For new pastor at Annandale United, community engagement is a priority
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| Rev. Micheli |
Rev. Jason Micheli, the pastor at Annandale United Methodist Church, plans to carry on the spirit of community engagement embraced by the
former pastor, Rev. Clarence Brown, who left in June after serving at AUMC for 10
years. Brown was reassigned to a church in Yorktown, Va.
Brown is a former chair of the Taste of Annandale Planning
Committee, and AUMC is continuing that support, as a Gold-level sponsor of the
fourth annual Taste of Annandale, a street festival on Oct. 13. Rev. Brown is expected to come back to Annandale for that event.
Committee, and AUMC is continuing that support, as a Gold-level sponsor of the
fourth annual Taste of Annandale, a street festival on Oct. 13. Rev. Brown is expected to come back to Annandale for that event.
Micheli’s wife, Ali, a tax attorney, is starting a running
group, and plans to participate in the Taste of Annandale 5K. They have two
sons: Alexander, age 15, is a student at Woodson High School, and Gabriel, 12,
goes to Holy Spirit Catholic School in Annandale.
Micheli, who previously served at Aldersgate
United Methodist Church in Alexandria, says he hopes to bring more stability to
AUMC. Other than that, “I’m still learning the lay of the land and
learning about the community,” he says.
United Methodist Church in Alexandria, says he hopes to bring more stability to
AUMC. Other than that, “I’m still learning the lay of the land and
learning about the community,” he says.
One project on his agenda is figuring out how the church can
make better use of its adjunct building on Heritage Drive. “I want to know that
community better and brainstorm how we can maximize that building and be as
strategic as possible,” he says. AUMC currently uses it for service projects, and it is used by other churches and organizations, such as Edu-Futuro.
make better use of its adjunct building on Heritage Drive. “I want to know that
community better and brainstorm how we can maximize that building and be as
strategic as possible,” he says. AUMC currently uses it for service projects, and it is used by other churches and organizations, such as Edu-Futuro.
Micheli brings a unique perspective to his vocation, as he has
been living with an incurable disease, mantle cell lymphoma, a form of bone
marrow cancer, since 2015. His book, Cancer is Funny: Keeping Faith in Serious Chemo, confronts mortality with faith and humor, and his blog, “Tamed Cynic,”
offers a thoughtful exploration of theology, spirituality, and life.
been living with an incurable disease, mantle cell lymphoma, a form of bone
marrow cancer, since 2015. His book, Cancer is Funny: Keeping Faith in Serious Chemo, confronts mortality with faith and humor, and his blog, “Tamed Cynic,”
offers a thoughtful exploration of theology, spirituality, and life.
As a result of his illness, Micheli says, “I am free to
enjoy my job. The little things don’t bother me. I know what’s important.”
enjoy my job. The little things don’t bother me. I know what’s important.”
