18 Sep A Homecoming Story
Dear Westwood Family,
A few months back, folks from one of our neighboring United Methodist Churches contacted me, to ask about a gift from our congregation to theirs in 1940: that year, our congregation donated a wood-framed building to what was then the Japanese Community Church at West Los Angeles. It served as a temporary sanctuary for their church campus on Purdue Ave. Soon after, during the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese-American people during WWII, it also provided storage for the personal property of church members; when Japanese-Americans were finally allowed to return to the West Coast, it temporarily sheltered families from their congregation, as well. The church has since built a new sanctuary and other buildings. Still today, that building serves as the Fellowship Hall for the West LA United Methodist Church, a vital and faithful congregation here on the Westside.
The generosity of our congregation made a difference to theirs.
This story runs even deeper, though: we, too, stand on a legacy of generosity that preceded us. In 1926, Methodists in Los Angeles purchased the property that our church now occupies, in hopes of encouraging a new congregation here on Wilshire, near where UCLA was building a campus. Other Christians in the city, including and especially Rev. Elmer Ellsworth Helms, Senior Pastor of the First Methodist Church in downtown LA, gave generously so our first building could be built in 1929. We named it Helms Hall. His son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Pearl Helms (of Helms Bakery fame), would be leaders and generous supporters of the church for years to come.
Through the Great Depression, our congregation outgrew the first building; wood-framed buildings were added as classrooms, in 1930 and 1936. Then, we built our education building (which now houses classrooms like Wesley Room, our Sunday School rooms, and The Loft). My best guess is that when we started using it in January of 1940, we were able to pass along those temporary wood-framed classrooms–and one of them went to West LA UMC.
It’s humbling to imagine the ministry that has been possible because of this chain of generosity. We all stand on the grace of those who wanted us to flourish before we even got started. That grace has provided shelter and enabled hope, and given us a place from which to speak compassion to a world in need.
This Homecoming Sunday, we are excited to welcome folks new and old to our congregation. I feel tremendous honor at getting to share this incredible community with anyone who shows up–as we show and tell about the transformational love of God. As we invite others into our shared legacy of work for compassion and justice.
I hope you will join me in this joy: of inviting and welcoming people into our community.
On Sunday, we have some very special things planned. I get to preach in our Sanctuary gathering, which will feature our Summer Choir and brass ensemble. The Loft gathering will be a gospel concert, featuring the Singers of Soul Gospel Choir, and preaching from Dr. Carter. After each gathering, we will have ice cream treats on the courtyard for fun and fellowship. Plus, there’s Westwood Kids, and the Grapple Group, and a new Wisdom at Westwood class on the Bible.
I encourage you to invite someone new to join us for Homecoming!
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly