We asked folks who attend PB UMC to write a sentence about what the church
means to them. From first-time visitors to 50-year members; from children,
students, singles, couples, parents, and grandparents; from lifelong Christians
to new seekers: each has a unique story and a unique place in our church
family. Many gave permission to publish their answers here.
The faith I learned at PB UMC combined with the power of prayer
saved my
life and began my journey as a Christian.
Steve, businessman, car guy, nature lover, people lover |
PB UMC has been a place where I have found a home
filled with kindred spirits and acceptance in the love of God.
Tim |
PB UMC is Home Plate.
Karl, 0-5 |
|
My faith has grown so much from all the love and
support at PB UMC.
Jo
|
IT'S FUN,
Nice and has nice people.
Joey, age 11 |
It doesn't matter who you are, where you've been,
where you are going--you belong and are loved.
Alana, began worshipping 1997 |
There are so many things I'm grateful for, I
don't know how to say enough; my faith just keeps me going; I've been coming
here for 50 years and it's my life; I've nearly "gone" twice, but it brought me
back.
Elsie, 92 years young |
My husband and I were raised in non-religious
families, but felt we had missed out on something. Now that we have our own
children, we have found that "something" amongst our PB UMC family.
Monta, wife, mother of children ages 7 and 3
|
Sanctuary
and shalom. Refuge and peace. A place
to meet God and discover his plan for me.
Tom, long-time seeker of truth. |
HOPE - it gives me hope!
Paula |
PB UMC is a place where my multi-cultural family is not unique; a place
where all are joyously welcome regardless of race, sexual orientation or
economic status.
Fran, mom and grandma |
This church means everything to us.
April's
message is always uplifting and the music is spectacular. And the people here
are so warm and caring.
Judy, coming with her husband to PB UMC for over 10 years
|
As a gay Christian man, I found acceptance and a
home to praise God without fearing condemnation from my Christian brothers and
sisters.
David |
PB UMC has supported me through an addiction only
God could cure.
Mark |
PB UMC has helped me open my eyes to the meaning
of faith, and that is what I want my children to grow up with.
Tracy, counselor, mother, wife |
Recharging my spirit.
Marcue |
Helps me center my thoughts and actions on this
most important part of my life.
Glen, life-long Christian |
PB UMC is a
great place to raise your family. The
congregation is warm, the pastor has a great life message, and the children's
program helps raise your children with Christian values.
JoAnne, Sunday school teacher, wife, and proud mother of two wonderful daughters |
Because I grew up with the open and accepting PB
UMC family, I do not feel the disillusion about church, religion, or God that
many of my peers experience.
Elizabeth, college student |
We were drawn in by the incredible music, and
stayed because we feel at home here--PB UMC is family, God's family.
Melanie, wife and mother |
It means a peaceful and
loving house of God to come and worship and praise our most wonderful
almighty Father God, Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
David, a Christian man that seeks God |
Member or not, you are always welcomed with open
arms by many each Sunday.
Lynn |
Pacific Beach United Methodist Church helps me
forge a sweet relationship with God and with God met in others, and it brings me
to caring for suffering people and nature.
David, worshipper |
A place where I can be part
of an accepting family.
Dee |
I have few of life's answers, but I do have faith
in faith, and have found no better place to pursue it than here.
Greg |
The Christians in PB UMC are my very happy family
who welcome all.
Susie |
My life is not complete without being in a church
every Sunday; thank you April for your messages.
June |
A sense of belonging, friendship and
opportunities to get involved.
Florence, 49-year-old woman who never used to get involved |
I appreciate the way that
gay and lesbian members are included in all
aspects of the church--it's matter-of-fact, no big deal.
Mark, gay
Christian |
PB UMC is a place where I come to experience a
brief time away from the rest of the world.
Wayne, a middle-aged man who enjoys the Christian fellowship of
our congregation |
PB UMC is like one big warm and fuzzy hug! I have
never been so "at home" as I have been in my family church.
