On the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Graisbury Avenue in Audubon, New Jersey, Audubon United Methodist Church has long served as a neighborhood congregation rooted in Christian hospitality, scripture and outreach. Today the church is known as a place where a young pastor and his family are building friendships alongside long-standing members, where the same sanctuary hosts both a contemporary ensemble and a traditional chancel choir, and where a Wednesday night Zoom gathering called Comfort Food has become one of its most beloved weekly rhythms.
A Pastor's Family Joins Audubon
Audubon United Methodist Church's pastor is Garrett M. Gouveia, a graduate of Liberty University who is currently licensed as a Local Pastor with the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. Audubon is his first church. He arrived with his wife Alexandra, called Ally, and their three children, Dakota, Declan and Daisy Jane. He describes how the journey began with a ride he gave his wife to church, an experience he calls a divine appointment that eventually led him to seminary and pastoral leadership. Before coming to Audubon he served as a youth leader and as a hospital and hospice chaplain.
Office hours for Pastor Garrett are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. The administrative assistant, Linda Holonia, a member of the church for more than 30 years, keeps the office running Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Music for both worship styles is led by Kenneth R. Carson, a Rowan University graduate whose major instrument is oboe and who minors in pipe organ.
Sunday Mornings: Worship and Christian Education
Sunday mornings at Audubon United Methodist Church are designed to draw every age into the life of the congregation. Sunday School begins at 9:00 a.m. for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, for pre-teens and teens, and for adults. The adult Seekers class meets year-round in person at the church building and is also open on Zoom (meeting ID 732-520-3940). Children's and youth Sunday School runs September through June.
Worship follows at 10:20 a.m. The service welcomes children, with a nursery available for those who want it and the option for younger children to stay with their families during worship. Families are encouraged to bring a small toy or quiet item to help little ones settle in. Prayer requests can be emailed to the church office by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. A contemporary service that previously ran at 9:00 a.m. is temporarily suspended.
Every Sunday morning service is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, and recordings remain on the YouTube channel under the name Audubon United Methodist Church. The service is also offered on Facebook Live for those who prefer that platform.
Worship and Music Across Two Styles
The music ministry at Audubon United Methodist Church offers something for nearly every musical taste. Ken Carson directs the Praise Worship ensemble, which leads contemporary Christian music on Sunday mornings, and the Chancel Choir, which sings hymns and anthems in many styles and genres for the traditional service. A handbell ensemble has been paused for the time being but has historically provided instrumental interludes throughout the year.
Two children's choirs are also part of the program. Children ages four through fifth grade and youth in sixth grade and up rehearse together, giving the youngest members of the church an early place in the worship life of the congregation. Membership in any of the ensembles is open to anyone, and those interested are invited to contact Ken Carson through the church office. Choir rehearsal for the chancel choir is held on Thursday evenings at 7:30.
Wednesdays on Zoom: Comfort Food
One of the most distinctive weekly rhythms at Audubon UMC is Comfort Food, an online fellowship gathering that meets on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. by Zoom. Pastor Garrett and a small group of regulars describe it as a time for light but meaningful conversation and the kind of deep storytelling that can happen when people gather without the distractions of a busy week. A Comfort Food Zoom link is posted online for newcomers. For many who live in different time zones or cannot easily get to Audubon on a weekday evening, it has become a doorway into the church's life.
Studying Scripture Together
Bible study is a fixture at Audubon UMC. The Seekers adult class meets Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour at 9:00 a.m. and again on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom, led by Bob Kondras. Sunday studies happen in person at the church; Monday studies happen on Zoom. The class works through an in-depth study of the Bible, and short six-week studies are layered in throughout the year as part of the Christian Education ministry.
The Children's Education ministry oversees the children's Sunday School and also coordinates Chats with the Children during Sunday morning worship, giving young worshipers a chance to engage with the lesson at their own level. Short-term Bible studies, the Sunday morning children's chats and the youth program all fall under the same umbrella of Christian Education.
