Good News Monthly Newsletter October 2025

Our Monthly Newsletter is available to read online. You are invited to join us in person for our weekly worship service as you are able and to join us for our many community outreach programs. This month we have our annual Trunk or Treat as well as our weekly "Love Thy Neighbor" volunteer opportunities. We hope to see you here.

1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: [email protected]
October 2025
facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
•LA Community Fridges
•Laity Sunday
•Trunk or Treat
•UWF Annual
Celebration
•Love Thy Neighbor
GOOD NEWS is published monthly by
First United Methodist Church of North
Hollywood, California 91601
Phone [phone]
Rev. Dottie Escobedo Frank
Bishop
Rev. Garth Gilliam
District Superintendent
Congregation
Ministers
Yu Hang Tan
Director of Music Ministries
Roger Eshleman
Organist
April Anderson
Administrator
Nylean Rapinac
Membership & Financial Secretary
Patty Kelsey
Outreach & Congregational Nurture
Tonya Peat
Digital Outreach
Letha Watts
Sunday School & Nursery
Scott Faucett
Custodial
October is upon us and the Autumn season begins!As we move into the final
bit of the 2025, there is much to do do celebrate and to prepare for 2026.
Following is a snapshot of the month’s Sunday services:
On October 5th we celebrate World Communion Sunday. United
Methodists around the world unite in prayer and giving, remembering that
the church is bigger than any one congregation. This special Sunday allows
us to share our gifts to support the ministries that help equip leaders—
leaders who will guide congregations, care for communities, and share the
love of Christ in new and creative ways. Contributions to our special
offering will fund scholarships for U.S. and international students, as well as
grants for global inclusion, diversity, equity, and access training. We will also
share in a special lunch provided by the Laciste family and Ana’s Tacos after
worship.
On October 12th, we will come together to praise God and to share our
lives with one another, as we discuss Jesus’ healing of the lepers in the gospel
of Luke, chapter 17. The choir will lead us in singing hymns “Great is the
Faithfulness” and “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and present a
beautiful anthem, “10,000 Reasons.”
On October 19th we will celebrate LAITY SUNDAY. Many people think
the work of the church belongs mainly to pastors or clergy. But in the
United Methodist Church, we recognize that the majority of the church’s
ministry is lived out through lay people—the everyday disciples who follow
Christ in their homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and
communities. Laity are teachers, caregivers, volunteers, advocates, business
leaders, parents, and friends. They are the ones who persist in living out the
Gospel every day, not just on Sundays. Laity Sunday reminds us that the
church is built not on one person’s calling, but on the shared faithfulness of
many. It’s a day to celebrate, encourage, and support all God’s people who
persist in prayer, service, and witness. Our Lay Leader Norman Kelsey will
deliver the message and we will welcome new people into membership. Join
us!
Beginning October 26th, we will begin a four week Stewardship series,
discussing how our giving to the church impacts the ministry possible in
North Hollywood and surrounding communities and throughout the world.
Why is financial support essential to a spiritual organization? Why is it so
difficult to talk about money in church? How does Jesus approach the the
topic? Our series will conclude on November 16th.
Blessings to us as we begin this new season,
Pastor Krista

2. Church Membership
If you would like to know more about becoming a
member of NOHO First UMC, you can reach out to
the church office [phone]; email Pastor Krista
at [email protected]; or chat with her after
worship on Sunday morning. There will be a New
Member reception during the Laity Sunday worship
service on Sunday, October 19th.
If you have children that would like to take part in a
confirmation class, please also reach out to Pastor
Krista. We’d love the opportunity to help your child
grow in their faith.
October 5th - World Communion Sunday
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
“Being the One Body of Christ”
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16
Matthew 13:31-33
Celebrating differences and being united.
October 12th
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
“Clean and Unclean”
Psalm 66:1-7
Luke 17:11-19
Healing of the lepers and how to respond
with gratitude.
October 19th - Laity Sunday
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
“Together by Grace: Be Strong in the Spirit”
Ephesians 3:16
The day celebrates the ministry of all lay Christians,
encouraging congregations to uplift the unique gifts
and callings of non-clergy members in worship and
ministry, fostering a shared life in Christ. 
October 26th
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
“God of the Humble”
Joel 2:23-32
Luke 18:9-14
Focus on stewardship & giving.
We hope to see you this month!

