BREAKFAST FELLOWSHIP
Sundays (9-11am) Courtyard
Join us for a light continental breakfast on the courtyard before worship. Feel free to bring other ready-to-serve dishes to share, potluck style. Simply bring them to the courtyard when you arrive.
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SURVEY: OUR VISION + MISSION
Our Church Council is working to clarify and articulate the vision and mission of our church. As we continue our conversation, listening across the diversities of our church community, we’d love to ask for your input in the process, too. We wrote this short survey, and encourage you to respond to its questions. It would be helpful to hear from YOU, and to know that voices from throughout the congregation have been heard. Click here to fill out the survey online here!
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2 BEASTS, 7 SEALS, AND 1 SLAIN LAMB: THE BOOK OF REVELATION
The Book of Revelation has been consistently and erroneously used as a New Testament writing to terrify the reader and to affirm the few faithful who will “escape the tribulation.” This characterization is wrong on both counts. John wrote his imaginative narrative both to denounce imperial Rome and to announce the universal mercy of God, employing both harsh and compassionate language. His book, as strange as it may at first sound, holds valuable insights for his own time and for ours. Join Rev. Dr. John Holbert for these insightful sessions.
May 4th – Introduction: Approaches to Revelation, Rev.1
May 11th – The Messages to the 7 Churches: Rev.2-3
May 18th – The Vision of the Scroll: Rev.4 and The Woman, the Dragon, and the 2 Beasts: Rev.12-13
May 25th – The Fall of Babylon/Rome: Rev.18 and The New Jerusalem: Rev.21-22
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WESTWOOD LA VOICE ORGANIZING TEAM
Sunday, May 4th (12noon) Grapple Room
This past Monday, Everest and Teela traveled to Sacramento with LA Voice to represent the Westwood Organizing team for a lobby day at the capitol. We met with several assembly members and their staff to advocate for bills related to making LA a more equitable and just place for all people, especially in the wake of the wildfires. Come join the organizing team this Sunday as we debrief our time in Sacramento and prepare for our upcoming LA Civics Party.For more information, contact Everest Harvey at [email protected].
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LA CIVICS PARTY
Sunday, May 18th (12noon) Wesley Room
Feeling overwhelmed by the state of politics and unsure about what YOU can do? Join the Westwood LA Voice Organizing Team to learn about political organizing, the power of community, and engaging in local politics in a meaningful way. To join our LA Civics Lesson and engagement opportunity or for information about joining the Westwood Organizing Team, contact Everest at [email protected].
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QUEER GROUP
2nd & 4th Sundays (12noon) Church Courtyard
Join a community of spiritually engaged queer folks seeking conversation, connection, and growth together. For any questions or to learn more, contact Everest Harvey at [email protected].
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NEW BOOK GROUP: THE BOOK OF LONGINGS
Tuesdays starting April 22nd (12:30-1:30pm) Westwood UMC
Wednesdays starting April 23rd (7:30-8:30pm) Zoom
The plan is to cover about 100 pages per week and aim for a four-week book group. We will be using discussion questions found at the back of the teacher’s edition as a starting point for our conversations. All are welcome to participate. To sign up, contact Dr. Carter at [email protected].
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WOMEN IN FAITH LUNCHEON
Saturday, May 24th (11am) Helms Hall
Join us for a Women In Faith potluck luncheon as we enjoy a short program and then lunch. Please let us know if you’ll need childcare when you RSVP. Don’t forget to include your child(ren)’s age(s) as well. Deadline to RSVP is Sunday, May 18th. Please RSVP to Sabrina Simmons at [email protected].
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2025 ORGAN CONCERT SERIES AT WESTWOOD UMC
Join us in person at Westwood UMC or via YouTube livestream for three 60-minute concerts performed on the landmark Shaffer Memorial Organ. For more information and opportunities to provide financial support for the series, please click here.
