Join World Labyrinth Day at First

Umc

First UMC is pleased to be a part of this year's World Labyrinth Day. The Labyrinth Society—in collaboration with Veriditas, The Legacy Labyrinth Project, and the Australian Labyrinth Network—invites you to join in celebrating the day together on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

Walk as One at 1 p.m. On this 15th Annual World Labyrinth Day, as in previous years, many will walk a labyrinth at 1 p.m. local time creating a unified rolling wave of peaceful energy passing from one time zone to the next around the globe. If you've never walked the Labyrinth before, we have printed literature with a suggested meditation to help guide you on your walk.

Saturday, May 6, 12 – 2 p.m. Simkins Hall

Moments for Mission and Presentation by Upward Bound House

On Sunday, May 7, Moments for Mission in worship will feature First UMC member and Upward Bound House board member, Kim Defenderfer, discussing Upward Bound House’s Annual Home Run for Kids. After worship, grab your coffee and stop in the Fireside Room to hear Christine Mirasy-Glasco, President and CEO of Upward Bound House, talk about the recent UBH expansions and new developments to address housing issues and homelessness across Los Angeles.

Sunday, May 7, 10 a.m. Moments for Mission Upward Bound House Presentation: 11:15 a.m. in the Fireside Room

Methodist Foundation Scholarships

The Methodist Foundation of Santa Monica, founded in 1967, exists to provide aid to religious, educational and charitable causes. The Foundation is administered by a volunteer Board of Trustees with First UMC member John Youngman currently serving as president.

First UMC has a long tradition of honoring the academic achievements of students in our church and community who pursue post-secondary education.

Every year the Loans & Scholarships committee has the pleasure of acknowledging outstanding scholars, including graduating high school seniors, continuing undergraduates, and graduate students, for their scholastic excellence, commitment to community, and dedication to our church.

Students - Apply Now! The application is on website, or stop by the church office. Deadline to apply is Sunday, May 14 (includes essay.) www.santamonicaumc.org/methodistfoundation

Calling All Graduates!

First UMC wants to recognize all its graduates. Let us know where you’re graduating from, your major, and what your future plans are. Deadline Monday, May 15. Contact Sarah Rold in the church office: (310-393-8258 x 106 or s.rold@santamonicaumc.org

Mother’s Day Tea

Stay after worship on Sunday, May 14, for a special Mother’s Day Tea in the Courtyard. We’ll have special snacks and a wide variety of teas for all to enjoy!

Sunday, May 14, after worship in the Courtyard

Christine Mirasy-Glasco

May Online Mid-Week Recital

The May Mid-Week Recital features Evan Kahn, cello; and Amy Zanrosso, piano. California-based Evan Kahn has been praised as “a cellist deserved of serious listening” for bringing his “electrifying … nuanced and colorful” style to all of his collaborations, from concerti to chamber music to contemporary performances. Amy Zanrosso has appeared as a soloist with the Symphony of the Kootenays, the Russian Chamber Orchestra and the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra. To read their full bios, visit the website: www.santamonicaumc.org/mid-week-recital-series

How to watch:

• Facebook Live - Search @santamonicaumc

• YouTube Live- Search “Santa Monica UMC”

• Website - www.santamonicaumc.org/livestream

• The App - download the app at the App Store, search FirstUMC_SM Mid-Week Recital: Wednesday, May 10, 12:10 p.m. Livestream Available to watch anytime afterwards on the above platforms.

Upward Bound House: 11th Annual Home Run for Kids

UBH presents the 11th Annual Home Run For Kids, a day of exercise, food, and fun all for a good cause! Includes a 5k Run/Walk and a Kiddie K (1km) for families. Join the First UMC Church and Preschool Team!

Sign up here: www.santamonicaumc.org/home-run-for-kids

Before the race, First UMC will hold a brief on-site prayer/blessing at 8:15 a.m. Look for the white First UMC tent. Find out what it means to pray on your feet!

Sunday, May 21, 8:15 a.m. in Brentwood (11620 San Vicente Blvd)

Preschool Spring Fair

Save the Date and stay after worship on Sunday, May 21, for the Annual Preschool Spring Fair. All are welcome! Festivities include a bounce house, food & drinks, bake sale, and more.

