Thanksgiving Dinner

Come join us for a time of fellowship and food as we give thanks together. This is a great chance to meet and connect with those who attend a different service, and a great opportunity to invite friends to the church. Turkey, ham, and bread will be provided, but please bring 2 side dishes (per family) to share.

Join Hal Conklin on Sunday, November 4, as he discusses what it means to live life in public as a Christian. Drawing on his numerous and varied experiences in Santa Barbara, Hal will be examining how Christian can live their lives in the public eye and what that looks like for us here in Santa Barbara. The real question is how can we be salt and light in our world?

A light lunch will be served at 12:15. For childcare, please RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by 11/7.

Encounter:
Tools for Trauma Response

Come and hear Pastor Doug Ranck, who in addition to being one of our pastors, is a senior adviser with the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth. He will give us ways, as a congregation, parents, teachers, friends, and leaders to be a light in our community in response to the trauma impacting us personally and collectively.

A light lunch will be served at 12:15. For childcare, please RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by 10/31.

Trauma & Resiliency

Come and hear Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe, the Executive Director of the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth (ICTG) speak on trauma and our responses as we near the 1 year anniversary of the Thomas Fire and Montecito mudslide.

A light lunch will be served at 12:15 pm. For childcare, RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by 10/24.

Rev. Dr. Wiebe is an organization consultant, specializing in education, coaching, and therapeutic services following crises, trauma, or disaster. Founder and Director of ICTG, her practical experience includes pastoral care & counseling, relational psychotherapy, marriage counseling, group critical incident debriefings, and serving as a volunteer National Responder for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. She has studied relational psychoanalysis, group and organizational dynamics, and community care after disasters for twenty years.

Fall Family Festival

We’re having a free Halloween party with games, crafts, face-paint, popcorn and snow cones! Our “trunk or treat” candy stations will be out from 12:00-1:30, with lunch available for purchase all afternoon (or until it’s all bought out).

Bring your family and friends and dress up in something fun! No scary or violent costumes, please. We’ll meet you in the parking lot of the Free Methodist Church. With balloons, a bounce house, and the smell of our BBQ lunch, we think you’ll recognize the party.

Invite your friends and let them know about it on Facebook.

Women's Prep Party for Fall Family Festival

Calling all women! Come and join us as we gather together and help prepare for the annual Fall Family Festival. We will be sorting prizes and candy, cleaning up buckets and cones and putting together the welcome bags. It is a great way to connect with other women from the church!

Soup and salad dinner will be provided and you will have plenty of time to chat while you're working.

Please RSVP for childcare by emailing childcare@fmcsb.org by October 20th.

Fall Send: A Multi-church Young Adult Gathering

A multi-church event series put on by Young Adult pastors from Oceanhills Covenant, Free Methodist, Montecito Covenant, and others. Together we will dig into what mission means in the work place. We will receive wisdom from older professionals who have followed Jesus into their work place. Contact nikki@fmcsb.org with questions.

The Send: To Define a Missional Life

To challenge the dualistic narrative that "work" happens from 9 to 5 and "service" happens in the pockets of time in between. To apply the idea of being "sent" people in our different workplaces. To equip the "priesthood of all believers" with simple, pragmatic tools and techniques to foster a missional posture in all aspects of life. To "send" world-changers back out to the places where God has called them.

Encountering the Enneagram

The enneagram is an insightful (maybe even uncomfortably so!) tool for personal, relational, and spiritual growth. Join us for an exploration of this ancient-wisdom-traditions-meets-psychology way of engaging personality, emotions that keep us stuck, and the behaviors that everybody except you know you do! Our time will be interactive and experience-based, integrative with our Christian faith, and geared toward ennea-body who is curious about learning more about themselves!

Before coming to the first class, it will help you to get more out of the time if you have taken a test or two online or have read some of the brief descriptions of the types to start narrowing down which number you may be resonating the most with.

A light lunch will be served at 12:15. Childcare is available by emailing childcare@fmcsb.org by 10/17.

Encountering the Enneagram

The enneagram is an insightful (maybe even uncomfortably so!) tool for personal, relational, and spiritual growth. Join us for an exploration of this ancient-wisdom-traditions-meets-psychology way of engaging personality, emotions that keep us stuck, and the behaviors that everybody except you know you do! Our time will be interactive and experience-based, integrative with our Christian faith, and geared toward ennea-body who is curious about learning more about themselves!

