A Summer of ReadingOne of my very favorite parts of summer growing up was going to the public library. Mom would take me and she and I would spend a morning looking at books. We’d both check out our limit and head home with as many books as we could carry. We’d read and read and read until the books were due back two weeks later. Then we’d return and begin again. Every two weeks. All summer. As many books as we could read.

I’m not entirely sure what’s happened, but recent studies all confirm that nearly half of 17-year-olds now report that they read for pleasure no more than one or two times a year, if that! I know there’s more to life than reading your summer away—like swimming and learning an instrument and playing with friends and sleeping.

But, wow…what happens to our minds, our imagination, our sense of the big-wide world, our insights into all kinds of characters we’ll never actually meet, our inspiration to climb the highest mountain and stand up to the biggest giant, and dare I add to our faith…what happens to all that if we’ve stopped reading?

I still prefer actual books, but it’s OK to read on an electronic device. That counts. Just do it! Let’s make this summer a summer of reading. And parents—the studies also show that kids with parents who read, or buy books, or take books out of the library, are the kids who read the most.

Happy Summer! Slow down. Read a book. Feed your starving mind and soul with lots of good, yummy, delightful, challenging new people and places.

When I was a boy at my father’s knee, the pride and joy of my mother,He would sit me down and drill me: “Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you.Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.She’ll garland your life with grace, she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”

Proverbs 4:3-9 The Message

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of SANTA MONICA

SENT INELvol. cxxxix, no. 6 June/July 2014

First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica welcomes you to this community of faith. You’ll find singles, seniors, families with young children, youth, newlyweds, young adults….and a full range of programs and opportunities for worship, study, service and fellowship. ALL ARE WELCOME.

WORSHIPSundays at 10:00 a.m.

Horizons

9 a.m. Lectionary Scripture Discussion, Fireside Room 9 a.m. Partnership with God Sunday School, Room 101 9 a.m. Nursery Care, Room 2049:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room10:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary 10:15 a.m. Sunday School, Education Bldg. 11:00 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, Simkins Hall in The Shelby Ctr.11:00 a.m. Hospitality Table, Simkins Hall in The Shelby Ctr. 6:30 p.m. Open Table, Off-site

Sundays At-A-Glance

On the WebsiteKeep up with your financial pledge through the summer - pay up-front or online, wherever you are:

http://santamonicaumc.org/#/welcome/ways-to-give

Church Office Hours: Tues - Fri, 9a.m. - 5 p.m.Chapel Open for Prayer: Mon - Fri, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Senior Minister

June 1 - Children’s Choir Recognition Sunday Holy Communion Homily by Kurt Poland

June 8 - PentecostSermon by Rev. Larry Young

June 15 - Father’s Day • 1st Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Robert English

June 22 - 2nd Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Dorothy Bimber Worley

June 29 - Scholarship Sunday3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon by Rev. Patricia Farris

July 6 - 4th Sunday after Pentecost Holy Communion

Homily by Rev. Patricia Farris

July 13 - 5th Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Patricia Farris

July 20 - 6th Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Patricia Farris

July 27 - 7th Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Patricia Farris

SUMMER

SCHEDULE

On Sunday June 29, First UMC will pay tribute to those who have been Church Members for 50 or more years. Join us as we honor them during worship, and afterwards all are welcome to enjoy a brunch in the courtyard.

Making this day extra special, we will also celebrate the recipients of this year’s Methodist Foundation Scholarships.

Sunday June 29, during 10 a.m. Worship. Brunch follows in the courtyard. (Bring your hats!)

June CalendarSunday, June 110 a.m. Children’s Choir Recognition Sunday, Sanctuary (S)6:15 p.m. UMYF End of Year Banquet, Simkins Hall (SH)Sunday, June 811:30 a.m. UMW High School Seniors Lunch, Fireside Room (FR)5 p.m. Alternative Worship with Rev. English, SHFriday, June 137 p.m. C.AS.T. Little Mermaid, Jr. Performance, SHSaturday, June 1412:30 p.m. C.AS.T. Little Mermaid, Jr. Performance, SHSunday, June 1511 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Screenings, SH12:30 p.m. C.AS.T. Little Mermaid, Jr. Performance, SHWednesday, June 18 - Cal-Pac Annual Conference BeginsSaturday, June 21 - Cal-Pac Annual Conference Concludes9:30 a.m. Prayer Quilt Workparty, Rm 300Saturday, June 2811 a.m. Memorial Service/Reception for Richard Davis, S/SHSunday, June 2910 a.m. Scholarship Sunday, S11 a.m. 50+ Year Member Brunch, Courtyard11 a.m. Rev. English Summer Book Study, FR

