Firstfruits Offering • For Relief & Recovery in California

*The Rev. John Shaver (left) and his friend, Rabbi Mark Blazer, look out at the rubble left of Community UMC in Pacific Palisades, CA, where Shaver is pastor.*

*All that remains of the church building of Altadena UMC, in Pacific Palisades, CA, following the fires that destroyed much of the region.*

Pacific Palisades, a picturesque coastal community in Los Angeles, California, has been ravaged by a series of destructive wildfires. The flames have scorched thousands of acres, forcing evacuations and destroying numerous homes and businesses. Residents faced harrowing moments as they fled their homes, often with little more than the clothes on their backs.

As the fires abate, the losses are being tallied. Among the losses were two active Methodist churches, Community UMC and Altadena UMC. Both churches have been established for more than 100 years.

The California-Pacific Conference of the UMC is taking contributions to help with relief & recovery after the firestorms in Los Angeles County. And First Coral Gables is taking up a firstfruits offering in response.

What is a firstfruits offering?

When the Bible talks about firstfruits, it refers to the first portion of the harvest. Giving the first and best fruits of the harvest back to the Lord was a way that the Israelites honored God, the source of their provisions.

Although we may not be farmers, we are able to offer God the first amount of money that we earn in the year. Whether it is the first hour of income in 2025, the first day, the first week, or the first month, these “firstfruits” are a way we can recognize the God from whom our blessings flow. The amount of the offering is determined by each believer privately in his or her heart.

First Coral Gables asks that you consider designating your firstfruits offering to help in the recovery and rebuilding efforts. You can do this by giving online below, and selecting the fund called “Firstfruits/Primicias.”

Together, we can bring hope once more to our sisters and brothers in California.