsley at 505-333-8509, or intern@stpaulabq.org.

Calling All Knitters & Crocheters: Prayer Shawls. St. Paul has an ongoing prayer shawl ministry. The shawls are kept in a basket in the Narthex and everyone who attends church is encouraged to take one to any person that is or has been hospitalized, just had a baby, is seriously ill or just needs a warm, soft blanket to cuddle in. However, our basket is low! We have yarn available for pick up as well as patterns. If you are a knitter or crocheter, please consider making some shawls for our basket! ~Sharon Hamilton

Adopted Families Update: Health Care for the Homeless provides services for people needing support of all kinds. Because of the Adopted Families Fund here at St. Paul, now the support HCH can offer includes the ability for people to get a bus ticket home. Home might mean family or a safer living opportunity. We have provided $440 for 3 people to travel this month.
August was a challenging month for one family who had an apartment fire and lost clothing and household possessions. Adopted Families gave them cash to help replace needed goods. Your donations are making a difference. Thank you. ~Paula Eglinton

Engraved Brick Pavers: Have you noticed the engraved bricks in the landscaped entrance to our church? Many years ago, we invited you to purchase an engraved brick to remember a loved one or to honor someone in your life. That offer is still good…there are lots of bricks ready to be personalized. The cost for one engraved and installed brick is $75.
Contact me if you are interested at 505-363-2284 or peglinton@comcast.net. ~Paula Eglinton

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

From Local Partner Organizations

El Faro Youth Chorus is part of ABQ Coro Lux, directed by Joe Mitchell with Riley Abbott at the piano. They are open to all young singers, from 2nd through 12th grades. El Faro rehearses here at St. Paul every Monday and they're accepting new singers until August 31st. Kids under 11 rehearse 4:15pm-5:30pm, kids 11+ rehearse 5:00pm-6:30pm. Please reach out to quiara@abqcorolux.org for more information!

From Faithworks:

• Kitchenware to St Andrew. Dishes, pots & pans, bowls,  and cutlery. These free items are greatly needed by folks coming out of shelters and newly setting up house. Bring your re-usable kitchenware to the front door of St Andrew, 5301 Ponderosa NE, 87110 Tuesday-Thursday 8:00-2:00. Please call before coming: 505 881 9626.

• Connecting Networks with New Mexico IAF.  NMIAF is rebuilding a broad-based community organizing effort in Albuquerque. We believe we can cultivate politics that are rooted in relationships and strong enough to tackle the diverse challenges that we all face. All faith communities are invited to join this effort now as we focus on building relationships between organizations, committees, ministries, and congregations. Help us determine the shape of our collaboration and future direction. Email the Rev. Mike Angell mangell@stmichaelsabq.org or core team member Lizzy Gore lizzy.gore.iaf@gmail.com

• Trunk Sale 9/19 at St Michael's for Navajoland. A rummage sale from the trunks of cars will 100% benefit people in Navajoland. Contact Bruce Roach brroachrm@gmail.com beforehand to sell items, or come and buy! Flyer attached.

https://pro.gofundme.com/event/storehouse-2026-charity-golf-tournament/e804278

Tickets at: https://pro.gofundme.com/event/storehouse-empty-bowls-2026/e803081

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

A Call to be Trusted Messengers in this Election Season from Bishop Curry:
August 19, 2026
Dear church,
In an interview after I was elected, I reflected on my experience as a mission developer, saying, “It is not about what you think you’re bringing into the community. It’s who you are in the community. The minute we showed that we cared is really when the community adopted us. People don’t care about what you know till they know that you care, and that was the biggest learning for me.”
          Faithful. Informed. Engaged. This refrain captures a vision for Lutheran Christians living out their baptismal calling in the election season and beyond. Faith grounds us in God’s promises, and Christ sends us forth to love our neighbors and serve the world. Being informed equips us to address complex issues with wisdom, discernment and integrity. Being engaged reminds us that our participation in civic life is a key way we love and serve our neighbors. Our public witness is rooted in faith, guided by honesty and expressed through active citizenship.
          ELCA ministries and leaders already play vital roles during election seasons. You register voters, provide rides to the polls, open your buildings as polling places and advocate for voting rights. Thank you! This year, I invite you to embrace an additional role to help strengthen our democracy: serving as trusted messengers in your communities.
          Our church can be “all together in one place” as a powerful witness for truth, love of neighbor and honesty. False information remains a persistent challenge during elections. It can spread rapidly, undermining confidence in the electoral process and discouraging participation. Grounded in the commandment not to bear false witness, our churches and faith leaders are uniquely positioned to help address this challenge by seeking out and sharing accurate information and correcting misinformation when it arises. In a time when trust is often in short supply, serving as trusted sources of wisdom and guidance is a meaningful form of Christian witness. By helping our neighbors access accurate information and engage confidently in the democratic process, we live out our faith through responsible civic engagement and service to the common good.

___________________________________________________________________ 

“Healthy civic engagement depends on clear distinctions between fact and all forms of falsehood, ranging from partial misstatements to intentional disinformation to outright lies. … Our church, then, encourages us all to ask, in every personal interaction and on social media, whether our words or those we repeat represent the best possible understanding of our neighbor.” 
— ELCA social statement Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All (p. 62)

_____________________________________________________________________

The ELCA offers a variety of resources to help congregations and individuals be trusted messengers. (At: https://www.elca.org/how-we-serve/elca-in-society/civic-engagement)
          The new “ELCA Election Engagement Toolkit” provides guidance on topics that include serving as trusted messengers, engaging in election protection and modeling love of neighbor in polarized communities. (A tool kit launch webinar on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 12:30 p.m. Central time will provide an introduction to action steps and themes grounded in our Lutheran tradition.)
          Through the “ELCA Civic Engagement Guide,” you can access materials on voter education, voter registration, candidate forums, legal guidelines for congregations, voting rights and ways to encourage participation in local communities. 
          I invite you to take faithful steps this election year:

• Register to vote if you have not already done so and check your registration to make sure it is up-to-date. Use the “Prepared to Vote Checklist” to think through local voting requirements. 

• Learn about the issues, ballot measures and candidates that will shape your community. Participate in respectful conversations.

• Check sources of information before sharing it in conversations or online. 

• Pray for those who serve in public office, for election workers and for all who will exercise the privilege of voting. Create spaces for faithful, open conversation with voters, candidates or neighbors in your community. 

• Encourage your family members, friends and neighbors to take part in the democratic process.

Be faithful, informed and engaged as disciples of Jesus seeking the well-being of our neighbors and the common good of the communities God has entrusted to our care. Every act of informed participation, every conversation marked by grace and every vote cast with prayerful discernment is an opportunity to bear witness to God’s love in the world.
In Christ,
The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

From Bread for the World: Want to learn more about where critical legislation related to ending hunger stands in Congress and what you can do locally right now? Join Bread for the World’s government relations team on Thursday, September 10 at 8pm ET for the September 2026 National Legislative Update. Register at: https://go.bread.org/page/100139/survey/1?

Want some inspiration about nonpartisan civic engagement in an election year? Join us on Thu. Sep. 3 from 1-1:30 p.m. ET (with an optional 15-minute Q&A following) to explore action steps and themes with ELCA leaders building from the new ELCA Election Engagement Toolkit (https://give.elca.org/s/5923542/6bS4DeBD). Register at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EJRoWU0sSTuVatD5W4R3qw#/registration

As backpacks are packed, classrooms prepared, and a new school year begins, ReconcilingWorks holds in prayer all who are stepping into this season of learning, growing, teaching, and becoming.

God of wisdom, wonder, and boundless love,
Be with every child and young person beginning a new school year. May they enter their classrooms knowing they are beloved exactly as they are. Give them curiosity to learn, courage to ask questions, friendships that bring joy, and communities where they feel safe, seen, celebrated, and valued.
          Bless the teachers, educators, counselors, administrators, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, coaches, and school staff who care for students each day. Give them patience, creativity, compassion, and the resources they need to nurture every learner.
          Be with parents, guardians, caregivers, and families as they encourage, support, worry, celebrate, pack lunches, navigate schedules, and walk alongside their young people.
          May our schools be places where every student—of every race, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression—knows they belong.
+     When the year feels overwhelming, grant rest.
+     When someone feels alone, bring connection.
+     When injustice appears, give us courage to speak and act.
+     When there is joy, help us celebrate abundantly.
          Holy One, go with all who begin this new school year. Surround them with love, guide them with wisdom, and remind them each day:
You are beloved. You are seen. You belong.
Amen.
From all of us at ReconcilingWorks, blessings for a safe, joyful, affirming, and wonder-filled school year. 

From Lutheran World Relief: Nepal Disaster: We don’t yet know the extent of the lives lost, or how many homes and farms were destroyed by this massive landslide and flood.
We do know that for thousands of people, this terrible moment is only the beginning of their suffering.
In an instant, thousands of people lost everything, and they will be displaced for a long time. In Christ, your loving compassion can help us provide:

• Emergency shelter for displaced households

• Safe drinking water

• Food assistance

• Sanitation and hygiene support

• Emergency supplies

• First aid and medical care

• And much more.

Our team in Nepal is already in action, and we need prayerful and compassionate people like you to join us. Give at:
https://lwr.org/ 

From Global Refuge: Many families in our care have experienced extremely traumatic events as part of their immigration journey. Some have endured physical and emotional hardships. Others have survived life-threatening danger. And it’s our job to help them get on the road to healing.
Through Global Refuge’s mental health program, Serving Trauma-Affected Refugees (STAR), our highly trained staff helps children and families process trauma, rebuild stability, and begin healing. But now, this program is in danger of ending.
Federal funding for the STAR program ends on September 30, and unless we can raise $126,195 to replace it, vital mental health services may no longer be available to the families receiving them right now.
To help meet our goal in time, a generous donor has offered to match the first $25,000 in gifts, dollar for dollar, so your gifts will go twice as far.
https://secured.globalrefuge.org/page/99999/donate/1?

Anchored Through the U.S. Election Season-A Free Five-Week Labyrinth Series Hosted by The Legacy Labyrinth Project. In times of uncertainty, the labyrinth offers a path to stillness, perspective, and renewed connection.
This fall, The Legacy Labyrinth Project invites participants to Anchored Through the U.S. Election Season, a free five-week online labyrinth journey designed to help us navigate a season of heightened emotions with greater presence, compassion, and resilience.
Each session combines reflective practices, facilitated conversation, and a guided labyrinth experience to explore themes including:

• Grounding ourselves amid uncertainty

• Clarifying the values that anchor us

• Strengthening community across differences

• Discovering meaningful ways to serve

• Reflecting together after the election and carrying wisdom forward

Whether you are an experienced labyrinth facilitator or someone seeking a quiet place to reflect, this series offers a welcoming space to slow down, reconnect with what matters most, and walk together in community.
This series draws on the timeless wisdom of the labyrinth as a tool for reflection, healing, and transformation. Five weekly online gatherings in 2026: 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4. 7-8:30 EDT (Note: 11/4 is ET)
Register at: https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/anchored
[And come, walk the St. Paul labyrinth as well during this time!]

Updates Beginning 23 August 2026

Beginning Today: St. Paul 101 - Sunday Aug 23rd & 30th. Want to learn more about Martin Luther and/or St. Paul (1st Century)? Not sure what it means to be Christian in this complex world? Or want to have some conversation about being a Lutheran at St. Paul Lutheran Church?  Then St. Paul 101 is the right place for you!  We'll meet right after worship. Grab some snacks and join us down in the Fellowship Hall!  Come to one or all sessions.  Bring your questions.  Bring your littles.  We're looking forward to our time together. ~Pr. Koppel & Darra Kingsley, Pastoral Intern

Roof Replacement Update (over the offices, Fellowship Hall, and Calico): The major mobilization for the roof project begins tomorrow, 24 August. The temporary fencing, roll-offs, supplies for the first third of the roof , and additional equipment will be delivered. Also, the fencing, barriers, and signage blocking off the North half of the parking lot will be set up.
Note that the northwest driveway will be completely blocked off – drivers will use the northeast driveway for both entrance and exit. Drivers must be mindful to slow down-the posted speed is 5 mph and should be observed due to traffic in both directions, with the added issue of preschool families dropping off/picking up their children. This project is anticipated to last 8 weeks, so into mid-October. Let’s keep St. Paul’s campus safe during this time! ~Peter Boissiere & Deborah Ash

13 September is Rally Sunday!  It's a time to regroup after a busy, travel-filled summer.  Coro Lux (our ensemble in residence) will join us, providing special music as a thank you for sharing our space for their choir rehearsals and concerts.  Please bring your favorite dish to share for a Town Hall Potluck following worship in the Fellowship Hall.  This will be a chance to enjoy a meal together and collect our thoughts on our congregational vocation. 
20 September is God's Work Our Hands!  This ELCA-wide annual day of celebration helps us to re-up on our service in the world.  For us this day, we'll again gather in the Fellowship Hall after worship, and engage in a group project putting our own hands to work.   Our Partner, Abbey Reed, Director of Neighboring at Central United Methodist, will speak and lead us in putting together 400 Hygiene Kits for CNM, UNM, Enlace, and Blue Door Neighborhood Center.  I fully trust the Spirit to provide lots of opportunities for camaraderie and learning more about supporting our community! ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Love God Love Neighbor: St Chad's is excited to host the first Love God Love Neighbor (LGLN) Multi-Church Youth Collaborative event for the new school year!
What: Join us to create hygiene bags for A Light in The Night Community Outreach, which supports people experiencing homelessness.  We will also be playing Gaga ball!
Who: Youth (middle and high schoolers, 5th graders welcome)
When: Sunday, September 13th,  12:30-2:00pm
Where:  St Chad's Episcopal Church
7171 Tennyson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122
(St. Chad's will not be providing lunch.)
To Do: 1-Please let me know if you have 5th - 12th grade students who want to attend, and 2-We’d love it if you could contribute! …we need travel size (3.2 ounce) mouthwashes. We will have a donation box starting next week (in the Welcome Center on Sundays and in the office during the week). Please let me know if you have any questions! ~Darra Kingsley at 505-333-8509, or intern@stpaulabq.org.

Adopted Families Update: Health Care for the Homeless provides services for people needing support of all kinds. Because of the Adopted Families Fund here at St. Paul, now the support HCH can offer includes the ability for people to get a bus ticket home. Home might mean family or a safer living opportunity. We have provided $440 for 3 people to travel this month.
August was a challenging month for one family who had an apartment fire and lost clothing and household possessions. Adopted Families gave them cash to help replace needed goods. Your donations are making a difference. Thank you. ~Paula Eglinton

Engraved Brick Pavers: Have you noticed the engraved bricks in the landscaped entrance to our church? Many years ago, we invited you to purchase an engraved brick to remember a loved one or to honor someone in your life. That offer is still good…there are lots of bricks ready to be personalized. The cost for one engraved and installed brick is $75. Contact me if you are interested at 505-363-2284 or peglinton@comcast.net. ~Paula Eglinton

God’s Work Our Hands: During these summer months, we encourage you to continue supporting the Storehouse through donations of nonperishable food as well as pet food, and Adopted Families through donated household items and cash donations. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

El Faro Youth Chorus is part of ABQ Coro Lux, directed by Joe Mitchell with Riley Abbott at the piano. They are open to all young singers, from 2nd through 12th grades. El Faro rehearses here at St. Paul every Monday and they're accepting new singers until August 31st. Kids under 11 rehearse 4:15pm-5:30pm, kids 11+ rehearse 5:00pm-6:30pm. Please reach out to quiara@abqcorolux.org for more information!

From Faithworks:

• Kitchenware to St Andrew. Dishes, pots & pans, bowls,  and cutlery. These free items are greatly needed by folks coming out of shelters and newly setting up house. Bring your re-usable kitchenware to St Andrew, 5301 Ponderosa NE, 87110 Tuesday-Thursday 9:00-1:00.

• Connecting Networks with New Mexico IAF.  NMIAF is rebuilding a broad-based community organizing effort in Albuquerque. Now, when our public life feels increasingly fragmented and polarized, we believe we can cultivate politics that are rooted in relationships and strong enough to tackle the diverse challenges that we all face. All faith communities are invited to join this effort now as we focus on building relationships between organizations. Help us determine the shape of our collaboration and future direction. If your committee, ministry, congregation or organization would like to explore working together, email the Rev. Mike Angell mangell@stmichaelsabq.org or core team member Lizzy Gore lizzy.gore.iaf@gmail.com.

• Trunk Sale 9/19 at St Michael's for Navajoland. A rummage sale from the trunks of cars will 100% benefit people in Navajoland. Contact Bruce Roach brroachrm@gmail.com beforehand to sell items, or come and buy!

Register at: https://pro.gofundme.com/event/storehouse-2026-charity-golf-tournament/e804278

Join Storehouse for Albuquerque Empty Bowls: Saturday, October 24.

Tickets at: https://pro.gofundme.com/event/storehouse-empty-bowls-2026/e803081

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Synod Staff Transition Update.
Dear Rocky Mountain Synod,
As we continue to move through a season of transition in the Office of the Bishop, we are grateful for the people who are stepping in to support the ongoing ministry and work of the Rocky Mountain Synod.
Following the faithful ministry of Jon Johnson and Yvonne Wilken on our synod staff, several interim staff members are helping us learn, grow, and discern what staffing and support will look like in these areas moving forward. Jon and Yvonne will also continue some contracted work with the synod, offering important continuity and support during this transition.
We are especially grateful for a new partnership with our siblings in the Grand Canyon Synod. Theresa Thornburgh, who serves there as Director for Administration and Events, and Amy Birchard, their Finance Administrator, will now share some of their gifts and expertise with the Rocky Mountain Synod as well. Theresa and Amy already work closely together in the Grand Canyon Synod, and we are grateful to welcome them into this shared ministry with us.
Please join us in welcoming our interim staff:

• Deacon Gail Britt, Interim Office Administrator

• Theresa Thornburgh, Interim Finance Support

• Amy Birchard, Interim Finance Support

We give thanks for each of them and for the many ways God continues to provide people, partnerships, and possibilities as we navigate this season together.
As a reminder, our synod staff will continue working full time, and we encourage you to continue reaching out to Bishop Meghan and our Synod Minister team as you normally would. However, during the administrative and financial transition:

• Public office hours are reduced and are Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. In-person visits to the synod office will be by advance appointment only. To schedule appointments and/or congregational visits with Bishop Meghan, please email both office@rmselca.org and maelabouni@rmselca.org.

• The main office phone number and the email addresses office@rmselca.org and finance@rmselca.org will remain active, but we anticipate some slower processing times for responses and thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility.

+In Christ, Bishop Meghan

RMS Disaster Response Update: Thousands given to those affected by fires.
After a little more than a month of meeting together as a team, we are grateful to share the following updates. First, we celebrate the response in Pueblo, Colorado, in partnership with King of Kings Lutheran Church. Together,

• We distributed $6,000 to seven very grateful families. The main fire danger is over, and everyone who was under extended evacuation has returned home. The three families who lost homes are doing okay for now and are planning to rebuild on-site.

• The RMS is sending a $5,000 gift from our Synod Disaster Response Fund to the Northwest Intermountain Synod of the ELCA to support wildfire response efforts in the Spokane area.

As we move from the immediate response of these past several weeks toward longer-term recovery, our prayers continue for communities affected by other fires across our region and we remain ready to attend to the needs of our synod and neighbors. Thank you for your care and generosity.
https://www.rmselca.org/rms-disaster-response

The Farm Bill is being considered in the Senate; sharing your experiences and values can help shape a bill that meets rural and nutritional needs.
          On Aug. 6, 2026, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee failed to pass a version of the Farm Bill. Another committee vote on the Farm Bill is anticipated in September.
          The SNAP Week of Action, Aug. 17-21, is a way you can add your voice to others bringing extra attention to needs in the Farm Bill. Currently, the bill does not address cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) made in the 2025 Budget Reconciliation (H.R. 1). Urge your senators to support a Farm Bill that rejects these cuts to our nation’s largest and most widely used nutrition program.
          Many governors have said SNAP could be in jeopardy in their state if Congress does not act. Farmers are facing high production costs, unstable markets and more. As senators reconvene from August Recess at the beginning of September, the input of faith partners will be crucial to advancing a more bipartisan Farm Bill that supports the needs of hungry people, rural communities and farmer families.
          At a time when houses of worship, food pantries, farmers, global partners and ELCA World Hunger affiliates are reporting alarming new rates of food requests in our communities, Congress should pass a comprehensive Farm Bill that promotes sustainable livelihoods for all. Ask your senator to:

• Reject cuts and new state burdens to SNAP scheduled to phase in later this year, and start a pathway for Puerto Rico to receive full SNAP benefits;

• Promote innovative practices for soil health and agroforestry in oversubscribed farm programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP); and

• Expand and make permanent the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Self-Determination Demonstration Project to eligible tribes.

Public partners in the administration and Congress increasingly respect the critical role houses of worship play in addressing food insecurity – making your feedback essential in this conversation. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry could advance their own bill in September. Contact your lawmakers today. Customize your message with your experiences and values.
https://act.elca.org/page/98608/action/1?

Join us Tuesday, August 25 at 7PM ET for the Faith in Elections Playbook Webinar - the first session in our six-part The Vote Is Sacred 2026 training series.
          Interfaith Alliance is teaming up with Protect Democracy and Interfaith America to share strategies your congregation and community need ahead of the midterms: how to address polarization, share trustworthy information, and, critically, develop relationships with your local election administrators.
This session kicks off our series designed to support you in meeting this moment, from de-escalation at the polls to trusted-messenger and Vote411 training.
          Get trained up for faithful resistance. Because the vote is sacred, and in 2026, democracy needs people of faith. RSVP at: https://www.mobilize.us/iaf/event/996457/?

ReconcilingWorks has released a new Pastoral Letter on the ongoing work of the ELCA Task Force and revisions to the Human Sexuality Social Statement, now publicly available on the ReconcilingWorks website.
          For more than 50 years, ReconcilingWorks has advocated for the acceptance, full participation, and liberation of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions within the Lutheran Church. As the ELCA continues this important process of discernment, we remain steadfast in that commitment.
          This pastoral letter shares our theological grounding, concerns about the current language of the social statement, and hopes for a Church that more fully reflects the expansive diversity of God’s creation.
          We invite you to read the letter, share it with your community, and use it as a resource as you provide feedback to the ELCA Task Force.
          Together, we continue working toward a Church where every person knows: You are beloved. You are seen. You belong.
In Christ’s peace, ReconcilingWorks
Read the letter at: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/pastoral-letter-2026/ 

This Tuesday: Nature, Spirituality & Church in the Wild. August 25th, 6pm MT. Alycia Ashburn, a Spirituality in Nature (SING) group guide, and Pr. Candice Combs, a pastor at a Wild Church, are teaming up to talk about spirituality and church in the cathedral of Creation. Nature lovers, "green sheep," and those following the call of the Spirit into the more-than-human world-- come with curiosity to learn more! Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gN3B5byOQCGmhSp2dSr86g#/registration

Thank you for raising your voice in support of U.S. leadership in the work to end global hunger and for standing with our neighbors around the world. Your advocacy helps protect vital health and nutrition programs that work together to save lives and help people thrive.
          We are encouraged by the Trump administration’s recent commitment of nearly $2 billion to faith-based organizations to deliver health and humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. This investment will help address critical hunger, nutrition, and health needs around the world.
          But our work is far from finished. Millions of people around the world continue to face extreme poverty and humanitarian crises, and additional investments in food, nutrition, and health programs are still needed.
          We are grateful to God for advocates like you who continue to stand with Bread for the World as we work to advance policies and programs that end hunger at home and around the world. Together, we can help make a world without hunger possible. Thank you for joining us in this work.
          Want to learn more about where critical legislation related to ending hunger stands in Congress and what you can do locally right now? Join Bread for the World’s government relations team on Thursday, September 10 at 8pm ET for the September 2026 National Legislative Update. Register at: https://go.bread.org/page/100139/survey/1?

AMMPARO Rebrand Feedback Survey. Why are we exploring a rebrand? Global forced displacement has evolved dramatically, now impacting over 117 million people. To meet this reality, the ELCA migrant ministry is transitioning from a regional response to a whole-church mandate to accompany displaced people globally. A rebrand will clarify this mission, deepen engagement across the ELCA, and reflect this dynamic global commitment. Your feedback will help shape this new identity. Please share your honest experiences and observations—there are no right or wrong answers. AMMPARO is seeking input from many voices!
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/U2jeqGZZ48

Updates Beginning 16 August 2026

Today: Please stay for refreshments after service as we welcome Riley Abbott, our new Director of Music Ministry. The Choir is hosting the reception. ~Deborah Ash

Defeat of the Streaming Gremlins! Good News! Our St Paul Streaming Team has defeated the Streaming Gremlins!
          When COVID forced us out of our church, we embraced streaming via Facebook as a way to bring St. Paul services to our congregation. After COVID isolation subsided, we continued to stream to serve congregation members who could not come to our church.  Many thanks to Clark McLean, Bob Matthews, and Omar Durant for their hard work bringing St Paul to the streaming world.
          In the last year, Facebook added new requirements that loosed a batch of mischievous gremlins onto the St Paul streaming system. They pranked St. Paul's streaming team again and again, resulting in lots of last minute scrambling and sometimes delayed or garbled broadcasts.
          With the help of local A/V experts, Pace Audio, our St. Paul Streaming team has emerged from the Gremlin War with a major victory. Streaming now is carried on YouTube, and the process has been cleaned up and documented.
Many thanks to Clark McLean and newcomer Sally Trigg for their persistence and humor during the ongoing Gremlin War.
          To stream our service on Sunday or any other time, go to the St. Paul YouTube site (https://www.youtube.com/@st.paullutheranchurchabq9228) or to the St. Paul webpage at https://www.stpaulabq.org, and click on the YouTube link. ~Pr. Koppel

St. Paul 101 - Sunday Aug 23rd & 30th. Want to learn more about Martin Luther and/or St. Paul (1st Century)? Not sure what it means to be Christian in this complex world? Or want to have some conversation about being a Lutheran at St. Paul Lutheran Church?  Then St. Paul 101 is the right place for you!  We'll meet right after worship. Grab some snacks and join us down in the Fellowship Hall!  Come to one or all sessions.  Bring your questions.  Bring your littles.  We're looking forward to our time together. ~Pr. Koppel & Darra Kingsley, Pastoral Intern

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

We've been invited to join with First Congregational Church, in ringing our bell for peace.  Please see the article written by Rev. Clara Sims.  Would you like to sign up for a day or regular day to ring the bell at noon?  Please use the sign up sheet in the Welcome Center, or let me know.  ~ Shanti, Pr. Koppel

“At noon, our church bell rings for peace”

At noon, our church bell rings for peace.
          When the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran on February 28th of this year, our church stood aghast alongside the rest of the country.
          At First Congregational United Church of Christ, we believe that war is not the will of God, period. “Peace be with you” are the final words that Christ leaves the disciples as they gathered huddled and afraid after the execution of Jesus by the Roman empire. The gospel is not a gospel of vengeance or violence, but the opposite. It is a gospel of grace and the assurance that God says “yes” to life, love and justice and “no” to the forces that deal death and suffering to any and all people.
          The ambiguous origins, dubious justifications, and utter malpractice of diplomacy that has characterized this latest “conflict” instigated by the United States is shocking and horrifying and we cannot afford to normalize or become numb to it.
          We cannot become numb to what is always true about war – people who are every bit as precious as the people you hold most dear – die. Sons, daughters, parents, cousins, teachers, friends. No one is an abstract number on a list of casualties – not soldiers and certainly not civilians, like the more than 120 school children of Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School whose futures were robbed from them in an instant.
          In the wake of these horrors, we began to ring our church bell for peace. It is a small gesture. It is not enough, but it is something through which we can say – what is happening is not okay, it is not normal, and it does not represent who our faith calls us to be. We asked other faith communities to join us and they did. Central United Methodist Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church are now ringing their bells too.
          We don’t live in a world anymore in which church bells are commonly heard. Their significance has largely slipped from our collective cultural memory as daily timekeepers or signifiers or worship. But that is not all they have been. 
          During World War II, Nazi forces confiscated approximately 175,000 church bells across Europe to melt them down for the copper and tin required to fuel the machine of war. People of faith resisted by hiding bells, refusing to assist, and ringing the bells defiantly.
          What can we do to resist forces that deal death and destruction in our own day? Certainly, in so many ways, these times call on us to embrace a posture of defiance to the brutality, suffering, and death being inflicted on our siblings – from Iran, to Lebanon, to the war being waged right in our backyards against migrants seeking a life that can sustain them and those they love.
          Though we are not the same disciples to whom Christ spoke “peace” into a room full of fear, we are no less called to follow the expansive path of life, love and justice for neighbor and self that his final word of “peace” invokes. May that final word linger on our hearts and may it sound through our faithful acts of defiance, cutting like the ring of a bell through the noise and the numbness and calling us to become – with our very lives – a prayer for peace. 

Rev. Clara Sims (she/her)
Associate Minister, First Congregational United Church of Christ ABQ
Assistant Exec. Director, New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light 

The Roof Replacement Update (over the offices, Fellowship Hall, and Calico): Arrangements are being made to schedule for the temporary fencing, roll-off container delivery, highlifts, and other equipment.  Based on getting everyone’s delivery schedule, delivering materials as well as weather considerations, and not blocking off the parking lot needlessly until they are ready, our schedule will be pushed back by about 1-2 weeks later in August. Now that we have the City permit, once all arrangements have been finalized, High Desert Roofing will let us know the start date of our project in about a week. ~Peter Boissiere

God’s Work Our Hands: During these summer months, we encourage you to continue supporting the Storehouse through donations of nonperishable food as well as pet food, and Adopted Families through donated household items and cash donations. Thank you to all who donated to Friends Feeding Friends in June! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

From Local Partner Organizations

Today:

This Week:

Know a kid who loves singing?

Our Journey: Stories From The Open Table Connection (Luther House), August.
Lived Experience: Conci is a high school student who found herself unexpectedly transformed through her experiences with The Open Table Connection, where her mom, Rhonda, is the Pastor.
          Before participating at The Open Table, Conci carried a complicated understanding of faith, shaped by conflicting messages about who belongs. “For a long time,” she explains, “I was taught by some people that God does not like gay people and by others that God is love.” These concepts quietly shaped how she saw both the church and the world.
          Everything began to shift when she attended her first Pride Parade with The Open Table Connection. “I was expecting floats and candy,” she laughs, “but it felt a lot less like celebrating a holiday and more like celebrating people.” Standing on the sidelines, she recalls, “I felt a lot more connected, like, ‘hey, we’re here for each other.’” The following year, riding on the float changed things even more, “you get to see how ginormous your community is,” she says, “and everyone’s just so happy you’re there.” What surprised her most was the authenticity of it all. “It wasn’t like prying eyes,” she explains, “it was like, ‘we’re so happy to see you here!’” That joy became overwhelming in the best way, “you’re just so hyped and happy,” she says, “it’s so much love and acceptance.”
          That experience reshaped her understanding of faith in profound ways. Conci’s image of God transformed. “I have heard that God is love before, but God feels a lot more like love now,” she explains. Looking ahead, Conci carries that shift with her, “it gave me the understanding that there are lots of different kinds of people and beliefs out there. I don’t have to pick just one.” she says thoughtfully. “When I go to college, I could probably find community in places like that,” she says with hope.
Donate at: https://www.opentablenm.org/

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Lutheran World Relief is responding to the wildfires in Spokane, Washington. Our local partners have requested urgent support as the blazes continue.
          Wildfires have destroyed over 700 homes, churches and workplaces since the weekend. Thousands of acres of forest around Spokane have been lost so far, and the fires are still not contained.
Your compassionate response will distribute emergency supplies to help families survive the immediate crisis. You will also support debris removal and cleanup so they can begin rebuilding from the ashes.
          Thank you, as always, for being the hands and feet of Christ in a hurting world! Give at: https://lwr.org/

Every Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner has a story to tell—and we are excited to begin sharing those stories with you.
ReconcilingWorks is launching our new Stories of Impact webpage, a place dedicated to highlighting the ways RIC Partners are transforming their congregations, communities, and the lives of the people they serve.
          These stories are more than milestones. They are testimonies of faithful ministry rooted in welcome, inclusion, celebration, advocacy, racial equity, and anti-racism. They showcase communities where LGBTQIA+ people are embraced as beloved children of God, where courageous conversations lead to meaningful change, and where public commitments become lived expressions of God's love and justice.
          Each month, we'll feature a new story from an RIC Partner across the United States or Canada. Whether it's a congregation deepening its welcome, a campus ministry creating belonging, a synod leading with courage, or a community making an impact beyond its walls, we hope these stories will encourage, inspire, and remind us of what is possible when people faithfully live out God's call to justice and love.
          Visit the Stories of Impact webpage today and read our newest featured story: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/ric/stories-of-impact/
          As you explore these stories, we invite you to share them with your congregation, friends, and community. Together, we can celebrate the incredible witness of Reconciling in Christ Partners and inspire even more communities to live into God's vision of welcome and belonging for all.
          Thank you for being part of this movement. We look forward to sharing a new story with you every month.
Grace and peace, The ReconcilingWorks Team

Nature, Spirituality & Church in the Wild.
August 25th | 4pm AK/5pm PT/6pm MT/ 7pm CT/ 8pm EST
Alycia Ashburn, a Spirituality in Nature (SING) group guide, and Pr. Candice Combs, a pastor at a Wild Church, are teaming up to talk about spirituality and church in the cathedral of Creation. Nature lovers, "green sheep," and those following the call of the Spirit into the more-than-human world-- come with curiosity to learn more!
Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gN3B5byOQCGmhSp2dSr86g#/registration

AMMPARO Rebrand Feedback Survey. Why are we exploring a rebrand? Global forced displacement has evolved dramatically, now impacting over 117 million people. To meet this reality, the ELCA migrant ministry is transitioning from a regional response to a whole-church mandate to accompany displaced people globally. A rebrand will clarify this mission, deepen engagement across the ELCA, and reflect this dynamic global commitment. Your feedback will help shape this new identity. Please share your honest experiences and observations—there are no right or wrong answers. AMMPARO is seeking input from many voices!
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/U2jeqGZZ48

Updates Beginning 9 August 2026

Live Streaming on YouTube: Beginning today, 9 August, the streaming and posting of the worship service will be on YouTube only at: https://www.youtube.com/@st.paullutheranchurchabq9228/streams.
You can pick up this link on the landing page of our website at: www.stpaulabq.org/.
After the service, the video will be posted to YouTube for viewing at any time. ~Deborah Ash

Today following service: Stewardship Potluck in Fellowship Hall! This year's Stewardship program is a little different from previous years in that we want to start by hearing what you think about some topics of importance. In keeping with the recent emphasis in our worship on vocation, we'd like to hear your insights into your vocation, how they have changed over time and experience, and how your vocation is related to our life in Christ together. 
          Of course, you can't do all of that on an empty stomach, so there will be a potluck lunch to go with it. The theme of the lunch is a picnic in Fellowship Hall. Bring any dish that would be appropriate for a picnic—salads, sandwich makings, cold soups, etc. (and of course, desserts!) Anything that doesn't need to be heated or kept warm. Use your imagination. We'll love to see you (and your food contributions) there! ~Bob Matthews, for the Stewardship Team

We've been invited to join with First Congregational Church, in ringing our bell for peace.  Please see the article written by Rev. Clara Sims.  Would you like to sign up for a day or regular day to ring the bell at noon?  Please use the sign up sheet in the Welcome Center, or let me know.  ~ Shanti, Pr. Koppel

“At noon, our church bell rings for peace”

At noon, our church bell rings for peace.
          When the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran on February 28th of this year, our church stood aghast alongside the rest of the country.
          At First Congregational United Church of Christ, we believe that war is not the will of God, period. “Peace be with you” are the final words that Christ leaves the disciples as they gathered huddled and afraid after the execution of Jesus by the Roman empire. The gospel is not a gospel of vengeance or violence, but the opposite. It is a gospel of grace and the assurance that God says “yes” to life, love and justice and “no” to the forces that deal death and suffering to any and all people.
          The ambiguous origins, dubious justifications, and utter malpractice of diplomacy that has characterized this latest “conflict” instigated by the United States is shocking and horrifying and we cannot afford to normalize or become numb to it.
          We cannot become numb to what is always true about war – people who are every bit as precious as the people you hold most dear – die. Sons, daughters, parents, cousins, teachers, friends. No one is an abstract number on a list of casualties – not soldiers and certainly not civilians, like the more than 120 school children of Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School whose futures were robbed from them in an instant.
          In the wake of these horrors, we began to ring our church bell for peace. It is a small gesture. It is not enough, but it is something through which we can say – what is happening is not okay, it is not normal, and it does not represent who our faith calls us to be. We asked other faith communities to join us and they did. Central United Methodist Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church are now ringing their bells too.
          We don’t live in a world anymore in which church bells are commonly heard. Their significance has largely slipped from our collective cultural memory as daily timekeepers or signifiers or worship. But that is not all they have been. 
          During World War II, Nazi forces confiscated approximately 175,000 church bells across Europe to melt them down for the copper and tin required to fuel the machine of war. People of faith resisted by hiding bells, refusing to assist, and ringing the bells defiantly.
          What can we do to resist forces that deal death and destruction in our own day? Certainly, in so many ways, these times call on us to embrace a posture of defiance to the brutality, suffering, and death being inflicted on our siblings – from Iran, to Lebanon, to the war being waged right in our backyards against migrants seeking a life that can sustain them and those they love.
          Though we are not the same disciples to whom Christ spoke “peace” into a room full of fear, we are no less called to follow the expansive path of life, love and justice for neighbor and self that his final word of “peace” invokes. May that final word linger on our hearts and may it sound through our faithful acts of defiance, cutting like the ring of a bell through the noise and the numbness and calling us to become – with our very lives – a prayer for peace.
Rev. Clara Sims (she/her)
Associate Minister, First Congregational United Church of Christ ABQ
Assistant Exec. Director, New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light 

Next Sunday: Meet Riley Abbott, Our New Director of Music Ministry!

Tell us a little about you and your family.
I am originally from Minnesota and was born one of twelve children–seven girls and five boys. I am also a proud uncle to eight nieces and nephews, with two more on the way! I am a very family-oriented person, and I cherish every moment that I get to spend with my parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Although my family doesn’t have a deep musical background themselves, they have always been incredibly supportive of my musical and educational endeavors. Their constant encouragement and belief in me have played a significant role in helping me pursue a career in music and teaching. 

What is your musical background—performance, schooling, etc.?
I earned my Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in K–12 Vocal/General Music Education with High Distinction from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. During my undergraduate studies, I took courses like Choral Methods, General Methods, Advanced Choral Conducting, Graduate Conducting Seminar, and Graduate Choral Literature. I performed with the University of Minnesota Chamber Singers, University Singers, Gold Choir, and Maroon Choir. In addition to my studies, I maintained a private teaching studio (teaching voice, piano, and guitar). Served as music director for a high school musical, and did various work as a collaborative pianist. I am currently pursuing a Master's in Choral Conducting at the University of New Mexico. I am extremely passionate about choral music, music education, and helping singers of all ages grow in confidence, artistry, and community through music.

Are you a vocalist and/or instrumentalist? If yes, what part do you sing, and what instruments do you enjoy playing?
I am both a vocalist and an instrumentalist. I sing bass-baritone, have enjoyed singing in choirs throughout my entire life. I also play piano, guitar, banjo, and mandolin. 

Do you have a favorite choir memory?
I started singing in choirs in middle school. My favorite choir memory occurred during my undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, singing with the University Singers. I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in the Palestrina Choral Residency, in which I spent 3-4 weeks traveling around Italy with the University Singers singing and performing the music of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. One of the highlights of this experience was being able to sing at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. One of the most rewarding parts of this whole experience was being able to see firsthand the powerful impact that music can have on people and performers (emotionally, spiritually, and communally). These kinds of experiences bring me back to the central reason why I chose music, teaching, and conducting, and why I continue to do it. 

Who's your favorite composer? Your favorite singer?
This is a tough question indeed! I truly believe that all composers and singers have something truly special and beautiful to offer. Though my heart has always lain deeply with folk and bluegrass music. In the folk world, I have to mention Bill Staines, Judy Collins, John McCutcheon, and The Wallin Jennies. If we are talking Jazz, I love Tony Bennett. In country music, I prefer all the greats like Willie Nelson, John Cash, The Oak Ridge Boys, Glen Campbell, ect. For Classical or Choral Composer, I adore the works of John Nicelson Ireland, Shawn Kircher, Elaine Hagenberg, Sarah Quartel, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and Susan Labarr. I love all kinds of music! 

What inspired you to study music, especially choral conducting?
I’ve always believed that music has a unique ability ot bring people together. Some of my most meaningful experiences have occurred during choir rehearsals and performances, where people from different backgrounds work toward a shared purpose. Through all my experiences, music and most importantly choral music is the most profound form of human connection. There is something truly special about how people can come together, breathe together, and create something absolutely beautiful that none of them could accomplish alone. Imagine if more people took the time to sing with one another. I believe our communities would become more compassionate, more understanding, and more connected. That belief is what continues to inspire me as a musician, educator, and conductor. It is something that I want to do for the rest of my life. 

What are your short- and long-term musical goals for yourself and for the St. Paul Choir?
My short-term goals are to get to know each choir member, discover our strengths and areas for growth, learn the traditions that make St. Paul special, discuss common goals, and build an environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and spiritually renewed through music. 
Long-term, I hope we continue to recruit, build, and develop a choir that sings with confidence, musical excellence, and a genuine joy in worship. I’d love to explore and expand our repertoire, and help the choir become an even stronger ministry. My hope is that the choir continues to grow as a ministry that not only inspires the congregation through worship but also reaches beyond the church walls, sharing love and building connections within the wider community through music. 

What are some things that you’d like to know about as a faith community?
I’m excited to learn more about everyone! I’m interested in learning what and when music has been especially meaningful over the years, what hopes people have not just for the choir but for the music at St. Paul, and how I can best support the congregation’s worship and outreach through music. 
~Riley Abbott

The Roof Replacement Update (over the offices, Fellowship Hall, and Calico): Arrangements are being made to schedule for the temporary fencing, roll-off container delivery, highlifts, and other equipment.  Based on getting everyone’s delivery schedule, delivering materials as well as weather considerations, and not blocking off the parking lot needlessly until they are ready, our schedule will be pushed back by about 1-2 weeks later in August. Now that we have the City permit, once all arrangements have been finalized, High Desert Roofing will let us know the start date of our project in about a week. ~Peter Boissiere

God’s Work Our Hands: During these summer months, we encourage you to continue supporting the Storehouse through donations of nonperishable food as well as pet food, and Adopted Families through donated household items and cash donations. Thank you to all who donated to Friends Feeding Friends in June! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

This Friday, 14 August, 7pm at St. Paul:

Next Saturday: NM Industrial Areas Foundation Gathering (FaithWorks): You are warmly invited to join us for a morning of reflection, relationship-building, and strategic planning as we prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the months ahead. Join NMIAF Aug. 15- 9 -11:30 AM at St. Michael and All Angels.
This gathering is part of an ongoing effort to bring together faith institutions, schools, and nonprofit organizations to build a broad-based community organization in the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) tradition.
          For more than 80 years, IAF organizations in over 50 cities across the country have equipped everyday leaders to work together across institutional boundaries and secure meaningful improvements for their communities. Through this model of broad-based organizing, diverse institutions develop relationships, identify shared concerns, and build the collective power needed to influence public decisions affecting neighborhoods, schools, families, and congregations.

• Unlike single-issue advocacy campaigns, broad-based organizing focuses on:

• Building long-term relationships among institutions

• Developing grassroots leaders

• Strengthening civic participation

• Working across lines of race, class, and faith

• Creating sustainable, community-driven change

Whether you are already involved in this effort or simply interested in learning more, we hope you will join us for this conversation about how faith communities can work together for the common good.
We look forward to being with you. Grace and peace, The Rev. Mike Angell, Rector, St. Michael and All Angels
RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_-VNj3Zh39NJ_WkgfVCSzjAvI2gOIQ60uK7JGiBzxIwBSig/viewform

2026-2027 Season Tickets On Sale Now! Available through September 15th. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy all our shows at a discounted price! Choose between a standard season ticket or our Deluxe Package, including A Candlelight Messiah. Special senior prices available for those 60 and over. Visit abqcorolux.org for more details.

A Summer of Hope. Summer can be one of the busiest times of year at the Storehouse. While some families are enjoying school breaks and vacations, many New Mexicans are working hard to stretch tight budgets and put food on their tables. That is especially true this year, with the rising cost of groceries, gas, rent, and so many other costs of daily living.
          Thanks to the generosity of people like you, the Storehouse continues to be a place where hope begins with a full plate. Every hour of volunteering and every dollar donated helps ensure that people facing challenges in our community do not have to face hunger alone.
          Thank you for standing with the Storehouse and with the tens of thousands of people who turn to us for support. Together, we are providing more than groceries. We are offering hope, dignity, and the reassurance that our community cares. ~The Storehouse New Mexico Team
https://giving.gofundme.com/campaign/813326/donate

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

From the August LFSRM Refugee and Asylee Albuquerque Newsletter: 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of The 1951 Refugee Convention. To mark this anniversary, "75 leading figures from across society have joined UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in launching The Promise, a global statement of solidarity with refugees." Read more and see the text of The Promise at: https://www.unhcr.org/news-and-stories/news-releases/press-releases.
You can support the original promise of the 1951 Convention by volunteering, donating, or calling your congressional representatives.
Our Youth Mentoring Program is a partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico and Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains. The program pairs refugee youth with mentors and provides enhanced emotional, social, linguistic, and educational support through monthly events and activities. This year, two Youth Mentoring Program participants were awarded scholarships through Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico in the amounts of $1,000 and $500, respectively. These scholarships will help support their transition after high school by providing financial assistance as they pursue their college and career goals.
Our Education Department also recently launched the Cyber Safety Awareness Course, a program designed to assist families navigate digital topics confidently. The course provides instruction on topics including access management, scams and phishing, cyberbullying and online threats, generative artificial intelligence (GAI), and the impact of technology on mental health. Each course cycle provides instruction tailored to the language needs of participating families to ensure overall accessibility. Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM) Education staff conducted raffles for participants in the program. Two Refugee School Impact Program (RSIP) students were selected to receive Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 laptops. As active Albuquerque Public School students, these new devices will help them complete schoolwork, pursue their educational goals, and put into practice the cyber safety skills they learned through the course.
          Ways You Can Help LFSRM Fulfill the Promise to Refugees: If you would like to support our work through a monetary donation, please visit the Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains website to use the donation portal. If making a donation for Tres Hermanas Farm, please include "Tres Hermanas" in the donation description. We are also accepting donated items for new arrivals in Albuquerque. Contact us at 505.933.7032 for what is needed and where to drop off the items.  

Lutheran World Relief is responding to the wildfires in Spokane, Washington. Our local partners have requested urgent support as the blazes continue.
          Wildfires have destroyed over 700 homes, churches and workplaces since the weekend. Thousands of acres of forest around Spokane have been lost so far, and the fires are still not contained.
Your compassionate response will distribute emergency supplies to help families survive the immediate crisis. You will also support debris removal and cleanup so they can begin rebuilding from the ashes. Thank you, as always, for being the hands and feet of Christ in a hurting world! Give at: https://lwr.org/

From Global Refuge: Speak Up for Unaccompanied Children Fleeing Danger.
Congress needs to hear from all of us. The Administration has proposed a new federal rule that would go back on decades of child welfare evidence and expertise, rescind long-standing bipartisan protections, and put children at risk. The proposal would expand systems that have already torn families apart and diverted resources away from care. It would add new layers of unnecessary and discriminatory requirements making it harder for children to be reunited with caring family members, and authorizes the Administration to use invasive, unreliable, and widely discredited vetting tools on children of all ages. The rule is not final — and your input can make a difference. Your voice can help protect family unity and ensure children are released to safe, loving homes without unnecessary delay.
          Every child deserves protection and care. Stand with unaccompanied children seeking safety in the United States. https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/campaign/unaccompaniedchildren/

Protect Haitian Children and Families in the U.S. Today!
TPS has provided a lawful immigration status for more than 350,000 Haitians who face violence, poverty, and insecurity at home. Haitians on TPS also fill critical needs in the American workforce, with thousands contributing as agricultural workers, nursing assistants, and caregivers.
          Urge your Senators, Representatives, and Governors to act to preserve this status and keep Haitian families and children safe. Even if you've already taken action on this issue, please take action again.
https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/campaign/ProtectHaitians/ 

You're invited this Thursday! In August 2021, the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan during the United States’ withdrawal from the country. What followed was a massive humanitarian evacuation effort that brought more than 17,000 Afghans to the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome. In the five years since the evacuation, there have been countless efforts to provide stability and safety to Afghans in the U.S. and abroad—both met by incredible generosity from local communities and stymied by partisan politics. Now, as pathways to safety disappear for refugees and other immigrants around the world, it is more important than ever to take stock of our policies and advocate for adequate protections.
          Join Global Refuge for a webinar on August 13 to learn more about what's happening with Afghans in the U.S. and abroad, how we are serving those in need, and what you can do to help.

