What Our Church Members Are Saying

Pine Valley UMC – My Church Family Forever
       In 1999, I moved back to NC after living in VA since 1971. I came to Wilmington because of my family living there. When I came home, my children and I were dealing with the death of my husband. This church family opened their arms and embraced us. Through the Koinonia Class, the Mary Ellen Whitfield Circle, and many individuals my children and I experienced acceptance of where we were  emotionally and spiritually.
       The Church family stood with me when tears were shed as I dealt with 2 teenagers and celebrated with me as a dream of opening a bookstore became a reality, a Stephen Ministry member walked with me for 2 years providing words of encouragement, acceptance, and love, and pastors listened to me pour out my hurt as I dealt with losing my mother.
       The Church family open doors when I was ready to share my gifts. I was richly blessed to

be a part of the Mary Ellen Whitfield Circle who gave me the opportunity to lead them, the Koinonia Class opened doors of service to teach me that there was still much to be done in this world, and to serve as the secretary on the council was a wonderful opportunity.
       The youth program made a place for my children who were struggling with life being unfair and not always fitting in the world. Sunday School teachers challenged them to look deeper into their hearts. Experiencing confirmation gave my children the opportunity to make a personal decision at that point in their lives.
       Though I left Wilmington in 2004, the connection to this church family has not been broken. I have returned for celebrations, to grieve with the church family, and sometimes just to blessed in a worship service.  As I have found my place in another church family, the Pine Valley church family will always be in my heart, and as I find ways to serve, I will always be grateful for the time of healing that I had at Pine Valley. Without that time to heal, I would still be struggling to find peace and acceptance of the different roads that I have traveled.
                                                                                                                                 -Rebecca T. Turner

We have been coming to PVMC for almost a year now. We love the sermons mostly. Pastor Innes has a great way of making things sensible while putting new light on old ideas. We took Randy's Methodist 101 class and became members shortly after that. We have found friendly fellowship in the church. We love our Agape Sunday School class. The senior trips are interesting. There are so many things that go on in the church for all ages it is almost too much to keep up with. But isn't that wonderful! -Denise and Ted McNeill.

Would you like to share your story or testimonial about what Pine Valley UMC means to you? If you feel led to share with the rest of the world, please submit your story to: kelly@pvumc.net. If you could include a photograph of yourself and/or your family, that would be even better! Thanks so much!