SENTINEL HORIZONS HAITI 2017

Transcription

1 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of SANTA MONICA SENTINEL vol. cxlii, no. 2 February 2017 HORIZONS HAITI 2017 At our January meeting, each member of our Church Council shared a First UMC highlight from 2016 and a dream/hope for As you might expect, the portrait of a strong, vibrant, faithful, healthy, missional community emerged. From different moments and differing examples, here are some common themes: The life-giving and life-sustaining relationships in this community of faith that include all ages, endure over time, yet are still evident to people walking through the door for the first time. We save more lives than we know, one observed. An ever-deepening faith and spirituality, finding expression in our Advent/Lenten devotionals, in all our various opportunities for worship, in ministries with children, youth, and families, in thrilling moments when music brings us to tears, Faithful community interaction through the Haiti Work Team, the Youth Service Project, Community Meals, the Thanksgiving Meal when we move beyond giving to or providing for into new relationships with neighbors near and far that change our minds and our hearts, Growing desire to reach out, share our story, and invite people into this life together of faithfulness, service, joy, and love which maybe they never imagined church could be. I m talking to people about church much more than I ever have, one shared. What an exciting and wonderful year 2017 promises to be! Senior Minister In 2010, a devastating magnitude 7.0 earthquake crippled the impoverished country of Haiti. As we witnessed the devastation of the earthquake, our congregation heard a call to be in an ongoing mission partnership with the Haitian people. Since then we have sent a team annually from our church to be in service to a Haitian community. This last fall the country was devastated by Hurricane Matthew. Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Many live without clean water or adequate sanitation. They still need our help. First UMC is sending 10 volunteers to Haiti from March The team is comprised of: Jason Beckerman, Bonnie Bennetts, Shalimar Carducci, Jan Hanley, Jim Kirtley, Dan Nessel, Greg Moul, John Pfister, Leaders: Todd & Sherry Erlandson. Joining with Église Methodiste d Haiti (United Methodist Church of Haiti), we will be lending our time, talent, and faith to help our Haitian brothers and sisters by building and strengthening sustainable communities. We anticipate working with a Haitian work team to build a clinic for a village named Sobiér. To support the Haiti Work Team, go to: santamonicaumc.org/haiti, or make checks to First UMC with Haiti Mission Team on the memo line. All proceeds directly benefit Haiti. Also, start saving your pennies now for the Haiti Work Team s Pennies for Haiti after worship February 12, 19 and 26. The work team will be commissioned during worship February 26. FUNDRAISER Get ready to have some fun dancing and exercising while supporting a great cause - The 2017 Haiti Work Team! Zumba certified instructor and church member, Whitney Hagan will lead the class. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a towel. No experience necessary - just have fun! Suggested donation: $25/adult, $10/children & youth. Purchase tickets at www. santamonicaumc.org/haiti. Saturday February 18, 1 p.m., Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center

2 West District Training Conference February Calendar Friday, February 3 7 p.m. Shareringer Monthly Dinner, Fireside Room Saturday, February 4 8 a.m. West District Training Conference, Off-site Wednesday, February 8 12:10 p.m. Mid-Week Recital/Reception, Sanctuary/Fireside Rm Saturday, February 11 4 p.m. Messy Church, Chapel/Simkins Hall Sunday, February 12 - Upward Bound House Home Run for Kids Pennies for Haiti Monday, February 13 4 p.m. C.A.S.T. Kids Audition (1st- 5th graders), Simkins Hall 5:30 p.m. C.A.S.T. Kids Audition (5th -12th graders), Simkins Hall Saturday, February 18 9:30 a.m. Prayer Quilt Ministry, Room a.m. Sacred Yoga, Fireside Room 1 p.m. Dance for Haiti, Simkins Hall Sunday, February 19 - Pennies for Haiti 11 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Screenings, Simkins Hall 2:30 p.m. Walk the Labyrinth, Simkins Hall Monday, February 20 - Presidents Day, Campus closed 2 p.m. Presidents Day Organ Festival/Reception, Sanctuary/SH Thursday, February 23 5 p.m. Family Place Community Meal, Off-site Saturday, February 25 2 p.m. Tom Harmon Memorial/Reception, Sanctuary/Simkins Hall Sunday, Feburary 26 - Commissioning of the Haiti Work Team Pennies for Haiti 11:30 a.m. Book Study/Potluck, Fireside Room WEEKLY or BIMONTHLY AT FIRST UMC: Mondays: Church Office Closed 9 a.m. Intercessory Prayer Group (2nd & 4th Mondays) Offsite Tuesdays: 7 a.m. Men s Breakfast Bible Study, Fireside Room Thursdays: 7 p.m. Cross(+)Brew (1st & 3rd Sundays) Offsite 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsals, Choir Room COMMITTEE MEETINGS Tuesday, February 7 7 p.m. Habitat for Humanity Committee Meeting, Fireside Room Wednesday, February 8 4 p.m. Trustees Meeting, CR-A Sunday, February a.m. Haiti Work Team Inventory Meeting, Room 203 SUNDAYS-AT-A-GLANCE 9 a.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal, Youth Lounge 9 a.m. Lectionary Scripture Discussion, Fireside Room 9 a.m. Partnership with God Sunday School, Room a.m. Nursery Care, Room 204 9:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Warmup, Choir Room 10 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary 10:10 a.m. Sunday School, Education Bldg. 11:00 a.m. Fellowship, Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center 11 a.m. Covenant Bible Study, Room p.m. Amadeus Handbell Rehearsal, CHR 5 p.m. simple church, Chapel 6:15 p.m. United Methodist Youth Fellowship, Youth Lounge Bird enjoying the First UMC Pop-Up Library The West District Training Conference is for both current and emerging leaders within local UMC churches. This day of practical ministry training includes a time of praise and worship as well as numerous workshops led by leaders throughout the West District and California-Pacific Conference. For more information or to register, go to HAPPENINGS at FIRST UMC Saturday, February 4: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Holman UMC (3320 W. Adams Blvd., LA) Mid-Week Recital for February Take a break from your day and spend your lunch hour listening to beautiful music! February s recital features Junko Ueno Garret, piano. Junko is on the piano faculty at Occidental College. Born in Japan, she has captivated audiences around the world with her colorful tone, poetry, expressiveness, dynamic technique and wide range of repertoire. She frequently performs for the Japanese Government s Culture program and has received The Japanese Consul General s Award for her contributions to international relations and understanding between countries. Christmas Candlelight Service Christmas Family Service FREE Concert Wednesday, February 8: 12:10-12:40 p.m., Sanctuary. Reception follows for artist in the Fireside Room. Messy Church Messy Church is a monthly worship where we learn about God s love through crafts, activities, story and a shared meal. At Messy Church we grow in our relationship with God and with one another. Children, families, and adults of all ages are welcome to this worship experience. This month s theme: Messy Baptism. Invite your friends and family and be ready to get messy! United Methodist Youth Fellowship Christmas Party Saturday, February 11: 4-6 p.m. Chapel and Simkins Hall Upward Bound House Home Run for Kids UBH presents the 5th Annual Home Run for Kids Walk/Run in Brentwood. This year s event including a 5k/10k Walk/Run, and a stroller & pet friendly Kiddie K expects to draw over 1,200 participants with all proceeds benefiting Upward Bound House. This is a great opportunity for kids and parents alike to work together to solve family homelessness, a growing crisis across Los Angeles. Before the race, look for the white First UMC tent, and attend a brief on-site worship service at 8 a.m. And, see the First UMC Youth Confirmation Class running as a team. Find out what it means to pray on your feet! Sunday, February 12: 8 a.m. UMYF Retreat Free Blood Pressure screenings offered monthly through the First UMC Health Ministry William Scott Baptism Baptismal Renewal

3 Scenes from All Community Theater s Hello, Dolly! C.A.S.T. Auditions Book-of-the-Month Study & Potluck Children s After School Theater is calling all kids! C.A.S.T is holding auditions for their Spring productions for 1st-5th graders, and 5th-12th graders. Audition materials will be provided there. Show titles are to be announced. Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? and Other Questions from the Astronomers In-Box at the Vatican Observatory by Guy Consolmagno & Paul Mueller Auditions: Monday, February 13, 4 p.m. (1st-5th graders) 5:30 p.m. (5th-12th graders) Simkins Hall Weekly Practice begins Feb 20: 1st-5th Grade 4-6 p.m. 5th-12th Grade 5:30-7:30 p.m. Spring 2017 Show Dates: 1st-5th Grade: May th-12th Grade: May 5-6 Presidents Day Organ Festival The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, which includes former resident organist, Christoph Bull, will be coming to First UMC Santa Monica on Presidents Day for their annual organ festival! Programs will feature familiar organ works plus each program will showcase a work by a living Southern California composer, including a newly commissioned work. Featured artists include David Ball, Christoph Bull, Peter Green, Lisa Ham, Christoph Hintermuller, Haesung Park, Mark Thallander, and James Vail. Preschool Corner The festival will take place at 4 venues, beginning 9 a.m. at Parish of St. Matthew, Corpus Christi Church, First Presbyterian Santa Monica then concluding at about 2 p.m. here in the sanctuary Christoph Bull will perform around 2:45 p.m. followed by a reception in Simkins Hall. There is no charge for this event at any of the venues. A boxed lunch will be offered at First Presbyterian from 12:30 1:30 p.m. for $10 (advanced reservations are requested, see link below.) Monthly Value: February - Love I m so pleased that the American Guild of Organists is coming to Santa Monica and I ll get to play at my old stomping grounds! Christoph Bull In the Chapel with Rev. Robert For more information go to Monday, February 20: approx. 2 p.m. Sanctuary. Reception to follow in Simkins Hall. Family Place Community Meal Visit with the Chumash Storyteller FEBRUARY PRESCHOOL EVENTS: Feb 8 Preschool Snow Day! Feb 20 Campus closed Presidents Day Feb 25 Beautification Day (9-11a.m.) Thank You for Your Service Brother Guy Consolmagno and Father Paul Mueller, both Jesuits and PhDs, are scientists at the Vatican Observatory, the official astronomical research institute of the Catholic Church. This book, in the form of a dialogue, muses on the great variety of actual questions they receive in the course of their work. It s about science encountering faith on friendly terms, as they say. It s also about their reflections on what might be behind the questions people ask about extraterrestrials, black holes, killer asteroids, and so forth. Written in a conversational tone, this book will make you laugh, make you think, and make you reflect more deeply on science, faith and the nature of the universe. Enjoy! Book available on Amazon, and at the Sunday Hospitality Table. Bring a dish to share. Sunday, February 26: 11:30 a.m., Fireside Room Flower Orders: Available dates at press time: February 5, 12, 19. Please contact the church office to order flowers for one of these dates. Looking Forward MARCH EVENTS 1 Ash Wednesday Services, 12:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Chapel 3 Haiti Work Team Departs 3 Shareringers Monthly Dinner 4 Rosalind Bushman Memorial, 11 a.m. 8 March Mid-Week Recital 11 Messy Church 12 Haiti Work Team Returns 18 Carl Rogers Memorial, 11 a.m. 23 Family Place Community Meal 25 Sacred Yoga simple church hosts a monthly potluck for Family Place. A program of Upward Bound House, Family Place provides transitional housing for families with minor children in crisis. In addition to secure, safe accommodations for each family, the program features intensive wrap-around case management, counseling, a food program and other stabilization services. The potluck feeds about adults & children. We serve buffet style and eat as one community! Please share and invite your friends to this wonderful gathering. Contact: r.english@ santamonicaumc.org. to sign up to bring a dish, or set-up/clean up. Ash Wednesday Services Thursday, February 23: 5-7 p.m. at Family Place ( th St., SM) Ash Wednesday: Wednesday, March 1 12:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Chapel Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent - a time of introspection and self-examination of our lives and relationship with God. The ritual of the ashes represent a visual reminder of the day as we pause to remember our physical limits in contrast to the infinity of God. The First UMC Lenten Devotional, written by members of the congregation, will be available to pick up that day in the chapel or in the church office. You may sign up online to receive the daily devotional by

4 Condolences FIRST UMC COMMUNITY We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of these departed loved ones: Our hearts and prayers are with First UMC member Leslie Talt and family in the accidental death of her granddaughter, Brooke. A memorial for Carl Rogers will be held Saturday, March 18, 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in Simkins Hall. A memorial for Tom Harmon will be held Saturday, February 25, 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in Simkins Hall. First UMC member Rosalind Charlotte Bushman died January 9. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 4, 11 a.m. in the Chapel. A reception will follow in the Fireside Room. Baptism William Benson Scott, son of Benjamin and Jennifer, and brother to Arabella & Georgina, was baptized January 8 by Rev. Robert English. Births Lauren Jane Henricks, born January 24 to parents Jace and Casey, and sister Keeley. New Members Vern Busse, George Sondecker, Elizabeth Ohrt and David & Alice Hill became new First UMC Members through transfer of membership. Congratulations to Emma Wollitz, for earning The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award that a Senior or Ambassador Girl Scout can earn, and is a national award with significant standards that must be met representing a girl s skills, leadership, creativity, values, and efforts contributed to make the world a better place. Emma s Gold Award Project was titled Blankets For Nepal, a project she put together working with the girls from Unatti home to give back to their community. Emma and all the girls made blankets and delivered them to the children living at a brick factory in Nepal. to Jamie Jones, who earned the Gold Presidential Award for 100 plus hours of community service, much of which was done at First UMC. She earned the Service Bar award for her service in helping younger girl scouts. And finally, she earned the Golden Torch Award, a service award for her outreach in our community. Note from Rev. Farris I will undergo additional eye surgery February 8 and will be recuperating following the surgery. Thank you for your prayerful support. Please contact the church office for pastoral care or other needs. Rev. Patricia Farris ONGOING at First UMC Sacred Yoga Santa Monica yoga instructor Temitope leads Sacred Yoga, a monthly spiritual yoga class open to all. Whether you are new to yoga and meditation or practice regularly, this class is the perfect way to find stillness in your mind and body as well as center and strengthen your spirit. Bring a mat. Donations accepted. Saturday February 18: 10 a.m., in the Fireside Room. Walk the Labyrinth The First UMC Labyrinth is open on the 3rd Sunday of every month in Simkins Hall. The Labyrinth is intended for individuals, retreats, church and mediation groups and the community at large to enjoy. labyrinth@santamonicaumc.org or call the church office (310) to schedule a walk. Every Step a Prayer. Sunday, February 19: 2:30-4 p.m. Simkins Hall Lay Leadership 2017 Lay Leader Team: Michael Lamb, Shannon Sturges, Todd Erlandson and Sherry Erlandson Church Council: Sherry Erlandson Fellowship & Events: Sandra Jones Finance Committee: Kim Defenderfer Guidance and Outreach: Andy Goebel Health Ministry: Debi Jenkinson Wong and Dorothy Williams Archives and History: Marilyn Hedges and Leslie Nordby Nominations & Leadership Development: Cindy McQuade Library: Mary Crawford Loans & Scholarships: Mira Pak Missions: Linda Diane Anderson Parking: Chuck Kearsley Planned Giving: Russ Whittenburg Prayer Quilt Ministry: Maile Marquand and Sue Payne Seasonal Displays: Mike Eskridge Spiritual Formation: Mary Crawford Staff-Parish Relations: Glenda Martinez Trustees: Vern Busse United Methodist Women: Betty Storm Youth Ministry: Adam Guerrero Methodist Foundation of Santa Monica: John Youngman Installation of 2017 Lay Leaders Thank You for Your Service

5 Thank You from Rev. Patricia Farris I want to express heartfelt thanks and gratitude to our youth for choosing the E-Readers project for Cakes for a Cause at our Charge Conference in November. Thanks to your support of their hard work, and individual gifts that came in, we raised $2,000 which will purchase TWENTY E-Readers. WOW! This far surpasses our goal of $650 to celebrate my 65th birthday. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The E-Readers for Theological Education initiative is a partnership with United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry and UM Discipleship Ministries and is committed to providing e-libraries on e-readers with important theological texts to the libraries of United Methodist-related and sponsored theological schools in Africa and the Philippines. E-readers in schools has proven to be an effective way to help theology schools in remote areas have access to current textbooks and reference books. An 18-month pilot project ( ) at Gbarnga School of Theology in Liberia proved that the e-reader is affordable, easy to use, and capable of holding a charge for weeks at a time. Faculty gained access to current theological publications and research. Students gained access to reference books and textbooks related to their three-year curriculum, Bibles, dictionaries, and even cultural readings related to and authored in Africa. Students and faculty celebrated the simplicity of carrying their entire library to class, home, and church. Our Sanctuary: Symbols of Hope by Ron Theile As a member of this congregation and of the Chancel Choir, I often find myself gazing upon our beautiful sanctuary. There are times I look out from the choir loft to witness those who are worshipping doing the same. It could be while we are preparing for worship, praying, listening to scripture or being moved by the music of worship. This series will help to guide us as we look at, and think about, the many sights and symbols that surround us as we worship. They are all symbols of hope, so that we will all be inspired to be the hope. Ron Theile Part 12: This month we progress along the north wall of the Grand Gallery to the window, with stunning blue color, called the Baptism of Christ. This beautiful stained glass was dedicated on Sunday, April 17, This is the third window that was given by John W. Fisher. In the window, John the Baptist is holding an escallop shell with drops of water. The descending Dove, the Holy Spirit, descends upon Christ. The anchor in this window represents salvation. The baptismal fount and the three escallop shells represent the baptism ritual. Since that beginning test project, E-readers have been taken to twelve additional schools, including French- and Portuguese-speaking schools, accompanied by training for faculty and students. Students at all schools have the possibility of taking an e-reader with them into ministry upon graduation. In 2016, the E-Reader Project distributed nearly 1,500 devices to 22 theological seminaries in Asia and Africa, loaded with publications in English, French, and Portuguese. Funding for the E-Reader Project comes from annual conferences, local churches, individual donors, universities and a student fee each semester, which helps offset the price of the E-Reader and content. One hundred percent of the funds raised is used entirely for the acquisition and distribution of e-readers and e-books while the two general agencies cover the costs of staff, training, and travel. To learn more or donate online, visit www. umcereader.org. Standing hand-in-hand with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe, we are helping to nurture new generations of leaders. Never say it can t be done. Be the hope! Rev. Patricia Farris It is interesting to note that I believe our window, if my research was thorough enough, is an original. Even in this, what would be considered a modern window, the artist continues the use of icons. They carry forward these icons that were used in the early churches so that the illiterate of the masses could recognize, not only the main figures in the window, but also get a sense of their purpose and character. We are a congregation who believes in hope. Hope in God s promise, hope delivered in the messages of Jesus, and hope that we can carry His message to others. Our window represents our practice of baptizing all into our Christian family. It also represents hope that our mission for Christ is perpetual through the act of baptizing people of all ages to carry on that mission long after we enter into the Kingdom of God. These are symbols of hope so that we can be the hope.

6 West District Training Conference February Calendar Friday, February 3 7 p.m. Shareringer Monthly Dinner, Fireside Room Saturday, February 4 8 a.m. West District Training Conference, Off-site Wednesday, February 8 12:10 p.m. Mid-Week Recital/Reception, Sanctuary/Fireside Rm Saturday, February 11 4 p.m. Messy Church, Chapel/Simkins Hall Sunday, February 12 - Upward Bound House Home Run for Kids Pennies for Haiti Monday, February 13 4 p.m. C.A.S.T. Kids Audition (1st- 5th graders), Simkins Hall 5:30 p.m. C.A.S.T. Kids Audition (5th -12th graders), Simkins Hall Saturday, February 18 9:30 a.m. Prayer Quilt Ministry, Room a.m. Sacred Yoga, Fireside Room 1 p.m. Dance for Haiti, Simkins Hall Sunday, February 19 - Pennies for Haiti 11 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Screenings, Simkins Hall 2:30 p.m. Walk the Labyrinth, Simkins Hall Monday, February 20 - Presidents Day, Campus closed 2 p.m. Presidents Day Organ Festival/Reception, Sanctuary/SH Thursday, February 23 5 p.m. Family Place Community Meal, Off-site Saturday, February 25 2 p.m. Tom Harmon Memorial/Reception, Sanctuary/Simkins Hall Sunday, Feburary 26 - Commissioning of the Haiti Work Team Pennies for Haiti 11:30 a.m. Book Study/Potluck, Fireside Room WEEKLY or BIMONTHLY AT FIRST UMC: Mondays: Church Office Closed 9 a.m. Intercessory Prayer Group (2nd & 4th Mondays) Offsite Tuesdays: 7 a.m. Men s Breakfast Bible Study, Fireside Room Thursdays: 7 p.m. Cross(+)Brew (1st & 3rd Sundays) Offsite 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsals, Choir Room COMMITTEE MEETINGS Tuesday, February 7 7 p.m. Habitat for Humanity Committee Meeting, Fireside Room Wednesday, February 8 4 p.m. Trustees Meeting, CR-A Sunday, February a.m. Haiti Work Team Inventory Meeting, Room 203 SUNDAYS-AT-A-GLANCE 9 a.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal, Youth Lounge 9 a.m. Lectionary Scripture Discussion, Fireside Room 9 a.m. Partnership with God Sunday School, Room a.m. Nursery Care, Room 204 9:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Warmup, Choir Room 10 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary 10:10 a.m. Sunday School, Education Bldg. 11:00 a.m. Fellowship, Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center 11 a.m. Covenant Bible Study, Room p.m. Amadeus Handbell Rehearsal, CHR 5 p.m. simple church, Chapel 6:15 p.m. United Methodist Youth Fellowship, Youth Lounge Bird enjoying the First UMC Pop-Up Library The West District Training Conference is for both current and emerging leaders within local UMC churches. This day of practical ministry training includes a time of praise and worship as well as numerous workshops led by leaders throughout the West District and California-Pacific Conference. For more information or to register, go to HAPPENINGS at FIRST UMC Saturday, February 4: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Holman UMC (3320 W. Adams Blvd., LA) Mid-Week Recital for February Take a break from your day and spend your lunch hour listening to beautiful music! February s recital features Junko Ueno Garret, piano. Junko is on the piano faculty at Occidental College. Born in Japan, she has captivated audiences around the world with her colorful tone, poetry, expressiveness, dynamic technique and wide range of repertoire. She frequently performs for the Japanese Government s Culture program and has received The Japanese Consul General s Award for her contributions to international relations and understanding between countries. Christmas Candlelight Service Christmas Family Service FREE Concert Wednesday, February 8: 12:10-12:40 p.m., Sanctuary. Reception follows for artist in the Fireside Room. Messy Church Messy Church is a monthly worship where we learn about God s love through crafts, activities, story and a shared meal. At Messy Church we grow in our relationship with God and with one another. Children, families, and adults of all ages are welcome to this worship experience. This month s theme: Messy Baptism. Invite your friends and family and be ready to get messy! United Methodist Youth Fellowship Christmas Party Saturday, February 11: 4-6 p.m. Chapel and Simkins Hall Upward Bound House Home Run for Kids UBH presents the 5th Annual Home Run for Kids Walk/Run in Brentwood. This year s event including a 5k/10k Walk/Run, and a stroller & pet friendly Kiddie K expects to draw over 1,200 participants with all proceeds benefiting Upward Bound House. This is a great opportunity for kids and parents alike to work together to solve family homelessness, a growing crisis across Los Angeles. Before the race, look for the white First UMC tent, and attend a brief on-site worship service at 8 a.m. And, see the First UMC Youth Confirmation Class running as a team. Find out what it means to pray on your feet! Sunday, February 12: 8 a.m. UMYF Retreat Free Blood Pressure screenings offered monthly through the First UMC Health Ministry William Scott Baptism Baptismal Renewal

7 Scenes from All Community Theater s Hello, Dolly! C.A.S.T. Auditions Book-of-the-Month Study & Potluck Children s After School Theater is calling all kids! C.A.S.T is holding auditions for their Spring productions for 1st-5th graders, and 5th-12th graders. Audition materials will be provided there. Show titles are to be announced. Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? and Other Questions from the Astronomers In-Box at the Vatican Observatory by Guy Consolmagno & Paul Mueller Auditions: Monday, February 13, 4 p.m. (1st-5th graders) 5:30 p.m. (5th-12th graders) Simkins Hall Weekly Practice begins Feb 20: 1st-5th Grade 4-6 p.m. 5th-12th Grade 5:30-7:30 p.m. Spring 2017 Show Dates: 1st-5th Grade: May th-12th Grade: May 5-6 Presidents Day Organ Festival The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, which includes former resident organist, Christoph Bull, will be coming to First UMC Santa Monica on Presidents Day for their annual organ festival! Programs will feature familiar organ works plus each program will showcase a work by a living Southern California composer, including a newly commissioned work. Featured artists include David Ball, Christoph Bull, Peter Green, Lisa Ham, Christoph Hintermuller, Haesung Park, Mark Thallander, and James Vail. Preschool Corner The festival will take place at 4 venues, beginning 9 a.m. at Parish of St. Matthew, Corpus Christi Church, First Presbyterian Santa Monica then concluding at about 2 p.m. here in the sanctuary Christoph Bull will perform around 2:45 p.m. followed by a reception in Simkins Hall. There is no charge for this event at any of the venues. A boxed lunch will be offered at First Presbyterian from 12:30 1:30 p.m. for $10 (advanced reservations are requested, see link below.) Monthly Value: February - Love I m so pleased that the American Guild of Organists is coming to Santa Monica and I ll get to play at my old stomping grounds! Christoph Bull In the Chapel with Rev. Robert For more information go to Monday, February 20: approx. 2 p.m. Sanctuary. Reception to follow in Simkins Hall. Family Place Community Meal Visit with the Chumash Storyteller FEBRUARY PRESCHOOL EVENTS: Feb 8 Preschool Snow Day! Feb 20 Campus closed Presidents Day Feb 25 Beautification Day (9-11a.m.) Thank You for Your Service Brother Guy Consolmagno and Father Paul Mueller, both Jesuits and PhDs, are scientists at the Vatican Observatory, the official astronomical research institute of the Catholic Church. This book, in the form of a dialogue, muses on the great variety of actual questions they receive in the course of their work. It s about science encountering faith on friendly terms, as they say. It s also about their reflections on what might be behind the questions people ask about extraterrestrials, black holes, killer asteroids, and so forth. Written in a conversational tone, this book will make you laugh, make you think, and make you reflect more deeply on science, faith and the nature of the universe. Enjoy! Book available on Amazon, and at the Sunday Hospitality Table. Bring a dish to share. Sunday, February 26: 11:30 a.m., Fireside Room Flower Orders: Available dates at press time: February 5, 12, 19. Please contact the church office to order flowers for one of these dates. Looking Forward MARCH EVENTS 1 Ash Wednesday Services, 12:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Chapel 3 Haiti Work Team Departs 3 Shareringers Monthly Dinner 4 Rosalind Bushman Memorial, 11 a.m. 8 March Mid-Week Recital 11 Messy Church 12 Haiti Work Team Returns 18 Carl Rogers Memorial, 11 a.m. 23 Family Place Community Meal 25 Sacred Yoga simple church hosts a monthly potluck for Family Place. A program of Upward Bound House, Family Place provides transitional housing for families with minor children in crisis. In addition to secure, safe accommodations for each family, the program features intensive wrap-around case management, counseling, a food program and other stabilization services. The potluck feeds about adults & children. We serve buffet style and eat as one community! Please share and invite your friends to this wonderful gathering. Contact: r.english@ santamonicaumc.org. to sign up to bring a dish, or set-up/clean up. Ash Wednesday Services Thursday, February 23: 5-7 p.m. at Family Place ( th St., SM) Ash Wednesday: Wednesday, March 1 12:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Chapel Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent - a time of introspection and self-examination of our lives and relationship with God. The ritual of the ashes represent a visual reminder of the day as we pause to remember our physical limits in contrast to the infinity of God. The First UMC Lenten Devotional, written by members of the congregation, will be available to pick up that day in the chapel or in the church office. You may sign up online to receive the daily devotional by

8 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of SANTA MONICA 1008 Eleventh Street Santa Monica, CA Church Office Hours: Tues - Fri, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Chapel Open for Prayer: Mon - Fri, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. On the Website Check out the Haiti Mission webpage to learn more about the trip, this year s work team and how you can help support them: WORSHIP SUNDAYS IN FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 5 10 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Holy Communion 5th Sunday after Epiphany Homily by Rev. Patricia Farris no simple church today FEBRUARY a.m. Sanctuary Worship 6th Sunday after Epiphany Sermon by Rev. Larry Young 5 p.m. simple church simple church theme on living an examined life or on guarding our heart FEBRUARY a.m. Sanctuary Worship 7th Sunday after Epiphany Sermon by Tricia Lindley 5 p.m. simple church simple church theme why Jesus love is better than a Hallmark card FEBRUARY a.m. Sanctuary Worship Commissioning the Haiti Work Team Sermon by Todd and Sherry Erlandson 5 p.m. simple church simple church theme why it s ok sometimes not to have the right words