Why We Love Bay Shore
The Love Letter Project
In February 2023, our Strategic Planning Team, Talking To People, asked the Bay Shore community to take some time and write a love letter to Bay Shore. In the letter, our community was asked to include things that they love about Bay Shore and why. Below are excerpts of some of the letters received. We hope that you enjoy reading the love expressed here for our community, and that this inspires you to join us.
Dear Bay Shore — Thank you for always creating an open, welcoming, and inclusive environment each Sunday. The “accessibility” at church makes it a place where all ages, all people feel at home.
Dear Bay Shore,
I love you because you’re like a second family to me. I feel welcomed, comforted when I’m here. I’ve made many friends here and cherish this community in Christ.
You are so valued and appreciated. You bring members together and watch them grow in faith and friendship. Under your care, members share their talents to solve problems, reach goals, and share God’s love. Because of what you do for others, your members are always willing to step up and support you.
I love you because you’re like a second family to me. I feel welcomed, comforted when I’m here. I’ve made many friends here and cherish this community in Christ.
You are so valued and appreciated. You bring members together and watch them grow in faith and friendship. Under your care, members share their talents to solve problems, reach goals, and share God’s love. Because of what you do for others, your members are always willing to step up and support you.
Dear Bay Shore,
We love this community and that all are welcome here. Our child loves all of the wonderful, fun J.A.M. lessons and learning about God.
We love that we found a welcoming church home at Bay Shore where we could celebrate our love and start our marriage in front of God.
We love this community and that all are welcome here. Our child loves all of the wonderful, fun J.A.M. lessons and learning about God.
We love that we found a welcoming church home at Bay Shore where we could celebrate our love and start our marriage in front of God.
Dear Bay Shore,
I love you — our people. Pastor Sarah can make me laugh and cry in the same sermon. People care about one another — it really is a church family. There are niches for everyone; our people know that we need each other to accomplish our good works.
I feel God’s love at work at Bay Shore — from the welcome feeling I get from the people I worship with to the many acts of love they do such as feeding the hungry and in service to others.
I love Bay Shore’s earnestness. I love the little children, running to hear what the pastor has to say. I love being invited to sing, no audition needed. I love the Lutheran tradition, which has something important to say in the ages-long Christian conversation. I love how different people come to be church together, a crazy quilt of God’s creation.
I love Bayshore because since I have started singing here, they have been so welcoming! I love how the music fills the church with love & praise. Pastor Sarah is so inclusive and kind. Bay Shore has become a lovely new adventure for me and I am so thankful. I also love the wonderful congregation at Bay Shore. Everyone you come across is so kind. You could never feel lonely at Bay Shore. You can feel the warmth of God in everyone.
Thank you, Bay Shore Lutheran Church, for being my safe and happy place. I treasure you and the body of people who are fulfilling God’s work in this place.
I love you — our people. Pastor Sarah can make me laugh and cry in the same sermon. People care about one another — it really is a church family. There are niches for everyone; our people know that we need each other to accomplish our good works.
I feel God’s love at work at Bay Shore — from the welcome feeling I get from the people I worship with to the many acts of love they do such as feeding the hungry and in service to others.
I love Bay Shore’s earnestness. I love the little children, running to hear what the pastor has to say. I love being invited to sing, no audition needed. I love the Lutheran tradition, which has something important to say in the ages-long Christian conversation. I love how different people come to be church together, a crazy quilt of God’s creation.
I love Bayshore because since I have started singing here, they have been so welcoming! I love how the music fills the church with love & praise. Pastor Sarah is so inclusive and kind. Bay Shore has become a lovely new adventure for me and I am so thankful. I also love the wonderful congregation at Bay Shore. Everyone you come across is so kind. You could never feel lonely at Bay Shore. You can feel the warmth of God in everyone.
Thank you, Bay Shore Lutheran Church, for being my safe and happy place. I treasure you and the body of people who are fulfilling God’s work in this place.
