Simi Valley United Methodist Church: Worship, Music, and Mission Since 1889

Sunday Mornings at 10:00

Simi Valley United Methodist Church stands on the corner of Erringer Road in a city that grew up alongside it. The congregation traces its roots to 1889, when a small group of settlers began worshiping in one of the original Colony homes on Second Street and Pacific Avenue. Today, more than 135 years later, the same faith continues in a thriving church and preschool that welcomes people from varied cultures and generations. Senior Pastor Rev. Stacy Brooks leads a congregation known for its warm traditional worship, its four bell choirs, its bustling children's center, and a steady stream of community outreach.

The Sunday morning worship service at 10:00 a.m. is the weekly gathering point for the congregation. Doors open about ten minutes earlier, and an organ prelude greets worshipers as they settle in. The service offers a traditional mix of liturgy, hymns, a children's time, an anthem, and Pastor Stacy's message, all carried in a printed bulletin distributed by ushers. A passing of the peace invites everyone around to exchange greetings, and worshipers may stand as they are able for hymns, communion, or group prayers. The service is livestreamed on Facebook Live, with recordings available afterward for anyone who missed a service.

Music sits at the heart of every Sunday. The chancel choir sings most weeks, accompanied by organ and piano, drawing from three United Methodist hymnals. Once a month, additional instruments join in for a more praise-style service. Four bell choirs ring out alongside the singers: Kidz Bells, Youth Bells, Adult Handbell Choir, and Adult Handbell Ensemble. Communion is generally served on the first Sunday of each month, using gluten-free bread and grape juice rather than wine. To-go kits, blessed by the pastor, can be brought to those unable to attend.

A Heritage from the Colony

The history of Simi Valley United Methodist Church begins in 1889 with a small group of believers gathering in one of the original Colony homes on Second Street and Pacific Avenue. Traveling ministers of various faiths served the small group for the first few years, and the building doubled as the school, Sunday school, and social center for an isolated, self-reliant pioneer community.

In 1911, with a popular full-time Methodist preacher at the helm, the Colony house church had overflowed with worshipers. A new church was built next door and dedicated in 1913, and the Colony house was converted into a parsonage. The roots of Methodism in Simi Valley have only deepened since then. As the church describes it, the congregation has always been more than a place of worship; it has been a hub for community activities, growing alongside the development of Simi Valley itself.

The church's mission is to embody the teachings of Jesus Christ by nurturing spiritual growth and understanding through worship, study, and prayer. Members sum it up in three lines: Hear the Story. Share the Story. Be the Story.

Children, Nursery, and CrossRoads Children's Center

Children are woven into the life of the church from their earliest years. Every Sunday, children begin in worship with their families for the first fifteen minutes so they can participate in corporate worship. After a children's time in the sanctuary, they are led to Sunday School together. Miss Beckie and her team incorporate crafts, scripture, and music into their lessons for preschool through fifth grade.

• Toddlers through Kindergarten meet in the Garden Room.
• First through fifth grades meet in the Fireside Room.

Childcare for infants through kindergarten is available in the Garden Room starting at 9:45 a.m. Parents may also keep infants with them in worship.

Beyond Sunday morning, Thursday Night Live! runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room for children transitional kindergarten through fifth grade, offering crafts, games, friends, and fun. Kidz Bells, the children's handbell choir for grades three through five, rehearses Wednesdays from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Cherub Choir (pre-K through first grade) and Children's Choir (second through fifth grade) rehearse following the worship service. Parents' Night Out offers a welcome respite for parents and a safe, faith-based evening for kids with snacks, outdoor play, stories, and crafts.

Across the campus, CrossRoads Children's Center carries the church's ministry of nurturing faith into the workweek. The preschool is a ministry of Simi Valley UMC and serves children ages 1.5 through 6. The center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and offers full-day, half-day with lunch, and half-day programs on three-, four-, or five-day schedules. Children experience physical education, dramatic play, creative arts, music, science and nature, reading and math readiness, Bible stories, songs and prayers, and weekly Chapel led by Pastor Stacy and Ms. Becky. Active military and veteran families, church members, and siblings receive a 10% tuition discount. The student-to-teacher ratio is kept at 1:10, with 1:6 or lower in the toddler class. CrossRoads holds license number 561711699.

