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Rev. Lloyd Saatjian, Longtime First Methodist Pastor, Dies
The Rev. Lloyd Saatjian, remembered as an outstanding storyteller and influential man in the community during his 17 years working at First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara, died Tuesday at age 75.
The well-respected minister was appointed to lead First United Methodist Church in 1989 and had been retired for a few years.
“He was definitely the life of that church,” said Olivia Uribe, who has attended First United since age 8.
During Saatjian’s time there, he was the driving force behind the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, an event sponsored by the Greater Santa Barbara Area Clergy Association that brings people from all denominations together.
“It became something people look forward to regardless of denomination,” Uribe said. “He was not just a minister, but a spiritual guide to everybody.”
David Camphouse remembers Saatjian as a man with a can-do attitude and great compassion and concern for youths and young adults.
Camphouse, an associate minister with First United from 1999 to 2004, said Saatjian was a great storyteller, and his sermons were often about trying to understand one another and looking deeper into Scripture.
His sermons were full of everyday anecdotes, which made it possible to apply the messages to one’s own life, Uribe said. “The biggest way you know you have a good pastor ... is attendance and funding,” she said. “He kept that church full year after year.”
As senior minister, Saatjian was a very busy man. “You would think it was a one-man operation — and he was the one,” Uribe said. From services to Bible schools to participating with work teams, he was always involved with something.
Oh, and he had an office full of camels.
It started years ago when someone gave him something with a camel on it for his office. Once displayed, he started accumulating many more, as people brought him camel memorabilia from all over, Uribe said.
Saatjian came face to face with the animals when First United held its live nativity scene during the holiday season, but unlike some visitors to the scene, he wasn’t distracted from what he saw as the true meaning. “Lloyd always wanted to do a sermon that it’s not about the camels,” Camphouse said.
Before coming to Santa Barbara, Saatjian worked in Southern California and with Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers Movement.
“Rev. Lloyd Saatjian, a United Methodist pastor in Palm Springs, was another important figure of mediating the first contracts, which were with growers in the Coachella Valley near Palm Springs,” according to an essay about the involvement of the Bishops’ Committee in the Farmworkers Movement. “The first contract was signed in April 1970 in the Chancery office of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. The work of the Bishops’ Committee did not end with the signing of contracts in 1970. It continued to play a critical role as the focus of the struggle moved to the vegetable growing area of the coastal Salinas Valley.”
Above all, Saatjian is remembered by those who knew him at First United as being open to different points of view and having a great connection with people.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 22 at the church, 305 E. Anapamu St.
— Noozhawk staff writer Giana Magnoli can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Comments
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» on 07.31.09 @ 08:00 AM
LLoyd’s life was an example of the word he preached, he was a positive, vibrant force in our community and truly made a difference with his life.
He will be missed.
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» on 07.31.09 @ 09:43 AM
I wish I still lived in California so I could attend the service in honor of LLoyd Saatjian. He was a unique and caring individual who made quality time available for any and all. Our family was blessed in knowing him and receiving his wise counsel. My prayers are with Martha and the family. I will be there in spirit on the 22nd. cot
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» on 07.31.09 @ 12:03 PM
Lloyd’s love for God and his compassion for people compelled him to express both throughout our community and his life. It was an honor to know him and he will be greatly missed.
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» on 07.31.09 @ 12:29 PM
Rev. Lloyd was an amazing minister and great friend. He was there and part of the important events in the life of my family. He made us want to go to church and to live a good life in the week between services. He made a tremendous impact on our community and I feel blessed to have had him as my pastor. We miss him already.
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» on 07.31.09 @ 04:12 PM
Reverend Saatjian was an amazing minister and we always looked forward to his sermon on Sundays. We were so blessed to have him marry our son last October. It was an honor to have known him and our prayers go out to his family. We will miss him.
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» on 07.31.09 @ 04:15 PM
He was a lovely man and a community treasure. Condolences to his family and congregation.
