The Church That Became Her Home Away from Home

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. –Galatians 6:2

Over the summer, Pastor Dave's brother-in-law, Josh, visited our church as a guest preacher; it was his third time to grace our pulpit. Josh currently works as the Midwest Regional Director for World Vision US, but he previously served as the lead pastor of a large-membership church in Illinois. During a difficult season in his ministry at the church, his daughter Abbie came to stay with us. It just so happened that it was the same weekend as Margaret’s confirmation. We wondered what it would be like for Abbie, who was feeling such pain at the church where she’d grown up, to witness her cousin being confirmed. It turned out to be a powerful weekend, reaffirming to Abbie that the church can be a place of support and love. Ever since then, Abbie has considered our church her “home away from home.” When Jon invited members of the church to share their memories of ZUMC, Abbie was one of the first to share how important the church has been in her journey:

I have grown up in church my entire life. But the memories I have had the opportunity to make at Zionsville United Methodist Church have been my favorite over the last few years of my life. Being able to speak and do the Bible readings over Easter one year, to being on stage the weekend my dad presented Chosen*, to Margaret’s confirmation and graduation party, to celebrating Christmas last year at the church!

I have found a home at Zionsville United Methodist Church and made memories there that will last my whole life. (I also love watching my Uncle Dave teach!) It’s my home away from home. I hope every person who walks through those doors finds this their home as well!

--Abigail Peigh

* “Chosen” is a program offered by World Vision, whereby children who live in a World Vision-supported community “chose” their sponsors. (Versus the traditional model of child sponsorship where sponsors “choose” their kids.) In the summer of 2021, nearly 100 ZUMC families were connected through this program with children in the community of Aguacatan, Guatemala!