Front Royal ministers encourage the community to come together

Dear Warren County Community,

We each have been called to serve as pastors of five of Front Royal’s churches during the last two years. Each of us considers it a privilege to minister in this community. Like all of you, we have read the news reports, scanned Facebook and heard conversations in our churches and in our community about the difficulties our town and county are facing. We have been concerned, upset, disheartened and frustrated at what we have learned. However, as church leaders, we stand on the hope that all things can be redeemed and that new life comes after what seems like death. As faith leaders, we feel called to give voice to a message of hope and to the promise of a future that is brighter than what we might imagine now.

Our community has many gifted and talented people who call Front Royal and Warren County home. Both within our churches and without, many of our community’s residents are busy serving our neighbors. We see people stepping up to help those in need. We see schools and community organizations partnering to help our children grow up to be healthy and happy adults. We see senior adults volunteering in many ways to help those who need a helping hand. We see businesses that are helping to provide careers for adults so they can provide for their families.

We are committed to be about the work of healing, peace-making and reconciliation. We want to celebrate the many good things happening in our community and to be partners in helping our neighbors in Warren County live fruitful lives. We are committed to being positive in how we speak about our community and about how we speak about each other.

We hope you will join us in having faith in the people of Warren County to come together as we work toward an even better future for all.

Ingrid Chenoweth
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Terry Clark
Pastor, Front Royal United Methodist Church

Carrie Evans
Pastor, Front Royal Presbyterian Church

Valerie Hayes
Rector, Calvary Episcopal Church

Christy McMillin-Goodwin
Pastor, First Baptist Church