On a journalistic note, however, another congregant who is not a candidate for office would have been more appropriate to offer quotes. There are certainly many from which to choose. The current pastor, perhaps; or the leader of the interfaith council or whatever lay group may function at First Methodist…
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» on 07.31.09 @ 07:23 PM
Rev Saatjian will indeed be missed. He was a person who made a difference in the lives of many.
Also on a journalistic note-a person running for office and an associate from many years past may not be the closest to the source quotes.
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» on 07.31.09 @ 09:55 PM
I had the pleasure of knowing Lloyd during the last few years of his life. In health and in illness he was always a thoughtful, caring, soft spoken man. His humor, his passion for things that were important to him, and our mutual Armenian heritage made each of our visits times I particularly enjoyed. He will be missed, but I’m confident that from his current vantage point, he would not want to be back here, even in Santa Barbara.
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» on 08.01.09 @ 05:09 AM
I served with LLoyd as a pastor in Santa Barbara. He was a true friend, mentor, and inspiration. During difficult times, he was a rock of strength. He was a man of dignity and grace.
On the morning of September 11th, at a time I was president of the Greater Santa Barbara Clergy Association, I got a call as I was walking in the door of my office—he said—“What are we going to do?” From that question came a powerful service of remembrance. He reached out to all and was unafraid to speak his mind.
My thoughts go to Martha and family as they mourn a loss felt throughout the community. I’m in Michigan now, but I feel this loss acutely.
Robert Cornwall
Pastor, Central Woodward Christian Church
Troy, MI
(former pastor, First Christian Church of Santa Barbara).
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» on 08.02.09 @ 01:13 PM
Lloyd brought to our community lots of love, COMPASSION, and he shared God’s blessing with all who knew him- including those who proceed him in the ministry.
It is hard to find someone with all those qualities. Finally he is where he belongs.
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» on 08.02.09 @ 08:17 PM
Lloyd Saatjian was a genius at bringing people of different faiths together and bridging religious divides at a time when our country needed it the most. His leadership in Santa Barbara during the aftermath of the 911 WTC attacks was one of his true shining moments. On top of that, he had a terrifc sense of humor and a true gift for storytelling. We will miss him.
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» on 08.03.09 @ 07:13 PM
I can’t think of Lloyd without smiling, even though he is now gone. What a wonderful, positive influence on so many people and so many things! He inspired much and many. He loved people and life. He spoke the truth where it would sometimes be difficult. He will surely be missed. Our condolences to Martha and family and friends. Mary Lou and Steve
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» on 08.04.09 @ 12:13 AM
Lloyd was incredible and will be missed greatly by hundreds were fortunate enough to have known him. One of those who got to know him well was Olivia. Just because she is running for council somehow means her friendship with this amazing person should be discounted or she shouldn’t be interviewed. Give me a break. The story here is not one of politics. The story is about a man who changed people’s lives for the better and inspired people to live better lives.
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» on 08.05.09 @ 02:45 PM
I knew Lloyd from Camp Colby, a Methodist church camp that he deaned for many years. Lloyd was the type of person that made you feel valued and loved by him and God. I am forever thankful for him and his leadership.
My condolences to his wife and family.
Ted
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» on 09.06.09 @ 07:12 AM
Over 50 years ago Lloyd Saatjian was my youth pastor at Atlantic Avenue Methodist Church in Long Beach. On the day he was ordained as a minister, his first act in that role was to perform my cousin’s wedding ceremony. As a youth pastor he was a friend and mentor to all the young people that he served. For me, Lloyd was a special friend. The passing of time has not diminished his influence and strong presence in my life even though our lives were very separate, and our paths never crossed again. Well done good and faithful servant.
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» on 09.06.09 @ 09:30 AM
The Rev. Lloyd Saatjian was my youth minister at Atlantic Ave. Methodist Church in Long Beach. He was very instrumental in my youth and very active in the MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship). His demeanor with teens was always outstanding and he had a way of touching each and everyone’s heart. His enthusiasm always apparent with that twinkle in his eyes and that wonderful smile.
I will never forget his kindness and caring for others and I will for ever miss you!
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