A small beach congregation with a big heart
Palisades United Methodist Church sits along Camino de Estrella in Capistrano Beach, a Southern Orange County beach community between Dana Point and San Clemente. The multi-generational congregation describes itself as warm, welcoming and "small enough to feel like home," with a big commitment to service. Its vision is "Inviting. Everyone. To know God's Love." Its mission is to put Christ's message into action.
Sunday mornings at ten
Worship is held at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Holy Communion is celebrated once a month, on the first Sunday. All Christians are welcome at the Lord's table - children, members, non-members and visitors. Baptism, the sacrament of initiation, is offered to both infants and adults and may be done by sprinkling, pouring or immersion.
Music is central to the Sunday service. The Chancel Choir, directed by Jason Pano, sings at each weekly worship and performs in special services throughout the year. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and on Sundays at 9 a.m. before worship. Pianist Jeff Lin accompanies the music.
Growing through study and fellowship
A Wednesday morning Bible Study meets at 11 a.m. After the gathering, the Lunch Bunch meets for a brown-bag fellowship - members bring their own lunch and share time together.
On Sundays after worship, around 11:15 a.m., The Gathering meets to discuss the day's sermon in more depth. During the season of Lent, the group works through The Walk by Adam Hamilton.
C.R.U.X. is a fellowship group that meets at local restaurants for dinner. Those interested can call the church office for the next gathering.
Children at PUMC
Children of all ages are welcomed into Sunday School during Sunday morning worship. The Kids Sunday School program runs alongside the service, allowing parents to attend worship while children learn and grow in their own way.
Knitting, praying, sharing
The Prayer Shawl Ministry gathers members who knit and crochet while praying for the recipients. Each shawl becomes a tangible expression of care for someone going through a difficult season.
Mission and service
Palisades UMC partners with several local organizations. The congregation regularly supports San Clemente Family Assistance Ministries (FAM), Gilchrist House, San Clemente Military Family Outreach, Meals on Wheels, Helping Hand, Inc., and Habitat for Humanity. Global missions and relief are supported through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
A Rise Against Hunger meal packaging event raised more than $4,000 and packaged over 10,000 meals, with the gathering dedicated in honor of Jim Sloan.
What United Methodists believe
United Methodists share a common heritage with other Christians. Central to the congregation's faith are the conviction that God has mercy and love for all persons, belief in a triune God - Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer - faith in salvation through Jesus Christ, the Bible as the primary authority for life, and the celebration of Holy Communion and Baptism.
Methodists understand faith through four interdependent lenses: Scripture, Tradition, Experience and Reason. These allow for individual differences in theological interpretation. The distinguishing mark of a United Methodist is a commitment to the basics of Christianity and an emphasis on a Christian lifestyle, rather than a particular scheme of beliefs or dogmas.
Grace is understood as God's loving action in the world through the Holy Spirit, a gift undeserved and unmerited that works in people even before they come to believe. Faith and good works belong together, with personal conversion and social transformation as keys to a healthy, honest spiritual life.
Becoming part of Palisades UMC
Church membership is open to anyone seeking the presence of God in their lives. Members commit to involvement, sharing and celebrating - in prayer, worship, sacraments, study, Christian disciplines and action, and through presence, gifts, witness and service. People can join through profession of faith, transfer from another denomination, or transfer from another United Methodist church. New Member Orientation is held twice a year in the pastor's office following worship; individual meetings with the pastor can also be arranged.
Meet the team
Rev. Richard Annett serves as pastor. Jason Pano directs the Chancel Choir. Jeff Lin serves as pianist. Karen-Leigh Beatty handles communications and the office, and Nelly Vickroy serves as church treasurer.
Planning a visit
Palisades UMC is located at 27002 Camino de Estrella in Capistrano Beach. From Interstate 5, visitors take the Camino de Estrella exit and head west toward the beach about a quarter of a mile. The church is on the left side of the street; a U-turn leads into the parking lot.
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Worship services are livestreamed on YouTube, and an archive of sermons and special services is available online.