Pastor's Corner
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By: Pastor Jeffery Witt |
Welcome,
As Pastor of Round Hill United Methodist Church, I greet you in the
name of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Let me share a bit about
my family. Maybe you will hear part of your story in our midst of our
story.
Elizabeth, our two children, and I came to Round Hill June of 2001.
It was with great apprehension that we left our home in Grottoes,
located in the splendor of the Shenandoah Valley. Yet many years before
that day, Elizabeth and I had placed our trust in the church, believing
it to be the agent of God for directing our lives. So upon receiving
the call, we followed the leading of our Bishop and his Cabinet.
Packing up our lives and saying our sad farewells, we moved north to
the other side of the Blue Ridge to the beautiful town of Round Hill.
Having received word late in the appointment process that we would
be moving, and quite frankly having not been slated to move at all, we
hardly had time to prepare emotionally for the change. It was terribly
difficult to leave those with whom we had grown so attached during our
five years at Grottoes. Upon meeting some folk of Round Hill, it became
evident that some here were struggling with similar feelings concerning
the transfer of their beloved pastor. I quickly realized this was great
news. I shared with my wife, Elizabeth, "If they could love him that
much, then with time there would be room for them to love us deeply,
too." And, boy was I ever correct. I thank our loving God for what we
encountered upon our arrival. Not withstanding some challenges in the
change of the guard, the people of Round Hill have been most warm and
welcoming. To say we have grown to deeply love our new home, Round
Hill, would be an understatement. Anyone who lives long enough learns
that change is seldom easy . . . it usually comes at a cost . . . but
thank the Lord . . . it seldom comes at a net-loss.
As a child, living in Winchester, remember western Loudoun
as fairly rural. Those were the days prior to the four lane
Route 7 road. Change has most definitely descended upon this
little Round Hill. In the nine years we have been here I have
marveled at the new homes being built around us. It has been
exciting to see families arriving with new hopes and dreams.
Yet I know, too, each arrives with their own bag of stresses
and apprehensions. Maybe change has come to your life? Maybe
you are feeling the same pressure that was placed on us?
I want you to know, our Church has been diligently preparing for the
coming of these changes. I pray that you have been also. As more
families move into this area, we are excited to offer opportunities to
be in the ministry to, and with, a larger and a wider variety of
peoples.
Could it be that you have not yet found the location to worship
and serve God? Are you searching for some people to call your
own? Round Hill United Methodist Church is committed to becoming
a place where "All Are Welcome at Table." If you have
a church home, are worshiping and serving the Lord there, then
may God bless those relationships and your ministries. But if
not, come and visit us. Even if you visited in the past, come
and visit again. We are constantly changing and growing within
the grace of God.
We openly admit to being an imperfect group of people. We are
however taking seriously our mission statement to change into what God
is calling us to become.
Our Mission:
"We dedicate and commit ourselves to Jesus Christ
who is our Lord and Savior and, through our spiritual journey live as
His disciples."
We are not yet perfected in Christ . . . but we are working
toward that goal, hand in hand, and day by day . . . we hope
and pray and believe through the grace of God we are . . .
"Building Now for An Eternity!" . . .
May God bless you . . . may God's face to shine upon you .
. . and may you be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
May Shalom (in its full meaning) Be Your Reality,
Pastor Jeffery Witt
