September
9 - 22, 2007
Cover
Story
FALL/WINTER
OFFERINGS AT FUMC
Upcoming
Events:
Worship Renewal Grant - Part of the excitement for this
fall comes as we implement our second Calvin Institute of Worship
Renewal grant. The grant will allow us to explore providing ongoing
relationships with and the development of resources for two populations
who are not in worship with us on any given Sunday morning. The
first are those who may be traveling throughout the world. The
second are families with children and youth in sports. We will
be pulling together focus groups, providing weekend workshops
(the first of which is on Saturday, September 22 with Dr. Thomas
Thangaraj), examining current trends, and exploring other worship
possibilities with these groups. You will be hearing a lot more
about this as the year unfolds. Look on the website, in the Order
of Worship, at Friday E-mails, and upcoming Sentinels for more
information.
Blessing
of the Animals - a special service for pets and their owners
on October 6 at 10 am in the courtyard.
Taize
Service - a worship service of music and prayer on December
16, at 7:30 pm in the chapel.
Ongoing
Groups:
Christian Meditation
- also known as Centering Prayer, with Lectio Divina, meets every
Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm in the balcony of the sanctuary.
Partnership
with God - an older adult Sunday School class meets every
Sunday morning at 9 am for topical programs and fellowship in
Rm 101.
Shareringers
- an adult fellowship group that meets regularly at church and
at members homes for programs and events.
Open
Table - a young adult and young family group that meets
every Sunday evening at 6:30 pm at a member’s home for food
and fellowship.
the
bridge - a young adult group that meets every Wednesday
night at 7 pm in Rm 308 for Bible/topical studies and fellowship
and also meets for service projects, social events and retreats.
Family
Connection - a group for young and established families
alike that meets for fellowship and events throughout the year.
United
Methodist Youth Fellowship - a youth group for those
in 6th through 12th grades who gather every Sunday evening at
6:15 pm in the Youth Lounge for the purpose of developing as Christians
and being transformed through God including programs, food, fellowship
and spiritual growth. The group also participates in social activities,
camps, service projects and retreats throughout the year.
Prayer
Quilt Ministry - a quilting group for anyone interested
in the craft and anyone who believes in the power of prayer. The
group gathers once a month on Saturdays at 9 am in Rm 300 to make
quilts for those in need of healing prayer.
United
Methodist Women - a service/missions/fellowship group
for women of all ages, made up of several “circles”
that meet monthly for crafting, food, education/Bible study, fellowship
and service.
Men’s
Bible Study/Breakfast Group - a group of men who meet
every Tuesday morning at 7 am for breakfast, Bible study and fellowship.
Book
Study & Potluck - this faith and theology based book
study with Rev. Patricia Farris is held once a month after the
second worship service and often includes the author of the book
- not to mention lunch!
All
of these groups and events are open to those who are interested.
Questions? Contact the church
office.
Highlights
HOMECOMING
SUNDAY
September 9 @ 9 & 10:30
Our Homecoming and Open House takes place this Sunday! We will
celebrate with worship services at 9 am and 10:30 am. We will
also be coll-ecting clothing for children at Esperanza Elementary
School - preK through 5th grade. Be sure to drop off your items
in the bins around the church beginning this Sunday through October
14. If you are new to our congregation or know of someone who
is, be sure to pick up a red Welcome Packet filled with information
about FUMC. Ol’ timers and new faces alike are encouraged
to fill out the service form that can be found in the packets,
at the welcome table, at coffee hour, or by asking one of our
Lay Leadership representatives. Home-coming will be filled with
meaningful worship, information about the church, refreshments,
and fellowship. All are Welcome!
4TH
GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION
Sunday, September 16
During worship on September 16 we will recognize our 4th graders
with a brand new Bible. Come support them and congratulate them
as they move up in Sunday School and in their Christian faith.
WORSHIP
RENEWAL: YEAR 2
Workshop - Saturday, September 22
If you enjoy traveling and would like to reflect on your experiences
in light of your faith journey, you are especially invited to
the first Worship Renewal Workshop of the year with Dr. Thomas
Thangaraj. Please RSVP to Linda Burch in the church office. If
you can’t attend the workshop on Saturday, join Dr. Thangaraj
and Rev. Patricia Farris for the Book Study and Potluck on Sunday,
September 23 at 12 noon in the Fireside Room!
LAY
LEADERSHIP - FALL 2007 CAMPAIGN
Representatives from our Lay Leadership Committee, along with
church council chairpersons, will have a booth and also be circulating
during the coffee hours of September 9, 16, and 23. Our mission
and charge is simple: we wish to be information agents regarding
the work of our great church. So, when a friendly representative
stops by to say hello (they will be the people with badges declaring
“ASK ME” or something clever to that effect), please
ask those questions about the work of our committees and how you
can help. Our campaign this year is based upon JFK’s inaugural
speech indicating “ask not what your CHURCH can do for you
but ask what you can do for your CHURCH”! Also, please look
forward to upcoming heartfelt testimonials based upon this theme.
We look forward to seeing you during coffee hour.
TO
PROMOTE TRUTH AND JUSTICE
First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica will be serving
as host to a very important event sponsored by the Christian-Muslim
Consultative Group entitled “Obsession Salon” on Sunday,
September 30 at 2 pm in Simkins Hall. You are invited to this
event to promote truth and justice in the face of prejudice and
propaganda. The film Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against
the West will be screened followed by a Discussion with Q&A
with panel guests: Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, Episcopal Diocese
of Los Angeles; Edina Lekovic, Muslim Public Affairs Council;
Dr. Maher Hathout, Author of “Jihad vs. Terrorism”
& “In Pursuit of Justice,” and will be moderated
by Jihad Turk, Islamic Center of Southern California.
