Touchstone

for

June 21, 2026

Fourth Sunday

After Pentecost

Fathers' Day

All are Welcome here at First Congregational U.C.C. in Pasadena

"Spirituality, Justice, Welcome"

Our Interim Minister, Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice, is here as our partner in searching for a new Settled Minister. She will lead us through identity and visioning work, delve into the values and skills we hope to find in our new person. Meanwhile, we hope to see all of you in the days and weeks ahead as we meet the changes and challenges of our community, country and beyond.

“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.

This coming Sunday June 21, 2026

Our Church Clerk,

having been requested to do so by the Interim Minister,

has called a Congregational Meeting for

June 21 at 12:20 p.m.

(after worship) in the Chapel

for the purpose of electing a team to search for the next settled minister.

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We will be streaming the meeting on Zoom (as a continuation of the worship service):

https://zoom.us/j/94621786057?pwd=YncmXYBX006gfBTBPuYP6HVSOBdeI2.1

Meeting ID: 946 2178 6057

Passcode: 982594

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Attached are downloadable documents outlining the work of the Search Committee, and information about each candidate and why they were asked to serve. We hope you will agree that these are the folks the Spirit as raised up at this time for this purpose, and that they will represent you well in the sacred task ahead of them.

See you Sunday!

Grace Rinck, Church Clerk

Search Committee Process

Search Committee Nominees

June 21, 2026 * Fourth Sunday After Pentecost * Fathers' Day

Scripture Reading

New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition

1 Corinthians 12:1-7

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be ignorant. ²You know that when you were gentiles you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. ³Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, ⁵and there are varieties of services but the same God, ⁶and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. ⁷To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

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Reflection

“Searching”

Eternal God, you have called these people to serve in this household of faith and in the world., which you have entrusted to our care and keeping. Send your Holy Spirit on them that they may serve among us with honor and faithfulness…

- Order for Affirmation of Ministry UCC

This Sunday the order of service will be shorter than usual, as our worship will flow into a special called Congregational meeting at 12:20 for the purpose of electing a committee to search for a Settled Minister for FCC.

Five people have agreed to serve you in this capacity, and it feels like a movement of the Spirit to me. I hope you will be able to be here to 1) elect them and 2) participate in cheering them on.

You will have received a couple of emails about this already - one which details their particular gifts and skills for the work they will do, and also photos. I invite you to go back and look at them, to say a prayer for the Spirit's leading as the congregation votes, and as these folks affirm to the community their acceptance of this call.

Like many folks in the Bible who hear God's call, these folks are setting out without knowing where, exactly, they are going. They will set out putting one foot in front of the other and, like the Israelites who followed a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, they will follow the Signs the Spirit gives them, and work to find the next Minister for your congregation.

I hope you will be with us in person or online on Sunday!

Onward!

The Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice

Worship Partners

Liturgist: Allan Rohlfs

Zoom: Kim Story * Usher: Lu Burd

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.

Childcare on Sunday Mornings

Starting this coming Sunday, for the Summer, we have trained staff providing Childcare during the service with crafts, games and snacks.

Yellow Highlights indicate the need for a particular worship partner.

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

Worship Partners 2026

June 28: Rev. Eric H.F. Law

Liturgist: Carolyn Olney

Zoom: Anne Cohen * Usher: Jeff Tyler

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July 5: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice (Communion)

Liturgist: Josh Ashenmiller

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: Bettie Teel * Usher: Sandra Biehler

July 26: Cheryl Farrell Storyteller

Liturgist: tba

Zoom: tba * Usher: Jeff Tyler

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August 2: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice (Communion)

Liturgist: tba

Zoom: tba * Usher: Aren Burd

August 9: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice

Liturgist: Josh Ashenmiller

Zoom: tba

Ushers: Ron White, Jeff Levison, James Maddox

August 16: Rev. Charles Svendson

Liturgist: Carolyn Olney

Zoom: Bettie Teel * Usher: Sandra Biehler

August 23: Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice

Liturgist: Cheryl Farrell

Zoom: tba * Usher: Jeff Tyler

August 30: Rev Dr. Rebecca Prichard

Liturgist: Josh Ashenmiller

Zoom: tba

Ushers: Lu Burd and John Gamber-Thompson

Remember to send Photos of your Flat Jesus in fun places for the Touchstone!

Those of you who have colored your Flat Jesus Companions, take photos of them with you and anyone or anything when you are in an interesting or beautiful or random place. send it to

churchoffice@uccpasadena.org for the Touchstone.

May it be a restful, fun, beautiful Summer for all!

We have Walkie Talkies!

In order to streamline communication between staff and congregation, Carly has purchased Walkie Talkies. She and/or a staff person will have one with them Sunday mornings. The ushers will have one during worship. Should anything go awry during the service, ushers can quickly communicate with Carly and staff.

This is a good thing!!!

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

On June 21st at 1:30 p.m. Anne is hosting an "Intro to SoulCollage®" for the Jewish Center

and other interested parties. It will be in the Church Office - just come on up!!

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

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 until mid-June.

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

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

Descanso Gardens: Ancient Forest

Upcoming Events for your Calendar

June 16: Church Council (7pm Zoom)

June 21: Congregational Meeting to Elect Search

Committee (12:20 following worship)

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)

Sermon Podcast

Did you miss a worship service and want to hear the sermon?

Please visit uccpasadena.org and select 'podcasts' from the menu on top of the home page or click below:

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/uccpasadena

Previous Sunday

A Zoom recording of the June 14 Worship Service can be found at the link to the right. Passcode: kR^07rQu

Previous Sunday Worship Recording

Sunday Worship Zoom Link

You are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting Sunday mornings at 11:30a.m. Pacific Time (US and Canada).

A link to the worship bulletin will be available in the chat after you log on.

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/94621786057?pwd=YncmXYBX006gfBTBPuYP6HVSOBdeI2.1

Meeting ID: 946 2178 6057

Passcode: 982594

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

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

Visit Our Website

Our offices are located

upstairs at

500 E. Colorado Blvd.

Pasadena, CA 91101

Telephone: (626) 795-0696

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