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1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: [email protected]
May 2025
facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.org
IN THIS ISSUE:
•AANHPI Heritage
Month & Taste of Asia
•Still Here, Still Strong
•Love Thy Neighbor
•Genesis Bible Study
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
Rev. Dr. Krista S. Givens
Senior Pastor
Congregation
Ministers
Dr. Yu Hang Tan
Director of Music
Roger Eshleman
Organist
April Anderson
Administrator
Nylean Rapinac
Membership & Financial Secretary
Patty Kelsey
Outreach & Congregational Nurture
Tonya Peat
Director, Digital & Social Media
Letha Watts
Sunday School Teacher
Scott Faucett
Custodial
As May begins, our church community begins the celebration of Asian
American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This is a
time to recognize and honor the contributions of Asian Americans, Native
Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to U.S. history, culture, and society. The
month also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by these
communities and provides a way for us to learn about and understand the gifts
of these cultures.
We will begin on May 4th by celebrating the culture of Thailand with a special
Thai food pop-up and a demonstration of Thai dance with the students of Wat
Padhammachart. On May 11th, we will celebrate Mother’s Day and Malaysia.
On May 18, we will celebrate the culture of Korea, Japan, and India, that will
also include a performance by an Indian sitar player and an array of Korean &
Indian food and Japanese snacks after worship. Finally, on May 25th, we will
celebrate the culture of the Philippines with a guest performance by the Taiko
drummers of Centenary UMC and special food during fellowship.
Also, on May 18th, I will be doing a presentation about my work in India with
a non-profit organization I founded called Friends of Padhar Schools. The
presentation will begin around noon in Boyer Chapel and will feature photos
and videos from my many trips.
I first went to India in 2008, traveling with a mission group to a small village in
Madhya Pradesh called Padhar. After the trip, moved by the Spirit to help, I
began a modest scholarship program that raised $1000 to support 10 students
at the Padhar Mission Higher Secondary School. Each year thereafter, we
raised more and more and it became a dream to establish an American non-
profit organization, to support the schools of the village. In 2015, those
informal efforts became formalized and we formed our Board of Directors,
developed our programs, gained our 501(c)3 tax exemption and we became
Friends of Padhar Schools. 
Since 2015, Friends of Padhar Schools has provided a foundation for rural
schools operating at a subsistence level. We’ve provided funding for desks and
benches to ensure classrooms are suitable for students, scholarships for girls and
young women to attend classes, computers to fill a computer lab, equipment to
fill a chemistry lab and a school bus to provide transportation for children who
live in distant villages.
In our ten-year history we have provided over $175,000 in total funding,
distributed to eight schools in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
(Continued on inside cover)

2. (Continued from front cover)
In August, I will make my annual trip to connect with our contacts, review the projects we’ve supported and
gather information on how we can help for the next
This work in India fuels my faith. Our organization is intentionally non-religious and does not require
adherence to any religious belief. But for me, this work is central to the expression of what I profess. In
Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable about sheep and goats - those who follow his teachings and those who do
not. The goats are not those who are actively preventing his work, but those who don’t do what is
uncomfortable. Those who do not feed those who are hungry, those who do not welcome the stranger into
their midst; those who do visit the sick and imprisoned.
I do not do this work out of pity or guilt. I do not do it because of some threat of Hell. I do not do it to be
the ‘white savior. I do it because my faith propels me. If I CAN help, shouldn’t I?
The more time I spend in the mission field, the more I am convinced “the church” is not about singing
familiar songs, “good preaching” and choosing parament colors. It is about motivating people to step outside
their comfort zones and do the work of Jesus:
Heal those who are hurting in body, mind and spirit,
Reconcile warring parties - within our minds, within our families, between our cultures and
countries,
Listen to the cries of those unheard,
Forgive ourselves and others, so that we can move forward together.
Feed those who are hungry for food, opportunity, and education.
Give what we can, to allow others to have enough.
And Break the systems that keep some wealthy and leave the rest to fend for themselves.
May it be so for you, now and always.
Pastor Krista

