1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: nohofumc@gmail.com
October 2023
facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Membership Class
• Laity Sunday
• Trunk or Treat
• The Good Place Study
• Come to the Water Mini
Retreats at NOHO 1st
Dear NoHo First UMC Family,
Blessed Autumn to you! I love this season! I will admit that I am one of those
people who gets all giddy about decorating our home for Fall and who buys a
copious amount of pumpkin flavored goodies at Trader Joe’s. This is also the
time of year that I really miss my homeland of the Midwest. I am a big fan of
sweaters, fall colors, and jumping in piles of leaves. I can’t help but think of
homecomings this season. My daughter just bought her ticket to the high school
homecoming dance, which will be her last one as she is a senior.
As high schools and colleges are celebrating homecomings, this is a perfect
season to “come home to church.” If you have gotten out of the rhythm of
regular worship, you are invited to “come home” on Sundays. I love the old
church hymn “Softly and Tenderly.” This is how it begins:
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling for you and for me
See on the portals He's waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me
Come home, come home
You who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling, "O sinner come home"
Jesus is, indeed, calling us all to come home to the heart of God. Life has
a way of stretching us thin and wearing us out. We get bumped and
bruised. We often feel lonely or disconnected with ourselves and/or
others. We sometimes lose our way. That is why Jesus keeps calling, “You
who are weary, come home.”
So “come on home” to church this Fall! My hope is that when you set foot on
campus, you will truly feel AT HOME, whether for Sunday morning worship
or choir practice or midweek Bible study or the retreat on October 14 or
Trunk-or-Treat or to have a cup of tea with a Trader Joe’s pumpkin treat in my
office. I pray you feel all the warm fuzzies and the warm welcome of Jesus in
this community. And let’s not forget that there are so many people seeking and
searching for a feeling of home. So be bold - invite a friend or neighbor or
coworker to join you for worship or for a special event at NoHo this month.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Chamie
GOOD NEWS is published monthly by
First United Methodist Church of North
Hollywood, California 91601
Phone (818) 763-8231
Rev. Dottie Escobedo Frank
Bishop
Rev. Melissa Roux Mackinnon
District Superintendent
Rev. Chamie Delkeskamp
Lead Pastor
Congregation
Ministers
Kelsey Packman
Director of Music Ministries
Roger Eshleman
Organist
Nylean Rapinac
Membership & Financial Secretary
Patty Kelsey
Director, Program Ministries
Tonya Peat
Director, Digital Outreach
Casey Ellings-Boone
Interim Administrator
2. October 1 “Answer the Call” Exodus 3:1-15
God heard the cry of the people of Israel. He called Moses to help set them free. Today God is still
listening and releasing people to freedom.
October 8 “Rule Keeper or Rule Breaker” Deuteronomy 5:1-21
The 10 Commandments... hanging them in the public square is debated. Yet what might happen if we
lived more fully into the rhythms God set forth?
October 15 “Laity Sunday”
Our Lay Leader, Norman Kelsey, has pulled together many of our members to lead us in worship. This
service proves to be a powerful time of sharing and inspiration. You don’t want to miss it!
October 22 “Dance with Wild Abandon” 2 Samuel 6:14-22
Not long after David becomes king, he dances with wild abandon. In what ways might we need to be a
little “wild?”
October 29 “Stop, Drop, and Run” Hebrews 12
Guest Pastor, Christian Washington, will share a lesson on holding onto faith in God, even when enduring
suffering and hardships. Stop and recognize the cloud of witnesses cheering you on. Drop and let go of
the “weights” that easily derail you. Run and move forward with patience and perseverance following the
model of Jesus, who did it for the “joy” at the finish line.
Autumn. It brings to mind images of homecomings, sitting by a fire with a mug of warm apple cider,
gathering around the table for a feast. Those are places where we tell stories. We say, “Remember
when...” This autumn as we gather together as a Christian community, we are going to retell stories from
ancient of days. These are stories about characters found in the Old Testament, people like Moses and
Ruth and David and Hosea. You may or may not know anything about them. Yet they are in the family
tree of those who are striving to walk in the way of Jesus. And here’s the thing about these old, old
stories: they still have truths to speak to us today in our own time and place. Human beings are story-
formed creatures. Imagine all the stories we ingest on a single day, from news reels to social media feeds,
to the retellings of the day shared by members of our family. In the midst of all of these stories, it is good
to remember The Story, the story of God. The biblical story has the power to shape and form us,
speaking deep into our souls.
3. Monday, October 30th
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
South Lot
We need participants to decorate
their trunks, dress up, and hand out
candy to kids at our event.
Sign up at nohofumc@gmail.com A spooktacular community event and
fun way to collect treats for the kids!
