First United Methodist Church

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03/10/2010: LENTEN ORGAN RECITAL
Wednesday, (12:15 - 1 p.m.) Free Lenten organ recital series continues until March 31st.

The concert today will feature James Vail, Professor Emeritus of Choral and Sacred Music, Thornton School of Music at USC Los Angeles; Organist and Choirmaster Emeritus, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Los Angeles.

LENTEN PRAYER SERVICE
You are invited to share in a Lenten Prayer Service during the season of Lent as part of your Lenten preparation for Easter. The service will be held Wednesday evenings in Wesley Chapel at 7:00 p.m. This is an outgrowth of the Prayer Group that was held earlier in the year with Pam Cochran and Pastor Alan. The Lenten Prayer Service will be offered for the five Wednesday evenings leading up to Holy Week. It will begin February 24, the week after Ash Wednesday. Those who would like to eat together are invited to the Wednesday Night Fellowship suppers at 6:30 in Fellowship Hall. All are invited.

CONFERENCE WORK TEAM TO MISSISSIPPI
The Santa Barbara and Santa Ana Conferences are sponsoring a work team opportunity to Waveland, Mississippi on April 18-24, 2010. They are seeking 30 skilled workers willing to spend a week at Camp Love in Waveland Mississippi. The cost of the trip is $300. Each person is also responsible for securing their own airline reservations. This will probably be the last work team effort to this area by United Methodist Disaster Response. If you are interested in participating or need more information, please contact Pat Martzen at pmartzen@cox.net or 805-560-6111 as soon as possible. There are only 30 spaces available for both conferences.

ONGOING SMALL GROUPS
Spring Small Groups will begin soon with a kick-off/sign-up on Sunday April 11th. In the meantime, please note that the following groups are ongoing weekly and would love to have you join in:

CHRISTIAN BELIEVER: Tuesdays, 6 p.m. at the home of Pat Matzen. Began 1/12/ A DVD/discussion series explores beliefs the church has wrestled with through the ages. Leaders: Pat and Dennis Rodericks Email PMartzen@cox.net for more info.

JESUS WANTS TO SAVE CHRISTIANS: Wednesdays, 7 - 8:15 p.m. Asbury. Ongoing and the format allows for starting at any time. Examines the place of the church and faith in this hurting world. Leader: Pastor Hillary. Note: Supper at 6:30 (Voluntary donation.)

PRAYER GROUP: Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. Wesley Chapel. Ongoing and the format allows for starting at any time. A weekly gathering for intercessory prayer. Leader: Pam Cochran. Note: Supper at 6:30 (Voluntary donation.)

PRAYER SHAWL: Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. Asbury Room. Ongoing and has a format that allows for starting at any time. Combine your compassion for those in need with your love of knitting/crocheting. Leader: Sue Ziliotto.

VOLLEYBALL SPIRITUALITY: Fridays, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall. Ongoing and the format allows for starting at any time. Volleyball with a twist for all ages. Brief devotional. Leader: Pastor Alan.

WOMEN OF SPIRIT: Fridays, 10 -11 a.m. Asbury Room. All women are welcome to come share in the reading and discussion of the dynamic book "Longing to Pray - How the Psalms Teach Us to Talk with God" by Dr. Ellsworth Kalas. Leaders: June Anderle and Shirley Horton.

WARMING CENTERS FOR THE HOMELESS
This congregation is “on-call” to be one of three Warming Centers for homeless people during the rainy season. If you can join other volunteers in preparing a simple meal in the church kitchen, or would like to donate toward this project, please contact Pastor Alan or the church office.

FOOD DRIVE FOR LENT
“For I was hungry and you gave me food…”
Matthew 25:35

Make it your Lenten practice to give the gift of food to those in need in our community. Unity Shoppe depends on food drives from churches, schools and groups to keep their shelves stocked. Any non perishable food items are welcomed, but please consider these items each week when you shop:

UNITY SHOPPE-ING LIST
Week of March 7 Peanut butter
Week of March 14 Canned soups - vegetable and chicken
Week of March 21 Canned fruit
Week of March 28 Cereal/oatmeal

03/11/2010: UMW GENERAL MEETING
Thursday.

All women are invited to the business meeting at 11:30, lunch at 12:00, and the La Morada program at 12:30 on March 11. The program will feature Shannon Bell,program supervisor for La Morada, a wonderful new facility in our County that provides housing for newly emancipated youth. Many young people spend the better part of their childhood in foster homes. When they turn 18, however, they are "emancipated," meaning they are no longer wards of the state. Most of them have no parents or family, and, sadly, often end up homeless. In an effort to help these newly emancipated youth, a dormitory-style housing center called the La Morada Transition Housing Center was opened in November, 2007. A description of this facility and some of its successes promise an interesting program for us. Do plan to join us.

03/13/2010: MASTER CHORALE
Our very own Steve Hodson will don another hat as Director of SB Master Chorale and direct a performance of Canto General, Song of the People, Poetry of Pablo Neruda set to music with professional orchestra, soloists and chorus. The performance will be at First Presbyterian Church, (corner of State & Constance) Saturday March 13, 8:00 p.m., Sunday March 14, 3:00 p.m.$18 general admission, $16 seniors. $8 students. For more information call 976-8287

03/17/2010: LENTEN ORGAN RECITAL
Wednesday, (12:15 - 1 p.m.) Free Lenten organ recital series continues until March 31st.