3. AANHPI Heritage Month
NOHO FIRST UMC loves to celebrate our
diverse community and during the month of
May, we will highlight our Asian-American
church families during our AANHPI
Heritage Month.
We will share moments about our culture
during worship and enjoy a Taste of Asia
Pop Up during fellowship hour.
We will celebrate the entire month with our Asian community members who have planned wonderful
moments and menus to share with you. It’s a perfect time to invite someone to come sit with you.
Taste of Asia Pop-Ups & Special Cultural Demonstrations
May 4th - Thailand (Patty & Norman Kelsey, Uma Tokahuta)
Thai Dance Students from Wat Padhammachart Non-Formal Education Learning Center
May 11th - Malaysia (Dr. Yu Hang Tan)
May18th - Korea (Ye-Books Family), Japan (Todd Murata)
India (Pastor Krista, Jaz Pinero, & Dr. Heemanshu Bhagat)
Indian Sitar Player
May 25th - Philippines (Patsy Sapinoso; Preseli, Warlito & Jon Laciste; Lynne, Mauro, & Jonash Poyaoan)
Chikara Daiko from Centenary UMC - Taiko Drummers
We hope to see you in church every Sunday in May!

4. SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
27 28 29 30 1 2 3


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

Did you know the
US ranks 55
th
in
Global Press
Freedom?
4 Communion

5

6

7

8

9

10
10:30am Worship with
Communion in the
Sanctuary

11:30am Taste of Asia:
Thailand in Courtyard

11:45am Thy
Neighbor Snack Bag
Assembly
10:00am - 11:00am
Gyrokinesis
in Boyer

11:00am Thy
Neighbor Day Labor
Celebration @ Van
Nuys Day Labor Center

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
9:00am-12:00pm
North District
Conference via
Webinar. All Invited


5:00 – 10:00pm Game
Night in the Lounge
11 12 13 14 15 16 17



10:30am Worship in the
Sanctuary with a
Mother’s Day Giveaway

11:30am Taste of Asia:
Malaysia in Courtyard

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

18

19

20

21

22

23

24
10:30am Worship in the
Sanctuary with a special
Sitar Performance


11:30am Taste of Asia:
India, Korea & Japan in
Courtyard

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


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





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

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 STILL HERE!

10:30am Worship in the
Sanctuary with a special
Chikara Daiko
Performance


11:30am Taste of Asia:
Philippines in Courtyard




11:00am Thy
Neighbor Day Trunk &
Hood Meal Distro in the
Van Nuys Home Depot
Parking Lot. RSPV with
Jon or Patty



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
STILL STRONG!
Help raise $ for
Altadena UMC’s Kids
10:30am – 3:30pm
@ Glendale 1
st UMC
Tickets: $20.00/pp &
$10.00/child (Includes
lunch)

















MAY HIGHLIGHTS:
+ Asian Pacific American Heritage Month – Be sure to attend our Taste of Asia on 5/4, 5/18, & 5/25 as we
celebrate and honor this rich Heritage
+ Military Appreciation Month
+Mental Health Awareness Month

NORTH DISTRICT COVENANT PRAYER LIST
+5/4-10 Pray for Pastor Andre Wilson of Altadena UMC & Pastor Joseph Choi of Holliston UMC
+5/11-17 Pray for Pastor Andy Mattick & Pastor Camille Mattick of Valencia UMC
+5/18-24 Pray for Pastor Jaime Torres of Bardsdale UMC & Pastor Elbert Kim of Camarillo UMC
+5/25-31 Pray for Pastor Kate Hunter of both Big Pine Community UMC & Pioneer Memorial UMC