This is our 6th annual Trunk or
Treat and we are so excited!
Cars will be spaced out in our big parking
lot. Set up begins at 4pm!
(You must enter the lot by 4:30pm).
Guests will walk up to your trunk to
interact and get candy.
Participants will come up with a theme,
costume, and provide individually wrapped
candies.
DJ, Dancing, Photo Spot, Free Popcorn,
Bounce Houses, Costume Contest and fun
surprises abound!
Be sure to take part by participating or
inviting friends, family, and co-workers with
kids! It will be a blast!
Mwah Ha Ha!!!
4. On the first Sunday in October, United Methodist
congregations join a multitude of Christian
churches across the globe, to celebrate World
Communion Sunday. This special Sunday began at
the Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. The Rev. Hugh Thompson Kerr and
his congregation desired to demonstrate the
interconnectedness of Christian churches, regardless
of their denominational affiliation. Appropriately,
Rev. Kerr chose the sacrament of Holy Communion
to symbolize this unity.
In 1940, the Federal Council of Churches of Christ
in North America, (which included all of the
predecessor denominations, which are now included
in the United Methodist Church) officially adopted
World-Wide Communion Sunday. I hope that you
will join us for this special morning, where in
addition to a special communion service, we will
also enjoy “international treats” during our
fellowship time in the Courtyard.
Want to learn more about NoHo First UMC?
Interested in becoming a member of the church family?
Come to the new member class on
Sunday, October 8, from 12 noon to 2:00 PM!
We will eat lunch together (lunch is provided). A long
time church member will give you a "behind the
scenes tour" of the church while sharing the church's
history.
Pastor Chamie will share some of her hopes and
prayers for the future of the church. You will learn a
little bit about United Methodism as well as what
membership in a Christian community is all about.
If you're not a member and even a little bit
curious about membership, come to the class. You
can decide later if you would like to become an
official member of the congregation.
Our Director of Digital Outreach
& Social Media, Tonya Peat, has
been working on major updates to
our website with Ula Designs!
Please be sure to check it out and
share with others!
5. You're all invited to a back yard BBQ at
our place Sunday, October 8, from 5 to 7
pm. -- 7105 Costello Ave, Van Nuys, first
one in quite a while. Pastor Chamie will be
here at 5:00 and start us off with comments
and a prayer. After eating, there will be a
short business meeting and a surprise
presentation.
Please RSVP by phone or email if you're
coming and what side you'd like to bring.
We have a Weber gas grill that's fast and
will supply the organic meat and mosquito
detractant. Looking forward to having you
join us in our backyard -- with fruit trees,
plus big and little kittens, all one happy
family.
Roger and David Eshleman
RLEshleman@aol.com 818-988-9313
DEshleman@dslextreme.com
6. Make a Difference in the Community!
The North Hollywood Interfaith Food
Pantry Needs Help
How might you be able to help NHIFP?
• NHIFP is in need of two volunteers for
Distribution. Hours are 7:30 – 11:00
Mondays and Fridays. Contact Phil at
phil@nhifp.org for more info or to
volunteer. Note: The volunteer will need to
lift multiple bags for the time there.
• NHIFP is also in need of packing
volunteers as the food needs have
increased. If you can volunteer or know
someone who can, please go online to their
website, NHIFP.org and sign up on Sign
Up Genius under the volunteer tab. You
can also reach out to Barbara at
barbara@nhifp.org.
• NHIFP is in great need of plastic grocery
bags! You can bring them to church with
other donations and we will deliver them
to the food pantry.
• Finally, NHIFP is in need of pet food for
both dogs and cats, wet food as well as
large bags of dry food.
Be a Part of the First "Come to the
Waters" Retreat!
Saturday, October 14, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM,
starting in Boyer Chapel. $40 for those outside
of the NoHo Church Family, but $20 for
church members.
Pastor Chamie will be leading a series of
retreats this next school year called "Come to
the Waters." Psalm 23 reminds us that God
longs to lead us beside quiet waters and restore
our souls.
The idea behind these Saturday morning
retreats is to have a little time to come away for
some renewal. Every retreat will focus on a
different spiritual practice to nurture our souls.
This first one on October 14 is all about
turning down the inner and outer noises in our
lives. It helps people to find ways to experience
life-giving silence and solitude. The retreat
includes time together as a whole group and
then time for people to find their own little
space on campus for personal quiet time and
reflection. Sign up with the church office.
Do You Know About "Community" Time with the
School?
