I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. -Philippians 1:3-5
Among the things I most treasure from 2025 are the partnerships in ministry that blessed and helped form us as a family of faith. The year began with the return of the Rev. Anna Langholz, this time serving not as a Pastoral Resident but a Transitional Associate Pastor. The seven months Anna spent with us were joyous and culminated with this community sending her into her first ordained call. Anna’s time here reminded us that God is still at work in our midst in delightful and satisfying ways!
Upon Anna’s departure, we welcomed the Rev. Jean Dow and, shortly thereafter, the Rev. Beth Patton into ministry with us. Jean and Beth were new to our church but quickly began to feel like family. I have thoroughly enjoyed and been shaped by their pastoral gifts. Together, they helped Crossroads move forward through our transition, and have planted seeds of growth and grace that are already starting to bloom. It’s amazing how people we didn’t even know at the beginning of the year have become such dear friends and profoundly guided our walks of faith!
This week we said “goodbye” to Jean as she reclaimed her status as a retired pastor (while continuing to serve as a spiritual director to many). Starting Sunday, we welcome Beth into full-time pastoral ministry with us. She will build on the ministry she has already begun and invest in some strategic areas of our life together, so that we might move into the future more adept and able to live into our call to “know Christ and bring others to him.” Indeed, God is leading us into a future filled with hope!
Rarely do I welcome change. Most often change is something done to me rather than something I initiate or encourage. Yet, again and again, change is the mechanism for new friendships and new growth. The changes we have experienced over the past 13 months have prompted us to look for the Spirit’s activity in new places and opened us to new partnerships in ministry. These three remarkable women – Anna, Jean, and Beth – came to us amid significant change and helped us embrace the new things God is doing.
This year has been a joyful reminder of the power of partnership. In 2026, let us keep looking for new spiritual friends as our journeys continually intersect with those of others. I wonder who we will meet in the year ahead. I can’t wait to experience whatever transformation that entails in sharing life and pursuing Christ together.
Grace upon grace,
Pastor Scott