Thursday, July 37:30 p.m. All Community Theater (A.C.T.) Music Man Performance, SHSaturday, July 56:30 p.m. A.C.T. Music Man Performance, SHSunday, July 612:30 p.m. A.C.T. Music Man Performance, SHSunday, July 135 p.m. Alternative Worship with Rev. English, SHSaturday, July 19 - YSP Team leaves for Appalachia9:30 a.m. Prayer Quilt Workparty, Rm 300Sunday, July 2011 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Screenings, SH11 a.m. Summer Book Study with Rev. English, FRSaturday, July 2610 a.m. Relay for Life, Santa Monica CollegeSunday, July 27 - YSP Team returns from AppalachiaMonday, July 288:30 a.m. Vacation Bible School begins (daily through August 1)

Weekly at First UMC:Mondays - Church Office ClosedTuesdays 7 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Bible Study, FRWednesdays 9:30 a.m. United Methodist Women Work Party, WorkroomThursdays7 p.m. Cross(+)Brew Young Adults, Off-Site (1st & 3rd Thurs.)

CommunityBirths• Clarissa Jo Rivera born April 23, daughter of Brittany Scott and Raymon Rivera; granddaughter of Amey Storm; great- granddaughter of Betty & Jim Storm.

Baptism• Christopher James Iskander Pike, son of Cory and Kristina Iskander Pike and little brother to Alexandria, was baptized by Rev. Farris on May 18, his one-year birthday!

Congratulations• to Audrea Golding and Derek Battiest, who were married on May 10.

CondolencesWe extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of these departed loved ones: • Emily Duff’s husband Thomas Duff, who died October 3, 2013.• Anne Schaefer, who died December 2, 2013.• Richard Davis, who died April 13. A memorial service will be held Saturday June 28 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Memorial gifts may be made to Upward Bound House for the Davis Endowment Fund.• Ben Ing’s mother Violet Ing, who died April 30.• Peg Bodo, who died May 5. A graveside service will be scheduled in mid-June.• Kim Elaine Baca, who died May 8. A memorial service was held at Woodlawn Cemetery on May 19.• Erin Wood’s grandmother Barbara Ann McConahy, who died May 8.• Jean Cook’s husband John Cook, who died May 18.• Jim Leonard’s brother Gene Leonard, who died May 19.

In Gratitude• A note of thanks for all of your prayers and the beautiful quilt!! I can’t express my gratitude, as I truly believe where two or more are gathered… God is truly good! All of your knots of concern, love and most importantly prayers literally covered me in my hours of need. Please know how touched I was that your ministry reached out to me. As I continue to heal, I will always cherish and hold dear to my heart this memory of my life changing procedure! May each of you be blessed for this act of kindness. My surgery was a success and I am a living testimony that “All things are Possible to those who Believe.” Thank you from the bottom of my heart and the depth of my soul for being part of my story!! God Bless All of you! - Angela Zaidman

To sponsor a quilt for someone in need of prayers, contact Maile Marquand (maile@rugbooks.com, 310 313-0177) or Sue Payne (sue.f.payne@gmail.com, 310 452-1214).• We want to thank the First UMC members who delivered Easter lilies to our shut-ins. The lilies were beautiful this year. It is so important to let our shut-in members know that we have not forgotten them. - Betty Storm, UMW President, & Bernice de Leon• From Rev. Robert and Rev. Allison English: Thanks to all for our lovely baby shower! There were a few gifts without cards: please contact us so we can properly thank you.

Updates• For updates on Jeffrey Hughes, Jr., visit www.jeffreyhughes. shutterfly.com.

