Westwood United Methodist Church is a welcoming family at all stages and places of spiritual growth in response to Christ's call for tolerance and for helping others in daily life.

Sunday morning is at the heart of this faith community's life and begins with Worship at 10:00 a.m.  Look below to learn more about what's happening this Sunday.

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This Sunday, May 20

Ascension Sunday

Reverend Chris Spearman, Minister of Adult Programs, preaching

Featured scriptures:

Ephesians 1:15-23 and Luke 24:44-53

Music from the Chancel Choir:

O Clap Your Hands by Ralph Vaughan Williams

Children's Sunday School (Pre-school through 5th graders)

Childcare is available beginning at 8:45 am for 2 years and younger in the Nursery on the first floor of the Education Building.

10:15am - Pre-school Room 103
Pre-K through 5th grade in Room 108
11:00am - Snack Time in Room 108
11:30am - Children's music

Youth Sunday School (6th through 12th grades)

10:00am - Worship Service
11:00am - Youth music
11:30am - Youth Sunday School

5:00pm - Evening youth program and dinner

Follow-Up: An Adult Education Adventure

Following worship at 11:20 am in Room 207

Special Follow-Up Presentation

Sunday, May 20th at 11:20 a.m. in Room 207

"When did we see you a stranger…?"
Presenters: Carlos Castellanos, Jr - DREAM Act Summer Intern;
Stephanie Kimec - US2 Missionary and Jeanne Roe Smith - Campus Minister at UCLA

We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all. -Paragraph 162 of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church

No where is justice more overdue than for the many immigrant young people who were brought to this country as infants or young children. The DREAM Act would offer these students, who have grown up and graduated high school in the United States, the opportunity to earn legal status through higher education or military service. It is not an amnesty program; there are strict requirements. The legislation for the DREAM Act is well developed, long-standing and has been embraced by people from across the political spectrum. And yet thousands still wait for justice.

A first step toward that justice is advocacy. The Summer Dream Internship is a joint project between our congregation and the Wesley Foundation serving UCLA. Carlos Castellanos, Jr. has been selected to work this summer at Wesley Foundation and as an advocate for the Dream Act in churches across the Annual Conference. He is a graduate of Norte Vista High School in Riverside and is a third year political science/pre-law student at UCLA. Carlos is a Gates Scholar, an ally and advocate for DREAM students and an exceptional soccer player!  Carlos' energy, insight and determination to pursue pathways for access to education and citizenship is tremendous. His ability to synthesize complex issues and engage people in open dialogue are strengths he brings to the DREAM Summer Intern program. Carlos is active in many student groups at UCLA, and is a leader in most. Wesley Foundation is fortunate to have Carlos as part of our student community.

You can help - Westwood UMC is raising money to support Carlos' internship. The Church Council has approved Mission Matching Funds which will double your donation. Please make checks payable to Westwood UMC and mark them "Dream Intern."

W.O.W. Spring Has Sprung Luncheon

Plan Be Returns Sunday, June 3rd

This Summer Series book study of Brian McLaren’s “A New Kind of Christianity” runs from June 3rd to August 19th after the Sunday worship services. Watch for more details and how to sign-up in upcoming worship guides and issues of The Spire newsletter.

Brahms: A German Requiem

Featuring the combined voices of the University Campus Choir
and the Westwood United Methodist Church Chancel Choir

Presented in English featuring the composer’s rarely-heard piano duet accompaniment

Lucine Marukyan, soprano soloist
Edward Levy, baritone soloist
Haesung Park & Mark Robson, pianists

Alexander Ruggieri & Gregory Norton, conductors

Free admission • voluntary offering.  Free, secure parking beneath Belmont Village

United Methodist Dodger Night

Friday, August 3, 2012 @ 7:10 p.m.
Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs

Fireworks after the game!

Tickets at $17.00; seats on Lower Reserve level, third base line.
Parking is $15.

Every ticket includes:

Due date to make reservation and payment is Monday, July 23, 2012. Please make checks payable to Westwood UMC.

RSVP to Sherry Stack at (310) 474-4511 or sherry@westwoodumc.org

Vacation Bible School

We’re so excited to announce that this year, we will be holding Vacation Bible School at Westwood UMC! Please mark your calendars for the week of August 6-9 in the evening from 6-8 pm (a meal will precede the program). Keep an eye and ear out for more details to come!