University UMC of Isla Vista

University UMC of Isla Vista We celebrate the diversity of the human family accepting all people unconditionally without reservation. Join us in Gathering with Hope.

Being Connected in love and Serving others with Joy! In God's family, no one gets left behind.

09/07/2026

Hey U.Me.IV Community, thanks for joining us this weekend. This week, Pastor Martin start a mini-series, "People of Vision", our Fall Vision Series. This week we look at the Power of Loving Boldly.

09/05/2026

Greetings!

September arrives with its familiar frenzy. School calendars fill up, harvest equipment rumbles to life, and our to-do lists grow longer each day. We tell ourselves rest will come later - after the crops are in, after the semester starts, after my trip, after, after, after.

But Genesis disrupts our frantic pace with a startling truth: the all-powerful God who spoke galaxies into existence chose to rest. “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” (Genesis 2:2) Not from exhaustion, but from completion. Not from weakness, but from wisdom. The seventh day stands as God's final creative act -- making sacred space for renewal.

When we honor sabbath rest, we declare that our worth comes not from productivity but from bearing God's image. This week, claim one hour of true rest. Turn off notifications. Take a walk. Sit in silence. Trust that the God who sustains the universe can handle your unopened emails. Rest isn't retreat from responsibility - it's participation in God's own rhythm of creation.

Ministry Matters:

1. United Women in Faith: There is a United Women in Faith luncheon to be held on Saturday, September 12th - 11:30 AM in our Worship Center. All women are invited to bring a friend. Lunch will be provided so please RSVP by September 10th to Laura Little - [email protected] or text 805-637-3970.

2. Church Clean Up Day: As stewards of God’s house, it’s our joy and responsibility to maintain the beauty and cleanliness of our Worship Center. Join on Saturday, September 19th, from 10:00 AM - Noon in beautifying our beloved church because we need your help.

3. U.Me.IV News: September Greetings! Please find attached to this email our church monthly newsletter. Inserted into our newsletter will be church reports and upcoming activities for all to join. If you would like to share a program or have a flyer inserted for our community, send in your information by the end of the month for our October newsletter.

Before a child can even speak a word, God has already spoken a Word over this child “BELOVED” 🤍 Celebrating the baptism ...
08/31/2026

Before a child can even speak a word, God has already spoken a Word over this child “BELOVED” 🤍

Celebrating the baptism of Henrietta & Chloe revealed God’s grace, unchanging love, and divine appointment over their lives ✨

08/31/2026

Welcome to Worship with U.Me.IV community! Today we celebrate Baptism Sunday for Henrietta and Chloe. We are so glad you are with us today and we pray that God will touch your heart during our time our worship.

Meet Erika Bateman! Erika recently graduated from UCSB and found a home at U.Me.IV in her senior year. Swipe to see why ...
08/29/2026

Meet Erika Bateman! Erika recently graduated from UCSB and found a home at U.Me.IV in her senior year. Swipe to see why she chose University UMC of Isla Vista as her faith community while obtaining her bachelor’s degree!

08/28/2026

Greetings!

The summer heathas pushed me to spend time outside and notice things around the neighborhood.I walked around the familiar paths, and a bright blue object caught my eye: abluejay feather. I became mesmerized by it. As I twirled it in-between myfingers, I noted how it shifted colors. Turn it in the sunlight, the blueseemed even brighter like the sky. If I turned it another direction, it lookedgray or black. The black stripes I could clearly see at one angle, disappearedin an instant. With each turn, I discovered something entirely new. Ourdevotion this week is from Psalm 8, “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is yourname in all the earth!”

The feathersits on my desk today, and it looks different than it did on the sunny day Ifound it. I think the same is true about God. At certain times and places, Godhas looked one way to me. But overtime, I’ve changed or seen God in majesticand new light. If I had just seen the backside of the bluejay feather, I mighthave assumed it was a crow’s feather, but further inspection revealed thebright blue. There might be times where we do not notice something ishappening, but God is there, present and always speaking. There are so manydiverse ways for each of us to understand God and see the work of the HolySpirit. God is the bluejay feather we become captivated by. We just must bewilling to look and see God from new perspectives. How might you notice God ina new way today? Maybe it is going outside and finding a feather or a flowerand taking note of the beauty. Embrace the ways God is present all around us.

MinistryMatters:

1. BaptismSunday: This coming Sunday, August 30, 2026 willtruly be a joy as we celebrate the baptism of Henrietta and Chloe. Join us during this specialservice as we witness the love of God in the lives of the Bamfo family.

2. ChurchFamily Potluck: Joinus this last Sunday of the month for afamily potluck meal. Bring your favorite dish or drink to share.All are encouraged to stay after the service to connect with new friends and shareblessings from this month.

3. Basicsof Outdoor Gardening: This workshop will be hosted by EdibleCampus Program in the Methodist Community Garden on Saturday, Aug 29,2026, from 11am - 12pm. We hope you can join!

