Weekly News | 6.27.25
Sunday’s passage is the Parable of the Mustard Seed & Yeast
Read Luke 18:1-18 slowly.
What do you see?
What do you notice about scale? About time?
Dear church,
What an utter joy it has been to be with our children this week at Creation Care Camp! These disciples bring a lot of energy, and each time they offered something of themselves - in song and dance, in answering questions (I loved hearing about their favorite places, plants, and animals!), and in creating and exploring - it was easy to both celebrate them presently as well as long for their flourishing in the years to come. Thank you to everyone who participated and prayed!
As you know, Rev. Krista Vossler has faithfully and excellently served as our Interim Worship Pastor since January. Krista’s voice - literally and figuratively - has shaped Church of the Cross since its inception. I could not be more grateful for her willingness to step in and temporarily increase her leadership load in a season of ambiguity. The gift of her consistent shepherding has brought not merely continuity but blessing to our community. Her time of standing in the gap comes to a close at the end of July, and I am thrilled she will remain on staff as a deacon, leading us in worship monthly amongst other responsibilities.
I am also delighted to introduce to you our new Director of Worship, Justin Ruddy! Justin (along with his wife Sarah, and children Silas and Junia) joined our community this past year after a move from Boston where Justin previously served as the senior pastor of Resurrection Church. Prior to that, Justin served as a Pastor and Worship Leader for Citylife Boston - you may have even heard some of his music! This spring he completed his MA in Counseling, and he and Sarah launched the Pflugerville Neighborhood Group.
On a more personal note, in exploring this as a possibility with Justin I have found him to be deeply thoughtful, attentive to the Spirit, and consistently a man of humility. I am excited for his worship leadership, certainly, but also for the ways just being himself will be a gift to our staff team and community at large. I encourage you to read this note from Justin! He begins on July 21st, but you are free to welcome him before then :).
Finally, this Sunday is our last Sunday with Mtr. Kimberly as our Executive Pastor. She will take a couple weeks of vacation, and return to us as Mtr. Kimberly, Associate Priest of Care and Mission! She has been a faithful and tenacious Executive Pastor, who has led our community, both behind the scenes and from up front, through significant moments and transitions, including Fr. Peter’s sabbatical and the purchase of the building.
Cards will be available on Sunday to express our appreciation for her as she leaves this particular post. Please join me in praying for her as she rests, and does the hidden but important work of shifting into a new season of ministry.
Peace,
Sarah+