Five Years Later: Standing with our Afghan Neighbors
Thursday, August 13, 3 p.m. Eastern on Zoom
Register at: https://globalrefuge-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lfojpW3fSgyy5DsikGesWA?mc_cid=2f25b1fc4b&mc_eid=2f360c0226#/registration

Thank you for standing with Bread for the World to help end hunger. Right now, Congress is deciding if it will strengthen the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Fiscal Year 2027 as part of its annual funding process. Please join us in urging Congress to fully fund WIC and ensure that it remains accessible so that families can stay connected to the nutrition support they need.
          WIC is the leading U.S. public health nutrition program for pregnant women, mothers, and children up to age five. It served nearly seven million low-income participants per month in 2025, including almost 40 percent of all infants. In 2021, Congress expanded WIC to provide participants both in-person and virtual access to program services, but these provisions will expire on September 30. Congress must now make these provisions permanent and fully fund this critical program.
          Tell Congress to fully fund and strengthen WIC so that every eligible family can access the healthy food and nutrition support they need.
https://go.bread.org/page/99880/action/1? 

Speak up for SNAP during Farm Bill Mark-Up. One of the most important steps Congress can take is to delay implementation of the new SNAP state cost-share requirements as part of the Farm Bill mark-up. States across the political spectrum are not fully prepared to absorb these enormous changes on the current timeline, some of which are scheduled to go into effect as early as October of this year. If they move forward as planned, families—including those with children—will fall through the cracks and not receive the nutrition they need.
          Writing to your senator to ask for additional time for implementation would help in two ways: First, it would allow time for more robust discussions about the best ways to strengthen the SNAP program. Second, it would help prevent disruptions to nutrition access for those who need it. Because your senator serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee, you have a unique opportunity to speak into this process at an early stage. Take action today: https://go.bread.org/page/99622/action/1 

Through August 15, every gift you make to Bread for the World up to $81,500 will be triple-matched! That means your generosity will go 3X as far to advocate for food programs and policies that millions of people depend on. Give at: https://www.bread.org/

Updates Beginning 2 August 2026

Make room in your calendar for the congregational potluck lunch and conversation next Sunday after service. This year's Stewardship program is a little different from previous years in that we want to start by hearing what you think about some topics of importance. In keeping with the recent emphasis in our worship on vocation, we'd like to hear your insights into your vocation, how they have changed over time and experience, and how your vocation is related to our life in Christ together. 
          Of course, you can't do all of that on an empty stomach, so there will be a potluck lunch to go with it. The theme of the lunch is a picnic in Fellowship Hall. Bring any dish that would be appropriate for a picnic—salads, sandwich makings, cold soups, etc. (and of course, desserts!) Anything that doesn't need to be heated or kept warm. Use your imagination. We'll love to see you (and your food contributions) there!
          Details: August 9, 2026, 11:30 a.m.--1:00 p.m. Bring food items anytime; refrigerator space is available. ~Bob Matthews, for the Stewardship Team

 Getting to Know Riley Abbott, Our New Director of Music Ministry!

Tell us a little about you and your family.
I am originally from Minnesota and was born one of twelve children–seven girls and five boys. I am also a proud uncle to eight nieces and nephews, with two more on the way! I am a very family-oriented person, and I cherish every moment that I get to spend with my parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Although my family doesn’t have a deep musical background themselves, they have always been incredibly supportive of my musical and educational endeavors. Their constant encouragement and belief in me have played a significant role in helping me pursue a career in music and teaching. 

What is your musical background—performance, schooling, etc.?
I earned my Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in K–12 Vocal/General Music Education with High Distinction from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. During my undergraduate studies, I took courses like Choral Methods, General Methods, Advanced Choral Conducting, Graduate Conducting Seminar, and Graduate Choral Literature. I performed with the University of Minnesota Chamber Singers, University Singers, Gold Choir, and Maroon Choir. In addition to my studies, I maintained a private teaching studio (teaching voice, piano, and guitar). Served as music director for a high school musical, and did various work as a collaborative pianist. I am currently pursuing a Master's in Choral Conducting at the University of New Mexico. I am extremely passionate about choral music, music education, and helping singers of all ages grow in confidence, artistry, and community through music.

Are you a vocalist and/or instrumentalist? If yes, what part do you sing, and what instruments do you enjoy playing?
I am both a vocalist and an instrumentalist. I sing bass-baritone, have enjoyed singing in choirs throughout my entire life. I also play piano, guitar, banjo, and mandolin. 

Do you have a favorite choir memory?
I started singing in choirs in middle school. My favorite choir memory occurred during my undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, singing with the University Singers. I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in the Palestrina Choral Residency, in which I spent 3-4 weeks traveling around Italy with the University Singers singing and performing the music of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. One of the highlights of this experience was being able to sing at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. One of the most rewarding parts of this whole experience was being able to see firsthand the powerful impact that music can have on people and performers (emotionally, spiritually, and communally). These kinds of experiences bring me back to the central reason why I chose music, teaching, and conducting, and why I continue to do it. 

Who's your favorite composer? Your favorite singer?
This is a tough question indeed! I truly believe that all composers and singers have something truly special and beautiful to offer. Though my heart has always lain deeply with folk and bluegrass music. In the folk world, I have to mention Bill Staines, Judy Collins, John McCutcheon, and The Wallin Jennies. If we are talking Jazz, I love Tony Bennett. In country music, I prefer all the greats like Willie Nelson, John Cash, The Oak Ridge Boys, Glen Campbell, etc. For Classical or Choral Composer, I adore the works of John Nicelson Ireland, Shawn Kircher, Elaine Hagenberg, Sarah Quartel, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and Susan Labarr. I love all kinds of music! 

What inspired you to study music, especially choral conducting?
I’ve always believed that music has a unique ability to bring people together. Some of my most meaningful experiences have occurred during choir rehearsals and performances, where people from different backgrounds work toward a shared purpose. Through all my experiences, music and most importantly choral music is the most profound form of human connection. There is something truly special about how people can come together, breathe together, and create something absolutely beautiful that none of them could accomplish alone. Imagine if more people took the time to sing with one another. I believe our communities would become more compassionate, more understanding, and more connected. That belief is what continues to inspire me as a musician, educator, and conductor. It is something that I want to do for the rest of my life. 

What are your short- and long-term musical goals for yourself and for the St. Paul Choir?
My short-term goals are to get to know each choir member, discover our strengths and areas for growth, learn the traditions that make St. Paul special, discuss common goals, and build an environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and spiritually renewed through music. 
Long-term, I hope we continue to recruit, build, and develop a choir that sings with confidence, musical excellence, and a genuine joy in worship. I’d love to explore and expand our repertoire, and help the choir become an even stronger ministry. My hope is that the choir continues to grow as a ministry that not only inspires the congregation through worship but also reaches beyond the church walls, sharing love and building connections within the wider community through music. 

What are some things that you’d like to know about as a faith community?
I’m excited to learn more about everyone! I’m interested in learning what and when music has been especially meaningful over the years, what hopes people have not just for the choir but for the music at St. Paul, and how I can best support the congregation’s worship and outreach through music. 
~Riley Abbott

Darra's Reflection

Hello all,
    I wanted to send out a reflection of my first few months with the St. Paul Lutheran Church community. Can you believe that it's already been two months?
    First of all, I wanted to thank each and every one of you for your openness to hosting a pastoral intern. It's not an easy thing to let someone new come in. You all have been so very positive and welcoming. I've enjoyed getting to know some of you on a deeper level through committee work together or meetings or just casual conversations. I hope to continue to dive into those interactions. If you'd like to meet 1:1 to share your stories and viewpoints, please reach out through the church office. As people of God, the more that I can get to know you, the better.
    Pastor Koppel thought that it might be helpful to share the different logistics involved in the path to becoming a minister. (If you are one of the several pastors that are also members, feel free to skip this next part.)
    Every ELCA candidate for ministry must be "sponsored"/ accepted/ permitted to pursue the vocation by a synod. That means I had to submit an application to the Rocky Mountain Synod which was ~10 pages of candidate essay responses & background information. Then, I was interviewed by a synod committee of 8-10 lay leaders, deacons, and pastors to get permission to start seminary. After I completed my first year of classwork and ~3 months of mandatory "chaplain" time (I served at Lovelace Medical Center), I had to submit another round of essays along with some of my seminary work and go through another candidacy committee interview in order to be allowed to continue at seminary. After my internship, I'll have another round of essays and another synod committee interview which will decide if I can continue towards seminary graduation and "first call" (employment) with a church.
    The seminary process is related but separate. There are several ELCA seminaries, each with their own application processes. I applied to Luther Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota) and Wartburg Theological Seminary (Dubuque, Iowa) and was accepted at both. I ultimately chose Wartburg due to a number of reasons which I can share 1:1 if you like. Seminary is a 4-year process (with the 3rd year spent in an internship). After this year, I'll return for a final year of classes (if the Rocky Mountain Synod approves) and then graduate with a Master of Divinity degree. Once I graduate, the synod will place me in my first church.
    All along the path, either entity—the synod or the seminary—could decide to "fail" me and prevent me from becoming a minister. You all are actually a 3rd group evaluating me on behalf of the ELCA and deciding whether I'm ready to be a full-fledged pastor.
    Overall, it's a very humbling experience for me. It has been a long time since I was in such a vulnerable, subservient position being a student again. In the end, I pray and try to trust that God has a plan for me. Overall, my seminary time has been very rewarding. My professors have almost all been pastors themselves and have been incredibly positive and affirming of my work so far. My peers, my church communities (including you all), and my family (Hi Greg!) have been very gracious and supportive as well.
    Thank you again for opening your hearts to me and for your willingness to have me here among you. As I see each of you living out your faith, I know that God is good. Peace & Salud, Darra Kingsley, Pastoral Intern

The Roof Replacement (over the offices, Fellowship Hall, and Calico) is scheduled to start early August and last approximately 6 - 8weeks.  Thank you Peter & Kathie, for all the hard work getting us to this point, and continuing to be the point persons seeing this BIG project through to completion!  (Weather is a big variable as to a daily schedule.)  A couple of very important items to be aware of: 

1. while the portion over the Fellowship Hall and Calico is underway, Marisol (Calico Director) made the call to keep littles inside and safe.  This portion of the roof is likely to take about 10 days to which the Fellowship Hall will be earmarked for Calico use during the preschool hours;

2. the staging area for our roofer's equipment and supplies will be the section of the loop-around-driveway along Indian School Road.  This area will be fenced in and temporarily the drive will not be loop around and the north double wooden doors will not be accessible.  This means that the current entrance (closest to the electronic sign) will temporarily accommodate both entry and exit.  Please, please be very cautious when driving in the parking lot and slow down! 

If you have any questions, please feel free to chat with Peter, Kathie, or me.  Though we always need rain, may our collective prayers request they fall at night.  ~Thankful for progress, Pr. Koppel 

God’s Work Our Hands: During these summer months, we encourage you to continue supporting the Storehouse through donations of nonperishable food as well as pet food, and Adopted Families through donated household items and cash donations. Thank you to all who donated to Friends Feeding Friends in June! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

From Local Partner Organizations

This Saturday:

2026-2027 Season Tickets On Sale Now! Available through September 15th. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy all our shows at a discounted price! Choose between a standard season ticket or our Deluxe Package, including A Candlelight Messiah. Special senior prices available for those 60 and over. Visit abqcorolux.org for more details.

A Summer of Hope. Summer can be one of the busiest times of year at the Storehouse. While some families are enjoying school breaks and vacations, many New Mexicans are working hard to stretch tight budgets and put food on their tables. That is especially true this year, with the rising cost of groceries, gas, rent, and so many other costs of daily living.
          Thanks to the generosity of people like you, the Storehouse continues to be a place where hope begins with a full plate. Every hour of volunteering and every dollar donated helps ensure that people facing challenges in our community do not have to face hunger alone.
          Thank you for standing with the Storehouse and with the tens of thousands of people who turn to us for support. Together, we are providing more than groceries. We are offering hope, dignity, and the reassurance that our community cares. ~The Storehouse New Mexico Team
https://giving.gofundme.com/campaign/813326/donate

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Choosing Reconciliation Over Division in a Multifaith America

Dear church,
From its earliest days, the United States has been shaped by religious diversity. Indigenous peoples sustained diverse spiritual and religious traditions long before the nation’s founding, and successive waves of settlers, including Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and others, brought a variety of beliefs that helped define the nation’s unique and vital religious landscape.
          Throughout the church today, many are struggling with debates regarding the religious identity of our nation. While religious diversity did not begin with the Constitution, the Constitution’s framers recognized an important truth: the future of our nation could not be tied to a single religious identity. By rejecting religious tests for public office, the Founders created space for people of any or no faith tradition to participate in public life together. That commitment continues to be foundational to our nation’s vitality, especially at a time when people are tempted to identify love of the nation, or the government itself, with a single religion. No one faith tradition should rule the United States, just as the framers desired.[1]
          As the apostle Paul writes, God has given us “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Reconciliation involves living in God’s future — including through renewed interreligious relationships.
          Religious diversity is the reality of the world we live in. Recognizing this, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America adopted “A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” which affirms that mutual understanding with other faith traditions can deepen our own faith. Through encountering neighbors and working side by side in shared commitments to love and compassion and community, our own Christian faith is strengthened. This conviction means that through my call as presiding bishop of the ELCA, our church develops and maintains relationships with Jewish, Muslim and many other faith communities. Like personal friendships we hold, these relationships do not require us to set aside Christian faith. Rather they reaffirm that in a nation as diverse as ours, being a good neighbor across religious differences is not optional. It’s a part of the shared American experience. It is an experience we can support as everyday Lutherans in God’s call to reconciliation.

___________________________________________________________________________

“The ELCA will explore and encourage inter-religious friendship, accompaniment, and partnership with all who seek justice, peace, human wholeness, and the well-being of creation (ELCA Constitution, Chapter 4.03.f).” —“A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” p. 10

“The ELCA will defend the full participation of all in our religiously diverse society, ‘strengthening public space as a just place for all’ regardless of religion or worldview (‘The Church in the Public Space: A Statement of The Lutheran World Federation,’ 2016).” —“A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” p. 11
___________________________________________________________________________

The ministry of reconciliation is both local and national. God invites us to love one another across differences. Trusting in God’s grace, we boldly form relationships with neighbors of all faiths who share a commitment to justice, peace and the flourishing of all creation. I encourage you to engage in this essential ministry, which offers a powerful opportunity to heal divisions, deepen respect across differences and strengthen the bonds of our common life.

In Christ,
The Rev. Yehiel Curry
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

________________________________________

[1] The ELCA social statement Faith and Civic Life, Seeking the Well-being of All states, “The Establishment Clause is cut from the same cloth as the Constitution’s prohibition against religious tests for public office. Government is not the church, and the church is not the government. The intent of the Establishment Clause clearly is that government must not promote a particular faith or religion in general” (45).

Updates Beginning 26 July 2026

The technical gremlins continue to plague us. This week (26 July) there will be no live stream. Instead, a recording will be uploaded to our YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySBw6t9auXzyzGSh1HcNlA). The sound issues from last week are hopefully resolved.  Shortly after the service, we'll post a link to that video on our Facebook page.  Thanks for hanging with us.  Please drop us a line with issues you see and/or kudos.  We like kudos!  Despite streaming issues, may it be proclaimed that God is with us!  ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Next Sunday: Drop-In choir on 2 August: Bradley Ellingboe, Director of Coro Lux and St. Paul member, will be leading a drop-in choir that day. Come at 8:30am and learn an anthem to sing at the 10 am service! ~Worship & Music

Who doesn't like a potluck lunch? Whoever they are, we haven't met them at St. Paul! This is why the Stewardship team has decided to kick off this year's stewardship campaign with a potluck and program on Sunday, August 9. You'll be able to help Stewardship design the campaign to match your own ideas about vocation and the mission of the church. There will be much more information to follow, but for now, Please save the date! ~Bob Matthews

The Roof Replacement (over the offices, Fellowship Hall, and Calico) is scheduled to start early August and last approximately 6 - 8weeks.  Thank you Peter & Kathie, for all the hard work getting us to this point, and continuing to be the point persons seeing this BIG project through to completion!  (Weather is a big variable as to a daily schedule.)  A couple of very important items to be aware of: 

1. while the portion over the Fellowship Hall and Calico is underway, Marisol (Calico Director) made the call to keep littles inside and safe.  This portion of the roof is likely to take about 10 days to which the Fellowship Hall will be earmarked for Calico use during the preschool hours;

2. the staging area for our roofer's equipment and supplies will be the section of the loop-around-driveway along Indian School Road.  This area will be fenced in and temporarily the drive will not be loop around and the north double wooden doors will not be accessible.  This means that the current entrance (closest to the electronic sign) will temporarily accommodate both entry and exit.  Please, please be very cautious when driving in the parking lot and slow down! 

If you have any questions, please feel free to chat with Peter, Kathie, or me.  Though we always need rain, may our collective prayers request they fall at night.  ~Thankful for progress, Pr. Koppel 

Masters in Choral Conducting and other staffing updates.  Back in May, within days of saying good-bye to our much-loved Choir Director, Libbie Jo, a young man named Riley reached out to us via our website.  He currently lives in Minnesota, has completed his bachelor’s degree in Choral/General Music Education from the University of Minnesota, and is moving to New Mexico to pursue his Masters of Choral Conducting at the University of New Mexico.  While working toward his degree, he is seeking part-time employment.
          I thought to myself, what a God wink.  I forwarded his information to Terry (Worship and Music Chair) and Mino, Chris, and Hal (Personnel Team) to see if they were interested in exploring.  We decided I would start with an informal phone conversation.
          Indeed, I found him to be a personable, energetic, and eager young man.  This led us to engage in more conversation via ZOOM where we asked for his resume and any videos that show his choir leading skills.  We followed up by sharing the current SPLC Choir Director job description. 
          After several more days, the feeling was mutual.  This seemed an incredible opportunity.  However, he was seeking more responsibility, perhaps something more in line of Music Director.  We told him that we would defer in making a decision until after an already planned Worship and Music retreat that was scheduled for 2 July.  We had invited Bradley Ellingboe (our resident conductor, composer, and expert on liturgical church music) to lead us in the portion of our retreat dedicated to music ministry.
          In the meantime, Bradley happened to be making a trip to Minnesota and offered to meet with Riley in person.  Bradley too found Riley to be personable and eager, and a very talented student.  Bradely, because of his connections with UNM, also reached out to Riley’s soon-to-be Music Professor and mentor, David Edmunds.  All good feedback, only naming his inexperience and lack of knowledge in liturgical church music as the areas ripe for growth.
          In mid-June, after Dalton’s departure, I recommended to the Executive and Personnel Teams, that we take a step back and evaluate our approach to staffing.  This is currently in progress.  Thank you, Bill and Dave, for compiling a list of vetted Property Management companies.
          As a stop gap measure, I recommended two hires.  One, someone temporarily to help with all things property until we get a sense on caring for our facility using a Property Management Company.  Sally has stepped into this temporary position.  It was a natural step with her gifts, and she was already helping us on a contract to produce a much overdue directory.
          And two, offer a Director of Music Ministry position to Riley, who was thankful and excited to accept!  I am so thrilled to welcome Riley.  He is scheduled to land in ABQ 10 August, and join us in worship 16 Aug.
          Some words from Riley as he desires to contribute meaningfully to a vibrant congregation and community:  bringing light and hope to a world that desperately needs it.  Music has the ability to hold space for joy, grief, reflection, and celebration, and I am committed to using it in ways that support the emotional and spiritual life of the community. In this way, to me, music ministry is not just about leading music and programming music, but cultivating connection, care, and shared meaning.
          Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll include more narrative about Riley so we can get to know him some before he arrives.  And as you do best, over the course of the next couple years (the length of his scholastic program), open your hearts to another companion on this beautiful faith journey.  
          In the same way we are providing nurturing space for Darra, our pastoral intern, to spread her wings, we get to do the same with Riley.  What a two-fold amazing opportunity for us as a congregation to give back to the broader church in this way! ~In excitement and joy, Pr. Koppel

God’s Work Our Hands: During these summer months, we encourage you to continue supporting the Storehouse through donations of nonperishable food as well as pet food, and Adopted Families through donated household items and cash donations. Thank you to all who donated to Friends Feeding Friends in June! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

From ABQ FaithWorks Collaborative:
SAVE THE DATE: Clergy & Leaders Retreat, Saturday, August 15 | 9:00-11:00 a.m. Location TBD. Please save the date for a gathering of clergy and community leaders to learn about the emerging New Mexico IAF, a growing alliance of congregations, schools, nonprofits, and neighborhood organizations working together to build a new non-partisan citizens' power organization in Albuquerque. Join us to hear about the progress of this effort and consider how you and your congregation or organization might be part of developing local leaders who can have a meaningful impact on the decisions shaping our community. Learn more at: https://newmexicoiaf.org/

Pots, Pans, Dishes, and Silverware are needed for distribution to the newly housed by the many agencies depending on this vital ministry at St Andrew Presbyterian. All kitchen and household goods are welcome! Bring them to St Andrew at 5301 Ponderosa NE Tuesday-Thursday, 8am-2pm.

Come Sing With Us! We need your voice! Coro Lux kicks off its 12th season on September 1st with auditions happening August 16th - 19th. Join the choir, helping fulfill our mission of "doing good as we do well," bringing high quality choral music to New Mexico and giving back to our community.
          Season highlights include a tribute to the centennial of Route 66, annual holiday concerts and Messiah in December, and a landmark performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, marking the 300th anniversary of its 1727 premiere - a monumental masterpiece performed by full chorus, orchestra, and soloists.
Don't miss your chance to sing with Albuquerque's premier choral ensemble! Click below to visit our website, and sign up for an audition today.
https://abqcorolux.org/auditions/

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Fires in Colorado: Ways You Can Help.
Donations: many have asked where and how to offer financial gifts. The best way to do this is to go to https://www.rmselca.org/give and select “RMS Disaster Response” from the dropdown menu.
Regular congregational forms of giving will also work; please earmark the gift for RMS Disaster Response. Disaster Response team members have strongly affirmed from experience that financial gifts are far and away the most practical, flexible, and useful and offer the most help. Our Disaster Response Team will gather information on impact and need and will disburse gifts accordingly.

Information: While we are working to proactively keep up with updates on all synod-area fires, we know our communities on the ground will always know the most about local impact, and we have been grateful to all who have checked in to share that information. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the synod office or any synod minister if you know of any congregation, member, or area affected by fire (or, as the season progresses, if flash flooding or other disasters crop up.)

Prayer: Please continue to pray for first responders, for communities living through evacuation and those who are now returning to face damage and loss, and for all who are surrounding their neighbors with tangible and intangible measures of love, support, and generosity.

This week: Shadin Nassar to speak in the Rocky Mountain Synod! Shadin Nassar, who is the regional associate for Middle East and North Africa in the ELCA, will be in the Rocky Mountain Synod on July 28 and 29 to speak about her work.  
Shadin serves as the regional associate for the Middle East and North Africa, working with the ELCA and its companion church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), to amplify marginalized voices and advocate for justice. She also coordinates gender justice programs, empowering young women leaders and representing the ELCJHL at international conferences. Her ministry reflects the ELCA’s commitment to accompaniment, mutuality, and standing with those facing oppression, rooted in Christ’s call to love and serve our neighbors.
Shadin’s family runs the Tent of Nations (www.tentofnations.com) which is an educational and ecological family farm southwest of Bethlehem, Palestine. Their mission is to build bridges between people and between people and the land. Through creative resistance, organic farming, and educational programs, they seek to transform despair into hope and promote understanding, respect, and sustainability. 
There will be two opportunities to meet Shadin and hear her speak:

• Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran in Denver (5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver). The presentation will be in Christ Chapel with refreshments to follow.

• Wednesday, July 29 at 6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran in Boulder, CO (2200 Broadway, Boulder, CO ). Dinner with Shadin will begin at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall with her presentation at 7pm in the Sanctuary.

• If you can't be there in person, a YouTube link will be available via the registration.

Please register for one or more of these events here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019f4ddbb176792288bfc597e0a08740
          As you prepare to attend, you may find it useful to read this Resolution about Palestine and Israel which was overwhelmingly agreed upon by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in July 2025.   Here is the link. 
https://resources.elca.org/faith-and-society/toward-ending-the-occupation-of-palestine/
Additionally, the next link is to a guide about the Resolution.  It is for individuals, small groups and congregations as they study, learn about, discuss and respond to the Resolution's callings: https://resources.elca.org/sumud/cwa-resolution-resource/

Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Amplifying support of the Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act H.R. 1010 is one meaningful way we can act now.
          The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Relatives (MMIWRGR) continues to affect Indigenous communities across the United States and Canada. Indigenous communities continue to experience disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearance and loss, a reality rooted in centuries of colonization and structural violence. “The ELCA, with others in this country, recognizes that this dreadful history must be acknowledged, the status of Native Americans in the United States protected, and efforts at reconciliation and justice increased,” reads the ELCA social statement Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All (p. 68). As a church, we are called not only to awareness, but to repentance, accompaniment and justice. A MMIWRGR resource from the ELCA shares more about the crisis (linked to ELCA.org/MMIW).
          With passage in the Senate, this Congress has already made bipartisan steps to enact meaningful legislation in addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis. Action in the House is now required. Amplifying support of the Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act (BADGES) for Native Communities Act H.R.1010 is one meaningful way we can act now. If passed, the BADGES for Native Communities Act will:

1)   Establish grant funding opportunities to support investigations.

2)   Promote collaborative responses to missing person cases.

3)   Provide culturally appropriate resources and training for tribal law enforcement officers.

When discussed recently by the ELCA MMIW Sub Task Force, the group stated: “Since one of the greatest challenges in the MMIW crisis is a lack of support from law enforcement, we encourage all to engage with their representatives in support of the BADGES for Native Communities Act.”
          Customize your message to urge your representative to secure justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Relatives.
https://act.elca.org/page/100325/action/1? 

Free Lutheran Young Adult in Israeli Detention. Natalie Abudayyeh has spent one month in Israeli detention with no charge.
          On June 2, 2026, Natalie Abudayyeh, a 21-year-old Lutheran young adult of the Church of the Reformation congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), was abducted from her university housing at gunpoint by Israeli forces alongside three of her classmates. An "Update from Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad on Natlie Abudayyeh: 6 July" can be read from the ELCJHL Facebook page. To date, Abudayyeh has not been charged with any offenses. It is not known why Abudayyeh was abducted or continues to be held in Israeli detention, and no information has been shared with her lawyer, her family or her church. Abudayyeh’s family and pastor have all been denied access to see her, and her lawyer has only been able to speak to her through a video chat.
          The ELCA has named the priority to “defend the human rights of groups most susceptible to violations, especially all minorities, women, and children” in the social statement For Peace in God’s World (p. 14). In 1 Corinthians 12:26, we are reminded: “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” Our voice as Americans and as Christians matters in proclaiming that Abudayyeh, her classmates and the thousands of other Palestinians being held without charge have human rights and must be treated with the dignity, respect and humanity they deserve.
          Abudayyeh is the latest victim of an institutional system of incarceration that mistreats Palestinian prisoners. Palestinians are processed in Israeli military court, while Israeli citizens are processed under a civil court which offers more rights and freedoms. Abudayyeh’s detention comes at a time when Israeli settlers and Israeli security forces continue to target the indigenous Christian community of Palestine. In 2025 alone there were 155 documented incidents in Israel and East Jerusalem against Christians, their property, and Christian institutions and houses of worship, as well as a marked increase in attacks on Christian communities in the West Bank. While Palestinians of any faith continue to face systemic persecution and violence, the uptick in violence specifically targeting the Christian community has risen markedly since October 2023.
          Please take a moment to advocate for the release of Natalie Abudayyeh and her classmates.
https://act.elca.org/page/100411/action/1?

Lutheran World Relief: Right now, our teams are already preparing a response. But this response depends on faithful and compassionate people like you.
          Your gift today will rush urgently needed support to families affected by flooding and other disasters. You will provide emergency aid — like water, medical care, shelter and essential supplies — to neighbors facing some of the darkest moments of their lives.
          At a time when many families may feel hopeless, generous neighbors like you remind them that they are not alone. https://give.lwr.org/page/195586/donate/1?

Take Action: In June, ICE released its long-awaited 2026 detention standards. While there are small steps forward, the new standards still allow the detention of children and families, leaving them vulnerable to harsh, prison-like conditions and indefinite confinement. They also permit solitary confinement for people with severe mental illness, and medical care remains dangerously inadequate.
          Despite public outcry, Congress approved $70 billion in new enforcement funding for ICE and CBP and is negotiating now for even more—all without the guardrails needed to keep people safe.
          Your voice matters. Urge Congress to:

·        Stop excessive enforcement funding without guardrails or oversight.

·        Require due process and accountability for violations.

·        Improve detention standards and end DHS detention of children and families.

Tell your Members of Congress to defend the rights, dignity, and safety of all immigrants and refugees held in U.S. detention.
https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/campaign/166127/?

LSM 2026 was a resounding success! LSM on Demand brings all of the archived livestream recordings from this summer right to your home. Enjoy repeat performances of recitals, concerts, and worship services whenever and wherever is convenient for you.
https://www.lsmacademy.org/on-demand

Updates Beginning 19 July 2026

Hey Everyone! Thanks for being a loyal partner in worshiping with us. If you do regularly tune in, you also know that we keep encountering technical problems. So, we're going to try a new thing. Today, Sunday (19 July) please head to our YouTube page at 10am: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySBw6t9auXzyzGSh1HcNlA
If it doesn't work, please don't give up on us. We'll post a recording to both platforms (FB and YT) later that morning. ~Pr. Koppel

Today! Following worship, please join us in Fellowship Hall for a Connecting with Council coffee hour. A great time for conversation and fellowship. ~Deborah Ash

Drop-In choir on 2 August: Bradley Ellingboe, Director of Coro Lux and St. Paul member, will be leading a drop-in choir that day. Come at 8:30am and learn an anthem to sing at the 10 am service! ~Worship & Music

Who doesn't like a potluck lunch? Whoever they are, we haven't met them at St. Paul! This is why the Stewardship team has decided to kick off this year's stewardship campaign with a potluck and program on August 9. You'll be able to help Stewardship design the campaign to match your own ideas about vocation and the mission of the church. There will be much more information to follow, but for now, Please save the date! ~Bob Matthews

Masters in Choral Conducting and other staffing updates.  Back in May, within days of saying good-bye to our much-loved Choir Director, Libbie Jo, a young man named Riley reached out to us via our website.  He currently lives in Minnesota, has completed his bachelor’s degree in Choral/General Music Education from the University of Minnesota, and is moving to New Mexico to pursue his Masters of Choral Conducting at the University of New Mexico.  While working toward his degree, he is seeking part-time employment.
I thought to myself, what a God wink.  I forwarded his information to Terry (Worship and Music Chair) and Mino, Chris, and Hal (Personnel Team) to see if they were interested in exploring.  We decided I would start with an informal phone conversation.
          Indeed, I found him to be a personable, energetic, and eager young man.  This led us to engage in more conversation via ZOOM where we asked for his resume and any videos that show his choir leading skills.  We followed up by sharing the current SPLC Choir Director job description. 
          After several more days, the feeling was mutual.  This seemed an incredible opportunity.  However, he was seeking more responsibility, perhaps something more in line of Music Director.  We told him that we would defer in making a decision until after an already planned Worship and Music retreat that was scheduled for 2 July.  We had invited Bradley Ellingboe (our resident conductor, composer, and expert on liturgical church music) to lead us in the portion of our retreat dedicated to music ministry.
          In the meantime, Bradley happened to be making a trip to Minnesota and offered to meet with Riley in person.  Bradley too found Riley to be personable and eager, and a very talented student.  Bradely, because of his connections with UNM, also reached out to Riley’s soon-to-be Music Professor and mentor, David Edmunds.  All good feedback, only naming his inexperience and lack of knowledge in liturgical church music as the areas ripe for growth.
          In mid-June, after Dalton’s departure, I recommended to the Executive and Personnel Teams, that we take a step back and evaluate our approach to staffing.  This is currently in progress.  Thank you, Bill and Dave, for compiling a list of vetted Property Management companies.
          As a stop gap measure, I recommended two hires.  One, someone temporarily to help with all things property until we get a sense on caring for our facility using a Property Management Company.  Sally has stepped into this temporary position.  It was a natural step with her gifts, and she was already helping us on a contract to produce a much overdue directory.
          And two, offer a Director of Music Ministry position to Riley, who was thankful and excited to accept!  I am so thrilled to welcome Riley.  He is scheduled to land in ABQ 10 August, and join us in worship 16 Aug.
          Some words from Riley as he desires to contribute meaningfully to a vibrant congregation and community:  bringing light and hope to a world that desperately needs it.  Music has the ability to hold space for joy, grief, reflection, and celebration, and I am committed to using it in ways that support the emotional and spiritual life of the community. In this way, to me, music ministry is not just about leading music and programming music, but cultivating connection, care, and shared meaning.
          Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll include more narrative about Riley so we can get to know him some before he arrives.  And as you do best, over the course of the next couple years (the length of his scholastic program), open your hearts to another companion on this beautiful faith journey.  
          In the same way we are providing nurturing space for Darra, our pastoral intern, to spread her wings, we get to do the same with Riley.  What a two-fold amazing opportunity for us as a congregation to give back to the broader church in this way! ~In excitement and joy, Pr. Koppel

Although Adult Faith Development classes are paused during the summer months, the AFD team is already considering what we might offer for the Fall semester, 2026. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for topics to discuss, books to study, or other areas of interest that relate to adult spiritual growth and development. Please feel free to share your thoughts with any one of the AFD team members (Bob Matthews, Jan Krakow, Sally Trigg, or Teresa Dubuque). Also, if you are interested in being part of the AFD team, please let us know. We would love your help!" ~For the AFD team, Teresa Dubuque

God’s Work Our Hands: During these summer months, we encourage you to continue supporting the Storehouse through donations of nonperishable food as well as pet food, and Adopted Families through donated household items and cash donations. Thank you to all who donated to Friends Feeding Friends in June! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

ST. PAUL FALL SEMESTER 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: Applications for St. Paul scholarships administered by the St. Paul Scholarship Committee for the benefit of members of St. Paul will be available beginning June 15, 2026 for those who wish to apply.
Application forms may be downloaded from the St. Paul website, www.stpaulabq.org. Completed applications must be received by mail in the St. Paul church office not later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, or sent by the same deadline by email in PDF format to info@stpaulabq.org.
The St. Paul Endowed Scholarship fund is comprised of donations from the Meuli and Mutschmann families and includes additional funding from the Voida family. Available funds for this year will be dispersed by the scholarship committee according to the number of qualified applicants. The Olson Scholarship is available only to those members attending a Lutheran or Baptist college or seminary; the amount of this specific category of scholarships will be granted to qualifying students according to available funds.
Applications will be available from St. Paul website beginning June 15, 2026 or in-person at St. Paul Lutheran Church Office. For more information please contact me at omardurant@yahoo.com. Thank you. ~Omar Durant

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Starting Next Week-From St. Andrew Presbyterian Social Justice Committee: Prior to Covid-19, several churches in Albuquerque supported ABQ Habitat for Humanity in the building of their homes by raising funds, providing volunteer workers and providing lunches for the crew on building days.  After the Covid threat diminished, very few churches have returned to the Habitat effort.
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, however, recently donated two lots on their property to ABQ Habitat for Humanity for the building of two homes.  The actual construction has not begun as yet, as the City has to do their necessary work first.  In the meantime, the St. Andrew congregation is kicking off a fundraising campaign.
          St. Andrew Presbyterian Church is having a Summer Concert Series.  There will be three concerts, relatively short, and will be held inside or outside the church, depending on the weather.  Simple refreshments will be served…maybe an ice cream social?  Each event will begin with a brief talk on Habitat, along with a free will offering to benefit Habitat.  Consider the following:

Saturday, July 25th at 3:00 p.m.
The lead concert will be from people we already know and appreciate…
Tatiana Shustova on piano and her husband, Aaron Jacobs, on violin. 

Saturday, August 1st, 6:00 p.m.
The Eleanors will play “folksy Americana with great vocal harmonies”.

Saturday, September 19th, 3:00 p.m.
Sweet Jazz, headlined by Allison Davis, the host of the Jazz Hour on KUNM.   

From ABQ FaithWorks Collaborative:
SAVE THE DATE: Clergy & Leaders Retreat, Saturday, August 15 | 9:00-11:00 a.m. Location TBD. Please save the date for a gathering of clergy and community leaders to learn about the emerging New Mexico IAF, a growing alliance of congregations, schools, nonprofits, and neighborhood organizations working together to build a new non-partisan citizens' power organization in Albuquerque. Join us to hear about the progress of this effort and consider how you and your congregation or organization might be part of developing local leaders who can have a meaningful impact on the decisions shaping our community. Learn more at: https://newmexicoiaf.org/

Pots, Pans, Dishes, and Silverware are needed for distribution to the newly housed by the many agencies depending on this vital ministry at St Andrew Presbyterian. All kitchen and household goods are welcome! Bring them to St Andrew at 5301 Ponderosa NE Tuesday-Thursday, 8am-2pm.

Come Sing With Us! We need your voice! Coro Lux kicks off its 12th season on September 1st with auditions happening August 16th - 19th. Join the choir, helping fulfill our mission of "doing good as we do well," bringing high quality choral music to New Mexico and giving back to our community.
          Season highlights include a tribute to the centennial of Route 66, annual holiday concerts and Messiah in December, and a landmark performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, marking the 300th anniversary of its 1727 premiere - a monumental masterpiece performed by full chorus, orchestra, and soloists.
Don't miss your chance to sing with Albuquerque's premier choral ensemble! Click below to visit our website, and sign up for an audition today.
https://abqcorolux.org/auditions/

This Week-VIN Etching Event: The APD Auto Theft Unit will be hosting a VIN Etching event on July 25th from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Albuquerque Police Department Support Annex located at 5300 2nd St. NW. Participants should ensure they have their have driver license, current registration and proof of insurance.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

July Message from Bishop Meghan

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

Dear beloved in Christ in the Rocky Mountain Synod,
Over the past weeks of this summer, news of wildfires breaking out across the territory of our synod have kept many of us in a state of watchfulness, worry, tension, and grief. Members of our synod, and their neighbors, have endured evacuation of households and livestock. Homes and other properties have been lost, and three firefighters and a pilot working tirelessly to contain fires and protect life and property have tragically given their own lives in this effort. I know prayers have been arising throughout the synod for all those affected; and offers of help and support have also been coming into our synod office. Thank you for your generosity and care.
          The Rocky Mountain Synod has faced disaster before; and we are blessed by the gifts and wisdom of synod members who can guide our response. Over the past two weeks, our staff have been reaching out to congregations closest to the largest fires, including in the Pueblo and Ridgway areas of Colorado. We have also reconvened our RMS Disaster Response team (including members who helped coordinate our response to the Marshall Fire) and added new members from currently impacted communities.  

Ways You Can Help

Donations: many have asked where and how to offer financial gifts. The best way to do this is to go to https://www.rmselca.org/give and select “RMS Disaster Response” from the dropdown menu.
Regular congregational forms of giving will also work; please earmark the gift for RMS Disaster Response. Disaster Response team members have strongly affirmed from experience that financial gifts are far and away the most practical, flexible, and useful and offer the most help. Our Disaster Response Team will gather information on impact and need and will disburse gifts accordingly. 

Information: While we are working to proactively keep up with updates on all synod-area fires, we know our communities on the ground will always know the most about local impact, and we have been grateful to all who have checked in to share that information. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the synod office or any synod minister if you know of any congregation, member, or area affected by fire (or, as the season progresses, if flash flooding or other disasters crop up.)

Prayer: Please continue to pray for first responders, for communities living through evacuation and those who are now returning to face damage and loss, and for all who are surrounding their neighbors with tangible and intangible measures of love, support, and generosity.

Shadin Nassar to speak in the Rocky Mountain Synod! Shadin Nassar, who is the regional associate for Middle East and North Africa in the ELCA, will be in the Rocky Mountain Synod on July 28 and 29 to speak about her work.  
Shadin serves as the regional associate for the Middle East and North Africa, working with the ELCA and its companion church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), to amplify marginalized voices and advocate for justice. She also coordinates gender justice programs, empowering young women leaders and representing the ELCJHL at international conferences. Her ministry reflects the ELCA’s commitment to accompaniment, mutuality, and standing with those facing oppression, rooted in Christ’s call to love and serve our neighbors.
Shadin’s family runs the Tent of Nations (www.tentofnations.com) which is an educational and ecological family farm southwest of Bethlehem, Palestine. Their mission is to build bridges between people and between people and the land. Through creative resistance, organic farming, and educational programs, they seek to transform despair into hope and promote understanding, respect, and sustainability. 
There will be two opportunities to meet Shadin and hear her speak:

• Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran in Denver (5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver). The presentation will be in Christ Chapel with refreshments to follow.

• Wednesday, July 29 at 6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran in Boulder, CO (2200 Broadway, Boulder, CO ). Dinner with Shadin will begin at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall with her presentation at 7pm in the Sanctuary.

• If you can't be there in person, a YouTube link will be available via the registration.

Please register for one or more of these events here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019f4ddbb176792288bfc597e0a08740
          As you prepare to attend, you may find it useful to read this Resolution about Palestine and Israel which was overwhelmingly agreed upon by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in July 2025.   Here is the link. 
https://resources.elca.org/faith-and-society/toward-ending-the-occupation-of-palestine/
Additionally, the next link is to a guide about the Resolution.  It is for individuals, small groups and congregations as they study, learn about, discuss and respond to the Resolution's callings: https://resources.elca.org/sumud/cwa-resolution-resource/

An impactful housing bill was passed by Congress. Tell your lawmakers thank you today.
          On July 11, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, one of the most consequential housing bills passed in over three decades, became law. The legislation, which bundles together several dozen bipartisan proposals, addresses a number of different measures aimed at modernizing federal housing programs and offering incentives to expand housing supply at the local level.
          ELCA national and state advocacy staff, alongside ecumenical and interfaith partners, have encouraged lawmakers to pass many of the proposals included in the final bill for years. This includes policies like authorizing federal disaster housing programs supported by Lutheran Disaster Response, local resources to improve zoning codes, programs to repair aging housing stock and more. Your advocacy through ELCA Action Alerts and meetings on Capitol Hill with elected officials advanced several priorities in this important bill – thank you!
          Though much of the success of this bill will depend on action at the state and local level, this bill could provide a huge meaningful lift for congregations working to build housing opportunities, care for the homeless, rebuilding of communities, and expansion of affordability options for people in greatest need.
          We welcome you to join us in thanking Congress for working across party lines to advance this legislation today. https://act.elca.org/page/100127/action/1?

Act Now: Speak up for WIC: Right now, Congress is deciding if it will strengthen the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Fiscal Year 2027 as part of its annual funding process.
Please join us in urging Congress to fully fund WIC and ensure that it remains accessible so that families can stay connected to the nutrition support they need.
WIC is the leading U.S. public health nutrition program for pregnant women, mothers, and children up to age five. It served nearly seven million low-income participants per month in 2025, including almost 40 percent of all infants. In 2021, Congress expanded WIC to provide participants both in-person and virtual access to program services, but these provisions will expire on September 30. Congress must now make these provisions permanent and fully fund this critical program.
          Tell Congress to fully fund and strengthen WIC so that every eligible family can access the healthy food and nutrition support they need.
https://go.bread.org/page/99880/action/1?

Thanks to you, our collective advocacy is making a difference. Together, we’ve worked alongside communities experiencing hunger and urged policymakers in Congress to take meaningful action, despite many challenges!
Your voice and generosity are driving this progress — together, we are living our faith. We are leading by example. Even when our bodies are tired, our spirits remain strong, as we meet with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to push for funding that can help our nation meet the challenges ahead. Thank you for joining us in this movement to end hunger. https://www.bread.org/

Right now, Lutheran World Relief teams are already preparing a response. But this response depends on faithful and compassionate people like you.
          Your gift today will rush urgently needed support to families affected by flooding and other disasters. You will provide emergency aid — like water, medical care, shelter and essential supplies — to neighbors facing some of the darkest moments of their lives.
          At a time when many families may feel hopeless, generous neighbors like you remind them that they are not alone. https://give.lwr.org/page/195586/donate/1?

Updates Beginning 12 July 2026

Next Sunday, 19 July! Following worship, please join us in Fellowship Hall for a Connecting with Council coffee hour. A great time for conversation and fellowship ~Deborah Ash

God’s Work Our Hands: During these summer months, we encourage you to continue supporting the Storehouse through donations of nonperishable food as well as pet food, and Adopted Families through donated household items and cash donations. Thank you to all who donated to Friends Feeding Friends in June! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Although Adult Faith Development classes are paused during the summer months, the AFD team is already considering what we might offer for the Fall semester, 2026. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for topics to discuss, books to study, or other areas of interest that relate to adult spiritual growth and development. Please feel free to share your thoughts with any one of the AFD team members (Bob Matthews, Jan Krakow, Sally Trigg, or Teresa Dubuque). Also, if you are interested in being part of the AFD team, please let us know. We would love your help!" ~For the AFD team, Teresa Dubuque

ST. PAUL FALL SEMESTER 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: Applications for St. Paul scholarships administered by the St. Paul Scholarship Committee for the benefit of members of St. Paul will be available beginning June 15, 2026 for those who wish to apply.
Application forms may be downloaded from the St. Paul website, www.stpaulabq.org. Completed applications must be received by mail in the St. Paul church office not later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, or sent by the same deadline by email in PDF format to info@stpaulabq.org.
The St. Paul Endowed Scholarship fund is comprised of donations from the Meuli and Mutschmann families and includes additional funding from the Voida family. Available funds for this year will be dispersed by the scholarship committee according to the number of qualified applicants. The Olson Scholarship is available only to those members attending a Lutheran or Baptist college or seminary; the amount of this specific category of scholarships will be granted to qualifying students according to available funds.
Applications will be available from St. Paul website beginning June 15, 2026 or in-person at St. Paul Lutheran Church Office. For more information please contact me at omardurant@yahoo.com. Thank you. ~Omar Durant

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

From St. Andrew Presbyterian Social Justice Committee: Prior to Covid-19, several churches in Albuquerque supported ABQ Habitat for Humanity in the building of their homes by raising funds, providing volunteer workers and providing lunches for the crew on building days.  After the Covid threat diminished, very few churches have returned to the Habitat effort.
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, however, recently donated two lots on their property to ABQ Habitat for Humanity for the building of two homes.  The actual construction has not begun as yet, as the City has to do their necessary work first.  In the meantime, the St. Andrew congregation is kicking off a fundraising campaign.
          St. Andrew Presbyterian Church is having a Summer Concert Series.  There will be three concerts, relatively short, and will be held inside or outside the church, depending on the weather.  Simple refreshments will be served…maybe an ice cream social?  Each event will begin with a brief talk on Habitat, along with a free will offering to benefit Habitat.  Consider the following: 

Saturday, July 25th at 3:00 p.m.
The lead concert will be from people we already know and appreciate…
Tatiana Shustova on piano and her husband, Aaron Jacobs, on violin. 

Saturday, August 1st, 6:00 p.m.
The Eleanors will play “folksy Americana with great vocal harmonies”.

Saturday, September 19th, 3:00 p.m.
Sweet Jazz, headlined by Allison Davis, the host of the Jazz Hour on KUNM.   

The focus will be on having a good time, enjoying a range of musical styles and being together to support Habitat for Humanity—especially the two homes that will be built on the land the church has donated.

Come Sing With Us! We need your voice! Coro Lux kicks off its 12th season on September 1st with auditions happening August 16th - 19th. Join the choir, helping fulfill our mission of "doing good as we do well," bringing high quality choral music to New Mexico and giving back to our community.
          Season highlights include a tribute to the centennial of Route 66, annual holiday concerts and Messiah in December, and a landmark performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, marking the 300th anniversary of its 1727 premiere - a monumental masterpiece performed by full chorus, orchestra, and soloists.
Don't miss your chance to sing with Albuquerque's premier choral ensemble! Click below to visit our website, and sign up for an audition today. https://abqcorolux.org/auditions/

Refugee and Asylee Albuquerque Newsletter July 2026. We celebrated World Refugee Day alongside our partners in the city of Albuquerque on June 19 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Farid, our director, gave some remarks alongside Mayor Tim Keller, who expressed great appreciation for the work LFSRM does for refugees in Albuquerque. We deeply appreciate Mayor Keller's support of our work and for refugees themselves.
          Our education program has been busy hosting cyber security classes. About 60 clients have attended classes held in Dari and Arabic where they learned all about safely navigating the digital landscape and participated in raffles for a free laptop. Another session in Spanish is set to be offered this month. 

