I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
From the Pastor 1
Mark Your Calendar
Dates of Interest 2
3
Newsworthy
Camp Wrightwood 4
5
New Hope
All in the Family
6
7
Worship Leaders /
Calendar - Insert
First United Methodist Church of Ontario MAY 918 N. Euclid Avenue Ontario, CA 91762 2018
Dear Church,
I have to make a confession. I really like Christmas and Easter, but neither of
these days is my favorite holiday in the church. My favorite church holiday is…
PENTECOST! While I grew up wearing red to church on Pentecost Sunday with the
occasional balloon, Pentecost didn’t really become a big deal for me until I became a
leader in the church. Because Pentecost was the day God empowered us to do God’s
work in the world. My work as a minister of the Gospel, and our work together in the
priesthood of all believers, would be moot without the events of Pentecost.
While the story of the rushing wind, speaking in tongues, and wild flames is
memorable, we lose something when we stop reading before Peter starts talking. The
flames and wind are evidence of God’s work, but Peter’s sermon and the actions of the
new church immediately after are the examples of what it means to be God’s people,
empowered by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:14-40 Peter preaches the story of God’s
salvation, responding to chaos and confusion with words of hope. How many of us are
prepared to “speak to the hope that is within” us (1 Peter 3:15)? That is why we have
been reviewing the basics of our faith in this Easter season. So that when the day of
Pentecost arrives, we are ALL able to speak confidently of our faith.
Then something even more amazing happens. Three thousand people are led to
baptism. For context, last year we had two baptisms in our congregation, 160 baptisms in
the East District, and 887 baptisms across the entire Cal-Pac Conference. At that rate it
would take us nearly 4 years as a conference to grow the church as much as Peter did in
one day. And it’s NOT because most people in Southern California and Hawaii are
already baptized. It’s because we are not proclaiming the hope that is within us. We are
not inviting people into new life in Christ. We are not using the gift of the Holy Spirit
God bestowed upon us on the day of Pentecost. We have a lot of work to do, friends.
Of the whole story, my favorite part comes in verses 42-47, because in six
verses, we are able to see the best model for the life of the church: learning, community,
shared meals, prayer, joyful worship, humility, and charity. When we began Open Space
Bible Study, the small group portion of our young adult ministry, we read this passage at
the beginning of each meeting, to remind ourselves of the community we were trying to
become. And I am proud to report that community is growing. We will receive new
members into this congregation because of the commitment of Open Space to this image
of the church. This image of the church is not about politics, curriculum, or doctrine.
It’s about being human together, sharing in God’s grace, and giving of ourselves so that
others may live. And that has proven attractive to the young people in the Ontario
Community. It’s so attractive we are preparing to share the model with three other
churches in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles! What would our world look like if
every church modeled their behavior on Acts 2:43-47?
That’s the invitation of Pentecost. That’s the celebration of Pentecost. And that’s
why it’s my favorite church holiday. Because more than any other holy day, Pentecost is
a celebration that we are partners in God’s work, empowered by God’s Spirit, capable of
changing lives and transforming the world, if we would only say yes to the invitation.
Happy Pentecost,
-Pastor Blair
The Holy Spirit
Comes at Pentecost
When the day
of Pentecost came,
they were all together
in one place. Suddenly a sound
like the blowing of a
violent wind
came from heaven
and filled the
whole house where they
were sitting.
They saw what seemed
to be tongues of fire
that separated
and came to rest on
each of them. All of them were filled
with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in
other tongues as
the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)
PAGE 2 MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Music Note
Hello First United Methodist of Ontario!
We are in the season of Easter and we couldn't be more excited to
celebrate our Lord's resurrection through music. We've got some exciting
anthems coming your way, including a wonderful spiritual called "Ain't Got
Time to Die" by notable composer, Hal Johnson. Another anthem in May will feature a piece by French
composer Charles Gounod titled "Holy, Holy, Holy" on May 20th in celebration of Pentecost Sunday.
We are looking for more singers for our Pentecost Party! If you'd like to perform a song or two for
our event, please email me as soon as possible at [email protected]. Join us for an afternoon of
singing, worship, and fun!
We are always looking for new choir members to join the music ministry. We've welcomed new
members and guest singers, however, we need YOU to join us! Our congregation values music and we as
the choir are leaders in worship. We meet every Tuesday evening from 7-8:30pm and Sunday morning from
9:45-10:15am in the Choir Room. Come join the experience and learn a new skill: singing!
Chord-ially,
Church Town Hall Meeting May 6th Following Worship
The Governance Board would like to invite all members of the church
community to a Town Hall Meeting on May 6th to hear about the present
reality of our congregation. After the "Looking Around" meeting of the Board
on April 14th, we realized a need to inform the congregation about our present
reality and begin receiving feedback on our future options.