On Mondays, Pastor Chamie and other church volunteers
lead an all school "community" gathering with the Wesley
students and teachers. On Monday, September 18, Pastor
Chamie teamed up with Wesley's Admissions Associate Kevin
Elbo and together they talked about peace. They had
students hang two new words for peace on the peace pole in
the courtyard. Pastor Joey, alongside Bishop Mary Anne
Swenson, were the first ones to do the peace pole with the
Wesley students 12 years ago. If you would like to watch this
year's "peace day" with Pastor Chamie and the Wesley
students, you can find it on our YouTube channel.
7. Wednesdays, Oct 11 through Nov 15, 7:00-8:00 in the Lounge (come at 6:30 if you want to watch the
episode we are discussing; or you can watch it on your own prior to coming).
Have you ever watched the sitcom The Good Place? It is the story of four people who die and go to
the "good place" (heaven). Or do they actually go to the "bad place" (hell)? The show, in its humor and
quirkiness, brings up all sorts of theological and philosophical questions like... how does one get to
heaven - or hell? Are those places real? If so, what are they like? What is it to be a good person? Why do
relationships matter? What do we owe each other? How should one make decisions? What happens when
you lie? Pastor Chamie will weave together ideas that emerge from the sitcom with biblical teachings of
the Christian church as everyone ponders together what is the good life and the good place.
8. October 6 Muffett Brinkman
October 7 Cherry Cox
October 8 Chris Moore
October 11 Kathi Ellis
October 11 Judy Palmer
October 12 Caesar Ancheta
October 16 Sara Nyaforh
October 19 Jennifer Kurushima
October 20 Maxine Charleston
October 22 Josephine Books
October 26 Nylean Rapinac
October 26 Hanna Sack
October 28 Elena Ashton
October 28 Sandy Flemming
October 29 Kim KMatsubayashi
October 29 Margaret Doggett
Are you or someone you love in need of prayer?
Please send your joys and concerns to:
nohofumc@pacbell.net or call 818-763-8231
• Mychal Guyton has been under the weather. He will have a procedure on 9/27 to stretch his veins.
• Dani St. Clair is requesting prayers of healing and strength for her uncle, Bill Steinmeyer, who is being
treated for cancer.
• DeAnne Hayes has been at an Alzheimer's Care Center. Byron is lonely and misses DeAnne.
• Rhonda Scott is doing well and recuperating after her stroke.Her recovery is very slow and her speech
is still improving. She appreciates our good thoughts and prayers.
• Genelita Ancheta’s father, Alfredo Garcia, passed away on September 7th from his battle with
colon cancer. Genelita, Ceasar, Brandon, and Bryan, will be taking Alfredo’s body back home to
the Philippines and request prayers for safety.
• Claire's mom, Paula, was found to have a pancreatic tumor. She is a breast cancer survivor and so they
are worried it is cancerous. She will have surgery.
• Lisa Cheby's friend, Amy, is in need of a new life and job. She is hoping to move from NYC to Rome.
• Lisa’s friend, Hylah, is battling cancer, caring for her mother, who also has cancer, and grieving her
father, who died a few months ago.
• Wendy Welch requests prayers for May, who is ten years old, and recently diagnosed with a rare
melanoma on her knee.
• Rob’s car was stolen, his mother had surgery, and his parents also had to say goodbye to their beloved
pet dog. please lift the family up.
• Norm’s cousin, Penny Vail, was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. She has been getting a
strong chemotherapy treatment that will be followed by another chemo that is not as strong. Then she
will have a double mastectomy and hysterectomy. Prayers for her and her husband, Peter, and their two
small children.
• Stephanie Griffin is still recovering from hip surgery.
• Prayers for the people of Maui. May Lahaina and the people heal.
• Prayers for our church and The Wesley School.
9. LECTIONARY CALENDAR YEAR A
October 1 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. World Communion Sunday. Green.
Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32
October 8 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 119; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46
October 15 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Laity Sunday. Green.
Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6,19-23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14
October 22 Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22
October 29 Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46
Sunday Worship Services are Posted Online on Saturday| Worship In-Person at 10:30 AM
Join us online via YouTube @nohofumc
Communion will be served on October 1st, World Communion Sunday, at in-person worship service.
Bible Study with Pastor Chamie begins on Wednesday, Oct. 11th at 6:30pm in the Lounge
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by October 17th for the November 2023 publication
or email them to pattyfumc@gmail.com
If you no longer wish to receive this publication, please contact the church office
or return this address label noting that we are to discontinue sending it. Thank you.
POSTMASTER - Please send changes of address to:
First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601
“NoHoFUMC is a community that practices the all-inclusive and transforming love of God as modeled by the life
and ministry of Jesus Christ. We celebrate our diversity in race, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, age, gender, ability, citizenship, and socioeconomic status. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we welcome all people
into the full participation of the life of the church.”