Welcome to First UMC of Santa Monica!
Friends near and far, welcome to the worship, service, and fellowship of Santa Monica First United Methodist Church. First UMC is committed to a ministry that touches the lives of people in many significant ways. Through our worship and music, study opportunities, social groups, mission involvement and ministries of care, we proclaim the good news of God’s love for all people. We also work to help make the world a better place in which to live, here in the communities of the Westside and around the world, and eagerly invite your participation in this beloved community. Our church has been a significant presence in the larger Santa Monica community for over 125 years.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP: In-Person and Online
According to state and local guidelines, masks are recommended, but not required during service.
We offer several options for participating in online worship. You may join in the service Livestream in real time or later at your convenience.
If you have any questions, or are having trouble joining the Sunday online worship service, call the church office at 310-393-8258, or email us at info@santamonicaumc.org. We welcome you into this community of faith!
GIVE ONLINE
Your continued financial support of the church is now more important than ever. You may give online here, via mail, or onsite through the office mail slot. Thank you!
MISSIONS
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.
For us Christians, baptism carries a divine call to be part of God’s mighty acts of salvation in the world, to move toward healing the fragmentation, brokenness and sin in our lives and in the world. As baptized Christians it is our vocation to be bearers of light and hope and justice and freedom for all. And at Christ’s holy table, we are profoundly reminded of the unity that embraces us all. One bread, one body. One in ministry to all the world.
– Rev. Patricia Farris, excerpt from “What a Special Day” Sermon from July 3, 2022. Read sermon
PRAYER
GROUPS AND EVENTS
FIRST UMC PRESCHOOL
Congratulations to the First UMC Preschool!
June 2022: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has awarded First UMC Preschool a new five-year term of accreditation. Ranking among the top-rated preschools of the nation, our First UMC Preschool classes rated scores ranging from 97% to 99% in all class ratings and observations. Thank you, teachers, for the outstanding environment and program you provide for our precious children everyday! This NAEYC honor and recognition highlights the core values of our Preschool. Congratulations to all!! We applaud and appreciate your dedicated efforts and are blessed to work with an award-winning, loving community. www.santamonicaumc.org/preschool
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
The title of this column, “Horizons,” calls us to lift our gaze up and out to look ahead, to scan the horizon and peer into the future. It’s always out there in front of us, isn’t it, but sometimes we forget and look down or look back to find orientation and meaning.
In a recent piece in The Christian Century, Peter Marty writes about the importance of living life forward. He measured the windshield in his car (five by three feet) and then measured his rear-view mirror (nine by two inches.) This is by design, he noted. We drive looking ahead, not looking back. Same with life, he suggests. Life isn’t meant to be lived in the rearview mirror….
Rev. Patricia Farris, from Horizons August Sentinel. Read full article here
Read this month’s Sentinel Newsletter here
Safe Sanctuaries®
First UMC takes the safety of the children and youth very seriously. We follow Safe Sanctuaries® practices, which is our commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all of our children, youth, and adults. Read More