It's time for a change....

Personally and on this site!

So, you may notice a change in the name and identity of this Substack newsletter which is in keeping with the changes that are going on in my life. When I started this, the hope was to reflect on the ministry we offer out of our parking lot here at City Road Chapel UMC in Madison, TN, And, although I haven’t been especially prolific, I’ve tried to offer a glimpse of what ministry with those experiencing homelessness is like.

But, it’s time for a change!

This past Sunday, we announced that I would be leaving my post as the pastor of City Road Chapel to become the pastor of three congregations in the Montpelier, Vermont area, effective July 1, 2024. This has been something that I’ve been thinking about for over a year, having first thought of the idea when some very good friends left Tennessee for 25 acres in Southern Vermont. After conversations with folks in the New England Annual Conference, they offered me the opportunity to serve at the Trinity UMC in Montpelier, Grace UMC in Plainfield, and Northfield UMC in Northfield. After many conversations with my wife Mary and other friends, I accepted the offer.

This is a major change in my ministry and setting. Outside of the few years in Atlanta for graduate school, I have lived in Nashville for 53 years and only served churches in the Nashville area. Much of my work has been in communities of transition, that is, suburban areas that are experiencing the pull and tug of what are often considered “urban” issues. Although the state capital of Vermont, Montpelier is a city of 8,000, and the surrounding communities are rural. And, Vermont is one of the least churched states with only 7% of the population attending church. There will be a learning curve as I adapt to a different place (albeit a beautiful one) with a different way of life.

And yet, Vermont is struggling with affordable housing and homelessness, just like the big city of Nashville. Montpelier is recovering from significant flooding, just like we experienced in 2010. I think and hope that I have some skills and experience to bring to the table. And in the midst of it all, I get to enjoy some fresh maple syrup and local cheese along the way!

So, my friends, be watching for future updates as we experience this transition together.

Love y’all,

Jay