Archive for category: Church News

TRANS 101: Spiritual Transformation & Community Education

Join Jen Philbin and the Santa Monica Area Interfaith Council (SMAIC) for “Trans 101: Spiritual Transformation and Community Education,” a learning and dialogue-based workshop designed to deepen understanding and strengthen community.

This interactive session explores the spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions of gender identity and transition. Participants will gain insights into the experiences of transgender and gender-diverse individuals, learn inclusive language and practices, and reflect on how faith communities can serve as safe, affirming spaces for all.

Through stories, shared reflection, and guided discussion, we will explore transformation as both a spiritual journey and a communal responsibility—inviting us to grow in compassion, awareness, and authentic connection.

Please register here if you plan to attend.

Thank you for supporting Jen as they start their journey of creating workshops to further understanding and compassion toward the Trans Community.

Be a part of the First Pres Hunger Walk Team and help us raise awareness and end hunger in our community. First Pres is a sponsor of this year’s Westside Food Bank Hunger Walk and, under the leadership of Patrick Chiang, we are forming a team to participate in the walk.

Click here to sign up to donate, walk, or do both. Our goal is to raise $7,000, and with our sponsorship, we’re already more than halfway there. But we also want to have a large team of walkers to show our support for the Westside Food Bank.

Everyone is invited to an Interfaith Sukkot Dinner with our friends at Beth Shir Shalom! Come learn more about the Sukkah, a temporary structure put up during the holiday of Sukkot that draws us into the depth and meaning of the Jewish story.

DATE: Sunday, October 12th

TIME: 5pm – 7pm

LOCATION: Beth Shir Shaloom

REGISTER HERE

Learn more about Beth Shir Shalom here.

First Pres community, please give a warm welcome to our new Children’s Music Director, Helane Marie Anderson! You can learn more about her below, or see her this coming Sunday during children’s time:

“Helane Marie Anderson sings like an angel, taking you into the celestial world with her voice.”

– LA Yoga Magazine

Helane Marie Anderson is a multi-layered musician & composer, singer, pianist, harpist, producer and multi-instrumentalist.  Her unique style of working with sound blends her years of studying healing modalities with contemporary music & sound healing. Helane is currently a featured sound meditation producer & artist for Apple Fitness +/ Platoon releasing more than 15 sound meditations in 2023-2024 available on all streaming platforms. Also in 2024, she co-produced and released an album of original songs and mantras entitled “Listen to the Trees” featuring 9 singles and 2 remixes, The Summit FM stated they “loved the music from the album and found it completely original – there’s else nothing like it!”

On Helane’s live performance, The San Francisco Classical Voice called the experience “remarkable” and continued, “the crystalline nature of Anderson’s voice — phased and overlaid with various instruments — was truly transcendent as tones layered on tones.“ She has been a featured sound healing artist leading workshops at renowned studios including The Mindry, the Olandar Foundation (Malibu),  InsightLA Meditation, Soulplay Yoga, DisclosureFest and many more throughout the Los Angeles area.  As a key member of the group Sonic Devas, she has performed at St. John’s Cathedral, BhaktiFest, The Center SF, The Portal, in Marin County, Yoga Soup in Santa Barbara and more.

On the wellness front, Helane is the best-selling author of You Are Meant to Sing! 10 Steps to Unlock Your Inner Voice,  a transformational voice coach,   certified Craniosacral Therapist & bodyworker, sound healer, yoga instructor, and teacher. She has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music for the past 14 years  and was previously Artistic Administrator at the Los Angeles Philharmonic where she produced concerts at both Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Helane holds a Master of Arts degree from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Salem College. She also holds a certification in Sound Healing & Sound Therapy from the Globe Institute in San Francisco. Helane teaches her own courses in Sound Healing and Vocal Alchemy through her business Sacral Sounds which she founded in 2014.

Here at First Pres, we will be supporting the beloved members of our congregation and community who identify as LGBTQIA+ by participating in multiple events throughout Pride month, here’s how you can get involved!

Pride on the Promenade

Pride celebrations are gearing up for everyone to come together and celebrate love, and

First Pres is hosting a booth on June 21st from 2-7 pm at Santa Monica’s Pride On The Promenade event. It’s a perfect opportunity for us to extend God’s inclusive welcome and love to the LGBTQ community.

Sign up to volunteer at our booth on the Promenade. We will have activities, giveaways, and more!

Fabulous Fables At The Pier

Gather the little ones and head to the heart of the Santa Monica Pier for Fabulous Fables—a FREE, joy-filled celebration created especially for families with kids 10 and under.

Held inside the charming and historic Merry Go-Round building, this magical morning invites children into a world of wonder with vibrant drag queen storytelling, colorful face painting, poetry, lively performances, and a pint-sized pride parade that everyone can join. While you’re there, explore and shop from a curated selection of family-friendly vendors offering treats, treasures, and more!

Click here for more information.

Community Conversation: Demystifying Transgender Lives

Join for an evening of empowerment and education at the Santa Monica located at 330 Olympic Drive. First Pres’ Jen Philbin will give a Trans 101 presentation, then will be a panel and a brief de-escalation/brave conversations training. Scan to QR code above or click here to register.