A New Pastor Has a Welcoming Mission

A New Pastor Has a Welcoming Mission

By Carina Elgin

Pastor Jonathan Lamb, Middleburg United Methodist Church’s young and energetic new minister, most recently served as the associate pastor of Congregational Care and Youth Ministries in Bridgewater, Virginia, a town of 6,000 near Harrisonburg.

In the United Methodist Church, clergy appointments are made by the Bishop and District Superintendent, so he didn’t know where he would serve next. It was decided the Middleburg church would be a good fit, so he quickly Googled the town.

“The first thing that came up was a photo of the Hunt Parade during Christmas in Middleburg,” he said. “It was so beautiful and I was so excited, especially since I have fond memories of my grandfather enjoying hunting coonhounds.”

Jonathan Lamb, the new pastor at Middleburg United Methodist Church, manned the church’s lemonade stand during last summer’s sidewalk sale.

Photo by Leonard Shapiro

Lamb, 34, grew up in Luray, and his family is still there. He attended Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and went on to Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He likes small town life, and considers being in Middleburg “really a blessing. He also loves history and the outdoors, and has found plenty of both in the six months he’s been in town.

“Pastor Jonathan,” as he likes to be called, is working with MUMC members to further their mission and vision. Expanding the Children’s Ministry, called the “Kingdom Kids” is a focus, and Lamb said he has some very engaged parents helping to expand the programs. This year’s annual Children’s Christmas Pageant also saw a full house in the church, built in 1858.

MUMC is where the non-profit Seven Loaves Food Pantry was started almost 30 years ago and still operates. It’s open five days a week to either collect or distribute food to all in need. Tami Erickson, Pantry Operations Manager at Seven Loaves, said, “Pastor Jonathan was very enthusiastic to join the Seven Loaves board, and is very supportive of our mission.”

The church has a “local mission fund” to help those in need living within a five-mile radius of Middleburg pay for emergency medical bills, medicines, heating fuel, etc. Neighbors helping neighbors.

Lamb also is the pastor at the Rectortown United Methodist Church. He can be found leading services there at 10 a.m. on Sundays, before driving across the countryside to share his ministry in Middleburg at 11:30 a.m. Office hours and special events can be found on the website or by calling the church.

Lamb is looking forward to connecting with and becoming part of the community. He said he’s admired how Police Chief A.J. Panebianco and his staff are constantly out on the street and getting to know people. He’s trying to do the same.

He particularly takes to heart the words featured on the Middleburg United Methodist Church website (www.mburgumc.org):

“You are welcome here. No matter where you have been or where you have failed to be, what you have said or what you have failed to say, what you have done or what you have failed to do, Whom you have loved or failed to love, You are welcome here.”