Youth Fellowship: Faith, Friends, and the Appalachia Service Project

Youth in grades 6 through 12 find an active ministry under the direction of Ms. Becky Valenzuela, the Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Director. The United Methodist Youth Fellowship gathers Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. during the school year, with extended hours in summer. A meal is served each Sunday evening, with a regular sign-up sheet for those willing to provide dinner.

The youth ministry balances three areas: faith, fellowship, and service.

Faith

• Sunday night discussions led by Adult Workers with Youth.
• Sunday School lessons tied to worship themes.
• A winter retreat led by youth for their peers.
• A semester-long confirmation class.
• Music ministries including Youth Bells and Youth Praise Choir.
• Once-a-year youth-led worship services.

Fellowship

• Game nights, escape rooms, pool parties, beach days, and messy game nights.
• Super Bowl and Oscar parties, movie nights, and a year-end celebration banquet.

Serving Others

• Dinner Church on the third Saturday of each month.
• A spring break work trip at Methodist camps or nearby communities.
• The Appalachia Service Project every three years, helping build and repair homes in some of the poorest communities in the South.
• The Living Nativity, portrayed on the corner of Cochran and Erringer for over forty years.
• Trunk or Treat, Easter Egg Hunt, and Faith in Action projects created by youth officers.

Weekly Youth Bell Choir rehearsals are held Thursdays from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. in the Chapel, with a second Thursday gathering for faith and fellowship from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. in Witman Hall.

Voices, Bells, and the Chancel Choir

Music is one of the most distinctive features of life at Simi Valley UMC. Under the direction of Music Director Lisa Wall-Urgero, the church offers a remarkable range of choirs and ensembles for all ages, with bell choirs led by Stu Thomson.

Vocal Choirs

• Children's Choir, for second through sixth graders, rehearses Sunday mornings from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m.
• Youth Choir, for sixth graders through high school, rehearses as scheduled.
• Chancel Choir, for adults of all ages, rehearses Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Bell Choirs

• Kidz Bells, grades three through five, rehearses Wednesdays from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel.
• Youth Handbell Choir, grades six through twelve, rehearses Thursdays from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.
• Adult Handbell Choir rehearses Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel.
• Adult Handbell Ensemble, formed in 2012, rehearses Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The ensemble rings during services and at public events with music arranged for twelve bells.

The chancel choir typically completes its regular season around Father's Day in June, with a summer choir rehearsing just before the Sunday service. The combined music ministries present Easter and Christmas concerts as afternoon and evening programs and within the worship services themselves. The Winter concert serves as a benefit for various local charitable groups.

Tuesday Bible Study and the Walking Groups

Pastor Stacy leads a weekly Bible study on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Chapel. The class uses long-term studies for most of the year with occasional short-term studies, and newcomers are always welcome. The current study topic is announced each month in The Herald, the church's monthly newsletter.

Looking for fresh air as well as fellowship? Walking groups meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Sanctuary to plan a route before setting off together across Simi Valley.

United Women in Faith and United Methodist Men

United Women in Faith (UWF) is the largest group in the church, with over 60 active women and five circles meeting at different times and locations. Some circles meet at night, others in the chapel or in homes. There is a circle for nearly every schedule:

• Circle of Joy meets second Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.
• Circle of Faith meets third Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m.
• Seekers Circle meets third Mondays at noon.
• Teresa Circle meets first Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
• The Night Owls meet third Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

UWF Board meetings are held the first Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in Gardner Chapel, with general meetings every four or five months. The fellowship celebrates a Women's Sunday in January, a Mother's Day event in May, an annual Boutique in October, and a Christmas Meeting in December.

