Dear Westwood Family,

My Pastoral Note this week will be a bit of a love note, inspired by last week’s gathering of the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Our regional church body, with leadership from our Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, met in Indian Wells for four days together, in which we shared inspiration, affirmed ways that our values and commitments are shaping who we are, and were sent out in ministry to all the diverse places and ways our church lives out its mission.

For several years now, our theme has affirmed our Conference mission: Ending Spiritual and Physical Hunger. This year, we heard a call to “Cherish” one another. On the first day of our Conference, Bishop Dottie literally showered us with heart-shaped reminders of the care and compassion that was shown to and through our Conference during the Palisades and Eaton fires earlier this year. Through the week, we heard and saw more reminders of how precious and beautiful the life of the church is, even in the midst of struggle, as we do the work that’s before us with love and grace.

There were several special joys for our Westwood crew this year: Josh Lopez-Reyes, who has been a candidate for ordained ministry from Westwood UMC, was commissioned as a Provisional Elder during our Ordination service on Saturday. Ellen Evans Agee, who co-chairs our Commission on the Status and Role of Women, offered reports during Conference, including a monitoring report that helped us see how the diversity of people speaking at microphones reflected the gender and racial/ethnic diversity of the whole community. Rachel Gipson gave one of the “Cherish Talks,” helping us use mental health insights and resources to tend the health of our congregations. Dr. Carter spoke eloquently and helpfully during floor debate related to Constitutional Amendments. Everest Harvey was active in helping lead with the young adult members of Conference, and I have had the privilege of leading our Council on Finance and Administration, presenting both the Conference Budget for 2026, and a proposal to change how we calculate apportionments in coming years.

Our whole Westwood crew of lay members included Denise Freese, Ellen Evans Agee, Louise Spear, Everest Harvey, Mariandrea Mueller, and Rachel Gipson; Dr. Carter and I were there, as well as other clergy connected to Westwood.

During the Bishop’s Episcopal Address on Thursday, she shared testimony of places where she has seen signs of vitality–especially in the congregations where she has been present during Sunday worship. Westwood UMC was on that list–Bishop Dottie and her husband, Jim, have worshiped with us in both the Sanctuary and the Loft this year. (As a part of the report, she shared this Lego version of our church building – a reminder that we are building blocks working together for our shared mission!)

I am so glad and grateful to get to continue to be your pastor, and to do so alongside Dr. Carter. As we start another appointment year in our United Methodist calendar, I want you know that I do indeed cherish the many ways that our congregation is so faithfully and courageously embodying the call of our faith, in transformative worship, compassionate community, and justice-seeking presence in the world.

At this time in the life of our nation and world, I have been so grateful to be able to show up in parades, marches, and vigils that bring our witness into the wider community. I am so glad to be able to share in powerful worship within our church walls, too, as our practice of faith shapes us and others into a fuller embodiment of Christ-like love. God knows this work is needed, and I am glad to be able to share it with you.

grace and peace,
Pastor Molly

More information about what happened at Conference is available online–here’s a quick summary of some of our accomplishments:
We voted on the ratification of four proposed amendments to The United Methodist Constitution. Results of the denomination-wide votes will be announced in the fall.

• We passed the 2026 conference budget.
• We passed a resolution to stand with our immigrant neighbors.
• We passed a resolution to begin a process to divest from fossil fuels.
• We passed a resolution to commit to not renewing military leases on O’hau.
• We did not amend the way apportionments will be calculated, and instead passed a recommendation to do further study into a new calculation formula for the coming year.