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| There’s No Place Like HomeDear Friends: It’s true: there is no place like home. It’s also true that home is where you make it. In my ideal world, no one would ever move away from Pacific Beach United Methodist Church, and I would never have to say goodbye to friends. But since we’re living in a world of so much movement and change, people leave San Diego, and thus PB UMC, all the time. And the refrain of many who relocate for career, cost of living, or family reasons is, "There’s no church like Pacific Beach UMC." I’m grateful to be part of such a wonderful and unique community. I also have a hope that when people have to leave our church because of a move, they could take with them seeds of faith. My vision is that these seeds could be planted in other locations, enriching the ministries of churches far and wide. PB UMC is the special place it is because so many people offer their gifts and talents, their time and energies, their love and enthusiasm. If those who go forth from PB UMC to new lives in new towns and cities could offer their gifts in new churches, perhaps those new churches would more quickly feel "like home." And maybe relocated members of PB UMC could bring fresh breezes of creativity and possibility to faith communities in other places. Certainly, we at PB UMC benefit when new people arrive bringing meaningful experiences and commitments from their former churches. Whether it be passion for Bible study, sensitivity to children, eagerness to deepen relationships, a vision for fiscal responsibility, or excitement about certain service or mission opportunities, our church grows ever stronger as new elements are incorporated. In the great cycle of giving and receiving, the consistent need is for people to risk sharing what they have to give. Jesus spent his first years as a refugee, grew up in Nazareth, later made his home in Capernaum, and his years of ministry were marked with movement and travel. He once said, "the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Yet because he knew his true home was with God, he was able to pray, heal, and teach nearly everywhere he went. Whether we are blessed with stability or blessed with change and new opportunity, we would all do well to remember that "it is in giving that we receive." I’m glad for all those who call PB UMC "home," wherever they live. Gayle Ver Steeg’s work on updating the church directory resulted in some delightful communications from far-flung friends. I’m glad for all those for whom PB UMC is "home away from home." This time of year, especially, we enjoy long visits from friends who make regular pilgrimages to San Diego to escape colder climates. I pray that for all of us, "home" can be a concept that ultimately rests in God, God’s steadfast loving-kindness, and God’s call to serve Jesus wherever we go. At home in San Diego and in God’s love, Pastor April |
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