Last Sunday, Paul Andrew spoke with each of our communities about what God says about Building a Home. “People are happier and healthier when they have a home…The difference between a wanderer and an adventurer is a sense of home.” New York disproportionally has a lot of people who have moved here, but we take that as a challenge to build a new home—not to live with out one. “We’ve got work to do in defining home,” Paul says.
Personally, finding a sense of home has been transformational for my family. When we arrived in New York, we came with a lot of excitement but with an exit plan in hand. We scoffed at the tourists who wore T-shirts printed with “I heart NY,” because we knew how hard we were working to raise our family here without feeling like it was a part of us. But Paul and Andi came from Sydney with a love for this city that is contagious. They’ve modeled raising their kids in a way that is not just healthy for them but remains hopeful for their individual dreams and destiny. They’ve decided to grow old here, and they want to grow old with New Yorkers. Liberty Church has embraced all the relationships that have formed in our communities and neighborhoods, and the diversity of backgrounds and stories that have brought us together.
When Liberty Church became my family, I fell in love with New York. And when you heart NY, NY hearts you back.
This week I’ve asked people in the Liberty Church office what makes Liberty Church home.
Andi Andrew
When did New York feel like home?
When we first moved here, we were living in the Upper West Side. It was great, but it was like we were living there; it wasn’t home. When we got our crappy place on Union Street and I had a favorite place that I took my kids to on the corner. And my local Rite Aid. And my local park. And my local school. It took me a month. And I didn’t miss anything.
Where in New York represents home to you?
Central Park. Just recently, it was a Monday, Paul was gone, and I thought, “How fun would it be to take Sam to Central Park?” And then I realized I would really regret not taking him to the park if I didn’t go right then.
Janelle Ortiz
When did New York feel like home?
Home is not a physical place, it’s people. God could pick me up and take me anywhere.
Where in New York represents home to you?
There’s something about the World Trade Center site that just represents the unity of our city and the resilience of our city.
Where’s the most Christmassy place in New York?
5th Avenue, Bryant Park with the Christmas market, The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall
Rockefeller! As a kid I remember going ice skating at Rockefeller Center and how big the ice rink looked as a child and how magical the tree was. I remember the angels in the middle walkway between 5th Avenue and the tree. And now my perspective’s so different as an adult. It’s really such a small ice rink. As a child my perspective of it was so big and so grand. So, it holds a special place for me.
Jenn Nelson
When did you feel like New York was home?
When I could give directions to where people wanted to go.
Is there a place in New York that represents home to you?
Just restaurants because of eating. People make it home for me.
Where do you go to find rest?
I actually don’t rest. That’s why I’m tired all the time. That’s a New York thing in itself.
What’s the most Christmassy place in New York?
Rockefeller & Fifth Ave. No, the holiday market at Union Square, because Rockefeller’s awful and crowded.
Justin Tarsiuk
When did New York feel like home?
The week we moved here and we had 15 people show up at our house that we didn’t even know and bring some meals to our house. We were blown away by the hospitality. Bryan Jennings spending about 10 hours assembling IKEA furniture with me. Dinner picnics on the floor without any furniture, and the saw on the floor where they were still doing construction on our apartment. Sleeping on the air mattress that Bob and Mavis lent us. It was awesome!
Is there a place in New York that represents home to you?
Bien Cuit: One of the coolest little spots we enjoy going to. The cluster of shops on Smith & Atlantic. The Highline Park. Have you ever been there? It’s awesome!
Where’s the most Christmassy place in New York?
Fifth Avenue shops are cool. The Hallmark shop in Rockefeller Center. We got our ornaments there and Rocco got to pick his first ornament. It was a Curious George ornament that he calls “Monkey Monks.”
Bob Green
When did New York feel like home?
It was the third year that I was here. The first year I was sick, the second year I was getting used to the culture. The third year it was home.
Last summer when I was in Newport, it wasn’t like it was before. The real purpose started here, when we started helping people out. That’s when home became home.
Where do you go to find rest?