Growing Community Through Farming at Tres Hermanas Farm: The Albuquerque LFSRM office is unique in its ability to support both food security and educational opportunities through Tres Hermanas Farm. We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the successes of our clients and the impact of this program within our community.
This past month, one of our clients achieved an exciting milestone through Tres Hermanas Farm by continuing his family's Syrian farming traditions. He established a one-eighth-acre eggplant field, making him our largest micro farmer. Through this work, he has become increasingly integrated into the Rio Grande Community Farm community, building both agricultural skills and meaningful community connections.
We have also seen increased client participation through expanded transportation services. By making the farm more accessible, parents are able to bring their children with them and share in the farming experience. This exposure introduces children to the joys of agriculture and hands-on learning while providing opportunities for healthy family engagement. Spending time together on the farm promotes psychosocial development and creates a safe, fun, and enriching environment for both parents and children.

Looking Ahead: As we move into July, we are preparing for our midsummer harvest, which will make way for a second summer planting and a productive fall harvest season. You can also join us this month at the Balloon Fiesta Park, Lavender in the Village Festival on July 26th. Tres Hermanas have a table from 8:00am to 3:00pm to promote our client’s and community garden’s produce, while building community connections. Follow us on social media at @treshermanasfarm to see what we're harvesting, growing, and doing throughout the season.

Get Involved: If you would like to be part of the exciting work happening at Tres Hermanas Farm, join us during our community volunteer hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00am to 12:00pm, excluding federal holidays.
We also welcome volunteer groups. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and community involvement, please contact us at treshermanasfarm@lfsrm.org.

Support us: If you would like to support Tres Hermanas Farm through a donation, please visit the Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains website at www.lfsrm.org and use the donation portal. When making your donation, please include "Tres Hermanas" in the donation description.

Our Journey: Stories from The Open Table Connection/Luther House July 2026. Bodhi (She in the Spring, He in the Fall) is a UNM student studying anthropology with a deep curiosity about the world and the people in it. Quiet by nature, she often prefers to listen, gathering wisdom from the stories of others.
Before coming to The Open Table, Bodhi carried complicated experiences with faith communities. “I had a very negative view of Christianity,” she admitted, shaped by past hurt and painful encounters connected to Christianity. Those experiences left her cautious, unsure of what to expect from religious spaces.
When invited to the Ramadan dinner through The Open Table Connection, Bodhi came with openness and curiosity, even though she is a practicing Buddhist. “I absolutely adored it,” she said, even while acknowledging, “I’m not used to big crowds,” describing the overwhelming but meaningful environment. What stood out most was simply being present among others. “I love hearing other people’s stories,” she explained, “I usually like to just listen,” and in that space, listening became connection.
The experience offered something deeper than just information, it offered a new way of seeing. “It made me feel more grateful,” she reflected, “more enlightened,” she said, describing how the evening helped her recognize and reconsider her own perspectives. Being welcomed into a space of shared humanity shifted something internal. “I’m more than willing to participate,” she said, “and support you in any way I can,” signaling a new openness born from that encounter.
Perhaps most powerful was how the experience reshaped her understanding of Christians. “It put you guys in a much brighter light,” she shared honestly, contrasting it with her past experience. “I view y’all as actual Christians,” she said seriously. 
After the dinner, Bodhi found herself more willing to engage, to show up, and to connect. “I would say yes,” she said when asked if she would join future gatherings, a simple but meaningful shift. What began as an invitation to dinner became something much more, a step toward healing, understanding, and a renewed belief that connection is possible. https://www.opentablenm.org/

VIN Etching Event: The APD Auto Theft Unit will be hosting a VIN Etching event on July 25th from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Albuquerque Police Department Support Annex located at 5300 2nd St. NW.
Participants should ensure they have their have driver license, current registration and proof of insurance.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Bishop Curry Statement on SCOTUS Immigration Decisions, July 8, 2026

Beloved in Christ, Grace and peace be with you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, I write with a heavy heart.
          Recently, the Supreme Court issued a decision that will allow this administration to proceed with terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 330,000 people from Haiti and 3,800 from Syria, many of whom have lived in this country for decades. They are not strangers. They are part of the fabric of our whole society. The termination of TPS threatens to separate families, destabilize local economies and force people to return to countries where they may face severe humanitarian crises, violence and threats to their very lives.
This ruling comes amid a series of changes in U.S. policy that have increasingly restricted legal pathways for immigrants and those seeking protection. Last week the Supreme Court upheld a policy allowing individuals to be blocked from applying for asylum at the U.S. border. At the same time, we are witnessing the deportation of people with pending asylum claims after perfunctory mass hearings — often without access to legal representation. The refugee resettlement program, once a sign of this nation’s commitment to welcome, remains largely closed to most nationalities and races, with a narrow exception for white South Africans.
          We are a people shaped by the Word of God, called by the apostle Paul to “welcome one another … just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). As Lutherans, we confess a faith that compels us to welcome and protect the vulnerable, to honor the dignity God gives every human being, and to uphold laws and policies that provide refuge to those fleeing violence, persecution and profound hardship.
          In this moment, I invite this church to prayer, lament and action.
          As a church, we pray for protection and justice for all TPS holders — from Haiti and Syria, and for the more than 1.3 million people who may be affected by this decision, including those from Venezuela, El Salvador, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and many other nations. May God’s mercy surround them and sustain them in the days ahead.
          As a church, we pray for the churches, ministries and leaders of the ELCA who walk alongside immigrant communities through accompaniment, advocacy and immigration services. May they be granted wisdom, strength and courage for the work to which God has called them.
          As a church, we lament the dehumanization of immigrants through rhetoric rooted in racism, white supremacy, xenophobia and fear — particularly against Black and Brown immigrants. We reject the spread of lies and conspiracy theories that falsely accuse these communities of harm. And we recommit ourselves to speaking truth, honoring dignity and recognizing every person as made in the image of God.
          As a church, we call on the administration to do what is just — to extend TPS protections where conditions remain dangerous and unstable, and to support comprehensive immigration reform that reflects both justice and mercy, offering welcome to those who seek safety within our borders.
          And I ask each of you, faithful people of God, to continue the work of love: through prayer, through advocacy, through accompaniment and through faithful witness in your communities.
          Beloved, in times like these, it is easy to grow weary. But we are not alone. The God who calls us is faithful. The risen Christ invites us forward. The presence of the Spirit fills us with the power and courage to act.
          Together, we walk the way of Jesus — with courage, with compassion and with hope.
          May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. In Christ,
The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

Ask your senators to pass legislation to protect Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. On June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a decision that will allow the U.S. administration to proceed with terminating TPS – a legal immigration status intended to protect people from returning to countries where they face harm – for more than 330,000 people from Haiti and 3,800 from Syria.
The termination of legal status threatens to separate families, destabilize local U.S. economies and force people to return to countries where they may face severe humanitarian crises, violence and threats to their lives. The decision will likely also impact more than 1.3 million TPS holders from nations including Venezuela, which is faced with recovering from a devastating earthquake.
The Rev. Yehiel Curry, ELCA presiding bishop, shared a statement on SCOTUS immigration decisions. As Lutherans, we confess a faith that stirs us to welcome and protect the vulnerable, to honor the dignity God bestows on every human being, and to uphold laws and policies that provide refuge to those fleeing violence, persecution and profound hardship. 
The ELCA has called on the administration to do what is right—to extend TPS protections where conditions remain dangerous and unstable and support comprehensive immigration reform that reflects both justice and mercy. The House of Representatives has already passed a bipartisan bill to extend protections for Haiti TPS holders.
Use this Action Alert to ask your senators to co-sponsor the Senate version of the House bill, S. 4814, and to urge the administration to protect TPS holders who face loss of legal status and deportation to countries where they are not safe. https://act.elca.org/page/100077/action/1?

Call on Congress to support the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025. In response to human trafficking, the ELCA brings distinctive theological witness grounded in the recognition that every person is made in the image of God and has God-given dignity and worth. Human trafficking is coercion, abduction and/or imprisonment of people for forced labor, often of a sexual nature.
          Christians are called to recognize and lament the profound harm trafficking inflicts, while also bearing witness to God's healing, justice and hope. The church listens to and lifts up the experiences of survivors, affirming both the reality of their suffering and the possibility of freedom and restoration.
          The ELCA social message "Commercial Sexual Exploitation" reflects on the sin at work when persons become objects to be used for the benefit of others and calls the church to combat the evils of trafficking systems. Of sex trafficking, it notes: "This church supports international agreements and national laws to stop sex trafficking and calls for the will and the resources to enforce them."
          The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 1144) gives Congress the opportunity to pass legislation that will: 

·        Prioritize the dignity and experiences of survivors.
·        Reauthorize funding that strengthens anti-trafficking measures and increases survivors’ protection.
·        Support educational grants for prevention and wide-ranging social services.

In 2025, Women of the ELCA urged education, awareness and advocacy to combat human trafficking, including this prayer: “We pray that the Spirit moves us to remember that we are worthy; we are not objects, even if we are treated as such… We pray that the Spirit teaches all of us new ways to fight against this practice so that someday soon we can say how glad we are that this is not an issue anymore.”
          Successful passage of this transformative bipartisan legislation is possible. Take action now and encourage members of Congress to support survivors and pass H.R. 1144.
https://act.elca.org/page/100110/action/1?

This Week: Reconciling Works Bible Study:
We at ReconcilingWorks wish to invite you and your community to the ReconcilingWorks monthly Bible Study, online via Zoom.
When:  Every third Thursday of the month:
July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17
Time:   3:00 pm Central  /  4:00 pm Eastern
Register at: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ReconcilingWorks_1/register.html

·        The Zoom link will be emailed two days in advance to those who register.
·        The Bible Study is led by a rostered leader.
·        The text for the Bible Study is for the Sunday ten days after the Bible Study Zoom gathering.
·         Sermon Notes are also available on the website.

School’s out for the summer — but hunger doesn’t take a break. And right now, one in five children in the U.S. is at risk of hunger. For Black and Latino(a) children, that number climbs to nearly one in three.
          SNAP and various summer nutrition programs try to fill the gaps left when school is out, but without consistent federal funding, millions of children could be left without enough to eat.
          That’s why Bread for the World is launching our School’s Out Campaign today with a goal of raising $10,000 to support advocacy for children experiencing hunger.
Programs like SNAP, WIC, and school and summer nutrition programs are proven tools against childhood hunger — but they depend on consistent congressional support to reach every family that needs them. Donate at: https://give.bread.org/page/99231/donate/1?

Your gift today will rush urgently needed support to families affected by the earthquakes. You will provide emergency aid — like water, medical care, shelter and essential supplies —to neighbors facing some of the darkest moments of their lives.

Summer at LSM is in full swing! Live from LSM is your destination for livestreamed performances. Tune in to enjoy recitals, concerts, and worship services broadcast live from the St. Olaf College campus. https://www.lsmacademy.org/live
          Missed a performance? LSM on Demand provides access to archived livestream recordings, allowing you to enjoy recitals, concerts, and worship services whenever it's convenient for you.
https://www.lsmacademy.org/on-demand

Updates Beginning 5 July 2026

This Tuesday: First Tuesday is Trying a New Place 7 July! New Location: Boxing Bear Brewing Co., 12501 Candelaria, NE (NW corner of Candelaria and Tramway). Hope to see you there! ~Teresa Dubuque

Save the Date: 19 July! Following worship, please join us in Fellowship Hall for a Connecting with Council coffee hour. ~Deborah Ash

Hymn Note for “In This Time of Great Reflection”: “In This Time of Great Reflection” is a hymn that lifts up the theme of the Puritan John Winthrop’s 1630 sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity.” Winthrop talked about the Massachusetts Bay Colony as “a city on a hill,” referencing Jesus’ image from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:14. In his use of this phrase, Winthrop wasn’t giving a sermon about American exceptionalism, as some later historical figures have suggested. As historian Daniel T. Rodgers explains in As a City on a Hill: The Story of America’s Most Famous Lay Sermon, Winthrop was actually delivering a warning: The eyes of the world would be on Plymouth to see if the colony would morally succeed in being loving, just, humble, good, neighborly, and kind.
This hymn is a prayer that, as we reflect on our nation’s 250th anniversary, we will strive to be a morally responsible and community-building people; that we will repent of our sins and become as loving and humble as God is calling us to be. The hymn tune, RESTORATION (most often used for “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”) is a 19th-century American folk tune, as is the alternate tune, HOLY MANNA. Both tunes come from the shape-note folk music tradition. ~Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

A Note from Pastor Koppel: I'm sorry to share that Dalton is no longer with us. We wish him the best as he finds a new position. My colleagues (near and far) frequently share their staffing challenges too, so I know that we are not alone.  I also acknowledge that the work culture is constantly changing.  So the next step is to gather with the Council Executive Team, Personnel Team, and the Calico Board to have a collaborative "think tank" session (or two) to look at the bigger picture of St. Paul and Calico together as we seek to right-size our staff.  ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

God’s Work Our Hands: During these summer months, we encourage you to continue supporting the Storehouse through donations of nonperishable food as well as pet food, and Adopted Families through donated household items and cash donations. Thank you to all who donated to Friends Feeding Friends in June! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Although Adult Faith Development classes are paused during the summer months, the AFD team is already considering what we might offer for the Fall semester, 2026. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for topics to discuss, books to study, or other areas of interest that relate to adult spiritual growth and development. Please feel free to share your thoughts with any one of the AFD team members (Bob Matthews, Jan Krakow, Sally Trigg, or Teresa Dubuque). Also, if you are interested in being part of the AFD team, please let us know. We would love your help!" ~For the AFD team, Teresa Dubuque

A Thank You to St. Paul:
Please let all of God’s beloveds at the congregation know that we (ReconcilingWorks) are grateful for your partnership and the ministry you provide in Albuquerque! RIC faith communities like yours make a meaningful difference in the life of the church – and in the wider world beyond the walls of any church.
          Thank you also for your financial gift from last December! We are grateful for your ongoing support of the work we do. ~Deacon David Behling 

ST. PAUL FALL SEMESTER 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: Applications for St. Paul scholarships administered by the St. Paul Scholarship Committee for the benefit of members of St. Paul will be available beginning June 15, 2026 for those who wish to apply.
Application forms may be downloaded from the St. Paul website, www.stpaulabq.org. Completed applications must be received by mail in the St. Paul church office not later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, or sent by the same deadline by email in PDF format to info@stpaulabq.org.
The St. Paul Endowed Scholarship fund is comprised of donations from the Meuli and Mutschmann families and includes additional funding from the Voida family. Available funds for this year will be dispersed by the scholarship committee according to the number of qualified  applicants. The Olson Scholarship is available only to those members attending a Lutheran or Baptist college or seminary; the amount of this specific category of scholarships will be granted to qualifying students according to available funds.
Applications will be available from St. Paul website beginning June 15, 2026 or in-person at St. Paul Lutheran Church Office. For more information please contact me at omardurant@yahoo.com. Thank you. ~Omar Durant

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews
 

From Local Partner Organizations

VIN Etching Event
The APD Auto Theft Unit will be hosting a VIN Etching event on July 25th from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Albuquerque Police Department Support Annex located at 5300 2nd St. NW.
Participants should ensure they have their have driver license, current registration and proof of insurance.

National Night Out. Each year, on the first Tuesday in August, neighbors from across the United States host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts, and various other community events to send a message that our community is fighting back against crime.
National Night Out is an excellent opportunity for you and your neighbors to socialize, renew acquaintances, welcome new neighbors, and join fellow community members by coming together to strengthen neighborhoods and improve police-community partnerships to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
Locally, National Night Out is sponsored by the Albuquerque Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit.

Objectives

• Heighten crime prevention awareness;

• Generate support for, and participation in, local crime prevention efforts;

• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships;

• Renew old acquaintances and establish new friendships by getting to know your neighbor; and
  
  Activities

• Front yard picnics or picnics in the park

• Walk the neighborhood or stroll the street event to add activity to your day

• Sidewalk chalk art with positive messaging

• Front porch celebrations for each household on the block

• Roving ice cream social with HOA or Neighborhood Board members delivering pre-packaged treats to each front yard or driveway

Please join us in celebrating your community on August 4th. Be a part of National Night Out by registering your event today at https://www.cabq.gov/national-night-out.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

ELCA Bishop’ s Message: All Together in One Place, June 23, 2026
America at 250: Holding gratitude and humility

Dear church,
As we look toward the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, many of us will celebrate with fireworks, parades and barbecues. Independence Day often brings us together with family and friends. Yet there is more that connects us than our communal celebrations. We are also connected through a common vision.
          Signed in 1776, the Declaration of Independence proclaims a vision of equality for all people. While there were other nations pushing for equality at the time, the declaration was and is a monumental document in the way it names the aspiration so boldly. As we observe and celebrate the 250th anniversary of that signing, we also affirm the vision of freedom and equality it casts. We can be grateful.
          And with contrition and humility, we acknowledge all the ways we have failed to embody that vision. As members of this church, we are called to “pray, participate in, and advocate for civic life in the United States that reflects God’s activity and call, which seek both the well-being of all people and a creation marked by justice and peace” (ELCA social statement Faith and Civic Life, p. 89).
          As Lutherans, we know the importance of naming realities for what they are. As citizens, we confess the ways we have not yet realized the vision of the Declaration of Independence and, more importantly, as Christians we confess the ways we have participated in or been complicit in failures to live into the vision God provides. This vision is rooted in creation and redemption. God crafts each person in God’s own image and sends Jesus Christ to redeem us, setting us free to follow Christ’s new commandment to love one another. 
          The history of the United States is complex, and all too often we have fallen short of our stated values. Indigenous peoples across this land have been forced to cede their ancestral homes and pushed to reservations. Women and men have been prevented from voting because of their sex and race and spat on and jailed when they demanded their rights. Japanese American families were interned during World War II. Queer and transgender people’s lives are obstructed by federal and state orders.
          There is a photograph of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the nine Black teenagers who integrated Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957. Books under her arm, she faces forward as angry white people crowd behind her. She was just trying to go to school.
          Holding both the failures and the vision in our hearts and minds, I invite us to ask ourselves, “What does it mean to celebrate a promise that is real and yet still unfolding? What does it mean to be a people who always live in ‘the already but not yet’”?
          This is a central question for us not only as we mark the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence but also in our daily lives as people of faith. The prophets repeatedly remind us of the vision God casts for all of creation, and they call us to account when, as God’s own people, we fall short.
          When we fall short, we remember we are rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We think, speak and live out faith through God’s future. God’s future is resurrection. As a church, we are turned not only to the past but to the future God is making possible right now through us as we love and serve others.
          As Lutheran Christians, we believe that God calls us to:

• Remember our connection to each other through baptism, as Scripture teaches us: “We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another” (Romans 12:5).

• Name sin for what it really is and to repent of it, as the Augsburg Confession and the catechisms remind us.

• Serve the common good in society as “earthly measures toward God’s intention” (Faith and Civic Life, p. 11).

As we celebrate 250 years of the Declaration of Independence, we can hold gratitude and humility, possibilities and shortcomings. We continue to live in the already and the not-yet.
          And we hold fast to the most important promise of all: the presence of God with us, the power of the resurrection of Christ, the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit and the ever-unfolding grace of God.
          We celebrate this occasion neither as a perfect nation nor as a perfect church but as a people held in God’s grace and called into community in service to all neighbors and for the sake of the world God so loves. In Christ,
The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Next Week: Reconciling Works Bible Study:
We at ReconcilingWorks wish to invite you and your community to the ReconcilingWorks monthly Bible Study, online via Zoom
When:  Every third Thursday of the month:
July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17
Time:   3:00 pm Central  /  4:00 pm Eastern
Register at: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ReconcilingWorks_1/register.html

• The Zoom link will be emailed two days in advance to those who register.

• The Bible Study is led by a rostered leader.

• The text for the Bible Study is for the Sunday ten days after the Bible Study Zoom gathering.

• Sermon Notes are also available on the website.

School’s out for the summer — but hunger doesn’t take a break. And right now, one in five children in the U.S. is at risk of hunger. For Black and Latino(a) children, that number climbs to nearly one in three.
          SNAP and various summer nutrition programs try to fill the gaps left when school is out, but without consistent federal funding, millions of children could be left without enough to eat.
          That’s why Bread for the World is launching our School’s Out Campaign today with a goal of raising $10,000 to support advocacy for children experiencing hunger.
Programs like SNAP, WIC, and school and summer nutrition programs are proven tools against childhood hunger — but they depend on consistent congressional support to reach every family that needs them. Donate at: https://give.bread.org/page/99231/donate/1?

Speak up for SNAP in the Senate Farm Bill: This week the Senate introduced its version of the Farm Bill, one of the most important tools we have for addressing hunger at home and around the world. However, the current text does not address one of Bread for the World’s top priorities - the inclusion of a delay to the new SNAP state cost-share requirement. Without a delay, steep new costs imposed so suddenly on states could lead to disruptions in food assistance for millions of people.
The Senate will be debating the Farm Bill over the next month, which means now is a critical time to advocate to protect people who will struggle to put food on the table if SNAP is disrupted. Please email your senators now and urge them to strengthen nutrition programs like SNAP in the Farm Bill.
Your voice matters, and together our voices are stronger. Take action today:
https://go.bread.org/page/99622/action/1?

Your gift today will rush urgently needed support to families affected by the earthquakes. You will provide emergency aid — like water, medical care, shelter and essential supplies —to neighbors facing some of the darkest moments of their lives.

Urge the Senate to Extend TPS for Haitians. After the Supreme Court's recent Mullin v. Doe ruling, Haitian TPS holders are more vulnerable than ever. Congress must lock in protections now.
          Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a lifesaving humanitarian protection tool in U.S. immigration law. It allows people from countries facing war, natural disasters, or other major crises to live and work legally in the United States while their home country remains unsafe. TPS offers stability, protection, and the ability to support their families until it is safe to return home.
          The U.S. government has extended TPS for Haiti as conditions worsened over the last few years. The island nation continues to endure political and economic collapse, widespread gang violence, kidnappings, and a breakdown of essential services and state infrastructure, including access to food, shelter, water, and healthcare.
          The Haiti TPS designation has provided a lawful immigration status for more than 350,000 people—making it one of the largest TPS populations in the country. Haitians on TPS also fill critical needs in the American workforce, with thousands contributing as agricultural workers, nursing assistants, and caregivers.
          The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed a bill to designate TPS for Haiti through 2029. Through the incredible work of advocates, faith-based groups, and others, that effort overcame sizable obstacles to passage.
          Sen. Markey of Massachusetts has now introduced the same bill in the U.S. Senate. Time is of the essence for this bill to preserve protections for Haitians in the United States.
          Sign our action alert to urge your Senator to co-sponsor this lifesaving bill! https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/

Updates Beginning 28 June 2026

This week: Supporting our Neighbors.  A couple weeks ago, I shared my experience with evangelical nationalists at a Bernalillo County Planning Commission meeting on 3 June.  That meeting was to (in part) hear an appeal to the Zoning Administrator's approval for a mosque to be built at 9600 2nd Street NW.  My understanding is that the evangelical nationalist's opposition is what caused the agenda item to be postponed.   A summary of what I heard from those who oppose the mosque, in essence, is that they believe all Muslims are violent and that the US is to be a white, Christian nation.  To be clear, The ABQ Islamic Center (the community wanting to build a new mosque), has been among us for nearly 15 years with no history of violence except what has been done to them.  My friends, not only does our understanding of Jesus make room for neighbors with differing faiths, so too does our US Constitution.  I stand with our Muslim neighbors.  The next County Planning Commission meeting is set for 1 July @ 9am, both in person and on-line.  I plan to show up in person.  The physical address is 415 Silver SW, ABW, NM 87102.  The Zoom link will be posted on the Bernalillo County website (County Planning Commission hearing agenda) one week prior to the hearing (http://bernalillocountynm.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx). May the Spirit do her thing among us!  ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

A Note from Pastor Koppel: I'm sorry to share that Dalton is no longer with us. We wish him the best as he finds a new position. My colleagues (near and far) frequently share their staffing challenges too, so I know that we are not alone.  I also acknowledge that the work culture is constantly changing.  So the next step is to gather with the Council Executive Team, Personnel Team, and the Calico Board to have a collaborative "think tank" session (or two) to look at the bigger picture of St. Paul and Calico together as we seek to right-size our staff.  ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Although Adult Faith Development classes are paused during the summer months, the AFD team is already considering what we might offer for the Fall semester, 2026. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for topics to discuss, books to study, or other areas of interest that relate to adult spiritual growth and development. Please feel free to share your thoughts with any one of the AFD team members (Bob Matthews, Jan Krakow, Sally Trigg, or Teresa Dubuque). Also, if you are interested in being part of the AFD team, please let us know. We would love your help!" ~For the AFD team, Teresa Dubuque

First Tuesday is Trying a New Place 7 July! New Location: Boxing Bear Brewing Co., 12501 Candelaria, NE (NW corner of Candelaria/Tramway). Hope to see you there! ~Teresa Dubuque

June’s God’s Work Our Hands project is collecting funds for Friends Feeding Friends’ First Thursday meal in July at HopeWorks. Please write Friends Feeding Friends in your check’s memo line. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

ST. PAUL FALL SEMESTER 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: Applications for St. Paul scholarships administered by the St. Paul Scholarship Committee for the benefit of members of St. Paul will be available beginning June 15, 2026 for those who wish to apply.
Application forms may be downloaded from the St. Paul website, www.stpaulabq.org. Completed applications must be received by mail in the St. Paul church office not later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, or sent by the same deadline by email in PDF format to info@stpaulabq.org.
The St. Paul Endowed Scholarship fund is comprised of donations from the Meuli and Mutschmann families and includes additional funding from the Voida family. Available funds for this year will be dispersed by the scholarship committee according to the number of qualified 
applicants. The Olson Scholarship is available only to those members attending a Lutheran or Baptist college or seminary; the amount of this specific category of scholarships will be granted to qualifying students according to available funds.
Applications will be available from St. Paul website beginning June 15, 2026 or in-person at St. Paul Lutheran Church Office. For more information please contact me at omardurant@yahoo.com. Thank you. ~Omar Durant

A Thank You to St. Paul:
Please let all of God’s beloveds at the congregation know that we (ReconcilingWorks) are grateful for your partnership and the ministry you provide in Albuquerque! RIC faith communities like yours make a meaningful difference in the life of the church – and in the wider world beyond the walls of any church.
          Thank you also for your financial gift from last December! We are grateful for your ongoing support of the work we do. ~Deacon David Behling

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

ELCA Bishop’ s Message: All Together in One Place, June 23, 2026
America at 250: Holding gratitude and humility

Dear church,
As we look toward the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, many of us will celebrate with fireworks, parades and barbecues. Independence Day often brings us together with family and friends. Yet there is more that connects us than our communal celebrations. We are also connected through a common vision.
          Signed in 1776, the Declaration of Independence proclaims a vision of equality for all people. While there were other nations pushing for equality at the time, the declaration was and is a monumental document in the way it names the aspiration so boldly. As we observe and celebrate the 250th anniversary of that signing, we also affirm the vision of freedom and equality it casts. We can be grateful.
          And with contrition and humility, we acknowledge all the ways we have failed to embody that vision. As members of this church, we are called to “pray, participate in, and advocate for civic life in the United States that reflects God’s activity and call, which seek both the well-being of all people and a creation marked by justice and peace” (ELCA social statement Faith and Civic Life, p. 89).
          As Lutherans, we know the importance of naming realities for what they are. As citizens, we confess the ways we have not yet realized the vision of the Declaration of Independence and, more importantly, as Christians we confess the ways we have participated in or been complicit in failures to live into the vision God provides. This vision is rooted in creation and redemption. God crafts each person in God’s own image and sends Jesus Christ to redeem us, setting us free to follow Christ’s new commandment to love one another. 
          The history of the United States is complex, and all too often we have fallen short of our stated values. Indigenous peoples across this land have been forced to cede their ancestral homes and pushed to reservations. Women and men have been prevented from voting because of their sex and race and spat on and jailed when they demanded their rights. Japanese American families were interned during World War II. Queer and transgender people’s lives are obstructed by federal and state orders.
          There is a photograph of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the nine Black teenagers who integrated Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957. Books under her arm, she faces forward as angry white people crowd behind her. She was just trying to go to school.
          Holding both the failures and the vision in our hearts and minds, I invite us to ask ourselves, “What does it mean to celebrate a promise that is real and yet still unfolding? What does it mean to be a people who always live in ‘the already but not yet’”?
          This is a central question for us not only as we mark the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence but also in our daily lives as people of faith. The prophets repeatedly remind us of the vision God casts for all of creation, and they call us to account when, as God’s own people, we fall short.
          When we fall short, we remember we are rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We think, speak and live out faith through God’s future. God’s future is resurrection. As a church, we are turned not only to the past but to the future God is making possible right now through us as we love and serve others.

          As Lutheran Christians, we believe that God calls us to:

• Remember our connection to each other through baptism, as Scripture teaches us: “We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another” (Romans 12:5).

• Name sin for what it really is and to repent of it, as the Augsburg Confession and the catechisms remind us.

• Serve the common good in society as “earthly measures toward God’s intention” (Faith and Civic Life, p. 11).

As we celebrate 250 years of the Declaration of Independence, we can hold gratitude and humility, possibilities and shortcomings. We continue to live in the already and the not-yet.
          And we hold fast to the most important promise of all: the presence of God with us, the power of the resurrection of Christ, the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit and the ever-unfolding grace of God.
          We celebrate this occasion neither as a perfect nation nor as a perfect church but as a people held in God’s grace and called into community in service to all neighbors and for the sake of the world God so loves. In Christ,
The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

This week: This year, we’re celebrating Pride Month while recognizing the extreme challenges faced by many within the LGBTQ+ community. Support has never mattered more. We, people of diverse faiths and beliefs, are showing up with the courage of our convictions and refusing to back down. 
          We are proud to co-host the Pride Is Power Mass Call on June 29th at 7pm EDT. As our partners at Christopher Street Project have shared, “Pride started as a protest. This year, let’s organize like one.”
          Confirmed speakers include Mark Ruffalo, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride, Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, and Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.
          Together, we’re rallying to answer one central question: how do we turn visibility into political power this year? Register at: https://www.mobilize.us/csp/event/961027/?

This week: From Lutherans Restoring Creation, Tuesday, 6/30 @ 5pm PT/6MT/7CT/8 ET. We welcome Chad Crowley, a renewables developer, to talk about of intersection of energy and Lutheran ethics. Chad shares his experiences coming into communities considering change and collaborating with fellow developers, all through a persistent lens of his faith and seminary training.
We welcome this conversation as part of our longer collective dialogue regarding the nuance and authenticity of a Just Transition.  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lnpPh59iSZOHJvDvjrhjHw#/registration. For more info on Lutherans Restoring Creation, visit: https://lutheransrestoringcreation.org/

Reconciling Works Bible Study:

We at ReconcilingWorks wish to invite you and your community to the ReconcilingWorks monthly Bible Study, online via Zoom
When:  Every third Thursday of the month:
July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17
Time:   3:00 pm Central  /  4:00 pm Eastern
Register at: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ReconcilingWorks_1/register.html

• The Zoom link will be emailed two days in advance to those who register.

• The Bible Study is led by a rostered leader.

• The text for the Bible Study is for the Sunday ten days after the Bible Study Zoom gathering.

• Sermon Notes are also available on the website.

From Bread for the World: School’s out for the summer — but hunger doesn’t take a break. And right now, one in five children in the U.S. is at risk of hunger. For Black and Latino(a) children, that number climbs to nearly one in three.
          SNAP and various summer nutrition programs try to fill the gaps left when school is out, but without consistent federal funding, millions of children could be left without enough to eat.
          That’s why Bread for the World is launching our School’s Out Campaign today with a goal of raising $10,000 to support advocacy for children experiencing hunger.
Programs like SNAP, WIC, and school and summer nutrition programs are proven tools against childhood hunger — but they depend on consistent congressional support to reach every family that needs them. Donate at: https://give.bread.org/page/99231/donate/1?

From Lutheran World Relief: A group of caring and compassionate friends in faith has joined together to fund a $155,000 Love Thy Neighbor Matching Gift Challenge! When you donate by June 30, your gift will be matched — dollar for dollar — to reach your neighbors who are suffering right now. https://lwr.org/

Updates Beginning 21 June 2026

Supporting our Neighbors.  A couple weeks ago, I shared my experience with evangelical nationalists at a Bernalillo County Planning Commission meeting on 3 June.  That meeting was to (in part) hear an appeal to the Zoning Administrator's approval for a mosque to be built at 9600 2nd Street NW.  My understanding is that the evangelical nationalist's opposition is what caused the agenda item to be postponed.   A summary of what I heard from those who oppose the mosque, in essence, is that they believe all Muslims are violent and that the US is to be a white, Christian nation.  To be clear, The ABQ Islamic Center (the community wanting to build a new mosque), has been among us for nearly 15 years with no history of violence except what has been done to them.  My friends, not only does our understanding of Jesus make room for neighbors with differing faiths, so too does our US Constitution.  I stand with our Muslim neighbors.  The next County Planning Commission meeting is set for 1 July @ 9am, both in person and on-line.  I plan to show up in person.  The physical address is 415 Silver SW, ABW, NM 87102.  The Zoom link will be posted on the Bernalillo County website (County Planning Commission hearing agenda) one week prior to the hearing (http://bernalillocountynm.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx).  (We'll send that link out electronically as soon as we see it posted.)  May the Spirit do her thing among us!  Peace, Pr. Koppel

Although Adult Faith Development classes are paused during the summer months, the AFD team is already considering what we might offer for the Fall semester, 2026. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for topics to discuss, books to study, or other areas of interest that relate to adult spiritual growth and development. Please feel free to share your thoughts with any one of the AFD team members (Bob Matthews, Jan Krakow, Sally Trigg, or Teresa Dubuque). Also, if you are interested in being part of the AFD team, please let us know. We would love your help!" ~For the AFD team, Teresa Dubuque

First Tuesday is Trying a New Place 7 July! New Location: Boxing Bear Brewing Co., 12501 Candelaria, NE (NW corner of Candelaria/Tramway). Hope to see you there! ~Teresa Dubuque

June’s God’s Work Our Hands project is collecting funds for Friends Feeding Friends’ First Thursday meal in July at HopeWorks. Please write Friends Feeding Friends in your check’s memo line. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

ST. PAUL FALL SEMESTER 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: Applications for St. Paul scholarships administered by the St. Paul Scholarship Committee for the benefit of members of St. Paul will be available beginning June 15, 2026 for those who wish to apply.
Application forms may be downloaded from the St. Paul website, www.stpaulabq.org. Completed applications must be received by mail in the St. Paul church office not later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, or sent by the same deadline by email in PDF format to info@stpaulabq.org.
The St. Paul Endowed Scholarship fund is comprised of donations from the Meuli and Mutschmann families and includes additional funding from the Voida family. Available funds for this year will be dispersed by the scholarship committee according to the number of qualified 
applicants. The Olson Scholarship is available only to those members attending a Lutheran or Baptist college or seminary; the amount of this specific category of scholarships will be granted to qualifying students according to available funds.
Applications will be available from St. Paul website beginning June 15, 2026 or in-person at St. Paul Lutheran Church Office. For more information please contact me at omardurant@yahoo.com. Thank you. ~Omar Durant

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

A Thank You to St. Paul:
Dear St. Paul Lutheran Church, we are deeply grateful for your generous gift of $600 to HopeWorks. Because of supporters like you, we can continue serving individuals and families as they work toward stability, self-sufficiency, and a brighter future.
          Thank you for investing in our homeless and precariously housed community members. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Heidi Schultz, CEO 

From Local Partner Organizations

This week: Queer Cinema for Palestine: No Pride in Genocide, Fri 6/26, 7 PM, ABQ Guild Cinema: 3405 Central Ave NE. ABQ Tzedek Collective, ABQ Mutual Aid, ABQ SURJ, UNM for Justice in Palestine, and Among the Rubble Collective will bring the global film event “Queer Cinema for Palestine: No Pride in Genocide” to Albuquerque's Guild Cinema on June 26. The screening will include 6 short films selected by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The global event will include 300 screenings in 60 countries, in 20 languages.
          The Albuquerque event will be a fundraiser, with funds to be split between two grassroots organizations supporting queer folks locally and in Palestine: Al Qaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society; and ABQ+ Community Fund (a collective of BIPOC trans and queer organizers working in solidarity to support the queer, gender-expansive community of the global majority). Tickets may be purchased at the door or buy advance tickets at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_AenBfdEsJ52zbobfimnL9Vwf5d0G3aKlu2RVIBXe16gApw/viewform

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

ELCA Presiding Bishop’s June Message: All Together in One Place

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1).

 Every day, I receive emails and messages from members across this church. Many of you share concerns about the state of the world and how faith informs your response to troubling or perplexing events. Sometimes you ask me to speak out more often regarding current affairs, and sometimes you ask me not to speak so much. I cannot answer every message, yet I am learning from you and feel the heartbeat of this church through the concerns, fears and hopes you share with me.
          To continue our conversation and respond to what I am hearing from you, I will issue a monthly message through the end of this year in a series called “All Together in One Place.” Each message will share a pastoral word that witnesses to God’s presence today, rooted in Scripture, our rich theological tradition and the social teaching that connects us for life together.
          At the first Pentecost, the disciples were guided by the prophet Joel’s assurance that, even in troubling and perplexing times, God is faithfully present.
          Our baptismal vocation together is to serve God and neighbor in daily life, fostering “a faith that is active in love, a love that seeks justice, and an insight that strives to discern what is right, good, and fitting” (ELCA social statement The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective, 1991, p. 6). Baptism invites us to love our neighbor, to steward creation, to advocate justice and mercy in situations of brokenness, and to seek peace.
          As much as we strive to be “all together in one place,” we may not agree on how to do this. The letters I receive testify that we span a beautiful and God-given diversity that invites Lutherans into deep listening, moral deliberation and a certain humility as we seek the common good.
          In our differences, we can still be together in one place, when that place is connection in the unity that only Christ gives us (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We stand in one place when we embrace the dignity of every human being by engaging others with curiosity and respect. We stand in one place when we shake off the immobility of fear to nurture connection in diversity. Our witness to the world embodies 2 Timothy 1:7: “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”
Just as those early followers of Jesus Christ experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, may we also trust when the Holy Spirit comes blowing into our lives to connect the body of Christ. In peace, The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

Reconciling Works Bible Study:
We at ReconcilingWorks wish to invite you and your community to the ReconcilingWorks monthly Bible Study, online via Zoom
When:  Every third Thursday of the month:
July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17
Time:   3:00 pm Central  /  4:00 pm Eastern
Register at: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ReconcilingWorks_1/register.html 

·        The Zoom link will be emailed two days in advance to those who register.
·        The Bible Study is led by a rostered leader.
·        The text for the Bible Study is for the Sunday ten days after the Bible Study Zoom gathering.
·         Sermon Notes are also available on the website.

This week: Webinar: Engaging as People of Faith Amid Rise in For-Profit Immigration Detention. Across the U.S., we are seeing rapid expansion of for-profit immigration detention centers, tragic death and abuses in these facilities, and record profits reported by contracting companies. How should people of faith respond? On June 24 at 1-1:30 p.m. ET, hear from ELCA AMMPARO, Theological Discernment, and Witness in Society staff about the history of immigration detention and the theology and biblical witness that can inform churches’ response, as well as ways to engage. An optional 15 minute Q&A time follows the presentation. To register: https://bit.ly/ELCAwebinarForProfitDetention

Ensure inclusion of funds for the East Jerusalem Hospital Network in the FY27 budget. The East Jerusalem Hospital Network (EJHN) includes Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH), a ministry of Lutheran World Federation, and five other hospitals in the East Jerusalem area. This network has long been the backbone of the Palestinian healthcare system, providing essential tertiary care, specialized treatments and training for health professionals that are otherwise inaccessible to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. They are critical in addressing the medical needs of Palestinian patients. Currently, AVH is treating on average 150 cancer patients a day.
          As the ELCA, we strongly urge Congress to continue its almost 15-year bipartisan tradition of generosity in supporting the EJHN including AVH. At this pivotal moment in Palestine and Israel, following so much destruction, funding is crucial to support the only facility that provides comprehensive cancer care to Palestinians and their only access to top-tier medical treatment due to the many security constraints placed upon the Palestinian people. Significant support for the EJHN from other institutions and governments is urgently needed.
          Our advocacy is a response to God’s call to care for the vulnerable and aid those in need. Add your voice to support paths that lead to peace. https://act.elca.org/page/99335/action/1?

Legislation will help ease the economic crisis in Cuba. The Cuban people are currently facing one of the worst economic crises the country has known. Food prices have skyrocketed, and fuel, medicines and water are in short supply. Cuba’s severe economic hardship is attributed to a combination of state mismanagement and severe external pressure.
The United States first imposed a trade embargo on Cuba in 1962, prohibiting most imports and exports between the two countries and restricting Americans from travelling to Cuba. The embargo has isolated Cuba from conducting business with the United States and other countries. Moreover, sending humanitarian aid to Cuba is very difficult because of these restrictions.
Representative Jim McGovern and Senator Ron Wyden have introduced the Freedom to Export to Cuba Act (H.R.7521 and S.136) to repeal the U.S. embargo and other provisions restricting trade and travel to Cuba.
The ELCA has companion partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Lutheran Confession in Cuba, the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Matanzas and the Ecumenical Council of Cuba. In this accompaniment, the ELCA has long called for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
We can also urge lifting of restrictions. Ask your representative and senators to co-sponsor and support these bills. https://act.elca.org/page/99294/action/1?

From Lutherans Restoring Creation: Tuesday, 6/30 @ 5pm PT/6MT/7CT/8 ET.
We welcome Chad Crowley, a renewables developer, to talk about of intersection of energy and Lutheran ethics. Chad shares his experiences coming into communities considering change and collaborating with fellow developers, all through a persistent lens of his faith and seminary training.
We welcome this conversation as part of our longer collective dialogue regarding the nuance and authenticity of a Just Transition.  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lnpPh59iSZOHJvDvjrhjHw#/registration. For more info on Lutherans Restoring Creation, visit: https://lutheransrestoringcreation.org/

From Bread for the World: School’s out for the summer — but hunger doesn’t take a break. And right now, one in five children in the U.S. is at risk of hunger. For Black and Latino(a) children, that number climbs to nearly one in three.
          SNAP and various summer nutrition programs try to fill the gaps left when school is out, but without consistent federal funding, millions of children could be left without enough to eat.
          That’s why Bread for the World is launching our School’s Out Campaign today with a goal of raising $10,000 to support advocacy for children experiencing hunger.
Programs like SNAP, WIC, and school and summer nutrition programs are proven tools against childhood hunger — but they depend on consistent congressional support to reach every family that needs them. Donate at: https://give.bread.org/page/99231/donate/1?

From Lutheran World Relief: A group of caring and compassionate friends in faith has joined together to fund a $155,000 Love Thy Neighbor Matching Gift Challenge! When you donate by June 30, your gift will be matched — dollar for dollar — to reach your neighbors who are suffering right now. https://lwr.org/

Updates Beginning 14 June 2026

A big Thank You! to everyone who participated in Saturday’s Pride Parade! We joined First Congregational UCC, All Saints, and Luther House, and had a great turnout from St. Paul! ~Deborah Ash

Although Adult Faith Development classes are paused during the summer months, the AFD team is already considering what we might offer for the Fall semester, 2026. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for topics to discuss, books to study, or other areas of interest that relate to adult spiritual growth and development. Please feel free to share your thoughts with any one of the AFD team members (Bob Matthews, Jan Krakow, Sally Trigg, or Teresa Dubuque). Also, if you are interested in being part of the AFD team, please let us know. We would love your help!" ~For the AFD team, Teresa Dubuque

ST. PAUL FALL SEMESTER 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: Applications for St. Paul scholarships administered by the St. Paul Scholarship Committee for the benefit of members of St. Paul will be available beginning June 15, 2026 for those who wish to apply.
Application forms may be downloaded from the St. Paul website, www.stpaulabq.org. Completed applications must be received by mail in the St. Paul church office not later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, or sent by the same deadline by email in PDF format to info@stpaulabq.org.
The St. Paul Endowed Scholarship fund is comprised of donations from the Meuli and Mutschmann families and includes additional funding from the Voida family. Available funds for this year will be dispersed by the scholarship committee according to the number of qualified 
applicants. The Olson Scholarship is available only to those members attending a Lutheran or Baptist college or seminary; the amount of this specific category of scholarships will be granted to qualifying students according to available funds.
Applications will be available from St. Paul website beginning June 15, 2026 or in-person at St. Paul Lutheran Church Office. For more information please contact me at omardurant@yahoo.com. Thank you. ~Omar Durant

June’s God’s Work Our Hands project is collecting funds for Friends Feeding Friends’ First Thursday meal in July at HopeWorks. Please write Friends Feeding Friends in your check’s memo line. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Madagascar Girls Camp Update: Dear St. Paul family, the 2026 Madagascar Girls Camp Fundraiser was a great success thanks to your genuine involvement in many ways.  For those who attended the Luncheon last Saturday and learned about the Camp impacts in rural communities through the girls: thanks so much for your time, donations, and fellowship. For those who sent in their contributions but were not able to attend: your generosity means a lot for this movement. For all the congregation members who have embraced this ministry: your prayers, support, and care are so much appreciated. Words cannot express my gratitude for what you do to the less fortunate and how much you care about those who cannot do anything for you in return. It is a live testimony that church is not just about bricks and walls; it is rather the companionship in God' s work through a mission to make a difference in our shared world. So, thanks so much for making this year 's Girls Camp possible! ~Rijasoa Andriamanana 

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel
 

From Local Partner Organizations

Our Journey: Stories From The Open Table Connection, Empathy in Action.

Anessa (She/They) is a student at UNM pursuing an English degree, hoping one day to become a professor. She identifies as a Christian and carries a deep desire to understand others and build meaningful connections across differences.
          What drew Anessa to The Open Table Connection was a longing to live out empathy in a real, tangible way. Anessa first joined The Open Table on an outing to share in an Ramadan dinner at the Raindrop Foundation. “The best way to gain empathy,” she shared, “is to get to know people and participate in their cultures,” she said, emphasizing the importance of presence over assumptions. Attending the Ramadan dinner became a powerful moment of that lived empathy. “I thought it was really nice,” she said, “and very informative,” adding thoughtfully.
What impacted her most was the sense of connection created through something simple yet profound. “Being able to eat with people,” she said, “really kind of set in that family feeling,” explaining that sharing a meal made the experience “more intimate than just sitting down and talking.” That table became more than food, it became a larger community.
After the Ramadan dinner experience with The Open Table, Anessa found herself deeply affirmed. “My opinion of the Muslim community didn’t change that much, because it was already positive,” she reflected, “but it definitely gave me an inside view of their community,” she said, recognizing how firsthand experience replaces assumptions. Her connection to The Open Table continued to grow as she attended Thursday meals at Luther House. In smaller, more intentional spaces, Anessa discovered something she had been missing. “It’s so easy to get forgotten,” she said of larger groups, but at Luther House, that wasn’t her experience. Instead, she found a place where community felt personal, where people were seen, and where empathy wasn’t just an idea, it was practiced around the table and in the community. To donate, visit: https://www.opentablenm.org/

Register at: lamesapresabq.org & click on La Mesa church's Events on the list OR you can click on the QR Code on the Flyer to get to the registration form.

Dear friends of Coro Lux, we want to THANK YOU for your ongoing support! As we close the books on our 11th season, we think you'll agree we've gone through a period of tremendous artistic growth. Coro Lux is becoming an important artistic voice in the state. We reached so many artistic high points in the last 12 months it's hard to remember without consulting the datebook. Some-- but not all-- of our season highlights included:

•  premiering a portion of Tiguex by the Diné Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Raven Chacon;

•  singing Considering Matthew Shepard in Santa Fe and Albuquerque under the direction of its composer, Grammy-winner Craig Hella Johnson, with narration by Ali MacGraw and Spencer Beckwith;

•  enjoying the leadership of Phillip Shoultz on the African American choral tradition, in partnership with the United Church of Santa Fe, and including Phillip’s work with Joe Mitchell and the El Faro Youth Chorus;

•  sharing a concert with UNM's "Fervent Praise" and Del Norte High School's "Something Major A Cappella;"

•  performing the opening concert of the American Choral Directors Association regional convention;

•  and giving the southwestern premiere of the Spanish-language Oceana under the baton of Dr. José Daniel Flores-Caraballo.

