Pastor's Page
We live in a time when
people know the best
way to get power and to
also stay in power is to
cause division. Jokes
have been made about
whether our Methodists
are really United. Yes,
we are. The most
recent Unification
happened 58 years ago
today. Happy Birthday
to the United Methodist Church April 23, 1968. We
are United in our connectionalism with each other,
meaning we are connected. Local churches are an
expression of the church seen in the Annual
Conference, our Annual Conference, California
Pacific. We are connected to the other churches and
members. We are United. Right now, the world might
feel heavy and divided. We offer the message of
hope. As used in Maundy Thursday services from a
hymn in the 8th century, Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi
est, “Where charity and love are, God is there.” The
kingdom of God is the kingdom of love, justice, and
mercy, and we get to share with people so that they,
too, can be kingdom citizens, and there is hope
beyond the heavy and divided world we live in. We
can work together to keep bringing unity to the world.
Even in difficult moments, God's grace is present.
Every time we gather, worship, and care for one
another, we are sharing God's grace and making the
world better.
So while United is a nod to the merging
denomination, The Methodist Church and the
Evangelical United Brethren Church, it is also a
reminder that we are to help the world be united. I
think perhaps the best way is by showing
Unreasonable Hospitality. We do a great job at this,
and let's keep living this out. We provide a much-
needed place of love and
acceptance where all people can
come and worship and serve God
together. For more historical
discussion, see the book The
Methodist Experience in America.
Vol.1. I'm happy to discuss the
issues and sadly the mistakes
made during the schisms and
reunifications. Additionally, I highly recommend
everyone read the book Unreasonable Hospitality,
by Will Guidara, while it is a book about running a
Michelin restaurant, it is an
amazing book about hospitality
and how that can look everywhere.
I believe the local church should
be one of the most unreasonably
hospitable places for peoples core
values if you want to think about it
that way. We do a great job at this.
Unreasonable hospitality is what
we in the church world call grace.
Grace means being treated better than we deserve.
Rev. Wesley Thompson
MAY 2026
RRRRRRB2025
TREASURER'S REPORT
The good news is that regular tithes and offerings are
coming in about 2% over where they were last year at
this time. The bad news is that our expenses are
projected to be up about 11% over last year. We are
looking at a significant deficit unless contributions
pick up further.
Further bad news is that the Easter Offering came in
about $2,300 below plan. I suspect higher gas
prices, economic uncertainty due to war in the
Middle East, the gyrating stock market and Easter
falling just before property taxes and income taxes
coming due did not help. I am hoping a few more
generous Easter contributions will trickle in. Please
mark your check or envelope "Easter"
Thankfully our church has endowment funds to cover
major capital expenses. Endowment funds largely
covered the $17K cost of our new heater, the new
screens in the sanctuary, upgraded Wi-Fi system and
the new nursery. 5% of the value of our unrestricted
endowment funds are available each year for such
projects. In addition, restricted endowment funds
are used for feeding the hungry, supporting our
overseas missionaries and other mission related
projects. Without the generous support of those in
the past that Included our church in their final
bequests, our church would have a difficult, time of
improving our facilities and supporting our missions
today. Your generous support of our endowment
funds will help assure that the First United Methodist
Church of Arroyo Grande will be able serve future
generations and our church's missions.
-Joel Anderson
Acting Treasurer
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Part of being part of a faith community is finding a
place to serve. Being a volunteer is a way to connect
and serve the church. We are all called to serve and
be part of the faith community in some way. We
would love for you to find your place. Here is a list of
different areas we can use help. Some are easier
than others, and some require a little training. We
have a great church with wonderful volunteers. Many
hands make a light load. We hope you consider
where you could help out. One other thing, we also
don't want people to feel like they have to serve in
that one role forever. We want you to find the right
role, and we also know sometimes that means trying
different roles. We look forward to you finding your
place in our faith community.
> Sound board at Sunday services
> Video camera operator for our or on-line service
>Slide operator at Sunday services
> Children's ministry helpers
> Youth ministry helpers
> Greeters
> Ushers
>Office help: assembling bulletins, mailings, and
Sunday morning slide creation
> Custodial help
> After hours building lockup check
There are, of course, nominated positions too.
