February
25 - March 10, 2007
Cover
Story
CONFIRMATION
2007
by Brad Beeman
On Sunday, February 4, ten 7th and 8th grade youth began a journey
we call Confirmation. It is our hope that this journey will lead
to membership here at First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica.
Confirmation is, by design, a disciplined study of Christianity
and an overview of the responsibilities of membership in the Body
of Christ within a specific United Methodist Church. Classes will
cover a variety of topics such as Christian history, United Methodist
history and doctrine and issues of faith. At the end of our time
together, these youth will have gained a foundational understanding
of our faith and so much more by completing Confirmation. Our
United Methodist Book of Discipline explains the importance of
Confirmation and church membership. It states, in part, “Christ
constitutes the church as his body by the power of the Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:13 & 27). Baptism is the sacrament of initiation
and incorporation into the body of Christ. After baptism, the
church provides the nurture that makes possible a comprehensive
and life-long process of growing in grace. Youth will profess
their faith, commit themselves to a life of discipleship, and
be confirmed. Confirmation is both a human act of commitment and
the gracious action of the Holy Spirit strengthening and empowering
discipleship.” (Paragraph 216, The 2005 United Methodist
Book of Discipline.) We celebrate with these youth their decision
to enter into this journey. We celebrate that their parents saw
this as an opportunity to deepen faith. On June 10, we will celebrate
their many accomplishments and their ongoing commitment to this
church. We will welcome them fully into membership here at FUMC
and covenant to continue to nurture them toward an even deeper
understanding of God’s grace. They each bring significant
gifts and an energy that is truly contagious. Char and I ask that
you pray for each of them these next five months, pray for us
and the other leaders as we seek to teach and guide them, pray
for their families as they support them throughout this time.
In a few weeks you will see their prayer squares in the back of
the sanctuary. Take some time to stop, tie a prayer knot and support
them throughout this journey. You are a significant part of this
Confirmation journey. For that we are exceedingly grateful.
(Photo) From Left: Julia Wallace, Carolan McCollough, Jessica
Jones, Molly Smith, Sawyer Pascoe, Jimmy Scott, Bram O’Bell
and Michael Hooper; Missing from Photo: Meadow Holman and Shelly
McCammon; Photo by Dan Stirling
Highlights
FEBRUARY
BOOK STUDY
Sunday, February 25
Miraslov Volf ‘s book Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving
in a Culture Stripped of Grace will be the topic of discussion
with Rev. Patricia Farris, starting at 12 noon with a potluck
lunch in the Fireside Room. More...
THE
KEISKAMMA ALTARPIECE
March 13 - 23, 10 am - 8 pm
Our church is privileged to host the Keiskamma Altar-piece from
March 13 - 23. It will be available for viewing from 10 am - 8
pm daily (with the exception of Saturday, March 17 available 10
am - 6 pm). Made by the women of the Keiskamma Art Project as
a message of hope for people who are living in the midst of poverty,
AIDS and other hardships, the Keiskamma Altarpiece is bringing
the story of AIDS and poverty as experienced in the rural South
African village of Hamburg. You may find out more about the artwork,
the makers and the cause by visiting the church website where
we will also post related events that will be taking place while
the Altarpiece is with us. Please contact the church office for
more information. www.keiskamma.org
GLOBAL
WARMING SEMINAR
Sunday, March 4 @ 11:45 am
On Sunday, March 4, at 11:45 am in the Fireside Room, the Social
Concerns Council will sponsor a social concerns seminar with a
guest speaker on global warming and climate change. Monica Gilchrist,
National Resource Coor-dinator for Global Green USA, a national
environmental organization that works to bring about community-based
solutions to the global environ-mental challenges that face us
today, will lead the discussion about what we can do to creatively
respond to the threat of climate change and to achieve a sustainable
future. All are welcome.
THE
DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS
A Study of the Meaning of the Cross
Six
Wednesdays beginning February 28
2 - 3:15 pm or 7 - 8:30 pm (your choice) in Room 203
The
cross is the primary symbol of our Christian faith - yet often
we find it hard to articulate its meaning for us. We look for
answers to questions like these:
-
Was the cross necessary?
- What purpose did Jesus’ death serve?
- How are we to understand what the cross means for our salvation/redemption?
- In the light of the cross, what is the message of Jesus’
resurrection?
