Dear Friends In Christ,
Each change brings great opportunity and
new life as well as grief. I know my family and I have been
experiencing many feelings as we move from Hope UMC (www.noisychildrenwelcome.com)
and the South Bay to Rancho Santa Margarita and SMUMC.
I feel what has helped us is that I have
felt a true sense of call to SMUMC. I have felt God’s hand in
this from the start, and so I feel confident—even in this time of such
major change—that God is in the midst of it all.
Let me give you a bit of background…I
came into ministry after a stint in advertising, and was ordained 15
years ago. I felt called to preach, and so took a solo pastorate
at Hope UMC after I completed my seminary education at Claremont.
During my years at Hope together we
tripled in size, added a new music worship, and doubled the size of the
staff, giving us the opportunity to reach those within our neighborhood
and beyond with the good news of God’s great love in Jesus Christ
though worship, providing for people’s daily needs, and going beyond
ourselves to serve others. The people of Hope have taught me many of the
things I know, and I will always be grateful for their wisdom,
willingness to risk, and desire to push borders. They, like you, are not
the “traditional” UMC.
About
my family: I am married to Jeff Luther, who is a family physician in
Long Beach (at Long Beach Memorial). He is the Associate Program
Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program there (www.memorialfamilymedicine.org).
He is a home brewer, a musician, a bicyclist and soccer player, and one
great cook. Jacob Reilley-Luther (yeah, with the long hyphenated last
name…) is 12, and loves soccer and baseball, the trumpet, and video
games. For myself, I love music, walking, watching 6 Feet Under,
gardening and reading.
I am passionate about the local church,
for I believe the local church is the opening act for the Kingdom/Reign
of God among us. I am committed to welcoming everyone into the
church, no matter who they are or where they have been. I believe the
church is a community, and that weekly participation in worship changes
and transforms us forever. I feel knowing and living from Jesus’
teachings—even as imperfectly as we will—gives our lives meaning and
hope. (I could go on, but we have time…)
I will be preaching on July 2 (we arrive
on Friday, June 23). I know it is a holiday weekend, but if you
are in town, I hope you will come out. I am already planning my message!
Abide,
Rev. Nicole Reilley
Rev.
Nicole Reilley is the Senior Pastor at SMUMC. Having grown up in the
Southern California, she was graduated from the California State
University, Long Beach, with a bachelor's degree in Religious Studies,
receiving the 1989 Outstanding Graduate Award. She undertook her
graduate studies at the School of Theology at Claremont, from which she
received her Master of Divinity degree in 1992. There, she was the
recipient of The Reverend Edwin H. Witman Pastoral Care Award and The
President's Award for Academic Excellence. Rev. Nicole previously
served at Hope UMC, in Torrance, CA from July, 1992 to July, 2006.
Rev. Nicole enjoys working with people who are new to
the faith and those who are returning after a period of inactivity. She
is gifted in worship leadership, spiritual guidance and teaching.
Her interests include Spiritual Formation, leadership development, music
and gardening. She is active in the Emergent Church movement, dyes
a streak in her hair to match the liturgical colors and has a deep
passion for the local church. She is married to Dr. Jeff Luther, a
local family physician, and they have a son, Jacob Reilley-Luther.