Sunday, May 21, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., in the Courtyard and Simkins Hall

United Women in Faith Senior Scholarship Luncheon

After a three year haitus, the United Women in Faith are excited to celebrate seven graduates for a special scholarship recognition, on Sunday, June 4 after worship in the Fireside Room. All are invited to join in the celebration! There is a $10 charge for the lunch to offset costs. Please RSVP to Joy Williams by May 31 (for lunch count): 310-709-6608, or: joy.williams9832@gmail.com

Sunday, June 4, after worship in the Fireside Room

MORE JUNE HIGHLIGHTS:

June 4 Paradise Valley UMC in Arizona Youth Handbell Choir will join us for worship.

June 14 - 17 Cal-Pac Annual Conference

June 17 - 25 Youth Service Project Trip

June 25 Scholarship Sunday

Vacation Bible Camp - Register Now!

Sign up now for Vacation Bible Camp, happening Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on the First UMC campus. This year’s theme is Hero Hotline: Called Together to Serve God. VBC invites children to answer the call to serve God together. Join the Professor and Super Meer as young Heroes learn to strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up as we are taught in Romans 14:19. Volunteer opportunties for teens/youth are available! Visit: www. santamonicaumc.org/vbc

COMMUNITY NEWS Orchestra Santa Monica

Orchestra Santa Monica welcomes all to their upcoming May 7 concert “Der Rosenkavalier and Operatic Favorites” at the Broad Stage. They are celebrating their 10-year anniversary of bringing high-quality classical music to the community and are presenting a very special concert program with over 65 orchestra musicians and 4 fabulous singers. Tickets are free to all but must be reserved in advance: www.OrchestraSantaMonica.org/tickets-event-info

Sunday, May 7, 2 p.m. The Broad Stage

Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica

Monthly Blood Pressure Screenings

The Health Ministry Council hosts Blood Pressure screenings every third Sunday of the month (subject to change.) We are grateful to this ministry for their continued care of the congregation!

Next Screening: May 28*, in the Fireside Room (*note date change)

Flowers: To order flowers to remember or honor a loved one for Sunday Worship service, go to: www.santamonicaumc.org/flower-fund.

Open Space

Open Space is a community for young adults in their 20’s and 30’s that journey alongside one another in spiritual discovery, growth, and belonging. They seek to foster an open-minded culture where all are invited to spark deep conversation and find spiritual meaning in a safe and diverse environment. To learn more about Open Space and to join their next meeting follow them @OpenSpaceSM or email Tricia Guerrero at t.guerrero@santamonicaumc.org

Men’s Bible Study Zoom Meetings

Men’s Bible Study is a weekly meeting where men of all ages and generations gather to ground themselves in the Holy Scripture during online breakfast. As men try to navigate the stresses and complexities of this modern world and daily life, Men’s Bible Study is a place for community, prayer and fellowship through the sharing of God’s Holy word. Come by online as your schedule permits! For more info and to sign up, go to: www.santamonicaumc.org/biblestudy.

Every Tuesday, 7 a.m., via Zoom

Request a Prayer Quilt

Led by Sue Payne and Maile Marquand, the Prayer Quilt Ministry continues to offer Prayer Quilts to those in need. To request a quilt: 1. Talk to the intended recipient. Ask if the person is willing to be prayed for and to receive a quilt. Ask what specific prayers are wished for. There is no charge for the quilt – it is a gift of love. 2. Contact Maile Marquand (mailemarquand@gmail.com) or Sue Payne (sue.f.payne@ gmail.com). 3. Select the quilt if some are already made, or suggest colors if one is to be selected for you. Once the quilt selection has been made, First UMC will display the quilt in the Friday Community Email, and also during Sunday 10 a.m. worship, where you may tie a prayer knot during in-person worship, or view the quilt on the Livestream. The next Prayer Quilt Ministry meeting is Saturday, May 20, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. in Room 300 in the Education Building. Contact info@santamonicaumc.org if you would like to volunteer.

