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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FREEZE-DRIED DOCTRINE: A CLOSE LOOK AT FOUR FAMILIAR CREEDS Sundays, November 10th, 17th, & December 1st (11am)
Wesley Room and via Zoom
Join Reg Gipson this Sunday as we look at the God of the Bible, the God of the Christian creeds, the God of popular culture, and the God of the Philosophers. What are we talking about when we talk about God? The following two weeks will be led by Rev. Dr. John Holbert and Pastor Molly Vetter.
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RECHARGE FUNDRAISER AT 580 CAFE
Saturday, November 9th (2-4pm) 580 Hilgard Ave.
580 Cafe, our Wesley Foundation at UCLA, invites you to join them on Saturday, November 9, 2 to 4 pm, for Recharge: A Global Celebration of Community on the beautiful patio at St. Alban’s Church located at 580 Hilgard Ave. This fundraiser event is a chance to come together to recharge our spirits and celebrate the heart and soul of the café’s mission. Feel the rhythm of the community pulse through electrifying music, captivating dance, and the tantalizing flavors of traditional foods, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful 580 patio. This is more than just an event; it’s a powerful gathering that embodies the essence of support and activism, creating safe spaces for all. So, don’t miss out on this chance to be part of a fantastic fiesta that promises to invigorate both body and spirit—let’s dance, dine, and unite for a cause that matters! Come on down and let’s make some magic together! RSVP to [email protected].
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ORGAN CONCERT SERIES – MARK HERMAN
Sunday, November 10th (3pm) Sanctuary & Via Livestream
Join us in person at Westwood UMC or via YouTube livestream for a 60-minute concert performed on the landmark Shaffer Memorial Organ. Free admission. Mark Herman distinguished American theatre organist who has performed hundreds of solo concerts and silent film presentations across the United States and internationally, and he will be accompanying Buster Keaton’s 1923 silent film “Our Hospitality”. Click here for his full bio.
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CIVIL RIGHTS SOCIAL JUSTICE PILGRIMAGE
Info Meeting – Monday, November 11th (7pm) via Zoom
Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter and Everest Harvey are planning an intergenerational five to seven day civil rights pilgrimage for adults and youth going into 9th grade and above. In the Summer of 2025, the group will travel to New Orleans to visit historical locations and several museums to learn about the experiences and stories of people in the South. If you are interested in learning more, join us for the information meeting via Zoom. To RSVP, contact Everest Harvey at [email protected] or Rev. Dr. Carter at [email protected].
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EPIC’s 5th ANNUAL POSADA GIFT CARD DRIVE
Bring Target Gift Cards on Sunday, November 24th!
Do you remember when you were a teenager, and you had enough money to buy presents for your family at Christmas? It felt so good! This year, our Westwood Kids are sponsoring a Target Gift Card Drive as our mission project to help kids through Echo Park Immigration Center be able to have that chance. We invite you to buy $50 gift cards to support our mission! Please bring them to church on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 24th. We will have a blessing of the cards the following Sunday, along with writing individual notes to our new friends to go along with each card. It will make their Christmas and ours and yours as well! If you have questions, contact Pastor Diana Holbert at [email protected].
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THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
Sunday, November 24th
10am – One Worship Gathering in The Sanctuary
11:15am – Community Meal in The Loft
On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, join us for a combined worship gathering in our Sanctuary followed by the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon community meal in the Loft. The church will be providing turkey and tamales for everyone. We encourage you to bring a side dish, salad, and/or dessert to share with the community. It will be a time to celebrate and honor our gratitude, and an opportunity to get to know people we do not yet know well. Click here to RSVP with what you’ll be bringing!
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DISASTER RELIEF N THE UNITED STATES
Following a series of devastating hurricanes that have caused dramatic damage in the southeastern US, we invite you to make a special contribution to disaster relief through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). United Methodists have already moved into action to provide needed emergency system to neighbors in need; UMCOR gives us a way to use our denominational connection as a practical tool for compassion and care. 100% of your gifts to UMCOR go to meet urgent needs in affected communities. You can give through Westwood UMC (mark you donation for UMCOR) or give directly online.
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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 and 3rd Monday
Men’s Group – 3rd Wednesdays
Mom’s Group – Sundays
Queer Group – 2nd and 4th Sundays
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PATH BREAKFAST MINISTRY
Saturday, October 26th 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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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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