Activities
Get Involved
We are committed to providing activities for people of all ages. At High Desert we offer a wide range of activities for church members to get involved in.
Pantry Distribution
Distribution occurs on the first Friday (11am-2pm), the third Tuesday (9am-noon) and the third Thursday (1-4pm) of each month. The next food distributions are scheduled for:
Thursday October 16 from 1 pm - 4 pm
Tuesday October 21 from 9 am - 12 pm
Friday November 7 from 11 am - 2 pm **
** Friday distributions include pet food.
October Collection: Canned Veggies
November Collection: Canned Soup/Stew
Contact John Samford at (505) 870-0667 for more information.
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Feed New Mexico Kids
Please join us on Monday October 13 at 10 am in the sanctuary as we assemble
food packages for distribution to students at local schools.
Church Cookout
Please join us for our fall church cookout on Friday October 17 from 5-7 pm.
We will provide hotdogs and hamburgers (and buns) with water, lemonade and ice tea. Please bring a dish to share. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for your dish and how you can help with the cookout. This is a great opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors.
Combined Church Conference
Scheduled for October 21 at 6 pm at Grace UMC.
Recognition of Our Veterans
We want to recognize our veterans and all they have done for our country on Sunday November 9. If you are a veteran, please complete the bulletin insert (see below) and return it to either the office or Reuben.
NAME: _______________________________________________
EMAIL OR PHONE NUMBER: _______________________________________________
BRANCH OF SERVICE: _______________________________________________
SERVICE TIME: From ________________ to_________________
RANK AT TIME OF DISCHARGE: (optional) _______________________________________________
METALS & AWARDS RECEIVED: (optional) _______________________________________________
SERVED AT FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: _______________________________________________
Second Mile Giving
While Thanksgiving and Christmas are a few months away, we are already starting our holiday
preparations. There are three opportunities for Second Mile Giving during October as noted
below for helping others during the holiday season:
- THANKSGIVING BOXES
For six years, High Desert has provided Thanksgiving Boxes with full holiday meals, including turkeys, to Haven House clients. Haven House, the only domestic violence shelter in Sandoval County, offers shelter, advocacy, and counseling for women and children. To support this ministry, donations marked “Thanksgiving Boxes” will fund the purchase and assembly of the meals. - CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS
High Desert supports St. Joseph Mission School in San Fidel, serving 38 students from Acoma and Laguna Pueblos. The church provides each student with a $25–$50 Christmas gift card, allowing them to choose their own gifts. Donations marked “Christmas Gift Cards” help continue this meaningful outreach. - OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Members fill shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies, plus a $10 shipping donation, to be delivered to Grace Outreach Church on November 11 for global distribution. Participants may assemble their own box or donate $30 for one to be prepared by Patty Latter. Last year 158 boxes were collected, and this year’s goal is 160; donations should be marked “Operation Christmas Child.”
Operation Christmas Child
High Desert is once again participating in Operation Christmas Child
What to do: Fill a shoebox (any size) with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. Labels and empty boxes are available in the Narthex.
Donation: Include $10 per box (cash or check to HDUMC marked “Operation Christmas Child”) for shipping.
Deadline: Turn in shoeboxes to the church by Sunday, November 16, 2025. They will be delivered to Vision City Church the following week.
Requirements: No soap, secure each box with a rubber band, remove all packaging from items put in each shoebox, and wrap lids separately if decorating with wrapping paper.
Alternative option: If you’d like Patty Latter to shop and pack a box for you, donate $30 (covers items + shipping).
Goal: Collect 160 shoeboxes (last year’s total was 158).
Contact: Call or text Patty Latter with questions.