Before coming to the first class, it will help you to get more out of the time if you have taken a test or two online or have read some of the brief descriptions of the types to start narrowing down which number you may be resonating the most with.

Encounter:
Christianity and American Politics

How can Christians navigate an increasingly contentious and polarized political environment?  Join Westmont Political Science Professor Tom Knecht as we explore the intersection of faith and American politics.  The September 30th lecture, entitled "Polarization and the Pews," will take an empirical look at how many Christians approach politics.  The following week's lecture, "Shrink Your Core," will explore how Christians can become more effective participants in the political process.

A light lunch will be provided.

For childcare, please RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by October 4th.

Tom Knecht is a Professor of Political Science at Westmont College. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has published work on American public opinion and foreign policy, homelessness, and gender in higher education.  His current research examines the politics of sports. 

Sunday Lunch with Our Sister Church
Light & Life Isla Vista

This year, we are partnering with our sister church, Light and Life Isla Vista, as they continue to reach out to their neighbors. Each Sunday, they have church in the park, which is followed by a lunch and all are welcome. Four times this year, we will be providing the lunch. We are looking for a few people each time to go out on our day and worship with them. If you are interested in helping with the lunch or going out to worship with our sister church on those days, please sign up at Connection Central.

Our dates are: October 7, January 6, April 7, July 7.

This upcoming Friday, October 5th for YAFF, we will be visiting the "tabernacle" together. "Tabernacle?!?!" you may ask...

Basically, over the past couple of months several churches have come together to build a replica of the Old Testament "tabernacle." It is being coined as the Tabernacle Experience and is presently located on the grounds of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Goleta.

The reports I have heard back are that it is a powerful experience, and can make many of the Old Testament images we have read about come alive. If nothing else, it will at least be an interesting experience, even just to observe how the creators of this particular tabernacle replica understand Christ's relation to the Old Testament. Tons of room for interesting discussion on that topic ;)

We are going to meet at 6pm in the FMCSB parking lot and then carpool over for our tour at 6:30pm. They are asking you to bring your own headphones for the video recordings during the tour. :)

Please let Pastor Nikki (nikki@fmcsb.org) know by Friday morning if you are interested in coming so she knows how many spots to reserve.

Afterwards, the plan is to grab dinner at Chick-fil-a for anyone who wants to join.

Would love to have you come!

Encounter:
Christianity and American Politics

How can Christians navigate an increasingly contentious and polarized political environment?  Join Westmont Political Science Professor Tom Knecht as we explore the intersection of faith and American politics.  The September 30th lecture, entitled "Polarization and the Pews," will take an empirical look at how many Christians approach politics.  The following week's lecture, "Shrink Your Core," will explore how Christians can become more effective participants in the political process.

A light lunch will be provided.

For childcare, please RSVP to childcare@fmcsb.org by September 27th.

Tom Knecht is a Professor of Political Science at Westmont College. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has published work on American public opinion and foreign policy, homelessness, and gender in higher education.  His current research examines the politics of sports. 

Light of the World
Women’s Candle Making Class and Devotional

Please join us for a women’s candle making class and special devotional with Carri Svoboda, Thursday September 27th at 7 pm in the upper parking lot. If possible, please bring a small glass or ceramic container (8 oz or less) to put your candle in... all other supplies will be provided. Bring a friend to join us for this fun event!

Fall Send: A Multi-church Young Adult Gathering

A multi-church event series put on by Young Adult pastors from Oceanhills Covenant, Free Methodist, Montecito Covenant, and others. Together we will dig into what mission means in the work place. We will receive wisdom from older professionals who have followed Jesus into their work place, the first being our own Isaac Garrett, a member of FMCSB. Contact nikki@fmcsb.org with questions.

The Send: To Define a Missional Life

To challenge the dualistic narrative that "work" happens from 9 to 5 and "service" happens in the pockets of time in between. To apply the idea of being "sent" people in our different workplaces. To equip the "priesthood of all believers" with simple, pragmatic tools and techniques to foster a missional posture in all aspects of life. To "send" world-changers back out to the places where God has called them.

