Welcome to our new Pastor

FUMC Pasadena is excited to announce that our new pastor, Rev. N. Adiel (/ae-dee-el/) A. DePano, will begin his appointment with us on Sunday, July 1, 2012, when he will preach his first sermon.

Rev. DePano was born in Manila, Philippines in 1960.  He is the fourth child of nine born to Nathanael, a lawyer and former Presiding Justice of the Philippines Court of Appeals, and Aurora, a school teacher and former head of a home economics department.  He is a fourth-generation United Methodist minister.

After receiving his Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology, Rev. DePano served his internship at Rosewood UMC in Los Angeles.  

Rev. DePano has served as the senior pastor at three church appointments, each lasting seven years.  His appointments included First Filipino-American UMC in Hacienda Heights, First United Methodist Church in National City near San Diego, and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard.  He is currently serving as Superintendent of the Pasadena District, California-Pacific Conference of The United Methodist Church.

During his career, he has successfully implemented capital campaigns to renovate and refurbish sanctuaries and education wings, introduced exciting group study programs, merged congregations, integrated ethic groups, and developed lay leadership.

Rev. Adiel has been married to Brenda, who has her master’s degree in Christian Education, for 23 years.  They have three children, Katerina (22), Julian (18), and Pauline (16).  Spending time with his family is relaxing for Rev. Adiel, and his hobbies include air/aviation and reading.  He and Brenda enjoy traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Central America and Asia.  

Pasadena Vacation Bible School - signups still available!

FUMC Pasadena is set to host an exciting Vacation Bible School beginning July 9th through 13th, 2012. 

This year’s program is in partnership with the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity with a focus on getting Pasadena’s young people excited about serving and volunteering within their local community.

Sign-ups are still available through the church office, and confidential scholarship assistance is available. Contact dgara@fumcpasadena.org for more information.

The VBS program will take place at FUMC Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA. 

You can find more info, a program brochure, and registration card on the FUMC website.

Goodbye dear members and friends of FUMC

As you can well imagine we, as your interim ministers for the past 8 months, write this letter with a wide range of feelings.  Looking back to October 15th of last year we could not have imagined the journey we have traveled together and the memories made that will stay with us for many years to come.  It would be impossible for us to share how much you have meant to us in a short article, but here’s a try.  

Even as leadership changes - the mission of FUMC will be connecting people to Jesus Christ.  It is especially hard to think of saying goodbye to many dear friends we have come to love and appreciate at this church.  We are excited about what God has in store for you in the coming months and in this new season of your lives. 

Please join us in praying for FUMC during this crucial time and great opportunity in the life of this church.  We would ask also that you pray for the new pastor and his family as you prepare for a change that often feels overwhelming.  In times like these, how good it is to have confidence in God’s grace, wisdom, and daily care.  Moreover, it helps to remember that we live, not for ourselves, but for Christ and the praise of His glory.

Bishop Beverly Shamana

Rev. Ken McMillan

Open Door Sunday - July 15

Open Door Sunday is coming July 15th at FUMC Pasadena 

The FUMC Pasadena Arts Committee invites you to Open Door Sunday - a mid day event featuring food, music and art in the Colorado Blvd., patio following worship on July 15 from 11 to 12:30pm. 

Our goal is to meet and get to know our neighbors and live our creed of "open heart, open mind, open door!"  We encourage everyone to bring family and friends to help us welcome the community and introduce them to our inviting church.

Artwork displayed will come from our members and from class given by our very own congregation.

Music by the Jazz Afro beat ensemble Earthcake will on hand as will a number of children's activities such as face painting and a sanctuary scavenger hunt for families.  Docent tours of the nearly 100 year old historic church will also be made available.

Following the Open Door celebration, be sure to stay for the Arnel DePano performance at 1pm.

22AJTDAYYZMM

Incompatible with Christian Teaching

Incompatible with Christian Teaching - FUMC Monday Night Movies

FUMC Movie Night returns Monday, July 30, featuring the film Incompatible with Christian Teaching, Sponsored by First Church Adult Ministries.

Join us for an evening of film, food, discussion, and compassion.  

Incompatible with Christian Teaching is a documentary film In 1972, the United Methodist Church added language to the Discipline stating that "[t]he practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching."  In 1984, the UMC added that no "self-avowed practicing homosexual" could be ordained.  In 1996, the UMC adopted into church law the rule that "ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches."

With the 2008 General Conference as its background, this feature-length documentary by AnneP. Brown details the stories of clergy and laity, LGBT persons and straight allies, after delegates failed to strike this language from the Discipline.

Although Pasadena FUMC has voted to join the movement opposing UMC policy as a Reconciling Congregation, the vote rejecting changes in the language of the Discipline at the 2012 General Conference this April renews the pain shared by many LGBT and straight persons in our congregation.  Thus Incompatible with Christian Teaching is a timely reminder of our congregation's call to share God's all-encompassing love.  

Don't miss this wonderful film.

Pizza at 6:00 p.m. in the Lounge; Movie at 6:45 p.m.

Sign-ups at fellowship time beginning July 15.

Donations as you are able to cover food coasts.  Child care available on request.

Discussion will follow the film.

VBS gets set to begin

Pasadena, CA - This year, the pastors and clergy will present an exciting Vacation Bible School at First United Methodist Church is just about to begin, running from July 9 to 13, 2012.  

Partnering with the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, this year's program will focus on getting Pasadena's children excited about serving and volunteering in their community.  

Designed by Lauren Klapp, Faith Relations Intern with the SGV Habitat for Humanity, says of the program that "...the education about our neighborhood’s poverty as well as what children and  families can do to help is a great lesson in general. And, of course, the metaphor of a ‘strong foundation in Christ’ demonstrated by home construction is just right for young minds!”

 

The program runs July 9-13, 2012 from 9:00 AM till 12 NOON daily, for children age 3 through 6th grade.  Sign-ups are still available through the church office at 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena CA, 91101.  For more information, contact the church office by phone at 626-796-0157, or contact Rev. Debbie Gara at dgara@fumcpasadena.org, or Anne Dimmock at thejollypack@gmail.com.

We hope you can join us for a special summer VBS program that shares in the ministry of Habitat for Humanity

SpiritSeekers Seek the Spirit with NOOMA

NOOMA starts on Sunday, June 24th, when First United Methodist Church Adult Education SpiritSeekers, will begin a 12 - week discussion and film series produced by NOOMA featuring Mars Hill Bible Church founder Rob Bell. 

Our first discussion will be centered on the film Dust, which asks the question “Does God believe in us?” 

Join SpiritSeekers at 9:00 AM Sunday mornings in the Church Lounge of First United Methodist Church Pasadena for good coffee and outstanding discussion. 

Rob Bell, founder of the Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan, has gained rock star status, particularly among young Christians.  Last year, Time Magazine listed him among the 100 most influential people in the world.  Although Bell has been labeled “evangelical,” his most recent book Love Wins drew fire from conservative church leaders.  Although Rob Bell’s theology defies easy labels, most agree that he challenges Christians to delve more deeply into their faith.  He asks the questions many of us are afraid to ask and does not offer easy answers.

Bell received his B.A. from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and his M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena.  In 2011, he stepped down from the Mars Hill Bible Church to pursue projects that reach a larger audience.  He is reported to be returning to Southern California.