This season’s theme was “All of Us” and the repertoire was meant to illustrate there is no “us” and “them,” there’s only us. We believe music can be a force for moral good. It can help heal divisions and literally bring people together in harmony. Thank you for being a vital part of our musical family. Together, we can ensure that music continues to inspire and unite our community all year round. To donate, visit: https://abqcorolux.org/. With gratitude, Bradley Ellingboe, Founder and Artistic Director, ABQ Coro Lux

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Starting this Thursday:

We at ReconcilingWorks wish to invite you and your community to the ReconcilingWorks monthly Bible Study.

When:  Every third Thursday of the month:

June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17

Time:   3:00 pm Central  /  4:00 pm Eastern

Where: Online via Zoom

Register at: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ReconcilingWorks_1/register.html

June Bible Study materials are already available on the ReconcilingWorks Bible Study webpage: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/bible-study/

·        The Zoom link will be emailed two days in advance to those who register.

·        The Bible Study is led by a rostered leader.

·        The text for the Bible Study is for the Sunday ten days after the Bible Study Zoom gathering.

·        Sermon Notes are also available on the website.

The Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA gives thanks for the Reconciling in Christ congregations and ministries who offer a public witness of welcome, inclusion, and celebration for LGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ. This commitment is especially visible during Pride Month, but it is not limited to one month or season. It is part of our ongoing call to proclaim and embody God’s unconditional and radical love for the sake of the world.
Our commitment as a Reconciling in Christ Synod: "We as the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA welcome all into the fullness of God's love. This welcome is inclusive of people of every race, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, physical or mental ability, sex, or station in life. Rather than using our differences to divide us, we pledge to use our differences as gifts for our work together."
To learn more about the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) ministries in the Rocky Mountain Synod and upcoming events, visit: https://www.rmselca.org/reconciling-in-christ-ministries

June Message from the Bishop

Dear friends, ¿Qué es la vida en Cristo? What is life in Christ?
From April 23-25, members of the Rocky Mountain Synod gathered from throughout our five states at Bethany Lutheran Church in south Denver, Colorado around this question. What does it mean to be grounded in Jesus Christ as our identity and to carry out our God-given, Spirit-led vocations (callings) in our work, our relationships, and our communities?

          We pondered this question in prayer, worship, conversation, and decision-making:

·        Our keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, a professor of leadership and vocation at Iliff School of Theology, invited us to consider what it means for individual followers of Jesus to have a vocation, and for congregations to have a vocation—a calling in and into their communities.

·        In worship, readings and prayers of the people were shared via videos recorded by synod members in their various places of vocation. Prayers of the People

·        A resolution sponsored by our RMS creation care team was overwhelmingly passed in recognition of our human vocation to be better stewards of the earth.

·        Workshops and interest lunches offered resources for everything from congregational safety teams and communications to lay leadership development and justice organizing ministry, and more!

·        The hallways of Bethany were filled with tables from synod-area ministries like New Beginnings, Veteran Servant Corps, and Urban Servant Corps and by local, churchwide and global partners. Assembly Photos

·        In our business sessions, we elected 27 new synod council and committee members and passed our 2026 (revised) and 2027 budget to support ministries throughout and beyond our Rocky Mountain Synod and the ELCA. 2026 Elections

·        We welcomed as Churchwide representative and closing preacher Imran Siddiqui, ELCA vice president, who shared a stirring call to be bolder in proclaiming the life-giving Gospel in the face of Christian Nationalism, racism and dehumanization. The fact that Imran shared his wisdom and faith while besting our synod VP Ray Ferry and your bishop in a hot wing eating contest only enhanced our appreciation of his many gifts and his generosity of spirit in joyfully serving in our church!

In the weeks since synod assembly, Professor Kristina’s work has prompted continued reflection in my own heart. If a congregation has a vocation, why not a synod? And what is the vocation of the Rocky Mountain Synod? By this I mean, not only the beautiful weaving together of the diverse individual callings we each bring to the body of Christ, but also a shared and collective calling. What is our vocation, our vida en Christo, together?
Last year, I shared the four words that have guided our staff and synod council in discerning our purpose: to relate, support, connect, and equip the more that 40,000 people and 150 ministries of the Rocky Mountain Synod as the body of Christ in this part of the church and this part of the world. In my bishop’s report this year, I shared two new initiatives that have developed over the past year as ways to goals of relationship, support, connection, and equipping: the Every Congregation Visit Project (ECV), led by our synod minister team in the office of the bishop, and our Second Fruits Fund (2F), envisioned by a team of staff and synod council members. I encourage you to read more about both of these initiatives in my written report, and please stay tuned for more information to come.
          As June begins, we celebrate a season of our church year that—while it may be called “ordinary time,” is often filled with extraordinary moments of ministry. I invite your prayers for our Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp and Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp, as they complete staff training and welcome their first campers of the season alongside their two new directors (Dave Gunnlagson at Rainbow Trail and Deacon Missie Bonser as interim at Sky Ranch), whom we blessed at synod assembly for their work. Vacation Bible School and other camps and events will unfold over the next months in many of our congregations, and we give thanks for the staff, volunteers, and families who will join these ministries that invite children, youth, and adults into life in Christ.
          Throughout the Rocky Mountain Synod, many of our members and ministries will also participate in Pride events that celebrate and advocate for justice for LGBTQIA+ people. While it’s true that Pride is primarily a civic and community celebration (similar to U.S. holidays), the presence of churches and Christians at Pride is also an expression of life in Christ, and our vocation to love and serve our neighbors. The Rocky Mountain Synod is a Reconciling in Christ synod, with LGBTQIA+ pastors and deacons, council leaders and members, families and neighbors.
          As Lutheran organization Reconciling Works points out, we are living in a time when “divisive political rhetoric targeting trans and queer people,” coupled with laws and policies, are causing increased danger of harm and death. (The recent murder of Juniper Blessing, a trans college student originally from one of our synod communities in New Mexico, is only one heartbreaking example). In response, people of faith can offer “lament for the harm and injustice that persist, foundation in the enduring truth of God’s expansive love, joy that celebrates the beauty and gifts of LGBTQIA+ lives, and courage to continue showing up, speaking out, and building a more just church and world.”
          May the lament, foundation, joy, and courage of our life in Christ continue to guide us all! In Christ, Bishop Meghan

This Tuesday: Join us on June 16th  2:00pm – 3:15pm EDT at the Center for American Progress in D.C. or online for our event “Religious Liberty for Whom?” You’ll hear a keynote address from U.S. Senator Chris Coons, as well as two panel discussions on how we move forward with an inclusive vision of religious liberty for ALL. We will mark 250 years of American independence by reflecting on this founding ideal, which is upheld by healthy boundaries between religion and government. We hope to see you in-person or virtually! 
That’s why we’re partnering with CAP, Americans United, and the American Humanist Association to issue our own report on religious liberty for ALL. It features a group of 20 religiously diverse leaders who share their unique perspectives on this fundamental freedom.
          The event serves as a launch pad for the report. We hope you will register and bring your questions for the Q&A portion of the event. Whether in D.C. at the Center for American Progress or online, we will see you Tuesday! Register at:  https://religiouslibertyforwhom.splashthat.com/

Webinar: Engaging as People of Faith Amid Rise in For-Profit Immigration Detention. Across the U.S., we are seeing rapid expansion of for-profit immigration detention centers, tragic death and abuses in these facilities, and record profits reported by contracting companies. How should people of faith respond? On June 24 at 1-1:30 p.m. ET, hear from ELCA AMMPARO, Theological Discernment, and Witness in Society staff about the history of immigration detention and the theology and biblical witness that can inform churches’ response, as well as ways to engage. An optional 15 minute Q&A time follows the presentation. To register: https://bit.ly/ELCAwebinarForProfitDetention

Tens of thousands of people fleeing persecution remain in limbo - speak out for protection and welcome. Since the U.S. refugee resettlement program was indefinitely paused in January 2025, tens of thousands of screened, vetted and conditionally approved refugees remain stranded overseas. Most of the world’s refugees now have no pathway to resettlement in the United States – with a narrow exception for a comparatively small number of white Afrikaners from South Africa.
          At the same time, refugees who have already been resettled in the United States – often by faith-based organizations – face traumatic reevaluations of their refugee status, threatened arrests, and cuts to benefits like SNAP and Medicaid that help with their transition to a permanent life in the United States.
          “Welcoming refugees is a true expression of our faith, and also a continuation of an American tradition of providing a home to those facing persecution because of who they are or what they believe,” said the Rev. Amy Reumann, senior director of ELCA Witness in Society. “We call for a refugee admissions process that does not discriminate based on race, religion or nationality, but that welcomes all based on need. Each of these people, we know, is a beloved child of God; each of them bears the image of God.”
          World Refugee Day is observed on June 20, a day to honor the strength and courage of people who have been displaced by conflict or persecution and to build understanding of how to respond. We can use this observance to move our action!
          Ask Congress to reaffirm America’s longstanding commitment to protecting people fleeing persecution through a refugee program that is adequately funded and prioritizes the most vulnerable. Urge your member of Congress to defend the contributions of refugees and to defend federal investments in refugee processing, admisisions and resettlement services.  https://act.elca.org/page/99176/action/1?

From Lutheran World Relief: A group of caring and compassionate friends in faith has joined together to fund a $155,000 Love Thy Neighbor Matching Gift Challenge! When you donate by June 30, your gift will be matched — dollar for dollar — to reach your neighbors who are suffering right now. https://lwr.org/

Watch Live from Lutheran Summer Music. More than 30 events will be livestreamed via Live from LSM, including concerts, recitals, and worship services. Watch live or enjoy recordings through LSM on Demand from wherever you are. https://www.lsmacademy.org/live

From AMMPARO: June 15 is the 14th anniversary of DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the program that provided status for hundreds of thousands of Dreamers. Celebrate these beloved members of our communities and share this Action Alert calling for a path to citizenship, while addressing the threats Dreamers currently face: https://act.elca.org/page/94921/action/1?chain

Updates Beginning 7 June 2026

The 2026 Pride Parade is upon us! This Saturday,13 June. We are joining First Congregational UCC, All Saints, and Luther House this year. There will be a trailer, which will allow for a few riders, but most of us will be walking the Parade route (approx.2 miles), Central & Girard to Central & San Mateo. We have some Pride paraphernalia, but if you have anything of your own, that would be great (ie: umbrella, flag, hat)! We hope you have your St. Paul T-shirt ready to go, too!
The plan is to meet at First Congregational - 2801 Lomas Blvd. NE (corner of Lomas & Girard) at 7am. We will see what needs to be done re decorating the float, and then we've been invited to a continental breakfast served by them! Logistics of getting everyone to the starting point are in the works (carpooling). If you have any questions, contact Jan Bowers (janobowers68@gmail.com)

Madagascar Girls Camp Update:
Dear St. Paul family, the 2026 Madagascar Girls Camp Fundraiser was a great success thanks to your genuine involvement in many ways.  For those who attended the Luncheon last Saturday and learned about the Camp impacts in rural communities through the girls: thanks so much for your time, donations, and fellowship. For those who sent in their contributions but were not able to attend: your generosity means a lot for this movement. For all the congregation members who have embraced this ministry: your prayers, support, and care are so much appreciated. Words cannot express my gratitude for what you do to the less fortunate and how much you care about those who cannot do anything for you in return. It is a live testimony that church is not just about bricks and walls; it is rather the companionship in God' s work through a mission to make a difference in our shared world. So, thanks so much for making this year 's Girls Camp possible! ~Rijasoa Andriamanana 

June’s God’s Work Our Hands project is collecting funds for Friends Feeding Friends’ First Thursday meal in July at HopeWorks. Please write Friends Feeding Friends in your check’s memo line. Thank you to everyone who gave in support of the Madagascar Girls Camp in May! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Adopted Families Update. St Paul’s Adopted Families ministry is evolving! For more than 35 years we have had a pick-up truck and used it to ferry unwanted furniture citywide to families in need of these gently used pieces. Our 70+ year old bodies have gotten less able but an alternative solution has arisen! Look at this article we found just when we needed it! Kay Schoenefeld was worried that this ministry might die with her……Kay, it lives in a bigger, stronger form.

 “GiveABQ is a furniture bank that helps people turn an empty apartment or house into a home. Adelante collects gently used furniture from the community and gives it to people who are starting over after homelessness or other hardships. By working with local nonprofits, we make sure families have the basics they need—like a bed, table, or couch—to feel safe and comfortable in their new home. Together, we can help furnish hope and a fresh start for local families.” [Tuesday – Friday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Please call before dropping by. We have a small team and are often out picking up donations or delivering furniture to people in need. Thank you!1520 1st St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
505.341.GIVE (4483) | info@GiveABQ.org]
One more update…Adopted Families has a growing connection with Healthcare for the Homeless. More than a year before Kay Schoenefeld died, she was asked for money to purchase a bus ticket for one of their clients. This has become a regularly occurring need—people experiencing homelessness trying to return to a place where they have family. Greyhound bus goes all over the US, and for generally less than $250, a person can return to a more supportive environment. In the past month we have helped 4 different people go to KY, CA, IL and AL. In partnership with Healthcare for the Homeless, your contributions are supporting these individuals on their pathway to recovery. ~Paula Eglinton

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Today: ACS Season Finale: Bach, Copland, Faure, June 7, 2pm at St. Paul. Pianist Luke Gullickson joins violinist Megan Holland and cellist James Holland in a program of music by Bach, Aaron Copland, and Gabriel Faure. James will open the program with Bach's majestic Cello Suite in C major. Megan and Luke will follow with Copland's viola sonata, and all three musicians will join forces for Faure's Piano Trio to close the concert. Join us at 1:15 for a pre-concert talk with refreshments in the fellowship hall. Tickets: https://www.abqcs.com/2025-26-season.html

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Oppose Immigration Enforcement Funding Without Reforms. As Congress considers an immigration enforcement reconciliation package, oppose funding that harms our communities.
Congress is currently debating a $70+ billion reconciliation package that includes $38 billion in additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and $26 billion for Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) – enough to fund both agencies for the next three years. This package includes none of the reforms, accountability, or oversight that faith leaders advocated for following the killing of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, the detention of children, refugees and U.S. citizens, and both widespread fear and faith-filled resistance.
Earlier this year, faith leaders including Presiding Bishop Curry wrote in a letter to legislators that they “see this as a critical moment to legislate immigration policies that are just, humane and respectful of the dignity of immigrants who, like all people, are beloved children of God,” citing the verse: “The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).
Ask Congress to protect our neighbors by opposing funding for actions that are harming our communities, and by supporting reforms like protections for churches and other places of worship and an end to family detention.
https://act.elca.org/page/98814/action/1?

This week: On June 10, people of faith across the country will raise our collective voice as part of Bread for the World’s Day of Action with one key message for lawmakers: we believe it’s possible to end hunger in our lifetime.
          A team of advocates will be in Washington, D.C. urging Congress to make ending hunger a top priority. Here’s where you come in: Will you pledge to join Bread’s Day of Action and email your representatives on June 10?
By joining Bread’s Day of Action, you can stand in solidarity with advocates in Washington and call on Congress to fully fund and strengthen SNAP, WIC, and global nutrition and health programs that children and families depend on. Participating is easy: we will email you a link on June 10 that makes it easy to contact your members of Congress and personalize your message. Your voice matters, and together our voices are stronger. Thank you for joining with us in this important work. Pledge to email at: https://go.bread.org/page/97853/-/1

Webinar: Engaging as People of Faith Amid Rise in For-Profit Immigration Detention. Across the U.S., we are seeing rapid expansion of for-profit immigration detention centers, tragic death and abuses in these facilities, and record profits reported by contracting companies. How should people of faith respond? On June 24 at 1-1:30 p.m. ET, hear from ELCA AMMPARO, Theological Discernment, and Witness in Society staff about the history of immigration detention and the theology and biblical witness that can inform churches’ response, as well as ways to engage. An optional 15 minute Q&A time follows the presentation. To register: https://bit.ly/ELCAwebinarForProfitDetention

Support faith-based advocacy in our state's public policy! Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - New Mexico (LAM-NM) is in our 42nd year of advocating for justice in our state's public policy. From humble origins, organizers from a handful of Lutheran congregations in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Los Alamos gathered, concerned about a core set of issues faced by hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans. It didn't take long for those who gathered to center their focus on poverty as the root cause of the most crippling issues faced by many New Mexicans: hunger, affordable and stable housing, quality health care, and the lack of health insurance, to name just a few.
          Over the life span of LAM-NM, volunteers have been the backbone of our ministry of advocacy in the public arena. Indeed, our founding director, Nima Ward, volunteered her time for several years as the ministry was established. Since then, countless volunteers have served vital roles to keep us up and running, but even more importantly, they serve as advocates for our state's most vulnerable population to our legislators on our key policy priorities.
          LAM-NM (first called "Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry) didn't stay Lutheran for long as congregations and members from other faith traditions joined in our work. Members of many faith traditions, from Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Mennonite, Disciples of Christ, Catholic, and other communities are actively involved.
          Common to all, from 1984 until now, are people who have shared a deep commitment to their baptismal promises that include a call to serve all people and to strive for justice and peace, which we know as key expressions of the call to "love neighbor as self."
If you are thinking that you cannot be quiet anymore, there are many ways to support our ministry of advocacy. Today, we ask for your support by making a financial gift that, when joined with others, helps ensure our sustainability into the future.
          If you or your faith community would like to be more directly involved in an ongoing way, don't hesitate to reach out to me! Thank you. ~Kurt Rager, Director, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - New Mexico, krager@rmselca.org

Get ready for World Refugee Day MONTH! Stay tuned for opportunities throughout the month of June to speak out for refugees and immigrants! Global Refuge will be providing multiple ways for you to reach out to your Members of Congress at both the federal and district level and will be sharing tools and resources on how to have tough conversations with those in your lives and communities who may not understand the importance of this work.
          We’ll also be asking those of you who are comfortable doing so to share your personal stories with your representatives. Your why. Is it your faith calling? Does your family have a refugee or immigration story to share? Have you worked closely with refugee and immigrant friends, neighbors, and community members?
Make sure you’re on our email list and keep your eyes peeled for all the ways to get involved in the next six weeks. https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/

What’s Your American Story? As we all know, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding. Our nation's history is complex—but at Global Refuge, we're choosing to take the 250th as an opportunity to reflect on the incredible role refugees and other immigrants have had in the shaping of this country.
          To that end, we’re collecting stories that capture the immigration history of families across the U.S. Whether you're a first-generation immigrant yourself or descend from immigrants who arrived centuries ago, we invite you to share your American story in 250 words or less (and submit photos, if you have them!).
          Selected stories may be featured across our social media and communications throughout World Refugee Month in June. If you'd like to share, please send your name, city, and story to: workofwelcome@globalrefuge.org with the subject line “My American Story.”

From Lutheran World Relief: A group of caring and compassionate friends in faith has joined together to fund a $155,000 Love Thy Neighbor Matching Gift Challenge! When you donate by June 30, your gift will be matched — dollar for dollar — to reach your neighbors who are suffering right now. https://lwr.org/

Updates Beginning 31 May 2026

Save the Date!! Pride Parade, Saturday, 13 June. We are excited to be teaming up with First Congregational, All Saints, and Luther House for this year's Pride Parade! Would you like to be involved? There are plenty of ways you can be, whether it's marching, riding on the trailer, decorating the "float", or simply being a part of the planning team. There will be T-shirts with our St. Paul rainbow logo available in the Narthex if you'd like to support us in that way! We will be meeting soon (probably via Zoom), if you care to join us for this always festive event, be in touch with me, Jan Bowers, or any of these people: Deb Ash, Terry Cole, Teresa Dubuque, Bryan Harold, Dana Mullen, Matt Pettersen, Jeff Sorensen. We will be lifting up our RIC (Reconciling In Christ) commitment in worship the Sunday before, so that might be a great time to wear your rainbow shirt! ~Jan Bowers, janobowers68@gmail.com

Bread for the World Letters  We had a wonderful turnout for the letter writing campaign and I delivered 88 letters to Carlos Navarro.  He will be delivering them to the appropriate offices.  Through the coordinated efforts in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, we wrote almost 1100 letters to Reps. Stansbury, Vasquez and Fernandez, and Sens. Heinrich and Lujan.  Thank you all for your support.  Even one voice, or one letter, can make a difference.  ~Nancy Jenkins

May’s God’s Work Our Hands project: support for the Madagascar Girls Camp. Please write Girls Camp in the memo line of your check and then plan to attend the fundraising luncheon on Saturday, May 30 to enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal! And thank you to everyone who donated senior supplies for Adopted Families in April. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Adopted Families Update. St Paul’s Adopted Families ministry is evolving! For more than 35 years we have had a pick-up truck and used it to ferry unwanted furniture citywide to families in need of these gently used pieces. Our 70+ year old bodies have gotten less able but an alternative solution has arisen! Look at this article we found just when we needed it! Kay Schoenefeld was worried that this ministry might die with her……Kay, it lives in a bigger, stronger form.

“GiveABQ is a furniture bank that helps people turn an empty apartment or house into a home. Adelante collects gently used furniture from the community and gives it to people who are starting over after homelessness or other hardships. By working with local nonprofits, we make sure families have the basics they need—like a bed, table, or couch—to feel safe and comfortable in their new home. Together, we can help furnish hope and a fresh start for local families.” [Tuesday – Friday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Please call before dropping by. We have a small team and are often out picking up donations or delivering furniture to people in need. Thank you!1520 1st St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
505.341.GIVE (4483) | info@GiveABQ.org]
One more update…Adopted Families has a growing connection with Healthcare for the Homeless. More than a year before Kay Schoenefeld died, she was asked for money to purchase a bus ticket for one of their clients. This has become a regularly occurring need—people experiencing homelessness trying to return to a place where they have family. Greyhound bus goes all over the US, and for generally less than $250, a person can return to a more supportive environment. In the past month we have helped 4 different people go to KY, CA, IL and AL. In partnership with Healthcare for the Homeless, your contributions are supporting these individuals on their pathway to recovery. ~Paula Eglinton

The SPLC Council knows that there are a lot of really amazing things being done by the ministries and members of St Paul Lutheran. Although … we want to know more about it all! You may or may not know, but in January during our council retreat we engaged in a strategic planning session, and one of the broad goals that we determined to pursue was to improve communication. This includes within the council, between the council and all the ministries at St Paul, and between council and the congregation at large.
          If you are a ministry lead or point of contact, please be on the lookout for emails from a member of the council. What we have done is assign the various ministries each to a council member, and that council member is the “active” point of contact for your ministry to the council. Our plan is to reach out each month to ask about updates. This is not meant to be a burden. If you have a formal report that you write, great! If you want to write a couple sentences, that’s great too. If there hasn’t been much action lately, that’s not a problem. If you have needs (resources, volunteers, etc), let us know. The goal here is just to be more active in communication.
          It is council’s goal to be more intentionally communicative. We hope to have some more regular announcements (written or verbal), and to host an informal town hall in place of one of the formal congregational meetings each year. This is to give a slightly more organized venue to discuss, make sure that ideas and concerns are voiced, and that council is on the same page as the whole congregation. Some things that have been accomplished thus far include:

• Onboarding Dalton to coordinate streaming and technology, and facility use.

• Moving forward on the essential roof maintenance. A contractor has been selected, and if all goes well we will have a new roof this year.

• Organizing to host a pastoral intern, which benefits the intern as a pastor in training, SPLC, and the ELCA at large

That’s all for now. We look forward to productive communication back and forth with all of you! ~Casey Jelsema, Council President

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Thank You’s to St. Paul:

Thank you for your generous gift to Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains. Your contribution of $487.13, designated for Refugee Albuquerque, is helping a family from the Democratic Republic of Congo work toward their dreams of financial stability, education, and safety. We are deeply grateful that you have chosen to be part of this work. Your generosity does not simply support programs-it illuminates the future and leaves a legacy of hope that will be felt for years to come. Your gift makes a huge difference to our refugee program right now! With appreciation, Britton Travis Varn, Regional Donor Relations Manager

Dear Partner in Ministry, your support makes our shared ministry possible! Your contributions enable us to offer a variety of ways for young adults to learn about, connect with, and live out their faith. We provide sacred space, text studies, theological dialogue, spiritual practices, intentional community, worship, weekly meals, food support, affordable housing, and other supportive programs for students and young adults in the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College communities. Thank you for your continued support ($1,387.44 in 1st Qtr 2026). Your generosity makes our shared ministry possible! Sincerely, Rev. Rhonda Newby-Torres, Lutheran Campus Ministry of NM

Thank you, Pastor Kristi and the St. Paul Community. We are truly grateful for your support. Because of your gift, a local family won’t have to worry if they’ll be able to eat dinner tonight or not. Your recent donation of $300 is already helping the Storehouse distribute food to people in need. Last year, we served almost 78,000 individuals, and it is only because of supporters like you that we can keep our doors open and our shelves stocked with nutritious essentials. We are so grateful to have you as a partner in this mission. With deepest gratitude, Amy Lavender, VP of Development and Danee Gallegos, Development Coordinator

Get to Know our New Pastoral Intern, Darra Kingsley!

What are your passions in ministry?
I've always thought of God as companion and as a source of boundless support. I'm passionate about helping others develop a similar relationship with God. I also think that God reveals God's self through all of our different voices and perspectives; so, getting to know God's people allows me to deepen my own knowledge of and relationship with God. Whether through that lens or through my Lutheran lens, I'm also passionate in believing that there are no wrong questions. Questions and dialog are what make us human and are what make us children of God.

What led you to enter the seminary?
I'll combine my response to two questions here. I was born, baptized, and confirmed Lutheran before the ELCA was formed. (I believe that the Nebraska Synod was under the Lutheran Church in America before the merger with the ELCA.) I always knew that I would end up in ministry, but I initially thought that I could accomplish more good through a career in medicine. When my husband and I first met in 2002, I even made sure that he knew my plans to "eventually retire and go into ministry." Then, COVID happened. For me that was a crisis of faith, not my faith in God, but my faith in science, my faith that I could truly alleviate suffering in the work that I was doing. So, I started formalizing my plans to transition into seminary in 2022. I was accepted into candidacy early in 2024 and started at Wartburg Theological Seminary in September 2024.

What would you like folks to know @ you?
I've always had a passion for teaching, communication, and learning. I hope that I can continue to grow in these areas during my ministry.

We understand you are a lifelong Lutheran-please tell us a little of your story.
I would add to the above that, it wasn't until college at Creighton (a Jesuit university in Omaha, Nebraska) that I truly started to appreciate my Lutheran heritage. I got a major in Biology and a co-major in Theology. It wasn't until I had to defend my Lutheran beliefs to my Roman Catholic peers, especially my peers in the Theology program, that I really started to understand and to celebrate being Lutheran. (I should clarify that my Creighton faculty and peers were very supportive. When I left to go to medical school across town at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, I would joke with them that I would have stayed to do my master's in theology, but I had run out of heretics to write about.)

How did you come to Albuquerque?
I've lived in Albuquerque for 30 years, having come here for my surgical residency training and then staying on faculty at UNM after graduation. For the last ~15 years, the majority of my clinical practice was at the Veteran's Affairs hospital along with work at UNM for my continued faculty, teaching, and leadership roles.

Tell us about your family.
My family moved around when I was growing up, but my middle school through medical school time (~ 15 years) was spent in Nebraska, so I always think of myself as "from Nebraska." My mother, sister, brother, nephews and niece are all in Houston, Texas. My husband, Greg, is from North Carolina (also having come to Albuquerque to work at UNM). He's an advanced practice provider in Anesthesia at UNM. As I mentioned, we met in 2002. We have been married for almost 17 years.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my husband, dog, and cat; visiting family; traveling; and life-long learning.

From Local Partner Organizations

Next Sunday:

ACS Season Finale: Bach, Copland, Faure, June 7, 2pm at St. Paul. Pianist Luke Gullickson joins violinist Megan Holland and cellist James Holland in a program of music by Bach, Aaron Copland, and Gabriel Faure. James will open the program with Bach's majestic Cello Suite in C major. Megan and Luke will follow with Copland's viola sonata, and all three musicians will join forces for Faure's Piano Trio to close the concert. Join us at 1:15 for a pre-concert talk with refreshments in the fellowship hall. Tickets: https://www.abqcs.com/2025-26-season.html
 

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Take Action as Senate Considers Farm Bill Next. The Farm Bill is now being considered in the Senate, and sharing your experiences and values can help shape a result that meets rural and nutritional needs.
A partisan Farm Bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives on Apr. 30 by a near party line vote. This comes as many governors say the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program could be in jeopardy in their state if Congress does not take any action, and as farmers are facing high production costs, unstable markets and more. As the Farm Bill now faces consideration in the Senate, the input of faith partners will be crucial to advancing a more bipartisan farm bill that supports needs of hungry people, rural communities and farmer families. (More information is available on the ELCA Advocacy Blog: https://blogs.elca.org/advocacy/).
Public partners in the administration and Congress increasingly respect the critical role houses of worship play in addressing food security – making the feedback of the faith community essential in this conversation. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry could soon release bill text – so this is a critical time to help share the top priorities of our communities.
Contact your lawmakers today. Customize your message with your experiences and values. https://act.elca.org/page/98608/action/1?

Webinar: Engaging as People of Faith Amid Rise in For-Profit Immigration Detention. Across the U.S., we are seeing rapid expansion of for-profit immigration detention centers, tragic death and abuses in these facilities, and record profits reported by contracting companies. How should people of faith respond? On June 24 at 1-1:30 p.m. ET, hear from ELCA AMMPARO, Theological Discernment, and Witness in Society staff about the history of immigration detention and the theology and biblical witness that can inform churches’ response, as well as ways to engage. An optional 15 minute Q&A time follows the presentation. To register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_arLlyc6lSkGZ8O1ikNURoQ#/registration

Get ready for World Refugee MONTH! Stay tuned for opportunities throughout the month of June to speak out for refugees and immigrants! We’ll be providing multiple ways for you to reach out to your Members of Congress at both the federal and district level and will be sharing tools and resources on how to have tough conversations with those in your lives and communities who may not understand the importance of this work.
          We’ll also be asking those of you who are comfortable doing so to share your personal stories with your representatives. Your why. Is it your faith calling? Does your family have a refugee or immigration story to share? Have you worked closely with refugee and immigrant friends, neighbors, and community members?
Make sure you’re on our email list and keep your eyes peeled for all the ways to get involved in the next six weeks. https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/

What’s Your American Story? As we all know, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding. Our nation's history is complex—but at Global Refuge, we're choosing to take the 250th as an opportunity to reflect on the incredible role refugees and other immigrants have had in the shaping of this country.
          To that end, we’re collecting stories that capture the immigration history of families across the U.S. Whether you're a first-generation immigrant yourself or descend from immigrants who arrived centuries ago, we invite you to share your American story in 250 words or less (and submit photos, if you have them!).
          Selected stories may be featured across our social media and communications throughout World Refugee Month in June. If you'd like to share, please send your name, city, and story to: workofwelcome@globalrefuge.org with the subject line “My American Story.”

On June 10, people of faith across the country will raise our collective voice as part of Bread for the World’s Day of Action with one key message for lawmakers: we believe it’s possible to end hunger in our lifetime.
          A team of advocates will be in Washington, D.C. urging Congress to make ending hunger a top priority. Here’s where you come in: Will you pledge to join Bread’s Day of Action and email your representatives on June 10?
By joining Bread’s Day of Action, you can stand in solidarity with advocates in Washington and call on Congress to fully fund and strengthen SNAP, WIC, and global nutrition and health programs that children and families depend on. Participating is easy: we will email you a link on June 10 that makes it easy to contact your members of Congress and personalize your message. Your voice matters, and together our voices are stronger. Thank you for joining with us in this important work. Pledge to email at: https://go.bread.org/page/97853/-/1

From Lutheran World Relief: A group of caring and compassionate friends in faith has joined together to kick off a $130,000 Love Thy Neighbor Matching Gift Challenge! When you donate by June 30, your gift will be matched — dollar for dollar — to reach your neighbors who are suffering right now. https://lwr.org/

Updates Beginning 24 May 2026

Continuing this Thursday: Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study is on Thursdays through 4 June from 1:30 - 3pm and meets in the Conference Room. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Attention Communion Assistants and Assisting Ministers: Our current schedule only goes through May. I will be making a new schedule in the next few days. Please let me know any dates you CANNOT serve in June or July. I am only making the schedule for two months as we are getting an intern. Pastor Kristi and Darra will work out how she will be incorporated into worship. So please send me those dates NOW. ~Peace, Terry Cole

Save the date of Saturday May 30th at Noon for the Annual Lunch Fundraiser for the Madagascar Girls Camp! It will be an opportunity to enjoy Malagasy food , music, and presentation about this life-changing ministry reaching promising girls from remote areas of Madagascar. Your presence and contributions will make a huge difference in the girls' educational hope. I hope to see you all there! Thanks in advance! ~Rijasoa Andriamanana

Save the Date!! Pride Parade, Saturday, 13 June. We are excited to be teaming up with First Congregational, All Saints, and Luther House for this year's Pride Parade! Would you like to be involved? There are plenty of ways you can be, whether it's marching, riding on the trailer, decorating the "float", or simply being a part of the planning team. There will be T-shirts with our St. Paul rainbow logo available in the Narthex if you'd like to support us in that way! We will be meeting soon (probably via Zoom), if you care to join us for this always festive event, be in touch with me, Jan Bowers, or any of these people: Deb Ash, Terry Cole, Teresa Dubuque, Bryan Harold, Dana Mullen, Matt Pettersen, Jeff Sorensen. We will be lifting up our RIC (Reconciling In Christ) commitment in worship the Sunday before, so that might be a great time to wear your rainbow shirt! ~Jan Bowers, janobowers68@gmail.com

The SPLC Council knows that there are a lot of really amazing things being done by the ministries and members of St Paul Lutheran. Although … we want to know more about it all! You may or may not know, but in January during our council retreat we engaged in a strategic planning session, and one of the broad goals that we determined to pursue was to improve communication. This includes within the council, between the council and all the ministries at St Paul, and between council and the congregation at large.
          If you are a ministry lead or point of contact, please be on the lookout for emails from a member of the council. What we have done is assign the various ministries each to a council member, and that council member is the “active” point of contact for your ministry to the council. Our plan is to reach out each month to ask about updates. This is not meant to be a burden. If you have a formal report that you write, great! If you want to write a couple sentences, that’s great too. If there hasn’t been much action lately, that’s not a problem. If you have needs (resources, volunteers, etc), let us know. The goal here is just to be more active in communication.
          It is council’s goal to be more intentionally communicative. We hope to have some more regular announcements (written or verbal), and to host an informal town hall in place of one of the formal congregational meetings each year. This is to give a slightly more organized venue to discuss, make sure that ideas and concerns are voiced, and that council is on the same page as the whole congregation. Some things that have been accomplished thus far include:

• Onboarding Dalton to coordinate streaming and technology, and facility use.

• Moving forward on the essential roof maintenance. A contractor has been selected, and if all goes well we will have a new roof this year.

• Organizing to host a pastoral intern, which benefits the intern as a pastor in training, SPLC, and the ELCA at large

That’s all for now. We look forward to productive communication back and forth with all of you! ~Casey Jelsema, Council President

May’s God’s Work Our Hands project: support for the Madagascar Girls Camp. Please write Girls Camp in the memo line of your check and then plan to attend the fundraising luncheon on Saturday, May 30 to enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal! And thank you to everyone who donated senior supplies for Adopted Families in April. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Get to Know our New Pastoral Intern, Darra Kingsley!

What are your passions in ministry?
I've always thought of God as companion and as a source of boundless support. I'm passionate about helping others develop a similar relationship with God. I also think that God reveals God's self through all of our different voices and perspectives; so, getting to know God's people allows me to deepen my own knowledge of and relationship with God. Whether through that lens or through my Lutheran lens, I'm also passionate in believing that there are no wrong questions. Questions and dialog are what make us human and are what make us children of God.

What led you to enter the seminary?
I'll combine my response to two questions here. I was born, baptized, and confirmed Lutheran before the ELCA was formed. (I believe that the Nebraska Synod was under the Lutheran Church in America before the merger with the ELCA.) I always knew that I would end up in ministry, but I initially thought that I could accomplish more good through a career in medicine. When my husband and I first met in 2002, I even made sure that he knew my plans to "eventually retire and go into ministry." Then, COVID happened. For me that was a crisis of faith, not my faith in God, but my faith in science, my faith that I could truly alleviate suffering in the work that I was doing. So, I started formalizing my plans to transition into seminary in 2022. I was accepted into candidacy early in 2024 and started at Wartburg Theological Seminary in September 2024.

What would you like folks to know about you?
I've always had a passion for teaching, communication, and learning. I hope that I can continue to grow in these areas during my ministry.

We understand you are a lifelong Lutheran-please tell us a little of your story.
I would add to the above that, it wasn't until college at Creighton (a Jesuit university in Omaha, Nebraska) that I truly started to appreciate my Lutheran heritage. I got a major in Biology and a co-major in Theology. It wasn't until I had to defend my Lutheran beliefs to my Roman Catholic peers, especially my peers in the Theology program, that I really started to understand and to celebrate being Lutheran. (I should clarify that my Creighton faculty and peers were very supportive. When I left to go to medical school across town at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, I would joke with them that I would have stayed to do my master's in theology, but I had run out of heretics to write about.)

How did you come to Albuquerque?
I've lived in Albuquerque for 30 years, having come here for my surgical residency training and then staying on faculty at UNM after graduation. For the last ~15 years, the majority of my clinical practice was at the Veteran's Affairs hospital along with work at UNM for my continued faculty, teaching, and leadership roles.

Tell us about your family.
My family moved around when I was growing up, but my middle school through medical school time (~ 15 years) was spent in Nebraska, so I always think of myself as "from Nebraska." My mother, sister, brother, nephews and niece are all in Houston, Texas. My husband, Greg, is from North Carolina (also having come to Albuquerque to work at UNM). He's an advanced practice provider in Anesthesia at UNM. As I mentioned, we met in 2002. We have been married for almost 17 years.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my husband, dog, and cat; visiting family; traveling; and life-long learning.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Bishop Curry Responds to Shooting at Islamic Center of San Diego:
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. We grieve with heavy hearts following the deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego earlier this week. In a place devoted to prayer and community, three lives were taken in an act of violence that authorities are investigating as a hate crime.
                We mourn with the families of those who lost their lives, with the Muslim community in San Diego and with all who carry fear and sorrow in the wake of this tragedy. We give thanks for those whose courageous actions helped protect others — bearing witness, even in crisis, to the God-given dignity of every human life.
                As the ELCA, we must speak plainly: violence rooted in hatred is sin. We condemn Islamophobia and acknowledge its rise in recent years. Our church affirms that “anti-Muslim hatred is antithetical to our Christian faith” (A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community), for we are called to love our neighbor in ways that cast out fear (1 John 4:18).
This violence does not stand alone. It grows in a climate where fear, dehumanization and anti-Muslim rhetoric take hold. As people of faith, we are called to interrupt that pattern — to speak, to show up and to stand with those who are targeted.
                We must also name the ongoing crisis of gun violence in our nation. Our church has long taught that society shares responsibility for protecting life and promoting the common good (The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective, 1991). We have urged stronger measures to prevent gun-related violence and death (“Gun-related Violence and Trauma,” 2024). This tragedy is yet another reminder that we cannot look away.
                Our calling as the church requires more than naming what is wrong — we must move forward. Our church has committed itself to relationship, solidarity and shared life with our neighbors. We are called:

•     To stand in visible solidarity with our Muslim neighbors.
•     To build real relationships that deepen understanding and trust.
•     To speak out whenever hatred or fear is given voice.
•     To examine our own words and actions and to seek reconciliation where harm has been done.
Our Lutheran faith teaches us not only to refrain from harming our neighbor but also to defend them — to speak well of them and to stand with them when they are under threat. This is that moment.
                To our Muslim neighbors: we affirm our love and respect for you. We stand with you — not only in grief but also in the ongoing work of building communities where all people can live and worship in safety.
                I ask the people of this church to respond with courage:

•     Connect with neighbors in solidarity and presence.
•     Speak out against anti-Muslim hatred.
•     Build relationships that reflect the love of Christ.
•     Advocate by calling on public officials to publicly condemn the attack and to support a thorough investigation.

In this moment, we return to a truth we have proclaimed before: Hate will not divide us.
                We are people of resurrection hope. Even now, God is calling us — beyond fear, beyond division — toward a future shaped by justice, compassion and peace.
                In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he beckons us: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
                Hate will not have the final word, and we will not grow weary in speaking out against it.

In Christ,
The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Updates Beginning 17 May 2026

Today is the last Sunday in the Season of Easter.  That means Pentecost is next week!  Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world (Sundays and Seasons, 2026).  It's a festival of the church to which red is most appropriate! ~Terry Cole, Worship & Music Team Chair

Continuing this Thursday: Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study is on Thursdays from 1:30 - 3pm and meets in the Conference Room.  Books are available for pick up in the Office. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Attention Communion Assistants and Assisting Ministers: Our current schedule only goes through May. I will be making a new schedule in the next few days. Please let me know any dates you CANNOT serve in June or July. I am only making the schedule for two months as we are getting an intern. Pastor Kristi and Darra will work out how she will be incorporated into worship. So please send me those dates NOW. ~Peace, Terry Cole

Dear St. Paul family, please save the date of Saturday May 30th at Noon for the Annual Lunch Fundraiser for the Madagascar Girls Camp! It will be an opportunity to enjoy Malagasy food , music, and presentation about this life-changing ministry reaching promising girls from remote areas of Madagascar. Your presence and contributions will make a huge difference in the girls' educational hope. I hope to see you all there! Thanks in advance! ~Rijasoa Andriamanana

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Save the Date!! Pride Parade, Saturday, 13 June. We are excited to be teaming up with First Congregational, All Saints, and Luther House for this year's Pride Parade! Would you like to be involved? There are plenty of ways you can be, whether it's marching, riding on the trailer, decorating the "float", or simply being a part of the planning team. There will be T-shirts with our St. Paul rainbow logo available in the Narthex if you'd like to support us in that way! We will be meeting soon (probably via Zoom), if you care to join us for this always festive event, be in touch with me, Jan Bowers, or any of these people:

Deb Ash
Terry Cole
Teresa Dubuque
Bryan Harold
Dana Mullen
Matt Pettersen
Jeff Sorensen
                                        
We will be lifting up our RIC (Reconciling In Christ) commitment in worship the Sunday before, so that might be a great time to wear your rainbow shirt! ~Jan Bowers, janobowers68@gmail.com

May’s God’s Work Our Hands project: supporting the Madagascar Girls Camp. Please write Girls Camp in the memo line of your check and then plan to attend the fundraising luncheon on Saturday, May 30 to enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal! And thank you to everyone who donated senior supplies for Adopted Families in April. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Refreshments & Flowers: Please consider signing up to bring snacks for our fellowship time following worship. You might also consider signing up for flowers as well-a lovely way to honor an event or person. There are charts for each in Friendship Corner. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash

Get to Know our New Pastoral Intern, Darra Kingsley!

What are your passions in ministry?
I've always thought of God as companion and as a source of boundless support. I'm passionate about helping others develop a similar relationship with God. I also think that God reveals God's self through all of our different voices and perspectives; so, getting to know God's people allows me to deepen my own knowledge of and relationship with God. Whether through that lens or through my Lutheran lens, I'm also passionate in believing that there are no wrong questions. Questions and dialog are what make us human and are what make us children of God.

What led you to enter the seminary?
I'll combine my response to two questions here. I was born, baptized, and confirmed Lutheran before the ELCA was formed. (I believe that the Nebraska Synod was under the Lutheran Church in America before the merger with the ELCA.) I always knew that I would end up in ministry, but I initially thought that I could accomplish more good through a career in medicine. When my husband and I first met in 2002, I even made sure that he knew my plans to "eventually retire and go into ministry." Then, COVID happened. For me that was a crisis of faith, not my faith in God, but my faith in science, my faith that I could truly alleviate suffering in the work that I was doing. So, I started formalizing my plans to transition into seminary in 2022. I was accepted into candidacy early in 2024 and started at Wartburg Theological Seminary in September 2024.

What would you like folks to know @ you?
I've always had a passion for teaching, communication, and learning. I hope that I can continue to grow in these areas during my ministry.

We understand you are a lifelong Lutheran-please tell us a little of your story.
I would add to the above that, it wasn't until college at Creighton (a Jesuit university in Omaha, Nebraska) that I truly started to appreciate my Lutheran heritage. I got a major in Biology and a co-major in Theology. It wasn't until I had to defend my Lutheran beliefs to my Roman Catholic peers, especially my peers in the Theology program, that I really started to understand and to celebrate being Lutheran. (I should clarify that my Creighton faculty and peers were very supportive. When I left to go to medical school across town at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, I would joke with them that I would have stayed to do my master's in theology, but I had run out of heretics to write about.)

How did you come to Albuquerque?
I've lived in Albuquerque for 30 years, having come here for my surgical residency training and then staying on faculty at UNM after graduation. For the last ~15 years, the majority of my clinical practice was at the Veteran's Affairs hospital along with work at UNM for my continued faculty, teaching, and leadership roles.

Tell us about your family?
My family moved around when I was growing up, but my middle school through medical school time (~ 15 years) was spent in Nebraska, so I always think of myself as "from Nebraska." My mother, sister, brother, nephews and niece are all in Houston, Texas. My husband, Greg, is from North Carolina (also having come to Albuquerque to work at UNM). He's an advanced practice provider in Anesthesia at UNM. As I mentioned, we met in 2002. We have been married for almost 17 years.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my husband, dog, and cat; visiting family; traveling; and life-long learning.

From Local Partner Organizations

This Tuesday: Invite to an Alzheimer’s Presentation. The Learners and Servers Group of St. Luke Lutheran Church would like to extend an invitation to your congregations to an Alzheimer Presentation on Tuesday, May 19th at 1:30 pm.  It will be held in our Fellowship Hall.  The entrance doors are on the south side of our building just west of our main church entrance on Northeastern Blvd NE.
          We would love to have you join us.  This is a subject that has a lot of interest.  We expect the presentation to last around an hour and there will also be time to ask questions.  We will be serving light snacks, coffee, lemonade and water. If you have any questions feel free to call me.  Hope to see you! Diane Quarles, Learners & Servers, 505-264-5444

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Urge Congress to Support Essential Hunger and Agriculture Funding. Proposed budget cuts could turn many families and children away from hunger programs.
On Apr. 29, the House Appropriations Committee advanced a concerning funding bill for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and hunger programs. Amid a total four percent cut to the bill from last year’s funding levels, the bill would cut $200 million from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program serving low-income mothers at risk of hunger. This comes as many WIC modernization programs are set to expire in September, since Congress has failed to take up any reauthorization bill to keep them active. Additionally, the legislation would codify staffing cuts at the USDA, quietly endorsing an ongoing restructure plan that many farmers say is leading to fewer regional support offices and loss of critical knowledge for agriculture programs.
This funding bill is a surprising development that would continue to inflict new cuts on families and rural communities that are already facing critical cost-of-living choices. Many churches often partner with these programs – from hosting WIC clinics and outreach events in their communities to supplementing nutrition and hunger needs that USDA programs do not fully meet. Our ministries cannot fully replace the hunger benefits being lost through the budget decisions being considered federally now.
We urge you to contact your senators and representatives today. Urge them to fully fund and reauthorize WIC in addition to other essential USDA programs and ensure adequate staffing in the FY27 agriculture appropriations bill.
https://act.elca.org/page/97975/action/1?

Critical budget decisions are moving forward in Congress this month, including a plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol outside the regular appropriations process for the next three years. Global Refuge remains deeply concerned that these proposals do not address urgently needed reforms or oversight for immigration enforcement. Your voice can make a difference.
Tell your Members of Congress that you care about accountability, community safety, and humane enforcement practices. You can take action through our alert or by contacting your representatives directly.
https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/

Annual Bread for the World Offering of Letters. Please stop by the table in the Welcome Center this Sunday and next to pick up a copy of the sample letter so that you can draft your own letters to our legislators. The letters from St. Paul will be blessed during worship on Sunday 24 May, so we have two weeks to gather in our letters that will be delivered personally. St. Paul has been a member of Bread for the World for over 40 years! Thank you. ~Nancy Jenkins

Updates Beginning 10 May 2026

Continuing this Thursday: Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study is on Thursdays from 1:30 - 3pm and meets in the Conference Room.  Books are available for pick up in the Office. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

What is a Pastoral Internship?  Recently we received a lovely letter from Wartburg Theological Seminary.  I’m delighted to share that this is my alma matter, but even more importantly, it is our new pastoral intern’s current seminary.  This letter congratulated us on being approved as a host site and matched us with Darra Kingsley.  She is an active member of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, but will temporarily transfer her membership to St. Paul, officially starting 1 June.  The 7th June will be her first Sunday with us.  Please join us as we ask God’s blessing on our year together and celebrate with a reception following worship.
          She’ll share more about herself soon, but I first wanted to share the purpose of a pastoral internship, at least in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  This will be a time (one year) for Darra to further develop her pastoral voice, skills, and imagination through serving in a congregational setting (that is different from her home congregation).  The seminary provides resources and opportunities that will help us nurture an action-reflection style of learning.  She will shadow me in my ministry and the two of us will meet regularly, engaging in reflection.  She’ll also have an Internship Team who will help her in getting to know us, navigating the culture and ministries of St. Paul, as well as engage in reflection.  With all of our support, she’ll have a chance to grow in her pastoral identity, spiritual development, theological reflection, practical skills, emotional maturity, stewardship leadership, and missional leadership.
          The specific areas listed in the “handbook” for her to develop include: leadership (including preaching and worship), theological articulation, teaching (adults and youth), evangelism, pastoral care, administration, stewardship, social/justice ministry, and equipping others.
          What an important role we get to play in nurturing another much needed leader in the church.  Please hold her, her family, and all of St. Paul in your love and prayers.  In excitement and joy, Pr. Koppel

Dear St. Paul family, please save the date of Saturday May 30th at Noon for the Annual Lunch Fundraiser for the Madagascar Girls Camp! It will be an opportunity to enjoy Malagasy food , music, and presentation about this life-changing ministry reaching promising girls from remote areas of Madagascar. Your presence and contributions will make a huge difference in the girls' educational hope. I hope to see you all there! Thanks in advance! ~Rijasoa Andriamanana

May’s God’s Work Our Hands project: supporting the Madagascar Girls Camp. Please write Girls Camp in the memo line of your check and then plan to attend the fundraising luncheon on Saturday, May 30 to enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal! And thank you to everyone who donated senior supplies for Adopted Families in April. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Refreshments & Flowers: Please consider signing up to bring snacks for our fellowship time following worship. You might also consider signing up for flowers as well-a lovely way to honor an event or person. There are charts for each in Friendship Corner. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From the Albuquerque Journal 6 May. ~Deborah Ash

From Local Partner Organizations

From Church Women United: On behalf of Sharon Hamilton and myself, may I express our heartfelt appreciation to the many women and men who assisted us in hosting the May Friendship Day Celebration of Church Women United in NM on Friday, May 1st. From staff members Pastor Koppel, Deborah Ash, Del Jean Murray-Dickens, and Dalton Pearson, to the efficient set-up crew, and to all the nameless women who provided delicious "goodies" for our refreshment time and assisted as gracious hostesses in serving and cleaning up, we felt supported in so many ways.  The panel of speakers addressing homelessness in the Albuquerque area was outstanding in sharing their information and in giving us ways that we might advocate for and serve the victims of this societal issue. Thank you, people of St. Paul, for helping to make this day a blessing to all who attended. Shirley Nilsson, President, and Sharon Hamilton, Vice President, CWU in NM, Inc.

From the Open Table Connection/Luther House: Beloved Partners in Ministry, one of the profound truths of ministry is that the most meaningful moments are often unplanned. While careful preparation is essential, there are times when our plans must give way so that the Holy Spirit may move more freely among us. This semester, we experienced one such evening at The Open Table, an evening that was both deeply sorrowful and profoundly sacred. As we gathered around the table, sharing a meal and checking in with one another, it quickly became clear that the liturgy I had prepared would not be sufficient for what was unfolding among us.
          A student began by expressing deep anger and grief over injustices he had been witnessing in the news. As a Hispanic student, he spoke through tears about the pain of feeling unseen and undervalued in a society that too often overlooks the suffering of people of color. He questioned the response of the media over the shooting of Renee Good when hundreds of people of color have been killed and injured by ICE. His lament opened the door for others to share their own fears and experiences.
          An international student spoke quietly about the limitations he has placed on his own life, going only to work, class, and church, out of fear of encountering immigration authorities. He shared the grief of missing out on the fullness of his college experience in order to feel safe. Another international student, overcome with emotion and sobbing, recounted being stopped by an unmarked vehicle earlier in the week, describing the fear and uncertainty he still carries from that encounter.
          What followed was not a polished program, but something far more meaningful. Together, we wept, prayed, lamented, and listened. We held space for one another’s pain without trying to resolve it. It was a holy moment, raw, honest, and deeply communal. We left that evening without easy answers, but with the assurance that no one had to carry their burdens alone. This is the heart of our ministry. It is not always orderly or predictable, but it is real, compassionate, and grounded in our shared communion with God and with each other.
          Your support of The Open Table Connection makes these sacred moments possible. Because of your generosity, students at UNM and CNM encounter a community of radical welcome, a place where they are known, valued, and free to live authentically.
          We invite you to partner with us through a gift of $50, $100, $500, $1,000, or more. Your generosity directly sustains this vital ministry of presence, care, and belonging. Thank you for your faithful support of our shared work. Give online today at www.OpenTableNM.org. In gratitude, Rev. Rhonda Newby-Torres

Invite to an Alzheimer’s Presentation: The Learners and Servers Group of St. Luke Lutheran Church would like to extend an invitation to your congregations to an Alzheimer Presentation on Tuesday, May 19th at 1:30 pm.  It will be held in our Fellowship Hall.  The entrance doors are on the south side of our building just west of our main church entrance on Northeastern Blvd NE.
          We would love to have you join us.  This is a subject that has a lot of interest.  We expect the presentation to last around an hour and there will also be time to ask questions.  We will be serving light snacks, coffee, lemonade and water. If you have any questions feel free to call me.  Hope to see you! Diane Quarles, Learners & Servers, 505-264-5444

You are invited to attend our annual Metro Law Enforcement Memorial as we honor and remember the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The ceremony will take place on May 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Civic Plaza. This event provides an opportunity for our community to come together in reflection, gratitude, and respect for those who gave their lives in service. We hope you are able to join us in paying tribute to these courageous individuals. Thank you. Laura Kuehn, NCPS, ICPS

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Creation Care Film Series Features ELCA Faith Leaders. Four leaders from ministries across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) share how their faith journeys intersect with their commitment to creation care in the seven-part short film series “Caring for the Earth: Stories From Faith Communities.” The free-to-access series premiered online April 25 as part of this year’s National Faith + Climate Forum.

          Joining with more than 25 other representatives — including youths, organizers and advocates from Christian, Muslim, Indigenous, Baha’i and Jewish communities — these ELCA leaders share inspiring stories that highlight the importance of caring for both community and the environment.

https://www.elca.org/news/creation-care-film-series-features-elca-faith-leaders

From Lutheran World Relief: A group of caring and compassionate friends in faith has joined together to kick off a $130,000 Love Thy Neighbor Matching Gift Challenge! When you donate by June 30, your gift will be matched — dollar for dollar — to reach your neighbors who are suffering right now. https://lwr.org/

Annual Bread for the World Offering of Letters. Please stop by the table in the Welcome Center this Sunday and next to pick up a copy of the sample letter so that you can draft your own letters to our legislators. The letters from St. Paul will be blessed during worship on Sunday 24 May, so we have two weeks to gather in our letters that will be delivered personally. St. Paul has been a member of Bread for the World for over 40 years! Thank you. ~Nancy Jenkins

Updates Beginning 3 May 2026

Today: The Adult Faith Development class wraps up its consideration of Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. First published in 1946, Man’s Search tells the story of Frankl’s three years as a prisoner of Nazi concentration camps and the lessons he learned about retaining our humanity. We have a few more copies of the book available at Sunday’s class. Please join us as we explore one of the most important books of the last century. ~Sally Trigg, for Adult Faith Development

Continuing this Thursday: Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study is on Thursdays from 1:30 - 3pm and meets in the Conference Room.  Books are available for pick up in the Office. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

What is a Pastoral Internship?  This past week, we received a lovely letter from Wartburg Theological Seminary.  I’m delighted to share that this is my alma matter, but even more importantly, it is our new pastoral intern’s current seminary.  This letter congratulated us on being approved as a host site and matched us with Darra Kingsley.  She is an active member of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, but will temporarily transfer her membership to St. Paul, officially starting 1 June.  The 7th June will be her first Sunday with us.  Please join us as we ask God’s blessing on our year together and celebrate with a reception following worship.
          She’ll share more about herself soon, but I first wanted to share the purpose of a pastoral internship, at least in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  This will be a time (one year) for Darra to further develop her pastoral voice, skills, and imagination through serving in a congregational setting (that is different from her home congregation).  The seminary provides resources and opportunities that will help us nurture an action-reflection style of learning.  She will shadow me in my ministry and the two of us will meet regularly, engaging in reflection.  She’ll also have an Internship Team who will help her in getting to know us, navigating the culture and ministries of St. Paul, as well as engage in reflection.  With all of our support, she’ll have a chance to grow in her pastoral identity, spiritual development, theological reflection, practical skills, emotional maturity, stewardship leadership, and missional leadership.
          The specific areas listed in the “handbook” for her to develop include: leadership (including preaching and worship), theological articulation, teaching (adults and youth), evangelism, pastoral care, administration, stewardship, social/justice ministry, and equipping others.
          What an important role we get to play in nurturing another much needed leader in the church.  Please hold her, her family, and all of St. Paul in your love and prayers.  ~In excitement and joy, Pr. Koppel

Albuquerque High School at St. Paul! A small group of cognitively challenged special-needs students are visiting St. Paul each Wednesday 9:45-11:15am until the end of the semester. The purpose of their time here is to assist the church with light, routine tasks while giving the students hands-on experience in a safe and supportive environment. Participation in real-world volunteer work helps them develop foundational job skills. If you would like to join us on a Wednesday to meet the students, assist with the indoor and outdoor tasks, or bring a snack to share (lactose free), we would welcome your engagement! 6-8 students attend with their teacher and two aides. Please let us know if you would like to help at info@stpaulabq.org. ~Deborah Ash

Dear St. Paul family, please save the date of Saturday May 30th at Noon for the Annual Lunch Fundraiser for the Madagascar Girls Camp! It will be an opportunity to enjoy Malagasy food , music, and presentation about this life-changing ministry reaching promising girls from remote areas of Madagascar. Your presence and contributions will make a huge difference in the girls' educational hope. I hope to see you all there! Thanks in advance! ~Rijasoa Andriamanana

Want to stay connected with the Rocky Mountain Synod? Subscribe to eConnection, the biweekly newsletter from RMS for all the latest information. Go to https://www.rmselca.org/ - look for “Subscribe to eConnection” on the upper right of the page. ~Deborah Ash

May’s God’s Work Our Hands project: supporting the Madagascar Girls Camp. Please write Girls Camp in the memo line of your check and then plan to attend the fundraising luncheon on Saturday, May 30 to enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal! And thank you to everyone who donated senior supplies for Adopted Families in April. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Our website is currently undergoing a much-needed update. We are working to create a more user-friendly and engaging experience that better reflects the mission and life of St. Paul Lutheran Church. We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing the improved site with you soon. ~Dalton Pearson, Property Maintenance Coordinator/Streaming & Social Media Tech

Refreshments & Flowers: Please consider signing up to bring snacks for our fellowship time following worship. Flowers will be back at Easter, so you might also consider signing up for those as well-a lovely way to honor an event or person. There are charts for each in Friendship Corner. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash
 

From Local Partner Organizations

Today:

Don't miss our annual pops concert hosted by Canteen Brewhouse, featuring chamber chorus, Luminare, and folk music trio, Strange Holler. Enjoy good food and local brews with friends on the patio while listening to great music! 

You are invited to attend our annual Metro Law Enforcement Memorial as we honor and remember the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The ceremony will take place on May 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Civic Plaza. This event provides an opportunity for our community to come together in reflection, gratitude, and respect for those who gave their lives in service. We hope you are able to join us in paying tribute to these courageous individuals. Thank you. Laura Kuehn, NCPS, ICPS

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Deeply concerning Farm Bill proposals at risk of codification this week! Please send a message NOW. The Farm Bill is advancing for a vote in the House of Representatives the week of Apr. 27, 2026. If passed, the bill would codify deep cuts to SNAP, while underfunding several rural development, conservation and farm provisions due to budget neutrality rules. This comes as many governors say the SNAP program could be in jeopardy in their state if Congress continues with these cuts, and as farmers are facing high production costs, unstable markets and more. Urge the House to vote NO today – and urge Congress to reconsider a good Farm Bill that supports both farmers and hungry families.
          The ELCA Witness in Society office sent a letter to House members on Apr. 24, 2026, recommending several amendments that would help restore core hunger and farm programs in the legislation. The letter additionally highlighted some of the chronic needs facing food insecure members in our communities, the work of ELCA ministries and the steep challenges facing rural communities. This comes as other Lutheran leaders have highlighted the reality of hunger in their own states.
          “In Arizona, participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has dropped by roughly 47% in the past year, the steepest decline in the nation,” writes Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer, ELCA Grand Canyon Synod, for example. “More than 400,000 of our neighbors, including many children, are no longer receiving help putting food on the table. These numbers are not abstract. They represent parents skipping meals so their children can eat, older adults navigating unfamiliar systems, and working families doing their best to make ends meet while finding that the systems meant to support them are increasingly difficult to access. As people of faith, we are called to pay attention when something so essential as daily bread becomes harder to obtain, not only because of individual need, but because of how our shared systems are functioning.”
          The stories you can provide as clergy, volunteers and lay advocates are critical at this moment in time to illustrate to lawmakers the urgent needs of rural and food insecure families in their district.
          The House of Representatives should know that what is known as a “skinny” Farm Bill is not what our country needs at this time – urge lawmakers to take action today, and encourage your neighbors to do the same. https://act.elca.org/page/94920/action/1?

May 5, 6pm Mtn: Candlelight Vigil for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. In honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Day, join Women of the ELCA leaders, staff and more as we pray together, “Candlelight Vigil for Murdered and Missing Women,” written by Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy. Register for the Zoom meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HtKfgvWQQ2K5MVMI0zrzKw#/registration

Pray for SNAP. The new cost shares for SNAP will raise costs significantly for states. In Arizona they are projected to increase from $70M to $381M (up 444%); in Michigan from $192M to $629M (up 228%); and in North Carolina from $136M to $792M (up 482%). These states are not unique. We know that if states can’t make massive changes to their budget quickly, families, the elderly, and hardworking people trying their best to make ends meet will struggle to put food on the table. We must speak up, but we must also pray. Would you join us? https://www.bread.org/article/prayers-to-end-hunger-pray-for-snap/

Updates Beginning 26 April 2026

Today: The Adult Faith Development class continues its consideration of Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. First published in 1946, Man’s Search tells the story of Frankl’s three years as a prisoner of Nazi concentration camps and the lessons he learned about retaining our humanity. The first session will focus on Frankl’s history and the story of his family and his existence in the camps. The second session on the book will occur on 4/26, and the third session will occur on May 3. We will have a few more copies of the book available at Sunday’s class. Please join us as we explore one of the most important books of the last century. ~Sally Trigg, for Adult Faith Development

Continuing this Thursday: Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study is on Thursdays from 1:30 - 3pm and meets in the Conference Room.  Books are available for pick up in the Office. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Albuquerque High School at St. Paul! A small group of cognitively challenged special-needs students are visiting St. Paul each Wednesday 9:45-11:15am until the end of the semester. The purpose of their time here is to assist the church with light, routine tasks while giving the students hands-on experience in a safe and supportive environment. Participation in real-world volunteer work helps them develop foundational job skills. If you would like to join us on a Wednesday to meet the students, assist with the indoor and outdoor tasks, or bring a snack to share (lactose free), we would welcome your engagement! 6-8 students attend with their teacher and two aides. Please let us know if you would like to help at info@stpaulabq.org. ~Deborah Ash

April’s God’s Work Our Hands project: collecting senior supplies for Adopted Families. We are collecting the following items, which are always in high demand: adult diapers (such as Depends)-both male and female, all sizes; disposable bed pads; adult wet wipes; and no-rinse bathing wipes. There is a bin in the Welcome Center, or you can make a check out to St. Paul with the note: Senior Supplies. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Annual Malagasy Girls’ Camp Fundraiser Saturday, 30 May at Noon: Mark your calendars now to come enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal and presentation by Rijasoa Andriamanana about the summer camp for girls in Madagascar. Donations go to support this immersive program for girls who attend from throughout the country. ~Deborah Ash

Our website is currently undergoing a much-needed update. We are working to create a more user-friendly and engaging experience that better reflects the mission and life of St. Paul Lutheran Church. We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing the improved site with you soon. ~Dalton Pearson, Property Maintenance Coordinator/Streaming & Social Media Tech

Refreshments & Flowers: Please consider signing up to bring snacks for our fellowship time following worship. Flowers will be back at Easter, so you might also consider signing up for those as well-a lovely way to honor an event or person. There are charts for each in Friendship Corner. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash

From Local Partner Organizations

Today:

St. Paul: Use code SPLC426 for a $5 discount on tickets. ~Bradley Ellingboe

This Friday: Church Women United, an ecumenical Christian women’s fellowship, will be celebrating May Friendship Day Friday, May 1st, at St. Paul.  It will begin with coffee fellowship at 9:30, followed by the program with the theme, “A Place Called Home”, a priority of National CWU for fair and accessible housing.  We will be exploring ABQ’s housing problems for families by a panel consisting of organizations that help people out.  Amy Kendrick of Safe House and Michael Trimm of Family Promise and possibly others will educate us on the current situation.  Come join us and bring a friend!  Questions?  Contact Shirley Nilsson at (505) 463-3657.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Upcoming Connections Call: AFTERGLOW, April 28th, 6pm MT. Hear from folks who attended the LRC Gathering in NC, help us take the next steps together and ensure Earth Day vibes keep reverberating! 
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0ofV2vPIRZSH8mqmhfou6w#/registration

Congress is considering legislation that will considerably weaken the Endangered Species Act. Earth Day, Apr. 22, falls at a critical moment for our stewardship of God's creation. In the House of Representatives, the "ESA Amendments Act of 2025” (H.R. 1897) is moving toward a full House vote. Despite its name, this bill would not strengthen the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Among other things, it would weaken critical habitat protections, extend timelines for protecting species in crisis, fast-track their removal from protection and erode the science-based decision making that has made the ESA work for over 50 years. The ESA has prevented 99% of listed species from becoming extinct. It has brought back the bald eagle, the humpback whale and hundreds of other species. H.R. 1897 could change that.
          Our call to care for endangered species flows from our vocation to love and serve our neighbors, which include plant and animal life and the ecosystems that sustain them and us. The ELCA social statement, Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice, reminds us: “We are to love the earth as God loves us.” Express this love by calling on our lawmakers to strengthen endangered species protections, not weaken them.
          Earth Day is an opportunity to celebrate the gift of creation. This year, we must acknowledge Congress’s attempt to dismantle a law that protects it. Take action with your own message! https://act.elca.org/page/97101/action/1?

Candlelight Vigil for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Monday, May 5. In honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Day, join Women of the ELCA leaders, staff and more as we pray together, “Candlelight Vigil for Murdered and Missing Women,” written by Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy.
Register for the Zoom meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HtKfgvWQQ2K5MVMI0zrzKw#/registration
Download the vigil at: https://elcamediaresources.blob.core.windows.net/cdn/wp-content/uploads/MMIW_Vigil.pdf

Gathered and Sent: Living as Easter People: Resurrection hope shapes more than a single Sunday. In this Living Lutheran article, John Weit, executive for worship, reflects on Easter as both a season in the church year and a way of life — formed by word and sacrament, honest about lament and alive with joy. Sent in the power of the risen Christ, we carry resurrection hope into daily life, community and mission. https://www.livinglutheran.org/theology-beliefs/gathered-and-sent/

Updates Beginning 19 April 2026

Today, 19 April is our Spring Congregational Meeting immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy a potluck (St. Paul providing the main dish) as part of our gathering. ~Deborah Ash

Continuing this Thursday: Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study is on Thursdays from 1:30 - 3pm and meets in the Conference Room.  Books are available for pick up in the Office. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Our website is currently undergoing a much-needed update. We are working to create a more user-friendly and engaging experience that better reflects the mission and life of St. Paul Lutheran Church. We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing the improved site with you soon. ~Dalton Pearson, Property Maintenance Coordinator/Streaming & Social Media Tech

Albuquerque High School at St. Paul! A small group of cognitively challenged special-needs students are visiting St. Paul each Wednesday 9:45-11:15am until the end of the semester. The purpose of their time here is to assist the church with light, routine tasks while giving the students hands-on experience in a safe and supportive environment. Participation in real-world volunteer work helps them develop foundational job skills. If you would like to join us on a Wednesday to meet the students, assist with the indoor and outdoor tasks, or bring a snack in to share (lactose free), we would welcome your engagement! 6-8 students attend with their teacher and two aides. Please let us know if you would like to help at info@stpaulabq.org. ~Deborah Ash

April’s God’s Work Our Hands project: collecting senior supplies for Adopted Families. We are collecting the following items, which are always in high demand: adult diapers (such as Depends)-both male and female, all sizes; disposable bed pads; adult wet wipes; and no-rinse bathing wipes. There is a bin in the Welcome Center, or you can make a check out to St. Paul with the note: Senior Supplies. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Annual Malagasy Girls’ Camp Fundraiser Saturday, 30 May at Noon: Mark your calendars now to come enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal and presentation by Rijasoa Andriamanana about the summer camp for girls in Madagascar. Donations go to support this immersive program for girls who attend from throughout the country. ~Deborah Ash

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Refreshments & Flowers: Please consider signing up to bring snacks for our fellowship time following worship. Flowers will be back at Easter, so you might also consider signing up for those as well-a lovely way to honor an event or person. There are charts for each in Friendship Corner. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash

From Local Partner Organizations

Next Sunday:

St. Paul: Use code SPLC426 for a $5 discount on tickets. ~Bradley Ellingboe

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

 This week:

Synod Assembly 2026, Thursday April 23 – Saturday April 25
Hosted by Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, Denver, CO

Upcoming Connections Call: AFTERGLOW, April 28th, 5pm PT/6MT/7CT/8 ET. Hear from folks who attended the LRC Gathering in NC last week, help us take the next steps together and ensure Earth Day vibes keep reverberating! https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0ofV2vPIRZSH8mqmhfou6w#/registration

Protect Employment Authorization for Those Seeking Asylum

On Feb. 23, 2026, the U.S. government announced a proposed rule that would effectively shut down access to work permits for asylum seekers. Under this rule, according to the government’s own estimate, it could take up to 173 years before new work permit applications are accepted again. The rule would also make some renewals harder for those who already have work permits, and it offers no plan to fix the massive asylum backlog that created these delays in the first place.
          In the ELCA, “We oppose practices that create unreasonable obstacles and unattainable standards of proof for those seeking asylum” (ELCA social message on “Immigration,” p. 10) and affirm that “all residents, asylum-seekers, and refugees in the United States are to be protected as neighbors, even as they await determination of immigration status in the courts” (ELCA social message on “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy,” p. 13).
          We also believe that dignified work is part of God’s plan for creation. Stripping people of the ability to work will make asylum seekers more vulnerable to exploitation, hunger or despair while simultaneously weakening the communities that have welcomed them and benefit from their contributions.
          This rule is not final. From now until Apr. 24, 2026, the government is accepting public comments on the proposal. By law, every unique, substantive comment must be read and addressed before the rule can move forward.
          You have the opportunity to act in two ways: 

• Submit a public comment on the proposal via Global Refuge’s online tool until Apr. 24, 2026. You can read the ELCA’s public comment here: https://www.regulations.gov/comment/USCIS-2025-0370-2930

• Use the ELCA Action Center to call on members of Congress to raise their voices to oppose this rule and speak out against its implementation, ensuring that those seeking safety will retain the ability to meet their needs in our communities: https://act.elca.org/page/96793/-/1

Personalize your public comment and message to Congress to oppose this rule and speak out against its implementation, ensuring that those seeking safety will retain the ability to meet their needs in our communities. Thank you for your advocacy.

Bread for the World’s next quarterly national online meeting for advocates is on Thursday, April 23 at 8:00 p.m. EDT (5:00 p.m. PDT), featuring a very special guest, Rev. David Beckmann, president emeritus of Bread for the World. You won’t want to miss this meeting! At this meeting, Bread staff will share:

• Updates and progress on the Offering of Letters and related legislation.

• Information about the upcoming Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC (June 9-10) and how you can be a part of it.

• Next steps and a roadmap for continued action in 2026.

Rev. Beckmann will close our time together with a preview of his new book, Poverty Abolitionists: Faith, Activism, and Hope for Difficult Times, and what it means for Bread for the World’s work. Register at: https://go.bread.org/page/96514/survey/1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=26QO&utm_content=2026+Q2+National+Advocacy+Invite+7481577943 

Updates Beginning 12 April 2026

Today: The Adult Faith Development class starts its consideration of Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. First published in 1946, Man’s Search tells the story of Frankl’s three years as a prisoner of Nazi concentration camps and the lessons he learned about retaining our humanity. The first session will focus on Frankl’s history and the story of his family and his existence in the camps. The second session on the book will occur on 4/26, and the third session will occur on May 3. We will have a few more copies of the book available at Sunday’s class. Please join us as we explore one of the most important books of the last century. ~Sally Trigg, for Adult Faith Development

Today-Free Concert! St. Paul Welcomes:

Starting this Thursday: Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study will begin 16 April (Thursdays) from 1:30 - 3pm and meet in the Conference Room.  If you'd like to participate via ZOOM, please let us know so we can set that up.  We have ordered books for the class which will be available for pick up before the first session in the Office. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Next Sunday, 19 April is our Spring Congregational Meeting immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy a potluck (St. Paul providing the main dish) as part of our gathering. ~Deborah Ash

April’s God’s Work Our Hands project: collecting senior supplies for Adopted Families. We are collecting the following items, which are always in high demand: adult diapers (such as Depends)-both male and female, all sizes; disposable bed pads; adult wet wipes; and no-rinse bathing wipes. There is a bin in the Welcome Center, or you can make a check out to St. Paul with the note: Senior Supplies. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Annual Malagasy Girls’ Camp Fundraiser Saturday, 30 May at Noon: Mark your calendars now to come enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal and presentation by Rijasoa Andriamanana about the summer camp for girls in Madagascar. Donations go to support this immersive program for girls who attend from throughout the country. ~Deborah Ash

Seeking Church Council Nominees. Would you be interested in serving as a member of St. Paul’s church council? This is a 3-year commitment, with meetings at 1pm on the third Sunday of each month. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve, and feel free to speak to one of the current members (names and photos are posted in the Welcome Center), or Pastor Koppel. A job description is available by writing me at info@stpaulabq.org. Thank you for your consideration. ~Deborah Ash, for Nominating Committee

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Refreshments & Flowers: Please consider signing up to bring snacks for our fellowship time following worship. Flowers will be back at Easter, so you might also consider signing up for those as well-a lovely way to honor an event or person. There are charts for each in Friendship Corner. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

St. Paul: Use code SPLC426 for a $5 discount on tickets. ~Bradley Ellingboe

Updates Beginning 5 April 2026

Happy Easter! Join us this morning following worship for an Easter Nosh in the Welcome Center and Friendship Corner. ~Pr. Koppel

Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study will begin 16 April (Thursdays) from 1:30 - 3pm and meet in the Conference Room.  If you'd like to participate via ZOOM, please let us know so we can set that up.  We have ordered books for the class which will be available for pick up before the first session in the Office. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Mark Your Calendars: Sunday, 19 April is our Spring Congregational Meeting immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy a potluck (St. Paul providing the main dish) as part of our gathering. ~Deborah Ash

April’s God’s Work Our Hands project: collecting senior supplies for Adopted Families. We are collecting the following items, which are always in high demand: adult diapers (such as Depends)-both male and female, all sizes; disposable bed pads; adult wet wipes; and no-rinse bathing wipes. There is a bin in the Welcome Center, or you can make a check out to St. Paul with the note: Senior Supplies. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Annual Malagasy Girls’ Camp Fundraiser Saturday, 30 May at Noon: Mark your calendars now to come enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal and presentation by Rijasoa Andriamanana about the summer camp for girls in Madagascar. Donations go to support this immersive program for girls who attend from throughout the country. ~Deborah Ash

Seeking Church Council Nominees. Would you be interested in serving as a member of St. Paul’s church council? This is a 3-year commitment, with meetings at 1pm on the third Sunday of each month. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve, and feel free to speak to one of the current members (names and photos are posted in the Welcome Center), or Pastor Koppel. A job description is available by writing me at info@stpaulabq.org. Thank you for your consideration. ~Deborah Ash, for Nominating Committee

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Refreshments & Flowers: Please consider signing up to bring snacks for our fellowship time following worship. Flowers will be back at Easter, so you might also consider signing up for those as well-a lovely way to honor an event or person. There are charts for each in Friendship Corner. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

St. Paul Welcomes:

From Local Partner Organizations

St. Paul: Use code SPLC426 for a $5 discount on tickets. ~Bradley Ellingboe

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Holy Week & Easter Greetings from Bishop Meghan:

Dear friends in Christ, Blessed Holy Week and Easter to you all.
          In a time of war, deep uncertainty, and relentless worry, when every news cycle cries out to us of the suffering of our neighbors far and near, Holy Week arrives. We travel a path from Palm Sunday’s defiant joy, through fear and reverence at the foot-washing basin, the last supper table, and the olive trees of Gethsemane, to the heart-rending pain of the cross and the sorrowful silence of the tomb—and finally, to the awe and hope of Easter resurrection. We remember and are re-membered, as the scattered people of God, in the ancient story that echoes in our lives and our world because it is our story, too.
          For all who will diligently tend to and participate in worship this week, I give thanks: for bulletin-makers and folders; for those who prepare the sanctuary to tell the story in palms and paraments, stripped emptiness and abundant lilies; for choirs, musicians and speakers; for preachers and presiders; for kitchen crews and children’s caregivers; and for children, youth, and adults of all ages who will come in person or join online. I give thanks for all who will dare to believe, or at least consider, that the story of Jesus and the way of Jesus still matter.
          Beloved, I believe with my whole heart that the witness of these sacred days does matter; because the story of Jesus and the way of Jesus are true, and more important than ever. Worship is not all that we are called to do; but it is the holy place and holy time in which God invites, feeds, equips, and blesses us for our callings, and reminds us that we are fully known and wholly beloved before we do anything else at all.
          That good news is our holy gift and holy responsibility to proclaim for all people, and especially for those who have too often been shut out or excluded from belonging, in our communities and in the church. In that spirit, I am mindful that International Transgender Day of Visibility falls this year within Holy Week, on March 31; and I pray in thanks for the gifts of trans and nonbinary siblings in Christ who are leaders in the church, and all trans and nonbinary neighbors, who are beloved of God and who reflect in their lives the love of God that created humanity in diversity and called us “very good.”
          We remember this week the way of Jesus, who crossed human-drawn boundaries and barriers to draw people on the margins into the center of God’s love, in whom “there is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one” (Galatians 3:28). Jesus’ embodied commitment to God’s love for all people so threatened the human powers of his world that he was killed to silence his message and put an end to his ministry; instead, he was raised to new life, proving that love overcomes fear and life overcomes death.
          In an increasingly fractured world, fueled by suspicion of those who are “other,” and profiting from the exploitation of human fear to make us enemies of one another, let this Holy Week and Easter remind us of the truth: in Christ, we are one. In Christ, we are called to a way of humility and honesty, love and liberation, compassion and courage. In Christ, we are comforted and called as people of the cross and people of the resurrection.
May this Holy Week and Easter renew in you, and in all of us, the power and the presence of the living God: God who created and called us “good,” Jesus whose life, death, and resurrection rescue and redeem all creation from the forces of sin and death, and the Holy Spirit who is the breath in our song, prayer, and proclamation. +Bishop Meghan

An Easter Message from Presiding Bishop Curry
In his Easter video message, Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry says that even though we consider ourselves to be an Easter church, we must remember that we are also a Lenten church, living in uncertainty, waiting and hoping for renewal. Curry reminds us that in the midst of that uncertainty, comes God’s promise of reassurance and hope. Death does not have the final word.
          “Yes, we are Easter people,” he said. “Even when the ground below us is shaking, we will not grow weary. We know that Jesus is our foundation. Christ is risen, and that truth strengthens us. It gives us courage to live, to hope, and to proclaim joy. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!”
          Watch The Joy of Alleluia, at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm8s56FlWpI

https://www.giftsoflove.org/page/124943/shop/1

Updates Beginning 29 March 2026

The Adult Faith Development class continues its Lenten journey today using the resource Entering the Passion of Jesus:  A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine. Today we look at: Gethsemane:  Risking Temptation (Mark 14:32-52, John 18:1-11). Please come join us as it will deepen your Easter celebration! ~Jane Voelkel, for the AFD Team

Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study will begin 16 April (Thursdays) from 1:30 - 3pm and meet in the Conference Room.  If you'd like to participate via ZOOM, please let us know so we can set that up.  And you'll likely want the participant book, which costs about $20 new or $5 used.  If you want St. Paul to order it for you, please let us know by April 3rd. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

Mark Your Calendars: Sunday, 19 April is our Spring Congregational Meeting immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy an ice cream social as part of our gathering. ~Deborah Ash

Thank You! to everyone who turned out yesterday for our annual Campus Cleanup. So nice to see everything neat and tidy inside and out just in time for Holy Week! ~Deborah Ash & Dalton Pearson

March’s God’s Work Our Hands project is raising funds to provide the First Thursday Friends Feeding Friends meal at HopeWorks in April. Please write FFF in the memo line when donating. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Seeking Church Council Nominees. Would you be interested in serving as a member of St. Paul’s church council? This is a 3-year commitment, with meetings at 1pm on the third Sunday of each month. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve, and feel free to speak to one of the current members (names and photos are posted in the Welcome Center), or Pastor Koppel. A job description is available by writing me at info@stpaulabq.org. Thank you for your consideration. ~Deborah Ash, for Nominating Committee

Annual Malagasy Girls’ Camp Fundraiser Saturday, 30 May at Noon: Mark your calendars now to come enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal and presentation by Rijasoa Andriamanana about the summer camp for girls in Madagascar. Donations go to support this immersive program for girls who attend from throughout the country. ~Deborah Ash

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Refreshments & Flowers: Please consider signing up to bring snacks for our fellowship time following worship. Flowers will be back at Easter, so you might also consider signing up for those as well-a lovely way to honor an event or person. There are charts for each in Friendship Corner. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash

Our new Ministries Booklet is posted on St. Paul’s website at: stpaulabq.org/ and is available in the Welcome Center. ~Deborah Ash

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Light Upon The Water

Don't miss our next concert! April 26th 4:00pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, featuring the New Mexico premiere of Oceana by Chilean composer Javier Farías and led by guest conductor Dr. José Daniel Flores-Caraballo.
          This contemporary work for choir, viola, guitar, and charango sets poetry by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Evoking the vastness and beauty of the sea, the piece draws on Neruda’s language to create a richly textured, atmospheric sound world. Tickets: ttps://www.tickettailor.com/events/corolux

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Companion Synod-Update from Madagascar: Many around our synod remember the visit last year by our companion synod presidents in Madagascar. What a joy it was to meet them and hear firsthand about God’s work in Madagascar. To help support the projects the presidents shared with us, the Rocky Mountain Synod has sent each synod a gift of $3,000. These funds will go a long way toward building walls, synod office buildings, wells, radio towers, and updating medical facilities. Of course, more help is always needed. Please consider donating to Seeds of Hope through the Rocky Mountain Synod.
          In other news, last month a hurricane hit the northeast coast of Madagascar, leaving devastation in its wake. At least 40 people have been killed and more than 16,000 others displaced after Cyclone Gezani slammed into Madagascar’s second-largest city earlier this week.
          Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) said on Friday evening that it had recorded 40 deaths, while six people remained missing and at least 427 others were injured. More than 16,300 people were displaced as a result of the storm, the agency added. Especially hard hit was the city of Tomasina. Although not in our companion synod, one member of our Companion Synod Committee served there as a YAGM. You may donate to relief efforts by giving to Lutheran Disaster Relief, designating that the funds be directed to Madagascar.
          “The city is running on roughly 5 percent of electricity, and there is no water,” she said, adding that the WFP’s office and one warehouse “were also completely destroyed”.

ELCA Advocacy Action Alert: After a year of negotiations, the Senate and House have passed separate major housing bills that now must be conferenced to advance cohesive legislation. Take action.
          The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed the Senate in early March by a wide bipartisan margin, and now must be conferenced with the House of Representatives which passed its own version. This is a critical step where the final shape of this legislation will be determined.
          As ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry wrote to senators ahead of the Senate passage, “In our religious tradition, housing is a moral issue that concerns human beings created in God’s image for a life of dignity in justice. When families cannot afford stable shelter, many other aspects of life - employment, education, health, and safety - are at risk.” Lutheran and ecumenical congregations are seeing the housing crisis firsthand, and many are already working to build affordable housing and emergency shelters on church property. But the faith community cannot do this alone.
          The ROAD to Housing Act as amended by the Senate would expand housing supply, support rural communities, strengthen disaster recovery programs vital to Lutheran Disaster Response efforts, and open pathways to manufactured housing in underserved areas. It is critical that lawmakers pass this legislation as soon as possible ahead of a busy legislative season.
          Contact your members of Congress today – and urge them to support a strong, effective conferenced version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act – one that meaningfully expands access to safe affordable homes. Subscribe to ELCA Advocacy: give.elca.org/page/65066/subscriptions/1

Updates Beginning 22 March 2026

The Adult Faith Development class continues its Lenten journey through Palm Sunday, 3/29, using the resource Entering the Passion of Jesus:  A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine. Our schedule is:

Today, 3/22—The Last Supper: Risking the Loss of Friends (Luke 22:14-27, John 13:1-16)
3/29—Gethsemane:  Risking Temptation (Mark 14:32-52, John 18:1-11)

Please come join us as it will deepen your Easter celebration! ~Jane Voelkel, for the AFD Team

Midweek Lent Soup Supper & Bible Study continues this Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll begin at 6pm with a table grace, share soup and conversation, and then around 6:45pm begin Bible Study.  We are using the Body of Christ, ELCA Sumud 2026 Lent Devotional Series (found at https://resources.elca.org/), which focuses on our siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.  Our time will be wrapped in song and prayer and we’ll be on our way around 8pm.  I look forward to our time together!  Peace, Pr. Koppel

March’s God’s Work Our Hands project is raising funds to provide the First Thursday Friends Feeding Friends meal at HopeWorks in April. Please write FFF in the memo line when donating. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Campus Cleanup 28 March, 9am-Noon. Come out to help beautify our campus before Holy Week starts! There will be an indoor team polishing the pews and cleaning windows in the Welcome Center, and another working outside to rake up leaves and pick up trash. Pizza when we wrap up. We have supplies here for inside cleanup but if you choose to work outdoors, please bring your work gloves and rakes. There is a signup sheet in the Welcome Center if you can join in. Many hands make light work! ~Deborah Ash & Dalton Pearson

Mark Your Calendars: Sunday, 19 April is our Spring Congregational Meeting immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy an ice cream social as part of our gathering. ~Deborah Ash

Seeking Church Council Nominees. Would you be interested in serving as a member of St. Paul’s church council? This is a 3-year commitment, with meetings at 1pm on the third Sunday of each month. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve, and feel free to speak to one of the current members (names and photos are posted in the Welcome Center), or Pastor Koppel. A job description is available by writing me at info@stpaulabq.org. Thank you for your consideration. ~Deborah Ash, for Nominating Committee

Annual Malagasy Girls’ Camp Fundraiser Saturday, 30 May at Noon: Mark your calendars now to come enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal and presentation by Rijasoa Andriamanana about the summer camp for girls in Madagascar. Donations go to support this immersive program for girls who attend from throughout the country. ~Deborah Ash

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Refreshments & Flowers: Please consider signing up to bring snacks for our fellowship time following worship. Flowers will be back at Easter, so you might also consider signing up for those as well-a lovely way to honor an event or person. There are charts for each in Friendship Corner. Thanks! ~Deborah Ash

Our new Ministries Booklet is posted on St. Paul’s website at: stpaulabq.org/ and is available in the Welcome Center. ~Deborah Ash

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Today:

Today:

Light Upon The Water

Don't miss our next concert! April 26th 4:00pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, featuring the New Mexico premiere of Oceana by Chilean composer Javier Farías and led by guest conductor Dr. José Daniel Flores-Caraballo.
          This contemporary work for choir, viola, guitar, and charango sets poetry by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Evoking the vastness and beauty of the sea, the piece draws on Neruda’s language to create a richly textured, atmospheric sound world. Tickets: ttps://www.tickettailor.com/events/corolux

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

The Senate plans to vote on the SAVE America Act (S. 1383). Urge Congress to vote NO and reject any measure that will restrict access to voting.
          Thousands of letters have been sent to Congress through the ELCA Action Center following the posting of an Action Alert to urge rejection of voting barriers, and we thank you for your advocacy! 
          Following weeks of heightened national attention surrounding voting rights and election security, President Trump has urged Congress to make adding restrictive changes to the election process the number one priority ahead of 2026 midterms. So again, you are urged to express your concerns to members of Congress.
          Majority Leader John Thune plans to bring the SAVE America Act, an expanded version of The SAVE Act (H.R. 22/S. 128), before the Senate. Concerning elements in the legislation remain, including that proposed changes would not make any noticeable change to election security. The administration is also pressuring Congress to consider amendments to the legislation that prohibit gender-affirming care and restrict universal mail-in voting.
          Other notable proposed changes include adjustments to states’ existing voting processes and requirements for strict proof of citizenship to register (such as a passport or birth certificate, which millions of American citizens don’t have access to). An additional concern is regarding amended language, which would require states to share sensitive voter information with the Department of Homeland Security. Recent attention regarding the disproportionately negative impact these burdens will have on eligible individual voters has led to even greater awareness of the issue, especially for:  

Rural Voters
Low-income Voters 
Native Voters
Voters with Disabilities 

The ELCA affirms that, “citizenship is to be honored and regulated by law—but not used to justify stripping any individual or group of their dignity or human rights as neighbor” (ELCA social message “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy”, p. 13). “This church also strongly affirms voting, guided by faith-based values, as an exercise in citizenship,” (p. 16).  
Lawmakers should be aware of the challenges these attempts pose to eligible voters, and of the moral concerns from the Christian community ahead of any possible vote.
Urge Congress to vote NO on the SAVE Act | SAVE America Act and reject any measure that will restrict access to voting. As the debate in the Senate is expected to span several weeks, after you take action SHARE widely. Thank you for your advocacy. To write to your Congresspeople, visit:
https://give.elca.org/page/65066/subscriptions/1

Congratulations! In 2025, St. Paul received $550 through the Thrivent Choice® program — and that’s worth celebrating! Thrivent clients with membership: don’t forget to direct any remaining 2025 Choice Dollars® before they expire March 31 at thrivent.com/thriventchoice.

Protect refugees and preserve humanitarian leadership! As lawmakers shape funding for Fiscal Year 2027, they must sustain support for refugee protection overseas and put guardrails in place to prevent the misuse of funds meant to help those fleeing catastrophic crises. They must also ensure strong funding for the REA account, which helps American states and communities support refugees, asylees, survivors of trafficking and torture, unaccompanied children, Afghan and Ukrainian parolees, and others rebuilding their lives here. Your Congresspeople need to hear from you! Take action today at: https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/campaign/FY27Appropriations/

Updates Beginning 15 March 2026

The Adult Faith Development class continues its Lenten journey through Palm Sunday, 3/29, using the resource Entering the Passion of Jesus:  A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine.  It is not necessary to purchase the study book, but if desired, please consider purchasing it from bookshop.org.  If you buy from them, a portion of the proceeds goes to local, independent bookstores. Our schedule will be:

Today, 3/15—The First Dinner:  Risking Rejection (Mark 14:3-9)
3/22—The Last Supper: Risking the Loss of Friends (Luke 22:14-27, John 13:1-16)
3/29—Gethsemane:  Risking Temptation (Mark 14:32-52, John 18:1-11)

Please come join us as it will deepen your Easter celebration! ~Jane Voelkel, for the AFD Team

Midweek Lent Soup Supper & Bible Study continues this Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall through 25 March. We’ll begin at 6pm with a table grace, share soup and conversation, and then around 6:45pm begin Bible Study.  We are using the Body of Christ, ELCA Sumud 2026 Lent Devotional Series (found at https://resources.elca.org/), which focuses on our siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.  Our time will be wrapped in song and prayer and we’ll be on our way around 8pm.  A sign-up poster for setup/cleanup and food is in the Welcome Center.  I look forward to our time together!  Peace, Pr. Koppel

Hope everyone at church is able to make it! ~Rado Josoa

Campus Cleanup 28 March, 9am-Noon. Come out to help beautify our campus before Holy Week starts! There will be an indoor team polishing the pews and cleaning windows in the Welcome Center, and another working outside to rake up leaves and pick up trash. Pizza when we wrap up. We have supplies here for inside cleanup but if you choose to work outdoors, please bring your work gloves and rakes. Please email info@stpaulabq.org if you can make it that day. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Dalton Pearson

March’s God’s Work Our Hands project is raising funds to provide the First Thursday Friends Feeding Friends meal at HopeWorks in April. Please write FFF in the memo line when donating. And a huge thank you! to everyone who made Thursday’s Luther House/Open Table Connection meal so memorable for the students. Pastor Rhonda sends her thanks. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Mark Your Calendars: Sunday, 19 April is our Spring Congregational Meeting immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy an ice cream social as part of our gathering. ~Deborah Ash

Seeking Church Council Nominees. Would you be interested in serving as a member of St. Paul’s church council? This is a 3-year commitment, with meetings at 1pm on the third Sunday of each month. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve, and feel free to speak to one of the current members (names and photos are posted in the Welcome Center), or Pastor Koppel. A job description is available by writing me at info@stpaulabq.org. Thank you for your consideration. ~Deborah Ash, for Nominating Committee

Annual Malagasy Girls’ Camp Fundraiser Saturday, 30 May at Noon: Mark your calendars now to come enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal and presentation by Rijasoa Andriamanana about the summer camp for girls in Madagascar. Donations go to support this immersive program for girls who attend from throughout the country. ~Deborah Ash

Our new Ministries Booklet is posted on St. Paul’s website at: stpaulabq.org/ and is available in the Welcome Center. ~Deborah Ash

Beauty for Ashes, a Lenten devotional by the ELCA Homeless and Justice Network, is available in the Welcome Center, in addition to several others. ~Deborah Ash

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

A Candlelight Vigil, in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors, will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 812 Edith Blvd. NE, next Sunday, March 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m. We invite you to join us, or to host a vigil at your church, on this date and time. We do this in solidarity with singing resistance groups throughout our nation, and around the world, who are saying NO to the cruelty of government actions towards refugees, immigrants, the displaced, and those held in detention centers. We stand in solidarity with those killed or injured while exercising their constitutional and human right to protest. Future vigils are planned for the Sunday closest to Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox, and Winter Solstice. . . “♪and the world is about to turn. . . ♪”
Vigil supported by Pastors of the Presbytery of Santa Fe and church leaders.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Bishop Curry Issues Statement on Iran War:

Dear siblings in Christ,

They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more (Isaiah 2:4).

In our Lenten journey, we are reminded of our dependence on God, and we are sustained by hope in the future peace God has promised. As war involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensifies and spreads, we lament how far off that promise seems. We do not know how many people have been killed, but we know the number will continue to grow. Early reports indicate that more than 100 Iranian schoolgirls and several U.S. service members are among them.

The church of Jesus Christ is called to proclaim the peace of God’s eternal reign and to work for an earthly peace here and now. The ELCA social message “Living in a Time of Terrorism” states that this earthly peace is a “precious yet fragile good.” Its existence depends on leaders who prioritize diplomacy over military engagement and deterrence over war, and on citizens who hold government accountable whenever military action is considered.

With many of you, I am distressed that a robust, public discernment through congressional authorization did not occur prior to the United States’ engagement in this war. As Lutherans, we affirm that government and the order that just laws provide are gifts of God for our safety and well-being. This war does not represent the promotion of this just order but rather its failure. 

The costs in lives and safety of this failure will be borne by those least able to avoid it — children, families and those without the means to flee.  Its deadly toll has been, and will continue to be, paid with the lives of our neighbors, including our siblings in Christ in the Middle East. 

This moment underscores the urgent need for robust, well-resourced diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. Our companions in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land have asked our church to pray fervently for peace and safety and to advocate for the dignity and security of all people. ELCA Witness in Society will continue to provide opportunities for this advocacy.

As members of the body of Christ, join me in prayerful, hopeful solidarity with our siblings and neighbors who suffer today.

Together,
We mourn the rush to war and the combatants and noncombatants who have lost their lives.
We yearn for creation’s fulfillment in “a new heaven and a new earth” where death and pain “will be no more” (Revelation 21:1, 4).
We strive for justice and peace in all the earth, strengthened by faith in the crucified and risen Lord to persist.
We trust that, through God who sustains us, our weariness and fear will not overcome us.