3. Your North District Co-Lay Leaders Encourage our lay people to attend!
This is an opportunity for you to become the best lay person you can be and help
our ministry grow! Please let Norman or Patty Kelsey know if you are interested.

4. SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
28 29 30 1 2 3 4
10:30am Worship in the
Sanctuary

11:30 Courtyard Coffee
Fellowship

12:30pm - 4:30pm
North District Friends &
Family Fall Festival at
San Luis Obispo

7:00pm Bible Study
with Pastor Krista in
the Lounge
7:00pm Scouts
in the Hut
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Choir Practice
in the Sanctuary


5 Communion

6

7

8

9

10

11

10:30am World
Communion Sunday
Worship with
Communion in the
Sanctuary


11:30am Laciste Taco
Party in the Courtyard



7:00pm Bible Study
with Pastor Krista in
the Lounge
7:00pm Scouts
in the Hut

12:00pm – 2:00pm
UWF Monthly Lunch
in the Lounge
(Bring a Sack Lunch)

7:00pm – 8:30pm
Choir Practice
in the Sanctuary


12 13 14 15 16 17 18
10:30am Worship in
the Sanctuary


11:30am Courtyard
Coffee Fellowship
.

12:00pm Thy
Neighbor Sack Lunch
Assembly
10:00am - 11:00am
Gyrokinesis
in Boyer



Thy Neighbor Sack
Lunch Distro. Contact
Patty or Jon for Time
& Place

7:00pm Bible Study
with Pastor Krista in
the Lounge
7:00pm Scouts
in the Hut
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Choir Practice
in the Sanctuary


10:00am – 2:30pm
The 53
rd
UWF
Annual Celebration
To Register
https://calpacumc.fo
rmstack.com/forms/
uwfceleb2025
19

20

21

22

23

24

25

10:30am Laity Sunday
Worship in the
Sanctuary




11:30am Celebration
Brunch

10:00am - 11:00am
Gyrokinesis
in Boyer


7:00pm Bible Study
with Pastor Krista in
the Lounge
7:00pm Scouts
in the Hut
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Choir Practice
in the Sanctuary


26 27 28 29 30 31 1
10:30am Worship in
the Sanctuary



11:30am Courtyard
Coffee Fellowship





4:00pm – 5:30pm
Trunk or Treat

10:00am - 11:00am
Gyrokinesis
in Boyer


7:00pm Bible Study
with Pastor Krista in
the Lounge
7:00pm Scouts
in the Hut
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Choir Practice
in the Sanctuary


OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS:


November 2025
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30

6. All women are invited to attend!
UWF Monthly Lunch Meeting
Thursday, October 9th
Noon in the Lounge
Bring a sack lunch! Dessert provided!
Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM PDT (California)
First UMC of North Hollywood, 4832 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood CA 91601
Cost and Deadlines:  $25.00. Please RSVP by Thursday, October 9, 2025.
About the Event:
•REGISTRATION FEE: $25 | Lunch & Refreshments served
•COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION FORM AND MAIL WITH YOUR PAYMENT TO
Lisa Kadowaki, 2255 Ascot Pl, Camarillo CA 93010. Make checks payable to CalPac United
Women in Faith.
•If childcare is needed, please inform the Registrar and send a $25 refundable deposit to ensure
that childcare arrangements are made. Please give children’s ages and provide lunch and
snacks.
•Please consider bringing a “Love Offering” of a gift card(s) of any amount from Ralphs,
Albertsons, or Vons for food, formula, and diapers. These will be shared with Casa de Vida
Family Crisis Shelter.
•For questions, contact Lisa Kadowaki at [email protected] or 805-236-3370.