Children, Youth and Vacation Bible School
Children and youth have a clear path through Audubon UMC. The Sunday School welcomes children from kindergarten through sixth grade and youth in pre-teen and teen years. Faith in Motion, the church's youth group, meets Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. on the third floor for students in sixth grade and up, and friends are always welcome. The group runs from September through June.
Vacation Bible School is a marquee summer event. The 2026 True North VBS is scheduled for August 17 through 21. Recent summers have featured themes built around the program's adventure-style curriculum, and highlight videos from past years are shared on the church's Facebook page.
A Book Club also meets in the Conover Parlor on select evenings, with members bringing their own current read to discuss.
Missions: A Network of Partners Near and Far
Audubon UMC underwrites a remarkable list of mission partners, including more than ten organizations that share the church's resources and prayers across the region and around the world. Locally and regionally the church supports Atlantic City Rescue Mission, the Children's Fresh Air Home, the CROP Hunger Walk, Kids Alley, Options for Women (a pregnancy care center), Ranch Hope, Urban Promise Camden and United Methodist Communities.
Methodist Hospital of Philadelphia is another long-standing partner. Abroad, the church supports CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) through missionaries Marc and Alyssa Stasio, and World Gospel Mission. Each organization is listed with a link so members and visitors can learn more or give directly.
Cancer with Hope, Scouts and a Thrift Store
Several ministries at Audubon UMC serve the wider community through long-running partnerships.
- Cancer with Hope is a monthly support group organized by Bruce Krout for those affected by cancer and their families. The group shares health information, personal experiences and occasional guest speakers. One team member is a nurse in the cancer unit at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. The group currently meets on Zoom.
- Cub Scout Pack 106 and Scouts BSA Troop 106 are sponsored by Audubon UMC. Cub Pack 106 welcomes boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade, while the linked Boy Troop and Girl Troop meet in Audubon and serve older Scouts. Both units have active Facebook pages and welcome inquiries from interested families.
- The Thrift Store at Audubon UMC opens its doors from 9:00 a.m. to noon as part of the church's weekly events calendar.
- The Audubon UMC Scholarship, in memory of Leon Walker, Jeffrey Bowen and Stephen Betts, is awarded each year to a graduating high school senior from the congregation. Recent recipients have come from across Audubon and the surrounding area.
Acts 29 and the Kindness Kommittee
The church's Vision Team organizes its outreach around five areas of focus: Community Outreach, the Kindness Kommittee, Infrastructure, Online Presence and Advertising. The name Acts 29 carries a story of its own: the book of Acts has 28 chapters, and the ACTS 29 Outreach Team frames the church's local mission as writing the next chapter of the Christian story in Audubon and the surrounding towns.
The Kindness Kommittee focuses on Christian acts of love and sharing, both inside and outside the church. Members have provided lunch for community workers and a small group of Care Callers makes regular phone calls and sends cards to those who might not otherwise hear from someone during the week. Infrastructure projects have included replacing the church's aging roof, and the team continues to look for creative ways to address parking. The Online Presence group oversees the church's livestream and media ministries for those who cannot attend in person.
Online Worship, Giving and Staying Connected
For those who cannot attend in person, Audubon United Methodist Church maintains a steady online presence. Sunday worship is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, and the YouTube channel keeps a back catalog of recent services so anyone can revisit a sermon at any time.
Giving is offered through the plate on Sunday, by mail to the office at 314 West Graisbury Avenue, Audubon, NJ 08106, or electronically through the Vanco Mobile Faith Engagement app and the church's online giving service. Vanco allows one-time gifts, recurring gifts, and the option to give from a bank account or by debit or credit card. Authorization forms for setting up automated giving are available online.
Monthly newsletters going back several years are archived, and regular updates and announcements from the pastor are posted online. The Lenten Devotions from Pastor Garrett's first season at Audubon UMC remain online and can be revisited at any time of year, as well as being shared on Facebook during Lent.