The United Methodist Men (UMM) is open to all men age 18 and up. Members gather weekly for donut fellowship at the church and partner with other groups to deliver a variety of service projects on campus and in the community. UMM handles grounds and building maintenance, room setups for events, and cooking for the monthly after-worship Burger Bash and other all-church social activities.

Dinner Church, P.A.D.S., and the Peace Pole

Simi Valley UMC sees outreach as one of its central callings. Several ongoing ministries put that call into practice.

• Dinner Church. On the third Saturday of each month, congregation members cook and serve a community meal in the Witman Hall kitchen, welcoming between 30 and 100 guests.
• Public Action to Deliver Shelter (P.A.D.S.). Overseen by the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley, the church hosts a cold-weather shelter on Saturdays during the colder months. Volunteers spend the night to supervise the gathering, provide access to snacks and restrooms, and serve a simple breakfast on Sunday morning.
• Meal Ministry for Members. Coordinated by the Membership Committee, this ministry delivers meals to members recovering from surgery, welcoming a new baby, or grieving the loss of a loved one.
• The Alternative Christmas Market. Held in early December, this provides a way for members to give gifts to various non-profit groups on behalf of someone else.
• Habitat for Humanity. The church regularly fields volunteer teams to work with Habitat locally and sometimes at distant locations.
• The Lunch Bunch. Meets monthly for lunch fellowship, often combined with craft and handwork to deliver tangible gifts to those served.
• Advent Christmas Giving. Provides Christmas gifts for local families in need, especially those with children.

A peace pole stands outside the sanctuary door, signaling the congregation's commitment to social action and peacemaking. Volunteer needs regularly include office and facilities support, FoodShare, and the P.A.D.S. overnight housing service. The church follows MinistrySafe practices for the safety of children and youth.

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. The faith is rooted in the grace of God, and the church confesses belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as a Trinity: the God who created us, the God who saved us, and the God who is always with us.

Eight values frame life at Simi Valley UMC:

1. Open Hearts - caring for one another through prayer, meals, and visitation.
2. Open Minds - a willingness to grow through time in the Word and time with one another.
3. Open Doors - an embrace of all backgrounds, cultures, races, ages, and experiences, summed up in Galatians 3:28.
4. Grace - God's grace prepares hearts and minds, restores, and assists followers of Jesus Christ.
5. Social Justice - ministry as God's love in action, treating all people equally and without prejudice.
6. Church as Connection - John Wesley's network of classes, societies, and conferences continues as a way to discover God's will together.
7. Scripture - Bible scriptures are the primary source for Christian doctrine and the Word of God, interpreted through theological reflection.
8. Wesleyan Heritage - John Wesley and his brother Charles pursued holiness of heart and life; United Methodists carry that forward through the General Rules in the Book of Discipline.

The Methodist movement began in eighteenth-century England with John Wesley and his brother Charles. Wesley called his teaching on living out faith "practical divinity." United Methodists recognize two sacraments: Baptism and Communion. In baptism, sin is rejected and the journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ begins. In communion, bread is shared and the cup is passed, just as Jesus did with his disciples. Communion at Simi Valley UMC is open: anyone who is baptized may participate.

Visiting Simi Valley UMC

The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors can usually find a sign language interpreter on Sunday mornings, with large-print orders of worship and special hearing devices available upon request to an usher. The Herald, the monthly newsletter, is available at church and via email, with archives of past issues readily at hand.

Online giving is available through a secure link, and the church's Facebook page carries Sunday worship livestreams and keeps members connected to events and announcements.

The church's team includes Senior Pastor Rev. Stacy Brooks; Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Director Rebecca Valenzuela; CrossRoads Children's Center Principal Michelle Gordon; Music Director Lisa Wall-Urgero; Bell Choirs Director Stu Thomson; and Organist Leslie Frank. Together with members across the generations, they carry forward a tradition that began in a Colony house in 1889 and now fills a busy campus with worship, music, learning, and service.