The concert today will feature Samuel Soria, Cathedral Organist, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles.

03/20/2010: BOBBY CROCKER MEN'S COOK-OFF
Saturday, 6:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Move over Betty 'cause it’s time for the guys to show off their stuff at the annual Bobby Crocker Men’s Cook-Off contest.If there’s anything we learned from last year’s competition, it’s that the men of this congregation can cook, they cook it all and they cook it well. The men who enter this contest will submit their dishes for judging but everyone is invited to come; so we encourage you to bring your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. If you plan to attend but are not competing, please bring a pot luck dish to share and join us for an evening of fun, food, and fellowship. If you have any questions, please contact Sylvi963-3579 ext. 15 or e-mail sylvia@fumcsb.org.

03/21/2010: FIVE WISHES PROGRAM
Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Asbury Room.

Health Ministries will present a forum on the Five Wishes with Chaplin Pam Washburn. If you haven’t attended one of these excellent programs and filled out your end-of-life wishes booklet, take this opportunity to be informed and proactive.

03/24/2010: LENTEN ORGAN RECITAL
Wednesday, (12:15 - 1 p.m.) Free Lenten organ recital series continues until March 31st.

The concert today will feature Carol Schaeffer and Assisting Artists. Ms. Schaeffer is Organist at Goleta Valley Church and St. Raphael Parish, Goleta and Staff Organist, Welch-Ryce-Haider Associates, Santa Barbara.

03/25/2010: UMW CIRCLE MEETINGS
Thursday, March 25th.

Esther Ruth: 9:30 in the Asbury Room

Hannah: Noon Lunch at restaurant to be determined and study of the Native American Chumash at Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Rachel: 1:00 p.m. Hostess: Lorrie Gardner.

03/28/2010: PALM SUNDAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER
Palm Sunday, 9:00 -10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall.

Youth and children will be hosting a fundraiser for the youth Sierra Service Project. Come to a delicious pancake breakfast before the 10:30 service (only service this Sunday) and support a worthy youth service project at the same time!

03/31/2010: LENTEN ORGAN RECITAL
Wednesday, (12:15 - 1 p.m.) Free Lenten organ recital series concludes today with Ty Woodward, Organist Choirmaster, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr. Woodward is also District Representative for the Schantz Organ Company.

04/03/2010: HOLY SATURDAY
Children will hunt for eggs; youth will complete a scavenger hunt and all ages are invited to help in the cleaning of the Sanctuary in preparation for Easter services.

04/08/2010: APRIL UMW MEETING
Thursday.

The program for the April 8 regular meeting will feature one of UMW's mission studies. Santa Barbara District President Bev King will share information covered in the mission study book, "The Beauty and Courage of Sudan." This country has been torn by civil war for decades. Its people have endured untold suffering. And who has not heard of the tragedy of that area of Sudan known as Darfur? Bev will share information about the people of Sudan, the background leading to the conflict, and some ways UMCOR has been able to help in this country. Observance of UMW's program, Prayer and Self Denial, will also be held at the April meeting. All women are invited to join us for our meeting at 11:30, lunch at 12:00, and these worthwhile programs

05/01/2010: RELAY FOR LIFE
Relay for Life is just around the corner. It will be held May 1-2 at Bishop Diego High School. Sign up to walk for a half hour or more. There is no entry fee, but meals and a t-shirt are included for anyone who raises a $100 or more. Register on line at or
www.relayforlife.org/santabarbara you can see Carol De Waay for a form. Consider purchasing a luminaria in memory or in honor of someone who has had cancer – cost is $10. The team gets credit if you purchase them through one of us. Then come out Saturday evening and see all the decorated luminarias that add a soft glow along the path of the walkers. If you have had cancer, consider walking the Survivor Lap, which is right after the opening ceremonies on Saturday morning (usually between 10:30 – 11:00). There is no fee involved for this and you aren’t asked to raise any money.

WINTER COAT COLLECTION
Our kids at FUMCSB will again be collecting winter coats in collaboration with the Kids in Mission group. This is a group of children’s ministries teams in Santa Barbara working together to promote participation of our children helping local causes. Last winter, the group collected more than 265 coats, many from this congregation. Gently used or new coats will be collected in the
months of December and January to be distributed to Unity Shoppe. If you have a coat that fits the description, please save it for our collection.

SUMMER CAMP PLANNING
Families are already setting their summer calendars. Please notify friends, relatives, and neighbors who are considering excellent, well planned, and supervised outdoor opportunities for their children:

Younger Elementary: June 20-23, 2010
Grades 1-3 in the Fall Cost $220
Site: Camp Lazy W

Older Elementary: June 20-26, 2010
Grades 1-3 in the Fall Cost $320
Site: Camp Lazy W
Pastor Alan serves on this camp staff

Junior High & Senior High are combined:
July 4-10
Grades 7-9 in the Fall Cost $340
Grades 9-12 in the Fall Cost $340
Site: Camp Wrightwood

Camperships are available. Please see Teresa
Pietsch.

PLEASE HELP THE HOMELESS
With the change in the weather, our friends who live on the streets are in need of new or gently used warm sleeping bags, men's sneakers, jeans, t-shirts and socks. You may drop off items at the Will Bridge Street Outreach office at 1215 East Montecito Street, or if you need assistance, please feel free to contact Wayne Mellinger at 805-276-6586 or email him at waynemellinger@gmail.com. Sponsored by Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE SB) and WillBridge Homeless Shelter.