A time for young adults (19ish-29ish) to gather together and worship God through music, art, scripture, and prayer. We wanted to create a space for healing and connection with God and each other as the twenties can sometimes be a time of "growing pains." We will have some desserts afterward. We would love to have you join!

For questions, contact Pastor Nikki (nikki@fmcsb.org).

Come out to the park and enjoy the church community that we love so much. Lunch will be served from 11 am to 1 pm and costs $7. This year will be having delicious taco bar. We will provide food, drinks, and snacks so feel free to bring a dessert to share (cookies, bars, or anything else!) Kids’ games and crafts begin at 10:00. Softball tournament begins at 9:00. Bring a chair or blanket and come out to the park for a fun day!

You can sign up for softball at church on Sundays or by emailing Pastor T.J. (tj@fmcsb.org).
 

Come meet pastors Nikki and T.J. out front of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado and embark on a Santa Barbara Old Spanish Days adventure with other young adults form the church. Come hungry for some authentic Mexican food. Let one of the pastors know you are coming so they know to wait for you. Viva la Fiesta!

For the past 30 years, Pat Weatherford has been part of our congregation. She came to our church at the invitation of a friend and God profoundly changed her life. We have been blessed to share Christ's life together for so long. She has volunteered in various capacities and also served as a teacher and then director at Cliff Drive Care Center. Her love for children and wisdom for adults has impacted our community greatly. Next month she is moving to the East Coast to live closer to her family. We will miss her very much! To say goodbye, we are having a Potluck on Thursday, July 26th at 6:00pm. All are welcome. Please bring a dish to share. We will have a time of open sharing to express our love for Pat. 

Gather with other women from FMCSB as we share about our favorite books with each other. Please bring a brunch dish to share. RSVP to Pam Goetz at pamgoetz@gmail.com.

A time to fellowship with and get to know other seniors in the church. Bring a dish for the potluck and come enjoy a great evening. Feel free to invite your friends. For questions, contact Pastor T.J.

Inviting all young adults (19ish-29ish) to the Kass home this Friday to play games, sing some songs, eat some desserts, and just hang by the fire pit and unwind from the week with Pastors  Nikki and T.J. Invite a friend! This is a great way to connect with other young adults in our community. Email nikki@fmcsb.org with questions.

Directions to Kass Home:
From north or south:
Exit 101 on Mission St. Take Mission toward the mountains
Follow Mission until it ends @ Laguna St.
Take a left on Laguna St
Laguna St will end in front of the mission
Take a right onto Los Olivos (Los Olivos becomes Mission Cyn Rd)
Follow Mission Cyn Rd about ¼ mile beyond the mission. You will pass markers for 716 & 718
The next lane after the stone wall has markers for 720-760 (you will pass 740… don’t fret!)
Turn right down the lane with markers 720-760
Ours is the second house on the right. The house number is not well marked but the house is mauve and kind of Frank Lloyd Wright “prairie” style. Park in the driveway or in the triangle on the lane.

Join us for an evening of traditional hymnody. We will sing hymns by request from our Free Methodist Hymnal, led by our own Dr. Ray Rosentrater and accompanist Syd Bush. Come read your vocal part, sing the melody, or just listen along as we celebrate the tradition of long-standing hymns of the faith.

Women of all ages and stages of life are invited to join a stand-alone class meditating on scripture, rest, and restoration. Bring your favorite pen, a notebook if you like to take notes, and your Bible and join us in a night of reflection and discussion. 

RSVP by June 10th for childcare to childcare@fmcsb.org

A time to fellowship with and get to know other seniors in the church. Bring a dish for the potluck and come enjoy a great evening. Feel free to invite your friends. For questions, contact Pastor T.J.

It is our tradition to hold a service of baptism every year on Pentecost Sunday. In addition to the outward commitment made in this service, it is also a time for the larger church community to welcome people into the body of Christ. This year, those being baptized will be presented during the 11 am service on June 10. Immediately following the service, we will drive down to the east end of Leadbetter Beach (by the catamarans) where the baptisms will take place. All are invited to come and celebrate these baptisms.

If you would like to be baptized, please speak with Pastor Colleen (colleen@fmcsb.org) and she can give you more information.