Touchstone

for

Mother's Day

May 10, 2026

“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:

"[Message clipped] View entire message". If you click on that note you will be able to see the entire Touchstone online.

Music This Sunday

In this week’s service our saxophonist friend

Damon Zick returns to join our singers in music to honor our mothers and mother figures. 

We hope to see you Sunday!

Connie Washburn, Music Director



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 10, 2026 Josh and Roberta– Movement: Read/tell the story; play a relay game delivering goldfish crackers to a paper plate “crowd” using spoons.

Worship Partners 2026

May 17: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice

Liturgist: Cheryl Farrell

Zoom: Bettie Teel * Usher: Sandra Biehler

May 24: Pulpit Supply * PENTECOST

Liturgist: Elizabeth Lanski

Zoom: Kim Story * Usher: Jeff Tyler

May 31: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice * MEMORIAL DAY

Liturgist: Carolyn Olney

Zoom: Wesly Moore

Ushers: Lu Burd and John Gamber-Thompson

+++

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

(Spring Business Meeting)

Liturgist: Christy Furukawa

Zoom: tba * 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. Sandy or Pulpit Supply

Liturgist: Carolyn Olney

Zoom: tba * Usher: Jeff Tyler



Yellow Highlights indicate the need for a particular worship partner.

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

Thoughts from Rev. Sandy

The gifts and challenges of In-between times

As we enter May with its glorious weather and long light days, I am noticing how time flies in the work of interim ministry. While we have been busy doing meaningful and joyful ministry (Easter! Women’s Scholarships! Memorial Services!) I want to point out that you and your Council are getting some excellent Interim Work done. Here are a few examples:

*You celebrated the ministry and gifts of Sallie McNair, your Events Coordinator of 25 years (!) even though she left earlier than expected. You centered a worship service around her that had room for thanks and prayers and gratitude and even a tear or two. The congregation gifted her with a laptop, sang her a hymn, and gave her flowers and a basket of all her favorite foods for her

road trip across the country to Florida. Changes in what has been familiar and beloved are often part of interim seasons- you did this with generosity, love, and grace.

*Your council has hired an ACTING Hospitality and Events Coordinator, which is good news. Carly Wendt, whom you may know from her work here at receptions, has accepted this job and is busy making plans for the coming weeks. (She is away May 24 and 31, but is making sure the bases are covered.)

*You have surfaced important parts of this congregation’s story and of your own stories at two History Forums, and a Storytelling Sunday (one more of these to come). Your thoughtful and insightful engagement are encouraging.

*You celebrated the life of Alice Smith, whose family members remarked at the joy and love felt here as we honored her life and her Homegoing. The service had more people present than Easter Sunday, so it is clear you blessed not just her immediate family, but many who loved her and mourned her passing. This is notable since she withdrew her membership following the sale of the building. You demonstrated that love overcomes fracture and disappointment.

*You are clarifying best practices for personnel and HR, so that your employment policies and regular practices line up, and also meet legal requirements.

*Next week the Council will discuss next steps in writing the Local Congregational Profile, a step toward searching for a new minister. Your leaders are thoughtful, smart, and kind, and I have high expectations!

Some days have felt disrupted and stressful - perhaps you have noted that too? But I am continually encouraged as I see the Spirit at work in your midst - the work is indeed moving forward! Thanks be to God and to you!

Rev. Sandy

FOUND LAST SUNDAY

We found a phone between the couch cushions in the church lounge.

Please let me know if anyone from your group has reported a missing phone.

Best, Aisha Williams, Office & Facilities Manager, FUMC

Women's Scholarship Tea

was held last Saturday.

What amazing women, what a beautiful event!

And, of course, one of our winners, Gwen, a senior at PHS, knows Peter!!

YOUTH NEWS

We will be celebrating

H.S. Graduations for

Mattias Orr

and

Hailey Taylor

on May 31st

after worship.

Save the Date!



Great LAist Article About Our Host Church

The First United Methodist Church has been in its ornate home in Pasadena for 101 years. For about 10 years, it has also been the home of a satellite location of the Islamic Center of Southern California, a large mosque in the downtown area. 

And for a little over a year, the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center has also used space at the Colorado Boulevard church. The congregation lost their worship space to the Eaton Fire in January 2025.

That means that First United Methodist Church in Pasadena is today the site of bar mitzvahs and Shabbat services, iftar meals and Friday prayers and Christian Holy Week services.

Sometimes, within hours of each other.

“I'm not aware of any other church in the country that has all three Abrahamic faiths worshiping under one roof. It's pretty phenomenal,” said Pastor Amy Aitken of the First United Methodist Church.

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, May 23, 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

June 27, 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

Photo by Chuck Wojnowski

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 will continue to partner with Rev. Sandy for Pastoral Care.

The Rev. Anne Cohen will continue to serve as Acting Office Associate and Web Person.

Carly Wendt is our new Acting Events Coordinator!

Carly Wendt is our new

Acting Hospitality and Events Coordinator!

She stepped in quickly when Sallie departed and served up a beautiful Tea/Lunch for our Scholarship Recipients and Guests.



You may know her from her work at events over the years. She has accepted the job and is making plans for the coming weeks. She is away May 24 and 31, but is making sure the bases are covered.

Her work email will be: eventscoordinator@uccpasadena.org

Upcoming Events for your Calendar

May 10: Mothers' Day

May 12: Church Council (7pm Zoom)

May 14: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

May 23: SoulCollage® (10am-12)

May 25-31: 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 25: Food Pantry Volunteers (2-3:30pm)

June 27: SoulCollage® (10am-12)

July 6: Prep and Serve Dinner at Union Station

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

July 14: Church Council (7pm Zoom)

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 22: SoulCollage® (10am-12)

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

September 7: Union Station Donation for Dinner

September 15: Church Council (7pm Zoom)

September 20: Outreach Grants Luncheon

(12:30-2pm)

September 26: SoulCollage® (10am-12)

Previous Sunday

A Zoom recording of the May 3rd Worship Service can be found at the link to the right. Passcode: 0##K0q%4

Emails for Church Staff

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

Treasurer, Mary Camacho: fcctreasurer@uccpasadena.org

Bookkeeper, Arcel Clementson: bookkeeper@uccpasadena.org

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