Video
presentations by Biblical scholar Marcus Borg will serve to present
information and spark discussion as we seek to find meaningful
answers. Please contact the church office to register. All are
welcome, but attendance at all sessions is important as the content
builds sequentially. The class will be led by Rev. Larry Young.
A free-will offering will be taken to defer class expenses.
IT'S
TAX SEASON AGAIN
There is a new tax law effective in 2007 that may affect you.
Because it is early in the year, you might choose to begin NOW
by writing a check to the church, instead of dropping cash in
the offering plate. The new Pension tax bill that just passed
has added stricter substantiation requirements for charitable
contributions.To claim a deduction, a donor needs a cancelled
check, bank record or a receipt from the charity listing the organization’s
name, date, and the amount of the contribution. A log or estimate
is not sufficient. No longer can you deduct that $10 bill you
tossed in the church offering plate. Saving the weekly church
bulletin with a notation of how much you put in the offering plate
will no longer be sufficient to substantiate your cash contributions
to the church. If you have any questions, please call Bill Prescott,
Business Administrator.
TIME
FOR WEARIN' OF THE GREEN
The United Methodist Women Women of Action invite everyone to
the 9th annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon on Sunday, March
11, 2007, at 12:15 pm in Simkins Hall. The cost is $7.50 per person
and includes lunch, dessert, and a beverage. Children under 5
years of age will be admitted free. The Women of Action will prepare
the delicious lunch and quartets from The Santa Monica Oceanaires
will perform lively Irish favorites barbershop style. Don’t
forget to wear green! For reservations, please call the church
office or stop by the UMW table during coffee/fellowship time
on Sunday morning.
NEW
NEIGHBORS ARE COMING by Brad Beeman
For a couple of years now, the owners of the house adjacent to
the south side of the church property have been applying for demolition
and construction permits. The demolition is now scheduled for
mid-March with excavation and construction to follow immediately.
In meeting with the developer, I found that there was asbestos
in one small area of the house. The asbestos was completely removed
on December 31, 2006. The developer has agreed to allow a follow-up
inspection regarding any other hazardous materials that may be
in or on the building. This inspection will be done in the next
few weeks. I also met with the City of Santa Monica to raise concerns
about the project. We were assured that the owners, project manager,
and contractors are doing everything required to assure safety
and security throughout the demolition and construction phases
of this project. Once the demolition is completed, excavation
will commence for what will become a five-unit townhouse condominium
complex with underground parking. As a part of our desire to protect
the children in the Preschool and the office staff from dust and
other particulates, the south playground and south-facing exterior
walls will be covered during excavation. When the project is completed,
let’s welcome these new neighbors with open arms. If you
have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Horizons
by
Patricia Farris
In this day and age, many among us may be confused about the meaning
of the season of Lent. It is a time of preparation, a time to
receive the great good news of the resurrection, much like time
spent preparing to receive guests or to celebrate a holiday. To
early Christians, that meant forty days of fasting, prayer and
giving to the poor. However that plays out for you, it is a season
of paring down, being silent, listening for God’s voice
and giving sacrificially.
I
share again this beautiful contemporary prayer with you as a suggestion
for ways to observe a Holy Lent.
Fast
from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Gracious
God, during this season, gift us with your presence, so that we
can be a gift to others in carrying out your work.
Amen.
Community
FUMC
Showing Leadership
At the LA District Leadership Training event on February 10, our
own Cindy McQuade led the Disaster Preparedness Workshop, Charleen
Smith co-led a Christian Education workshop and Rev. Brad Beeman
led workshops on Evangelism and Church Growth. Our member Bill
Schwabe also attended.
Condolences
We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of member
Mary Ellen Hartman who passed away on February 9. Visitation will
be at Forest Lawn Chapel in Hollywood Hills on February 23 from
6 - 8 pm and Graveside services and the Order of the Eastern Star
rights will be at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery on February
24 at 3 pm.
Upward
Bound House Thanks
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Upward Bound House and
all of the men, women and children we serve, I want to thank the
Church for making a $2,610 charitable donation (Alternative Christmas)
and for also contributing $602 to our Family Place Food Pantry
on January 19. Thank you again for your consideration. Sincerely,
Andrew Duff Parker
Nativity
Scenes Thanks
Thank you very much for your church’s prayers, participation
and financial contribution to the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes
again this year. Your participation helped make it possible to
praclaim in this distinctive way for the 54th year the true meaning
of Christmas, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, to viewers from
far and near.
Gratefully yours in Christ, Hunter T. Jameson