A taco bar will be served for lunch and all are welcome to attend. The presenta-
tion will begin immediately following worship. If you can not be present on May
6th, we will hold another Town Hall Meeting with the same information on June 3rd. Mark your calendars and
plan to attend these important conversations.
We have been given the honor to
host the reception for
our District Superintendent,
Rev. Jan Wiley.
On May 12th
immediately following the
District Conference.
Rev. Wiley will be retiring
July 1st and celebrating
37 years in ministry.
To be ready to celebrate and for
the meeting we need YOUR help.
There is a job for everyone – from
the parking lot, to welcoming with
a smile, to helping in the kitchen,
setting up tables, cleaning after
everyone leaves to be ready
for Sunday Worship.
I will have a sign up sheet on
Sundays or email me
to let me know you can help.
Kathy Meier
Friday Fun Night Potluck
Dinner and a Movie
Join the fun and fellowship
on Friday, May 18th
at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
(Please bring a dish to share.)
Ontario Heritage
Celebration
First UMC has been
invited to host a booth at
this year’s Ontario
Heritage Celebration!
The event will take place
on the evening of Wednesday, May 16th from 5-9pm at
the Ontario Town Square. MALO, the Tongan Cultural
group which meets at First UMC, will be featured
performers, along with many other Ontario favorites!
We need volunteers to plan and run our booth to
represent FUMCO’s place in the heritage of the City of
Ontario.
If you are interested, please contact Pastor Blair.
PAGE 3 DATES OF INTEREST
Celebrating our Graduates
We are proud to have two graduates in our congregation this year.
Choir Director Sarah Alonzo will graduate with a
Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from
Azusa Pacific University on May 5th at 9:30am.
Adaeze “Ada” Okeiyi will graduate from
California State University, Los Angeles with a
Bachelor of Science in Biology on May 24th at 8:30am.
We will celebrate both of our graduates on Pentecost Sunday, May 20th, in worship and with a reception after
the service. Congratulations to Sarah and Ada!
Open Space Inland
Empire
This shared ministry
with Upland First UMC
continues to grow! We
had over 20 attendees
at our last two monthly
gatherings! We are in
conversations with two
other mission areas to
replicate the model in
new locations.
THANK YOU for your continued prayers and support
for this blossoming ministry. Open Space continues to
have weekly Bible Study at 6:30 on Wednesdays. The
May Monthly Gathering will be May 22nd at 7pm.
The topic will be “Endings and Beginnings”. While
the group is designed for young adults ages 18-35, any
who are craving brave conversations about faith in
modern life are invited to attend.
Let’s Celebrate on Saturday May 26th,, 5:00 pm till dawn. !
Chikezie & Prisca Okeiyi and family cordially invite you
to our daughter, Adaeze Okeiyi’s Graduation Celebration
from California State University, Los Angeles, with a B.Sc. In Biology.
Address: 1015 E. Bermuda Dunes St., Ontario, California 91761.
RSVP: 909-215-8860 (Prisca)
Pentecost Party
On April 23, 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist
Episcopal Church formally joined to create the United Methodist Church. That
means our denomination celebrated its 50th birthday this year! This anniversary
calls for some festivities! We will be hosting a Pentecost Party to honor 50 years
of United Methodism on the day we celebrate the birthday of the first church.
United Methodist congregations in our area have been invited to join us for a
picnic and open air worship on May 20th from 6-8pm. There will be hotdogs,
popcorn, games, music presented from various area choirs, a hymn sing, and a
guest speaker. Let Pastor Blair know if you are willing to help out, and invite
your friends and neighbors to this summer celebration!
Loaves and Fishes Dinner
Friday, April 25th at 6:00 p.m.
Our church family is asked to contribute cookies
and join us in serving the meal.
May 27th
Hymn Sing
We’ll be having two
opportunities to sing
your favorite hymns in
the month of May.
There will be a hymn sing as a part of the
Pentecost Party on May 20th,
and in worship on Sunday May 27th.
Fill out the orange request slips available
in the back of the sanctuary to make sure
your favorite hymn is included!
PAGE 4 NEWSWORTHY
FUMCO Church Christian Library
The Library is open on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
and during our Church Fellowship from 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Mrs. Ella E. Lewis-Coker, FUMC Librarian
Memorial Day is Monday, May 28th
The custom of honoring ancestors by cleaning cemeteries and decorating
graves is an ancient and worldwide tradition, but the specific origin of
Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was first known, are unclear.
In early rural America, this duty was usually performed in late summer and
was an occasion for family reunions and picnics. After the Civil War,
America’s need for a secular, patriotic ceremony to honor its military dead
became prominent, as monuments to fallen soldiers were erected and
dedicated, and ceremonies centering on the decoration of soldiers’ graves
were held in towns and cities throughout the nation. After World War I, the day expanded to honor those who
have died in all American wars. No less than 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of
Memorial Day, and states observed the holiday on different dates. In 1971, Memorial Day became a national
holiday by an act of Congress; it is now celebrated on the last Monday in May. - The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Annual All-Church Rummage Sale
Friday, June 1st & Saturday, June 2nd
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
We will be setting up the Fellowship Hall on
Tuesday, May 29th, Wednesday, May 30th & Thursday, May 31st,
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Please bring your rummage that week or
call Tungie Lewis-Coker at 951-897-0559 for pick up.
Volunteers are needed to make this happen!! Please let Charlene Guest know if you can help.
Save the Date! Summer Family Festival is Coming!
We will have a weekend-long intergenerational camp experience this sum-
mer with stories and lessons
from the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Our Summer
Festival will take place Friday evening June 29th,
all day Saturday June 30th, and close with a Sunday celebration on July 1st.
Contact the church office to volunteer with planning, or to get on our family ministries mailing list for up-
coming dates on other opportunities for intergenerational faith experiences.
Governance Board Meeting June 9th
Our next quarterly meeting of the Governance Board will be on Saturday,
June 9th from 9am-3pm. These are long but powerful days of prayer,
reflection and planning for the work our congregation. This meeting
will focus on “Looking Forward” as we set our direction for our church
in the next year. All are welcome to attend and bring their input for the
planning sessions of the day. Lunch is planned, so please RSVP to
Pastor Blair if you plan to attend.
PAGE 5 CAMP WRIGHTWOOD
Half Scholarships available from the church,
talk to Pastor Blair for more information.
PAGE 6 NEW HOPE PROJECT April 24, 2018
To the Members and Friends of First UMC,
I write to inform you that on April 14, 2018, the Governance Board of First UMC voted to discontinue
providing ministry space for the New Hope Project of Mariposa Community Services. This decision was
made after painstaking reflection over the last two years on the capacity of the Church, limitations of our
congregation, and hope for new growth and vision. In order to grow, an organization must periodically prune
projects, programs, and partnerships that are no longer feasible to support. The Governance Board has
determined that continuing to support the New Hope Project within our facilities is no longer sustainable or
compatible with the future ministry and vision of First UMC.
The New Hope Project moved into the Education Building in February of 2010. They were given
access to nine rooms at the North end of the lower level at no cost and under the Property Insurance Liability
of the Church. New Hope has paid their portion of electrical utilities and a voluntary $200 monthly donation
to the Church. Unfortunately, this voluntary donation has not covered the increased cost of water usage by
New Hope, nor the repairs for wear and tear on the building.
For many years, clients of New Hope were respectful of the property. In the last several years, the
nature of the client population of New Hope and the general population of those sleeping on the
streets in our neighborhood has shifted. Individuals are now more likely to be chronically homeless1 than
they were when the ministry arrived.2 This population is harder to serve, due to the disabling conditions they
experience. While we are known in the community as “the homeless church”, the evaluations of our capacity
over the last several years have not shown the presence of skills that are particularly helpful in serving those
experiencing homelessness. For New Hope to be successful in its mission, it needs more support from our
congregation than we are able to provide.
Our congregation is in a point of transition. We are finding that our budget is insufficient to care for
our building and continue to provide quality spiritual resources to our community. In addition to regular
maintenance which has been deferred, we have been faced with over $15,000 in repairs caused by vandalism
in the last 9 months. While we would like to believe New Hope is not directly related to this increase in
vandalism, we know for certain many clients of New Hope are responsible for some of the damage.
Additionally, our leadership roster is not very large, and the majority of our leaders have skill for working
with children and families. This work can often be in conflict with ministry with the homeless. At this point
in our church’s life together, we need to play to our strengths, not our weaknesses.
The relationship with New Hope will formally end on June 30, 2018. We will continue to host Loaves
and Fishes Dinners in partnership with Mariposa Community Services (the umbrella organization over New
Hope, the dinners, and other ministries). We hope to celebrate the work of New Hope in worship on June 3
and honor their dedicated volunteers for their many years of service. While times of change often bring
moments of grief, we are excited about the future of First UMC Ontario. Feel free to bring any questions
to me or members of the Governance Board as we all process this change.
Peace,
Rev. Blair Trygstad Stowe
Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Ontario
1Chronically homeless describes an “individual with a disabling condition who has been continuously
homeless for a year or more, or an unaccompanied individual with a disabling condition who has had
at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three year,” according to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development.
