Religion New: June 2026

St. Paul’s Ivy Welcomes New Associate Rector

Beginning in August, Emily Fisher (formerly Rutledge) will assume the position of associate rector at St. Paul’s Ivy, replacing Vice Rector Mother Amanda Kotval, who will serve as rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fisher is already familiar to many in the congregation. She has lived in Crozet since 2012, where her two children, Aubrey and Deacon, attend school. At St. Paul’s, she will lead the evangelism, parish life and congregational care ministries.

Fisher was born and raised in Kailua, Hawaii.

“I was active in the Episcopal Church there,” she said, “and I really liked the warmth and closeness of the church community, where everyone was made to feel they belonged.”

She graduated with a degree in English and became an English teacher in her hometown.

After many years of wondering if she had a religious calling, Fisher enrolled at General Theological Seminary in New York graduated with a Master of Divinity degree this May. While pursuing that degree, Fisher served full time as the children’s, youth and family minister at Charlottesville’s Church of Our Savior. She was ordained to the diaconate in March and will be ordained to the priesthood this fall.

Massive Meal Packing, Confirmations at Crozet UMC

In April, 56 volunteers from Crozet Methodist Church packaged 20,000 meals in less than four hours. Following guidelines for Rise Against Hunger, the church raised $8,100. With the help of faith communities and other benefactors, Rise fights hunger by supporting nutritious meals, education and health care for children and families around the world.

Pastor Christy Turner Haga said the congregation met the financial goal in only three weeks. The charity asks volunteers to assemble shelf-stable meal kits that feed six people when cooked. Rice is typically the base of the package, along with a shelf-stable protein source such as soy granules, while dehydrated vegetables contribute fiber and nutrition. A vitamin and mineral packet completes each bag.

The volunteers donned hairnets and T-shirts in an assembly-line configuration that helped them assemble the massive number of meals in record time.

“We learned last week that the meals that we purchased and packaged were on their way to the Philippines,” Haga said.

The geography of the island country makes it especially prone to environmental disasters. Citizens of the more than 7,000 islands mainly rely on agriculture and fishing, so any disruption in climate conditions can be catastrophic.

“The Global Hunger Index, which assesses food insecurity based on indicators that measure undernourishment and undernutrition, categorizes the Philippines as having a moderate level of hunger overall,” Haga said. “Rise Against Hunger serves the regions of the Philippines where hunger is most urgent, and that’s where the meals are headed.”

Members of Crozet Methodist Church were joined by a number of volunteers from throughout the Crozet community. The church is also known for its decades-long commitment to feeding the hungry in Crozet and beyond through its Grace Grocery, which distributes food every Monday.

Another milestone for the church was the confirmation of 19 young people in May, a church record, Haga said. The size of the cohort, which met weekly to learn the basic tenets of Christianity, was also the largest she had ever taught. The joyful ceremony also included a couple of baptisms. Six parents reaffirmed their faith along with their children.

“I couldn’t be more proud as a pastor,” Haga said. “It’s an exciting time to see young folks make an intentional choice to live as Christ followers and show others what it means to love others as Christ loves us.”

North Garden Author Celebrates New Book

Lisa Weyher, the author of Take Ten to Turn Up,  invites women of all ages to join her for a summer garden gathering at the Baldwin Center on Bundoran Farm on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m.

After a light brunch, Weyher will give a 40-minute talk she calls “Dear You, You Matter, Love, God.”

Weyher said her book is meant to offer a 10-minute sanctuary for women, asking them to take a short break from their pressing daily chores to read one of 60 reflections designed to turn up the quiet and turn down the chaos.

She anticipates the volume will be the first of six.

“The ‘Secret Place’ mentioned in Psalm 91 isn’t just a concept. It is a reality, a sanctuary of hope you can experience every day,” Weyher said. “This book is designed to serve as a spiritual GPS, guiding readers away from daily whirlwinds and into that place of intimate communion with God.”

The book is printed in sepia watercolor tones to help readers relax, she said. Each reflection includes a QR code leading readers to a related song of praise.

Take Ten to Turn Up is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or through Weyher’s website, lisawtalks.com, which also includes more information about the August event.