Beyond the Pulpit 10.4.26

When you think about what a pastor does, Sunday morning preaching may be the first thing that comes to mind. But there is so much more that happens Beyond the Pulpit! Throughout the week, ministry happens in conversations over coffee, meetings around tables, visits, phone calls, and texts, prayers shared with people walking through difficult seasons, worship planning, and simply being present with the people of our church and community.

One of the highlights of this past week was “Last Sunday Live,” when we travelled once again with CUMC’s children to Rome with Paul! We learned that God’s love is worth sharing, discovered how Paul shared that love with the people he encountered in Rome, and talked about what that looks like for us today. I love watching our children make these connections, learning that faith isn’t just something we talk about on Sunday mornings, but something we carry with us wherever we go.

On Tuesday, one of our Hospitality Ministry Teams prepared and served dinner for the students at the Wesley Foundation at UVA. I was sad to miss joining them this time, but I was there Wednesday evening to chair the Wesley Foundation Board meeting. One student at the meeting excitedly proclaimed that the meal our team served was “the best meal they’ve had all semester!” What a wonderful reminder that sometimes sharing God’s love looks as simple as preparing a good meal and making someone feel welcomed and cared for.

And then, on Friday, I actually took the day off! I went hiking with one of my clergywomen friends and made my first trip to Humpback Rocks. It’s a steep climb, but the view was absolutely worth it. Sometimes pastors (and all of us!) need to step away, breathe deeply, enjoy God’s creation, and be reminded of the beauty all around us.

All of these experiences…ministry with children, serving college students, meeting with ministry leaders, and even making space for rest are part of what happens Beyond the Pulpit. Ministry is about helping all of us Love, Grow, and Go: loving God and one another, growing in our faith, and going into the world to share God’s love.

I look forward to seeing you this morning as we celebrate World Communion Sunday together with Christians around the globe. What a beautiful reminder that although we gather in different places and speak different languages, we are part of one family of faith, united around Christ’s table.

See you this morning!

Pastor Christy