Celebrating 60 Years of Ministry

I remember helping PB UMC celebrate its 50th anniversary, and I am thrilled to be here to help this wonderful church celebrate the completion of six decades of ministry! Sixty years is quite a span of time. Fortunately, we have one active member who has belonged to the church continuously since its founding in 1947. June S. vividly remembers many interesting details about the history of the Methodist Church in Pacific Beach. She can tell you about the days when Hughes Hall served as the sanctuary. She remembers when the Sunday School was overflowing with children. “There were almost 100 children just in the kindergarten group,” explains June.

Another person abounding with memories is Ruth C. Ruth lives in Pasadena now, but she has written to us in honor of the occasion: "The choir used to have a birthday ministry. We called church members who had a birthday that month and baked a cake. Someone made coffee and we had a party in the kitchen after Thursday night choir practice. There were evening Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners in the social hall. I took over the job of cooking the turkeys from Dion H. Harold M. did the carving. I remember one dinner when Bob H. decided everyone could eat at the same table. I can still see the white table cloth stretching from the stage to the kitchen."

"The XYZ Club (Xtra Years of Zest), an ecumenical group of seniors, met at the church for 25 years. They had a potluck lunch and programs. The Christmas program was always given by the adult education choirs led by Gwen S. Mary M. planned many interesting trips for the group. We went to Beaumont to pick cherries. At apple harvest time we went to Julian, where we spent the morning shopping and sightseeing. At noon we went to the Julian UMC, where Nancy, a daughter of Roy H. was a member. The dessert the ladies served was always chocolate cake, as well as apples and apple pies."

Former member Su Yen K. belonged to PB UMC as a young adult. She's in Boston completing a graduate degree now, and she sends her congratulations as well. "I have lots of fond memories of PB UMC, and most of them have to do with the choir, Ron’s Christmas musicals and the beautiful decorations that Louis is known for. I remember when I was church shopping and I was absolutely floored and amazed by the inviting and warm decorations that were matched by the warm and friendly people. I knew I had found a home at PB UMC."

Our ministry has touched many people over the years, including some who make San Diego a seasonal home, and have permanent homes in other parts of the country. Here is the testimony of Jim B.: "Prior to our arrival in San Diego, Ginny and I had traveled the US extensively and our Sunday pattern was to check the Yellow Pages for a Methodist church nearby. We must have spent a couple of hundred such Sundays like that around the country and as pleasant and inspiring as several were, none had your ‘feel.’ I have often tried without great success to put my finger on what it is that makes your particular church family so special. How can one community of worshipers be so warm, so caring, so talented, so supportive, so....? The best I can come up with is that somehow you make each Sunday a special celebration of Christ's presence in your lives and then carry that with you throughout the week. I've found that nowhere else and it draws me back time and again."

I'm excited that we who are here now get to carry PB UMC's tradition of vibrant ministry into the seventh decade. I'm thankful for those who are organizing our April 15th celebration. During this Easter season, we look back with gratitude and forward with hope, trusting always in God who gives and sustains life.

Hallelujah!

Pastor April

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