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
Masks are optional, but always acceptable and welcome. If you feel ill, please choose to worship from home online.
We offer several options for participating in online worship. You may join in the service Livestream in real time or later at your convenience. Let us know if you need assistance in joining online.
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!
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.
GROUPS AND EVENTS
“In this time of change and new growth at First UMC, we are living into abundant life in Christ Jesus. Led by the Holy Spirit, we are learning together how to become a Both/And Church, in-person AND online. We are finding life in worship, prayer, fellowship, and service. We are giving life to one another and to those around us in mission outreach with our many community partners. And in this pandemic/endemic time in which we now live, we’ve done things in new ways that we want to continue—our in-person/online worship, online study groups in which anyone can participate, ZOOM evening meetings which are so great for parents, folks not wanting to drive at night, and a whole host of others, bringing flowers to people who need to stay home, meeting up for walks and in parks and for coffee, having a chance for people to stop, start, and change what they’re involved with, making it possible for groups to stop doing some things and to do other things in new ways…”
– Rev. Patricia Farris, excerpt from “Finding Life, Giving Life” Sermon from November 13, 2022. Read sermon
PRAYER
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!
FIRST UMC PRESCHOOL
First UMC Preschool is more than a school. It is a community of parents, teachers and staff to whom the children’s health, safety and well-being is the highest priority. The Preschool was started in 1948 and over the years has gained the reputation as one of the finest in the city. Read more: www.santamonicaumc.org/preschool
STAY CONNECTED
Click button above to sign up for our weekly Friday Community emails, the monthly newsletter, Children and Family email, and more!
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
“November is the month to give thanks. God has blessed us at First UMC with so very many things for which to be thankful! Here we Find Life—in the depth and peace of worship, in the beauty of music, in prayer with and for one another, in the study of God’s Word, in fellowship with old and new friends, in care for one another through the ups and downs of life.
And here we Give Life—through the Westside Food Bank, Alternative Christmas, Angel Tree, support of our mission partners: the Wesley Foundation at UCLA and the Children Youth and Family Collaborative, the Vietnam Medical Clinic, and so much more….”
Rev. Patricia Farris, from Horizons November 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