Cal-Pac Annual Conference Each year in June the United Methodist Church in our regional Episcopal area (Southern California, Hawaii and Guam) gather for a session of our California-Pacific Annual Conference. Participants include clergy and laity from each church in our Annual Conference. We gather for a time of renewal, learning, legislation and visioning. First UMC will send 6 lay members and 3 clergy members. Our clergy members are Rev. Patricia Farris and Rev. Robert English and Rev. Keri Olsen. Our lay members are Bee Campbell, Mary Crawford, Jack Fry, Adam Guerrero, Karen Ing and Kurt Poland.

June 18 - 21, University of Redlands

Children’s After School Theater:The Little Mermaid Jr. Dive into another exciting performance from C.A.S.T. The 1st-4th graders present The Little Mermaid Jr., a tale about a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea.

Friday June 13: 7:00 p.m. Sat. & Sun, June 14 &15: 12:30 p.m. Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center. Buy tickets at the door.

Available flower dates at press time: June 8 and July 13/20. Please contact the church office to order flowers for one of these dates.

Summer Book Study with Rev. English Join Rev. Robert English in his new summer book study of the book, Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan Community, by Elaine A. Heath. This two-part book study will explore this simple book about new Wesleyan Christian communities emerging around the U.S. Rooted in prayer and service, folks are discovering new (old) ways to live out their faith in community. The idea for this study grew from the Mission Spirituality evenings in Lent, but it is open to anyone who is interested; come for conversation and learning. Grab the book via Kindle, Nook, or at the Sunday Hospitality Table.

Sunday June 29 & July 20: 11 a.m., Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center

July Calendar

Welcome, Dane Rold! We are pleased to introduce Dane Rold, the new Assistant to the Director of the Preschool. Many of you know Dane as a member of First UMC, and Director of Children’s After School Theater (C.A.S.T.). Dane has years of experience teaching children anything from swimming, cooking and acting and has a background in acting. He is a wonderful addition to the Preschool!

Scholarship Sunday As the school year draws to a close, the young scholars of First UMC are excited about their next educational step. Make sure to attend the 10 a.m. worship service to honor and recognize those being awarded with a Methodist Foundation Scholarship.

Sunday June 29, during Worship

A.C.T. presents The Music Man “All aboard!” the train to River City, Iowa, circa 1912. Join First UMC’s All Community Theater (A.C.T.), as it acts, sings and dances in a wildly fun production of The Music Man! Come see the traveling salesman “Professor Harold Hill” (played by Kurt Poland) as he bamboozles this small town and loses his heart to it at the same time! It’s the perfect 4th of July holiday treat!

Thursday July 3: 7:30 p.m., Saturday July 5 at 6:30 p.m., Sunday July 6: 12:30 p.m. Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center.

Youth Service Project: Appalachia First UMC is excited to send 18 youth and 8 adults on the Youth Service Project trip July 19-27. Each year First UMC sends a YSP team for one week to travel to engage in service and mission in poor communities around the United States. This year, the youth travel to Appalachia to repair people’s homes. Truly it is a transformational experience for our young people and the communities that they serve. They are grateful for your prayers and support as they prepare for the trip.

Youth Service Project trip July 19-27

Vacation Bible School Summer is here, and Vacation Bible School is just around the corner! Sign up now and reserve a spot. This year’s theme is “Workshop of Wonders: Imagine and Build with God.” To be on the email list, contact Kurt Poland at k.poland@santamonicaumc.org.

VBS: July 28 - August 1: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Relay for Life The American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life will be held on Corsair Field at Santa Monica College. The Health Ministry Council is sponsoring Chris Reagh’s continued efforts to support this worthy cause.

All First UMC members and friends are encouraged to put on their walking shoes and come join community supporters at any time and for any amount of time at the event. For more information about the event, visit: www.relayforlife.org, search for team captain Christina Reagh to find First UMC’s page.

Saturday July 26: 10 a.m. Santa Monica College (1900 Pico Blvd.)

The Gift of Life!• O positive and O negative blood donors are needed for Brandon Searfoss, who is having open heart surgery on June 16. Blood donations must be made between June 2 and June 9 at Children’s Hospital (4650 Sunset Blvd, LA). For more information, please call the church office or Janet Searfoss at 310-452-1344.