June 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. One of the difficulties for new members was a lack of a guiding document to clarify our roles and charge.
In March, the board adopted a Single Board of Governance Charter which we hope will create clarity
and consistency as the board membership changes over the years as it is designed to do. This was the only
document we inherited from Pastor Steve’s records from the time we transitioned to a single board, but it
had not, according to the records we could find, ever been adopted.   
Over the past few months we have been working closely with Wesley to reestablish clear lines of
communication and collaboration. Pastor Krista has greatly facilitated this as is evidenced by our progress
in balancing church needs with Wesley’s final phase of their gate project. This phase will install a gate
across the main south parking lot entrance. We will have full access to gate codes, be able to keep the gate
open for all church events, and share full access to security camera footage in the Wesley teacher lounge.
Wesley diligently listened to and addressed the board's concerns. Since it has been several years since we
agreed to the full gate project, many may have forgotten this last phase, as I did when it came up again.
On April 27th, the board voted to approve the updated plans with agreement that any other changes will
be in consult with the NoHo FUMC Board. 
Finally, just an update on our roles on the board. Trustees Chair Phil Roche, with help of Chris Moore
and his trustees team, has kept up with the needs of an old and aging campus within budget. Sherri Perry,
our SPRC Chair, continues to facilitate a safe and compassionate working environment for all our
employees. Jesse Boone remains our secretary and keeps minutes and records for the board. I have taken
over Finance from Jesse in addition to being Chair. As Finance Chair I have met with Pastor Krista and
April Anderson, our Office Manager, to work on consolidating accounts and clarifying availability of
several designated funds so that we best support our mission to serve our community. This summer we will
also review and assess our investment strategies.  
Thank you again for all you do to support NoHo First and for making this a community I look forward to
seeing every Sunday.  
In service, 
Lisa Cheby, Board Chair
Even as the world sends us trials, collectively and individually,
NoHo First, as I felt strongly this Easter, is a place of grace,
renewal, and resurrection for our souls. It is a real honor to serve as
board chair, and I apologize I am not great at sending updates for
the newsletter. 
Our current board is small but mighty. Many of us are serving for
the first time starting over the past two years.  Thankfully some of
the experienced members graciously stayed on as we navigated
having no permanent pastor for the months before we welcomed
Pastor Krista (for whom we are immensely grateful).

7. On Sunday, April 27th, Pastor Krista welcomed 12 new
members into our NOHO First UMC family!
Membership through profession of faith:
Maya Barksdale, Thomas Caldwell, Regina Griffin, Matt
Johnson, Jaz Pinero, and Andrew Stum.
Membership through transfer:
Carrie Lynn Certa from Hollywood UMC
Laura Hovermale from Hollywood UMC
Danielle St. Clair from Thousand Oaks UMC
Jonathan Laciste from Rosewood UMC
Membership through adult baptism:
Indra Baldeo-Griffin and Umaorn Tokahuta
Welcome to one and all! Another membership class will
be scheduled soon. Please reach out to Pastor Krista,
should you have any questions about your official
standing or about becoming a member.
Creation, Adam and Eve, the Big Flood….
a lot happens in the book of Genesis. Join
us on May 14 as we begin a study of
Genesis using the book Immersion Bible
Study: Genesis (Jack A. Keller, ed.). In this
study, homiletics professor and pastor J.
Ellsworth Kalas approaches Genesis as a
very personal and almost intimate book.
Instead of viewing it as an academic study
or as a puzzle to be solved, the author
reads Genesis in a very personal, up-close
way. Please RSVP to the church office or
to Pastor Krista
New Bible Study
 
Wednesdays
7PM
Lounge

8. HELP STAMP OUT HUNGER! 
During the week of May 10th, your letter carrier will be leaving a postcard in your mailbox about the
USPS National Food Drive. Pick up of food donations will take place on Saturday May 11th. Place your
non-perishable food donations in a bag by your mailbox for your postal carrier to pick up. You should use
your own bags as the post office will not be providing them this year. The food will be delivered to the
Sylmar Post Office where the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry will be one of several food
pantries benefitting from the food drive.  
This month’s most needed items: Wet or Dry Dog Food & Canned Soup!
Drop off food donations at:
Our Distribution Site - Mondays and Fridays between 7:30AM-11:00
(11634 Moorpark St. -1/2 block east of Colfax)

Temple Beth Hillel (enter off Laurelgrove) Mondays-Fridays, 4:00-5:00PM

9. The friendship and trust that have been built by the Missions Team and the community at Van Nuys Job Center
makes this news even more devastating.  Our Missions Team knows how crucial the Job Center is for the day
laborers to access livelihood opportunities and education to navigate our current societal climate.  In addition, the
sack lunches our congregation prepares help provide a meal for the day laborers at the Job Center and stock up the
LA Community Fridge located inside for someone to eat later.  Knowing a meal is coming when some day laborers
will not eat for days makes our service to them very important.    
On Friday, April 25th, there was a City Budget Meeting taking place at Van Nuys City Hall. Alberto Rivas, Lead
Site Coordinator of the Day Laborer Program and IDEPSCA in Van Nuys, contacted Love Thy Neighbor for
support. Muffett Brinkman and Patty Kelsey stood in solidarity with a few members from the Job Center in front
of City Hall. On Monday, April 28th, Muffett went to the second Budget Meeting in Downtown LA.
With the growing uncertainty for the future of the Job Centers across LA and the many organizations that face
budget cuts and layoffs, it’s frustrating to feel like nothing can be done.  However, with God’s guidance, we are
reminded that there are things we can control, and one of those things is to be consistent. Love Thy Neighbor will
continue to provide sack lunches and support the Job Center in Van Nuys.  If the Job Center closes, God presented
an opportunity to serve called Trunk and Hood, an event that was started where we served meals from the trunks
and hoods from our cars when the Job Center building was closed on a holiday. 
We plan to host their “Dia del Jornalero Celebracion” (Day of the Laborer) on Monday, May 5th at the Van Nuys
Labor Center. If you would like to come and serve lunch with the Love Thy Neighbor team, please sign up with
Jon or Patty this Sunday, May 4th. We plan to arrive at the center by 11:00 AM. Please wear your Love Thy
Neighbor shirt. If you need one, we can provide one for you to keep.
 
