March
11 - 24, 2007
Cover
Story
THE
KEISKAMMA ALTARPIECE
by Patricia Farris
What a privilege it will be to host the Keiskamma Altarpiece in
our sanctuary, March 13-23, one stop on its North American tour.
Made by women of the Keiskamma Art Project in Durban, South Africa,
it is a powerful piece of folk art made in the midst of poverty
and AIDS. It opens our eyes to the reality of AIDS in Africa and
also points to the hope of people empowered by education, medical
care and community action.
This altarpiece is large—14’ high and 22’ wide
when fully opened. It will be installed on the chancel in our
sanctuary. Made by South African grandmothers who are raising
the children of their children who have died of AIDS, this altarpiece
is modeled on the early 16c. German Isenheim Altarpiece of Matthias
Grünewald. Using embroidery, quilting, stitching and beadwork,
the South African women visually tell their story of sorrow and
grief while pointing towards rays of hope. The bishops of the
United Methodist Church have called us to action in leading the
effort to eradicate poverty, malaria and HIV/AIDS. As part of
our Lenten journey this year to become disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation of the world, the Keiskamma Altarpiece
will open our hearts and minds and challenge us to act. Open daily
from 10 am to 8 pm, trained docents will greet visitors, classes,
groups—anyone interested in seeing the altarpiece. Contact
the church office if you would like to volunteer as a docent.
Spread the word to friends, neighbors, teachers, health care providers,
artists and craftspeople. At our opening reception, March 13 at
7:30 pm, we will be joined by Dr. Carol Hofmeyr, the German doctor
who went to South Africa to treat people with AIDS and was inspired
to lead them in the creation of this altarpiece. And you won’t
want to miss worship on Sunday, March 18, as we are led by the
Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble. Visit our Keiskamma
page for further information and additional programming. Photo:
Boza Ivanovic
Highlights
ST.
PATRICK'S DAY LUNCHEON
Sunday, March 11
Join the UMW Women of Action for a scrumptious meal and entertainment
by the Oceanaires on Sunday, March 11 at 12:15 pm in Simkins Hall.
Tickets are $7.50 (children under 5 eat free) and may be purchased
in the church office. Don’t forget to wear green!
MARCH
MID-WEEK RECITAL
Wednesday, March 14
Nora Chiang, piano and Jonathan Moerschel, viola will provide
the music for our March Mid-Week Recital at 12:10 pm in the sanctuary
followed by a reception in the Fireside Room. More...
ST.
PATRICK'S DINNER & MOVIE NIGHT
Saturday, March 17
Fellowship and Events invites you to come join in the St. Patrick’s
Day fun with dinner and a movie at 5 pm in Simkins Hall. The themes
of “green” and “Irish” will play into
the evening with a screening of Shrek for the kids (green) and
an Irish movie for the adults. Prizes will be given to the one
wearing the most green. Don’t get pinched!
MARCH
BOOK STUDY
Sunday, March 25
Rev. John Fanestil’s book Crossing the Border of Faith:
What We Can Learn about Life and Faith from Mexican Immigrants
to the United States will be the topic of discussion with the
author himself and Rev. Patricia Farris, starting at 12 noon with
a potluck lunch in the Fireside Room. More...
FUMC
DOCENTS FOR KEISKAMMA
Be a Part of this Profound Experience
Docents are still needed who will be with the Altarpiece in the
sanctuary while it is on display. Docents will be on hand to help
guests and will periodically open the piece so that the inner
panels may be viewed. Several training opportunities and informational
brochures are available. Please contact Joy Peterman at (310)
828-4325 if you would like to help.
KEISKAMMA
ALTARPIECE EVENTS
•Tuesday, March 13, at 7:30 pm, sanctuary
Dr. Carol Hofmeyr will be with us for our opening reception
•Sunday, March 18, at 9:00 and 10:30 am, sanctuary
Worship Services with music by Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble
•Sunday, March 18, at 12 noon, Fireside Room
Screening of the feature film “Yesterday” with Q &
A
•Sunday, March 18, at 7:30 pm
Taizé Service of meditation, reflection, readings and music
•Monday, March 19, at 7:30 pm
A Service of Christian Unity
•Wednesday, March 21, at 7:30 pm
Rev. Wilma Jakobsen, Conference on Millenium Goals (HIV/AIDS)
•Thursday, March 22, at 7:30 pm
Edwin Bayrd, Associate Director, UCLA AIDS Institute
•Sunday, March 25
Food Drive will benefit Imani Unidos AIDS Project Food Pantry
-See our Keiskamma
page for more details.
FROM
THE STAFF/PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
We are very pleased to announce that Charleen Smith has been named
as new Director of the FUMC Preschool. In reaching their decision,
the SPRC noted that “it is clear that Ms. Smith has a passion
for children and their families. She also has those wonderful
qualities that are necessary when working with staff: compassion,
fairness, good communication skills, and encouragement. Char’s
training and background is in early childhood education and she
will bring many skills and gifts to this position.” Children’s
and Youth Ministries will be staffed with an interim arrangement
so that our programs will continue strong through the Spring as
a search proceeds for Char’s replacement. We express our
deep gratitude and appreciation to Director Alma Rogers as she
leaves our school to pursue new directions and long-held dreams.
Our Preschool’s long and well-known tradition of excellence
and caring for children and families 
continues
in good hands!
And, with Ty Woodward resigning to remain in Scottsdale, Arizona,
where he has been appointed the new Organist and Choirmaster at
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, we are also pleased to announce
our new Principal Organist, Christoph Bull. A native of Mannheim,
Germany, Dr. Bull is Adjunct Professor of Organ and University
Organist at UCLA, a position previously held by Tom Harmon. Dr.
Bull’s first Sunday here “on the bench” will
be April 22. Mary Gerlitz will continue as Associate Organist
and Frances Norbert, our marvelous interim organist, will also
return from time to time. We are pleased to welcome this talented
musician to our worship staff.
eSENTINEL
NEWS!
Are you a computer person? Do you prefer your news on-line? If
so, we invite you to check out our NEW, IMPROVED eSentinel: the
current issue of the Sentinel in a webpage format! Just go to
the FUMC home page www.santamonicaumc.org and click on “eSentinel”
in the left column. No more long waits for downloads, the eSentinel
will appear on your computer screen as quickly as any other webpage!
If you are currently receiving the paper version of the Sentinel,
we invite you to try out this new feature and permit us to switch
you to the eSentinel. We will then send you a link to the eSentinel
webpage as soon as it is available. Besides saving the church
time and money, you will receive your news faster, without waiting
for the mailman! To subscribe to the eSentinel or for more information,
please email us,
or call the church office at (310) 393-8258 x100. Thanks!
ALIVE
NOW
In addition to the Upper Room publication, we are now offering
Alive Now. Alive Now is filled with devotions, prayers, meditations,
stories, poetry and more, and comes out once every two months
focused on a theme. This issue’s theme is Humility. These
booklets are available to anyone who wants one. Please look for
them in the wall shelves near the sanctuary, in the church office,
or in Simkins Hall during coffee hour on Sunday mornings. Please
note the donation amount for each publication. Enjoy!
Horizons
by
Patricia Farris
Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for
the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
–Joshua 1:9
Our
ministry councils, Church Council and staff have all been hard
at work preparing for the Keiskamma Altarpiece to arrive. We want
to make the most of this tremendous opportunity to open our church
doors wide to the community as we make the altarpiece available
to the widest possible audience.
The
Altarpiece is being co-sponsored by our sister congregations of
the First Presbyterian Church, St. Augustine-by-the-Sea Episcopal
Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, St. Monica Catholic
Church and the Sharei-Am Synagogue. There will be literature tables
in the narthex where each faith group will offer information about
their work in combating HIV/AIDS.
Our
Missions Council members and I have discovered in the process
just how much our United Methodist Church is doing in this regard,
in the United States, here locally, and throughout Africa. You
will be interested to read of the many ministry projects we sponsor
primarily through UMCOR and the General Board of Global Ministries.
I
also discovered that the Upper Room Ministries has published a
small book, in the same format as the monthly Upper Room devotionals,
called “Prayers for Encouragement: Hope for Persons Living
with HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Other Serious Diseases.”
It was created when one of our bishops, visiting Methodist AIDS
projects, came upon a man reading an old worn edition of The Upper
Room in an AIDS clinic, and was inspired to work for the creation
of this small pocket book of prayers to be collected and printed
inexpensively so that it can be widely distributed.
I
commend it to you, whatever your present circumstance, as part
of your Lenten journey. I think you will discover, as have I,
a deep bond of faith with our brothers and sisters in Africa and
a powerful connection to the healing power of God in every place.
Here is part of one reflection, written by a South African woman:
“As
we face uncertainty, pain, illness, and other trials, we can remember:
‘Jesus Christ, bigger than any problem, is holding me tightly
to his heart. I am precious and safe in the arms of Christ, who
holds me through this life, safe, forever and ever.’”
Thanks
be to God for opportunities to grow in faith and to grow closer
to God and to one another.
Community
Fundraising
for New Orleans
The youth group is selling See’s Easter candy to raise money
for the Youth Gulf Coast Work Team to N.O. in August. See any
of the kids or visit the table during coffee hour on Sunday mornings
to order your chocolate bunnies and candies. It’s a sweet
way to support the team!
You’re
Invited
On Sunday, March 25, there will be a celebration of Libbie Ranslem’s
100th birthday after the second service at 11:30 am in Simkins
Hall. Join Libbie and her family for a celebration of her faith-filled
life, with refreshments and birthday cake.
Our
United Methodist Community
Would you like to learn more about the United Methodist Church?
Well, UMCom (United Methodist Communications) offers an online
interactive, multi-media course about the basics of the UMC called
UM101. Registration is $12. The class is being offered now through
March 28. It’s never too late to register or start the class.
For more information and to register, visit http://training.umcom.org.
Join
the Team
Our adult co-ed softball team the Holy Rollers are starting a
new season. If you would be interested in joining the team, please
contact Cathleen
Hagins. If you prefer to cheer the team on, that’s always
needed as well! Stay tuned to your Sunday Orders of Worship for
game dates and times on the calendar section. Go team!
Condolences
We extend our deepest sympathy to Becky and Jack Pearson and family
and friends in the death of Becky’s mother and our member
Pauline Cooper who passed away on February 28. A service will
be held for her in the chapel on March 25, at 2 pm with a reception
following in the Fireside Room. Rev. Dorothy Worley will be officiating
the service.
FUMC
Thanks
On February 27, Rev. Brad Beeman gave the invocation at the Blue
and Gold Banquet Awards Ceremony for Pack 67. After the invocation,
Brad was presented with a beautiful certificate and financial
donation to the church for the Simkins Hall project. We wish to
thank Pack 67 for this touching recognition. Thank you!