Mabel, military spouse, mother of two elementary age children, lover of the
outdoors |
The community of love at PB UMC has helped make
it possible for my 92-year-old mother to go on with life after losing her life
partner of 65 years.
Peter |
PB UMC is a place where I can come as I am and
join with people of many different backgrounds to pray, reflect, and affirm my
place in Gold's world.
Kelly, social worker, member since 2003 |
PB UMC, a place of love for all...
Diane, a who-so-ever |
PB UMC means that I have a place to come to
church that isn't oppressive, that is open, friendly, loving,
accepting and makes me feel so very comfortable as I try to gain more
understanding of God's work.
Brenda, a person just trying to get life right |
A place to worship.
Allan |
A place of love, concern, friends, faith. A
church that is really making a difference.
Ken |
I am free to be who I am in a family affirming my
faith. I am home.
Kendra, physical therapist, mother, and lesbian
|
PB UMC means memories, friends and smiles, but
most of all it is where I know I can always go to take a deep breath, become
calm and find peace within myself.
Leela, 18-year-old graduate who has attended PB UMC for about 10 years
|
A beautiful church family lives here. I felt the
love and acceptance immediately...a very welcoming place!
Denise, first-time visitor |
PB UMC means family belonging and acceptance to
me and my children.
Kristie, member since October 2006 |
PB UMC is my current "branch" of operations
through my ongoing geographical and Christian adventure to explore freedom,
acceptance, and love.
Evan, local musician |
The love, care, and support I find at PB UMC
gives me strength to meet challenges in my personal and professional life and
the ability to nurture others.
Linda, mother and health professional |
PB UMC is my family of support, love,
forgiveness, encouragement and caring. It's a very tolerant and accepting
congregation and restored me to Methodism.
Martha |
I'm inspired by the numerous outreach programs of
PB UMC, particularly those to people who are often shunned by society and many
churches.
Jack, retired high school and college math instructor, husband, father of five,
grandfather of nine, and great-grandfather of two.
|
|
A warm, welcoming place. "Open doors, open
hearts, open minds" says it all.
Betty, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother
|
PB UMC is a beautiful, loving home of worship,
where I express gratitude for the divine love and surrounds and supports us.
Bill, husband, father, worker, and desirer of God's peace made eternal here on
earth |
PB UMC is a warm, welcoming family of
spirituality, communal giving, and deep understanding of Christ's message of
love.
Trey, husband and father |
|
PB UMC has been the oasis for me and my family
for many years. It has sustained us through times of sorrow and happiness.
Harrel
|
Love, family, compassion, acceptance,
friends...and a place to worship and feel the presence of a loving God.
Clay
|
PB UMC is a
uniquely inclusive congregation that
uses the openness and strengths of its people to create a beautiful and powerful
source of love.
Dan, member since 2003 |
A place where I can be who I am with others as
they are, discovering the happiness and holiness of God, serving one another.
Eric, 39, professional, single, content Christ-follower |
A church home full of love, acceptance and
communion--exemplifying God's grace and Christ's love.
Mary Margaret, a blessed believer |
It's a place where I am truly a member of God's
family--with sisters, brothers, children and parents and the saints who've gone
before me.
Vickie, psychiatric nurse, mother of four, grandmother of two, children's choir
director |
PB UMC is an accepting place [where] my partner,
daughter and I can grow and learn God's word and worship as a family.
Vicki |
After living in San Diego for over 20 years and
visiting many churches, PB UMC is the church I have found most friendly,
welcoming and enjoyable to attend.
Marijo |
PB UMC means having
a community of solidarity,
support and inspiration--a place of joy and comfort and beautiful experiences.
Amy |
It means a lot to me being
there with friends, to be with, to share.
Hazel |
I had heard
about Jesus and church and God from a lot of different people and
a lot of different sources. It all sounded to me like radio channels
filled with static. Finally I came to a place
where the people were speaking my language...and at last,
I knew I was home.
Lori |
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