Coming Events

The following information is from the most recent edition of the Outlook newsletter, the official weekly publication of First United Methodist Church of San Diego, and was last updated on Friday May 9, 2008 .

What does the church say about hot issues?

Join Rev. Molly Vetter for a 5-week study of our United Methodist Social Principles, starting Sunday May 18, at 11 a.m. in Trotter Chapel.

Our Social Principles take us through a wide range of issues, offering persuasive guidance as we each discern how we will vote and act relating to issues of import.

Recently, Molly participated in the process of updating these Social Principles as a part of our General Conference; the class will look especially at the issues that are most debated in our church at present. (You can read them online at the official United Methodist site, www.umc.org.)

Confirmation Sunday

Please join us this Sunday, May 11, to celebrate our new members as our 2008 Confirmation Class joins the church. In addition to our celebrations of Pentecost Sunday and Mother’s Day, we will also be holding our Confirmation Sunday.

Our Confirmands will be celebrate their baptisms in the Water’s Edge Service at 9:30 a.m. and then be confirmed in the Sanctuary at 11 o’clock. We hope that you will join us as these youth complete their Confirmation journey and join our congregation.

The class has been taught by Rev. Elbert Kim, Rev. Molly Vetter, Rev. Karen Ristine, Beckie Henselmeier, and Randal Newton. Please join us in celebration!

Confirmands joining the church this Sunday are: Mikayla Ackerschott, Danielle Ambrosio, Sarah DeRosier, Hannah Floren, Jessica Gilbert, Nicholas Halbert, Taryn Kilgore, Hunter Linekin, Rigel Linekin, Jacob Luz, Ryan Merrill, Lucas Mulvey, Miranda Poltorak, Maddison Roach, Tate Salazar, Eva Scarano Lily Sokolowski, and Torrey Watt.

Once and Future Worship continues this Monday

Our School of Christian Studies presents director of church music Stan Wicks offering a two-session class, Mondays, May 5 and May 12, 7:00-8:30, in The Music Center, exploring the historical roots of Christian worship, from its beginnings in the early church to the present, and offering insights into where worship trends are taking us in the twenty-first century.

When one observes worship practices in today’s culture one can hardly find two churches with identical styles. Why do Christians worship in so many different ways? Is there a “right way” to worship? Why do people become so possessive of certain worship styles? What are the “essentials” to true worship? What role does music play in worship?

Dr. Wicks has been active as a church musician for 35 years, having served in Presbyterian, Lutheran and United Methodist congregations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Arizona and North Carolina, as choral director for choirs of all ages, handbell director and organist. Since 1998 he has been the Director of Church Music at First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California where he oversees the entire music ministry and directs the three adult choirs: Chancel Choir, Contemporary Singers and Masterwork Chorale.

Tuition: $30 one person; $50 two people registering together; students free.

Ice cream sundae fundraiser will support Nothing But Nets

Nothing But Nets has a goal of getting bed nets over every child and family in Africa to stop the spread of Malaria.

The youth of our 2008 Confirmation Class are supporting this program by holding an ice cream sundae fundraiser after the 9:30 service (10:30 to 11:15 a.m.) on Sunday May 18. They’ll have a table set up on the patio to sell ice cream and raise money for this important cause.

The United Methodist Church is a Founding Partner of Nothing But Nets along with the NBA, Sports Illustrated, and the United Nations Foundation.

Financial Planning Seminar and Luncheon

Please be our guests for a financial planning seminar and free luncheon on Sunday May 18 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. in The Cove.

Church member Stephen Yoo, CFM, will present an interactive and open discussion on “Investing Globally — Making Necessary Adjustments to Your Portfolio in a Changing Environment.”

The luncheon has been generously underwritten and is complimentary to attendees. However, as seating is limited, please sign up in the church office by May 14 or call Rhona Gorder at (619) 297-3442 to respond. We look forward to seeing you at the event.

Welcoming Congregation Celebration, May 20

Come one, come all to our Welcoming Congregation Celebration II event on Tuesday May 20 from to 8 p.m. in Linder Lounge. If you feel passionate about Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors, then you may be called to serve in Welcoming Ministries.

Jim Standiford, myself and the Hospitality Ministry ChristCare Group will be hosting this year’s celebration. There will be a light dinner, time to make some new friends, share ideas and view video clips of ways to reach out with the love of Christ to the honored guests that grace our doors.

Please call the church office or email me to let us know that you will be attending.

Blessings,
Rev. Mary Allman-Boyle

Earthcare Note

Earthcare, our church group devoted to caring for the environment, continues to meet once a month to explore ways of positively affecting our earth.

One opportunity is being offered this week right in the churches own front yard! The San Diego River which runs through Mission Valley is a “sacred space” of nature in an increasingly over built city. It needs our help to stay that way.

This week the San Diego River Park Foundation, as part of its “River Days 2008,” is offering opportunities to learn about, clean up, plant, and celebrate the river environment. If you are interested in helping go to www.sdriverdays.org or call 619-297-7380 for more information.