7. Our Annual Celebration of our Laity is scheduled for Sunday, October 19th!
This year’s Laity Sunday is coming up in the California-Pacific Annual Conference of The United
Methodist Church, and it’s going to be powerful! NOHO First UMC loves to celebrate this special day to
recognize and celebrate the faithful work of our laity—those who serve, lead, love, and witness in so many
ways throughout our congregation!
Laity Sunday is all about giving thanks for you! Whether you’re singing in the choir, greeting newcomers,
organizing mission projects, hosting small groups, praying with the sick, or just being a friend—your hands,
heart, and faith matter. You are the backbone of our church, the hands that reach out, the hope that lifts
others, and the love that reflects Jesus.
So mark your calendars! We will be lifting up our laity voices—in worship, in song, in testimony—and
celebrate the ways God is using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Please reach out to Lay Leader,
Norman Kelsey, if you are feeling called to take part. Pastor Krista will welcome new members during
worship and we will also have special guests in the pews from the United Women in Faith groups all across
our Cal-Pac conference! Following worship, we will enjoy our annual Laity Celebration with a delicious
brunch and special baked treat by Pastor Krista! We can’t wait to celebrate you!
NO TRICKS THIS YEAR!
HOW ABOUT TREATING NOHO
FIRST UMC
TO AN EXTRA FINANCIAL GIFT
IN OCTOBER?

8. Working Together to Feed Our Neighbors
By Pastor Krista
Last month, one of our community organizations reached out to our
Love Thy Neighbor mission team, to ask how we could partner to
support our friends at the Van Nuys Labor Center. Los Angeles
Community Fridges is a network of decentralized, independent
refrigerators and pantries that provide food and vital supplies to our
communities through mutual aid. From their webiste, “Our mission is
to strengthen communities & redistribute existing resources by
providing tools and frameworks to ensure people-supported, ongoing,
equal access to healthy food. “ In discussions with Patty and Jon, our
Mission Co-chairs, a program was developed to not only provide
food for the day laborers at the Van Nuys Job Center, but to purchase
the food from the vendors who have lost their liveliehoods due to the
fear of ICE raids.
Meal 1, money was donated and used to support Josselin and her family from Honduras. Josselin made 50 burritos
with trimmings, distributed to our neighbors at the Job Center by a small group of loyal members of our team.
Meal 2 was Guatemalan tamales! Yenni, one of our loyal vendors, was taken by ICE in a raid in August and is
currently fighting for a court date. Yenni's mom, Adelina, took over the booth and is taking care of her three
children.
Meal 3 was Pupusas from Josselin. Due to the constant threat of ICE raids, she is too scared to set up her booth but is
grateful for these opportunities.

9. Meal 4 was Pollo dorado de frioles de olla, rice and salad from our friend, El Salvadoran vendor Araceli .
Our “Love Thy Neighbor” Mission Team is amazingly dedicated to those who need a meal and to the mission
to be the hands of feet of Christ to our day laborer neighbors. I am so blessed to be their pastor.
These four meals were in addition to our regular monthly sack lunch
distribution, a new volunteer opportunity to serve our neighbors at the LA
Islamic Center and several “pop in” opportunities.
This month, we will be making sack lunches that will go
to the participants who receive services from the North
Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry, as well as the Van
Nuys Job Center.
Our first event at the Islamic Center of Southern
California, arranged by Andrew Stum.
Pastor Jon Gentry and a few of his congregants
joined us on September 7th for Sack Lunch