SUMMER

SCHEDULE

Contemplation, Conversation and Communion This alternative worship with Rev. Robert English continues in June and July focusing on the themes “Do no harm” “Do good” and “Stay in love with God.” The worship is simple, quiet, formal yet informal, with a conversational sermon and a celebration of Holy Communion. All are welcome.

Sunday June 8 & July 13: 5 p.m, Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center

June CalendarSunday, June 110 a.m. Children’s Choir Recognition Sunday, Sanctuary (S)6:15 p.m. UMYF End of Year Banquet, Simkins Hall (SH)Sunday, June 811:30 a.m. UMW High School Seniors Lunch, Fireside Room (FR)5 p.m. Alternative Worship with Rev. English, SHFriday, June 137 p.m. C.AS.T. Little Mermaid, Jr. Performance, SHSaturday, June 1412:30 p.m. C.AS.T. Little Mermaid, Jr. Performance, SHSunday, June 1511 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Screenings, SH12:30 p.m. C.AS.T. Little Mermaid, Jr. Performance, SHWednesday, June 18 - Cal-Pac Annual Conference BeginsSaturday, June 21 - Cal-Pac Annual Conference Concludes9:30 a.m. Prayer Quilt Workparty, Rm 300Saturday, June 2811 a.m. Memorial Service/Reception for Richard Davis, S/SHSunday, June 2910 a.m. Scholarship Sunday, S11 a.m. 50+ Year Member Brunch, Courtyard11 a.m. Rev. English Summer Book Study, FR

Thursday, July 37:30 p.m. All Community Theater (A.C.T.) Music Man Performance, SHSaturday, July 56:30 p.m. A.C.T. Music Man Performance, SHSunday, July 612:30 p.m. A.C.T. Music Man Performance, SHSunday, July 135 p.m. Alternative Worship with Rev. English, SHSaturday, July 19 - YSP Team leaves for Appalachia9:30 a.m. Prayer Quilt Workparty, Rm 300Sunday, July 2011 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Screenings, SH11 a.m. Summer Book Study with Rev. English, FRSaturday, July 2610 a.m. Relay for Life, Santa Monica CollegeSunday, July 27 - YSP Team returns from AppalachiaMonday, July 288:30 a.m. Vacation Bible School begins (daily through August 1)

Weekly at First UMC:Mondays - Church Office ClosedTuesdays 7 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Bible Study, FRWednesdays 9:30 a.m. United Methodist Women Work Party, WorkroomThursdays7 p.m. Cross(+)Brew Young Adults, Off-Site (1st & 3rd Thurs.)

CommunityBirths• Clarissa Jo Rivera born April 23, daughter of Brittany Scott and Raymon Rivera; granddaughter of Amey Storm; great- granddaughter of Betty & Jim Storm.

Baptism• Christopher James Iskander Pike, son of Cory and Kristina Iskander Pike and little brother to Alexandria, was baptized by Rev. Farris on May 18, his one-year birthday!

Congratulations• to Audrea Golding and Derek Battiest, who were married on May 10.

CondolencesWe extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of these departed loved ones: • Emily Duff’s husband Thomas Duff, who died October 3, 2013.• Anne Schaefer, who died December 2, 2013.• Richard Davis, who died April 13. A memorial service will be held Saturday June 28 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Memorial gifts may be made to Upward Bound House for the Davis Endowment Fund.• Ben Ing’s mother Violet Ing, who died April 30.• Peg Bodo, who died May 5. A graveside service will be scheduled in mid-June.• Kim Elaine Baca, who died May 8. A memorial service was held at Woodlawn Cemetery on May 19.• Erin Wood’s grandmother Barbara Ann McConahy, who died May 8.• Jean Cook’s husband John Cook, who died May 18.• Jim Leonard’s brother Gene Leonard, who died May 19.

