FUMC San Diego hosts farewell party for Rev.

Rev. Jessica Strysko for serving more than ten years as a Teaching Pastor at First UMCSD and The Water’s Edge Community Church. (Photo taken from the church’s website)

First United Methodist Church San Diego (FUMCSD) and Water’s Edge Faith Community hosted a Farewell Party for Rev. Jessica Strysko for serving more than ten years as a Teaching Pastor on June 19.

The church announcement revealed that Strysko had been reappointed as the lead pastor for Anaheim United Methodist Church beginning on July 1. The church encourages congregants to gather and celebrate all their services and ministry for the church and the neighborhood.

Besides, they noted that they would enjoy food, music, and an opportunity to say goodbye to Strysko and her family as they face the next journey God has prepared for them.

Rev. Jessica Strysko

The church staff section mentioned that Strysko loves to listen and spread God’s grace and calling. They said she is passionate about knowing God’s active presence in the church and the neighborhood. The pastor is also passionate about her inter-generational ministry, Christian education, and interfaith conversation. The webpage said she also has a heart for social justice.

Moreover, the webpage noted that Strysko grew up in Yucaipa, California, and was raised in the United Methodists in their place. She has been passionately in love with God.

Her church nurtured her through their young people and camping programs.

As with these, she first felt God’s calling to ministry at 14, as posted on the website. Since then, she has been living up to her calling, they added.

In addition, they mentioned that she had finished her double major in English Literature and Religious Studies at the University of Redlands. While at university, she fell in love with her husband, Timothy Strysko, and they got married after graduation.

They added that the couple had relocated to Massachusetts.

The website noted that she then attended seminary at Harvard Divinity School.

After graduation, the website stated that she was commissioned to work at her first appointment at First UMC San Diego.

She was ordained an elder in 2014.

The church revealed that the couple loves living and serving in San Diego with their children, Abigail and Eliza, and their dogs.

As a teaching pastor, the website also mentioned that they must preach and teach.

They must ensure that they are faithful to the church’s understanding of God’s word.

They added that teaching the pastor helps the senior pastor nurture spiritual formation and maturity within members’ lives.

They motivate and encourage the church in personal and corporate Bible study, worship, and prayer.

They must also encourage members to participate in prayer, discipleship, and service.

Water’s Edge Community

The Water’s Edge Community is also where Strysko serves.

Their website states that they are a church of the First United Methodist Church in San Diego. They are one church on two campuses. They aim to build disciples of Jesus Christ for the world's renewal.

The website noted that they foresee their church that dwells into a more profound connection in their community. They said they envision a church that showers God’s love by their small groups and is involved in their neighborhood in all situations at OB.

They want to serve their community to create a positive impact, as posted on their website.

Furthermore, they stated that they are a reconciling community. Water’s Edge proclaims the love of Jesus to everyone. The church welcomes everyone regardless of color, gender, race, class, or age.