This week, our Pastoral Note is written by one of our Lay Leaders, Jenniffer Duran-West. We are glad to be able to share her reflections with the community!
Dear Westwood Church Family,
March’s Church Council meeting was, once again, productive, impactful, and deeply rewarding. As I walked into the virtual Zoom room, and as I continue to participate in gatherings and events at UMC, I’ve noticed a meaningful theme emerging. It’s one I’ve personally wrestled with since my youth: the tension between individualism and collectivism.
These two frameworks shape how we understand our place in the world. Here in the United States, individualism is often highly valued focusing on independence, personal goals, and self-reliance. Yet in many other cultures, including my own, collectivism is central, prioritizing community, shared responsibility, and the well-being of the group.
What has stood out to me is how beautifully UMC lives into this collective spirit, not just in words spoken from the pulpit, but in everyday micro and macro actions.
We see it in Everest and Uriya, who show up time and again to support the Grapplers at school events. We see it in Dr. Carter, who takes time to sit over coffee and offer a compassionate ear to those in need. We see it in Pastor Molly, the pastor who’s right there in the trenches with the congregation, fully involved and deeply connected. Many are unaware, she brings roses from her garden to join a dedicated group of women who create beautiful arrangements for Easter Sunday, transforming our spaces into warm, welcoming places. And we see it in Pastor Diana, whose commitment and countless hours have brought the Care Ministry to life, ensuring that no one in our community feels alone while sick.
Church Council itself reflects this collective framework. Members come together, often after long workdays, to thoughtfully engage in conversations about the life and future of our church. During our March meeting, I witnessed once again the harmony that emerges when people gather with a shared purpose.
One of the most meaningful discussions centered on how to steward a generous donation left to the church by a beloved member who has passed. This gift was entrusted not to an individual, but to a church committed to discerning how best to use it in ways that reflect the values and spirit of the collective. We feel a deep responsibility to honor their legacy by making decisions that serve the greater good and strengthen our shared mission.
Another important item on the agenda was the Abuse Prevention Policy, a top priority for ensuring the safety and well-being of our children. We are working from a strong, thoughtfully developed template provided through Cal-Pac and reviewed by legal counsel. While we will make a few contextual adjustments, our goal is to uphold the highest standards of care and protection for our youngest members.
The meeting also included updates from ministry leaders, moments of gratitude at the beginning, and time set aside for prayer at the end. Simple but powerful reminders of the care and connection that ground our work.
This theme of collectivism was echoed recently at the Fault Line Claremont School of Theology event at the UMC Sanctuary with Dr. Lucy Jones, who spoke about the critical role community plays in times of disaster. Her message was clear: our resilience depends on one another. Before, during, and after challenging times, it is our connections that sustain us. She left us with a simple but profound invitation to step outside of ourselves and “go talk to your neighbor”.
And that, in many ways, is what Church Council represents. It is an opportunity to come together, to listen, to share, and to sit in the privilege of discerning what is best for the welfare, interests, and harmony of UMC.
In a world that often pulls us toward individual pursuits, it is both grounding and inspiring to be part of a community that continues to choose “we” over “me.”
grace and peace,
Jenniffer Duran-West
