Beyond The Pulpit 7.28.24
I am so glad to be serving as your pastor here at Crozet UMC! Thank you all for the very warm welcome you’ve extended to me and my family over these past few weeks.
Each week, you can find a brief article here from me where I’ll share with you some of the ministries I’m engaged in or want to highlight Beyond The Pulpit. You’ve heard the joke that pastors only work 1 hour each week on Sunday mornings, when they’re in the pulpit. We all know that’s not true, but just in case anyone ever wonders what your pastor is doing outside of Sunday morning, here’s a place where I’ll be sharing some of the ways I’m serving Beyond The Pulpit.
So far, I’ve led four Listening Sessions in the homes of four very generous hosts. Thank you to all who have attended! There will be one more on Sunday at The Lodge at 2pm. So far, we’ve discussed the things you feel I should know as the new pastor, as well as your suggestions for how to reach new people in our community, and of course your dreams for Crozet UMC. These conversations have been rich and insightful. I’ve begun to detect some common threads and I’m working with staff and leaders to implement some of your suggestions over the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned, I’ll say more about that in the coming weeks.
This past week I also met with the leaders of Crozet Avenue Christian Preschool. They’ve got some exciting events planned for the upcoming school year. I’ve met with the Director and Assistant Director and I am looking forward to meeting the staff and partnering with CACP to offer Chapel for the students beginning in the fall!
Beyond meeting with folks offsite, I’ve also continued to set up my office. This week I finally got the pictures hung on the wall! I’ve also worked with Debby and Mike to learn about our church finances, and Gary and I have met and have even begun to discuss worship plans for Advent and Christmas!
Please remember to be in prayer for those in our community who are suffering and struggling. I have been in touch with several on our church’s prayer list this week. I invite you to join me as we serve together as the hands and feet of Christ for those in need.
As a note, next Sunday, August 4, I will not be in worship. After 23 years, my husband, David, will be leading his last service as Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Chesterfield County. It is important that I be there with him and our family, just as he was with us on my first Sunday here at CUMC. David will soon begin his new position as Church Development Office for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. This will be a remote position with some travel. It will also allow him to be here in Crozet more frequently. We appreciate your support during this season of transition. While I am away, I encourage you to welcome my colleague Rev. JoAnn Batteiger who will lead worship. She is currently serving as the Assistant Director of Missional Engagement for the Virginia Conference of the UMC. She is a delight (and also a former youth from the first church I served!), and I know you will be blessed by her leadership.
Next up: Stellar VBS this week! I am REALLY looking forward to an experience that’s sure to be Out of This World!