The
Christian-Muslim Consultative Group is a partnership working with
leaders in various streams of Southern California Christian and
Muslim communities to ehance mutual understanding, respect, appreciation
and support of the Sacred in each other. The future of American
pluralism depends on what we do now. We encourage you to attend
and discover what that might be. All are welcome!
DO
YOU ENJOY PLAYING GAMES?
The United Methodist Women will be hosting their Annual Game Day
Fundraiser on Saturday, October 6 at 1:30 pm in the Fireside Room.
Games such as Bridge, Scrabble and Mah-Jong will be played among
others. Dessert will also be served and prizes awarded to winners
at each table. You won’t want to miss this fun event to
raise money for UMW missions and our Youth program! A suggested
donation of $10 will be charged at the door. Please call Joy Williams
at (310) 476-9480 for more information or to reserve your spot
at one of the game tables. And, be sure to wear your game face!
SEPTEMBER
TIP FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Family Food and Water Plan:
Water is a top priority in an emergency! Store at least one gallon
per person per day. You should store at least a two-week supply
of water for each member of your family. Rotate frequently by
using it for normal use and replacing as needed.
Although,
it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food supply
for two weeks, you should prepare a supply that will last that
long. To do this, just increase the amount of basic nonperishable
foods you normally keep in your pantry. Some examples of nonperishable
foods include dried fruit, nonfat dry milk, canned tuna, stews,
soups, beans, canned fruit juices, nuts, graham crackers. Don’t
forget baby food, older adult food needs and pet food. Be sure
to have a manual can opener handy as well.
TRANSPORATION
PROGRAM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
The Independent Transportation Network (ITN Santa Monica) is a
new transportation program for adults 65+ and visually impaired
individuals. ITN is looking for persons interested in driving
older adults in the Pacific Palisades and Brentwood areas. Volunteers
drive their own vehicles and determine their own hours. For more
details, contact the church office.
by
Patricia Farris
I have just recently returned from the Oxford Institute for Methodist
Theological Studies. It was a rich immersion into the world, theology
and practice of John and Charles Wesley. I worshipped in Christ
Church Cathedral where they worshipped and were ordained, using
the 1662 Prayer Book which was the book out of which they prayed.
I walked the steps and halls where the first Methodist groups
formed and visited the prison where John preached and ministered.
I was struck again at how very contemporary their insights and
admonitions are, as we in our time also wrestle with social issues
of wealth and poverty, slavery and abundant living, war and peace.
The
experience of the Institute inspired me in two additional ways
as well. One is the notably Methodist vital interplay of church
and academia. The Oxford Institute is very much engaged in learning
for the sake and life of the church. Numerous pastors and bishops
interacted with scholars from our Methodist seminaries across
the course of the ten days. We were enriched on both sides and
came away recommitted to the life of the church as well as to
the vitality of academia.
The
second was an unexpected bonus. Our meal times and study group
experiences offered plenty of time to get to know one another
and share experiences of ministry. I spent time with pastors,
bishops, seminary presidents and professors from the church in
Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, Russia, India, the Caribbean,
Korea, Southern Africa, Samoa, Argentina, Uruguay and all parts
of the U.S. My prayers are now full of petitions on their behalf,
especially for those who serve in very challenging and difficult
situations where resources are scarce.
But
my prayers also include prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving
to God for the myriad ways in which the Holy Spirit continues
to pour out life into God’s church. We focus far too much
on numbers and decline. I am deeply convinced that God is at work
in it all, in ways we cannot now fully see or understand. It is
ours to be faithful with all that has been entrusted to us—and
for us at FUMC Santa Monica, that indeed is a great deal—and
to have confidence that God is working in and through us to accomplish
God’s purposes for the church and the world.
Thank
you for the opportunity to participate in this most wonderful
experience as my Continuing Education for this year. I am deeply
grateful. And may God bless us with a faithful, fruitful and joyful
ministry and with grace-filled lives of love and service.
Community
WEDDING
INVITATION
Amy Rosenbalm a friend of our congregation and her fiance Alan
Nadir graciously invite you to their wedding ceremony on Saturday,
September 15 at 5 pm in Gates Chapel. All are welcome.
CONDOLENCES
We extend our deepest sympathy to:
- the family and friends of Jack Armstrong who died on August
29.
- the family and friends of Leo “Bob” Holliday who
died on August 21. A service was held on August 25 at 11 am in
the chapel.
- the family and friends of Robert Sears who died on August 8.
CONGRATULATIONS
We send a heartfelt congratulations to our friend Amy Liggett.
On August 22, Amy was appointed to the position of Minister of
Education at North Long Beach Christian Church. This has been
a dream of hers for many years and she thanks everyone for their
support. Congratulations, Amy! The next time you see her you might
want to call her Reverend.
SEEKING
A HOST FAMILY
Nina is a 16 year old high school student from Germany who would
like to attend high school in the Los Angeles area in the spring
of 2008. She is looking for an English speaking host family who
would be willing to take her in for three months. Nina is a very
active member of her local UMC in Wilhelmshafen near Hamburg.
If you know a family or if you are a family who would like to
help, please contact Thomas from First German UMC at pastor@christuskirche.us.
HARVEST
HOME POSITION
Harvest Home, a shelter for homeless, pregnant women, located
in Venice Beach is seeking a full time house manager. The position
is live-in and Harvest Home provides a one bedroom with bath with
separate entrance plus board along with a minimum annual salary
of $12,000. The position can either be 5 or 6 days per week consisting
of house management and supervision of 9 residents (approximately
20 hours per week) and nannying one 7 month baby (approximately
30 hours per week). The position is available only to single,
committed Christian women. If interested, please contact Jennifer
Jenson at (310) 452-1223. This opportunity is truly for those
interested in ministry! A more detailed job description is available
by contacting the church office.