Stay up to date on our monthly service projects, by signing up for the weekly church eblast, joining our missions
team to receive the updates, or just check the Mission Project Board next to Boyer Chapel in the Courtyard.
Update on Day Labor Centers
By Jon Laciste, Mission Co-Chair
The Labor Center in Van Nuys, that our Love Thy Neighbor Missions
Team has been supporting, is one of the many organizations that have been
included in the recent proposed budget cuts in Los Angeles by Mayor Karen
Bass.  If the budget cuts are approved, the six centers in Los Angeles County
will only have funding through June 30, 2025.
Members of IDEPSCA Day Labor Center: Elfego,
Marco, Guillermo, … with their Lead coordinator,
Alberto.

10. North District Co-Lay Leaders, Patty & Norman Kelsey, will be leading a mini Lay Leader training session that will
include a presentation by Cathy Wilson and a discussion on how you can lead with love and gracious hospitality.

11. May your birthday be filled with blessings!
Love, Your Church Family
May 1 Ken Ellis
May 4 Kim Miller
May 6 Noah Fetterman
May 6 Lora Pavilack
May 10 Shirley Kurushima
May 11 Dottie Vick
May 12 Joel Hernandez
May 14 Shaun Vieten
May 16 Jodi Smith
May 18 Phil Roche
May 18 Steven Vick
May 22 Karin Ellis
May 24 Sinjin Doelitzsch
May 24 Melissa Noren
May 25 Ashley Peat
•Lisa Cheby’s friend, Elva, requested prayers for her sister Lainee, who was diagnosed with uterine
cancer. Her surgery went well and she is recovering at home. She will need chemotherapy and
radiation in the near future.
•DeAnne Hayes has been at an Alzheimer's care center. Byron misses her at home.
•Martin Light is now at an assisted living facility - Brooksdale Chatsworth, recovering from two
compression fractures in his spine. He would love calls, cards, and visits. He misses his NOHO family.
Brooksdale Chatsworth, 20801 Devonshire St. 91311. Martin’s cell 818-378-2103.
•Jaime Day is now finished with his chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The first couple weeks
after were awful. He had many complications with his feeding tube and eventually had it removed. He
now can swallow soft, bland foods. Next step is a PET scan in June and to continue healing.
•Patty Kelsey’s dear friend, Kristee Laiva, is still having some issues with her HMO insurance and
working on establishing herself as a patient with a reputable cancer center. She is waiting for an
appointment with UCSD oncology surgeon. Hoping to get a date for surgery and to have a plan to
get rid of her breast cancer soon.
•Homebound: Joyce Cunningham, Dottie Vick, Rhonda Scott, Bill Varney, Martin Light.

12. LECTIONARY READINGS,, LITURGICAL INFORMATION, SERMON TITLES - YEAR B

May 4 Third Sunday of Easter. White. “Worthy is the Lamb”
Psalm 30; Acts 9:1-6 (7-20); Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19
May 11 Fourth Sunday of Easter. Mother’s Day. White. “I Abide”
Psalm 23; Acts 9:36-43; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30

May 18 Fifth Sunday of Easter. White. “Sharing the Load”
Psalm 148; Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-16; John 13:31-35
May 25 Sixth Sunday of Easter. White. “All Are Welcome”
Psalm 67; Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29
Highlights of Worship may be found on Youtube @nohofumc
Communion will be served, in-person, on May 4th.
We will celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month every Sunday
Mother’s Day Giveaway on May 11th
Bible Study begins on May 14th and will continue, every Wednesday at 7:00 PM, until July 23rd
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.”