04/13/2026
Good morning, FUMC Kingsville and friends! We have known for a couple of weeks that we will be welcoming Rev. Betsy Careaga to our congregation in July, but now we have an announcement about where Pastor Cynthia is going.
A message from Pastor Cynthia:
When I came among you three years ago, I discovered how blessed the pastors of FUMC Kingsville could be. From the rough beginning with the death of Clayton’s mother within my first few weeks, to all of the ways in which we have grieved and rejoiced together, celebrated Holy Communion together, met to re-vision FUMC Kingsville’s place here in this community, and joined in partnership with other UMCs in our area, I have continued to see God’s grace through your eyes.
And now it is time for my ministry here to end. Bishop Harvey and the Cabinet have asked me to serve as the pastor of Berkeley UMC in Austin, TX, and I was re-introduced there last night. I say “re-introduced” because it is a rare opportunity for me to return to a congregation I have already served—something that does not happen very often. This move also places me closer to my mother, sister, and support systems, something that the Cabinet graciously took into account in considering an appointment for me this coming year. It will also help Clayton that he will be 3.5 hours closer to the family home he is still taking care of in Paris!
But despite the fact that I am returning after 18 years of pastoral ministry to a church community where I served and developed deep roots, I am a different pastor because of what each subsequent congregation has taught me. This includes my three years with you, as personally tumultuous as they have been. I will forever appreciate your encouragement to grow in appreciation for contemporary music for worship, the children who inspired me to learn how to engage with their curious minds and questions, and the opportunity to serve in such a unique mission field—a rural university town with both a historic ranch and an important military base!
My love for and appreciation for your story and gifts will never go away, even if my pastoral support for you will give way to Pastor Betsy at the beginning of July. I trust that you will look solely to her for pastoral leadership once her appointment among you begins. It is a covenant clergy hold with each other and with the conference not to interfere in a colleague’s ministry by accepting invitations to return to
preside at weddings or funerals or other pastoral functions, so I will not.
That being said, we still have 2 1/2 months in which to transition well, including helping our staff to make their third transition in six years (especial prayers for them)! We will still have graduation celebrations, Miracle Sunday, Annual Conference and a host of other opportunities to learn how to say both “goodbye” and “welcome” so close together. Many more logistical details will be offered in the coming weeks, but for now, we celebrate that the Holy Spirit is still on the move in our community as we seek to follow the Christ who both saves and sends us.
I will close with my favorite verse from one of my favorite hymns: “We Rejoice to Be God’s Chosen” (John Bell)
We rejoice to be God’s chosen, to align with heaven’s intent;
To await where we are summoned and accept where we are sent.
We rejoice to be God’s chosen, and amidst all that we see—
to anticipate with wonder that the best is yet to be!
Blessings and prayers as we await and accept and anticipate God’s best for ourselves and for each other. —Pastor Cynthia
