“Intersections – Welcome? – The Gift of Hospitality” – July 17, 2022

As we continue our series this week, Intersections: God's Stories – Our Stories – Summer 2022, we'll travel to the Broadway Stage of Come From Away (the musical also made one of its first stops in La Jolla).

Come From Away depicts the residents from the town of Gander (Gander is part of the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador) sharing extravagant hospitality, kindness, and concern for thousands of airline passengers rerouted on 9/11. Community buildings are converted into shelters, strangers are accepted into people's homes for showers and a comfortable lunch, and new relationships are forged during this global crisis.

Come From Away is a story about people helping each other and a message on hospitality. It may not be as elaborate as other musicals, and it is not trying to be. Instead, it's a reminder of the miraculous time a town opened its arms to some strangers in need. It's a story of people breaking and rebuilding together. The musical's concluding song aptly says, "Tonight we honor what was lost, but we also commemorate what was found."

This Sunday, we'll look at Paul's message to the anxious church of Galatia and others on how Christian hospitality can bring needed change and hope to the church then and now. As I think of our Scripture passages and the musical, I am reminded of a quote from Henri Nouwen, "Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place." Something that is still needed in the anxious world of our times.

I am grateful for the way so many of you share hospitality with many at SDUMC and our greater community. May we also take some time to dream and listen to how we can expand our hospitality ministries as we continue to (re)Gather in love.

I hope you'll join us on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. as we share the importance of hospitality (of course, there will be some special music). We will continue our 8 a.m. half-hour Communion worship through the summer if you are looking for an earlier alternative. And our 9:30 a.m. Live-stream Worship option continues (throughout the week on our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/c/SanDieguitoUMC).

This Sunday would be a great week to bring a friend and share some hospitality! Again, I look forward to worshiping with you at 8 a.m. (In The Chapel) & 9:30 a.m. (In The Sanctuary)!

Grace, Peace, and Weekend Blessings,
John