Please contact Pastor Wes to discuss where you
might be able to help out.
SUNDAY MAY 17
After 2nd Service
Includes lunch
Come explore membership in our friendly and
growing church
See Pastor Wes or Kerren Brown for more
information or to sign up.
Wisdom from the Bible
There is nothing better for mortals than to eat
and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil. This
also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart
from him who can eat or who can have
enjoyment.
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
United Women in Faith seeks to connect and nurture
women through Christian spiritual formation,
leadership development, creative fellowship, and
education so that they can inspire, influence and
impact local and global communities.
Our new United Women in Faith directory is almost
ready. Who knew that we’d be tearing our hair out
just trying to collate it. The biggest thank you to
Blanca and Joel in the office for all the time and
patience she and Joel put in for us. Thank You
Blanca and Joel!
Our annual Tea is coming up on May 9. It will be a
flower theme, with lots of flowers. Brad Bettencourt
will be lecturing on Flower arranging. Brad is the
one that fixes the beautiful flowers on the altar each
Sunday. We will be dining on a delicious array of tea
sandwiches, scones, and special desserts. Invite
your friends and family, up and purchase your
tickets at the UWF table. Tickets are $20. Sorry for
the mistake, last month on ticket price, with current
inflation and additional flowers. It’s $20.
Bingo will be August 15. Mark that down. Just don’t
leave town.
September 26 we will host the North District United
Women in Faith with a Women’s Retreat here.
Circles and groups: All women are invited to attend
the circles and groups of your choice. Just come!
Mary, Martha Esther Circle meets on the last
Wednesday of the month at 10 am in the McMillen
Room. Contact Mary Throndson.
Joy Circle, meets on the third Tuesday of the month,
3-5 pm in members’ homes. Check with Kerren
Brown for more information.
Daughters of Grace Circle, meets in the Library
Room at 5:30 on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Contact Susan Throndson.
Sew And Sews Meets every Tuesday in the McMillen
Room from 10 until 1:30, bring a sandwich if you want
to stay for lunch. The Prayer Shawl Ministry is led by
Janice Moore. We need knitters and crocheters.
Book Club meets the 3rd Friday, in the library, at
10:30. Contact Judy Leonard or Patti Melsheimer for
a book if interested.
FELLOWSHIP
MINISTRY
As we approach summer the congregation will have
a lot of interesting and fun activities to look forward
to.
Lucy’s Labyrinth was enjoyed by many and flowed
right into the Maundy Thursday supper, the Good
Friday service and all the special activities of Easter.
Sun. May 3, 11:30 Taco Bar. After second service.
Free. Sign up at the connections table.
Sun. Movie May 31, “My Spy” A comedy with two
unlikely spies. Dave Bautista, as a CIA agent, is
given the task of surveilling a family, only to be
outsmarted and blackmailed by a precocious 9 year
old, named Sophie(Chloe Coleman).
Sat. June 6 Tour of Bob and Scotts Garden.
Leave church 9:45, Tour 10 am.
Sat. June 17 The Red Wings Horse Sanctuary Tour
was reschedule due to the weather. Carpool from
church 9:30, Tour 10:30
Wed. August 5 3:45, and Sat. August 15 Saturday
9:45, Arroyo Grande History Tour of the Village.
Each tour is limited to a group of 10. That’s why we
have two tours scheduled.
Fri. September 4- Plantel Nursery Tour in Santa
Maria. They grow vegetable transplants and do
automated planting of these at farms. We will meet
at 9:20 at church to carpool there.
Sat. September 12 a visit to The Dana Adobe for
Heritage Day. Meet at church at 9:30 to carpool. We
will be there at 10. The festivities are from 9:00 to
4:00. Come for the history, culture, dancing and
maybe a picnic lunch.
As always, it’s a good idea to sign up at the
connections table to assure yourself of having a
place.
Submitted by,
Gerry McGuire
