August 12 - 25, 2007

Cover Story

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS by Mary Jo Dalton

FUMC has a Task Force for Disaster Preparedness to assess our readiness as a church and our ability to be a resource for the community at large in the case of a major disaster. The Task Force identified Goals. The first goal was to make sure the children on campus are ready. Our preschool is and has been prepared with supplies being rotated each year. The next goal was to prepare the staff and those using the office building and classrooms. We prepared the staff with individual kits under their desk and are in the process of gathering extra supplies and tools for search and rescue which will be stored for all those who may be in the education building at the time of a potential disaster. Our next goal was to get our congregation (you) ready in the event of a major disaster while you are at the church for services/events and to prepare your homes and families.

On July 22, Health Ministry Council hosted a Disaster Preparedness Mini Fair at Coffee Hour. The Red Cross and Fire Department were there with information about what to do in the case of a major disaster. Several members of Shareringers put together Personal Disaster Kits to sell to individuals for their cars or homes. Health Ministry served potential food that could be stored for a disaster. The Red Cross had other types of kits and supplies for sale and is a good resource for all your emergency needs. They are located at 11th Street and Broadway. You may also purchase supplies at www.redcross.org.

We are off to a good start! Look for the monthly reminder of important steps to take in preparing yourself, your family and your home for a disaster and keep your supplies up to date. Our last goal is to join the Santa Monica City Emergency Services to decide how our facility would be best used to serve the needs of the community in the case of a major disaster. We have contacted the City and are waiting to establish that partnership to go forward. For more information contact me at (310) 393-8258.

Members of the Shareringers class assembling Disaster Kits

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Highlights

GOSPEL, BLUEGRASS & ROOTS
Music Club is Forming
A new group will be starting that gathers once a month at the church, to listen and share favorite gospel folk songs, and to sing and play, with acoustic instruments, some of the great music in this tradition. If you like Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, the Carter Family, et al, and would like to participate, call Ken Rasmussen at (310) 452-2925 for information about the first gathering.

PRESCHOOL ART SHOW
Sundays in August
You are invited to view the artwork of Preschool students, on display in the Simkins Hall alcove through Sunday, August 26. While you are enjoying fellowship and refreshment during coffee hour after worship, be sure to take a look!

HOMECOMING
Sunday, September 9
Believe it or not, Fall is right around the corner and with it comes Homecoming Sunday on September 9 complete with worship services at 9 am and 10:30 am. Mark your calendars now. This special day will be filled with meaningful worship, activities, information about the church, refreshments, fun and fellowship. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Saturday, October 6
Get your pets ready for our Blessing of the Animals! We’re still working out the details, but this wonderful service will be held in the courtyard at 9 am on Saturday, October 6. All pets and their owners are welcome to be a part of this special service.

MEET JESSICA JOHNSTON
We are pleased to announce that Jessica Johnston has joined the church office staff as an Office Assistant. Jessica was most recently the Administrative Secretary at Claremont UMC and also worked as the Church Secretary at South Pasadena UMC. She remains active in the South Pasadena church working with youth and children.

Jessica grew up in Iowa and holds a Masters of Divinity Degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver. After serving as an Associate Pastor at Boone First UMC in Boone, Iowa, she felt her gifts were better suited to the administrative side of church business. She brings a unique perspective and a sunny smile to the office. Stop by and say hello!

