F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

Transcription

1 F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H SENTINEL vo l. cx x x v, n o. 6 Ju n e Good Music, Good Food and Good Fun Were Had By All! Photo of the Month Congratulations to the family of Ryland & Dylan Thompson who were baptized on Sunday, April 25. They are the sons of John and Chris Thompson. Highlights Horizons by Robert 2 June Concert 3 Summer Events 3-4 Green Children 5 June Worship 6

2 Horizons by Rev. Robert English I am currently standing looking out at a horizon in my own life and ministry. This horizon seemed so far off a few years ago and it seemed as though I may never get there. The horizon that I am speaking of is being commissioned as a provisional elder in the United Methodist Church on June 20, 2010, at Annual Conference in Redlands. I began this process of ordination in November of I was just two months into my first year of seminary and I had prayerfully confirmed my call to be an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. I went through the process with wonderful mentors who challenged me in my vocation, taught me about what it means to be a minister of the church and helped me to grow in my love of God and my passion for God s people. In all of the questions, the prayer and the discernment I could feel the working of God s Spirit nurturing me. The road was not always easy. Throughout this process you deconstruct your beliefs, are challenged to defend your understanding and at points are called to bare your soul. All of this is in preparation to be a pastoral leader in a church community, to live a life of discipleship and integrity and to face life s struggles and joys with the blessed reassurance of God s love and presence. Following seminary I was appointed here to this congregation as a full time local pastor. I was given the awesome responsibility of serving with this wonderful beloved community. I have learned so much from you and could not imagine having gone through the interview process without your love, your support and all of the spiritual wisdom I have gained. I am also blessed to work with such an amazing staff who teaches me daily how we operate affectively as the church. I am grateful to serve with Rev. Camille who listened and shared in my struggles through the interview process. And finally I am so humbled and blessed to have served and learned from Rev. Patricia. Rev. Patricia is an amazing mentor and I could not have completed this portion of my life and ministry without her support. Following my commissioning I will be continuing my ministry here at First United Methodist Church for another appointment year. I look forward to continuing to grow in love and grace with you all. Peace <>< Robert Let s Celebrate! All are invited to carpool out to the University of Redlands to attend the worship service in which our own Rev. Robert English will be Commissioned. It will take place at 4 pm on Sunday, June 20, at the University Chapel. Congratulations Graduates We re so proud! Congrats to these graduating high school seniors: Eliana Pires, Paul Gritsch, Philip Wong, Shelby Pascoe, Morgan Von Buskirk, Claire Kao, Russell Madison & Hank Adleman. And, to college graduates: Kate Morar and Justin Boone. Condolences We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of these dearly departed: -Carol Martin who died on May 10. Her service was held in the Chapel on May 15. -Nancy Lee Islam, daughter of Eleanor Trickett, who died on May 7. Contributions in her memory may be given to the American Cancer Society, Melanoma Division. Thank You It s another first for FUMC! Confident cancer patient Carl Rogers completed his state-of-the-art Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) at UCLA recently, under the loving warmth of a church-made Prayer Quilt. Carl reports that, as far as anyone at UCLA knows, he was the first patient to ever receive radiation - in Carl s case for metastatic prostate cancer - under a colorful Prayer Quilt. Not only was it a blessing to know of the prayers that were tied into the quilt, says Carl, its warmth was downright comforting because they keep those rooms so darn cold [for the sake of high-tech computer-driven equipment]. It is, he adds, a gift of love I shall treasure forever. We re Connected: Child Care & Early Education The Santa Monica Child Care and Early Education Task Force serves as an advocate for parents, children and educators. The Task Force brings together families, early childhood educators, the business and academic communities, local government and other interested parties to develop awareness of and create unique and workable solutions to the care and education needs of children from birth to age fourteen. Their vision is to ensure that all families who live, work or attend school in Santa Monica have access to affordable, high quality child care and early education, and that those who provide these services are appropriately educated and compensated. Recently I began attending the Task Force s monthly meetings in an attempt to become more familiar with what the City s policies are around early childhood issues, and to offer whatever support I can. -Charleen Smith, Preschool Director We Are What We Do Action #9: Shop locally. from the book Change the World for Ten Bucks

