Best Wishes to Pastor Julia

Since November 2023 when it was announced that Pastor Julia Zhao was joining our staff as ‘Associate Pastor in Residence’ we have been part of a somewhat new arrangement. The “in Residence” concept was new to me; and I have been a Presbyterian in six different states across 60 years of my working life. Turns out, it has been used elsewhere and is not as new a concept as I thought.

That said, it seems that it is a concept with a number of positives that can help individuals new to parish ministry and churches needing additional help on their clergy staff to connect in a timely manner. The circumstances have to be right, but if both parties and a Presbytery can agree on the work to be done and the assignments and experiences to be offered, it can be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Our initial arrangement was for a two-year period that would move Pastor Julia through working with all our ministry teams, preaching regularly, teaching, making congregational visits, attending Session meetings, engaging with certain Presbytery activities and staff and participating in the life of our congregation. The intent was to offer the widest possible exposure to Pastor Julia.

Pastor Julia has been a blessing to this congregation, and she leaves us now to lead her own congregation, a congregation that has ‘called’ her. While our time together didn’t get to two years, our time with Pastor Julia has been good; and we wish her nothing but success as she takes on her new role.

May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back. Blessings to you Pastor Julia and please know that we will remember you and your time with us fondly.

Jim Hubbard