Current Staff List and Contact Information

RALPHS COMMUNITY PROGRAM REMINDER
As we informed you in the last Sentinel, Ralphs is requiring participants in their Community Contribution Program to re-register for a new one-year term beginning September 1, 2007, through August 31, 2008. Your participation in the program has provided FUMC with donations that average $60 per quarter. For FUMC to continue to receive this donation, you must register again OR sign up your card if you’ve never done it before.
• All members who are currently enrolled in the Ralphs Community Contribution Program will remain active until August 31, 2007.
• All new and current Members are required to register at www.ralphs.com/ccprogram.htm for the new term that will be effective beginning September 1, 2007 through August 31, 2008. Click on the Sign Up button under “Participant,” and fill in the form. The correct new NPO (Non-Profit Organization) number for FUMC is 81295.
• All registrations at www.ralphs.com after August 1, 2007, will be effective for the new term that begins on September 1, 2007.
We currently only have 11 folks signed up with Ralphs. This is a completely free and easy thing to do. Call the church office if you would like us to sign you up online. We’ll need your Ralphs Club Card number, the correct first and last name of the cardholder and the cardholder’s address. Keep up the good work!

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by Patricia Farris

Warning. This is a good news/bad news message.

Actually, it’s the same news, but you will receive it as good news or as bad news, depending on your point-of-view.

I’m truly excited that on HOMECOMING SUNDAY, September 9, we will return to our two services at 9:00 and 10:30 am. “At last,” some of you will say. “Oh no,” others will cry.

Through the summer, I’ve heard your various and contradictory comments. “You’ll see me when I can come… a) earlier” or b) later” (choose your preference.) “I love the fuller feel of the sanctuary.” “I prefer a quieter service.” “I love having the children in church.” “Worship at 10:00 wrecks the whole day.” “It’s really nice to see the people from the other service.”

And so on and so forth. Some weeks it feels like a ping-pong match of commentary.

Bottom Line 1: We all have strong feelings. We all have preferences. We all care very much about worship—and that’s good!

Bottom Line 2: The diversity of our congregation in terms of age, family situation and preference calls for (at least) two services. The needs and diversity of the community and of our many newcomers call for two services. Our emphasis on families with young children and Children in Church calls for two services. Our desire for different styles of worship calls for two services.

Bottom Line 3: We all love having more people in worship. So, a few things are required of us.
· Make regular participation in worship the #1 priority for you and your family this year.
· Contact people you’ve missed seeing and invite them to join you on Homecoming Sunday.
· Call someone you’ve always been meaning to invite and bring them with you. If you need to take them out to brunch afterwards to sweeten the deal, I’ll reimburse you on September 9. But remember, we’re going to have a great spread at Coffee Hour that day!

Bottom Line 4: It’s really all about God, not us, anyway.

God bless you. See you in church!

Patricia Farris

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Community

CONDOLENCES
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to John Stutsman in the death of his brother David.

CONGRATULATIONS
We congratulate Carl Rogers for being appointed to the PDQ Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Editorial Board by the National Cancer Institute for which he has been a Patient Advocate certified to sit on Peer Review Panels for Federal cancer research grant applications for the last several years. As part of this new position, Carl will be doing quite a bit of traveling over the next several weeks. Safe travels and congrats, Carl!

We congratulate Virginia Marshall for being the featured quilter at the Santa Monica Quilt Guild Show at Loyola Marymount University on August 4-5. Virginia quilts with the Santa Monica Quilt Guild as well as our own Prayer Quilt Ministry. She has made over two hundred quilts since 1992. She likes to use many different techniques and colors and has won various awards for her work over the years. Beautiful job, Virginia!

PRAYER QUILT THANKS
A most beautiful prayer quilt arrived for me today. It is colorful and cheerful and I will treasure it. I am doing well after my surgery. I believe that many prayers helped a lot. Thank you for the healing thoughts that inspired the making of the quilt.
-Lee Vizdal

I am lost for words to express my gratefulness towards this ministry. As results of your prayers I am happy to assure you that I am on my way to full recovery. You and my prayer quilt will be a part of my life. - Artie Hayes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Happy Birthday to Maxine Naylor, Wendell Furnas and Del Wade who all recently turned 90!

UP FOR EXCITING TRAVELS?
John and Bobbie McMullen will be leading a tour in Japan on November 5-20, 2007. If you might be interested in the trip and would like more information, please call them at (805) 582-6852.

Missions Update

Upcoming Worship