Letter to the editor
Dear San Francisco,
As we end 2020 and on behalf of my family of 6, we are more committed than ever to love you, grow deeper roots here, and emerge together as a stronger people. We are proud of all of us supporting and cheering one another on this year. As vaccines become available and we gather again, let's remember the 8 pm clanging of pans for frontline workers and what a 'hello' and a wave can do when we've had to hide our smiles. Let's remember what it's like to let the elderly and vulnerable go first at the grocery store and how far a small act of kindness can go. Let's remember to support local, to encourage the youth who have been taught through screens for almost a year, and see every human as made in the image of God. We stand with you and hold the grief and heartache of all that has been lost. In this same space, let us hold to hope for we are better together. With all our hearts, Shauna, Ben, Elijah, Samuel, Kavita, and Asher Pilgreen
Shauna and her family moved to San Francisco in 2010 to contribute to the city, not just consume her beauty and amenities. They started Epic Church downtown and partner with a number of non-profits in the Bay Area. Shauna is working to learn as many people's names as possible in San Francisco by starting conversations and sharing kindness. They are raising four teenagers to love and make a lasting impact here as well.
On this last Love Where You Live day of 2020, I’ve loved showing up with you to share kindness to our neighbors, to make care calls, to prayer walk, and to exercise faith that God is at work around us. My final action for you this year:
What can you give your city?
An end of the year prayer walk.
Carols to your neighbors.
Packaged Christmas treats in the apartment lobby or by the front door for service workers.
Local gift cards to friends and family.
Flowers delivered to those who live alone.
Posters and signs displayed outside hospitals.
I chose to write a letter to the editor of our paper. {written above} In a city where restrictions are tighter, businesses and restaurants closing permanently, people moving away, I wanted to reassure our neighbors of our commitment to the people here. I hope in some ways we’ve made their lives better this year. When we moved here in 2010, we did so to love the people of San Francisco. That love has only deepened and that call has only gotten clearer. I hope and pray that others will join us in this commitment in this place and that you will make a similar commitment to love where you live.
Happy Love Where You Live Day! If you’ve read the book, you know you have to escape before you explode! You can find us traveling the country in our RV over at our RV Chronicles.
As I look towards 2021, I will continue to meet you here as we look for Jesus at work in our cities and I hope to challenge you to trust and obey - that’s where the good stuff is!