• Prayer Quilts Can Be Tied in Worship

If you’re present in the Sanctuary during Worship, you may tie your own prayer knots on the quilt for the recipient; if you are unable to attend Worship in person, call or email Sarah in the church office to request a tie be made on the quilt for you; she will let you know the requested prayers: Sarah Rold (310.393.8258), or s.rold@ santamonicaumc.org. Online prayers will be collected Tuesday –Friday of the following week, and the prayer knots will be tied by the church staff.

Haiti Update

“Just what is Eglise Methodiste d’ Haiti doing during this crisis?”

- Excerpt from April 2023 update from David

Draeger, EMH Mission Volunteer Coordinator

This is a time of great spiritual need for the people of Haiti. Some congregations have had their physical sanctuary violated and confiscated by gangs and are unable to access their normal place of worship. Some congregants must face potential violence as they travel to their local place of worship. The world gives the people of Haiti all the reasons to be discouraged and simply give up hope. Yet despite all the reasons to be hopeless, the people of Haiti, at least the Methodists that I am most familiar with, remain hopeful. The ordained pastors, sometimes without pay for months on end, faithfully lead their people through prayer, teaching, powerful worship, and pastoral care.

Since the District Annual Conference in January, all the Circuits have held their annual conferences where the members of the Methodist Church of Haiti meet, worship and conduct the business of the Church. I attended the Port au Prince convention for all its member congregations which ended on Palm Sunday with Holy Communion. Due to insecurity, the participants slept at the New College Bird campus.

An interesting anecdote from the Port au Prince convention. There was no violence, threat of violence or disturbance around New College Bird where the convention was held, normally it is a hot bed of negative activity. There also seemed to be an abnormal number of young children in attendance at Sunday School with over one hundred in attendance. At worship on Sunday morning, one of the known gang members from the immediate neighborhood of the sanctuary told the Bishop that the extra kids were children of gang members who had brought their children to church because they recognized the good things the church was doing.

United Women in Faith Podcast: Earth Day 2023: Invest in the Planet

Join the United Women in Faith for bimonthly conversations, hosted by Jennifer R. Farmer. Each month, they explore timely themes and resources, from expert insights on ways to live your faith to inspiring interviews with spiritual leaders. Visit their Event Listings webpage to view upcoming podcast: https://uwfaith.org/events/calendar Their April podcast was Earth Day Is Invest in Our Planet. Listen to this and past episodes here: www.uwfaith.org/resources/podcasts.

YSP 2023: Appalachia Service Project

A group of 20 youth and adult volunteers from First UMC Santa Monica will be spending a week this summer (June 17-25, 2023) helping residents in Jonesville, VA, working with an organization called Appalachia Service Project. ASP has been active in the Appalachian Mountains for over 50 years. The youth group is looking forward to helping people gain a safe, warm and dry home to live in, and most of all, growing in faith through this service leadership opportunity. Save the Date for their upcoming Commissioning and Trip Fundraiser: Sunday, June 11, during and after worship

The churches that can remain open are filled to capacity, not only with members of the Methodist Church of Haiti, but with people of other denominations and the unchurched. In an atmosphere of total chaos, EMH is growing not only in numbers but in its strength as a community of faith. In a time that it might seem logical for people to give up and abandon the church, the church is growing.

In a time when church members could react with gloom, doom, and despair they are filled with joy and hope for the future. In this desperate time, people are able to strengthen their bonds with each other and reassure themselves that life is worth living and return to the war-torn neighborhoods in which they live with a renewed hope for survival.

You ask me what the Methodist Church of Haiti is doing during these times, it is bringing the hope of the Light of Jesus Christ to the people of Haiti.

Scenes in Haiti from a Youth Conference church service, and a food distribution day.

How can you help? Pray for Haiti. Read and learn more about Haiti’s history and culture. And participate in Pennies for Haiti coming July 2023!

