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Touchstone for
October 12, 2025
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We are actively searching for an Interim Minister as we transition to a new permanent minister (or ministers). Rev. Scott Furukawa and Rev. Anne Cohen will be preaching and leading worship until the Interim arrives.
We hope to see you in the days and weeks ahead as we meet the changes and challenges of our community and beyond. See below for worship details, service opportunities such as the Friends in Deed Food Pantry, Union Station meals, upcoming protests and retreats, and other important news and events in the life of our church.
For an Updated Directory of Members and Friends see the button near the bottom of the newsletter.
| | “Caring for others in Pasadena and beyond since 1885.” | |
Sunday October 12th
Scripture Reading
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14 (CEB)
29 1The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter from Jerusalem to the few surviving elders among the exiles, to the priests and the prophets, and to all the people Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon from Jerusalem. 4The Lord of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims to all the exiles I have carried off from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and settle down; cultivate gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Get married and have children; then help your sons find wives and your daughters find husbands in order that they too may have children. Increase in number there so that you don’t dwindle away. 7 Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare.
8 The Lord of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: Don’t let the prophets and diviners in your midst mislead you. Don’t pay attention to your dreams. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I didn’t send them, declares the Lord.
10 The Lord proclaims: When Babylon’s seventy years are up, I will come and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. 12 When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will be present for you, declares the Lord, and I will end your captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have scattered you, and I will bring you home after your long exile, declares the Lord.
Reflection
"Bloom Through Life’s Cracks"
This week’s message comes from the Prophet Jeremiah. The Israelites have been taken into exile in Babylon, far from home, and surrounded by hardship and uncertainty. They go through the different stages of grief: denial, anger, depression, etc. They longed to escape, return to Jerusalem, and go back to the life they once knew. But God, through the prophet Jeremiah, tells them something surprising. Join us on Sunday as we discern what this message means for us today.
Rev. Scott Furukawa
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Music from Connie
In this week’s service we will hear of God’s promise to stay beside us and lead us to a place of peace. Our choir will highlight this promise in the song “I Will Hold Your Hand” by Ruth Elaine Schram. Also, we look forward to hearing Peter Dobbins’ vocal solo. We hope you can join us Sunday in the singing of hymns and psalms.
Connie Washburn, Music Director
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Also on Sunday October 12th
Liturgist: Wesly Moore
Zoom staff: TBA * Ushers: Jeff Levison and Jim Maddox
NOTE: We are in need of volunteers for Sundays through the end of the year.
Church School: After the "Time With Children," children and youth will go with Neva and Kim for Church School. They will re-join us for coffee hour in the Fellowship Hall.
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Church School Continues for ages 3-13
Curriculum Month 2 – God’s Promise to Abraham & Sarah
(Genesis 12:1-7, 15:1-7; 17:1-16)
October 5th - Art & Movement
Theme: Welcoming strangers and trusting God’s promises.
Justice Tie-In: Radical hospitality.
Resources: Growing in God’s Love; A Story Bible (GGL)
- Abram and Sarai Find a New Home, p. 26
I Wonder; Exploring God’s Grand Story (IW)
- Abraham and Sarah, p. 28
If you want to hear the story for the month, here is the Youtube link.
What is God Like? by Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner and illustrated by Ying Hui Tan.
We look forward to seeing you!
Neva and Kim
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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. (See link at bottom of Touchstone.) | | |
Last Sunday was a lovely celebration of World Communion. Many thanks to Rev. Anne Gardner for sharing her experiences walking the Camino de Santiago. Thank you to Mattias Orr, Neara Russell, Grace Rahn and Connie Washburn for the wonderful music. Here is the poem read as we began the service:
An argument for World Communion Sunday
By Maren Tirabassi on September 23, 2025
"It's gotten out of date," someone said,
this custom of mid-twentieth century.
On the contrary, I reply,
after listening to my country's current leader
slamming the entire United Nations,
praising the destruction
of the environment
for the world's grandchildren,
boasting of incarcerating
those who most need welcome
and drowning boats in
international water
without boarding to check their cargo.
Having Communion across national borders
seems like the least we can do,
hoping against all logic,
that a weeping world
would want to eat with us.
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Outreach Grant Recipient Luncheon
Sunday * October 12 * 12:30-2 p.m.
(after worship)
Because of the Eaton Fire, our lunch celebrating our 2024 recipients was postponed to the Fall. And now it is happening! Come for a special meal and hear brief presentations by each or these amazing world-changing organizations supported by our grants!
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PARKING ON OCTOBER 12th will be very crowded.
If you are able, please park on the street or in the Kaiser parking lot. This will give our grant recipients and CROP Walk participants room to leave their vehicles.
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Studio Recital with Connie Washburn
including our kids and youth
Sunday * October 12 * 3:00 – 5:00pm
Sierra Madre Woman's Club
550 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
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Pasadena Area CROP Hunger Walk
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Starting at 1 pm @ First United Methodist Church of Pasadena
50% of funds raised provide resources for local food banks.
50% of funds raised provide resources for the global outreach done by Church World Service in fighting food insecurity and promoting sustainability.
Link : Pasadena CROP Hunger Walk
Donate and Change the World!
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A second "No Kings Day" is coming
on October 18 * 1-3 p.m.
Pasadena City Hall
The first No Kings Day, on June 14, was one of the largest days of peaceful protest in US history. Millions of people, in thousands of places, peacefully took to the streets with one voice to say: No thrones. No crowns. NO KINGS.
Our church showed up!
But Trump keeps doubling down -- stoking division and anger, building a secret police force, sending the military into our streets, trying to rig the midterms, and suggesting (twice) that “maybe we’d like a dictator.” That’s not the behavior of the president. That’s the behavior of a wannabe-king. It’s time to remind Trump that this is America. And in America, we don’t do kings.
