Touchstone

for

May 31, 2026



First Sunday

After Pentecost

Celebrating our Graduates

“Caring for others in Pasadena and beyond since 1885."

"Open and Affirming" since 1993.

A "Just Peace" and "Sanctuary" Church.

NOTE: Don't miss a thing! If the Touchstone is longer than a few pages, there will be this note at the bottom of your email:

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If you are a Zoom worshipper, you will be able to access the Bulletin through a link when you log onto Zoom on Sunday. The worship link is near the bottom of this Touchstone.

Church School

May – Jesus Feeds the Multitude (John 6:1–14)

Theme: God’s abundance grows when we share.

Justice Tie-In: Fairness and generosity.

Resources: Growing in God’s Love; A Story Bible (GGL)   

                          A Boy and His Lunch, p.264

I Wonder; Exploring God’s Grand Story (IW)

      The Hungry Crowd, p. 162

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth

+++

May 31, 2026 - Krysty and Kim– Celebration: Make soup and invite parents or whole congregation for a soup/bread lunch after church.

Worship/Forum/Workshop on Sunday 5/31

On Sunday May 31 we will engage in a participative reflection time during worship.

We will be invited, in a playful way, to Reflect on aspects of FCC!

In a structured and interactive way, the gathered community will respond to a series of questions and images, as a way of excavating stories and characteristics of the congregation.

Sometimes we have stories within us that we have forgotten, sometimes we hold opinions we have not had a chance to voice. When we name those things (especially when we name them in community!) the Spirit can use them to draw us closer together, to reveal ways we may want to change, or to make visible something God is inviting us to move toward.

Using this congregation’s history of substantive and challenging conversations in Forums, along with your commitment to welcome and honor questions and disagreement - we will explore some more of the questions that will make up the Profile: Who are you? Who is your neighbor? Who are you called to become?

Come join us! it will be both meaningful AND fun! 

Pastor Sandy

Yellow Highlights indicate the need for a particular worship partner.

Email churchoffice@pasadenaucc.org with the dates and positions you wish to serve.

Worship Partners 2026

June 7: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice (Communion)

(Spring Business Meeting)

Liturgist: Christy Furukawa

Zoom: Michael Hutchinson * Usher: Aren Burd

June 14: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice

Liturgist: Cheryl Farrell

Zoom: Michael Hutchinson

Ushers: Ron White, Jeff Levison, James Maddox

June 21: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice * FATHERS' DAY

Liturgist: Allan Rohlfs

Zoom: tba * Usher: tba

June 28: Rev. Eric H.F. Law

Liturgist: Carolyn Olney

Zoom: tba * Usher: Jeff Tyler

+++

July 5: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice

Liturgist: tba

Zoom: tba * Usher: Aren Burd

July 12: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice

Liturgist: tba

Zoom: tba

Ushers: Ron White, Jeff Levison, James Maddox

July 19: Rev. Charles Svendson

Liturgist: Carolyn Olney

Zoom: tba * Usher: Sandra Biehler

July 26: Cheryl Farrell Storyteller

Liturgist: tba

Zoom: tba * Usher: Jeff Tyler

YOUTH NEWS

We will be celebrating

H.S. Graduations for

Hailey Taylor

and

Mattias Orr

on May 31st

after worship.

Cards of congratulation are welcome!

Hailey Taylor has been on staff with us as an Event Assistant and Childcare provider.

Her mom sent us the following:

Hailey is graduating from Elite Academic Academy, Class of 2026! We are so incredibly proud of the young woman she has become and all the growth, strength, and heart she has shown along the way.

From a young age, Hailey has always had a creative spirit and a big dreamer’s heart. She has a way of seeing beauty in the little things and turning her ideas into something special. Whether it’s through her style, creativity, or the way she cares for the people around her, Hailey has always had something unique about her.

Throughout her high school years, Hailey has grown into someone who is thoughtful, determined, and full of purpose. She has learned to trust the path ahead of her, dream bigger, and believe that her future can become even more than she imagined.

After graduation, Hailey plans to pursue cosmetology, where she hopes to use her creativity, passion, and love for beauty as the beginning of something much bigger. We are so excited to watch her step into this next chapter and continue becoming everything God created her to be.

We love you so much, Hailey, and we cannot wait to see all the beautiful things your future holds.

+++

Mattias Orr is graduating from Blair High School, Class of 2026! We are so incredibly proud of the young man he’s become—though some of you may have seen this coming years ago.

His theatrical career actually started on the sanctuary steps when he was just two years old. During the Christmas Pageant, Mattias decided he’d seen enough from the pews; he ran up, joined the "big kids," and sang his heart out. He’s been looking for a stage ever since!

After surviving the "Zoom years" of middle school, he truly flourished at Blair, performing in over 15 productions with the Blair drama program, Ovations Theatre Company, and PUSD All-Star musicals. Somehow, he also managed to juggle life as an International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate, balancing a notoriously heavy backpack and an even heavier rehearsal schedule.

All those late nights and study sessions paid off—Mattias is officially headed to the USC School of Dramatic Arts this fall to study Musical Theatre!

We are so grateful for this "village" that has supported him through every stage of his life.

Please come celebrate this next chapter with us on May 31!

Nurture Your Body & Soul

These are ongoing ways to participate in things that nurture your spirit.

