Santa Monica FUMC

WNL: WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE
Summer is a time for family and FUMC is excited to offer: Wednesday Night Live!, a summer evening series for all ages. Wednesday nights from 6:30- 8:30 pm in Simkins Hall. Dinner will be provided. Tickets are $5 per person and $20 max per family.
The schedule includes: July 8 - Game Tournament Night; July 22 - Amazing Race; August 12 - Classic Summer Movie Night; August 26 - Old-Fashioned Church Picnic. Mark your calendars! For more information, contact the church office.

SUMMER SING-ALONGS
Thursdays in July, 7:30 - 9:30 pm in Simkins Hall
Sing along with, or simply enjoy listening to major choral works led by outstanding guest conductors. Musical scores and refreshments will be provided.

Order forms are available in the church office now! Sign up for any or all nights. $45 for entire series if purchased by July 1 or $15 at the door each night.

2009 SCHOLARSHIPS
This year, despite very limited earnings on our scholarship funds due to the state of the stock market, the Methodist Foundation has nevertheless been able to make available a limited number of scholarships. While this year's gifts may be fewer and smaller than in past years, we are grateful to be able to provide scholarship support at a time when it is very much needed by our students and their families.

2009 scholarships will be awarded to graduating High School Seniors who have been active in the life of FUMC and our Youth Group. Applications will be avilable soon.

Applications are in the church office and should be completed and returned by July 12.

Questions about our FUMC Scholarships Program may be sent to Ben Ing, Chair, Loans and Scholarships Committee or John Stutsman, Chair, Methodist Foundation. Inquiries about additional gifts and/or new scholarships may be sent to John Stutsman.

HELP US MAKE HEALTH KITS FOR WOMEN
The UMW are collecting items for health kits for those in need. The items may be dropped off in the UMW Workroom. The items needed are: soap, new tooth brushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, washcloths, white socks, hand towels and hand lotion. Thanks!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: CAMP E.D.G.E.
VBS 2009 will take your children to an extreme adventure camp where they will Experience and Discover God Everywhere! This is not your typical stroll through the woods. It’s an action-packed, adrenaline-filled expedition that teaches kids that their strength and might come from God. Through rockin’ contemporary music, larger-than-life recreation games, mind-boggling science activities, extreme sports videos, and cool, challenging crafts, we’ll show your kids how to live on the E.D.G.E. in their faith. CAMP E.D.G.E. runs August 3 - 7, from 8:30 am -12:30 pm at FUMC. The fee for the entire week is $30 per child and $80 max per family. Register your children in the church office. View & print the brochure. For more information, contact Camille Mattick at 310-393-8258 ext 104.

RELAY FOR LIFE 2009: GO WESLEY WALKERS!
FUMC has formed a team for this summer’s Relay for Life at SMC, under the name “Wesley Walkers.” The walk will take place on Friday, July 17, at 6 pm until 6 pm on Saturday, July 18. Each team should have a member on the track at all times. The 24 hours includes games, food, activities, music, a luminaria ceremony and special programing for cancer survivors. You may participate in the entire event, or just stop by to walk when you can. This is a fun fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. All of us can probably think of someone in our lives affected by cancer - Relay for Life is always a worthy cause. Join the team, raise some money, come out and walk and show your support! To get involved, CLICK HERE and follow the steps to "joing our team." Joining the team is completely FREE unless you’d like to give a donation. Once you’ve joined, send your information out to friends and family so that you can help the team raise money! Many thanks to our Team Captain Chris Reagh who took the initiative to get our team started. Please let Chris know if there are specific times when you would like to walk or can’t walk, etc... Thanks!

“KIDS DAY OUT”
All kids are invited to bring their families to our fun day trips to exciting destinations this summer! More details coming soon, but for now, save the following dates: June 24 - Exposition Park to see the “Cool Globes” display and visit the National History Museum; July 15 - 3rd St. Promenade Picnic and Screening of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince; July 29 - Pool Day; August 19 - Los Angeles Zoo. Contact Camille Mattick at camille.mattick@santamonicaumc.org or 310-393-8258 ext 104 with questions.

UNITED METHODIST NIGHT WITH THE LA GALAXY
Mark your calendars now and reserve your tickets for the second annual Cal-Pac Conference UMC Night with the LA Galaxy on Saturday, August 29 at 8 pm. This will be a fun fellowship opportunity at an exciting soccer match between the Galaxy and Chivas USA that is sure to sell out. FUMC has reserved a block of seats for our church and the tickets are already here (and are limited), so contact Rachel Eaton via email or at 310-393-8258 to reserve yours today! $28 per person.

NEW ART EXHIBIT NOW OPEN
Look for our new exhibit of art in the Fireside Room. After two successful exhibits, we are anticipating this third show to continue the excellence in art and artists that we have come to enjoy.