A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.
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Just for fun!!
Sunday * October 19 * after worship
Women’s Clothing, Purse & Jewelry swap
Bring whatever you want to remove from your closet, share, trade, give, and enjoy with fellow FCC women. Contact Kim Story or
Christy Furukawa
for more information!
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2025 OUTREACH GRANTS
This year the Outreach Grants Committee decided to forego our customary grant application process and to award grants to a few long-term partners who we believe were greatly impacted by the Eaton Canyon Fire either directly or indirectly through the impact on the communities that they serve. We reviewed the list of organizations funded going back to the beginning of our grants in 2019 and picked five recipients for this year’s grants totaling $100,000. (Click on each to see their website.)
· Five Acres
· Friends in Deed
· Planned Parenthood
· Villa Esperanza Services, in memory of Pam, Beth, and Ken Biery
· Young & Healthy
The committee’s recommendations were approved by the Church Council and at a Congregation Meeting on September 7. For more information about our grant recipients see the image to the right.
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Current Staff and Preaching Arrangements
The Rev. Anne Cohen is currently serving 10 hrs./week as Acting Office Associate. She is serving an additional 5 hrs./week as a Staff Coordinator offering support for our staff.
The Rev. Scott Furukawa and the Rev. Anne Cohen are leading worship, preaching and are available on Sundays after worship for pastoral interactions with folks. The Rev. Carolyn Olney is assisting with Pastoral Care.
Our Church Council is in the process of bringing in an Interim Minister whose skills will include: leading worship, preaching, providing interim guidance, as well as offering pastoral care to, and interacting with, the rest of our members and staff. We continue to seek out candidates interested in serving us in the transition...
UPDATE from the Interim Minister Search Committee:
We are in conversation with a candidate (Q&A).
We are also widening the search. Be patient - the process is working!
Committee Members are: Jeff Tyler, Wesly Moore, Nevajoy Orr, Grace Rinck.
Direct questions to our Moderator Jeff Tyler and the Church Council.
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Current Preaching Schedule:
October 12 - Rev. Scott Furukawa
October 19 - Rev. Anne Cohen
October 26 - Rev. Scott Furukawa
This schedule will be added to or changed once an Interim Minister is selected.
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Got some youth news?
Send along to Anne Cohen in the office for her to share. We love to see all our youth and young adults succeed in various endeavors.
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Women's Retreat - Rest is Resistance November 14th-16th
Retreat Details at a Glance:
When: November 14–16, 2025
Where: Pilgrim Pines Camp, Oak Glen, CA
Cost: $190 Friday-Sunday
$95 Saturday Only
Registration deadline: October 19
Register here: firstchurchlb.org/retreat
Questions? Email Rev. Wally Hoeger at whoeger@firstchurchlb.org
You can attend for the whole weekend or Saturday only. Camperships are available.
7 FCC Women have signed up so far!! Come join us!!
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Nurture Your Body & Soul
These are ongoing ways to participate in hands-on outreach work and things that nurture your spirit.
Join us! Details below.
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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 Sat. October 25, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m. in person and on Zoom. Contact leader Rev. Anne for questions or to be added to the monthly email list: acohen99@sbcglobal.net
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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 Christy Furukawa at veggiechristy@icloud.com
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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 on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. Please contact coordinator Lu Burd at luburd@gmail.com if you want to volunteer.
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-Union Station Homeless Services-
We have been serving meals monthly for decades. We prep and serve a meal the 1st Monday for nine months each year. If you are interested in being on a team or subbing, please contact Lu Burd at luburd@gmail.com
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Upcoming Events for your Calendar
October 12: Outreach Grant Recipients Luncheon
Also: Pasadena CROP Walk starts at FUMC
Also: Music Recital in Sierra Madre with our kids/youth
October 18: NO KINGS DAY Protests
October 19: Rise Against Hunger with FUMC & the Islamic Ctr
Also: Women’s clothing, purse & jewelry swap
October 25: SoulCollage(R)
October 26: Halloween/Dias de los Muertos Party
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November 4: Church Council Meeting (zoom)
November 9: Baked Potato Bar
Also; Baby Shower for Char and Dan Komin
November 13: "Much Ado for Freedom" Comedy Show to benefit My Refuge House
November 14-16: Women's Retreat at Pilgrim Pines
November 16: FUMC Women's Tea
November 22: SoulCollage(R)
November 30: Advent Festival
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December 2: Church Council Meeting (zoom)
December 13: SoulCollage(R)
December 24: Christmas Eve Service
December 31: New Year's Eve
January 1: Rose Parade
More about each event as we get closer!
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There are a number of corrections since last week.
Click on the button to the right for an Newly Updated Church Directory of Members and Friends.
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New Emails for Church Staff
In order to streamline operations for FCCUCC Pasadena, Mary Camacho has created a domain for us. All our files can be stored here. Each staff person can have a generic email rather than use personal email for church business. As they are created (e.g. Minister@, Treasurer@) we will post them here.
Bookkeeper, Arcel Clementson: bookkeeper@uccpasadena.org
Office Associate, Anne Cohen currently: churchoffice@uccpasadena.org
Please add these to your contacts and use them as much as possible for church business. This will ease future transitions!
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Office Hours
Sallie McNair
Sallie is typically in the office from
8:30am-12:30pm on
Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Please email Sallie at salliefcc@yahoo.com for more specific hours.
You may also leave a message at 626.795.0696
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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
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We worship at
11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of First Methodist Church each Sunday and also via Zoom.
We are the First Congregational Church
of Pasadena,
United Church of Christ
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Our offices are located at
500 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Telephone: (626) 795-0696
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