08/21/2026

Greetings!

The older I grow, the more difficult I find it to endure our ever-increasing summer heat. When I was a child, I never minded the hot summer days and my mother had to call me inside in the afternoons, so I could cool down by the cool breeze in our living room. Now, seeking air conditioning​ or the nearest tower fan is my normal operating procedure. This week, I am especially thankful for working air conditioning, as temperatures ​this summer have been high across Southern California.

The prophet Isaiah wrote of a time when the Israelite people would return from captivity – a time when God’s faithfulness to Israel would be evident. As they traveled home from Babylon, God would provide for their needs. “They won’t go hungry or get thirsty; they won’t be bothered by the scorching sun or hot desert winds” Isaiah 49:10. Not even scorching sun or hot desert winds would get in their way because God would be leading them toward streams of water. God has promised us relief from the storms and hot winds of life, too.​ With God, we can find what we need to live out the life to which we have been called. Maybe the relief we need is to set down the burdens we carry. Or perhaps we need relief from hot winds and high temperatures that are weighing down our lives. Whatever our needs, we can find relief in Jesus.

Ministry Matters:

1. Basics of Outdoor Gardening – This workshop will be hosted by Edible Campus Program in the Methodist Community Garden on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026 from 11am - 12pm. We hope you can join!

2. Back to School Drive – As part of our Back-to-School Celebration this year, students can take home a few items to supplement their school supply shopping! We are asking you to donate notebooks, bluebooks, pens or other supplies for students. Please bring them to church no later than Sunday, Sept. 20.

3. The Upper Room Daily Devotional – Make sure you pick up a copy of the Upper Room devotional booklet that will cover the month of September and October. This is a great way to center yourself with prayer and reflection. Pick up a free copy in our Connection Room.

This Summer our very own Pastor Martin officially became an Ordained Elder in the Cal-Pac Conference of the United Metho...
08/14/2026

This Summer our very own Pastor Martin officially became an Ordained Elder in the Cal-Pac Conference of the United Methodist Church! Martin’s ministry journey has been long & full of hard, hard work & we are so blessed to have been a part of his journey & to witness this momentous occasion! Martin, we appreciate you & are so happy for you, & cannot wait to see how your calling continues to unfold at U.Me.IV & beyond.

Here’s to Rev. Martin Finau, Ordained ELDER ✨

08/14/2026

Greetings!

I enjoy the summer because it provides a nice break. I can travel and read the books I put off all year. But when August rolls around, it feels like I’m walking into a windstorm. Suddenly, all the meetings which took a break have resumed once again. My inbox is flooded with emails and calendar invites. Every little bit of free time is filled with responsibilities. In the sea of obligations, I am shouting, “Jesus, save me! My to-do list is too long! There is no way I can get it all done!” The storm of life keeps swirling.

When loud waves were crashing on the disciples’ boat, Jesus was fast asleep. He was asleep in the stirring of the storm. “He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm” (Matthew 8:26). And perhaps, Jesus invites each of us to hear the wisdom, to not let our hearts and minds be worried by the flood of information. We are not to be consumed by emails, social media, or the news. They will always be there. But instead, maybe we need to rest. Looking at my own calendar, maybe I can allow myself to take a day off, even in the busy season. I can rest on my Saturdays. There will always be endless challenges, and storms of the calendar, but we can also rest. We must pause and rest and not be consumed by worry or fear. We must trust, there will be calm and there will be peace, even in the middle of all the lists and schedule changes.

Ministry Matters:

1. Intergenerational Festival to Live, Love & Laugh! – Enjoy live music, stand-up comedy, wrestling, games, food trucks, rides, arts & crafts, parent seminars, young adult workshops, and MORE! Registration: $15/adult and $10/child (12 years old and under). *Fees can be covered by U.Me.IV*. RSVP by sign-up sheet or contact the church office to carpool!

2. Young-at-Heart Gathering: We invite you to our second gathering on Monday, August 17 @ 1 PM – Worship Center. Come prepared to share what is unique about yourself? Invite a friend for lunch as we connect in prayer, presence, and joy. Friends & neighbors, all are welcome!

3. U.Me.IV News: Please find attached to this email our church monthly newsletter. Inserted into our newsletter are church reports and upcoming activities for all to join. If you would like to share information or have a flyer inserted for our community, you may send in your information by the end of the month for our September newsletter.

People set foot onto our campus for many different reasons:To worshipTo seek supportTo celebrateTo restTo be fedTo atten...
08/08/2026

People set foot onto our campus for many different reasons:
To worship
To seek support
To celebrate
To rest
To be fed
To attend workshops
To pray
To mourn
To connect

Regardless of why you’re here, whom you love, where you’re from, what language you speak, or what spiritual beliefs you align with; You are always welcome here 🤍

Address

892 Camino Del Sur
Goleta, CA
93117

Telephone

+18052806994

Website

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