Rev. George Hooper comes to us from St. Andrew’s UMC in Santa Maria, where he has been the senior pastor for six years.  He has a passion for youth programs and will be working closely with our education team to support and advance their efforts to reach the children in the community.  Rev. George, tongue in cheek, also proclaimed himself to be a “Proud United Methodist Woman” as he is interested in the UMW activities in the local community and on the Conference level as well. 

     When you hear Rev. George preach, you will notice several exciting things about his style.  He does follow the lectionary schedule of Bible passages but prefers not to read a prepared text.  Rather, he will be looking at the congregation as if speaking to us individually.  Listen for informative and compelling examinations of Scripture passages, some story-telling, humor and daily life examples to illustrate his messages. 

     As you get to know him, you will learn about his childhood in Lakewood and college experiences in Long Beach.  This California native did travel back east to attend Garrett Theological Seminar on the Northwestern University campus north of Chicago.  He survived three Midwest winters and earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1988 before returning to California to thaw out again!

     He comes to UMC Vista with his lovely wife, Kathy, and newborn son, Benjamin.  Kathy has a bright smile and manages a lively wit even with the challenges and lack of sleep that a newborn brings.  While their main “hobby” right now is packing and moving their household to North County, George and Kathy still manage to focus attention on little Benjamin as he trains them in their new roles as parents.  Though Benjamin cultivated quite a following at St. Andrew’s, he has many loving aunties and grannies waiting to love on him in Vista!

     With all of her other responsibilities, Kathy is a high school level English teacher and looks forward to finding a school in North County where she can share her gifts and energies with our teenagers.  Even if it is only in his daydreams these days, George looks forward to being able to garden again once the family is settled into a new home.  He enjoys connecting with the earth and the sense of accomplishment that he feels while tending new sprouts and buds.

     Rev. George looks forward to getting to know us.  “I want to get a sense of where the Spirit is leading you,” he said.  He added that UMC Vista will “continue to be a place where all people feel welcome to deepen their relationship with God and each other.”

     Please join us in worship to hear Rev. George share the Good News of a Creator, Savior and Sustainer who will do everything possible to in relationship with us.