| A Letter From Pastor BrentâŚ
It was a Thursday afternoon in September 2011 and I was working in my office here at church when it happened. Without warning, the lights in my office went out. Wondering what had caused that to happen, I walked outside only to realize the true scope of the power outage. All the lights in San Diego were out, and it was the beginning of what would be the largest power outage in California history. Arriving home that night our neighbors flooded our street eager to chat about the event, escape the heat of our homes and share all the food in our refrigerators that might not last through the night. We stayed up late feeling the kind of freedom I havenât since a snow day announcement closed the city where I lived. We lingered outside well into the night having the sort of conversations that we should all the time with our neighbors, but always say we are just âtoo busyâ to do so. As we finally headed back into our homes, one of my neighbors said âLook up everyone!â We did, and each of us were in absolute awe to see the sky full of stars like weâd never seen before in San Diego. Each and every star was bright and piercing because of the lack of glow of streetlights, living room lamps and neon signs. Something about the darkness had given clarity to them and to us too as we listened to neighbors and lingered in company the way we should have all along. We too remembered and could see what was actually beautiful around us. We also live in a time where there seems to be fading light. The first year of this U.S. Administration has crushed civil rights, threatened the trans community, used fear to violently oppress immigrants and paraded a false Christianity which is nothing more than idolatry for power, control and wealth, and it has all happened with frightening speed. It feels as though we live in a time where fear is extinguishing the lights around us and we are being plunged into a night we donât recognize. But perhaps there is a certain clarity which is being seen in this dark night as well. As a church, we have a refreshed clarity these days about our role and what it means to be the Christian church in these days. It is clear that we are called to do justice and love mercy, we are called to love God by loving humanity and as Methodists we are always called to be working in and with and as the vulnerable. These are the things we see clearly in these days. They were always there, of course, but the night has only made them shine brighter, and our conviction to them is unwavering. Sincerely, |
Over these next few weeks you are going to be hearing about our Pledge Drive here at NHUnited Church, a drive that will help us determine our budget and ministries in 2026. It will be a crucial year as even more will be asked of us to support the church and our work as costs have skyrocketed. But we believe that we have a call in these days to be the church, and your financial and volunteer support will enable us to partner with Godâs gracious Spirit in Her work. Your support will equip us to shine the light of the Gospel in these coming days, and to continue to be an active place of solidarity with those vulnerable and under attack.
As you make your financial plans for 2026, we invite you to consider increasing your regular giving for next year by any amount as our expenses have increased with new staff, building repairs and new ministries, and you can do so at NHUnited.org/give. Also, if you are currently giving online, weâd like you to know that in order to cut costs we have changed our giving platform. Please note that you do not need to switch platforms at this time, but we will encourage everyone to eventually switch in order to maximize our savings. If youâd like to switch today you can do so at NHUnited.org/give and we can help!
Again, thank you so much for your generosity and for how you have enabled us to be a vital presence in Normal Heights in praise of God. We are grateful for you!
Sincerely,
-NHU Staff & Finance Committee