3 A Festival of Music Don t miss this year s Summer concert on Sunday, June 6, at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary. Our FUMC Chancel Choir with the Santa Monica Concert Chorale and the Los Angeles Concert Orchestra will perform A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms. Conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein famously noted that Brahms music enriched and ennobled the world. The German Requiem certainly stands as the premier example of that sentiment. Come and hear one of the world s greatest choral masterpieces performed in the magnificent acoustics of the First United Methodist Church, sung in English, to honor Brahms wish to have his Requiem performed not in Latin but in the language of the people. A Pre-concert lecture will be offered by Kimberlea Daggy of NPR Classical Music station KUSC from 6:30 to 7 pm in Simkins Hall. Advance tickets are available through the church office (310) Suggested donation General admission: $20, Seniors and Students, $15. El Capitan: Toy Story 3 June 30, 4 pm ($20, $16 child/senior) Join us at the historic El Capitan Theater for a fabulous viewing of the much anticipated animated Toy Story 3. Hollywood Bowl: Fireworks July 16, 8:30 pm ($20) Join us at the Hollywood Bowl for this fun Warner Bros production of cartoons and music and a fireworks show. LOOKING AHEAD summer nights out Tickets for both of these events are limited. Reserve yours during Coffee Fellowship on Sundays or in the church office. Time For Some Games! The UMW annual Game Day fundraiser for missions will take place on Saturday, June 12, at 1:30 pm in the Alcove of Simkins Hall. Pies, coffee and tea will be served and various games such as Bridge, Mah Jong, Scrabble and others will be played. Prizes will be awarded! Please call Joy Williams at to reserve your spot by June 5. $10 per person. Silent Auction Dinner & Show Come out to Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center on Sunday, June 27, at 5 pm for our annual YSP Silent Auction. Dinner will be served at 6 pm with entertainment by the 2010 Youth Service Project Team featuring short films, musical acts and other talents. Groups of the church and individuals are welcome to donate items for the Silent Auction, such as gift baskets, tickets for special events, creative engagements (German home-cooked meal, anyone?), valuable treasures, or offers for services such as pet/baby-sitting, commissioned artwork, etc. The possibilities are endless. Contact Robert English for more info. Tickets for the event will be available during Coffee Hour on the two preceding Sunday mornings (June 13 & 20) and will also be available at the door. All proceeds will be used to help send this year s team to New Orleans to help in the rebuilding effort with the organization NOAH. We Are Headed Back to Camp! We had such a good time at elementary camp last year, we want to go back this year. So, once again we will be headed back to the San Diego District to Camp Cedar Glen for ReThink: Dr Suess. Campers will revisit the social principles of the United Methodist Church and how they can transform their understanding of God in their lives and their world. They will RETHINK church and its place in every area of life: nature, nurturing community, social community, economics, politics, and the world. The creative mind of Dr. Seuss will be helping us with this adventure. Horton, the Sneeches, the Lorax, and many other characters will help illuminate the love and beauty of Jesus Christ s message. For more information or to register your child, contact Rev. Camille Mattick at x104. Younger elementary: July 25-28, 2010 (Sunday through Wed morning) Who: Children entering grades 1 to 3 in the Fall Cost: $215 (scholarships available) Older elementary: July 25-31, 2010 (Sunday through Friday morning) Who: Children entering grades 4 to 6 in the Fall Cost: $315 (Scholarships available) Summer Sing-Alongs Are Coming The month of July brings our annual tradition of Summer Sing-Alongs with major choral works and guest conductors. Beginning on July 8, plan to come on all or any of the Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm to sing along with or simply enjoy listening to the beautiful music. Purchase advance tickets from the church office or pay at the door. Music scores and refreshments will be provided. (The full list of conductors and the order form are available on the church website s Music page.) VBS Is Right Around the Corner! Vacation Bible School will be August 2-6, from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm. This year s theme is Galactic Blast. The camp is open to children 4 yrs - 5th grade. Registration forms are available on our church website and in the church office. For more information, contact Claudia Flanders at claudia.flanders@gmail.com, or Camille Mattick at camille.mattick@santamonicaumc.org. F U M C S e n t i n e l - J u n e P a g e 3

