“Ashland Church is a fun place to be!”
When I get together with other pastors, a common question is, “How is your church doing?” In some ways it’s a complicated question with lots of answers. It’s very much like when someone asks you, “How is your family doing?” One of the responses I give to people is “Ashland is a fun place to be!” Why? Because it is. I really think what God has accomplished in our church over these past few years is truly amazing. It hasn’t all been easy, but God has been blessing us and we are starting to see more and more of the fruit of God’s Spirit working in our church family.
Last year had its share of both joys and sorrows. As a family, we grieved the loss of some of our very long-time members who had faithfully served and loved us in the Lord. Amidst the sorrow, and through the diligent work of some of our leaders, we had the joy of completing the merger with Park Avenue Community Church. We also continue to have the privilege of “parenting” the Mantua Creek Church as we pray for and support them in becoming a new EPC church in Gloucester County. Along with this, we continue to have the blessing of sharing our facilities with Grace Ministries who in September also became a brand new EPC church! God is not only blessing Ashland Church, but He is also allowing us to be a blessing to many others in our Kingdom family!
Another question that people sometimes ask me is where I pastor? With a smile on my face, I tell them, “I get to be the pastor of Ashland Church.” Last year, after over two decades of ministry at Ashland, the church so graciously allowed me to take my second sabbatical, which lasted about 4.5 months. Thank you! It was a bit different as I mostly stayed in town, however I was able to connect with the Experiential Learning Office at Urban Promise, a ministry we have been connected with for years. Coming out of sabbatical, and getting back into Church life, felt a bit like stepping onto an already fast-moving treadmill, and as the summer and fall came someone kept pushing the “speed up” button.
One thing that I came out of sabbatical with was a strong sense in my spirit of a need for us as a church to have a time of revision and discovery of who we are. We have gone through so many changes as a congregation, and I believe God has positioned Ashland Church for a new season on our journey. In November our Church leadership met to explore and discuss what that might look like, and decided to work with an EPC Church Health Coach, which began in December. I believe this will be a pivotal year for us as we seek the Lord and follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit for our church, and I am thankful to be able to walk this journey with all of you.
It’s Great to be pastor! – Jamie Cupschalk