In Christ,

The Rev. Yehiel Curry
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

ELCA Advocacy Alert: Protect Dreamers. The ELCA has long supported protections for people brought to the United States as children, known as “Dreamers.” Dreamers are integral members of our families, churches and communities, yet for decades have lived in limbo without the long-term solution of permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenship. For over 525,000 Dreamers, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program provides work authorization and should protect recipients from deportation, but the program has been largely closed to new applicants since 2017, leaving many individuals without even these temporary and limited protections.

In 2001, Congress first introduced the Dream Act, which would provide permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. The bipartisan bill was reintroduced last year by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) as the Dream Act of 2025. The American Dream and Promise Act introduced last year in the House would provide protections for Dreamers and recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).

Support for protections for Dreamers is particularly urgent as DACA recipients have been detained and in some cases deported, separated from their families and the only home some have ever known. Take action at the ELCA Advocacy Action Center and sign up to receive alerts directly: https://act.elca.org/page/56774/action/1?chain

The 2026 Hunger Challenge will end on March 20! Your generous support will feed God's children who are starving and are becoming sicker and weaker by the day. When you share your blessings today, you'll save a hungry family from starving to death and give children the chance to grow and thrive. Visit https://lwr.org/

Updates Beginning 8 March 2026

The Adult Faith Development class continues its Lenten journey through Palm Sunday, 3/29, using the resource Entering the Passion of Jesus:  A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine.  It is not necessary to purchase the study book, but if desired, please consider purchasing it from bookshop.org.  If you buy from them, a portion of the proceeds goes to local, independent bookstores. Our schedule will be:

Today, 3/8—The Temple:  Risking Righteous Anger (Mark 11:15-19)

3/15—The First Dinner:  Risking Rejection (Mark 14:3-9)

3/22—The Last Supper: Risking the Loss of Friends (Luke 22:14-27, John 13:1-16)

3/29—Gethsemane:  Risking Temptation (Mark 14:32-52, John 18:1-11)

Please come join us as it will deepen your Easter celebration! ~Jane Voelkel, for the AFD Team

Midweek Lent Soup Supper & Bible Study continues this Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall through 25 March. We’ll begin at 6pm with a table grace, share soup and conversation, and then around 6:45pm begin Bible Study.  We are using the Body of Christ, ELCA Sumud 2026 Lent Devotional Series (found at https://resources.elca.org/), which focuses on our siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.  Our time will be wrapped in song and prayer and we’ll be on our way around 8pm.  A sign-up poster for setup/cleanup and food is in the Welcome Center.  I look forward to our time together!  Peace, Pr. Koppel

Hope everyone at church is able to make it! ~Rado Josoa

Campus Cleanup 28 March, 9am-Noon. Come out to help beautify our campus before Holy Week starts! There will be an indoor team polishing the pews and cleaning windows in the Welcome Center, and another working outside to rake up leaves and pick up trash. Pizza when we wrap up. We have supplies here for inside cleanup but if you choose to work outdoors, please bring your work gloves and rakes. Please email info@stpaulabq.org if you can make it that day. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Dalton Pearson

March’s God’s Work Our Hands project is raising funds to provide the First Thursday Friends Feeding Friends meal at HopeWorks in April. Please write FFF in the memo line when donating. And a huge thank you! to everyone who made Thursday’s Luther House/Open Table Connection meal so memorable for the students. Pastor Rhonda sends her thanks. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Mark Your Calendars: Sunday, 19 April is our Spring Congregational Meeting immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy an ice cream social as part of our gathering. ~Deborah Ash

Seeking Church Council Nominees. Would you be interested in serving as a member of St. Paul’s church council? This is a 3-year commitment, with meetings at 1pm on the third Sunday of each month. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve, and feel free to speak to one of the current members (names and photos are posted in the Welcome Center), or Pastor Koppel. A job description is available by writing me at info@stpaulabq.org. Thank you for your consideration. ~Deborah Ash, for Nominating Committee

Annual Malagasy Girls’ Camp Fundraiser Saturday, 30 May at Noon: Mark your calendars now to come enjoy a wonderful Malagasy meal and presentation by Rijasoa Andriamanana about the summer camp for girls in Madagascar. Donations go to support this immersive program for girls who attend from throughout the country. ~Deborah Ash

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

A Candlelight Vigil, in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors, will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 812 Edith Blvd. NE, on Sunday, March 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m. We invite you to join us, or to host a vigil at your church, on this date and time. We do this in solidarity with singing resistance groups throughout our nation, and around the world, who are saying NO to the cruelty of government actions towards refugees, immigrants, the displaced, and those held in detention centers. We stand in solidarity with those killed or injured while exercising their constitutional and human right to protest. Future vigils are planned for the Sunday closest to Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox, and Winter Solstice. . . “♪and the world is about to turn. . . ♪”

Vigil supported by Pastors of the Presbytery of Santa Fe and church leaders.

From Luther House: Ash Wednesday has a way of catching us right in the middle of real life—between classes, meetings, errands, and everything in between. That’s exactly what happened at the University of New Mexico, as Ashes on the Go met students and passersby at the duck pond and inside the Student Union Building with a simple invitation: “Get your ash over here!”
          Pastor Rhonda shares that Ashes on the Go was a gift-filled day at UNM, with special thanks to Erica Lea-Simka and Lucas Grubbs for showing up with ecumenical love alongside LuMin (ELCA Lutheran Campus Ministry Network), Open Table NM, the Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA), and the Southwest Conference UCC.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

A Letter from Bishop Meghan:

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

Beloved in Christ,

I’m writing from just outside of Chicago, where I have gathered with the other 65 bishops of the ELCA, including our Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry, for a week of prayerful discernment and decision-making in our work as the ELCA Conference of Bishops together.

Over the past week, following the U.S./Israeli attack on Iran and Iran’s retaliation throughout the Middle East, many of us have watched with a mixture of horror and weariness at what feels on the one hand like yet another chapter in an endless story of war, and on the other like a threshold crossed to a new, frightening reality—the outcome, timeline, and scope of which are completely unknown.

My family and I anxiously scan the news each day and night to learn where missiles and shrapnel have landed, relieved when the names of affected villages and neighborhoods do not include the places where our family and friends live, and yet devastated to hear of loss of life everywhere: more than 100 children dead and buried in the rubble of a girls’ school in Minab, Iran; nine killed in Beit Shemesh, a suburb of Jerusalem; rising reports of casualties at U.S. military bases and embassy buildings; and in the West Bank, under cover of war, Palestinian farmers killed by emboldened Israeli settlers, with no accountability in sight.

Having lived and served in Jerusalem, I know something of how endless occupation and war have affected the real lives of real people I know in Palestine and Israel. I know very little about Iran, besides what any of us can access via media sources; but I do know that this war is affecting not just numbers, or a faceless “enemy,” but the real lives of real people with names, families, stories, and the same right to live as you or I. The burden of war always falls disproportionately on the most vulnerable: on the very young and the very old, on those too ill or poor or powerless to leave, who are snatched by the jaws of violence and the hunger and disease that follow. And, despite the puffed-up rhetoric of war—the assurances that this violence, this time, will bring peace and prosperity—the truth is that violence begets violence. It is impossible to bomb our way to peace.

My friend and colleague Bishop Imad Haddad, of our partner Lutheran church in the Holy Land, writes powerfully of this reality with Gospel conviction:

“We must speak with moral clarity: the continued decision to resort to war is a failure of human responsibility before God. Each new escalation tightens the grip of dread, deepens the lived reality of siege, and further constricts the space in which human dignity can breathe. Political calculations and security arguments must never be allowed to eclipse the sacred worth of human life. From our Palestinian Christian context, we affirm without hesitation: life, not death, is God’s choice for humanity.”

The children of our world, who will inherit the devastating and long-lasting consequences of this war, deserve better than this. The people of Iran, many of whom longed for freedom under an oppressive government, deserve more than to become scapegoats or mascots to justify a military onslaught carried out with little apparent plan or concern for what happens to them afterwards. The U.S. servicemembers who risk their lives to protect and defend their nation, including members of our congregations and military chaplains of our church, deserve more than to have this sacrifice squandered.

As followers of Jesus, what is our response? I am alarmed to hear developing news reports that allege some U.S. military commanders have framed the U.S. attacks on Iran as “all part of God’s divine plan,” connected these actions to biblical accounts of Armageddon, and suggested that President Trump was “anointed by Jesus” to bring about Jesus’ return. The idea that the U.S. is the agent of God, that this war is a holy war, is a clear example of Christian nationalism: a dangerous form of idolatry that pretends to uplift Christianity and encourage pride in citizenship, but actually redirects our faith and allegiance from the God of Jesus Christ to the nation itself, and to particular political leaders. Our Lutheran tradition calls us to speak the truth and to call a thing what it is: this is sin.

In an urgent plea from the battered Holy Land, Bishop Haddad calls us to the way of Jesus:

“Yet from this land we call holy, wounded yet steadfast, we refuse the temptation of despair. With the prophet Isaiah, we raise our voice with renewed urgency: “They shall learn war no more.” We remain committed to preaching the Gospel of reconciliation entrusted to us, the good news that through Christ, God reconciles humanity to Godself and calls us to the hard and holy work of reconciliation with one another. Dear partners, we urge you: pray, and pray fervently. But do not let prayer become a substitute for responsibility. Let your prayers be joined with courageous and concrete action. Stand publicly with those who are afflicted. Advocate persistently for a just peace that safeguards the dignity and security of all people. Challenge policy makers whose narratives make endless war appear inevitable.

In this Lenten season, remembering Jesus who refused violence and vengeance and who suffered, died, and rose to break cycles of endless retribution, may God grant us the courage, in truth and in steadfastness, to answer this call in the ways we can, in the places we are.

In Christ,
Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni

The 2026 Hunger Challenge will end on March 20! Your generous support will feed God's children who are starving and are becoming sicker and weaker by the day. When you share your blessings today, you'll save a hungry family from starving to death and give children the chance to grow and thrive.

Urgent Middle East Update from LWR: With your support, Lutheran World Relief has two highly skilled teams working together to rush support to children and families who need it most:

• Our Humanitarian Action team, which manages our response to emergencies all over the world.

• Our team in Lebanon, which has been our base for operations in the region for nearly a decade.

As families flee and seek safety, our goal is to meet them with compassion and critical aid, including:

• Nourishing food

• Clean drinking water 

• Essential supplies, like generator fuel to support emergency shelters

• And more. 

We expect that our response will expand over time as the situation develops.

Visit https://lwr.org/

Updates Beginning 1 March 2026

The Adult Faith Development class will be transitioning into Lent through Palm Sunday, 3/29, using the resource Entering the Passion of Jesus:  A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine.  It is not necessary to purchase the study book, but if desired, please consider purchasing it from bookshop.org.  If you buy from them, a portion of the proceeds goes to local, independent bookstores.

Our schedule will be:

Today, 3/1—What Is Lent?
3/8—The Temple:  Risking Righteous Anger (Mark 11:15-19)
3/15—The First Dinner:  Risking Rejection (Mark 14:3-9)
3/22—The Last Supper:  Risking the Loss of Friends (Luke 22:14-27, John 13:1-16)
3/29—Gethsemane:  Risking Temptation (Mark 14:32-52, John 18:1-11)

Please come join us as it will deepen your Easter celebration! ~Jane Voelkel, for the AFD Team

Lenten Devotionals: In the Welcome Center you will find this year’s lenten devotional from Augsburg Fortress, Love Outpoured, plus a couple of others from Bread for the World, Walking as Children of the Light, and from ReconcilingWorks, Of Justice, Liberation, and Flourishing.

Midweek Lent Soup Supper & Bible Study continues this Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall through 25 March. (Come see our renovated kitchen!)  We’ll begin at 6pm with a table grace, share soup and conversation, and then around 6:45pm begin Bible Study.  We are using the Body of Christ, ELCA Sumud 2026 Lent Devotional Series (found at https://resources.elca.org/), which focuses on our siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.  Our time will be wrapped in song and prayer and we’ll be on our way around 8pm.  A sign-up poster for setup/cleanup and food is in the Welcome Center.  I look forward to our time together!  Peace, Pr. Koppel

Making Sense of the Cross is an excellent study written by David Lose.  Lose has a real knack for using everyday language to help bring understanding to difficult theological ponderings, such as why was Jesus crucified.  This six-session study will begin 16 April (Thursdays) from 1:30 - 3pm and meet in the Conference Room.  If you'd like to participate via ZOOM, please let us know so we can set that up.  And you'll likely want the participant book, which costs about $20 new or $5 used.  If you want St. Paul to order it for you, please let us know by 27 March. ~Peace, Pr. Koppel

2026 is a new year of giving to St. Paul and its ministries. Regarding the old year just completed, your 2025 GIVING STATEMENT is available if you would like it for your income tax preparation. All you need to do is send an email to finsec@stpaulabq.org or you can call me at (505) 363-2284. Happy New Year of giving! ~Paula Eglinton

March’s God’s Work Our Hands project is raising funds to provide the

First Thursday Friends Feeding Friends meal at HopeWorks in April. Please write FFF in the memo line when donating. And a huge thank you! to everyone who made Thursday’s Luther House/Open Table Connection meal so memorable for the students. Pastor Rhonda sends her thanks. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Offer your time in the SACRISTY…..what does this mean? If you can arrive an hour early and/or stay 15-20 minutes after the worship service once a month – the rest will fall in place! The Sacristy is just a storage for all things, precious, used in our worship service. The work is to set the table, prepare the wash station, fill and setthe elements for communion, and prepare the candle carts and font for service. After care involves removing the altar dressing and paraments – hanging them, folding them and packing the communion supplies for use next week. Training is easy and once you have the essentials of what to do, this becomes a peaceful ritual of preparation. We have two members who are regulars for this detail and we would love to have more. It would be wonderful to have a rotation that is shared. If you are interested in talking through this contribution, ask Diane Remer-Thamert, Julie Ambrogi  or Pastor Kristi. Schedules are easy to work around. ~Julie Ambrogi

Lawn Mowing: We are looking for a second volunteer for mowing of the Calico play areas once the warm weather hits and it's time to mow again. We have one volunteer currently and it helps if there are two. It is an easy half hour to forty-five minute task with our electric mower. ~Deborah Ash

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

This Wednesday:

This Friday: Church Women United-World Day of Prayer. CWU, an ecumenical Christian women's group, is observing the World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 6th at Second Presbyterian Church, 812 Edith Blvd NE.  The day will begin at 9:30 a.m. with coffee fellowship, followed by the service at 10:00.  The theme is “I Will Give You Rest, Come.”  Each year, a different country serves as the writer of the worship service.  This year the service is written by the women of Nigeria.  It promises to be unique!  Come…and bring a friend!

A Candlelight Vigil, in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors, will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 812 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, on Sunday, March 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m. We invite you to join us, or to host a vigil at your church, on this date and time. We do this in solidarity with singing resistance groups throughout our nation, and around the world, who are saying NO to the cruelty of government actions towards refugees, immigrants, the displaced, and those held in detention centers. We stand in solidarity with those killed or injured while exercising their constitutional and human right to protest. Future vigils are planned for the Sunday closest to Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox, and Winter Solstice. . . “♪and the world is about to turn. . . ♪”

Vigil supported by Pastors of the Presbytery of Santa Fe and church leaders.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

From AMMPARO: See the  "deeper understandings" article in the February 2026 Living Lutheran. It offers examples from MN and mentions ISAIAH (the interfaith community organizing movement: https://www.isaiahmn.org/). https://www.livinglutheran.org/theology-beliefs/bearing-witness-by-serving-my-neighbor/

Urge Congress to support and fully fund the bipartisan Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025. Congress is considering the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 3552), a piece of bipartisan legislation that strengthens reentry programs for persons returning from incarceration to reduce recidivism, support successful reintegration and keep families together. The proposed legislation funds job training, substance use treatment, mental health services, housing support, mentoring and faith-based community partnerships that help individuals who are returning from incarceration rebuild their lives.

Reentry is a matter of public safety, economic stability and human dignity. When people have access to employment, housing and supportive services, they are far less likely to return to prison. Communities are stronger when families are reunited, and individuals have a real opportunity for redemption and restoration.

"Significant challenges and problems continue for offenders following release from prison," reads the ELCA social statement The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries. It notes recognition that transitional services are essential to community reintegration and expresses gratitude for creative efforts in the faith community to offer support, then adds: "Governments are encouraged by this church to continue funding expansion [of reentry plans]... and provide a range of services through coordinated efforts with community agencies."

Contact your members of Congress today and urge them to support through cosponsorship and fully fund H.R. 3552. Sign up for ELCA Advocacy alerts to be able to send messages to your congresspeople:  https://give.elca.org/page/65066/subscriptions/1

2026 Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care Academy. Lutheran Disaster Response, along with several ecumenical partners, are collaborating to offer the 2026 Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care Academy, a series of six free online, live-taught webinars that will offer pragmatic and informative sessions to help faith and community leaders address emerging needs from disasters and other crises. Webinars are scheduled for Tuesdays, March 24 through April 28, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 AM Central time and are appropriate for all levels of experience and expertise. Register at: https://okumc-reg.brtapp.com/DisasterEmotionalAndSpiritualCareAcademy2026
          One registration for all sessions: When you submit this registration, you are registering to receive webinar links and reminder emails for all webinars in this series. Attending all is not required. Attend as many you are able to attend. For details and more information about webinars, go to the Webinar Hub at crisiscareministries.net. Webinars will not be recorded.

Schedule at a glance, 10 AM - 11:30 AM Central. LDR will be leading the conversations that are asterisked.
*March 24, 2026 - "Calm in Crisis"
March 31, 2026 - "Talk Saves Lives" (suicide prevention)
*April 7, 2026 - "Responding with Care: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Disaster Response for Diverse Communities"
April 14, 2026 - "Risk and Protective Factors"
April 21, 2026 - "Tools for Building Resilience"
April 28, 2026 - "Emotional and Spiritual Care in Human-Caused Disasters"

This series is brought to you by collaborative organizations including: Church World Service, Crisis Care Ministries, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Lutheran Disaster Response, Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Prevention Division, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - PC (USA), United Church of Christ, Week of Compassion, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with additional support from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy as well as Lutheran Disaster Response.

Join the Region 2 ELCA Lenten Challenge (2026)—a friendly, faith-filled effort across the five Region 2 synods (Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain) to put Matthew 25 into practice. 
          This year’s theme—“Lord, When Did We See You?”—invites individuals, families, congregations, and organizations to commit to 3 of 4 practices (Devotions, Learning, Action, and Donation) throughout Lent, while together aiming to raise $100,000 for ELCA World Hunger—supporting sustainable solutions that address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Visit: www.lentenchallenge.org

Updates Beginning 22 February 2026

Today: Immediately following worship there is a congregational meeting in the Sanctuary to vote on hosting a pastoral intern. ~Deborah Ash

Lenten Devotionals: In the Welcome Center you will find this year’s lenten devotional from Augsburg Fortress, Love Outpoured, plus a couple of others from Bread for the World, Walking as Children of the Light, and from ReconcilingWorks, Of Justice, Liberation, and Flourishing.

Midweek Lent Soup Supper & Bible Study begins this Wednesday, 25 February in the Fellowship Hall. (Come see our renovated kitchen!)  We’ll begin at 6pm with a table grace, share soup and conversation, and then around 6:45pm begin Bible Study.  We'll use the Body of Christ, ELCA Sumud 2026 Lent Devotional Series (found at https://resources.elca.org/), which focuses on our siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.  Please consider watching this 11-minute video, History of Israel-Palestine Conflict, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m19F4IHTVGc, to help understand the situation in this part of our world.  Our time will be wrapped in song and prayer and we’ll be on our way around 8pm.  A sign-up poster for setup/cleanup and food is in the Welcome Center.  I look forward to our time together!  Peace, Pr. Koppel

This Thursday: New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Continues. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who is leading a hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942). ~Thanks, Sally Trigg

2026 is a new year of giving to St. Paul and its ministries. Regarding the old year just completed, your 2025 GIVING STATEMENT is available if you would like it for your income tax preparation. All you need to do is send an email to finsec@stpaulabq.org or you can call me at (505) 363-2284. Happy New Year of giving! ~Paula Eglinton

Offer your time in the SACRISTY…..what does this mean? If you can arrive an hour early and/or stay 15-20 minutes after the worship service once a month – the rest will fall in place! The Sacristy is just a storage for all things, precious, used in our worship service. The work is to set the table, prepare the wash station, fill and setthe elements for communion, and prepare the candle carts and font for service. After care involves removing the altar dressing and paraments – hanging them, folding them and packing the communion supplies for use next week. Training is easy and once you have the essentials of what to do, this becomes a peaceful ritual of preparation. We have two members who are regulars for this detail and we would love to have more. It would be wonderful to have a rotation that is shared. If you are interested in talking through this contribution, ask Diane Remer-Thamert, Julie Ambrogi  or Pastor Kristi. Schedules are easy to work around. ~Julie Ambrogi

This Week: God’s Work Our Hands Project. We are providing the Thursday 2/26 meal at Luther House for the Open Table Connection gathering. Please see the signup sheet in the Welcome Center to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share, and consider staying to take part in the conversation! We will take care of the main dish. Thank you. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Lawn Mowing: We are looking for a second volunteer for mowing of the Calico play areas once the warm weather hits and it's time to mow again. We have one volunteer currently and it helps if there are two. It is an easy half hour to forty-five minute task with our electric mower. ~Deborah Ash

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Today:

This Tuesday:

To register for this event, please contact:
Mary Graves (marywigergraves@gmail.com, 651-894-2743), or
Ivan Westergaard (ivanwestergaard@comcast.com, 505-903-2351

Next Week:

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Bishop Meghan's Lent Message:
Last year, the day before Ash Wednesday, we were planning worship for our staff in the Office of the Bishop when we suddenly realized we had no ashes. I couldn’t quite believe it, because I knew with absolute certainty that I had planned ahead. The previous year, I had put aside palm branches from the Palm Sunday Procession and guarded them carefully in my office for months, in anticipation of this very moment in time. I could close my eyes and see the palms propped up right next to the door, perfectly dried, waiting to become ashes.

But that office was in Jerusalem. And those ashes were for a different place.

And this year, we’re in a different place yet again.

As we enter the season of Lent this Ash Wednesday, I’m mindful of how much can change in a year—and how the reality of change is part of what Ash Wednesday is for. When it feels like the world is whirling, and we are reeling; when we wake up in the morning and remember that the person we love is no longer there; when each day’s news brings fresh heartbreak or worry; we may wonder: what is the solid ground? What is left, amid the ruins of our expectations and our hopes, to offer solace to our weary hearts—and a way forward?

Ash Wednesday does not turn away from these realities. In the center of the maelstrom, in the silence after endings, in the deep breath before the scary new thing, Ash Wednesday meets us and marks us with the honest dust of the earth. The cross on our forehead witnesses to the story of God who so loves this place, this world, this humanity—even knowing the worst we can do to one another, and ourselves—that God chooses us, and loves us, through life and death and beyond. The cross of ashes is a promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus: including our mortality and our fallibility, our doubt and our overwhelm, and all the change that unravels our plans and demands we start again here, now.

Ash Wednesday offers this to us, and more: an invitation not only to a moment but to a season. I am reminded each year that the word “Lent,” which we might suppose has something to do with Jesus’ death and resurrection, or our penitence for sin, in fact is taken from an old English word for “spring.” Lent is the new spring growth, the bud in the branch, the building of birds’ nests and gestation of new life. Lent is the story of life leading inexorably to death, and death turning again to new life.

Dear friends, I pray that this Ash Wednesday and Lenten season offer you, not easy answers or shallow consolations, but profound love that reaches you in the depths of change and uncertainly, fear and grief, and wonder at the ways life continues to show its beauty in the midst of it all. Profound peace, that calms your heart and breath and gives you courage. Profound hope, that there is resurrection on the other side of every death and every dead end. And I give thanks for you, and for the God whose love lives in you, for the sake of the world God so loves.

Blessed Ash Wednesday. Blessed Lent.
+Bishop Meghan

Bishop Curry and Faith Leaders Urge Humane Policies in DHS Negotiations.
In a Feb. 9 letter to the U.S. Congress, ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry, along with other faith leaders, shared requests as Congress faces a Feb. 13 deadline to determine Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. 
          The letter says, in part: “Our churches have decried denial of due process and recent violence by federal law enforcement agents, including the shootings of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents. We call for investigation, accountability and justice in these cases.
          “We also see this as a critical moment to legislate immigration policies that are just, humane and respectful of the dignity of immigrants who, like all people, are beloved children of God.”
          The leaders urge Congress to “prioritize language that preserves the freedom to worship, to live in safety regardless of race or background, to love our neighbors, and to meet the basic needs and rights of all.”
The link to the letter is found under this news item at: https://www.elca.org/news

Tomorrow, from Global Refuge: On the eve of the anniversary of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Global Refuge advocacy team will host a webinar discussion covering policy and advocacy updates affecting Ukrainians in the United States. Register at:
https://globalrefuge-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_21otDkfOSQmoYVh3nr1EYw?mc_cid=3394c0c6c0&mc_eid=2f360c0226#/registration

2026 Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care Academy. Lutheran Disaster Response, along with several ecumenical partners, are collaborating to offer the 2026 Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care Academy, a series of six free online, live-taught webinars that will offer pragmatic and informative sessions to help faith and community leaders address emerging needs from disasters and other crises. Webinars are scheduled for Tuesdays, March 24 through April 28, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 AM Central time and are appropriate for all levels of experience and expertise.
          To register, visit:Https://okumc-reg.brtapp.com/DisasterEmotionalAndSpiritualCareAcademy2026
          One registration for all sessions: When you submit this registration, you are registering to receive webinar links and reminder emails for all webinars in this series. Attending all is not required. Attend as many you are able to attend. For details and more information about webinars, go to the Webinar Hub at crisiscareministries.net. Webinars will not be recorded.

Schedule at a glance, 10 AM - 11:30 AM Central. LDR will be leading the conversations that are asterisked.

*March 24, 2026 - "Calm in Crisis"
March 31, 2026 - "Talk Saves Lives" (suicide prevention)
*April 7, 2026 - "Responding with Care: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Disaster Response for Diverse Communities"
April 14, 2026 - "Risk and Protective Factors"
April 21, 2026 - "Tools for Building Resilience"
April 28, 2026 - "Emotional and Spiritual Care in Human-Caused Disasters"

This series is brought to you by collaborative organizations including: Church World Service, Crisis Care Ministries, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Lutheran Disaster Response, Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Prevention Division, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - PC (USA), United Church of Christ, Week of Compassion, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with additional support from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy as well as Lutheran Disaster Response.

Sensitive Locations Update from AMMPARO: A preliminary injunction was granted that applies to congregations and ministries in the New England, Greater Milwaukee, SW Texas, Sierra Pacific and Southwest California Synods in the ELCA and a couple of other plaintiffs. The injunction was granted on protection of their properties and ministries as sensitive locations from ICE activity without a warrant. https://democracyforward.org/news/press-releases/court-blocks-trump-vance-administrations-unlawful-immigration-raids-at-houses-of-worship/

With the reintroduction of the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools Act in both the House and Senate, now is the time to remind Congress of its responsibility to survivors of the Indian boarding school era.
          The U.S. federal government has identified over 400 Indian boarding schools that operated from 1819 to 1969, nearly half of which were affiliated with or received support from a religious institution. “Residential or boarding schools inflicted trauma on Indigenous children that is still being felt today, generations later,” wrote the Rev. Wanda Frenchman, Interim Director, ELCA Indigenous Ministries & Tribal Relations.
          Native American leaders have called on denominations to do the work of finding all records of their involvement. ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative efforts began in earnest in fall 2022. We have a timely opportunity to urge the United States to do the same.
          Although long-overdue, successful passage of H.R.7325 / S. 761 will bring together the U.S. government and communities of faith, center the healing and truth-telling of Indigenous communities and move our country towards accountability.
Today, remaining boarding school survivors are elders. We must honor these experiences and urge Congress to move our country one step closer to truth and healing by supporting this important legislation now.
Sign up for ELCA Advocacy alerts to be able to send messages to your congresspeople:  https://give.elca.org/page/65066/subscriptions/1

The Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Disputatio on Artificial Intelligence will be held at 2000 Center St., Suite 200, Berkeley, CA and online on Wednesday, February 25 from 8:30 am - 3 pm PT.
          In a digital age that is always reforming, artificial intelligence (AI) has become part and parcel of living in modernity. Given its impact, as well as overwhelming enthusiasm for and protest against, it becomes necessary to ask: how do we best live in the world with the reality of AI? How do we respond to it faithfully and theologically? How do we equip leaders to accompany people in the decisions they will face? To explore this, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary will host a Disputatio on Artificial Intelligence following the medieval questio model in collaboration with powerful voices in medicine, ecology, and higher education.
          The events of the day include the main disputatio, worship, lunch, and a variety of themed generative conversations hosted by theology and AI experts. Join us online or in Berkeley on Wednesday, February 25 from 8:30 am - 3 pm for a dynamic day of inquiry! Register at: https://www.plts.edu/events/6512/

Join the Region 2 ELCA Lenten Challenge (2026)—a friendly, faith-filled effort across the five Region 2 synods (Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain) to put Matthew 25 into practice. 
          This year’s theme—“Lord, When Did We See You?”—invites individuals, families, congregations, and organizations to commit to 3 of 4 practices (Devotions, Learning, Action, and Donation) throughout Lent, while together aiming to raise $100,000 for ELCA World Hunger—supporting sustainable solutions that address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Visit: www.lentenchallenge.org

Updates Beginning 15 February 2026

Today: After worship there will be an informational meeting to discuss hosting a pastoral intern. Next Sunday, 22 Feb, there will be a congregational meeting after worship to vote on hosting a pastoral intern. Both meetings will be held in the Sanctuary at 11:15am. ~Deborah Ash

Kitchen Renovation Wraps Up! The kitchen will be ready for use this week. Thank you to Ryan Millis! ~Jolene Gallegos, Facilities Coordinator

This Thursday: New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Continues. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who is leading a hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942). ~Thanks, Sally Trigg

2026 is a new year of giving to St. Paul and its ministries. Regarding the old year just completed, your 2025 GIVING STATEMENT is available if you would like it for your income tax preparation. All you need to do is send an email to finsec@stpaulabq.org or you can call me at (505) 363-2284. Happy New Year of giving! ~Paula Eglinton

Offer your time in the SACRISTY…..what does this mean? If you can arrive an hour early and/or stay 15-20 minutes after the worship service once a month – the rest will fall in place! The Sacristy is just a storage for all things, precious, used in our worship service. The work is to set the table, prepare the wash station, fill and setthe elements for communion, and prepare the candle carts and font for service. After care involves removing the altar dressing and paraments – hanging them, folding them and packing the communion supplies for use next week. Training is easy and once you have the essentials of what to do, this becomes a peaceful ritual of preparation. We have two members who are regulars for this detail and we would love to have more. It would be wonderful to have a rotation that is shared. If you are interested in talking through this contribution, ask Diane Remer-Thamert, Julie Ambrogi  or Pastor Kristi. Schedules are easy to work around. ~Julie Ambrogi

Just a Note: If you are the last one out of any of the rooms in the building, please be mindful to turn off lights and make sure doors are securely closed. We want to be good stewards of our church home and appreciate your help in this matter. Thank you. ~Deborah Ash

God’s Work Our Hands Project: We are providing the Thursday 2/26 meal at Luther House for the Open Table Connection gathering. Please see the signup sheet in the Welcome Center to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share, and consider staying to take part in the conversation! We will take care of the main dish. Thank you. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Council Identifies Exciting 2026-2027 SPLC Goals

Your Council developed some exciting goals for 2026-2027 focused on upgrading our building and improving our communication in our recent Strategic Planning session.

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, your Council met for several hours to discuss our past and future. First the group looked at 2025 accomplishments. These included completing the Sanctuary Project construction, Pastor Koppel taking a sabbatical, Calico Preschool applying for and receiving a $1M grant from the State of New Mexico, Facility Use Coordinator, Jolene Gallegos increasing usage of our facility, and Caminemos Juntos (our Spanish ministry) providing regular services and activities at St. Paul.

Second, the group analyzed SPLC’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Key strengths focused on the congregation’s radical acceptance and generosity with their time and money. Weaknesses centered on needed building upgrades and high building cost, gaps in communication between SPLC Council and ministries and the congregation, and the size of our community being fewer in number. Opportunities included increasing facility use and continuing to grow Calico Preschool, and the Council identified volunteer and staff burnout as a key threat to SPLC’s future.

Third, your SPLC Council looked to St Paul’s future and identified several core goals, some short-term and some long-term, which we believe represent a good path for SPLC:

1.   Improve institutional stability by completing the roof and replacing the boiler (facility projects and hiring/training new staff)

2.   Improve communication:

• Enhance internal communication among ministries and between the congregation and ministries/Council

• Continue to grow the connection between St. Paul and Caminemos Juntos communities

• Form external partnerships with other ELCA congregations

• Enhance external communication with Albuquerque community

• Improve volunteerism

3.     Grow SPLC membership

Your SPLC Council members are developing strategies to make each of these goals a reality. Watch for more information about what we plan to do and how you can help in upcoming bulletins.

~In Christ, Casey Jelsema, Council President

Lawn Mowing: We will be needing another lawn mower volunteer for the Calico play areas, once the warm weather hits and it's time to mow again.  If anyone wants to step up and mow every other week, we would appreciate your help.  The lawn mower runs well, is directly next to the playground in a closet and is electric, so it is an easy half hour to forty-five minute task. At this time, we are down to one person volunteering and it helps if there are two folks. Thank you! ~Jolene Gallegos, Facilities Coordinator

The hat makers have hats saved for our colder weather. A box in the Narthex is full of various sizes and colors. Feel free to take a few for your car and pass them out as you see need. Thank you for sharing warmth. ~Julie Ambrogi

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Bishop Meghan’s Remarks at the 4 Feb. LAM-NM Advocacy Day Luncheon:
Dear friends, on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and our Lutheran Advocacy Ministry New Mexico, welcome and thank you for being here. We are so excited to see you all: Lutherans, ecumenical partners, members of the New Mexico Conference of Churches, and friends from every faith background and those who do not claim religious faith at all—but share in our faith and hope that a better world is possible and is worth advocating for.

Recently I received an email from one of our members here in New Mexico who was dismayed and alarmed by what they were seeing happening in Minnesota and around the country: ICE surges causing fear, trauma, injury and death, claiming to target violent criminals but in reality taking people randomly from workplaces, schools, cars and sidewalks; detaining undocumented people and U.S. citizens and legal residents, children, and lawful bystanders. Elected and appointed leaders who express no compassion and show no mercy for the humanity of immigrants or protesters, who seem not to prioritize the justice of their treatment. As we’ve heard this morning, also cuts and impossible demands for programs that help the most vulnerable with housing, food, and basic needs, and laws and rhetoric that make it a crime to be vulnerable. The villainization and defunding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility work. The email asked: where is the church?

Where is the church? In many ways this is THE question for these times and for these places—and, in fact, for all times and all places. There are many possible answers. Some say the church is too quiet, trying to find common ground, not risking losing members. Some say the church is on the streets of Minneapolis (and Santa Fe, and Albuquerque, and Las Cruces, and and and) singing and praying and then going out to nonviolently put their bodies on the line for justice. Some say the church is in the legislature, advocating for just policies for all neighbors! And some say the church is bringing groceries to neighbors too frightened to leave their homes, carrying on the work of accompanying the vulnerable without drawing attention that would put neighbors at risk. Some say the church is more divided than ever: some Christians see what is happening as evil and some as justice. Some say the church is more united than ever, denominations finding common ground in the biblical call to welcome the stranger and care for the neighbor. Some ask: who do we say the church is? Is it just bishops, pastors, priests and deacons? Isn’t it all of us? Aren’t we really asking, where am I? Some say the question goes deeper—that when we ask, where is the church, we are asking: where is God in all of this?

And some say: we can say a lot of things about where the church is or isn’t, where it should or shouldn’t be. But what’s not in question is: where is Jesus? Where does Jesus take his position? Where do we find him? Martin Luther would say: we find him in the places of the cross—in the midst of the suffering, the oppressed, the persecuted; in solidarity and in love for those the world dehumanizes, demeans, and dismisses. Jesus once summed up the whole of God’s instructions for humanity in two parts: love God with your whole self; and love your neighbor as yourself. It’s not unlike the instructions of the prophet Micah: do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God. Advocacy is a ministry that takes seriously the call to engage in the world through these three lenses—justice, mercy, and humility—and to call communities and nations, leaders and governments, to do the same.

The beauty and the challenge of “love God, love neighbor” and “do justice, love mercy, walk humbly” is that these instructions can be lived out in countless ways. This suggests that these words are not just for you and me as individuals; they are instructions for community. When we fear we are not doing enough, we can become overwhelmed and stuck in anxiety, fear, or even numbness, inundated by the heartbreak happening all around us.

A quote often attributed to the Talmud draws from Jewish teaching to interpret Micah’s words: Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it. Stacey Abrams, former candidate for governor in Georgia, a professor and voting rights advocate, has said: “We think ‘leadership’ is about doing everything everywhere, all at once. [However] it is about doing something, somewhere, soon. Leading from where you are means finding a place to stand and starting to do the work.” When we do, Abrams says, “Each of us doing it creates a quilt that is…transformative.”

And this is perhaps the answer to where the church is and can be. The body of Christ has many members, many gifts, many callings. The point is not to try to be the body alone, but to discern which part of the body we are. The church is more than you and more than me. It is the whole body: eyes, ears, heart, brain, lungs, voice, feet, hands—and the connective tissue that binds it all together. The church is not only in one building or one denomination or one part of the country or the world. I witnessed that in the Holy Land, where the small and struggling church finds unity among Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant expressions. We are recognizing here in New Mexico how we might work together in both the public ways we witness to the truth of the Gospel, and in the quieter ways we walk humbly with God by walking humbly with our neighbors, for their protection and help, out of the spotlight.

The church is a body that is more than the sum of its parts—because it is not just any body, but the body of Christ Jesus, who lives in us as we live in him, who breathes life into this body and makes it not just a collection of individuals but a community. We do not merely do justice and love mercy and walk humbly to the best of our human ability—we do it with God, who can work with us and through us and even in spite of us if need be. I’ve heard it said that when something is “moving at the speed of church,” that means it’s going slowly. But when church moves at the speed of relationships—and when church moves at the speed of the Gospel—transformation can happen. May we do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the God who so loves the world—as the body of Christ, together. Amen.

Register at: https://www.plts.edu/events/6512/

Join the Region 2 ELCA Lenten Challenge (2026)—a friendly, faith-filled effort across the five Region 2 synods (Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain) to put Matthew 25 into practice. 
          This year’s theme—“Lord, When Did We See You?”—invites individuals, families, congregations, and organizations to commit to 3 of 4 practices (Devotions, Learning, Action, and Donation) throughout Lent, while together aiming to raise $100,000 for ELCA World Hunger—supporting sustainable solutions that address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Visit: www.lentenchallenge.org

Updates Beginning 8 February 2026

Today: Adult Faith Development will offer the opportunity to explore the labyrinth with discussion on origin, relevance to our lives in the world at this time, and a chance to experience as a group, walking St. Paul’s outdoor labyrinth today, weather permitting.  We will learn how the West embraced this ancient “sacred circle” and how it can enrich our prayer lives now.  Bring your drink and snacks to the Conference Room at 11:15am to learn more.  ~Kathy Westley for the AFD Team

Today: At 12:30pm we will be showing the Luther movie in Friendship Corner. Come pull up a comfy chair and enjoy an excellent movie (along with pizza and popcorn!). ~Pr. Koppel

Next Sunday, 15 Feb: After worship there will be an informational meeting to discuss hosting a pastoral intern. The following Sunday, 22 Feb, there will be a congregational meeting after worship to vote on hosting a pastoral intern. Both meetings will be held in the Sanctuary at 11:15am. ~Deborah Ash

This Thursday: New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Continues. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who is leading a hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). ~Thanks, Sally Trigg

2026 is a new year of giving to St. Paul and its ministries. Regarding the old year just completed, your 2025 GIVING STATEMENT is available if you would like it for your income tax preparation. All you need to do is send an email to finsec@stpaulabq.org or you can call me at (505) 363-2284. Happy New Year of giving! ~Paula Eglinton

Kitchen Renovation Continues! The kitchen will be out of commission from 1/26 to 2/13. Thank you to Ryan Millis! ~Jolene Gallegos, Facilities Coordinator

Just a Note: If you are the last one out of any of the rooms in the building, please be mindful to turn off lights and make sure doors are securely closed. We want to be good stewards of our church home and appreciate your help in this matter. Thank you. ~Deborah Ash

God’s Work Our Hands: For our February project, we are providing the Thursday 2/26 meal at Luther House for the Open Table Connection gathering. Please see the signup sheet in the Welcome Center to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share, and consider staying to take part in the conversation! We will take care of the main dish. Thank you. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Council Identifies Exciting 2026-2027 SPLC Goals
Your Council developed some exciting goals for 2026-2027 focused on upgrading our building and improving our communication in our recent Strategic Planning session.

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, your Council met for several hours to discuss our past and future. First the group looked at 2025 accomplishments. These included completing the Sanctuary Project construction, Pastor Koppel taking a sabbatical, Calico Preschool applying for and receiving a $1M grant from the State of New Mexico, Facility Use Coordinator, Jolene Gallegos increasing usage of our facility, and Caminemos Juntos (our Spanish ministry) providing regular services and activities at St. Paul.         

Second, the group analyzed SPLC’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Key strengths focused on the congregation’s radical acceptance and generosity with their time and money. Weaknesses centered on needed building upgrades and high building cost, gaps in communication between SPLC Council and ministries and the congregation, and the size of our community being fewer in number. Opportunities included increasing facility use and continuing to grow Calico Preschool, and the Council identified volunteer and staff burnout as a key threat to SPLC’s future.

Third, your SPLC Council looked to St Paul’s future and identified several core goals, some short-term and some long-term, which we believe represent a good path for SPLC:

1.   Improve institutional stability by completing the roof and replacing the boiler (facility projects and hiring/training new staff)

2.   Improve communication:

• Enhance internal communication among ministries and between the congregation and ministries/Council

• Continue to grow the connection between St. Paul and Caminemos Juntos communities

• Form external partnerships with other ELCA congregations

• Enhance external communication with Albuquerque community

• Improve volunteerism

3.     Grow SPLC membership

Your SPLC Council members are developing strategies to make each of these goals a reality. Watch for more information about what we plan to do and how you can help in upcoming bulletins.
~In Christ, Casey Jelsema, Council President

Lawn Mowing: We will be needing another lawn mower volunteer for the Calico play areas, once the warm weather hits and it's time to mow again.  If anyone wants to step up and mow every other week, we would appreciate your help.  The lawn mower runs well, is directly next to the playground in a closet and is electric, so it is an easy half hour to forty-five minute task. At this time, we are down to one person volunteering and it helps if there are two folks. Thank you! ~Jolene Gallegos, Facilities Coordinator

The hat makers have hats saved for our colder weather. A box in the Narthex is full of various sizes and colors. Feel free to take a few for your car and pass them out as you see need. Thank you for sharing warmth. ~Julie Ambrogi

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

From Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico: 2026 Legislative Advocacy Days. LAM-NM is planning several days during the 30-day session for you to join Kurt and other volunteer LAM-NM advocates to work the Round House by lobbying legislators and potentially offering public comment during committee meetings on priority bills for our advocacy agenda. You are also invited to come and watch the process and activity of our state's legislature. There is much to keep you busy! Please join us on one or more of the following days: February 10th (Tue), February 12th (Thur), February 17th (Tue). Please email or call Kurt (krager@rmselca.org) before the day you plan to be there to add your name to the list and to receive instructions for parking and meeting.

 Additional Special Days!

You are invited to participate with some of our key partner organizations and coalitions on their special days of emphasis:

 * February 10th: Common Cause - Democracy Day of Action
 * February 10th: Paid Medical Family Leave Action Day
Register at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdO4L8ochF7HT-AbXZVT6aJ7a8uWQT5fK4naN8N1JmbgkVtxA/viewform
* February 11th: Disability Rights Day
* February 18th: Hunger Action Day
Register at: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cVuPB3aOykCqH5ewwFgme6R0v503FgJEiW0wiO_2N5NUOFk2TkNRVkE5Q0ZOUVZFOE40T0VJV1dEVC4u&route=shorturl

Global Refuge Issues Statement: The statement, by President and CEO Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, condemns the killing of Alex Pretti in sweeping federal immigration raids. Read the full statement at: https://www.globalrefuge.org/news/alex-pretti-shooting-federal-immigration-minnesota/

Join the Region 2 ELCA Lenten Challenge (2026)—a friendly, faith-filled effort across the five Region 2 synods (Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain) to put Matthew 25 into practice. 
          This year’s theme—“Lord, When Did We See You?”—invites individuals, families, congregations, and organizations to commit to 3 of 4 practices (Devotions, Learning, Action, and Donation) throughout Lent, while together aiming to raise $100,000 for ELCA World Hunger—supporting sustainable solutions that address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Visit: https://lentenchallenge.org/

Join Lutherans Restoring Creation and the EcoFaith Action Network of the NWIM Synod as we invite Bill McKibben to discuss his new book. Best known for his environmentalism, Bill McKibben is an author, journalist and founder of climate justice orgs like 350.org and ThirdAct. His newest book, "Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization," calls us to harness the power of the sun and rewrite our future. In addition to a presentation by Bill McKibben, we will have Q&A moderated by eco-theologian Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing.  Register at: bit.ly/mckibben-call

Updates Beginning 1 February 2026

Today and Next Sunday, Adult Faith Development will offer the opportunity to explore the labyrinth with discussion on origin, relevance to our lives in the world at this time, and a chance to experience as a group, walking St. Paul’s outdoor labyrinth on 2/8, weather permitting.  We will learn how the West embraced this ancient “sacred circle” and how it can enrich our prayer lives now.  Bring your drink and snacks to the Conference Room at 11:15am to learn more.  ~Kathy Westley for the AFD Team

Next Sunday: At 12:30pm we will be showing the Luther movie in Friendship Corner. Come pull up a comfy chair and enjoy an excellent movie (along with some popcorn!). ~Pr. Koppel

This Thursday: New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Continues. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who is leading a hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). ~Thanks, Sally Trigg

2026 is a new year of giving to St. Paul and its ministries. Regarding the old year just completed, your 2025 GIVING STATEMENT is available if you would like it for your income tax preparation. All you need to do is send an email to finsec@stpaulabq.org or you can call me at (505) 363-2284. Happy New Year of giving! ~Paula Eglinton

Kitchen Renovation Has Begun! The kitchen will be out of commission from 1/26 to 2/13. Thank you to Ryan Millis! ~Jolene Gallegos, Facilities Coordinator

Just a Note: If you are the last one out of any of the rooms in the building, please be mindful to turn off lights and make sure doors are securely closed. We want to be good stewards of our church home and appreciate your help in this matter. Thank you. ~Deborah Ash

God’s Work Our Hands: For our February project, we are providing the Thursday 2/26 meal at Luther House for the Open Table Connection gathering. Please see the signup sheet in the Welcome Center to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share, and consider staying to take part in the conversation! We will take care of the main dish. Thank you. ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

The hat makers have hats saved for our colder weather. A box in the Narthex is full of various sizes and colors. Feel free to take a few for your car and pass them out as you see need. Thank you for sharing warmth. ~Julie Ambrogi

Finance Corner – January 2026:
The preliminary results for the close of fiscal year 2025 the SPLC+Calico actual total income exceeded the projected income budget by $143,397. And the actual expense exceeded the projected expense budget by $68,383. This resulted in a year-to-date actual budget deficit of $28,599 instead of the 2025 projected deficit of $103,613. These results were a blessing and likely will not be duplicated in subsequent years. The 2025 budget  deficit will be covered by SPLC Unrestricted Funds.
          SPLC is over budget in projected income and closes out the fiscal year 2025 at $49,134 with offerings up ($12,314), third party usage of SPLC facilities up ($18,324) and Bradbury Stamm parking up ($15,570). Calico is over budget in projected income and closes out the fiscal year 2025 up  $94,263 from unexpected ECECD tuitions. Collectively, these increases in income totaled $143,397.
          However, the increases in projected income are offset with SPLC over budget in projected expenses by $35,463 ($22,915 contracted expenses & $12,548 property expenses) and Calico is also over budget in projected expenses by $31,700 (instruction expense). So that the increase in actual income ($143,397) is offset by an increase in actual expenses ($68,383) and results in a deficit of $28,599.     

