by Alli Newsom, Communications Director
Every year, our churches engage in outward-facing community ministries—rummage sales, trunk-or-treats, teacher appreciation events, and more. Among these time-honored traditions stands the Asbury Café, which has faithfully occupied the same little store at the New Mexico State Fair for over 60 years.

I first volunteered at the Café in the 1990s, when I was a member of Asbury UMC. “Pie season” began in the summer with fruit processing, followed by lively pie-making parties. As the children’s choir director, I was responsible for monitoring kids as they helped make pie dough. Looking back, I cringe at the thought of grubby little hands kneading crust destined for public consumption—but it was the ’90s, after all.

When I heard that the Cafe’ organizers were looking for volunteers Conference-wide, I decided to volunteer again. After donning gloves and a hat, I stepped into the pie-serving station which hasn’t changed in 35 years. Our shift manager filled us in on why there was a deep pie order back-up. Apparently, the air conditioner had dumped water on the cash register, causing chaos during the lunch rush. Working the Café has always meant dealing with the unpredictable with a smile.

At the counter, a New Mexico State Senator—also a UMC member—cheerfully congratulated customers on their pie choices: “Strawberry Blueberry! Bold move, Tracy!” Meanwhile, a retired pastor received good-natured teasing as he searched for a hair net for his beard vs showing out a la ZZ Top.

Since the pandemic, the Café no longer serves grill items. That space is now dedicated to gluten-free and nut-filled pies, along with ice cream. Extra care is taken to prevent cross-contamination, with volunteers changing gloves or designating specific servers for allergen-sensitive pies. Customers often express heartfelt gratitude for this level of care—a true example of the United Methodist practice of radical hospitality.

During my shift, a 6 foot-tall, broad-shouldered young man joined me at the pie station. He looked vaguely familiar. It turned out that he was the son of a long-time pie organizer and only a tiny boy when I last saw him. As we worked, he shared his story. Brilliant, highly educated, and eager to help others, he was struggling to find a job. His journey reflects the challenge faced by many bright young adults. Reconnecting with him reminded me of how sharing our stories in these contexts strengthens us all. I can share his story and he knows what’s become of the choir teacher who taught them all to sing “Go Tell it on the Mountain” with gusto. I hope he also knows that as his church family that continues despite time and distance, we all care deeply about who he’s become and what he does in the world.

What makes the Asbury Café (and ministries like it) so special is the way it weaves people together. It is one of the rare spaces where generations and congregations mingle, serve, and learn from one another. The young man I reconnected with, for example, chose a career in health care partly because he feels at ease with older patients—an ease cultivated through church life. Working side by side, the hands and feet of Christ, helps us to connect across boundaries and relate to one another in an ever more divided world.

The work itself is tiring and often hot and messy. But every slice of pie represents the efforts of families who grew and processed fruit, children who shaped crusts, elders who mixed fillings, bakers who stored and transported pies, and volunteers who served them with a side of ice cream and encouragement. With very few exceptions, no matter how long they may have waited for their pie, customers hold out their hands, look you in the eye and express their thanks. They are part of something bigger than the slice of pie they’re holding.

Every church has at least one ministry that unites the congregation and engages the wider community. The challenge before us is this: how do we capture the spirit of ministries like the Asbury Café—and live them out not just for a season, but year-round?

If you have a story about a ministry that touches your community and your members feel blessed to be part of it, send it to Alli Newsom: alli@nmconfum.com. Thanks for all you do.