SoulCollage® is a practice that helps us express our inner life by using images from magazines, photos, the internet and more. It is deeply intuitive as you put together certain images that you are drawn to. Join us for creativity and community each month. Learn more at https://soulcollage.com/

The next SoulCollage® workshop is Saturday, June 27, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m. in person and on Zoom. Contact facilitator Rev. Anne for questions or to be added to the monthly email list: acohen99@sbcglobal.net

For an album of cards made by this group go to: Cards

Future SoulCollage® Retreat Dates in 2026

All Saturdays 10am-12pm

July 25, Sep. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 21, Dec. 12

We continue to offer occasional 



Table Gatherings 

modeling after Jesus who gathered with folks around tables to share food and drink.

We invite folks to open their homes/yards for a meal. It’s a chance to have a potluck together, connect, and catch up on a meaningful level. If you wish to host one, please reach out to our Membership Chairperson Josh Ashenmiller at jashenmiller@gmail.com



Tangible Ways To Support Community Outreach

Here are some hands-on ways to get involved with helping others.

Friends in Deed

Lu Burd who coordinates our outreach with Friends in Deed is in touch with them about additional volunteer needs. We currently stock shelves in the Food Pantry on the

2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month

from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Please contact Lu at luburd@gmail.com 

if you want to volunteer.

Union Station Homeless Services

We have been serving meals monthly at Union Station in Pasadena for decades. We prep and serve dinner the 1st Monday for nine months each year. (We donate a Smart & Final gift card for January, May and September.)

If you are interested in being on a team or subbing, please contact Lu Burd at luburd@gmail.com

Volunteer in the FUMC Community Pantry

Volunteering is a wonderful way to participate in the ministry of First United Methodist Church and give back to the community. One of our most impactful services is our Community Pantry.

The pantry is open every Tuesday from

10 a.m. to noon @ 500 E. Colorado Blvd.

Our volunteers typically serve between 40 to 50 of our neighbors here in Pasadena who are experiencing food insecurities. It would not be possible to help so many people without our dedicated volunteers.

There are a number of ways you can help with the mission of the pantry.

• Hand out food on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until noon.
• Run our coffee cart and chat with our clients during distribution.
• Reset our pantry inventory on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
• Share your ideas: If you see an opportunity to help in a different way, share your ideas with our pantry manager: Suzi Lohr

Click HERE to sign up for a volunteer slot.

No experience volunteering is required. We will help you learn all you need to know. Volunteering at the pantry is a rewarding experience and a blessing to those who benefit from your generosity.

Current Staff 2026

The Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice is our Interim Minister for a season at 3/4 time.

The Rev. Carolyn Olney is partnering with Rev. Sandy for Pastoral Care.

The Rev. Anne Cohen is serving as Acting Office Associate and Web Person.

Carly Wendt is serving as our Acting Hospitality and Events Coordinator.

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT

Our wonderful Visual / Audio / Online / Electronic guy, Dave Lohr, married his beloved Theresa last Wednesday in a small family wedding at FUMC!!

Congratulations Dave, Theresa and Caleb

(their son)!

Much Love to your "new" beautiful family!!!

Upcoming Events for your Calendar

May 24-30: Rev. Sandy away

May 28: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

May 29-30: UCC Annual Gathering

May 31: Celebrate GRADS! (12:30-2)

June 1: Prep and Serve Dinner at Union Station

June 7: Spring Business Meeting (after worship)

in the lounge beyond the kitchen

June 11: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

June 16: Church Council (7pm Zoom)

June 21: SoulCollage® (1:30) Intro to SoulCollage® for

Jewish Center (in Church Office)

June 25: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

June 27: SoulCollage® (10am-12)

June 28-July 4: Rev. Sandy away

July 6: Prep and Serve Dinner at Union Station

July 9: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

July 14: Church Council (7pm Zoom)

July 19-August 1: Rev. Sandy on vacation

July 23: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

July 25: SoulCollage® (10am-12)

August 3: Prep and Serve Dinner at Union Station

August 11: Church Council (7pm Zoom)

August 13: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

August 16- 22: Rev. Sandy away

August 22: SoulCollage® (10am-12)

August 27: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

August 31-September 14: Rev. Sandy away

September 7: Union Station Donation for Dinner

September 10: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

September 15: Church Council (7pm Zoom)

September 20: Outreach Grants Luncheon

(12:30-2pm)

September 24: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

September 26: SoulCollage® (10am-12)

Previous Sunday

A Zoom recording of the May 24th Worship Service can be found at the link to the right. Passcode: Zra$36H=

Emails for Church Staff

Interim Minister, Rev. Sandy Tice: SandyTice@uccpasadena.org

Treasurer, Mary Camacho: fcctreasurer@uccpasadena.org

Bookkeeper, Arcel Clementson: bookkeeper@uccpasadena.org

Hospitality and Events Coordinator, Carly Wendt: eventscoordinator@uccpasadena.org

Office Associate, Anne Cohen: churchoffice@uccpasadena.org

Please add these to your contacts and use them as much as possible for church business. This will ease future transitions!

Office Hours

Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice

Sandy is typically in the office from

9am-1pm on

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

Please email Sandy at

sandytice@uccpasadena.org

You may also leave a message at 626.795.0696



Office Hours

Anne Cohen

Anne is typically in the office from

9am-1pm on

Tuesdays and Thursdays

Please email Anne at churchoffice@uccpasadena.org

You may also leave a message

at 626.795.0696