Beyond the Pulpit 11.24.24

Good Morning CUMC Family,

This past week I had a lot of excitement beyond the pulpit with four consecutive evening events including dinner with the Chancel Choir, Crozet’s Got Talent, an evening with Church Council, and hosting dinner for the Wesley Foundation at UVA.

One of the unexpected highlights of my week was teaming up with Carol Richart and Bob & Lila Law for the dinner at UVA. Several months ago, I met with Rev. Devon Earle, the appointed clergy for UVA-Wesley. It seemed that Crozet UMC was one of the only area UMC’s which wasn’t on their list to provide a meal for their students this fall, so I signed us up for Nov. 19. Carol Richart agreed to take the lead.

Then, a few weeks ago, we learned that this was the date that worked best for UVA-Wesley to have their annual Friendsgiving Meal and invite other student groups from UKirk, St. Paul’s, and University Baptist. But, their attendance had been low, so we were told to only prepare for 20 students. Our team was to provide turkey and stuffing, and the other groups would provide the rest.

Carol planned and provided beautiful table decorations and delegated all the food duties. When the students arrived, they kept coming, and coming, and coming! When they got in line to fill their plates, we looked at each other in stunned surprise! There were FIFTY-THREE students, PLUS their leaders! I quickly dashed to the closest Harris Teeter to retrieve 3 rotisserie chickens and 2 dozen rolls. Bob carved ALL the turkey and ALL the chicken! Lila served plates for an hour straight. We all did dishes until our whole bodies ached!

What a “loaves and fishes” moment of ministry! It was truly a beautiful thing for so many young adults of various denominational traditions to gather together for food and fellowship. We met area leaders, and so many students! We left that evening and our bodies might’ve been tired, but our souls were full and overflowing.

I intend to put CUMC down to provide a meal for UVA-Wesley in their spring semester too. Let me know if you’d like to help!

Pastor Christy Haga Turner