Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
It’s a beautiful day on the Cape!
I hope you are doing well.
The very first words I want to say are, "Thank you!" (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da in Korean.)
Wherever we look in and around the parsonage, my family and I discover your love. On the lawn, in the backyard, in the garage, in the kitchen, in the bathrooms, in the refrigerator, and even in the basement, we see thoughtful expressions of your kindness and generosity. Through your care, we have experienced God's love in tangible ways.
Because of God's grace working through each of you, we are settling in well. Everything is new, and there is much to learn, but we already feel welcomed, loved, and encouraged. We are taking one day at a time and thanking God for his faithfulness.
My family and I recently returned from Korea, where we enjoyed a memorable time with our loved ones. We celebrated my parents' 50th wedding anniversary and my parents-in-law's 70th birthdays. Although we are still adjusting to the jet lag, our hearts remain full of gratitude as we remember the precious moments we shared together.
During my sabbatical, I wrote a poem that captures some of what God was teaching me. I would love to share it with you. If you use Facebook, you can also see a few family pictures here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BuoMrcLdZ/
Forty Days in Korea
40 days.
Long enough to slow down,
short enough to leave me
longing for one more sunrise.
I visited many places,
met many people,
and enjoyed the rich flavors of Korean food.
If these forty days have a single name,
it is this: "Roots."
I had been running for so long
that I hardly noticed
I had crossed the midpoint of life.
I reconnected with old friends,
who became mirrors.
In some ways they were the same;
in other ways, they had changed.
In them, I caught a glimpse of the child I once was
and the person I am becoming.
After twenty years,
I returned to my alma mater,
a place that felt both familiar and different,
the place where my journey turned:
from darkness to light,
from ambition to calling,
from heartbreak to love.
I lingered with my family of origin.
In my parents' voices,
I heard echoes of my own.
In conversations with my in-laws' family,
I discovered another piece of myself.
I thought I knew who I was.
Instead,
I discovered how much of myself
remained to be known.
Today I opened a book about Korea,
and in its pages,
I found myself reading my own story.
These forty days
have taught me to see my roots with new eyes:
to tend my own wounds,
to make peace with my past,
to thank God,
who created me to be uniquely me.
And to look at every person beside me
as someone with deep roots,
a sacred story worth listening to.
As I leave Korea,
I carry more than memories.
I carry deeper roots,
a renewed gratitude,
and a fresh desire
to become a wounded healer,
still being healed,
yet ready to help another heal.
This past Sunday was also a precious gift.
My family and I had the opportunity to attend the beach service. What a wonderful way to worship God with all our senses! Surrounded by his beautiful creation, I could see, hear, smell, touch, and even taste his goodness. Rev. Brown's message was meaningful, and the fellowship afterward was sweet. I am already falling in love with the beach.
Afterward, we worshiped at Wellfleet United Methodist Church, where my wife, Joyce, will be serving. It was Rev. Wesley Williams' final Sunday after faithfully serving the congregation for a little over a year. During his message, he shared his family's remarkable faith journey. His ancestors, who had been enslaved in Louisiana, first encountered Methodism through their slaveowners. Today, many members of his family are Christians, including several pastors. With his wonderful sense of humor, he said his family reunions are "about the most boring reunions you could imagine" because everyone is so well-behaved! Yet beneath the laughter was a beautiful testimony of God's redeeming grace across generations.
Each of us has a different story. Yet we all share one thing in common: God's grace has been present through every season of our lives.
I look forward to getting to know each of you and listening to your sacred story. This Sunday, I will also share my own faith journey—how Jesus Christ saved me and called me into pastoral ministry.
Finally, please remember those in our community who are facing difficult days. In particular, I invite you to keep the Peabody family in your prayers. Last Saturday, I had the privilege of visiting Jane, who is receiving hospice care. Her husband Pete, their daughters, Daisha and Debra, and many members of the family were gathered around her, loving and supporting one another. I went hoping to bring encouragement, but I left encouraged by their faith and love.
May the Lord bless you and keep you throughout the week. I look forward to worshiping with you soon.
In Christ's Love,
Pastor Victor