In Gratitude• A note of thanks for all of your prayers and the beautiful quilt!! I can’t express my gratitude, as I truly believe where two or more are gathered… God is truly good! All of your knots of concern, love and most importantly prayers literally covered me in my hours of need. Please know how touched I was that your ministry reached out to me. As I continue to heal, I will always cherish and hold dear to my heart this memory of my life changing procedure! May each of you be blessed for this act of kindness. My surgery was a success and I am a living testimony that “All things are Possible to those who Believe.” Thank you from the bottom of my heart and the depth of my soul for being part of my story!! God Bless All of you! - Angela Zaidman

To sponsor a quilt for someone in need of prayers, contact Maile Marquand (maile@rugbooks.com, 310 313-0177) or Sue Payne (sue.f.payne@gmail.com, 310 452-1214).• We want to thank the First UMC members who delivered Easter lilies to our shut-ins. The lilies were beautiful this year. It is so important to let our shut-in members know that we have not forgotten them. - Betty Storm, UMW President, & Bernice de Leon• From Rev. Robert and Rev. Allison English: Thanks to all for our lovely baby shower! There were a few gifts without cards: please contact us so we can properly thank you.

Updates• For updates on Jeffrey Hughes, Jr., visit www.jeffreyhughes. shutterfly.com.

Cal-Pac Annual Conference Each year in June the United Methodist Church in our regional Episcopal area (Southern California, Hawaii and Guam) gather for a session of our California-Pacific Annual Conference. Participants include clergy and laity from each church in our Annual Conference. We gather for a time of renewal, learning, legislation and visioning. First UMC will send 6 lay members and 3 clergy members. Our clergy members are Rev. Patricia Farris and Rev. Robert English and Rev. Keri Olsen. Our lay members are Bee Campbell, Mary Crawford, Jack Fry, Adam Guerrero, Karen Ing and Kurt Poland.

June 18 - 21, University of Redlands

Children’s After School Theater:The Little Mermaid Jr. Dive into another exciting performance from C.A.S.T. The 1st-4th graders present The Little Mermaid Jr., a tale about a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea.

Friday June 13: 7:00 p.m. Sat. & Sun, June 14 &15: 12:30 p.m. Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center. Buy tickets at the door.

Available flower dates at press time: June 8 and July 13/20. Please contact the church office to order flowers for one of these dates.

Summer Book Study with Rev. English Join Rev. Robert English in his new summer book study of the book, Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan Community, by Elaine A. Heath. This two-part book study will explore this simple book about new Wesleyan Christian communities emerging around the U.S. Rooted in prayer and service, folks are discovering new (old) ways to live out their faith in community. The idea for this study grew from the Mission Spirituality evenings in Lent, but it is open to anyone who is interested; come for conversation and learning. Grab the book via Kindle, Nook, or at the Sunday Hospitality Table.

Sunday June 29 & July 20: 11 a.m., Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center

July Calendar

Welcome, Dane Rold! We are pleased to introduce Dane Rold, the new Assistant to the Director of the Preschool. Many of you know Dane as a member of First UMC, and Director of Children’s After School Theater (C.A.S.T.). Dane has years of experience teaching children anything from swimming, cooking and acting and has a background in acting. He is a wonderful addition to the Preschool!

Scholarship Sunday As the school year draws to a close, the young scholars of First UMC are excited about their next educational step. Make sure to attend the 10 a.m. worship service to honor and recognize those being awarded with a Methodist Foundation Scholarship.

Sunday June 29, during Worship

A.C.T. presents The Music Man “All aboard!” the train to River City, Iowa, circa 1912. Join First UMC’s All Community Theater (A.C.T.), as it acts, sings and dances in a wildly fun production of The Music Man! Come see the traveling salesman “Professor Harold Hill” (played by Kurt Poland) as he bamboozles this small town and loses his heart to it at the same time! It’s the perfect 4th of July holiday treat!

Thursday July 3: 7:30 p.m., Saturday July 5 at 6:30 p.m., Sunday July 6: 12:30 p.m. Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center.

Youth Service Project: Appalachia First UMC is excited to send 18 youth and 8 adults on the Youth Service Project trip July 19-27. Each year First UMC sends a YSP team for one week to travel to engage in service and mission in poor communities around the United States. This year, the youth travel to Appalachia to repair people’s homes. Truly it is a transformational experience for our young people and the communities that they serve. They are grateful for your prayers and support as they prepare for the trip.

Youth Service Project trip July 19-27

Vacation Bible School Summer is here, and Vacation Bible School is just around the corner! Sign up now and reserve a spot. This year’s theme is “Workshop of Wonders: Imagine and Build with God.” To be on the email list, contact Kurt Poland at k.poland@santamonicaumc.org.