4 JUNE Saturday, June 5 9 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal, S Sunday, June 6 - Children s Choir Presentation Sunday 6:30 pm Pre-Concert Lecture w/ Kimberlea Daggy, SH 7:30 pm A Festival of Music, S/SH Monday, June 7 (Church Office Closed) 9:30 am Intercessory Prayer Chain, FR Wednesday, June 9 7 pm Preschool Committee, Rm 203 Thursday, June am Rebecca Circle, FR 8 am - 5:30 pm Preschool Silent Auction Preview, Rm 101 Friday, June 11 8 am - 2:30 pm Preschool Silent Auction Preview, Rm 101 Saturday, June 12 1:30 pm UMW Game Day, SH Alcove Sunday, June 13 - UMW Sunday 9 am Shareringers Sunday School, Rm 203 Wednesday, June 16 5:30 pm Trustees, CR Thursday, June 17 - Sunday, June 20 Cal-Pac Annual Conference, University of Redlands Saturday, June 19 9 am Prayer Quilt Ministry, Rm 300 Sunday, June 20 - Laity Sunday 11 am Blood Pressure Screenings, FR Monday, June 21 (Church Office Closed) 9:30 am Intercessory Prayer Chain, FR 6:30 pm Abigail Circle & Mother s Fellowship, FR Tuesday, June 22 6 pm UBH Board Meeting, UBH Community Rm Sunday, June 27 5 pm YSP Silent Auction, Dinner & Show, SH Wednesday, June 30 4 pm Summer Nights Out: El Capitan - Toy Story 3 Church Office Hours Tues - Fri, 9 am - 5 pm Weekly at FUMC Chapel Open for Prayer Tues - Fri, 10 am - 2 pm Sundays 8:45 am Partnership with God, Rm 101 8:45 am Youth Handbell Choir, CHR 9 am Children s Choir, Chapel 9 am Nursery Care, Rm 100 9:15 am Youth Choir, Room 300 * 10 am Worship, S 10:15 am Sunday School, Edu Bldg 10:50 am Cherub Choir, Rm am Coffee Fellowship, SH 6:15 pm UMYF (youth group), 3rd Floor Edu Bldg 6:30 pm Open Table, Off-site Mondays (Church Office Closed) Tuesdays 7 am Men s Breakfast Bible Study, FR 7:30 pm Amadeus Handbell Choir, CHR Wednesdays 10 am UMW Work Party & Lunch, WR 7 pm the bridge, Rm 308 Thursdays * 6:30 pm PAUSE Worship Gathering, Chapel 7:30 pm Chancel Choir, CHR * Food Drive Item for June: Pasta Please refer to the calendar insert in your Order of Worship on Sunday mornings for specifics or changes to the schedule. For more information about groups of the church, special events or for the complete church calendar visit our website. Health Kits for Those in Need Our United Methodist Women are collecting supplies for health kits for Daybreak. Needed are: soap, tooth brushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and bandaids. Drop items off at the UMW Workroom. Labyrinth Taking Summer Break Our midweek Labyrinth walks are on hiatus for the Summer. The Labyrinth is still open on most Thursday evenings after PAUSE. If you would like to walk the Labyrinth at a specific time, please call. Blood Pressure Screenings Did you know that we offer Blood Pressure Screenings at church after worship on the 3rd Sunday of each month? If you would like to have yours checked, stop by the Fireside Room on the scheduled dates and our friendly members with medical experience will help you. CHR = Choir Room; CR = Conference Room; CY = Courtyard; FR = Fireside Room; L = Library; MH = Member s Home; OS = Off Site; S = Sanctuary; SH = Simkins Hall; WR = Work Room (UMW)