The Softer Side – January 2026
There are so many reasons that we at SPLC continue to financially support our various missions and each month we’d like to take the time to lift up an example. We would encourage the congregation to offer suggestions. This month many of us have watched Gabriel Rabezanany grow up at St. Paul’s. With a family rooted in their faith, and with the love and support of us all, Gabriel will be confirmed on Easter Sunday. We will join him in celebrating his choice to intentionally continue his faith journey. Thanks to all of you who continue to bless St. Paul. ~Sig Stocking, for Finance

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Concert Today:

Church Women United, an ecumenical Christian women’s group, invites you to join them in a retreat this Saturday, February 7th at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (5301 Ponderosa Ave NE) from 9:30-12:00.  Pastor Erica Lea-Simka of the ABQ Mennonite Church will lead us in a study of St. Julian of Norwich of the Middle Ages.  Her writings, Revelations of Divine Love are the earliest surviving English-language works attributed to a woman. Come join us! For more information, please contact Shirley Nilsson at (505) 463-3657.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

New Year, new office! As we begin 2026, the Rocky Mountain Synod office is excited to share an announcement that has been a long time coming: we have officially moved in with Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.
          Iliff is a seminary of the United Methodist Church located on the campus of the University of Denver. The RMS has signed a five-year lease agreement.          We are excited about this move and believe it is the next most faithful step for our synod office, for several reasons:

• Good stewardship: The staff, synod council members, and conference dean who worked to identify the next location for the RMS office sought an alternative to the financial and time-intensive responsibilities of owning and maintaining a building, in the hope that more of our synod mission support could be directed toward the mission of the office of the bishop to relate to, connect, support and equip our 150 congregations and ministries, leaders and members.

• Ecumenical partnership: Iliff School of Theology, the only theological school of any ELCA full-communion church that resides in the geographic territory of the Rocky Mountain Synod, is a place of theological learning and leadership formation for ordained and lay leaders across denominational backgrounds, for vocations within and beyond the church.

• Commitment to synod presence: Having our synod office located at Iliff, through cost and time savings, will support our commitment as RMS staff to be synod ministers, in a ministry of presence and active accompaniment throughout the five states of our synod. Iliff is a location that offers myriad opportunities for gathering spaces.

In the meantime, please note our change of address going forward: all mail to the RMS office of the bishop should be addressed directly to the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA at 2323 E Iliff Ave, Denver, CO, 80210.
          On December 17, our Rocky Mountain Synod staff gathered at the Lutheran Center to officially bless and decommission the building as a church property.

Read Bishop Meghan’s 20 Jan. article: On Martin Luther King, Jr., Minneapolis, and the Holy Land at https://www.rmselca.org/blog/on-martin-luther-king-jr-minneapolis-and-the-holy-land.

Join the Region 2 ELCA Lenten Challenge (2026)—a friendly, faith-filled effort across the five Region 2 synods (Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain) to put Matthew 25 into practice. 
          This year’s theme—“Lord, When Did We See You?”—invites individuals, families, congregations, and organizations to commit to 3 of 4 practices (Devotions, Learning, Action, and Donation) throughout Lent, while together aiming to raise $100,000 for ELCA World Hunger—supporting sustainable solutions that address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Visit: https://lentenchallenge.org/

From Global Refuge on Operation PARRIS: As most people know, the process of seeking safety in the United States for families forced to flee their homes is extensive and difficult. Refugees admitted to the United States by the government undergo years of processing, in-person interviews, security checks, and medical screenings before setting foot on U.S. soil.
          But now, under a new initiative called Operation PARRIS, thousands of refugees in Minnesota are the target of an intensive Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation to reexamine their status under U.S. law—part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to relitigate, reconsider, and second-guess previous grants of refugee status.
          What does this mean? Families who followed all of the rules and were lawfully admitted to the U.S. may now be at risk.
          Read more at:  https://www.globalrefuge.org/news/operation-in-minnesota-targeting-lawfully-admitted-refugees/ where you can also sign their Action Alert to your lawmakers urging them to push back on the USCIS reinterview process.

Coffee with Christine, Feb 4th, 10:30 MT. Join Christine Moffett, ELCA Environmental Policy Advocate for coffee and discussion! Ask your questions about Federal policy, especially environment. bit.ly/coffee-christine

Registration closes tomorrow for the 2026 Issue Briefing and Bishop's Luncheon this Wednesday, February 4th.  First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe hosts the morning Issue Briefing, and La Fonda Hotel the Bishop's Luncheon.

Schedule
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 Check-in and refreshments at First Presbyterian
(208 Grant Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501)
10:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Devotion
10:15 a.m. Guest Speakers
11:15 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. Bible Study - Bishop Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
11:45 a.m. Advocacy Agenda and Issue Briefing
12:30 - 1 p.m. Transition to La Fonda Hotel
(100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501)
1:00-1:15 p.m. Bishop's Luncheon Begins
2:45 - 3 p.m. Luncheon concludes

The registration cost per person is $45 per person. (Note, this is not a fundraiser as the registration charge covers most, but not all, of the anticipated cost.)
The Bishop's Luncheon will include a wonderful La Fonda lunch, award presentations, and a keynote address from the Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA), the Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni. I am confident that all in attendance last year would say Bishop Meghan's keynote was incredibly powerful and spot-on, and no doubt it will be again this year! Register at: https://www.lutheranadvocacynm.org/
Note: If you want to attend but don't want to make the drive on your own, there is still room on the bus chartered by our Methodist friends. Please contact Pastor Andy Stoker at astoker@centraltolife.org. You will need to meet at Central Methodist, next to UNM, by 8:15 am. Also, we could use a few more volunteers. If you can help during the event, please contact Tim Peterson at petersontimpaul@gmail.com. 

2026 Advocacy Agenda - Key Areas of Focus:
Hunger
Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Family-Sustaining Income
Health Care
Tax Policy
Criminal Justice
Care of Creation
Good Governance

Updates Beginning 25 January 2026

Important! The phone lines are back up as of 22 Jan.! Due to a theft earlier this month from a car parked near the Choir door, it may be prudent to park on the south side where there is visibility from the front doors. ~Deborah Ash

Today: Adult Faith Development will continue the discussion on Christian Nationalism. Come with what you know are places already organized as ground-holding places to stand against CN. Bring your drink and snacks to the Conference Room at 11:15am for this important conversation. ~Pr. Koppel, for the AFD Team

This Thursday: New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Continues. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who is leading a hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). ~Thanks, Sally Trigg

2026 is a new year of giving to St. Paul and its ministries. Regarding the old year just completed, your 2025 GIVING STATEMENT is available if you would like it for your income tax preparation. All you need to do is send an email to finsec@stpaulabq.org or you can call me at (505) 363-2284. Happy New Year of giving! ~Paula Eglinton

Kitchen Renovation Begins 1/26. Ryan Millis will start bringing in tools, painting, countertops, removing old hoods, etc. on Mon. 1/26. The South side of the Fellowship Hall will be dedicated to space for all items in the kitchen. We will have two tables and space for appliances, taking around 1/4 of the Fellowship Hall.  Ryan will be setting up his tools on the other side of the Kitchen in Fellowship Hall. Please note: the kitchen will be out of commission from 1/26 to 2/13. And a huge thank you! to everyone who helped on 1/20 to clear out the kitchen cabinets and move appliances. ~Jolene Gallegos, Facilities Coordinator

Finance Corner – January 2026:
The preliminary results for the close of fiscal year 2025 the SPLC+Calico actual total income exceeded the projected income budget by $143,397. And the actual expense exceeded the projected expense budget by $68,383. This resulted in a year-to-date actual budget deficit of $28,599 instead of the 2025 projected deficit of $103,613. These results were a blessing and likely will not be duplicated in subsequent years. The 2025 budget  deficit will be covered by SPLC Unrestricted Funds.
          SPLC is over budget in projected income and closes out the fiscal year 2025 at $49,134 with offerings up ($12,314), third party usage of SPLC facilities up ($18,324) and Bradbury Stamm parking up ($15,570). Calico is over budget in projected income and closes out the fiscal year 2025 up  $94,263 from unexpected ECECD tuitions. Collectively, these increases in income totaled $143,397.
          However, the increases in projected income are offset with SPLC over budget in projected expenses by $35,463 ($22,915 contracted expenses & $12,548 property expenses) and Calico is also over budget in projected expenses by $31,700 (instruction expense). So that the increase in actual income ($143,397) is offset by an increase in actual expenses ($68,383) and results in a deficit of $28,599.     

The Softer Side – January 2026
There are so many reasons that we at SPLC continue to financially support our various missions and each month we’d like to take the time to lift up an example. We would encourage the congregation to offer suggestions. This month many of us have watched Gabriel Rabezanany (sp?) grow up at St. Paul’s. With a family rooted in their faith, and with the love and support of us all, Gabriel will be confirmed on Easter Sunday. We will join him in celebrating his choice to intentionally continue his faith journey. Thanks to all of you who continue to bless St. Paul. ~Sig Stocking, for Finance

Spiritual Grounding Group. We are living in turbulent times, and staying spiritually grounded can be tough!  A Spiritual Grounding Group, meeting once each month for about an hour over Zoom, will start in February.  We will be exploring different ways to stay spiritually grounded, including the labyrinth, quiet, journaling, breathing exercises, and the like.  Participants will help determine the group's agenda, and our time together will be guided by the St. Paul Community Covenant.  The meeting time will depend upon the availability of interested people.  If you are interested or have questions, contact Jane Voelkel at 505-980-9162 or jvoelkel@aol.com, or Kathy Westley at kathywestley@yahoo.com by January 31. ~Jane Voelkel

The hat makers have hats saved for our colder weather. A box in the Narthex is full of various sizes and colors. Feel free to take a few for your car and pass them out as you see need. Thank you for sharing warmth. ~Julie Ambrogi

God’s Work Our Hands: For our January project, we are collecting donations towards hygiene kits for HopeWorks. On your check to St. Paul, please put “hygiene kits” in the memo line. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Church Women United, an ecumenical Christian women’s group, invites you to join them in a retreat on Saturday, February 7th at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (5301 Ponderosa Ave NE) from 9:30-12:00.  Pastor Erica Lea-Simka of the ABQ Mennonite Church will lead us in a study of St. Julian of Norwich of the Middle Ages.  Her writings, Revelations of Divine Love are the earliest surviving English-language works attributed to a woman. Come join us! For more information, please contact Shirley Nilsson at (505) 463-3657.

From Jewish Voice for Peace: Albuquerque Weekly Silent Vigil for Palestine. Every Sun from 12 PM to 1 PM, Location TBD weekly. The vigil is somber and silent to bring awareness to the ongoing and worsening genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank. We remember all lives lost and call for immediate unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza, a permanent ceasefire, an arms embargo of Israel, and release of all hostages and political prisoners. We have signs, but feel free to bring your own. For more information, please contact Dina at dina.afek@gmail.com or Rebeca at rebecajeff@yahoo.com.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Canada, Denmark, U.S. Lutheran bishops issue joint statement supporting Greenlandic people
To our dear siblings in Christ,
As the national bishops of Lutheran churches in the United States, Canada and Denmark, we wish to send the Greenlandic people our full support in an unusually difficult situation. We pray for and encourage our own congregations and people to pray for and stand with Greenland and the Greenlandic people who want to maintain their independence. We pray for peace and respect between nations.
We unreservedly support the Church of Greenland and Bishop Paneeraq Siegstad Munk, whose statement has been quoted in several media outlets: “This is a question of human rights, dignity, and respecting international laws and treaties. We are a small people, but we are not invisible. Our future is not something to be decided over our heads. We have language, culture, ancestors, children, and a future tied to this place. We are people, not property. Greenland is not land to be bought. It is our home and it is not for sale” (Christian News, Jan. 14).
          The Church of Greenland works closely with dioceses in Denmark and plays an active role in international affairs as a member of the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation and other organizations. We wish that this close cooperation will continue and bring joy and benefit to the people of Greenland.
          We invite you to write to your elected leaders and tell them to respect the independence of Greenland and the Greenlandic people.
In Christ,

The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, 
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada                                

The Rev. Yehiel Curry,
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Rt. Revd. Henrik Stubkjær,
Bishop of Viborg
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark

Epiphany Greetings from Bishop Meghan:
Dear siblings in Christ,
Blessed Epiphany to you all! I’m writing to you from Jerusalem, where I have joined ELCA bishops and leaders for an accompaniment visit to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land to celebrate the installation of the new ELCJHL bishop, the Rev. Dr. Imad Haddad. This has been my first trip back to the place my family and I called home prior to my call as bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod. It is a gift to reunite with family and friends, to share the beauty of this place and its people with ELCA colleagues, and to celebrate with a church that has much to teach us about faith and steadfastness in times of injustice and heartbreak.
          I have also had the honor of representing the Rocky Mountain Synod, bringing greetings from our synod to our siblings in Christ in the Holy Land. It has been a true joy to share how our synod holds the people of Palestine and Israel in prayer; how we participated in calling the whole ELCA to greater accompaniment and advocacy through the memorials passed at our 2025 Synod Assembly and Churchwide Assembly; and how our ministries of worship, service to neighbor, and advocacy for justice resonate with the work of the church here—including ministries with immigrants and in border communities. Together with our synod’s Sumud working group for justice in Palestine and Israel, I hope to plan a Rocky Mountain Synod Holy Land trip for 2027. Look for details to come!
          I am mindful in these days of the Epiphany story: the wise magi who journeyed from afar to worship Jesus and, warned of the malice of King Herod, returned home by another road. This choice protected Jesus, then a vulnerable child, from the violence of a fearful leader who chose the way of power by any means necessary. Jesus lived to proclaim and embody a different way: the way of compassion. He laid down his own life rather than sacrifice the lives of others; and his resurrection proved that the way of God’s love is the truest power.
          As we enter a new year, I find myself pondering what it means to choose that other way, especially when the way of the world has brought devastation: in the Holy Land, where people in Gaza are still dying months after a so-called ceasefire. In Venezuela, whose people face an uncertain future and hope for a better one. In U.S. communities where ICE agents have detained, disappeared, or killed our neighbors—including legal residents and citizens. In leaders like Herod who choose the way of power and revel in cruelty. In my own sin, when fear or anger or self-righteousness lead me astray.
          We are called to a different road: the way of Jesus. And we are reminded that when we can’t, or won’t, choose that path, Jesus finds us on the way regardless: to draw us back to the way of the Gospel and to community and belonging; to give us new life in the promise of resurrection; and to lead us—not by shame or force, but by grace—to abundant life in Christ, as the Holy Spirit works to bring hope and healing to the world God so loves.
+In Christ,
Bp Meghan

Read Bishop Meghan’s 20 Jan. article: On Martin Luther King, Jr., Minneapolis, and the Holy Land at https://www.rmselca.org/blog/on-martin-luther-king-jr-minneapolis-and-the-holy-land.

Join the Region 2 ELCA Lenten Challenge (2026)—a friendly, faith-filled effort across the five Region 2 synods (Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain) to put Matthew 25 into practice. 
          This year’s theme—“Lord, When Did We See You?”—invites individuals, families, congregations, and organizations to commit to 3 of 4 practices (Devotions, Learning, Action, and Donation) throughout Lent, while together aiming to raise $100,000 for ELCA World Hunger—supporting sustainable solutions that address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Visit: https://lentenchallenge.org/

From Global Refuge on Operation PARRIS: As most people know, the process of seeking safety in the United States for families forced to flee their homes is extensive and difficult. Refugees admitted to the United States by the government undergo years of processing, in-person interviews, security checks, and medical screenings before setting foot on U.S. soil.
          But now, under a new initiative called Operation PARRIS, thousands of refugees in Minnesota are the target of an intensive Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation to reexamine their status under U.S. law—part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to relitigate, reconsider, and second-guess previous grants of refugee status.
          What does this mean? Families who followed all of the rules and were lawfully admitted to the U.S. may now be at risk.
          Read more at:  https://www.globalrefuge.org/news/operation-in-minnesota-targeting-lawfully-admitted-refugees/ where you can also sign their Action Alert to your lawmakers urging them to push back on the USCIS reinterview process.

Registration is open for the 2026 Issue Briefing and Bishop's Luncheon, scheduled for Wednesday, February 4th! We are pleased that First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe, a long-time member of our advocating congregation program, will return as host for the morning Issue Briefing. We will return to the La Fonda Hotel for the Bishop's Luncheon.

Schedule
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 Check-in and refreshments at First Presbyterian
(208 Grant Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501)
10:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Devotion
10:15 a.m. Guest Speakers
11:15 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. Bible Study - Bishop Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
11:45 a.m. Advocacy Agenda and Issue Briefing
12:30 - 1 p.m. Transition to La Fonda Hotel
(100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501)
1:00-1:15 p.m. Bishop's Luncheon Begins
2:45 - 3 p.m. Luncheon concludes 

The registration cost per person is $45 per person. 
(Note, this is not a fundraiser as the registration charge covers most, but not all, of the anticipated cost for the event.)

The Bishop's Luncheon will include a wonderful La Fonda lunch, award presentations, and a keynote address from the Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA), the Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni. I am confident that all in attendance last year would say Bishop Meghan's keynote was incredibly powerful and spot-on, and no doubt it will be again this year! Register at: https://www.lutheranadvocacynm.org/

Are you willing to have others ride with you to Santa Fe from your faith community? An important way that you can support this event is by helping to organize carpools. Please email us with your name and faith community, and let us know how many additional seats you have. Even better, publicize on your own within your faith community. Please email us at Lutheranadvocacy@yahoo.com. Our Methodist participants will again this year rent a bus for their folks, but may have some open seats. We will publicize availability and contact information in upcoming emails.  

2026 Advocacy Agenda - Key Areas of Focus:
Hunger
Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Family-Sustaining Income
Health Care
Tax Policy
Criminal Justice
Care of Creation
Good Governance

Coffee with Christine, Feb 4th, 9:30 PT/12:30 ET. Join Christine Moffett, ELCA Environmental Policy Advocate for coffee and discussion! Feel free to ask your questions about Federal policy, especially environment. Knowledge is power! bit.ly/coffee-christine

Bread for the World Launch: 2026 Offering of Letters Tues., Feb. 10, at 8 pm ET. Join Bread President and CEO Rev. Eugene Cho and staff, as well as hundreds of advocates across the country for this online launch. During our time together, you’ll learn how you and your community can join this nationwide letter writing movement asking Congress to recommit to ending hunger. You’ll hear about the most pressing hunger related issues in Congress right now, learn tactics we can use together to speak up on these issues, and commit together to advocating through the 2026 campaign. Register at:
https://go.bread.org/page/91715/survey/1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=26QO&utm_content=OG+2026+OL+Launch+Email+Invite+01.16.26+-+Core

2026 National Day of Racial Healing. Watch a video of the Jan. 20 event centering multiracial voices from across the ELCA. The program features intentional storytelling and provides opportunities for deep listening, reflection and drawing closer as fellow children of God.
https://www.elca.org/org-events/2026-national-day-of-racial-healing

From the ELCA Advocacy Office: As we grapple with the implications of Artificial intelligence, a new Issue Paper has been published by the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility. Issue Papers interpret ELCA social teaching as it relates to investments. https://resources.elca.org/corporate-social-responsibility/artificial-intelligence-issue-paper/

Lutheran World Relief is launching its first-ever Annual Fund Campaign with a goal of 30 friends to make monthly Faithful Neighbor commitments. Visit https://lwr.org/

From Generation to Generation: ALCM and LSM at St. Olaf College in 2026.
In the summer of 2026, Lutheran Summer Music is proud to partner with the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, with both organizations in residence at St. Olaf College, creating a shared setting for intergenerational learning, performance, and renewal in classical and sacred music.
Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) share a longstanding commitment to music in worship, education, and community life. This partnership reflects a shared investment in supporting church musicians and students, strengthening musical leadership, and sustaining the traditions of sacred and classical music.
Through this partnership, LSM and ALCM seek to:

• Provide meaningful opportunities for education, networking, and mentorship between professional church musicians and students

• Highlight the role of music in worship and community life

• Connect the LSM community with a national network of church musicians

https://www.lsmacademy.org/news/2026/alcm-lsm

Updates Beginning 18 January 2026

Important! Due to a theft from a car parked near the Choir door, it may be prudent to park on the south side where there is visibility from the front doors. Our phone system remains down. The main line is forwarded to a cellphone which will be answered during business hours. Thank you. ~Deborah Ash

Today: Adult Faith Development will be discussing the history of Christian Nationalism. Bring your drink and snacks to the Conference Room at 11:15am for an important conversation on this topic. ~Jane Voelkel, for the AFD Team

This Thursday: New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Continues. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who is leading a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). ~Thanks, Sally Trigg

2026 is a new year of giving to St. Paul and its ministries. Regarding the old year just completed, your 2025 GIVING STATEMENT is available if you would like it for your income tax preparation. All you need to do is send an email to finsec@stpaulabq.org or you can call me at (505) 363-2284. Happy New Year of giving! ~Paula Eglinton

Kitchen Renovation Begins 1/26. Ryan Millis will start bringing in tools, painting, countertops, removing old hoods, etc. on Mon. 1/26. The South side of the Fellowship Hall will be dedicated to space for all items in the kitchen. We will have two tables and space for appliances, taking around 1/4 of the Fellowship Hall.  Ryan will be setting up his tools on the other side of the Kitchen in Fellowship Hall. Please note: the kitchen will be out of commission from 1/26 to 2/13. ~Jolene Gallegos, Facilities Coordinator

The hat makers have hats saved for our colder weather. A box in the Narthex is full of various sizes and colors. Feel free to take a few for your car and pass them out as you see need. Thank you for sharing warmth. ~Julie Ambrogi

Spiritual Grounding Group. We are living in turbulent times, and staying spiritually grounded can be tough!  A Spiritual Grounding Group, meeting once each month for about an hour over Zoom, will start in February.  We will be exploring different ways to stay spiritually grounded, including the labyrinth, quiet, journaling, breathing exercises, and the like.  Participants will help determine the group's agenda, and our time together will be guided by the St. Paul Community Covenant.  The meeting time will depend upon the availability of interested people.  If you are interested or have questions, contact Jane Voelkel at 505-980-9162 or jvoelkel@aol.com, or Kathy Westley at kathywestley@yahoo.com by January 31.

God’s Work Our Hands: For our January project, we are collecting donations towards hygiene kits for HopeWorks. On your check to St. Paul, please put “hygiene kits” in the memo line. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods (or pet food) and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Today (Rev. Grubbs is the new director of NM Conference of Churches):

Lutheran Social Services Presentation on Tuesday, Jan 20: St Luke’s Learners & Servers group would like to extend an invitation to a presentation by Lutheran Family Services on the services they provide.  It will take place on Tuesday, January 20th in our Fellowship Hall.  We will have a salad luncheon at 12:15 and the speaker at 1:30. St. Luke’s Lutheran is at 9100 Menaul Blvd NE 87112. 
          LFS will do a 45-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session.  The speaker will focus on how recent governmental changes in immigration and asylum have impacted their operations and outline their current mission and priorities for the LFS Refuge and Asylee program. 
          We would love for you to join us.  Please let me know if you will be able to attend. Thank you, Diane Quarles, Learners & Servers, 505-264-5444

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Bishop Curry Issues Statement on ICE Shooting in Minneapolis:

Learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17)

Alongside our siblings in Christ in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota and all who have been impacted by aggressive immigration enforcement and violence by federal law enforcement agents, I mourn the shocking shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on Jan. 7, 2026. I join calls for a thorough investigation into this case, accountability for the shooting and a de-escalation of ICE enforcement across the United States. Alongside the Lutherans who have held vigils in Minneapolis and around the country, our church prays for God’s peace in this community and justice in this case.
The ELCA is committed to upholding and guaranteeing basic human rights for the safety of migrants and their families. Our church works toward just and humane policies affecting migrants in and outside the United States. We decry language that dehumanizes immigrants who are beloved children of God and escalates tensions between federal agents and communities. Surges of immigration enforcement and violent encounters like we are seeing in Minneapolis — as well as in Chicago; Atlanta; Los Angeles; Portland, Ore.; and Washington, D.C.— have indiscriminately targeted our neighbors, creating fear and uncertainty. This has created conditions where immigrants, those accompanying them and federal agents are all at risk. 
ELCA social teaching provides guidance in complex situations: “Public safety depends upon trust in law enforcement to respect and protect the rights of all” (“Gun-related Violence and Trauma”). As a church, we are concerned by the trend of law enforcement and federal agents involved in immigration enforcement relying on the use of force in our communities without sufficient accountability or oversight. 
God calls us to be witnesses to God’s presence, healing and hope. I invite ongoing prayers, vigils and advocacy for peace and justice, and I affirm the ELCA’s “pledge to continue our church’s historic leadership in caring for refugees and immigrants” (For Peace in God’s World).
In Christ,
The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

This Week: 2026 National Day of Racial Healing. The ELCA, in partnership with Augsburg Fortress, will observe the 2026 National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) with a free evening program on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6-8 p.m. Central time:
“Just Us Narratives: A Night of Centering Multiracial Voices Across the ELCA”
Online and in person at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill.
We invite you to save the date and check back for more details.
          As a sacred practice, story sharing highlights history, preserves language, engages culture, offers wisdom, sustains survival and teaches lessons that foster connection. Join us for a night of intentional storytelling, deep listening and reflection, featuring diverse voices that will draw us closer together.
          The NDORH follows Martin Luther King Jr. Day and is hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of its Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation efforts to raise awareness of the need for racial healing and encourage actions that build a more just and inclusive church and society.
          Online attendees: No registration is required. A link to join virtually will be available on the NDORH webpage. For more information, visit elca.org/NDORH.

This Week from Global Refuge: The New Year is here, bringing with it more immigration policy changes and dangerous rhetoric—but also powerful stories of resilience, supportive communities, and innovative solutions for refugees and other immigrants in the United States. Join Global Refuge President and CEO Krish O'Mara Vignarajah and other members of our leadership team as we explore six of the top trends we’re seeing in policy, advocacy, programming, and more. We’ll share how we’re meeting this moment in 2026 and beyond, hear from a past client with a powerful story, and offer ways for supportive communities to make a difference in the work of welcome.

The Work of Welcome
Six Trends We're Watching in 2026
Date: Friday, January 23
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom
Register at: https://globalrefuge-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_y_vAnScfRCyYVB7j8MX-cg?mc_cid=f520eb0121&mc_eid=2f360c0226#/registration

Registration is open for the 2026 Issue Briefing and Bishop's Luncheon, scheduled for Wednesday, February 4th! We are pleased that First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe, a long-time member of our advocating congregation program, will return as host for the morning Issue Briefing. We will return to the La Fonda Hotel for the Bishop's Luncheon.

Schedule
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 Check-in and refreshments at First Presbyterian
(208 Grant Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501)

10:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Devotion
10:15 a.m. Guest Speakers
11:15 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. Bible Study - Bishop Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
11:45 a.m. Advocacy Agenda and Issue Briefing
12:30 - 1 p.m. Transition to La Fonda Hotel
(100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501)
1:00-1:15 p.m. Bishop's Luncheon Begins
2:45 - 3 p.m. Luncheon concludes

The registration cost per person is $45 per person. 
(Note, this is not a fundraiser as the registration charge covers most, but not all, of the anticipated cost for the event.)

The Bishop's Luncheon will include a wonderful La Fonda lunch, award presentations, and a keynote address from the Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA), the Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni. I am confident that all in attendance last year would say Bishop Meghan's keynote was incredibly powerful and spot-on, and no doubt it will be again this year! Register at: https://www.lutheranadvocacynm.org/

Are you willing to have others ride with you to Santa Fe from your faith community? An important way that you can support this event is by helping to organize carpools. Please email us with your name and faith community, and let us know how many additional seats you have. Even better, publicize on your own within your faith community. Please email us at Lutheranadvocacy@yahoo.com. Our Methodist participants will again this year rent a bus for their folks, but may have some open seats. We will publicize availability and contact information in upcoming emails.

2026 Advocacy Agenda - Key Areas of Focus:
Hunger
Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Family-Sustaining Income
Health Care
Tax Policy
Criminal Justice
Care of Creation
Good Governance

Coffee with Christine, Feb 4th, 9:30 PT/12:30 ET. Join Christine Moffett, ELCA Environmental Policy Advocate for coffee and discussion! Feel free to ask your questions about Federal policy, especially environment. Knowledge is power! bit.ly/coffee-christine

Bread for the World Launch: 2026 Offering of Letters Tues., Feb. 10, at 8 pm ET. Join Bread President and CEO Rev. Eugene Cho and staff, as well as hundreds of advocates across the country for this online launch. During our time together, you’ll learn how you and your community can join this nationwide letter writing movement asking Congress to recommit to ending hunger. You’ll hear about the most pressing hunger related issues in Congress right now, learn tactics we can use together to speak up on these issues, and commit together to advocating through the 2026 campaign. Register at:
https://go.bread.org/page/91715/survey/1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=26QO&utm_content=OG+2026+OL+Launch+Email+Invite+01.16.26+-+Core 

Reconciling Works’ Winter 2026 newsletter is posted in the Welcome Center. Also at: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/2026-winter-newsletter/.

From the ELCA Advocacy Office: As we grapple with the implications of Artificial intelligence, a new Issue Paper has been published by the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility. Issue Papers interpret ELCA social teaching as it relates to investments. https://resources.elca.org/corporate-social-responsibility/artificial-intelligence-issue-paper/

Updates Beginning 11 January 2026

Important! Two items to note: Last Sunday, a catalytic converter was stolen from a car parked near the Choir Room door. It may be prudent to park more centrally, on the south side where there is visibility from the front doors. Also, the phone system remains down. A third party sliced through Century Link’s cables. This is affecting many customers and they don’t have a projected completion date. The main line is now forwarded to a cellphone which will be answered during business hours. Thank you. ~Deborah Ash

Today: The New Mexico state legislature will begin its yearly session on the 20th of this month. While this will be the "short session," only 30 days long, with an agenda limited to the budget and items specifically called for by the governor. However, it should be an interesting session given possible limitations on "new money" (revenue available for new programs) and several issues that may be on the governor's agenda.
          Unknowns abound, but we know Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM will be on hand providing information and advocating for issues important to the church. To help us understand what is at stake and what LAM-NM intends to work on, we are privileged to welcome our friend Kurt Rager, Director of LAM-NM, to lead an information and discussion session this Sunday morning at 11:15 in the Conference Room. You won't want to miss hearing about the legislative session and how YOU can be involved. Bob Matthews, for Adult Faith Development

This Thursday: New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Continues. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who is leading a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Volunteer Assistance 1/20 for Cleaning out Kitchen before Renovation Begins 1/26. Greetings All! We are in need of volunteers to clean out the kitchen and move various appliances on January 20th, Tuesday, around 10am. The Kitchen Renovation will begin on 1/26, when Ryan will start bringing in tools, painting, countertop, removing old hoods, etc.  Prior to his arrival on we need to clear out the kitchen as much as possible.  We need help moving out items from all drawers, cabinets, taking items off the walls. We also need some muscle on the heavy work, moving out the refrigerator, two stoves and dishwasher.  We have dollies and rolling carts to assist in the heavier items.
          The South side of the Fellowship Hall will be dedicated to space for all items in the kitchen.  We will have two tables and space for appliances, taking around 1/4 of the Fellowship Hall.  Ryan will be setting up his tools on the other side of the Kitchen in Fellowship Hall.  We will also be washing walls, washing behind the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher after getting out those items, prior to it being painted.  I would bring gloves as it may be pretty dirty.  
          If you or anyone you know can help with this project, please reach out to me via email to confirm, facilities@stpaulabq.org.  As the phones are still down, an email is best at this time to confirm your spot.  You can always call me on my cell: 505-264-6456. We appreciate you coming forward to help on this project!  Thank you. ~Jolene Gallegos, Facilities Coordinator

Spiritual Grounding Group. We are living in turbulent times, and staying spiritually grounded can be tough!  A Spiritual Grounding Group, meeting once each month for about an hour over Zoom, will start in February.  We will be exploring different ways to stay spiritually grounded, including the labyrinth, quiet, journaling, breathing exercises, and the like.  Participants will help determine the group's agenda, and our time together will be guided by the St. Paul Community Covenant.  The meeting time will depend upon the availability of interested people.  If you are interested or have questions, contact Jane Voelkel at 505-980-9162 or jvoelkel@aol.com, or Kathy Westley at kathywestley@yahoo.com by January 31.

God’s Work Our Hands: For our January project, we are collecting donations towards hygiene kits for HopeWorks. On your check to St. Paul, please put “hygiene kits” in the memo line. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. Pet food is also needed. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

From Local Partner Organizations

Watch Luther House/The Open Table Connection’s new promotional video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjFD4oP4Lw

Civic Saturday, January 17, a morning gathering focused on storytelling, creativity, and community connection, followed by a community beautification project where we’ll come together to care for our shared spaces. Please register for each activity using the links below:

Civic Saturday: Stories, Creativity, and Community Connection – 11am–2pm
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/civic-saturday-stories-creativity-and-community-connection-tickets-1979418170031?aff=oddtdtcreator
Community Beautification Project (Clean-Up) – 2-4pm
Sign up here:
https://www.oneabqvolunteers.com/need/detail/?need_id=1182314

Lutheran Social Services Presentation on Tuesday, Jan 20: St Luke’s Learners & Servers group would like to extend an invitation to a presentation by Lutheran Family Services on the services they provide.  It will take place on Tuesday, January 20th in our Fellowship Hall.  We will have a salad luncheon at 12:15 and the speaker at 1:30. St. Luke’s Lutheran is at 9100 Menaul Blvd NE 87112. 
          LFS will do a 45-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session.  The speaker will focus on how recent governmental changes in immigration and asylum have impacted their operations and outline their current mission and priorities for the LFS Refuge and Asylee program. 
          We would love for you to join us.  Please let me know if you will be able to attend. Thank you, Diane Quarles, Learners & Servers, 505-264-5444

 From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Bishop Curry Issues Statement on Venezuela.
Dear siblings in Christ,
There is concern across this church about the Jan. 3, 2026, U.S. military action in Venezuela and what has or will follow. I believe that this Sunday’s celebration of Jesus’ baptism, and our own, can provide understanding, guide our prayers and promote faithful action at this time. The baptism of our Lord reminds us that Jesus is God’s own beloved child, who has come to fulfill an age-old promise to bring justice and peace to the nations (Isaiah 42:1).
          As God’s beloved, Christians share in Jesus’ ministry and compassion for the vulnerable. Our prayers remain with the people of Venezuela. We pray for their safety and well-being, for their livelihoods, and for reliable access to food, health care and clean water. Our church walks in solidarity with them through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela — their people, pastors, deacons and ministries. Support is also expressed in the broader Christian community, both in Venezuela and among the Venezuelan diaspora, who have long called for and worked toward peace, democracy and human rights.
          As baptized children of God, Lutherans are set free to seek the well-being of our neighbors. Over 600,000 Venezuelans in the United States face uncertainty without renewal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and deportations of Venezuelan migrants continue despite these anxious times in their homeland. As Venezuela navigates a tenuous situation, our nation has a responsibility for a mindful humanitarian response.
           We continue our call for humanitarian support for migrant-serving organizations in neighboring countries and pathways to asylum in the United States for Venezuelans and all with credible fears of persecution.
          As followers of Jesus, we seek justice for the nations. As a church in this country, we call for what transpires next to center the Venezuelan people and their right to self-determination. We, as a country, must resist any temptation to use this occasion to foster special or corporate economic interests. As Venezuela faces continued instability, more people are likely to face displacement. 
          Let us avoid further polarization as we respond to what is unfolding. Lutheran theology affirms that two things at once can be true. The removal of Nicolás Maduro, a corrupt authoritarian, and the end of his brutal repression are causes for celebration for many. At the same time, U.S. action in Venezuela without the constitutionally mandated authorization of the U.S. Congress violated international law and created a dangerous precedent that weakens global peace and security. Our social teaching tells us that any conflict must meet strict moral criteria rooted in the principles of “right intention, justifiable cause, legitimate authority …” (For Peace in God’s World, page 11).
          In this highly complex and dangerous moment, Christians remember that Jesus is God's beloved child. Through our baptisms, this identity and mission forms us and calls us to civic action. We are called to speak the truth in love but with clarity about accountability for any abuse of power. In this time, we can advocate boldly for a peaceful way forward and urge the U.S. Congress to exert its authority over war powers and ensure due process is followed. This action is especially critical when risking U.S. troops’ lives and the lives of civilians around the world.
          As we remember the meaning of baptism for action in the world, let us be fervent in prayer for our siblings in Christ in Venezuela. Let us also support and accompany Venezuelans and their families worldwide. Born in Venezuela, Bishop Pedro Suárez of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod wrote the following prayer: By your Holy Spirit, kindle hope that does not disappoint and peace that surpasses all understanding. We entrust Venezuela, its people and your church into your loving hands, trusting not in our own strength but in your steadfast love made known in Jesus Christ, who is our peace. Amen.
In Christ,
The Rev. Yehiel Curry
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

Email Congress now asking them to extend healthcare affordability.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote as soon as this week on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that help millions afford healthcare. Expanded ACA subsidies expired on December 31, 2025, leaving nearly 22 million people and many small businesses with unaffordable costs - pricing many in need of healthcare out of the market. 
          According to the Urban Institute, over 4.8 million people could lose coverage entirely if Congress fails to extend these premiums – and millions more could see their monthly cost increase or double. Rural communities – where Lutheran hospitals often serve as lifelines – will be hit the hardest. Many families in these areas and across the nation depend on these subsidies to access basic healthcare. 
          ELCA social teaching affirms that government, civil society and community all have roles in sustaining the health of the most vulnerable – highlighting that health is a critical part of the whole human person. Lutheran social ministries and hospitals exemplify this mission daily but cannot do this work alone.
          The House is poised to act, but your elected officials in both the House and Senate need to hear about your values and experiences. Please urge your lawmakers to extend these subsidies and protect healthcare access for those who need it most. To take action, go to:
https://act.elca.org/page/92624/action/1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=utm_wis-email-12182025&utm_content=172026+Urge+Congress+to+Extend+Healthcare+Subsidies+this+week+7787332750&ea.url.id=4458554

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AaHDuhjpThmhCqqoaG9q9g#/registration

Tomorrow, 12 January: Interfaith Alliance is dedicated to rallying religious Americans around the message of “Choose Love, Not ICE” – making clear that brutality, repression and mass deportation runs totally counter to our values of compassion and mercy, and our belief in the common dignity and humanity of all people.
          Following the horrific killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, faith communities there and around the country are continuing to show up right now to organize against ICE’s violence and cruelty.
          We are committed to supporting nonviolent civil resistance among diverse faith communities around the country. As part of that work, we are offering a virtual 2-hour training on Monday night, 12 January at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT: Answering the Call: Interfaith Nonviolent Civil Resistance 201.
          The training builds on the long legacy of faith-led movements for justice and introduces practical frameworks for disciplined, strategic, and morally grounded nonviolent action. Together, participants will explore how people of faith can strengthen democracy, resist authoritarianism, and support one another through collective action rooted in our shared values. This training is for you if you are:

• A clergy member, lay leader, or organizer figuring out how you can best lead and organize in  this moment 

• Part of an interfaith or faith-based community committed showing up for democracy and human dignity 

• Looking for the hope that can be found in concrete tools, shared language, and real-world examples of effective nonviolent resistance 

The session is part of a broader national campaign to equip and connect interfaith leaders across the country to challenge authoritarianism and ICE cruelty—and participants will have opportunities to stay engaged through future trainings and local collaboration.
          Join us as we answer this call together—grounded in faith, guided by conscience, and committed to the work of democracy for all. Register at:
https://support.interfaithalliance.org/a/answering-call-interfaith-nonviolent-civil-resistance-201?utm_campaign=webinar&utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&sourceid=1124442&emci=cabf8c47-b4ec-f011-8195-000d3a1d58aa&emdi=bd23286d-bcec-f011-8195-000d3a1d58aa&ceid=35403917

2026 National Day of Racial Healing. The ELCA, in partnership with Augsburg Fortress, will observe the 2026 National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) with a free evening program on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6-8 p.m. Central time:
“Just Us Narratives: A Night of Centering Multiracial Voices Across the ELCA”
Online and in person at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill.
We invite you to save the date and check back for more details.
          As a sacred practice, story sharing highlights history, preserves language, engages culture, offers wisdom, sustains survival and teaches lessons that foster connection. Join us for a night of intentional storytelling, deep listening and reflection, featuring diverse voices that will draw us closer together.
          The NDORH follows Martin Luther King Jr. Day and is hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of its Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation efforts to raise awareness of the need for racial healing and encourage actions that build a more just and inclusive church and society.
          Online attendees: No registration is required. A link to join virtually will be available on the NDORH webpage. For more information, visit elca.org/NDORH.

Global Refuge: The New Year is here, bringing with it more immigration policy changes and dangerous rhetoric—but also powerful stories of resilience, supportive communities, and innovative solutions for refugees and other immigrants in the United States. Join Global Refuge President and CEO Krish O'Mara Vignarajah and other members of our leadership team as we explore six of the top trends we’re seeing in policy, advocacy, programming, and more. We’ll share how we’re meeting this moment in 2026 and beyond, hear from a past client with a powerful story, and offer ways for supportive communities to make a difference in the work of welcome.

The Work of Welcome
Six Trends We're Watching in 2026
Date: Friday, January 23
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom
Register at: https://globalrefuge-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_y_vAnScfRCyYVB7j8MX-cg?mc_cid=f520eb0121&mc_eid=2f360c0226#/registration

Registration is open for the 2026 Issue Briefing and Bishop's Luncheon, scheduled for Wednesday, February 4th! We are pleased that First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe, a long-time member of our advocating congregation program, will return as host for the morning Issue Briefing. We will return to the La Fonda Hotel for the Bishop's Luncheon.

Schedule
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 Check-in and refreshments at First Presbyterian
(208 Grant Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501)
10:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Devotion
10:15 a.m. Guest Speakers
11:15 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. Bible Study - Bishop Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
11:45 a.m. Advocacy Agenda and Issue Briefing
12:30 - 1 p.m. Transition to La Fonda Hotel
(100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501)
1:00-1:15 p.m. Bishop's Luncheon Begins
2:45 - 3 p.m. Luncheon concludes

The registration cost per person is $45 per person. 
(Note, this is not a fundraiser as the registration charge covers most, but not all, of the anticipated cost for the event.)

The Bishop's Luncheon will include a wonderful La Fonda lunch, award presentations, and a keynote address from the Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA), the Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni. I am confident that all in attendance last year would say Bishop Meghan's keynote was incredibly powerful and spot-on, and no doubt it will be again this year!
Register at: https://www.lutheranadvocacynm.org/

Are you willing to have others ride with you to Santa Fe from your faith community? An important way that you can support this event is by helping to organize carpools. Please email us with your name and faith community, and let us know how many additional seats you have. Even better, publicize on your own within your faith community. Please email us at Lutheranadvocacy@yahoo.com. Our Methodist participants will again this year rent a bus for their folks, but may have some open seats. We will publicize availability and contact information in upcoming emails.

2026 Advocacy Agenda
Key Areas of Focus:
Hunger
Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Family-Sustaining Income
Health Care
Tax Policy
Criminal Justice
Care of Creation
Good Governance

Lenten Devotional from Bread for the World:Walking as Children of Light.  In the devotional, we invite readers to reflect on how our practices of faith can bring the light of Christ to the world. As we journey toward the cross, we keep the light of Christ shining through us to bear witness to God’s love and justice and to connect us as we raise our voices in advocacy.
          The devotional has one entry for each week of Lent. In each entry, you will find a scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a practice to take through the week. The scriptures assigned follow the Revised Common Lectionary.
          Copies are available in the Welcome Center, or you can download it at: https://www.bread.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bread-LentDevotional2026_V2.pdf

Updates Beginning 4 January 2026

Today: In our Adult Faith Development class, Teresa Dubuque will facilitate a discussion on spiritual intentions for the coming year. Bring your snacks to the Conference Room following worship. ~Bob Matthews for the AFD Team

This Thursday: New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Begins. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who will lead a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

God’s Work Our Hands: For our January project, we are collecting donations towards hygiene kits for HopeWorks. On your check to St. Paul, please put “hygiene kits” in the memo line. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. Pet food is also needed. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

2026 National Day of Racial Healing. The ELCA, in partnership with Augsburg Fortress, will observe the 2026 National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) with a free evening program on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6-8 p.m. Central time: “Just Us Narratives: A Night of Centering Multiracial Voices Across the ELCA”. Online and in person at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill. We invite you to save the date and check back for more details.
          As a sacred practice, story sharing highlights history, preserves language, engages culture, offers wisdom, sustains survival and teaches lessons that foster connection. Join us for a night of intentional storytelling, deep listening and reflection, featuring diverse voices that will draw us closer together.
          The NDORH follows Martin Luther King Jr. Day and is hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of its Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation efforts to raise awareness of the need for racial healing and encourage actions that build a more just and inclusive church and society.

The new LivingLutheran.org is now live! Set up a free digital membership and enjoy these can’t-miss features:
A welcoming, easy-to-access format.
A personalized, custom dashboard that prioritizes the stories that interest you.
Access to members-only content.
E-news email delivery options to get the stories you want, both online and in your inbox.
https://www.livinglutheran.org/voices-of-faith/the-new-livinglutheran-org/

The AMMPARO Team is grateful to have been able to work with you all this year. As we celebrate the holidays with family and friends, we are conscious of  the many people who have been separated from their families, some deported, some detained, without regard for their humanity as children of God. Please visit Free Families website at https://freefamilies.net/ and find at least one opportunity to use the materials in their toolkit to share a story about someone you know who has experienced this, or go to their YouTube channel to find a story to play and pray for justice for all who are suffering.

A new AMMPARO resource. A new conversation guide about dehumanizing language. You will find the resource at the end of this blog: https://blogs.elca.org/ammparo/created-in-the-image-of-god-a-conversation-guide-to-affirm-our-shared-dignity/

Know Your Rights Resource: Parents have a right to make decisions about the care and safety of their children, even while in ICE custody—which is why the National Immigration Law Center and Center for Law and Social Policy developed Know Your Rights, a multilingual resource for immigrant parents. It details the rights that parents have while being apprehended and detained by ICE to ensure that parents have a say in protecting their children and keeping them safe. https://www.clasp.org/publications/fact-sheet/know-your-rights-parents-detained-by-ice/

Updates Beginning 28 December 2025

Thank You! to everyone who made Wednesday’s two Christmas Eve services so wonderful and inspiring-each service had an amazing team of volunteers, plus all those who decorated the Sanctuary, placed luminarias, brought their poinsettias, and made Christmas Eve so very special here at St. Paul! ~Deborah Ash

Today: No Adult Faith Development class, but if you want to hang out, someone(s) will be in the conference room. The next class is Jan. 4, when Teresa Dubuque will facilitate a discussion on spiritual intentions for the coming year. Hope your Christmas is a blessing and that your new year will be filled with challenge and joy. ~Bob Matthews for the AFD Team

December Finance Corner: The Finance Committee brings some good news with the end of the month November financial reports. Thanks to your generous giving we are over budget for offerings by $18,000.  Calico’s income is also up by $17,000, a new high for this time of year.  And, our Facility Usage, just in its first full year of operation, is $29,000 over budget (largely due to Bradbury Stamm’s parking space rental). Collectively, these increases in income have reduced the 2025 projected budget deficits from $101,000 to $71,000 (that’s after adjusting for several increases in November expenses).
          A good financial footing will allow us to continue with our various missions which are important to us and helps so many others who rely on them.
Thanks to all of you who continue to bless St. Paul. ~The Finance Committee

New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Begins in January. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who will lead a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

God’s Work Our Hands: For our December project, we are collecting donations toward Friends Feeding Friends’ First Thursday meal at HopeWorks on 1 January 2026. On your check to St. Paul, please put “FFF January” in the memo line. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. Pet food is also needed. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

A Thank You to St. Paul:

Dear St. Paul Lutheran Church,

As we celebrate the joy of Christmas, we want to pause and offer our heartfelt thanks to you for your faithful partnership with ReconcilingWorks. Your commitment to welcome, inclusion, celebration, and justice for LGBTQIA+ people continues to be a powerful witness to God’s liberating love in the church and in the world.
          Because of you, more communities are becoming places where LGBTQIA+ people are fully seen, deeply valued, and truly belong. Your courage, generosity, and dedication strengthen this movement and remind us that the work of reconciliation is holy, hopeful, and deeply needed.
          At Christmas, we proclaim the good news that God comes to dwell among us—with love that breaks down barriers and light that shines even in the darkest places. We are grateful to walk this journey with you as we continue building a church rooted in that promise.
          May this Christmas season bring you peace, joy, rest, and renewed hope. Thank you for all the ways you live out your Reconciling in Christ commitment and for being such a vital part of this community.