VBS: July 28 - August 1: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Relay for Life The American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life will be held on Corsair Field at Santa Monica College. The Health Ministry Council is sponsoring Chris Reagh’s continued efforts to support this worthy cause.

All First UMC members and friends are encouraged to put on their walking shoes and come join community supporters at any time and for any amount of time at the event. For more information about the event, visit: www.relayforlife.org, search for team captain Christina Reagh to find First UMC’s page.

Saturday July 26: 10 a.m. Santa Monica College (1900 Pico Blvd.)

The Gift of Life!• O positive and O negative blood donors are needed for Brandon Searfoss, who is having open heart surgery on June 16. Blood donations must be made between June 2 and June 9 at Children’s Hospital (4650 Sunset Blvd, LA). For more information, please call the church office or Janet Searfoss at 310-452-1344.

SUMMER

SCHEDULE

Contemplation, Conversation and Communion This alternative worship with Rev. Robert English continues in June and July focusing on the themes “Do no harm” “Do good” and “Stay in love with God.” The worship is simple, quiet, formal yet informal, with a conversational sermon and a celebration of Holy Communion. All are welcome.

Sunday June 8 & July 13: 5 p.m, Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center

A Summer of ReadingOne of my very favorite parts of summer growing up was going to the public library. Mom would take me and she and I would spend a morning looking at books. We’d both check out our limit and head home with as many books as we could carry. We’d read and read and read until the books were due back two weeks later. Then we’d return and begin again. Every two weeks. All summer. As many books as we could read.

I’m not entirely sure what’s happened, but recent studies all confirm that nearly half of 17-year-olds now report that they read for pleasure no more than one or two times a year, if that! I know there’s more to life than reading your summer away—like swimming and learning an instrument and playing with friends and sleeping.

But, wow…what happens to our minds, our imagination, our sense of the big-wide world, our insights into all kinds of characters we’ll never actually meet, our inspiration to climb the highest mountain and stand up to the biggest giant, and dare I add to our faith…what happens to all that if we’ve stopped reading?

I still prefer actual books, but it’s OK to read on an electronic device. That counts. Just do it! Let’s make this summer a summer of reading. And parents—the studies also show that kids with parents who read, or buy books, or take books out of the library, are the kids who read the most.

Happy Summer! Slow down. Read a book. Feed your starving mind and soul with lots of good, yummy, delightful, challenging new people and places.

When I was a boy at my father’s knee, the pride and joy of my mother,He would sit me down and drill me: “Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you.Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.She’ll garland your life with grace, she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”

Proverbs 4:3-9 The Message

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of SANTA MONICA

SENT INELvol. cxxxix, no. 6 June/July 2014

First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica welcomes you to this community of faith. You’ll find singles, seniors, families with young children, youth, newlyweds, young adults….and a full range of programs and opportunities for worship, study, service and fellowship. ALL ARE WELCOME.

WORSHIPSundays at 10:00 a.m.

Horizons

9 a.m. Lectionary Scripture Discussion, Fireside Room 9 a.m. Partnership with God Sunday School, Room 101 9 a.m. Nursery Care, Room 2049:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room10:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary 10:15 a.m. Sunday School, Education Bldg. 11:00 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, Simkins Hall in The Shelby Ctr.11:00 a.m. Hospitality Table, Simkins Hall in The Shelby Ctr. 6:30 p.m. Open Table, Off-site

Sundays At-A-Glance

On the WebsiteKeep up with your financial pledge through the summer - pay up-front or online, wherever you are:

http://santamonicaumc.org/#/welcome/ways-to-give

Church Office Hours: Tues - Fri, 9a.m. - 5 p.m.Chapel Open for Prayer: Mon - Fri, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Senior Minister

June 1 - Children’s Choir Recognition Sunday Holy Communion Homily by Kurt Poland

June 8 - PentecostSermon by Rev. Larry Young

June 15 - Father’s Day • 1st Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Robert English

June 22 - 2nd Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Dorothy Bimber Worley

June 29 - Scholarship Sunday3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon by Rev. Patricia Farris

July 6 - 4th Sunday after Pentecost Holy Communion

Homily by Rev. Patricia Farris

July 13 - 5th Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Patricia Farris

July 20 - 6th Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Patricia Farris

July 27 - 7th Sunday after PentecostSermon by Rev. Patricia Farris

SUMMER

SCHEDULE

On Sunday June 29, First UMC will pay tribute to those who have been Church Members for 50 or more years. Join us as we honor them during worship, and afterwards all are welcome to enjoy a brunch in the courtyard.