10. 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 AM
Mondays and Fridays. Contact Phil at
[email protected] 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
[email protected].
•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.
NOHO FIRST UMC will be making 80 sack
lunches on October 12th and will need someone
to assist in dropping the lunches off to the Pantry
distribution on Monday, October 13th between
7:00 AM - 7:15 AM. Please let Patty know if you
are available to help.
Changing the world, One Afternoon at a
time... for 17 Years!
Community Care, one of Kid City's central values, is
more important today than ever, as our young people
and their families find themselves at risk in this
frightening time.
Obstacles on the path to college and career are shifting
daily. Our amazing young people need -- and deserve
-- a strong community of care surrounding them as
they claim their education. 
You are an essential part of our community! Join us!
•Connect with a wonderful community of care
•Buffet lunch at the historic Tamayo Restaurant,
surrounded by artwork from world-renowned
artists
•Silent auction!
•Entertainment from Kid City bands
•Hear directly from students and alumni
•Valet parking
* A few of our Love Thy Neighbor Team will be on
hand to represent NOHO FUMC and show our
support in memory of our friend Byron Hayes Jr. and
also in support of our new friend, Dr. G.

11. Sunday, October 26th
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
South Lot
We need participants to decorate
their trunks, dress up, and hand out
candy to kids at our event.
Sign up at [email protected]
A spooktacular community event and
fun way to collect treats for the kids!
This is our 8th annual
Trunk or Treat!
Cars will be spaced out in our big parking lot. Set up begins at
3pm!
(You must enter the lot by 3:30pm).
Guests will walk up to your trunk to get candy.
Participants will come up with a theme, costume, and provide
individually wrapped candies.
If you need help, let Patty know.
We have themes stored away!
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!!!

12. 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 20 Maxine Charleston
October 22 Josephine Books
October 26 Nylean Rapinac
October 28 Sandy Flemming
October 29 Kim KMatsubayashi
Are you or someone you love in need of prayer?
Please send your joys and concerns to:
[email protected] or call 818-763-8231
• Martin Light celebrated his 93rd Birthday on September 20th!
•Bill Varney is having pain from a bone protrusion in his foot. He asks for prayers for his son, David,
daughter-in-law, Sona, and granddaughter, Vivian Varney. They are looking to fina a way to have a
breakthrough with Vivian who has no use of her voice.
•Peter Thompson requests prayers for his health.
•David Eshleman’s girlfriend, Ana, had a procedure to replace a shunt. She hopes it will be exactly what she
needs to live more comfortably and that it will last a long time.
•Dan Nishimura’s father, Tom passed away on August 31st.
•DeAnne Hayes passed away on September 2nd and a celebration of life is being planned, tentatively for
November 23rd. Details to follow soon.
•Lisa Cheby requests prayers for her sister, Kris and her husband, Brian.
•Dani St. Clair’s uncle, Bill Steinmeyer is doing his best to live with brain cancer. Dani’s cousin, Aly Holvik
could use prayers as she is not only a caregiver for Bill but also caring for their small children.
•Jaz Pinero has lymphoma and her oncologist is keeping an eye on her situation.
•Jamie Day is recovering from very uncomfortable treatment for his squamous cell carcinoma.
•Preseli Laciste’s mother, Elena Salvador need prayers for good health.
•Patty Kelsey requests prayers for her friend, Rosanna Barron’s mother, Mary Ann, who was diagnosed with
cancer for a second time and it has metastasized to the bone. Mary Ann is in need of radiation treatments
and she is feeling very discouraged.
•Sherri Perry’s 98 year old grandmother, Florine Humphrey and Aunt Audra need prayers.
•Homebound: Joyce Cunningham, Dottie Vick, Rhonda Scott, Bill Varney

13. LECTIONARY CALENDAR YEAR C
October 5 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. World Communion Sunday. Green.
Lamentations 11:6; Psalm 137; 2 Timothy 11:14; Lauke 17:5-10
October 12 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7; Psalm 66:1-12; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19
October 19 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Laity Sunday. Green.
Jeremiah 31:27-34; Psalm 119:97-104; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8
October 26 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14
Sunday Worship Services are Posted Online on Monday| Worship In-Person at 10:30 AM
Prior Sunday worship service posted online via YouTube @nohofumc on Mondays.
Communion will be served on October 5th, World Communion Sunday, at in-person worship service.
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by October 17th for the November 2025 publication
or email them to [email protected]
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.”