Beyond the Pulpit 1.18.26
Greetings Crozet UMC Family!
If you’ve ever wondered what I do “beyond the pulpit,” here’s a glimpse of the past week!
Last Sunday, immediately following worship, I hosted our Worship Design Team to a belated “Epiphany Party” at the parsonage. We enjoyed lunch and fellowship, with a little “Sneaky Santa” gift exchange (not exactly like the way the Magi brought gifts to Jesus at Epiphany). It was a great way to celebrate all the work we did during the busy Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons. See photo below!
On Monday morning I met our Contemporary Worship Lay Leader, Joanne McDaniel, and attended the Crozet Small Business Collaborative at Bar Botanical. We got to meet so many small business owners in our area. We look forward to connecting with these folks and accomplishing one of Council’s Goals for 2026, which is to better engage the community through church-hosted events. Monday evening, our Traditional Worship Lay Leader, Sandra Monohan joined Joanne and me to brainstorm ways to nurture the other goals and initiatives set by Council. I think you’ll be excited about some of the opportunities on the horizon for us as individuals and a community to practice our vision to Love, Grow, and Go in 2026.
On Tuesday after my weekly meeting with Council Chair, Doug Gaskell, I had the pleasure of joining our Senior Adults for their monthly luncheon, which happens at Noon, on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. I”m thankful for Susan Miller who has worked hard to organize this monthly event, and to Joy Osborne who is taking the reins from Susan this year. Be sure to contact Joy if you’d like to join the fun! On Tuesday evening, I joined some of our Crozet Justice Ministry Network folks at First UMC in Charlottesville for our second Issue Night, where we discussed this year’s progress on IMPACT’s 3 focus issues: Public Transit, Affordable Housing, and Neighborhood Safety. Our Network Meeting (for all Crozet Justice Ministry Network Members) will be next Sunday, January 25, at 12:15pm in the Fellowship Hall – lunch will be provided. And EVERYONE is invited to join us for our annual gathering, The Nehemiah Action Assembly, at Charlottesville High School, on March 24. You’ll be contacted with your invitation!
On Wednesday I led preschool Chapel with the little angels at Crozet Ave Christian Preschool. We are learning all about Love from 1 Corinthians 13. So far, we can use sign language to say ” Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not brag. It is not proud. It is not rude and is not angry. It is full of joy when the truth is spoken.” (1 Cor. 13 4-6). Ask a CACP student or teacher to show you! I had lunch with an IMPACT Colleague in Charlottesville. And I met with Bart to work on logistics for launching Children’s Church for K-4th graders on January 25, as well as a Confirmation Class for older students which will take place March – May 2026 – be on the lookout for more information!
On Thursday & Friday I met with Wespath, the UMC’s benefits and investments branch, to review and update my retirement, investment, and health benefit plans. I also planned and prepped for launching our new worship series which begins today (Wesleyan Ways: Exploring our Methodist Roots), and I met with our bookkeeper, Debby Bibens, and Finance Chair, David Breininger, to review CUMC’s 2025 Year-End Financials…it’s GOOD NEWS friends, and you’ll find out how we did this morning in worship!
Looking forward to another great week!