The art work of several artists associated with Step-Up on Second will hang on the Fireside Room’s “wall of art,” beginning in April. These very talented artists recently exhibited their works at the L.A. Art Show at the Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hanger; and through Step-Up on Second’s “Art Heals” program, their works have also been shown at local Santa Monica galleries.

We wish to thank Conrad and Nancy Immel, who so wonderfully kicked off our new program of revolving art exhibits by allowing pieces from their eclectic collection to be on display. From oils to pastels to pen and ink, from known to unknown artists -- they graciously shared their treasured pieces, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for their generosity!

Following the Immel collection, came the outstanding work of artist and member Barry Simmonds, whose bold contemporary pieces of strong colors and evocative images brought a new look and feel to the “wall of art.” Our heartfelt thanks to Barry, also, for his generosity in sharing his work, and for his successful “artist-in-residence” Sunday, which allowed us to see first hand how he creates his masterpieces!

A WESLEYAN WAY OF LIVING TODAY
How do we love one another as Christ loves? How does a congregation “increase faith, confirm hope, and perfect us in love?” The Wesleyan tradition offers practical guidance for those who wrestle with these questions. This coming Fall, United Methodists will gather for a unique opportunity. As interest grows in claiming the “method of Methodism,” the California-Pacific Board of Discipleship and the General Board of Discipleship will sponsor a Wesleyan Institute in Los Angeles. This event is open to everyone, and encourages congregational leaders, both lay and clergy, to discover a way we can live out “our Wesleyan code in our zip code,” as Bishop Mary Ann Swenson has challenged. This gathering will get at the core of how to live out a balanced and transformational way of being disciples inside and outside the church. The Wesleyan tradition offers us practical guidance, and a way to wrestle with living out the means of grace. Come explore this contemporary method of Methodism. Today we see ourselves and others often compartmentalized. This event will help us balance the public and private aspects of our faith, as well as challenge us to be more balanced in the areas of Worship, Justice, Devotion, and Compassion. As we explore this proven and holistic method, we will find practical ways that the means of grace make us available to God, and one another. (from Circuit West, January 2, 2009)
FUMC encourages you to “save the date” for this event which will take place on October 22-24, 2009, at Holman UMC (3320 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018). For more information, visit www.wesleyaninstitute.org, or call Becky Caudill at 1-877-899-2780.

COMMEMORATE WITH THE TREE OF LIFE
The FUMC Commemorative Tree of Life in the Fireside Room was started by our United Methodist Women to honor many of their leaders and members. It is now available to the congregation and makes a wonderful lasting gift and tribute. Leaves may be purchased in memory of a loved one or to commemorate significant events in the lives of church members. Funds raised through the Commemorative Tree of Life will be administered by the FUMC Trustees in support of the ministries of FUMC. Leaves are available at $500 per leaf. Text may be up to 5 lines, 28 letters/spaces per line in the current font size of the New Times Roman font. Please contact the church office for further information.

DOING WHAT WE CAN
Through these times of economic hardship for many, we want to encourage you to keep up your financial support of FUMC through your pledge and offering giving. And, as we make every effort to keep costs down, let us know if you can volunteer some time or expertise and we’ll see if we can’t put you to work here at the church. Together, doing all we can, we will continue our ministries!

YOU CAN HELP FUMC WITHOUT EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT!
In the times we’re living in, “every little bit” truly does help! Did you know that by signing up with a few different programs (which is quick and easy) you could be sending monetary funds to the church just by running your normal errands? At www.escrip.com you can register your grocery club/rewards cards and your various credit cards (optional). Then, when you shop at their participating merchants such as Vons, Macys, Pep Boys, Bristol Farms, OfficeMax and others, a percentage of your purchase total is donated to FUMC. Just enter our group name (First UMC) or ID number (166442608) to designate FUMC as your beneficiary. Other stores have their own programs that will also donate to FUMC, including Albertsons and Ralphs. Simply visit this page for the specific instructions. Again, it’s easy and will only take a few minutes of your time - but will give extra added support to the church so that we might continue valuable ministry to our members and community. Thanks!

CONTINUOUS FOOD DRIVE
Our monthly food drives have been going so well that we are expanding out efforts. Every first Sunday of the month, as we gather around the Lord’s Table, we will continue our donations of food or money to the Westside Food Bank. This will ‘kick off’ our food drive which will continue throughout the month. Every Sunday the bins will be out ready for donations and contributions.

To refresh our memories, here is a list of the monthly themed food items we are collecting.

We all pray that God continues to work through our community of faith in helping to feed the hungry.

NOURISH A LIFE BY VOLUNTEERING TO DELIVER MEALS
Loneliness is as terrible as hunger! To many homebound people, hunger and isolation is a daily experience. Since 1974, Meals on Wheels West have been on our wheels, delivering smiles one meal at a time. For many years we have been fortunate to have volunteers from the congregation of First United Methodist Church and wish to remind everyone that we are still here and always in need of volunteers.

Volunteers for meal delivery are needed Monday through Friday between 11 am and 1 pm (in many cases; it takes much less than the 2 hour window). No commitment is necessary - we are very flexible! There are opportunities for clerical support as well.

Please contact Joanna Vasquez, Director of Volunteers at 310-394-7558 or email JoannaVasquezMOW@aol.com. Joanna is always heartened to hear that her volunteers feel that they receive more than what they give. Please join us in promoting good nutrition and independent living. The daily visits of our volunteers reassures our homebound friends that someone cares. In many cases, YOU, our volunteer, may be the only person they will see or talk to all day or all week.

See the Church Calendar for a full list of activities and to verify exact times and dates.

Reviews

Rev. Patricia Farris is now one of three co-editors of the on-line Circuit Rider Book Reviews. You may find them here: Circuit Rider Reviews

Click on the above link for our Church Newsletter, the electronic version of the Sentinel = the eSentinel!

The church wants to be aware of the happenings of our church community and their family and friends. Please contact the church office if you know of any information that you feel might be important to communicate to our pastors and staff and/or for inclusion in the Sentinel. Feel free to call or email us with news of: births, deaths, anniversaries, graduations, special honors or any other celebrations or concerns.

WAYS TO SERVE
We have many volunteer opportunities available throughout the church. Please consider where you might use your time and talents:

Tithing
If you would like to tithe regularly to FUMC, there are several options. Please view our 2009 pledge card, print it out, and send the completed form to the church office. If you have any questions, please call the church and speak with Bill Prescott, FUMC Business Administrator, (310) 393-8258, ext 108. Thank you so much for your generous support for the ministries of our church.

More Ways to Support FUMC
• We’re happy to announce that FUMC has joined eScrip! Now, when you shop at eScrip merchants, the church gets a percentage of your purchase. Participating merchants include Vons, Macys, Pep Boys, Bristol Farms, OfficeMax and more. View the entire list of merchants. It’s simple to register:
-Log onto www.escrip.com
- Click on “sign up” and enter our group name (First UMC) or group ID number (166442608).
- Register your grocery club and your debit/credit cards (optional).
- Then start shopping!
If you have any questions or need help signing up, please contact the church office.

Giving to FUMC - Online!
• Did you know that we now accept payment/donations with credit cards? You may use a credit card to support various minitries of the church, to give your tithe, to pay Preschool tuition and much more! The link to giving options also permits credit cards to be used to purchase various services and items, such as concert tickets, poinsettias, Easter lilies and class registration fees. All purchases will have a 3% service charge added to the amount charged. There is no extra charge for donations. Check it out!

Out of Ideas?
• Not sure what to buy for a family member’s birthday or anniversary? Do you have a friend that you would like to thank for his or her hard work? Our donation certificates might be just the answer. We’ve recently received several requests for donations to various funds such as Vacation Bible School and Missions Council in honor of special people. If you are interested in making a contribution in someone’s name, contact the church office. We can discuss the type of personalized “In Honor Of . . .” certificate you would like created to present to the gift recipient.

New Ralphs Rewards Card:
• If you shop at Ralphs, we have a painless way for you to give to FUMC. Under their Community Contribution program, Ralphs donates to FUMC a portion of every dollar you spend at Ralphs when you enroll on-line with your new Ralphs Rewards Card number. Go to www.ralphs.com, click on “Community,” then on “Community Contribution." You’ll need our NPO (non-profit organization) number which is: 81295. Or you may call the church office with your Rewards Card number and we will be happy to take care of this for you.

(To make sure you’re enrolled, check the very last line on your next Ralphs receipt. It should read: “At your request, Ralphs is donating to First United Methodist Church.”)

Albertsons and Sav-on:
• This particular program called Community Partners, also applies to Sav-on pharmacy. First you have to have an Albertson’s Preferred Savings Card. If you don’t already have a card you may sign up for one at your local store or click here. If you already have a card, click here and go to the “In The Community” logo. You may also sign up by calling 1-877-9-EASY-4-U (1-877-932-7948). Once you’re signed up with Community Partners, a percentage of the money you spend at either store (when you use your card) will come back to support our United Methodist Youth Fellowship program!

*Albertsons and Sav-on have raised the amount of funds they return to our organization to 4%! So, when you use your Preferred Savings Card (if it is linked to the Community Partners program) you will be raising even more money for FUMC’s Youth Ministries!