Making this day extra special, we will also celebrate the recipients of this year’s Methodist Foundation Scholarships.

Sunday June 29, during 10 a.m. Worship. Brunch follows in the courtyard. (Bring your hats!)

Margaret & Jerry Brown visited Jean Shelby in Los Osos in May

Christoph Bull featured in May’s Mid-Week Recital, and with family, I-Chin and Max

SPRING AT FIRST UMC

Easter Sunrise Service

Palm Sunday

Communion at Home Run for Kids

Rev. Robert and Rev. Allison English at their baby shower after worship

Palm Sunday activities for the kids

John August Swanson discusses his artwork

LOOKING AHEAD

C.A.S.T. performs Bridge to Terabithia

The kids enjoying the new “Imagination Playground” blocks.

Congratulations, Graduates! First UMC congratulates our high school graduates!James Edwards: Graduating from Harvard/Westlake; attending Dartmouth in the Fall.Victoria Fausto: Graduating from Santa Monica High; attending Humboldt University in the Fall. Plans to be a teacher.Kaylee Glenney: Graduating from Pacifica Christian High; attending UC Santa Cruz in the Fall; considering Psychology and English studies.Madeleine Ing: Graduating from Venice High; attending UC Berkeley in the Fall, majoring in Biochemistry; plans to be a research scientist.Carsten Kampe: Graduating from Palisades High; attending Santa Monica College in the Fall.Kyle McCreight: Graduating from Santa Monica High; attending Columbia University in the Fall; planning to major in Political Science, with a special concentration in Jazz Studies.

Calling All Players The First UMC-affiliated softball team The Holy Rollers needs you! This diverse group of players is looking for people who love and respect the game and who pride themselves on good sportsmanship. All levels are welcome! The Holy Rollers have been organized for several years, and play Sunday afternoons at Memorial Park in Santa Monica. Make a commitment and have a lot of fun! For more information, contact Steve and Cathleen Hagins at cathleen.hagins@gmail.com.

Congratulations to all of our graduates. Wishing you all the best!

First UMC Preschool Corner

Stop Hunger NowStop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief agency that has been fulfilling its commitment to end hunger for more than 15 years. On August 23, Westside Churches Working Together (WCWT) will join to package meals at Westwood United Methodist Church. Everyone is invited to help, including children, youth, and adults of all ages! Contact Rev. Robert English: r.english@santamonicaumc.org.

August 23 8:30 a.m., Westwood UMC (1913 Perdue Ave., LA)

Upcoming Art in the Fireside RoomYouth member Haylie Wollitz will display her “Faces of Nepal” photographs taken on a recent service trip to Nepal. Come and meet Haylie

and her family after worship as they share stories about the photographs and their trip. All are invited!

Art in the Fireside room: June 29Reception: Sunday July 13, after Worship in the Fireside RoomYouth performers at the YSP Silent Auction

Preschool Spring Fair fun.

Rev. Farris Upcoming Sermon Series: Questions God Asks of UsThrough Eastertide, our banner has hung in the sanctuary proclaiming: God is real. God is love. As we move into the summer, our banner will change to Every person matters. You matter. Our God is a conversational God who longs to be in relationship with us. That relationship grows in the give-and-take around questions God asks us in the Scriptures: Where are you? What is your name? What are you doing here? What are you looking for? As we ponder God’s questions and our responses, we pray that we will grow closer to God and into a deeper relationship of faith.

July through August, Sunday 10 a.m. Worship

32nd Annual UMC Dodgers Family NightThe United Methodist Family Night at Dodger Stadium is back! This year, it’s the Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers. Come for a fun game, and free fireworks after the show. Tickets available now ($22). Proceeds benefit the Cal-Pac Summer Camp Program. Contact Kurt Poland to reserve your seats: k.poland@santamonicaumc.org.

