The word “home” appears nearly 200 times in the Bible. In the many stories of people coming and going, a place called “home” carries a particular kind of meaning. A home is different from a public meeting space, a roadside inn, or a quiet mountaintop retreat. It is a place where we are known, and where stories are made and shared. More than just a place to receive mail or house our belongings, home is where the heart is—because it is a safe space where we can be our true selves, both alone and in the company of others.

On Sunday, October 13, we invite you to join us as we give thanks for the ways Christ UMC is also like a home. On that day, we’ll celebrate Homecoming Sunday, with former pastor Rev. Duane Gebhard preaching, a brunch between services to commemorate our congregation’s story—both lived and living—and the recognition of members who joined 50 years ago in 1974.

We hope that everyone who finds their way into Christ UMC, whether it’s your first time or you’ve been here for decades, experiences aspects of being home: welcome, the opportunity to be authentic, and the assurance that you belong. This October, we celebrate the church as a “home place.” We also recommit ourselves to the good and necessary work of fostering a home-like community, ready to welcome and receive people for generations to come.

Since early September, we have been sharing stories about how God has been and still is at work among us. Storytelling is at the core of the Christian journey, through scripture, the witness of the church, and the experiences we share. These stories help us know how God shows up in our lives and remind us of the direction God desires: toward love, care for our neighbors, and down paths of justice and peace.

The story we are writing together at Christ UMC invites us to prayerfully consider our role in this season. Last month, we hosted a Rally Sunday Ministry Fair, showcasing the many groups and activities available for growing in faith, connecting with others, learning in community, and serving our neighbors (and don’t worry if you missed it—it’s never too late to join a group!). This month, we hope you will consider how you can financially support Christ UMC in its mission to be grace in the city by sharing faith, growing in faith, and serving through faith.

Please know there are no requirements for full participation in the church. Just as we practice an open table for communion, we also practice an “open door” to everything at Christ UMC. It is by grace that God welcomes us into this story. If you are unable to make a financial commitment at this time, we encourage you to continue connecting with us and participating in our ministries.

If you are able to make a financial commitment, we ask that you prayerfully consider how you can support the church in our efforts to share stories of faith through both words and actions. Financial commitment cards will be available at the church and mailed out in early October.

As we look toward the future, may we continue to tell the story about Christ UMC as a place that feels like home—a place where all are welcome, known, and loved. Together, we can sustain this community as a lasting source of grace, love, and faith, welcoming all for generations to come.

Be well and stay encouraged,
Pastor Kirkland