A new pastor in town

The Rev. Jessica Anschutz joins the Central Valley United Methodist Church CENTRAL VALLEY - There’s new beginnings at the Central Valley United Methodist Church on Smith Clove Road. The congregation recently welcomed the Rev. Jessica Anschutz as its new pastor and leader. And for Anschutz, it’s her first official appointment as a pastor within the United Methodist church organization. “I’m excited,” said Anschutz, who most recently served as associate pastor for almost four years at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Manhattan. “I’ve worked with some really great pastors so I know I was ready for this.” Prior to the Park Avenue post, she was the community life committee coordinator at the Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Conn. and held service positions with Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., and the Ozark Mission Project in Conway, Ark. She is a graduate of the Yale University School of Divinity. Though the Central Valley church is much smaller - only 100 people with two part-time staff - than its big city counterpart, Anschutz is undaunted by the opportunity. “The level of involvement on a day-to-day basis with this congregation is much greater,” she said. “They have taken responsibility for many things.” Among her short-term goals are to expand the church’s children and youth ministry and its Sunday School program as well as its area and national mission outreach. “My hope is to get more people in the congregation involved in these ministries,” said Anschutz, who is 33 and has relocated to the area with her two Boston terriers, Bart and Roxy. “I’m sure other opportunities will present themselves.” The church has had a presence at the recent Woodbury Day, and will be distributing complimentary ice cream at the Town of Woodbury’s “Random Act of Kindness” Day on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Earl Reservoir in Highland Mills. Anschutz is also looking at other joint venture opportunities, such as a joint Easter sunrise service with the Highland Mills United Methodist Church next year. “I understand from others that our church has held a service at one part of the cemetery and they have been at the other part,” she said. “It makes sense for us to see if we can do this together.” She is also planning to reach out to school officials at Smith Clove Elementary, which is right across the street from the church, to see how the school and church can work together helping students in need. Anschutz sees community involvement as an important attribute for any organization, and the Central Valley church is no exception. “I view our congregation as people who can minister to the community,” she said. “I am here to be supportive and pastoral to them and the community in any way I can. We have an interest in the community and we want them to know we’re here and we want to share in God’s love.” - Nancy Kriz

I view our congregation as people who can minister to the community. I am here to be supportive and pastoral to them and the community in any way I can. We have an interest in the community and we want them to know we’re here and we want to share in God’s love.” The Rev. Jessica Anschutz, the new pastor at Central Valley United Methodist Church