by Stacey Hilliard | Jul 3, 2026 | Conversations
Greetings, Crawford UMC!
I wanted to take a moment to share our deepest thanks for the ways you have been supporting our family through this major transition. The cards, meals, and space to settle in have each been so welcome as we get our feet under us in Winchester.
And, indeed, we have been on our feet! Our use of vehicles in the first week has gone way down. How lovely to walk to shops, the library, a playground and natural areas. A stroller that largely sat unused for the last year has been out almost daily. Our son is looking forward to walking or biking to school instead of taking the bus.
We’ve been on our feet indoors as well. I’d love to say that we’re out of boxes and down to hanging pictures, but that’s not quite our reality. Yet even with plenty of remaining to-dos, the parsonage is proving a perfect fit for our family. The cats have ventured out of hiding, finding new favorite perches and sleeping spots. The kids are comfortable and confident (perhaps too confident!) navigating house and neighborhood. Chris has started back to work with relatively few interruptions. Relatively.
As to me, I am breathing deeply. I have been so touched by your understanding of how significant a change this is for our family in general and also for me as a pastor. Colleagues have shared with me (and I am now experiencing) the particular emotions that accompany a first move. The proximity of a big goodbye and a brand new start—to say nothing of the physical labor of moving—is enough to knock you off your feet. The Crawford community seems to have grasped this intuitively, extending grace and space at every turn. I am so grateful.
I am also grateful for the more relaxed summer schedule that seems to be the rhythm here at Crawford. This will allow me to establish and settle into needed routines for work and family. I do intend to hold regular office hours as well as some introductory meet-and-greet events, but it’s a bit early to get those on the calendar. Stay tuned for more updates, and for the time being, you can reach me at rev.jen.mihok@gmail.com.
A favorite hymn of mine is “Guide My Feet,” a spiritual found in The Faith We Sing. It became something like a theme song for my cohort of young adult missionaries (now Global Mission Fellows) in 2007: “Guide my feet while I run this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain.” The race imagery comes from Hebrews 12 and depicts well the urgency of staying God’s course, especially amidst injustice and struggle.
Yet not all races are sprints. It is my prayer, that as my family finds its footing, and as we as pastor and congregation find our rhythm together, God will guide our feet, bringing us into step for the ministry that lies ahead. I have every confidence that it will be so.
With gratitude,
Pastor Jen
by Stacey Hilliard | Jun 29, 2026 | Conversations
“The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued two devastating rulings that dismantle asylum protections and the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program in the United States.
Read the reaction of United Methodist Agencies, Faith Leaders, and Immigration Lawyers as shared by the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society, HERE.
by Stacey Hilliard | Jun 28, 2026 | Conversations
“History is more than facts and figures. It is full of real people with real stories. Connecting with those people and stories helps us understand our lives and discern God’s direction for our future. That is why it is important constantly to connect our teaching back to the important people in our church history. To help you do that, we have gathered some interesting, and maybe even surprising, facts about John Wesley to help you connect United Methodist history to your next lesson.” Click HERE to learn more about John Wesley, brought to us by United Methodist Communications.
by Stacey Hilliard | Apr 16, 2026 | Conversations
What is Miracle Sunday?
On May 17, the final Sunday of this year’s Easter season, more than 30,000 United Methodist congregations (Crawford Memorial UMC included) will take up a one-time offering to help permanently endow scholarships enabling 500 students each year to prepare for ordained ministry in Africa, Europe and the Philippines.
Why is it Important?
“In most cases, students who opt for ordained ministry in Africa, Europe and the Philippines come from families and communities with limited financial resources,” Nhiwatiwa said. “Without financial aid, these potential students could not proceed with their education. [It] is a different story with theological students in the United States who have access to loans and a variety of scholarships. In Africa, the Philippines and Europe, the inequality is stark.”
– retired Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa, of the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area
Learn more about the reasoning behind the Miracle Sunday and how the funds will be put to use in this article by Heather Hahn, written for UM News: What Churches Should Know About Miracle Sunday.
by Stacey Hilliard | Mar 11, 2026 | Conversations
However you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (if you celebrate), as Christians, this is a good time to consider the holiday’s namesake and what his life and work has to teach us. “While many of the details of his life are shrouded in legend, on this scholars agree: The patron saint of Ireland left a legacy far more vibrant and lasting than the green food and beverages served on his feast day.”
Click HERE to read the full article about St. Patrick’s life and ministry, written by Heather Hahn for UM News.
by Stacey Hilliard | Feb 12, 2026 | Conversations
Rev. Dr. Liberato (Levi) Bautista, Church and Society’s Assistant General Secretary for United Nations and International Affairs, offers his reflection on 2026 Black History Month and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr ‘s Holiday. The photo above is of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., winner of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, being congratulated by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Harold (left) and His Majesty King Olav V (back to the camera) in Oslo, Norway, December 10, 1964. Dr. King is joined by his wife Coretta on his left. photo by Associated Press
“Now that the remembrance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2026 holiday is over and the celebration for Black History Month is here, I’d like to take a moment to reflect: What does love really look like when fear fills our headlines and racist injustice influences our systems?
“Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day last month, we remembered not just a dreamer, but a dedicated justice advocate—someone who organized, negotiated, marched, prayed, and sacrificed for the vision of the Beloved Community. Dr. King showed us that peace isn’t just the absence of tension; it’s the presence of justice. February’s Black History Month also carries that truth with many stories of struggle and progress by Black people against incredible odds. That truth continues to guide us today.”
Read the full article on the UMC Justice website, HERE.