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)

UMCOR and its partners respond to disasters in the U.S. and across the globe every day. For the most up-to-date information, follow the UMCOR Facebook page: www. facebook.com/UMCOR

• From the April 23 post: “During a noon prayer on 19 April, the World Council of Churches called for global solidarity with the people of Sudan as an escalating conflict has plunged many innocent people into a situation in which they are barely able to survive...” Read more: www.facebook.com/UMCOR

Mission and Outreach Community Partners

We at First UMC work in partnership with a variety of groups and organizations throughout our community and the larger UMC to bring hope and healing where it is needed most. Together we can change lives and transform the world.

To read more about the Outreach and Missions supported by First UMC, visit the website: www.santamonicaumc.org/outreach-missions

Congratulations!

• Congratulations to First UMC member and Preschool Site Supervisor Johanna Holman on her engagement to Marvin Cortez.

• Congratulations to First UMC member Paul Leoni, and in honor of Marilyn Leoni, who were honored at the 76th Annual Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Santa Monica Elks Lodge on April 16. Proceeds benefited the Children’s Dental Care through the SM Breakfast Club Welfare Fund.

Thank You!

• Thank you to all Lenten Devotional writers for sharing your heartfelt reflections with the congregation during the Lenten season. If you would like to re-read, or listen to any of the Holy Week audio devotions, you may still visit the website (scroll down to the middle of the page): https://santamonicaumc.org/lent/

Deaths

We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of these departed loved ones:

• First UMC Member Steven K. Edmondson, who died recently.

• First UMC member Alice E. Stevenson, who died April 2.

• First UMC member Melanie Hutsell and husband Fred Rapoport on the death of her mother Claudia Hensley Hutsell, who died on April 8.

• First UMC member Gordon D. Fraser, who died April 13.

Memorials

• A memorial for First UMC member Jack Pearson will be held Friday, May 12, at 11 a.m. in the First UMC Sanctuary. For those unable to attend in person, here is the Livestream link via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efazY7jwTRY

First UMC Members Community Outreach

On April 1, First UMC member Linda Diane Anderson, along with team members Julie Nameth, Barbara Wong, and Linda Sallas walked 3.1 miles on Kenneth Hahn Park trails to raise money for Sojourn Services for Adult and Child Victims of Domestic Violence. Thank you, Linda Diane and team, for your service.

Scammer Fraud Lookout!

Don’t have a scare – BE AWARE

How many of us have witnessed a scammer trying to scam?

Your best defense is AWARENESS

Helpful Tips:

• Don’t click on email or text links unless you are sure who the sender is. Social media sites can have fraudulent profiles set up and share viruses unsuspectedly through pictures and links.

• If a “friend” emails you and asks for a favor, call them on the telephone or discuss in person. The email or phone number could have the “friend’s name” but be programmed to a different number. Federal Trade Commission has developed an informative website on how to recognize and avoid scams. Read more here: https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams

• And specifically phishing scams read more here: https://consumer.ftc. gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams

Personal info means PERSONAL. Don’t have a scareDon’t share - BE AWARE!

Giving Matters

There are many ways to contribute to the mission and ministry of First UMC. You may give online via the QR code on the right (take a photo of the code with your phone camera), via mail, or onsite through the church office mail slot. To learn more about ways to give, including the annual Stewardship campaign, Planned Giving, Tree of Life, support for the Music Program, and the flower fund, visit: www.santamonicaumc.org/give

Communion Servers Needed

Each month when communion is offered in church, members of the Communion Server Ministry take communion out to those who cannot be present during the service. By including others, we expand the Table of the Lord to include those who cannot be present in body. The volunteers who are involved in this ministry feel blessed in being able to serve in this way. If you are interested in becoming a communion server, please contact Anne Premer (a.premer@santamonicaumc. org) or the church office. We offer training and on-going support to our communion servers.

Congregation Care Corner

If you have any questions or need pastoral care, you may always call the Pastoral Care line (310-393-8258 and enter extension 1), which is available for people to leave a message requesting care. If you have questions, need assistance, or would like to volunteer to help with our homebound folks, please contact Congregation Care Associate: Anne Premer: a.premer@santamonicaumc.org. Or, call (310)393-8258 ext. 103. Visit the website for Community Care - a list of local resources including info for senior assistance, Medicare, American Red Cross, MODE (on-demand transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities) bereavement resources, and more!

Visit: www.santamonicaumc.org/care