With deep gratitude and Christmas blessings,
The ReconcilingWorks Board and Staff

From Local Partner Organizations

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

Have you ever heard a whisper? | Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry | Christmas 2025. In his Christmas message to the church, Bishop Curry delivers a children’s sermon, describing the night when Jesus was born. “One silent night, far away in a town called Bethlehem, the stars twinkled brighter than ever. And the angels were there too. It was as if the whole sky was whispering: ‘Something wonderful is happening.’”
          Curry emphasizes that “whispers make us stop, listen and pay attention” and reminds us that, this Christmas, we should listen closely because “the heavens are still whispering: ‘Jesus is here. God loves you. Share that love with the world.’”
          Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiM3tHLKMr4

This month RMS is praying for our Companion Synod in Madagascar: Gracious God, we give thanks for our companion partners in Madagascar — the Mahajanga Synod, the Antsiranana Synod, the Sambava Synod, the Sofia Synod, and Betela Seminary. Bless their ministry, strengthen their witness, and deepen our mutual partnership in the gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A new AMMPARO resource. A new conversation guide about dehumanizing language. You will find the resource at the end of this blog: https://blogs.elca.org/ammparo/created-in-the-image-of-god-a-conversation-guide-to-affirm-our-shared-dignity/

Know Your Rights Resource: Parents have a right to make decisions about the care and safety of their children, even while in ICE custody—which is why the National Immigration Law Center and Center for Law and Social Policy developed Know Your Rights, a multilingual resource for immigrant parents. It details the rights that parents have while being apprehended and detained by ICE to ensure that parents have a say in protecting their children and keeping them safe. Available in Spanish and English at: https://www.clasp.org/publications/fact-sheet/know-your-rights-parents-detained-by-ice/

This season calls all of us to love and support our neighbors, especially in times of tension and division—times like right now. Your gift to Global Refuge today will be matched by a generous donor to provide twice the support and services our refugee neighbors need right now: 

·        TWICE the emergency rent and food assistance

·        TWICE the immigration legal services

·        TWICE the job placement and training

Please give today, while you can still make double the impact during this increasingly challenging time for our refugee and other immigrant neighbors.
https://www.globalrefuge.org/

Thanks to a special BONUS MATCH, your caring gift to Lutheran World Relief this Christmas is matched dollar for dollar to provide a safe place to live for families who were forced out of their homes to escape life-threatening violence, desperate for peace. Your love will deliver 2X the food, water, clothing and shelter — shining the hope of the newborn Christ’s light into their frightened hearts.

Your gift today can brighten their days and will DOUBLE in impact to:

·        Provide families with nourishing food and clean water.

·        Deliver safe shelter for God’s children.

·        Heal your sick neighbors with access to medical supplies.

·        Give hardworking families love and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

https://lwr.org/

Now more than ever, the work of Bread for the World is essential. Hunger does not wait for elections, policies, or political will. Families are making impossible choices today between paying rent, filling prescriptions, or putting food on the table.
With your generosity, we will continue to urge Congress to restore funding for vital programs, like SNAP and international food aid, and to advocate to help feed our neighbors.
Due to a new match, your gift to Bread for the World today will have 6X the impact, up to $120,000. (This season’s original match up to $500,000 has been met!). This increases your support of our advocacy to restore and fully fund programs that help end hunger in the year ahead.
Thank you for all you do to support our advocacy for an end to hunger.
https://www.bread.org/

2025 Year in Review: https://www.lsmacademy.org/news/2025/year-in-review

Updates Beginning 21 December 2025

Today:  It's Advent again, and you may notice that the scripture readings for worship for these weeks will be heavily concerned about prophesy. And this raises perennial questions: What is prophecy? Who are the prophets? Was Jesus a prophet? Is there still prophesy today? Join the Adult Faith Development class this Advent as we explore prophecy and prophets. The conversation will be stimulating, and we may even come up with some surprising answers. The class meets after service today. Bring your questions and curiosity. We'll take all of them seriously. ~Bob Matthews

Assisting Ministers and Communion Assistants: For those of you currently on the schedule: I will be making the new schedule very soon. Please notify me no later than Monday Dec 22 of any dates or specific requests for scheduling. WE ALWAYS WELCOME NEW WORSHIP ASSISTANTS.  If you are interested in serving as a communion assistant or assisting minister, please notify me by Sunday, Dec 21. I will be making a new schedule and it is a perfect time to get on board. Training provided!  ~Peace, Terry Cole (tecole51@comcast.net 505-362-3775)

December Finance Corner: The Finance Committee brings some good news with the end of the month November financial reports. Thanks to your generous giving we are over budget for offerings by $18,000.  Calico’s income is also up by $17,000, a new high for this time of year.  And, our Facility Usage, just in its first full year of operation, is $29,000 over budget (largely due to Bradbury Stamm’s parking space rental). Collectively, these increases in income have reduced the 2025 projected budget deficits from $101,000 to $71,000 (that’s after adjusting for several increases in November expenses).
          A good financial footing will allow us to continue with our various missions which are important to us and helps so many others who rely on them.
Thanks to all of you who continue to bless St. Paul. ~The Finance Committee

God’s Work Our Hands: For our December project, we are collecting donations toward Friends Feeding Friends’ First Thursday meal at HopeWorks on 1 January 2026. On your check to St. Paul, please put “FFF January” in the memo line. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Begins in January. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who will lead a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. Pet food is also needed. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

ELCA Good Gifts: One of the ministries that our St. Paul Youth has continued over the years is collecting aluminum can donations from our St. Paul congregation.  Bob and Nancy Matthews have supported this ministry by taking and selling the cans to a local recycling facility.  During the 2025 calendar year, $221.35 was raised.  Noah Rabezanany and Gabriel Rabezanany, two of our youth, thoughtfully selected the following ELCA Good Gift items from the 2025 Christmas ELCA Good Gifts catalog: 1 goat with a flock of chicks; 2 water filters; school supplies for 3 children; 5 backpacks stocked with food; and serving 10 people at a feeding ministry.  The order was submitted to ELCA on Dec. 8th.  The funds raised will be matched by ELCA through their end-of-year campaign.  Thank you to everyone who participates by bringing in aluminum cans for recycling.    ~Peggy Burnett

From Local Partner Organizations

Cancelled: Today’s New Mexico Brass Quintet Concert. Due to illness, the Quartet will look to do a program sometime this spring here at St. Paul.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

A Christmas message from Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni – December 2025.
A couple of months ago, Gabi and I were going through some boxes we still hadn’t unpacked after returning to the U.S. last year, and we found a treasure: our olive wood nativity set from Bethlehem. We couldn’t find it last year and feared it had been lost in the move. But suddenly, when we weren’t looking for it, there it was: the stable, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi, an angel, some sheep, a camel—and of course, a manger and a baby Jesus. (None of the smooth wood figurines have distinguishing features, so we take our best guess on who’s who.)
          There is a tradition to only place baby Jesus in the nativity on Christmas Eve, to mark the day and what it means: Jesus arrives! Jesus is born. God chooses to take on a human body and a human life in the midst of our world. This is the good news of Christmas, and the heart of our faith. Everything that comes after—Jesus’ ministry of compassion and justice, his death on the cross, and his resurrection to new life—begins here and now. Jesus is God with us, God fully present in a person who is fully human. And God arrives, not only as a human being, but a child: a vulnerable, fragile, beautiful baby who depends on others for his very survival. Jesus’ life, in the beginning as in the end, is placed in the hands of humanity: not so that we can prove our worthiness to God by doing the right thing, but to show that even when we don’t—when we squander the gift of divine love and crush the gift of human life—we ourselves are in the hands of a God who turns fear into love, despair into hope, and death into life.
          This good news still matters. Jesus still matters! Around the world there are nativity scenes waiting for Jesus to arrive, trusting in a God who so loves the world that God becomes part of it. Some nativities are set up to remember Jesus the refugee, who with his parents fled to another country to escape state violence. Some are set up to remember that Jesus was Jewish and Palestinian, from a land whose children now live among the rubble of bombs. Some will be set up by people who are spending their first Christmas without a loved one, or contemplating their last; or in families where there is new life this year that last year had not yet arrived.
          But in every single nativity, in every single place, we know this: Jesus will arrive. Jesus always arrives. Jesus shows up in this world, even and especially where things are heartbreaking, where fear and grief are running high and hope is running low. We may misplace our nativity, or even our faith; but we cannot truly lose Jesus or be lost. The child of the manger so long ago and far away held enough love to hold the world forever. Jesus still shows up in big ways and small: in forgiveness and generosity, in caring for the neighbor and welcoming the stranger. And in the places where all seems lost, as it did on the cross, Jesus is there too in all the power of resurrection life, promising that the worst thing will not be the last thing. May this promise not only fill your nativities, but also fill your hearts and lives this year and always. May God with us bless you with hope, with courage, with love. Merry Christmas!

This month RMS is praying for our Companion Synod in Madagascar: Gracious God, we give thanks for our companion partners in Madagascar — the Mahajanga Synod, the Antsiranana Synod, the Sambava Synod, the Sofia Synod, and Betela Seminary. Bless their ministry, strengthen their witness, and deepen our mutual partnership in the gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A new AMMPARO resource. A new conversation guide about dehumanizing language. You will find the resource at the end of this blog: https://blogs.elca.org/ammparo/created-in-the-image-of-god-a-conversation-guide-to-affirm-our-shared-dignity/

Know Your Rights Resource: Parents have a right to make decisions about the care and safety of their children, even while in ICE custody—which is why the National Immigration Law Center and Center for Law and Social Policy developed Know Your Rights, a multilingual resource for immigrant parents. It details the rights that parents have while being apprehended and detained by ICE to ensure that parents have a say in protecting their children and keeping them safe. Available in Spanish and English at: https://www.clasp.org/publications/fact-sheet/know-your-rights-parents-detained-by-ice/

This season calls all of us to love and support our neighbors, especially in times of tension and division—times like right now. Your gift to Global Refuge today will be matched by a generous donor to provide twice the support and services our refugee neighbors need right now:

·        TWICE the emergency rent and food assistance
·        TWICE the immigration legal services
·        TWICE the job placement and training 

Please give today, while you can still make double the impact during this increasingly challenging time for our refugee and other immigrant neighbors.
https://www.globalrefuge.org/

Thanks to a special BONUS MATCH, your caring gift this Christmas is matched dollar for dollar to provide a safe place to live for families who were forced out of their homes to escape life-threatening violence, desperate for peace. Your love will deliver 2X the food, water, clothing and shelter — shining the hope of the newborn Christ’s light into their frightened hearts.

Your gift today can brighten their days and will DOUBLE in impact to:

·        Provide families with nourishing food and clean water.
·        Deliver safe shelter for God’s children.
·        Heal your sick neighbors with access to medical supplies.
·        Give hardworking families love and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

https://lwr.org/

Now more than ever, the work of Bread for the World is essential. Hunger does not wait for elections, policies, or political will. Families are making impossible choices today between paying rent, filling prescriptions, or putting food on the table.
With your generosity, we will continue to urge Congress to restore funding for vital programs, like SNAP and international food aid, and to advocate to help feed our neighbors.
Your gift to Bread for the World today will be matched $1-for-$1, up to $500,000. This DOUBLES your support of our advocacy to restore and fully fund programs that help end hunger in the year ahead.
Thank you for all you do to support our advocacy for an end to hunger.
https://www.bread.org/

2025 Year in Review: https://www.lsmacademy.org/news/2025/year-in-review

Updates Beginning 14 December 2025

Today:  It's Advent again, and you may notice that the scripture readings for worship for these weeks will be heavily concerned about prophesy. And this raises perennial questions: What is prophecy? Who are the prophets? Was Jesus a prophet? Is there still prophesy today? Join the Adult Faith Development class this Advent as we explore prophecy and prophets. The conversation will be stimulating, and we may even come up with some surprising answers. The class meets after service today and Dec. 21. Bring your questions and curiosity. We'll take all of them seriously. ~Bob Matthews

For mid-week Advent worship & fellowship we’ll join with our partners of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church (211 Jefferson St. NE, ABQ) this Thursday, 18 December at 6pm. The evening will begin with a brief worship service using the Salt Project’s resource MAGNIFY: Mary’s Song and the Magnificent Women of Advent, and followed with a soup supper.  So please bring your favorite soup or bread to share.  A sign-up board is in the Welcome Center. ~In peace, hope, love & joy, Pr. Koppel & Worship & Music

Today: Adopted Families Christmas Tree of Giving. All gifts (labeled by name and number) should be returned today, 14 December.  Thank you, thank you, thank you. We are awed by the incredible generosity shown by this community, especially this year. ~Dana M, Paula E, Cheri P

Assisting Ministers and Communion Assistants: For those of you currently on the schedule: I will be making the new schedule very soon. Please notify me no later than Monday Dec 22 of any dates or specific requests for scheduling. WE ALWAYS WELCOME NEW WORSHIP ASSISTANTS.  If you are interested in serving as a communion assistant or assisting minister, please notify me by Sunday, Dec 21. I will be making a new schedule and it is a perfect time to get on board. Training provided!  ~Peace, Terry Cole (tecole51@comcast.net 505-362-3775)

This Friday-from Calico Butterfly Preschool:

God’s Work Our Hands: For our December project, we are collecting donations toward Friends Feeding Friends’ First Thursday meal at HopeWorks on 1 January 2026. On your check to St. Paul, please put “FFF January” in the memo line. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Christmas Cards for our Homebound. In the weeks to come we will have several enlarged Christmas Cards in the Welcome Center for every congregation member to sign. These cards will go to our HOMEBOUND. A holiday greeting from folks known and unknown will be such a treat to the few homebound we have to honor. The picture of the sanctuary will bring them closer to the season with memories dear to each one. Please, even if you do not recognize or know the person the card is for, take a moment in the next few weeks to write a warm holiday greeting. The cards will be delivered by our Visitation Ministers in December when visits are scheduled. Thank you for your participation. ~Pr. Koppel, Julie Ambrogi, Diane Remer-Thamert, Teresa Dubuque, Nancy Jenkins, Kay Fulton, Herb Korff.

ELCA Good Gifts: One of the ministries that our St. Paul Youth has continued over the years is collecting aluminum can donations from our St. Paul congregation.  Bob and Nancy Matthews have supported this ministry by taking and selling the cans to a local recycling facility.  During the 2025 calendar year, $221.35 was raised.  Noah Rabezanany and Gabriel Rabezanany, two of our youth, thoughtfully selected the following ELCA Good Gift items from the 2025 Christmas ELCA Good Gifts catalog: 1 goat with a flock of chicks; 2 water filters; school supplies for 3 children; 5 backpacks stocked with food; and serving 10 people at a feeding ministry.  The order was submitted to ELCA on Dec. 8th.  The funds raised will be matched by ELCA through their end-of-year campaign.  Thank you to everyone who participates by bringing in aluminum cans for recycling.    ~Peggy Burnett

New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Begins in January. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who will lead a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). Please let us know by the end of November so we can order materials in early December. ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

Thank You! to everyone who made the potlucks for the Congregational Meeting and Wednesday’s Advent Service so successful! Setup, takedown, and delicious dishes—you know who you are! We couldn’t do it without you. ~Deborah Ash

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. Pet food is also needed. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Five Barrels Full: Since the call went out mid-October to fill both Storehouse barrels by Thanksgiving, they actually picked up five barrels of food for both people and pets at St. Paul. Thank you for your generosity! ~Deborah Ash

A Thank You to St. Paul:

Thank you for your generous gift of $500 to the Storehouse New Mexico FACE (Feeding Area Children Every Day) campaign in partnership with Sandia Federal Area Credit Union. Your support is deeply appreciated, especially during a time when the need in our community has reached unprecedented levels. On behalf of our team and the neighbors we serve, thank you for standing with us. Your kindness and compassion are a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. We’re truly grateful to have you as a part of our community. Sincerely, Amy Lavender, VP Development & Danee Gallegos, Development Coordinator

From Local Partner Organizations

Next Sunday, December 21 at 2pm here at St. Paul: The New Mexico Brass Quintet. The Quintet will be playing quite a variety, from Mozart, Tchaikovsky, to jazz arrangements and music from Star Trek and Star Wars—plus the Grinch song for the little ones attending. The concert is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there! ~Jeffrey Piper, Director

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

This month RMS is praying for our Companion Synod in Madagascar: Gracious God, we give thanks for our companion partners in Madagascar — the Mahajanga Synod, the Antsiranana Synod, the Sambava Synod, the Sofia Synod, and Betela Seminary. Bless their ministry, strengthen their witness, and deepen our mutual partnership in the gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

This week: Join ELCA AMMPARO for a teach-in about Immigration Activism. Stories about immigrants, refugees, borders, and deportation are in our news daily and impact our lives and communities in deeply personal ways. How can we take meaningful action in our communities? We will share some ideas. Join Women of the ELCA as they host a webinar with ELCA AMMPARO, Wednesday, December 17 at 6pm Central. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wzA-gDjNRw6UgCMi8Li-Vw#/registration

Today:  It's Advent again, and you may notice that the scripture readings for worship for these weeks will be heavily concerned about prophesy. And this raises perennial questions: What is prophecy? Who are the prophets? Was Jesus a prophet? Is there still prophesy today? Join the Adult Faith Development class this Advent as we explore prophecy and prophets. The conversation will be stimulating, and we may even come up with some surprising answers. The class meets after service today and Dec. 21. Bring your questions and curiosity. We'll take all of them seriously. ~Bob Matthews

For mid-week Advent worship & fellowship we’ll join with our partners of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church (211 Jefferson St. NE, ABQ) this Thursday, 18 December at 6pm. The evening will begin with a brief worship service using the Salt Project’s resource MAGNIFY: Mary’s Song and the Magnificent Women of Advent, and followed with a soup supper.  So please bring your favorite soup or bread to share.  A sign-up board is in the Welcome Center. ~In peace, hope, love & joy, Pr. Koppel & Worship & Music

Today: Adopted Families Christmas Tree of Giving. All gifts (labeled by name and number) should be returned today, 14 December.  Thank you, thank you, thank you. We are awed by the incredible generosity shown by this community, especially this year. ~Dana M, Paula E, Cheri P

Assisting Ministers and Communion Assistants: For those of you currently on the schedule: I will be making the new schedule very soon. Please notify me no later than Monday Dec 22 of any dates or specific requests for scheduling. WE ALWAYS WELCOME NEW WORSHIP ASSISTANTS.  If you are interested in serving as a communion assistant or assisting minister, please notify me by Sunday, Dec 21. I will be making a new schedule and it is a perfect time to get on board. Training provided!  ~Peace, Terry Cole (tecole51@comcast.net 505-362-3775)

This Friday-from Calico Butterfly Preschool:

God’s Work Our Hands: For our December project, we are collecting donations toward Friends Feeding Friends’ First Thursday meal at HopeWorks on 1 January 2026. On your check to St. Paul, please put “FFF January” in the memo line. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

Christmas Cards for our Homebound. In the weeks to come we will have several enlarged Christmas Cards in the Welcome Center for every congregation member to sign. These cards will go to our HOMEBOUND. A holiday greeting from folks known and unknown will be such a treat to the few homebound we have to honor. The picture of the sanctuary will bring them closer to the season with memories dear to each one. Please, even if you do not recognize or know the person the card is for, take a moment in the next few weeks to write a warm holiday greeting. The cards will be delivered by our Visitation Ministers in December when visits are scheduled. Thank you for your participation. ~Pr. Koppel, Julie Ambrogi, Diane Remer-Thamert, Teresa Dubuque, Nancy Jenkins, Kay Fulton, Herb Korff.

ELCA Good Gifts: One of the ministries that our St. Paul Youth has continued over the years is collecting aluminum can donations from our St. Paul congregation.  Bob and Nancy Matthews have supported this ministry by taking and selling the cans to a local recycling facility.  During the 2025 calendar year, $221.35 was raised.  Noah Rabezanany and Gabriel Rabezanany, two of our youth, thoughtfully selected the following ELCA Good Gift items from the 2025 Christmas ELCA Good Gifts catalog: 1 goat with a flock of chicks; 2 water filters; school supplies for 3 children; 5 backpacks stocked with food; and serving 10 people at a feeding ministry.  The order was submitted to ELCA on Dec. 8th.  The funds raised will be matched by ELCA through their end-of-year campaign.  Thank you to everyone who participates by bringing in aluminum cans for recycling.    ~Peggy Burnett

New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Begins in January. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who will lead a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). Please let us know by the end of November so we can order materials in early December. ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

Thank You! to everyone who made the potlucks for the Congregational Meeting and Wednesday’s Advent Service so successful! Setup, takedown, and delicious dishes—you know who you are! We couldn’t do it without you. ~Deborah Ash

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. Pet food is also needed. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Five Barrels Full: Since the call went out mid-October to fill both Storehouse barrels by Thanksgiving, they actually picked up five barrels of food for both people and pets at St. Paul. Thank you for your generosity! ~Deborah Ash

A Thank You to St. Paul:

Thank you for your generous gift of $500 to the Storehouse New Mexico FACE (Feeding Area Children Every Day) campaign in partnership with Sandia Federal Area Credit Union. Your support is deeply appreciated, especially during a time when the need in our community has reached unprecedented levels. On behalf of our team and the neighbors we serve, thank you for standing with us. Your kindness and compassion are a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. We’re truly grateful to have you as a part of our community. Sincerely, Amy Lavender, VP Development & Danee Gallegos, Development Coordinator

From Local Partner Organizations

Next Sunday, December 21 at 2pm here at St. Paul: The New Mexico Brass Quintet. The Quintet will be playing quite a variety, from Mozart, Tchaikovsky, to jazz arrangements and music from Star Trek and Star Wars—plus the Grinch song for the little ones attending. The concert is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there! ~Jeffrey Piper, Director

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

This month RMS is praying for our Companion Synod in Madagascar: Gracious God, we give thanks for our companion partners in Madagascar — the Mahajanga Synod, the Antsiranana Synod, the Sambava Synod, the Sofia Synod, and Betela Seminary. Bless their ministry, strengthen their witness, and deepen our mutual partnership in the gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

This week: Join ELCA AMMPARO for a teach-in about Immigration Activism. Stories about immigrants, refugees, borders, and deportation are in our news daily and impact our lives and communities in deeply personal ways. How can we take meaningful action in our communities? We will share some ideas. Join Women of the ELCA as they host a webinar with ELCA AMMPARO, Wednesday, December 17 at 6pm Central. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wzA-gDjNRw6UgCMi8Li-Vw#/registration

Updates Beginning 7 December 2025

Today, 7 December is our Congregational Meeting & Potluck in Fellowship Hall after worship. The main dish will be provided; please bring a side dish or dessert to share. We will be voting on the 2026 budget. Please plan to attend. ~Pr. Koppel

For mid-week Advent worship & fellowship we’ll join with our partners of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church (211 Jefferson St. NE, ABQ).  This Wednesday, 10 December we’ll meet at St. Paul at 6pm. On Thursday, 18 December we’ll meet at St. Timothy’s at 6pm. The evening will begin with a brief worship service using the Salt Project’s resource MAGNIFY: Mary’s Song and the Magnificent Women of Advent, and followed with a soup supper.  So please bring your favorite soup or bread to share.  A sign-up board is in the Welcome Center. ~In peace, hope, love & joy, Pr. Koppel & Worship & Music

Christmas Cards for our Homebound. In the weeks to come we will have several enlarged Christmas Cards in the Welcome Center for every congregation member to sign. These cards will go to our HOMEBOUND. A holiday greeting from folks known and unknown will be such a treat to the few homebound we have to honor. The picture of the sanctuary will bring them closer to the season with memories dear to each one. Please, even if you do not recognize or know the person the card is for, take a moment in the next few weeks to write a warm holiday greeting. The cards will be delivered by our Visitation Ministers in December when visits are scheduled. Thank you for your participation. ~Pr. Koppel, Julie Ambrogi, Diane Remer-Thamert, Teresa Dubuque, Nancy Jenkins, Kay Fulton, Herb Korff.

God’s Work Our Hands: For our December project, we are collecting donations toward Friends Feeding Friends’ First Thursday meal at HopeWorks on 1 January 2026. On your check to St. Paul, please put “FFF January” in the memo line. Thank you! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Adopted Families Christmas Tree of Giving. Thank you, thank you, thank you.  All gifts have already been chosen from the tree. We are awed by the incredible generosity shown by this community, especially this year.
           Please return all gifts (labeled by name and number) by next Sunday, December 14th. ~Dana M, Paula E, Cheri P

From Calico Butterfly Preschool:

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Begins in January. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who will lead a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul 

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). Please let us know by the end of November so we can order materials in early December. ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. Pet food is also needed. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

From Local Partner Organizations

Today:

This Friday & Saturday:

Dear St. Paul community,
As a thank you to the congregation Coro Lux would like to offer $5 off any ticket price for our upcoming holiday concert(s) titled "Go Out In Joy!" The concerts will take place in the sanctuary of St. Paul on Friday, December 12th at 7 pm and Saturday, December 13th at 4 pm. Both concerts are identical.
          The program will be a varied one, including the 50-voices of Coro Lux, the El Faro Youth Chorus, carol sing-alongs, selections from Handel's Messiah and readings of Christmas poetry.
          For more information, and to buy tickets, go here: https://abqcorolux.org and enter the code SPLC1225 to get $5 off any ticket.
          Thank you, as always, for your hospitality and we hope to see you there! ~Brad Ellingboe

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

View Bishop Meghan’s November message at: vimeo.com/1140984888

ELCA AMMPARO has been involved in a new coalition called Free Families which is specifically looking at focusing attention on the detention of families. Amid so many horrific accounts of violent and illegal activities against immigrants, we are working to be sure that people know that once again children and their parents are being incarcerated.
          Free Families has generated resources specifically geared to raising awareness around the incarceration of children and families with resources for vigils and protests, advocacy and worship. On Thursday, December 11, at 6pm MT, these resources and the need for this focus will be the focus of a national gathering where we are collecting faith leaders to be willing to be part of raising awareness that once again children and their primary caregivers are being held in detention. Here is a link to register: https://detentionwatchnetwork.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/detentionwatchnetwork/event.jsp?event=500&

Updates Beginning 30 November 2025

Today:  It's Advent again, and you may notice that the scripture readings for worship for the next few weeks will be heavily concerned about prophesy. And this raises perennial questions: What is prophecy? Who are the prophets? Was Jesus a prophet? Is there still prophesy today? Join the Adult Faith Development class this Advent as we explore prophecy and prophets. The conversation will be stimulating, and we may even come up with some surprising answers. The class meets after the Sunday service on Nov. 30, Dec 14, and Dec. 21 (no class on Dec. 7 because of the congregational meeting). Bring your questions and curiosity. We'll take all of them seriously. ~Bob Matthews, for the AFD Team

Starting this week: Advent is a contemplative season preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, held in hopeful anticipation of his promised return.   Liturgically it is the four Sundays before Christmas, this year beginning today.  For these Sundays we’ll focus on SUMUD.  Firstly, it’s a single Arabic word that means steadfastness, resilience, enduring, and persevering through hardship and adversity.  Secondly, it’s our denomination’s response to occupation and injustice in Palestine and Israel.  Check out https://www.elca.org/our-work/publicly-engaged-church/sumud for more information.
For mid-week worship & fellowship we’ll join with our partners of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church (211 Jefferson St. NE, ABQ).  On the 4th and 18th of December (Thursdays) at 6pm we’ll meet at St. Timothy’s.  On the 10th (Wednesday) also at 6pm we’ll meet at St. Paul.  The evening will begin with a brief worship service using the Salt Project’s resource MAGNIFY: Mary’s Song and the Magnificent Women of Advent, and followed with a soup supper.  So please bring your favorite soup or bread to share.  A sign-up board is in the Welcome Center. ~In peace, hope, love & joy, Pr. Koppel & Worship & Music

This week: First Tuesday is December 2nd at HOPS at 7222 4th Street, 4-6pm.  This is just a social time for anyone associated with St. Paul.  We had a great turnout last month so will meet again at the same place to catch up on the news and get to know each other a little better.  See you then! ~Nancy Matthews

Mark Your Calendars: Next Sunday, 7 December is our Congregational Meeting & Potluck in Fellowship Hall after worship. The main dish will be provided; please bring a side dish or dessert to share. We will be voting on the 2026 budget. Please plan to attend. ~Pr. Koppel

Donations for the Parouse Family. A few weeks ago I called your attention to the announcement about the pastor in Madagascar whose house burned down (see in RMS/ELCA section below). If you are planning to give, go to the RMS website and click on the  giving button...then select Seeds of Hope and put Pastor Parouse in the message part. We would like to send those donations soon. ~Terry Cole for the RMS Companion Synod committee. 

Christmas Cards for our Homebound. In the weeks to come we will have several enlarged Christmas Cards in the Welcome Center for every congregation member to sign. These cards will go to our HOMEBOUND. A holiday greeting from folks known and unknown will be such a treat to the few homebound we have to honor. The picture of the sanctuary will bring them closer to the season with memories dear to each one. Please, even if you do not recognize or know the person the card is for, take a moment in the next few weeks to write a warm holiday greeting. The cards will be delivered by our Visitation Ministers in December when visits are scheduled. Thank you for your participation. ~Pr. Koppel, Julie Ambrogi, Diane Remer-Thamert, Teresa Dubuque, Nancy Jenkins, Kay Fulton, Herb Korff.

Adopted Families Tree of Giving. It’s time again to do our Christmas helping project for adopted families. The tree is up and ready for you to pick special items or gift cards for our families. Sign the sheet with name and phone # so we can easily keep track. The recommended gift card/gift price range is $25.
          Please return all gifts (wrapped and labeled with the tracking tag attached) by Sunday Dec. 14th. That is only 4 weeks…. We add household necessities—(soap, detergent, toilet paper ) to further make a difference.
          This year we carry out this project in memory of Kay Schoenefeld who developed and led this for years. Let us remember her and make her proud. ~Dana M, Paula E, Cheri P

Kitchen Renovation Countertop Selection. Please select your choice for the new countertop from those on the table in the Welcome Center. There are four choices from which to select-please vote only once. ~Jolene Gallegos

Free Glassware from Kitchen Supply Room. Thanks to Julie Ambrogi and Dana Mullen we cleared out the Kitchen Supply Room in Fellowship Hall.  There were some extra items that we have plenty of already. These are free to take In the Welcome Center. Any remaining items will go to secondhand stores or given to Adopted Families. ~Jolene Gallegos

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Begins in January. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who will lead a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). Please let us know by the end of November so we can order materials in early December. ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. Pet food is also needed. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

From Local Partner Organizations

Proceeds from the Peter Mayer concert will benefit First U’s community programs to better the lives of our neighbors. Hope you can join us. The QR codes for the tiered ticket links are on the flyer, or you can go to First U’s Giving Page at www.tinyURL.com/2fmuh7p4.

Dear St. Paul community,
As a thank you to the congregation Coro Lux would like to offer $5 off any ticket price for our upcoming holiday concert(s) titled "Go Out In Joy!" The concerts will take place in the sanctuary of St. Paul on Friday, December 12th at 7 pm and Saturday, December 13th at 4 pm. Both concerts are identical.
          The program will be a varied one, including the 50-voices of Coro Lux, the El Faro Youth Chorus, carol sing-alongs, selections from Handel's Messiah and readings of Christmas poetry.
          For more information, and to buy tickets, go here: https://abqcorolux.org and enter the code SPLC1225 to get $5 off any ticket.
          Thank you, as always, for your hospitality and we hope to see you there! ~Brad Ellingboe 

New Mexico Women’s Global Pathways and its fiscal sponsor the Immigrant and Refugee Resource Village of Albuquerque needs support to continue to provide services for at very high risk families receiving skills training at the Ubuntu Village in a safe environment. The village serves immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, unhoused people street dwellers and at very high risk locals including the unhoused. To learn more and contribute: www.irrva.org.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

From ELCA AMMPARO: Faithful Resistance: Fighting the Sin of Dehumanization.
They are hard to miss. “Invasion“, “Animals“, “Illegals” … We hear these words all the time, whether on the news or in the comment section, used to describe migrants and other marginalized groups.
          These words are used for a reason. They are designed to make us afraid, to make us numb, and to make us see a “problem” instead of a person. They build walls between “us” and “them.”
          As people of faith, we have to be honest: this isn’t just a political debate. It’s a spiritual one. The way we talk about and treat the marginalized is a gut-check for our faith. When we see people being systematically dehumanized, we are called to do more than just feel bad. We are called to resist.
Read the full blog post by Raed AbuJries, Program Manager, AMMPARO US Network, Education and Communications at:
https://blogs.elca.org/ammparo/faithful-resistance-fighting-the-sin-of-dehumanization/

Go to www.rmselca.org, scroll down to the lower right corner to the “Give” button, then select Seeds of Hope Fund from the dropdown menu.

Advent Resources:

ELCA World Hunger: Advent 2025-A Stable Lamp is Lighted. Calendar and study guide. https://www.elca.org/our-work/relief-and-development/elca-world-hunger/wh-advent

Lutheran Summer Music Academy

Join us each day this Advent, from November 30 to December 24, for a musical meditation. Selections will be shared on LSM’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages and archived at LSMacademy.org/acal.

Luther Seminary: Use this link to get your free Advent Devotional: https://www.luthersem.edu/resources/advent-devotional-2025/

Updates Beginning 23 November 2025

Today:  Immediately following worship, please return to the Sanctuary for our informational meeting on the proposed 2026 SPLC and Calico budgets. Please bring your refreshments along. Copies of the budgets will be available. We look forward to seeing you there. ~The Finance Team

Mark Your Calendars: Sunday, 7 December is our Congregational Meeting & Potluck in Fellowship Hall. The main dish will be provided. We will be voting on the 2026 budgets. Please plan to attend. ~Pr. Koppel

Advent is a contemplative season preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, held in hopeful anticipation of his promised return.   Liturgically it is the four Sundays before Christmas, this year beginning on 30 November.  For these Sundays we’ll focus on SUMUD.  Firstly, it’s a single Arabic word that means steadfastness, resilience, enduring, and persevering through hardship and adversity.  Secondly, it’s our denomination’s response to occupation and injustice in Palestine and Israel.  Check out https://www.elca.org/our-work/publicly-engaged-church/sumud for more information.
For mid-week worship & fellowship we’ll join with our partners of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church (211 Jefferson St. NE, ABQ).  On the 4th and 18th of December (Thursdays) at 6pm we’ll meet at St. Timothy’s.  On the 10th (Wednesday) also at 6pm we’ll meet at St. Paul.  The evening will begin with a brief worship service using the Salt Project’s resource MAGNIFY: Mary’s Song and the Magnificent Women of Advent, and followed with a soup supper.  So please bring your favorite soup or bread to share.  A sign-up board is in the Welcome Center. ~In peace, hope, love & joy, Pr. Koppel & Worship & Music

Christmas Cards for our Homebound. In the weeks to come we will have several enlarged Christmas Cards in the Welcome Center for every congregation member to sign. These cards will go to our HOMEBOUND. A holiday greeting from folks known and unknown will be such a treat to the few homebound we have to honor. The picture of the sanctuary will bring them closer to the season with memories dear to each one. Please, even if you do not recognize or know the person the card is for, take a moment in the next few weeks to write a warm holiday greeting. The cards will be delivered by our Visitation Ministers in December when visits are scheduled. Thank you for your participation. ~Pr. Koppel, Julie Ambrogi, Diane Remer-Thamert, Teresa Dubuque, Nancy Jenkins, Kay Fulton, Herb Korff.

Adopted Families Tree of Giving. It’s time again to do our Christmas helping project for adopted families. The tree is up and ready for you to pick special items or gift cards for our families. Sign the sheet with name and phone # so we can easily keep track. The recommended gift card/gift price range is $25.
          Please return all gifts (wrapped and labeled with the tracking tag attached) by Sunday Dec. 14th. That is only 4 weeks…. We add household necessities—(soap, detergent, toilet paper ) to further make a difference.
          This year we carry out this project in memory of Kay Schoenefeld who developed and led this for years. Let us remember her and make her proud. ~Dana M, Paula E, Cheri P

First Tuesday is December 2nd at HOPS at 7222 4th Street, 4-6pm.  This is just a social time for anyone associated with St. Paul.  We had a great turnout last month so will meet again at the same place to catch up on the news and get to know each other a little better.  See you then! ~Nancy Matthews

New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Begins in January. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who will lead a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). Please let us know by the end of November so we can order materials in early December. ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

Thank you to all the folks that helped clean up the Church Campus on Saturday 15 November. We pulled weeds, picked up trash and worked on raking leaves that had fallen on the north and east sides of the church. So much trash and weeds that we filled up the trash receptacle. A great group of volunteers! We appreciate you: Jan Bowers, Peggy Burnett, Michael Chochol, Teresa Dubuque, Jim Graff, Casey Jelsema, Dave Kelly, Dana Mullen, and Matt Pettersen. ~Jolene Gallegos

Food for those in need: Can you believe 25% of our population needs food?  When you shop, pick up some extra cans or dry goods and put them in the Storehouse barrels when you enter the sanctuary. There is no better way to thank God for all we have been given. ~Nancy Matthews

Thank you to all who supported Luther House/Open Table’s Friendsgiving on Thursday! There were some 25 in attendance. Pastor Rhonda wrote: I’m so pleased at how it all went! Thank you so much for all the organizing, cooking, participating, advocating, and support! We brought 14 sides and desserts, thanks to: Jan, Kristi, Mandy, Molly, Peggy, Sharon and Teresa. A wonderful God’s Work Our Hands project for November! ~Deborah Ash & Nancy Jenkins

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

From Local Partner Organizations

Today:

Next Sunday:

Proceeds from the Peter Mayer concert will benefit First U’s community programs to better the lives of our neighbors. Hope you can join us. The QR codes for the tiered ticket links are on the flyer, or you can go to First U’s Giving Page at www.tinyURL.com/2fmuh7p4.

Dear St. Paul community,
As a thank you to the congregation Coro Lux would like to offer $5 off any ticket price for our upcoming holiday concert(s) titled "Go Out In Joy!" The concerts will take place in the sanctuary of St. Paul on Friday, December 12th at 7 pm and Saturday, December 13th at 4 pm. Both concerts are identical.
          The program will be a varied one, including the 50-voices of Coro Lux, the El Faro Youth Chorus, carol sing-alongs, selections from Handel's Messiah and readings of Christmas poetry.
          For more information, and to buy tickets, go here: https://abqcorolux.org and enter the code SPLC1225 to get $5 off any ticket.
          Thank you, as always, for your hospitality and we hope to see you there! ~Brad Ellingboe

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA

RMS Sumud. As RMS Sumud continues to further our purpose, which is to respond to occupation and injustice in Palestine and Israel through accompaniment, advocacy and awareness-raising with our partners in the Holy Land and in the ELCA, we offer the following:

Participate in RMS Sumud: To attend an upcoming RMS Sumud planning session this Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. MDT, simply join us at: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4943729991?pwd=QStqR0VsRWJ5UGwzUlUycGQ5K29RZz09#success
***Please note that this one requires a passcode, which is Lutheran.
     Questions? Please call or text Rebecca Aardahl at (701) 527-4342.

From ELCA AMMPARO: Faithful Resistance: Fighting the Sin of Dehumanization.
They are hard to miss. “Invasion“, “Animals“, “Illegals” … We hear these words all the time, whether on the news or in the comment section, used to describe migrants and other marginalized groups.
          These words are used for a reason. They are designed to make us afraid, to make us numb, and to make us see a “problem” instead of a person. They build walls between “us” and “them.”
          As people of faith, we have to be honest: this isn’t just a political debate. It’s a spiritual one. The way we talk about and treat the marginalized is a gut-check for our faith. When we see people being systematically dehumanized, we are called to do more than just feel bad. We are called to resist.
Read the full blog post by Raed AbuJries, Program Manager, AMMPARO US Network, Education and Communications at:
https://blogs.elca.org/ammparo/faithful-resistance-fighting-the-sin-of-dehumanization/

Go to www.rmselca.org, scroll down to the lower right corner to the “Give” button, then select Seeds of Hope Fund from the dropdown menu.

Updates Beginning 16 November 2025

Today's Adult Faith Development is on Gaza. After the service, join iusti remer-thamert in conversation about the current situation in Gaza. There has been much speculation whether the current ceasefire will hold and whether the other phases of its implementation will move ahead. What are the ceasefire's implications on the West Bank which continues to be a site of increasing land theft and settler violence? iusti is in no way an expert but has been following the situation in Gaza and the West Bank and will update with what they know. Your own knowledge and analysis is equally appreciated. ~The AFD Team

Today: Kitchen Mini-Makeover.  We have been working on an estimate to do a Mini-Makeover in the Fellowship Hall Kitchen.  Initially we thought "just replace the counters".  But one thing has led to another!  Please, if you are interested in this project, grab your refreshments right after worship today and return to the Sanctuary.  Learn about the plan, the 3 estimates (with different cabinet options), and plan for funding.   Consider too giving a special gift towards this project.  See you soon!  ~Jolene Gallegos & Pr. Koppel

November’s God’s Work Our Hands project: helping with Luther House/ Open Table’s Friendsgiving event this Thursday, November 20th, 5-7:30pm. Please see the signup sheet in the Welcome Center to provide sides or desserts (perhaps your special green bean casserole??). Please drop off your food item by 4:30 that day; hot dishes should come ready to serve. We will transport them to Luther House. They anticipate needing 30 servings and are providing the turkey.
And a big “Thank You!” to our office volunteers (Sharon Hamilton, Nancy Jenkins and Molly Kraft) who helped provide Thursday’s Open Table meal at Luther House! ~Deborah Ash

Advent is a contemplative season preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, held in hopeful anticipation of his promised return.   Liturgically it is the four Sundays before Christmas, this year beginning on 30 November.  For these Sundays we’ll focus on SUMUD.  Firstly, it’s a single Arabic word that means steadfastness, resilience, enduring, and persevering through hardship and adversity.  Secondly, it’s our denomination’s response to occupation and injustice in Palestine and Israel.  Check out https://www.elca.org/our-work/publicly-engaged-church/sumud for more information.
For mid-week worship & fellowship we’ll join with our partners of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church (211 Jefferson St. NE, ABQ).  On the 4th and 18th (Thursdays) at 6pm we’ll meet at St. Timothy’s.  On the 10th (Wednesday) also at 6pm we’ll meet at St. Paul.  The evening will begin with a brief worship service using the Salt Project’s resource MAGNIFY: Mary’s Song and the Magnificent Women of Advent, and followed with a soup supper.  So please bring your favorite soup or bread to share.  A sign-up board is in the Welcome Center. ~In peace, hope, love & joy, Pr. Koppel and the Worship & Music Team

Christmas Cards for our Homebound. In the weeks to come we will have several enlarged Christmas Cards in the Welcome Center for every congregation member to sign. These cards will go to our HOMEBOUND. A holiday greeting from folks known and unknown will be such a treat to the few homebound we have to honor. The picture of the sanctuary will bring them closer to the season with memories dear to each one. Please, even if you do not recognize or know the person the card is for, take a moment in the next few weeks to write a warm holiday greeting. The cards will be delivered by our Visitation Ministers in December when visits are scheduled. Thank you for your participation. ~Pr. Koppel, Julie Ambrogi, Diane Remer-Thamert, Teresa Dubuque, Nancy Jenkins, Kay Fulton, Herb Korff.

Adopted Families Tree of Giving. It’s time again to do our Christmas helping project for adopted families. The tree is up and ready for you to pick special items or gift cards for our families. Sign the sheet with name and phone # so we can easily keep track. The recommended gift card/gift price range is $25.
          Please return all gifts (wrapped and labeled with the tracking tag attached) by Sunday Dec. 14th. That is only 4 weeks…. We add household necessities—(soap, detergent, toilet paper ) to further make a difference.
          This year we carry out this project in memory of Kay Schoenefeld who developed and led this for years. Let us remember her and make her proud. ~Dana M, Paula E, Cheri P

Kitchen Storage Cleanup. Dana Mullen, Julie Ambrogi and Jolene Gallegos assisted in cleaning out the Kitchen Supply Room in Friendship Hall.  It is currently being cleaned out due to need for multi-use space.  Items to consider to take, or if you have stake in any items that have been stored for years include: dishware, reception plates, punch bowls, cake platters, glass cups. Our intention is save the quantity necessary for use and re-home / donate excess items not being used. Please contact Jolene by November 20th. ~Respectfully, The Clean up Crew

Fellowship Hall Closets. Items from the far southwest corner kitchen supply closet will be moved to the closet near the Kitchen, as that room has mostly cleared out.  Calico Butterfly School is running out of storage space downstairs for Pre-K training supplies and various miscellaneous items and will be utilizing the southwest closet for storage.
          Again, If you are looking for toilet paper, soap, paper towels, cleaning items, as well as the portable PA system, please know that these will be now stored in the Kitchen Supplies room next to the kitchen by November 20th. ~Thank you, Jolene Gallegos, Facilities Coordinator

Sound Equipment Team. We have a lovely collection of portable Sound Equipment (digital piano, amplifier, speakers, mics, etc.).  One of my favorite uses is for our 5pm Christmas Eve Service on the Labyrinth (with fire pits and hot chocolate!).  Interested in learning how to set it up and/or like to schlep somewhat heavy components?  Please let me know soon and we'll gather all interested and have a few practice sessions!  ~Pr. Koppel

Visiting today? Please fill out a “Welcome” card in your pew so we can get to know you! ~Pr. Koppel

New Bible Study on the Book of Matthew Begins in January. Interested in learning more about the book of Matthew? Join other members of St. Paul and Pastor Kristi Koppel, who will lead a new hybrid Bible Study (available both via ZOOM and in person at St. Paul) based on the Books of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Bible Study participants will receive study guides.

When: 1:30 pm every Thursday from January 8 through February 26
Where: Online via ZOOM or in person at St. Paul 

If you are interested in this Bible Study, please email or call the St. Paul office (info@stpaulabq.org or 505 242-5942) or email or message Sally Trigg (sallydtrigg@gmail.com or 575 613-3722). Please let us know by the end of November so we can order materials in early December. ~ Thanks, Sally Trigg

Would it be possible to fill both barrels before Thanksgiving?? There are two barrels belonging to The Storehouse waiting to be filled with food items for those who need help with shopping. Thanksgiving is coming and many folks will not have enough food for the day, much less for a celebration. We have more than we need. Why don't we fill those barrels with canned fruits, canned vegetables, pastas, canned meats and fish, peanut butter, canned soups - anything that is shelf safe? Don't forget a treat or two! Thanks! ~Nancy Matthews

Prayer Shawls. Thank you to everyone who has been helping to fill up our prayer shawl basket! Shawls will be blessed in December. ~Sharon Hamilton

Spreading the Word about St. Paul’s Ministry Groups. Are you ever frustrated when trying to remember the names of all the vibrant ministries at St. Paul for yourself or for an interested newcomer? Beyond the name of each ministry, what are its purpose, activities, and information contact? We are working to provide answers to these questions.
          St. Paul is launching a new project to gather information about our ministries and to create a booklet/brochure with essential information, such as each ministry’s purpose, meeting times, activities, etc. We will be reaching out to leaders in each group to gather information, so you may soon be asked for a short online or in-person meeting to tell your ministry’s story. We hope to have a new booklet or brochure ready in early 2026.
          Thank you for all you do for St. Paul and for helping us to SPREAD THE WORD! ~Sally Trigg, sallydtrigg@gmail.com, 575 613 3722 (email or text)

From Local Partner Organizations

Tomorrow:

For more information, contact Ivan Westergaard, 505-903-2351, or Mary Graves, 651-894-2743.

This Thursday:

Next Sunday:

Dear St. Paul community,
As a thank you to the congregation Coro Lux would like to offer $5 off any ticket price for our upcoming holiday concert(s) titled "Go Out In Joy!" The concerts will take place in the sanctuary of St. Paul on Friday, December 12th at 7 pm and Saturday, December 13th at 4 pm. Both concerts are identical.
          The program will be a varied one, including the 50-voices of Coro Lux, the El Faro Youth Chorus, carol sing-alongs, selections from Handel's Messiah and readings of Christmas poetry.
          For more information, and to buy tickets, go here: https://abqcorolux.org and enter the code SPLC1225 to get $5 off any ticket.
          Thank you, as always, for your hospitality and we hope to see you there! ~Brad Ellingboe

Proceeds from the concert will benefit First U’s community programs to better the lives of our neighbors. Hope you can join us, and share this invitation with your congregations. The QR codes for the tiered ticket links are on the flyer, or you can go to First U’s Giving Page at www.tinyURL.com/2fmuh7p4.

Time To Order Your Luminarias! Every season since 1981, Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program students and families fold, assemble, and sell thousands of dozens of luminarias across the Albuquerque metro area. Proceeds support AYSP's symphonic music education programs in our vibrant community that serve approximately 450 students annually in grades 4-12 from the Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia Counties. They are priced at $12 per dozen.
          Order your luminarias online by November 22 for delivery to your home or business on December 6 (minimum order for delivery is 4 dozen). You may purchase fewer than 4 dozen and simply pick them up on December 13 at the AYSP building. Either way, you may place your order online at: www.aysmusic.org/luminarias/. If you would rather place your order by phone, you may call the AYSP office during business hours at (505) 875-1319.

From the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA