vol. cxliii, no. 3 March 2018 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of SANTA MONICA SENTINEL HORIZONS Love God/Love Creation. Our Lenten journey this year invites us to examine and re-examine our commitment to be faithful and passionate stewards of God s creation. The challenge to each of us is put succinctly by essayist Wendell Berry: If God loves the world, then how might any person of faith be excused for not loving it or be justified in destroying it? How, indeed?! The environmental crisis, or creation crisis as we might put it, is at heart a spiritual crisis. As one young adult, a high school science teacher and United Methodist, reflected: Answering to God about what has happened to God s creation should put most Christians, me included, into a spiritual crisis. Throughout Lent this year, we walk with Jesus from the wilderness to the Tree of Life and deep into the darkness of the earth towards the brilliant light of Easter morn. The worship and music of the church offer us space to listen and reflect. The art in the Fireside Room, titled KNOW, LOVE, DO Changing Nature and Us, provides much to celebrate and ponder. The Blessing of the Bicycles on Palm Sunday and taking stock of the environmentally-sensitive practices we have in place here at the church inspire us to go farther along the path of responsible living. Our new sign board out front invites passers-by to add their own word of testimony and hope for a healed creation. A new meal-time grace shared around our family tables in our congregation and Preschool families gives us pause each day to live as grateful stewards. Our April Book Study author, UM Sharon Delgado, writes: Love makes this possible the experience of God s love for us enables us to face the reality of climate change and our love of God and neighbor can motivate us to compassionate action as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus. For as the old hymn puts it: Dear to God is the earth Christ trod. No place but is holy ground. Let s walk this walk with the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Senior Minister HOLY WEEK MARCH 25: PALM SUNDAY 10 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Waving of Palms and Loud Hosannas! Worship is followed by Easter Egg Hunt and Family Brunch NEW: 4:30 p.m. simple church: Blessing of the Bicycles, Walkers, Canes & Human Mobility Devices, Courtyard/Fireside Room MARCH 29: MAUNDY THURSDAY 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Worship Communion, Prayer, and Darkness MARCH 30: GOOD FRIDAY Chapel open for Prayer 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Labyrinth open for walks 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. 12:10 p.m. Community Service - First Presbyterian Church 1220 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 MARCH 31: simple church EASTER VIGIL 7:30 p.m. Courtyard/Chapel An ancient liturgy of Light, Word, and Communion APRIL 1: EASTER SUNDAY 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service Palisades Park (Santa Monica Blvd. & Ocean Ave.) Bring fresh flowers for the cross, and a lawn chair or blankets. Hot coffee served. 10 a.m. Easter Celebration Worship First UMC Sanctuary Family Service, Choir, Brass, Organ, Lilies, and Alleluias! (nursery care provided) LOVE GOD LOVE CREATION
MARCH Calendar Thursday, March 1 - Vacation Bible School online registration open today Friday, March 2 7 p.m. Shareringer Monthly Dinner, Fireside Room Saturday, March 3 7 a.m. Habitat Build - Long Beach, meet at First UMC Sunday, March 4 - Third Sunday in Lent 10 a.m. (During Worship) Youth Connect first meeting, Rm 203 11 a.m. Haiti Report Back, Simkins Hall Saturday, March 10 4:30 p.m. Messy Church, Chapel/Simkins Hall Sunday, March 11 - Fourth Sunday in Lent 11 a.m. St. Patrick s Day Luncheon, Simkins Hall 11 a.m. Annika Dodd Library Celebration, Library 11:15 a.m. Houston Team Meeting, Room 203 Wednesday, March 14 12:10 p.m. Mid-Week Recital/Reception, Sanctuary/Fireside Rm 4 p.m. Trustee Meeting, CR-A Saturday, March 17 9:30 a.m. Prayer Quilt Workparty, Room 300 10 a.m. DanceFit, Simkins Hall Sunday, March 18 - Fifth Sunday in Lent Lessons & Anthems LA Marathon (Plan your route to church) 11 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Screenings, Simkins Hall 11 a.m. Youth Service Project See s Candy Sales, Alcove 11:30 a.m. Book Study/Potluck, Fireside Room 2:30 p.m. Walk the Labyrinth, Simkins Hall 6:30 p.m. Elkpen Artist Talk & Reception, Fireside Room Thursday, March 22 - Last day to order Easter Lilies 5:30 p.m. Family Place Community Meal, Off-site Sunday, March 25 - Palm Sunday Baptism Reception of New Members 10 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship, Sanctuary 11 a.m. Youth Service Project See s Candy Sales, Alcove 11:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Brunch, Simkins Hall 4:30 p.m. simple church presents Blessing of the Bicycles, Walkers, Canes & Human Mobility Devices, Courtyard Thursday, March 29 - Maundy Thursday 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Worship Friday March 30 - Good Friday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Chapel open for Prayer 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. Labyrinth open for walks 12:10 p.m. Good Friday Community Service - First Presbyterian Church (1220 2nd St, Santa Monica) Saturday March 31 7:30 p.m. simple church Easter Vigil, Courtyard/Chapel Sunday, April 1 - Easter Sunday 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service Palisades Park (Santa Monica Blvd. & Ocean Ave.) 10 a.m. Easter Celebration Worship, Sanctuary HOLY WEEK SUNDAYS-AT-A-GLANCE 9 a.m. Lectionary Scripture Discussion, Fireside Room 9 a.m. Partnership with God Sunday School, Room 101 9 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. 11a.m. Fellowship, Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center 2 p.m. Amadeus Handbell Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room 5 p.m. simple church, Chapel 6 p.m. United Methodist Youth Fellowship, Youth Lounge 6 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room NEW - Youth Connect Beginning on March 4, First UMC is providing youth with a new opportunity on Sunday mornings during worship. Following the children s message in worship, youth are invited to Room 203 for Youth Connect, a youth-aged Sunday School. We will be using a resource titled Can I Ask That? - a Sticky Faith curriculum from the Fuller Institute that is designed to lead teens in critical conversations about their faith. Led by First UMC member Jen Jacques, this study will invite students to look at topics by raising hard questions that don t have easy answers and will help students think about them from a biblical perspective. We will provide a safe environment where questions can be addressed in an open and loving space so that relationships are deepened in community. Jen Jacques grew up going to UMYF at Downey UMC and sometimes Santa Monica First UMC. She is currently a middle school science teacher at a small school in LA, but was previously an Assistant Youth Director at Redondo Beach FUMC. She loves working with teenagers and helping them to think more broadly about their future and who they want to be in the world. She also loves board games and all things crafty. If you/your youth are interested or have questions about the group, contact Tricia: t.guerrero@santamonicaumc.org. Beginning Sunday, March 4: during worship in Room 203 Haiti Mission Team Report Back Since the devastating 7.0 earthquake in 2010 near Port-au- Prince, First UMC has sent work teams to live and serve in the country of Haiti. In collaboration with Haitian Methodist partners, our efforts thus far have made tangible progress in rebuilding churches, clinics, schools and homes. Come to the Report Back Luncheon, where all are welcome to hear the seventh First UMC work team members share their experiences and stories of grace in Haiti. Lunch will be served. Sunday, March 4: 11 a.m. in Simkins Hall.
March Messy Church Children and adults of all ages are welcome, so invite the grandparents, your neighbors and school friends to this fun community worship. Be ready to get messy! March Theme: Love your neighbor, love your world. For more info or to sign up for the email list, go to: www. santamonicaumc.org/messychurch. From February s Messy Church Saturday, March 10: 4:30-6 p.m., Chapel/Simkins Hall Time for Wearin of the Green Women of Action, a circle of United Methodist Women, in partnership with Fellowship and Events and Children s Ministry, invites everyone to the 19th annual St. Patrick s Day luncheon. The cost of $8 per person includes lunch and a robust and rousing sing-along, with gaily Gaelic piano. Children are welcome and will be provided materials to create seasonal crafts. Children under 5 will be admitted free. Don t forget to wear green! Sunday, March 11: 11 a.m. in Simkins Hall. Mid-Week Recital is Live! February s Recital with Althea Waites, piano, was broadcast live on the First UMC Facebook page via a Mevo camera. That s right, in real time and has since then been viewed nearly 900 times! We are thrilled with this new technology, and the opportunity to share the art of the excellent musicians to those unable to attend the recital and a wider audience in general. To view the recitals live on Facebook, the viewer will need a Facebook account. However, videos will also be available on the church website within a few days after the recital. For assistance or more information contact the church office. For the March recital, we welcome artists: Duo Ondine: Boglárka Kiss, flute; Alison Bjorkedal, harp. Founded in 2005, the flute and harp duo were recently selected by the Beverly Hills Auditions as one of the top chamber groups in Los Angeles. Both artists maintain active schedules as professional musicians and teachers: Alison is on the faculty of California Institute of the Arts, and Boglárka teaches at Pasadena City College. Both musicians hold the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. See the complete list of musicians for this year's recitals: www.santamonicaumc.org/mid-week-recital-series. FREE Concert Wednesday, March 14: 12:10-12:40 p.m., Sanctuary. Reception follows to meet the artists in the Fireside Room. Loving God with Our Minds Book Study/Potluck In Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy, Anne Lamott offers wisdom and hope for difficult times, personal and public. With characteristic humor and candor, she pierces our defenses and softens our edges. Bringing in old favorites from Scripture Micah, Jonah, Ruth she explores mercy, grace, forgiveness, and compassion. This is a book for the Lenten journey, a book to be pondered, prayed, and lived as much as to be read. Everyone is welcome. Bring something to share for our potluck lunch. Book may be purchased on Amazon or at the Sunday Hospitality Table. Sunday, March 18: 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room KNOW LOVE DO Changing Nature and Us Open now in the Fireside Room: KNOW, LOVE, DO: Changing Nature and Us, the work of artist Christian Kasperkovitz (aka Elkpen). A Los Angeles-based artist, Elkpen looks for novel ways to talk about nature to a wide audience. Following simple church in the Chapel on Sunday March 18, don t miss the Elkpen Artist Talk and Reception, where Christian will talk about her work and philosophy. Artist Talk & Reception, March 18: 6-8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room, following simple church in the Chapel simple church presents: Blessing of the Bicycles, Walkers, Canes & Human Mobility Devices On Palm Sunday, come to a special new service. As we consider the gift of creation and how to be better stewards of this gift, we are taking some time to bless the devices that helps us to navigate this world by human power. A potluck will follow the blessing. Sunday, March 25: 4:30-6 p.m. Courtyard/Fireside Room
Sustainability by Christina Eddy, Business Administrator Did you know it s been close to ten years since our first green article in the monthly Sentinel was published by Rachel Eaton? This awakened a moral maturity in each of us to reflect on shaping future progress. Here s a snapshot of just a few things that we the Trustees and community have been doing! Water wise Water is one of our most important resources and every living thing needs water to survive. Did you know at First UMC we have, on average, over two hundred-fifty visitors a day on campus and two full time parsonages collectively utilizing an average of 2k gallons a day? We continue to ensure staff, children and members are educated, and we don t let water run unnecessarily. We have installed artificial turf in over 75 percent of our landscape and most living garden areas contain drought tolerant plants and drip irrigation systems. Monthly bill analysis, waterless urinals, sensor faucets, and low flow toilets are just a few of the areas of conservation. Education Although water conservation is key to being green, education plays an important role too. The city of Santa Monica has a whole department and website dedicated to sustainability and environment. https://www.smgov.net/departments/ose/ We offer programs on campus to ensure healthy minds and bodies including DanceFit, Yoga, Labyrinth walks, HomeRun for Kids participation. We celebrate walkers and bikers and all wheels in between. We continue to educate young preschoolers with garden projects offering education in growing food and sustainable living. Each April, our month long theme at school is Earth Day focusing on reading, art, and communication about the world. We are preaching green. Many chapel services during the year for preschoolers are celebrated outdoors and this season s Lenten journey is dedicated to Loving God and Loving Creation. Education goes beyond Santa Monica. First UMC Work Teams in Sobier, Haiti have educated annually those living in the area in water conservation, hygiene, and low cost water purification methods. Sustainability Natural light, recycled flooring, low flow toilets, recycling, appliance upgrades, participation in federally funded electricity project, energy efficient cooling methods during hot summer months, and all renovations are done keeping green practices in mind from paint to flooring to lighting choices. Preschoolers are encouraged to drink Santa Monica water, all snacks served avoid processed foods, and fresh nourishing hot lunches are provided each day to encourage healthy bodies. We limit disposable ware and encourage recycled art projects. At coffee hour you may have noticed the fair trade coffee, bulk creamers and sugar, and natural fiber disposable cups. What can you do? Talk about it! In our community and around Santa Monica. Volunteer for the City Climate Action and Adoption Plan. Seek out Santa Monica rebates in the areas of landscape, energy upgrades, and water conservation. Learn more about the sustainable and health purchasing guidelines. Learn more about a healthier YOU through Wise and Healthy Aging Evidence Based Self-Management Programs Walk or bike to Sunday service and celebrate! Take a walk in silence becoming aware of all smells and sounds, natural and man-made, heightening the senses and thoughts of a better world. Pledge to make your life a blessing for this wondrous earth. Community Board The new church community board was designed to welcome and engage the community in various ways. For its premier, we ask this year s Lenten question: What is one thing you can do today to love God and love Creation? As mentioned in Rev. Patricia Farris homily on the First Sunday in Lent, the Lenten theme Love God/Love Creation,... encourages us to examine our hearts, the state of the creation, and our own commitment to live as more faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us for safe-keeping and for our joy. All are invited to share your thoughts on the board. Ask your family, ask your friends and see what different ideas may come up each week! The community board will be out on Sundays during Lent. Easter Lilies If you would like to donate toward the purchase of Easter Lilies in celebration of a loved one, an event, a joy, or a remembrance, or order for yourself for Easter Sunday, now s the time. Stop by the Sunday Hospitality Table or call, email or mail your dedication (please print clearly) along with $12 per plant to the church office. Deadline to order is March 22. Lilies in the Sanctuary for Easter worship
January Book Study/Potluck by Joyce & David Landsverk (as seen in the February Shareringer newsletter) Rabbi Jeff Marx presented a lively and informative talk on the book And God Said: How Translations Conceal the Bible s Original Meaning by Dr. M. Hoffman, professor, author, and translator. A starting question by Rabbi Marx was, What s wrong with the Ten Commandments, starting with the word commandment? Sixteen Shareringers were in the audience in the Fireside Room for his presentation. Included in his presentation was the Torah used at his synagogue. He rolled it out for us to see how the skin sections are stitched together. If a section of the Torah becomes damaged, it can be replaced without replacing the whole Torah. Also, re-inking of faded lettering is allowed, in order to lengthen the life of the Torah. Place of Prayer O, let the place of secret prayer become to me the most beloved spot on earth. Andrew Murray Besides church, where do you find yourself praying? Do you have a regular place? Time of day? Here are some places of prayer shared by the congregation I often pray in bed each night as I m falling asleep. Rather than letting my mind wander or focus on my fears or worries, I give it to God at the very end of the day. I pray sitting up in my bed every morning and night. I have a long commute, so I often find myself praying out loud in the car, sometimes fists in the air yelling! People driving by me just think I m talking on my phone :) I typically like to pray while I m experiencing nature in some way; a hike, a walk along the beach, or just sitting somewhere outdoors. I also like to be in prayer by myself in our chapel. Every morning with breakfast, I read the Upper Room and scripture with it. Then I read the morning prayer from the Methodist hymnal. Lastly, I read an excerpt from Courage to Change, and give my day to God. If you would like to share your place of prayer, you can email Shalimar Carducci: s.carducci@santamonicaumc.org. Baptism FIRST UMC COMMUNITY Beatrix Elizabeth Milligan, daughter of Rob and Amy (Flanders) Milligan, was baptized by Rev. Patricia Farris on February 18. Thank You from Annika Dodd Reading is one of the things I like to do best which is why I chose a Literacy project for my Girl Scout Silver Award. A lot of hard work and time went into this minimum 50 hour project. I met with David Penson from the church office to outline the project. After that, I began organizing and cleaning the books, replacing some of the old and torn books with new books generously donated by the Congregation. Then I researched new Library supplies and redecorated using money earned by selling Girl Scout Nuts and Magazines. Thank you to everyone who donated new books to the Library and supported me in earning Girl Scouting s second highest award. Thanks so much for your time and patience in helping me to get this done. - Smiles, Annika Come by the Library following worship on March 11 to help Annika celebrate the completion of her Girl Scout Project (before you head over to the St. Patrick s Day Luncheon) Sunday, March 11: 11 a.m. in the Library LOOKING FORWARD Red Cross Community Blood Drive The First UMC Health Ministry Council s Red Cross Community Blood Drive is coming soon! For more information, questions, or to volunteer, contact Dorothy Williams (dorothywil@gmail. com). Schedule your appointment now on the website: www. redcrossblood.org, and enter sponsor code FirstUMCSM. Blood Drive: Sunday, April 8: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Simkins Hall Houston Mission Work Team This Spring, a work team from First UMC will be sent to Houston April 21-28 to put our faith into action. Our community will have the opportunity to support the team on April 15 after worship through a luncheon fundraiser. Visit the website for more information and to donate towards their fundraising efforts: www.santamonicaumc.org/houston
Children s Ministry: Table Grace by Tricia Guerrero, Director of Children & Youth Ministry Prayer is one way that we listen and talk to God. During this season of Lent, the Children s Ministry is providing Table Grace, a prayer resource for our families. Lent is an opportunity to grow in our relationship with God through intentional practices, especially together as a family. This year our Lenten theme is Love God/Love Creation, and we ask ourselves, What is one thing I can do today to love God and love creation? Table Grace provides prayers that have been chosen to help children to consider this question through the practice of gratitude. A Prayer for When We Share a Meal God of all creation, we ask your blessing on this food and on all who are gathered here today. We are grateful for the food before us. We thank you for the gifts of the earth and for those who worked to grow and prepare this food. For what we have been given, make us truly grateful. Vacation Bible School 2018 Open for Registration First UMC Santa Monica invites children of all ages to experience the ride of a lifetime with God at Rolling River Rampage Vacation Bible School! This white river rafting adventure includes exciting music, amazing science, creative crafts, fun recreation, a mission project and memorable Bible stories to help children know God is always with them as they ride the rapids of life! Mark your calendar now to join us for the ride of a lifetime at Rolling River Rampage VBS! Monday, July 30 - Friday, August 3 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at First UMC (childcare now available until 4 p.m for an additional cost.) For more information, and to register, go to: www.santamonicaumc.org/vbs We pray this through Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. Amen. Table Grace will be passed out in Sunday School or you can pick one up from the Hospitality Table on Sunday mornings after worship. Preschool Corner Monthly Value: March - Respect Snow Day! Preschool Movie Night PRESCHOOL EVENTS FOR MARCH March 2: Staff Development Day (No classes) March 8: Grandparents/Special Friend s Day (9-10 a.m.) March 26 - April 2: Spring Break (No classes)
Happenings at First UMC Jamie Jones leads the new Cherub Choir Girl Scout Cookie Sales, and Boy Scout Troop 67 Pancake Breakfast Scenes from Youth/Scout Sunday Graduating seniors Owen Ing, Emma Wollitz, and Will Buxton Commissioning of the Haiti Mission Team Anne Premer leading the Five Wishes seminar, and Rev. Robert English leading the Funeral /Memorial Planning seminar Baptism of Beatrix Elizabeth Milligan
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of SANTA MONICA 1008 Eleventh Street Santa Monica, CA 90403 www.santamonicaumc.org 310.393.8258 email: info@santamonicaumc.org Church Office Hours: Tues - Fri, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Chapel Open for Prayer: Tues - Fri, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. First UMC Online Social Media can be a great way to stay connected with not only friends and family, but also the church! So check it out, like and follow us, and let us know what you think! Call the church office for assistance. facebook.com/santamonicaumc @firstumcsantamonica WORSHIP SUNDAYS IN MARCH MARCH 4 10 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Third Sunday in Lent Holy Communion Homily by Rev. Patricia Farris 5 p.m. simple church simple church theme: on confrontational love and resisting consumer spirituality MARCH 11 10 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Fourth Sunday in Lent Sermon by Rev. Patricia Farris 5 p.m. simple church simple church theme: God really does love the world MARCH 18 10 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Lessons & Anthems 5 p.m. simple church simple church theme: on dying to self and bearing fruit What one thing can I do today to love God and love Creation? MARCH 25 - HOLY WEEK BEGINS 10 a.m. Sanctuary Worship - Palm Sunday 4:30 p.m. simple church - Blessing of the Walkers, Canes and Human Mobility Devices