5 Living Green: Teach Them Young by Rachel Eaton Summer is the perfect time to teach children to live greener at home and in everything they do. Turning lights off when not in use and planting and tending an organic garden are just the beginning: 1. If the route is safe and the weather permits, encourage walking, biking and carpooling when heading out to various destinations. Burning less fuel means less carbon emissions and less smog. Using your body to get from point A to point B is a great way to expend excess energy and provides exercise. 2. Back away from the computer! It s not a secret that kids, especially teens, spend countless hours playing video games, and chatting on the Internet. Not only can it be detrimental to their physical fitness, but Mother Nature isn t fond of the energy use either. Explain how much electricity is used, and point out how hot a computer or gaming system gets after just an hour. Encourage your kids to limit their video game time and have them shut the computer off when doing something else. Summer is the perfect time to experiment and find a routine that works. Divide free time with a variety of activities from outdoor events to indoor projects to family fellowship and peer excursions. 3. Show them a super-easy way to save water. While your kids are busy brushing their teeth, put a bowl under the faucet and let it fill up with water. After showing them how much water goes down the drain while they re brushing, set the right example by shutting off the water in between scrub-sessions (then use that full bowl to water the plants!). Your household will be conserving buckets of water in no time. To save even more, show your little ones how to take shorter showers and shallow baths. 4. Teach younger kids, as well as teens, how to recycle, following the symbols and setting up separate waste bins in your kitchen or garage. Using pictures or a color-coded system is especially effective for younger family members. Looking for an outdoor project? Set up a compost pile kids as young as four will quickly understand that it s a good place to throw out their banana peel or apple core. While starting green habits may be a matter of repetition, the absolute best way to teach your kids is by setting an example yourself. Be conscious of your own water use and don t let them catch you holding the refrigerator door open for too long! Small changes go a long way, and the ultimate parent Mother Nature will thank you. -Adapted from Raising a Green Generation on Youth Service Project: July This year I am so excited to once again lead a group of youth and adults on our summer youth service project. This year we will be returning to New Orleans to serve with an organization called Project NOAH run out of First United Methodist Church of Slidell. We will be working in the northern part of the city continuing our effort to help folks rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. This year is particularly exciting because we have so many new youth coming on this trip. We have a diversity of experience and age ranges and many youth who have not done work in the city of New Orleans. In many ways this will be like experiencing the work, the city and the people with fresh eyes. We are a missional people, called to extend and show God s love in Christ in tangible ways. We are the hands and feet of Christ in this world and we evangelize and spread the good news of God s love through our humble service and loving care. Please join us by holding us in your prayers as we prepare for our trip. If you feel moved to contribute to the trip financially please feel free to write a check to First United Methodist Church and write Youth Service Project on the memo line. Also, be sure to join us for our Dinner & Silent Auction on June 27. -Robert English Postcards from Patricia Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In company with so many others, my early Renewal Leave plans were thwarted by the rumblings of the now-famous Eyjafjallajokull volcano. In case we needed a reminder that we re all connected across this globe, E15 (for those not proficient in the pronunciation of Icelandic) brought that point home in a powerful way, spewing ash into the heavens and the airspace. Nothing like a long-dormant volcano erupting to put into perspective time and space, heaven and earth, Mother Nature and human limitation. Perfect for my Renewal Leave prayer and pondering. Pressing ahead, Mom and I have rescheduled our trip for early June, with the flexible approach of if not June, there s always July! In either case, I look forward to seeing some of you in Redlands for the Commissioning/Ordination Service and to participating in Robert s commissioning. In contrast to our human plans and projects, God s love is indeed everlasting. God s love is everlasting and the distance between our hearts is as close as prayer. Blessings, Patricia Kids & Christ The findings are clear. Children s church school and Sunday school attendance has declined faster than membership in The UMC. According to Neil Alexander, president and publisher of UMPH, Denominational and independent Christian publishers I ve talked to across the board report that sales of dated curriculum, especially for children, have been trending downward for some time and, more recently, that this trend has become emphatic. The UM Publishing House (UMPH) and The UM Reporter (UMR) have joined forces to engage UMs across the Connection in a critical conversation. UMR published a six-part, bi-weekly series, Kids and Christ, and our very own Rev. Patricia Farris contributed one of the articles. Check it out at -The UM Publishing House (publisher of Newscope) F U M C Sentinel - Ju n e page 5

6 Thursdays at 6:30 pm worship Sundays at 10:00 am PAUSE Worship Gathering June 3 Sharing in the Glory of God Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5 Rev. Robert English June 10 A Zealous Faith Psalm 146; Galatians 1:11-24 Rev. Larry Young June 17 Sin, Forgiveness, Love Psalm 5:1-8; Luke 7:36-8:3 June 24 What Has God Done for You? Psalm 42; Luke 8:26-39 Rev. Robert English June 6 Children s Choir Presentation Holy Communion Sermon by Rev. Camille Mattick June 13 UMW Sunday Our United Methodist Women will lead this service as we recognize the work of UMW through mission around the world. Sermon by Rev. Jeanne Roe Smith, UCLA Wesley Foundation June 20 Laity Sunday Father s Day This service is planned and led by members of our congregation. June 27 5th Sunday after Pentecost Sermon by Rev. Robert English 1008 Eleventh Street, Santa Monica, CA info@santamonicaumc.org Senior Minister Rev. Patricia Farris patricia.farris@santamonicaumc.org Youth & Intergenerational Rev. Robert English robert.english@santamonicaumc.org Children & Family Life Rev. Camille Mattick camille.mattick@santamonicaumc.org Music Jim Smith djes@roadrunner.com L. A. District Superintendent Rev. Cedrick Bridgeforth Bishop Mary Ann Swenson Business Administrator Christina Eddy christina.eddy@santamonicaumc.org Office Manager Nancy Perov nancy.perov@santamonicaumc.org Communications Rachel Eaton rachel.eaton@santamonicaumc.org Weddings & Special Events Linda Burch linda.burch@santamonicaumc.org FUMC Preschool Charleen Smith, Director char.smith@santamonicaumc.org FIRST UNITED METHODIST SENTINEL (USPS ) is published monthly by First U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h, t h S t., S a n t a Monica, CA Periodicals p o s t a g e p a i d a t S a n t a Monica, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address change to First United Methodist Sentinel th St., Santa Monica, CA periodicals (USPS ) Time Value deliver by May 28/29