Peter Fennema – Sunday, June 15th (3pm)
Dr. Emma Whitten – Sunday, June 29th (3pm)
Jason Klein-Mendoza – Sunday, July 13th (3pm)
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PATH BREAKFAST MINISTRY
Saturday, May 24th at PATH West LA (4th Saturday of Each Month)
We prepare and serve breakfast at PATH West LA (Cotner & Pico) to 30+ male veterans who live at this location. Arriving at 6am, part of the team shops at Smart & Final (directly across the street), and the other team members get things started in the kitchen. Menus is open to change, but often includes scrambled eggs, bacon, some baked bread (biscuits, cornbread), fruit salad, and donuts. Breakfast is served promptly at 7 am. (Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.) Sign up by contacting Everest Harvey at [email protected].
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SMALL GROUPS
At Westwood UMC, we strive to create a culture of belonging, and our small groups are one of the primary ways we create that culture. Whether you are longtime member or a recent visitor and whether you worship in The Sanctuary or in The Loft, you are invited and encouraged to join a small group as way to deepen your connection to our community. If you are interested in joining a group, contact Westley Garcia at [email protected].
Culver City Group – 1st and 3rd Sundays
Westwood Group – 2nd and 4th Thursdays
Young Adult Group – 1st Wednesdays
Men’s Group – 3rd Wednesdays
Mom’s Group – Sundays
Queer Group – 2nd and 4th Sundays
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PRAYERS FOR PEACE
Amid unending violence in the Holy Land, we are bold to pray for peace. As people of compassion, we grieve with our siblings, holding prayer for those affected, and those presently in danger. We pray also for peace and compassion in our own nation, amid rising voices of destructive Christian nationalism. We invite you to read statements from our UMC Bishops regarding political extremism and a call for a ceasefire in Gaza. You are also invited to contribute to humanitarian relief efforts through UMCOR, who continue to extend practical compassion throughout the world.
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WESTWOOD CHURCH VIDEO UPGRADE
Though our project has been delayed because of staffing needs, we are still committed to moving forward toward installing an upgraded system for livestreaming and recording our worship. We are still grateful to receive additional donations, and invite you to consider a donation.
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MID-DAY PRAYER SERVICE
Tuesdays and Thursdays (12noon) via Facebook Live
We invite you to stop, take a deep breath, and join us for a few moments of centering scripture, reflection and prayer. Led from our beautiful sanctuary, Mid-Day Prayer is live at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Westwood Church Community Facebook Group. Or, you can pray with us whenever you are able, later in the day. If you’re new to this group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/westwood.umc and click on the “Join Group” button at the top of the page.
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SANCTUARY ALTAR FLOWERS
Ever thought about sponsoring the flowers on the altar? It’s a wonderful way to honor or remember a loved one, celebrate a special event or milestone, or just make the Sanctuary space more beautiful! Cost is $85. You can even partner with a friend, committee, or other church group to help defray the cost. For more info or to sign up for a specific Sunday, please contact Sabrina Simmons at 310.474.451 or [email protected].
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EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: GOOD SAMARITAN FUND
During this unusual time of pandemic, our Covid-19 Relief Fund has been able to provide needed assistance to fill unmet financial needs for congregation members and others in our community. Moving forward, this fund is now able to provide assistance where needed, not only related to the Covid pandemic. So, we are renaming the fund as our Good Samaritan Fund. We will continue to use it to assist with unforeseen circumstances and needs. To that end, we want to encourage you to donate to the fund as you are able. Every recipient has been deeply appreciative of the assistance we have been able to provide. We invite you to make donations to the church marked “Good Samaritan Fund” so that we can continue to meet needs as they surface. If you find yourself needing assistance during this time, please let us know by reaching out to Pastor Molly Vetter at [email protected] or Rev. Dr. Carter at [email protected]. This invitation extends to your communities as well—if you know of anyone in need, we want to try and relieve that need as much as possible.
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COMMUNITY UPDATES
We invite you to share updates about yourself with our Westwood UMC community to be included in this weekly church eNews–to keep us connected in this time of physical separation. (Please send updates to [email protected].)
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PRAYER LIST
If you would like to be added to our church prayer list, please let us know via this online form. (You can indicate whether you want your name shared here in the e-news or just with our pastors.)
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