My red chair at my home
Tanya Butterfield
When did New York feel like home?
When I stopped grieving Sydney. I was walking down the streets of Brooklyn and there was trash flying around and I distinctly remember speaking to the Holy Spirit and talking about how this place is so dirty and “If only I had a broom to clean it, to sweep the sidewalks.” It was that moment when the Holy Spirit reminded me of why I was here, which was that people need Jesus. There was a need for me in this city, there was a sense of responsibility, of ownership, to take care of those seeking, to take care of the homeless. To desire that my city—my city—would be beautiful spiritually and physically.
Where in New York represents home to you?
Looking outside my window, I can see the whole of Manhattan north of Canal Street. My “place” is the Brooklyn Bridge, but looking over the whole of Manhattan and looking over the lights and the Empire State every night. It’s so beautiful. I was with a friend, and caught myself saying, “Do you know that we are living people’s dreams?” I cry every time I go over the Brooklyn Bridge.
Heath Kirkendoll
When did you feel like New York was home?
I don’t think it felt home until we moved to Brooklyn. I was happy living here once we moved here. I actually think part of that was having [our son] Miles here that made it feel home—the four of us. Getting a real tree made it feel like home.
Where do you go to find rest?
Home. That’s not true. I don’t get rest here. I think I find rest when I’m with friends. I think that’s what made New York home was when I really had deeper friendships. But, like, having to struggle through deciding to move here and talking it over with Bob just made it feel like home. You’re going to edit that, because I’m just verbally processing.
What’s a place in New York that’s symbolic of home to you?
Verrazano Bridge. That’s where home is, geographically. But all the other things: The Museum of Natural History. The World Trade Center. Even now, downtown Brooklyn because I sort of realize the city’s mine.
What’s the most Christmassy place in New York?
Dyker Heights [Christmas Lights]. I don’t entirely mean that. I mean, of course, the tree. I mean, every place has something. The Museum of Natural History has that origami tree and the Macy’s store windows, and I had no idea the NYPL had such a beautiful tree inside.
Actually, you know the most Christmassy thing? Walking down the street and seeing all the trees and wreaths for sale on the sidewalk, and the lights over the streets.
Jessi Green
When did you feel like New York was home?
It was about two years ago. I had a few girls come over and we cooked dinner together and watched a movie, and I remembered thinking, “Wow, you can have a home here.”
Is there a place in New York that represents home to you?
Probably Union Square, in general. As I walk through the streets and I see all the different kinds of people—rich, homeless, musical, shy—These are all potential friends, family. And this is my home.
Where do you go to find rest?
I have 3 spots:
1.) Friend of a Farmer on Irving. 2.) The bottom left corner of my bed with a candle, coffee, and my big door that makes light look beautiful. 3.) West side highway! Seriously, go! Water!!!
What’s the most Christmassy place in New York?
Union Square Market is my absolute favorite!! All the fun Christmas shops, treats, and the buzz. Gosh, I love this city!!
Amos Kirkendoll
What makes New York home?
Um…It’s where we live.
Where do you go to find rest?
Rest?! Um. The beach?
What beach?
Coney Island. That’s in New York. I forgot that was in the city.
What’s the most Christmassy place in New York?
Home. Our apartment. Well, maybe if there was a tree in every apartment and the building had 26 floors that would be the most Christmassy place.
In a fast-paced, heavy-traffic, transient city packed with unfamiliar faces on streets where I can still get disoriented, it takes courage to call this home. For me, home is a place you can find rest. Home is full of traditions and symbols that remind you where you came from and where you are going. Home is where you’re grounded in deep relationships.
When I walk along the shoreline and see the Statue of Liberty, lose myself in a book on the subway, draw a breath of air at the parks, or have my heart filled with wonder at the museums…When I dream and God uses the landmarks of New York City to speak to me in symbols…When I connect with someone unexpectedly for just a moment in our commutes and find so many ways we are interconnected…When I walk into church and it’s as if only my favorites are there loving and encouraging me, there’s no place like New York.
We hope you enjoy the Christmas season!
