Beyond the Pulpit 6.21.26
One of the greatest gifts of Annual Conference is the opportunity to be reminded that the church is much bigger than our local congregation. While we love and serve faithfully here in Crozet, we are also part of a connectional church that spans communities, cultures, and generations. This year offered many powerful reminders of that truth.
One highlight for me was learning more about the incredible ministries of Asian American clergy serving throughout Virginia. Many have left behind homelands, families, languages, and familiar cultures in response to God’s call to ministry. We celebrated the 60th anniversary of the first Asian American elder ordained in the Virginia Conference and gave thanks for the faithful witness of those who have helped shape our church through their leadership and service.
We also celebrated the 70th anniversary of full clergy rights for women in The United Methodist Church. As one of the 445 clergywomen currently serving in the Virginia Conference, this moment was particularly meaningful to me. I found myself reflecting on the faithful women who answered God’s call in generations past, often facing obstacles and limitations that thankfully no longer exist, or at least not in my experience. Their courage continues to bless the church today.
Another deeply moving experience was our Juneteenth worship service, led by Black Methodists from across Virginia. Through powerful music, preaching, prayer, and testimony, we celebrated God’s gift of freedom while also acknowledging the church’s complicated history during the journey from slavery to emancipation. It was a service filled with honesty, repentance, hope, and a renewed commitment to the ongoing work of justice, reconciliation, and freedom for all God’s children.
We were also blessed by outstanding teaching from Dr. Ashley Boggan and Rev. Dr. Candace Lewis, both of whom challenged us to think deeply about the heart of Methodism and our mission in today’s world. Their presentations reminded us that Methodism has always been at its best when faith moves beyond the walls of the church and into the lives of people and communities. You’ll likely hear more from both of these leaders in future Grow Groups as we continue reflecting on who we are as people of faith and Methodists on a mission.
In addition to worship and learning, the Annual Conference also conducted the business necessary to support ministry across Virginia. Among the work we accomplished included approval of an optional Conference-sponsored unified payroll system for clergy across the conference as well as learning about newly identified groups called micro-communities who share similarities in how they live, work, and gather. Engaging the micro-communities in our area will offer new opportunities for connecting the church and the community.
As I drove home from Harrisonburg, my biggest takeaway was simple: The United Methodist Church is alive and well. Yes, the church looks different than it did ten, twenty, or fifty years ago. The world has changed, and ministry continues to evolve. Yet God’s Spirit is still moving. New leaders are emerging. New ministries are being born. New expressions of Christian community are taking shape. And people are still encountering the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
That is good news.
As United Methodists, we seek to Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously. Or, as Crozet UMC puts it, we are called to Love, Grow, and Go. After spending a week worshiping, learning, and serving alongside thousands of fellow United Methodists, I returned home encouraged, hopeful, and grateful for the future God is unfolding before us.