Friday August 15: 7:10 p.m., Dodger Stadium

First UMC SentinelCommunityWatch your mailbox for the new First UMC Sentinel Community, with articles written by members of First UMC! We are grateful to each for sharing their experiences and opening a window into their hearts.

Margaret & Jerry Brown visited Jean Shelby in Los Osos in May

Christoph Bull featured in May’s Mid-Week Recital, and with family, I-Chin and Max

SPRING AT FIRST UMC

Easter Sunrise Service

Palm Sunday

Communion at Home Run for Kids

Rev. Robert and Rev. Allison English at their baby shower after worship

Palm Sunday activities for the kids

John August Swanson discusses his artwork

LOOKING AHEAD

C.A.S.T. performs Bridge to Terabithia

The kids enjoying the new “Imagination Playground” blocks.

Congratulations, Graduates! First UMC congratulates our high school graduates!James Edwards: Graduating from Harvard/Westlake; attending Dartmouth in the Fall.Victoria Fausto: Graduating from Santa Monica High; attending Humboldt University in the Fall. Plans to be a teacher.Kaylee Glenney: Graduating from Pacifica Christian High; attending UC Santa Cruz in the Fall; considering Psychology and English studies.Madeleine Ing: Graduating from Venice High; attending UC Berkeley in the Fall, majoring in Biochemistry; plans to be a research scientist.Carsten Kampe: Graduating from Palisades High; attending Santa Monica College in the Fall.Kyle McCreight: Graduating from Santa Monica High; attending Columbia University in the Fall; planning to major in Political Science, with a special concentration in Jazz Studies.

Calling All Players The First UMC-affiliated softball team The Holy Rollers needs you! This diverse group of players is looking for people who love and respect the game and who pride themselves on good sportsmanship. All levels are welcome! The Holy Rollers have been organized for several years, and play Sunday afternoons at Memorial Park in Santa Monica. Make a commitment and have a lot of fun! For more information, contact Steve and Cathleen Hagins at cathleen.hagins@gmail.com.

Congratulations to all of our graduates. Wishing you all the best!

First UMC Preschool Corner

Stop Hunger NowStop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief agency that has been fulfilling its commitment to end hunger for more than 15 years. On August 23, Westside Churches Working Together (WCWT) will join to package meals at Westwood United Methodist Church. Everyone is invited to help, including children, youth, and adults of all ages! Contact Rev. Robert English: r.english@santamonicaumc.org.

August 23 8:30 a.m., Westwood UMC (1913 Perdue Ave., LA)

Upcoming Art in the Fireside RoomYouth member Haylie Wollitz will display her “Faces of Nepal” photographs taken on a recent service trip to Nepal. Come and meet Haylie

and her family after worship as they share stories about the photographs and their trip. All are invited!

Art in the Fireside room: June 29Reception: Sunday July 13, after Worship in the Fireside RoomYouth performers at the YSP Silent Auction

Preschool Spring Fair fun.

Rev. Farris Upcoming Sermon Series: Questions God Asks of UsThrough Eastertide, our banner has hung in the sanctuary proclaiming: God is real. God is love. As we move into the summer, our banner will change to Every person matters. You matter. Our God is a conversational God who longs to be in relationship with us. That relationship grows in the give-and-take around questions God asks us in the Scriptures: Where are you? What is your name? What are you doing here? What are you looking for? As we ponder God’s questions and our responses, we pray that we will grow closer to God and into a deeper relationship of faith.

July through August, Sunday 10 a.m. Worship

32nd Annual UMC Dodgers Family NightThe United Methodist Family Night at Dodger Stadium is back! This year, it’s the Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers. Come for a fun game, and free fireworks after the show. Tickets available now ($22). Proceeds benefit the Cal-Pac Summer Camp Program. Contact Kurt Poland to reserve your seats: k.poland@santamonicaumc.org.

Friday August 15: 7:10 p.m., Dodger Stadium

First UMC SentinelCommunityWatch your mailbox for the new First UMC Sentinel Community, with articles written by members of First UMC! We are grateful to each for sharing their experiences and opening a window into their hearts.