2 A change from 7% of the homeless population identified as chronic in 2011 to 37% of the homeless
population in 2017, as identified by the San Bernardino County Homeless Counts from those years.
PAGE 7 ALL IN THE FAMILY
May Flowers
5/6 open - please sign up
5/13 in memory of Shirley Odom & Norma Deem by the Deems
5/13 in memory of Norma Milhiser by the Milhiser’s
5/20 in honor of Evan Hall’s birthday by Linda Hall
5/27 open - please sign up
Thank you to Lynn Boshart
and her helpers for the beautiful
arrangements every Sunday!!
If you would like to honor or remember
a special person with flowers
on a Sunday morning,
please let the church office know.
Please Pray for . . .
+ Birth: Congratulations to Alisa Soakai on the birth of her baby Eleni Wheatley Siale Aron Soakai
+ God’s grace and healing: John Baernstein, Liz Bledsoe, Lynn Boshart, Ethel Bremer, Ethel & William
Barcus, Gladys Barton, Katherine Boyce, Sarla & Joseph Chowhan, Connie DeWeese, Shirley & Don
Dragovich and their daughter Deana Regalbuto, Becky & Bill Ewing, Meredith Freeman & her son Michael,
Warren Goode, Barbara & Dick Grossklas, Trish Halacy, Julieta Housley, Gary Knox, Rick Meier, Chikezie
Okeiyi Sr., Phyllis St. John and her son Paul & her sister-in-law Avis Martin, Randy Schlosser, Veiongo
Soakai, Kathy Anderson’s daughter Julia Kane, Karen Britten’s son TSgt Jason Britten, US Air Force
stationed in Qatar, Claudia Cook’s mother Elsie, Becky Ewing’s brother Bill Vance and her nephew’s
father-in-law Jerry Barnett, the Ewing’s friend Becky Hackler Arellano, Aisea Fonua’s brother and family,
aunt and cousin, Atelaite Fonua’s father Tuiemoana Pouli, Christine Fuimaono’s friend Alicia Zavala and
her family, Tabitha Green’s stepfather Dwight Nielsen, Charlene Guest’s nephew Wesley Copple, the
Guest’s neighbor Gloria Lee, Trish Halacy’s sister Ada Boyce, her son Joe & daughter-in-law Julie
Rudinski, the Hill’s grandsons Benjamin & Zander & their son-in-law Ryan Tourtillott, the Kinley’s nephew
Aaron Kinley, Gary Knox’s grandson Nicolas Medina & his family, Kathy Meier’s daughter-in-law Captain
Jennifer Meier, US Army stationed in Virginia, the Schlosser’s friend Dennis Georg, Ronny Taylor’s friends
baby Kennedy Blalock, Those traveling
+ Cancer therapy: Jim Deem, Kathleen Jochimsen, Ed Sutliff, Anne Syrja, Dave VanFleet, the Boshart’s
friends Mark Ivy, Craig Johnston, Denise Wampole & Marcia Lentz’s brother, former member Jim Drown,
Charlene Guest’s cousins MaryAnn Ogden & Nancy Rembac, Ron Hermison’s
sister Rhonda, the Housley’s sister-in-law Kathy & their friends Daniel Aguiar &
Taylor Dockins, Matthew Pankratz-Ruiz’ Godmother Laura Greenwood & his
friend Ethan Helms, the Schlosser’s friend Martin Arambula
+ Mourning: Lisa Leslie on the passing of her grandparents.
The Gehley family on the passing of Larry Gehley.
+ Around the world: Prayers for all the people affected by natural disasters,
tragedy & acts of violence. For those who are hungry. Prayers that we work
together for justice, peace and reconciliation in the world.
Want a T-Shirt? T-shirts will be available after worship in the Fellowship Hall
and orders will be taken for sizes not available.
If special ordered, they can be long sleeve and short sleeve
in men, women and kid sizes. OR,
contact Steve Davis by email to order at [email protected]
May Birthdays
Cyndi VanFleet - 3
Jack Cunningham - 11
Mindy Fonua - 11
Chikezie Okeiyi Jr. - 14
Evan Hall - 20
If you would like to have your birthday or
anniversary in the Beam
please let the church office know.
First United Methodist Church
of Ontario 918 N. Euclid Ave.,
Ontario, CA 91762-2320
909-986-6641
Office Email: [email protected]
Church Office Hours:
9:00-12:00; 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Monday thru Friday
Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Blair Trygstad Stowe Lead Pastor
Sarah Alonzo Choir Director
Chris Preiksaitis Organist
Cathy Speaks Church Office
Pamela Salgado Wedding Coordinator
Laura Cunningham Wedding Assistant
Keep up to date thru our website churchoneuclid.org
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram
Happy Mother’s Day
May 13th
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:25-26