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Meet our pastorPastor Christa Springstead just came to Tabernacle United Methodist Church in July 2020. She grew up in Chesapeake and graduated from Hickory High School. After that she attended Virginia Wesleyan University and received a BA in Religious Studies. She received her Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. She served as associate pastor of Community UMC in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach for five years and just finished her fifth year at The Garden UMC in Norfolk, VA as their lead pastor.
Christa is married to David, and he is a talented musician. He plays just about any instrument except for brass and woodwinds. They have one son, Davey and a black lab and two fish! Christa is passionate about reaching people who think church could never be for them. She is called to lead the church in practicing unconditional love, grace and forgiveness. Christa loves worship! Contemporary, traditional, indoor, outdoor, you name it! If it's a genuine offering of praise to God, she's in! Christa's desire is to see all generations coming together in community and fun. Christa Springstead, Pastor 1265 Sandbridge Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Office: (757) 426-2396 Office Fax: (757) 426-2890 Personal: (757) 288-4016 Email Pastor | Email Church Office Visit our Facebook Page |
OUR MISSION AS THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Today we continue our devotion to creating disciples for Jesus Christ and making the good news available to anyone who desires to hear it. All preaching and teaching is grounded in Scripture, informed by Christian tradition, enlivened by personal experience and tested by reason. Along with other Christian denominations, we believe in God - expressed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The United Methodist Church is part of the church universal. All persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, status or economic condition, are welcome to attend our churches, receive Holy Communion, and be baptized and admitted into membership.
The United Methodist Church is part of the church universal. All persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, status or economic condition, are welcome to attend our churches, receive Holy Communion, and be baptized and admitted into membership.
Our beliefs
The heart of our Christian faith is Christ's ministry of outreaching love. We are all called to minister wherever Christ would have us work to heal and free others. United Methodists believe in God's grace, which means the unearned and loving action of God in our daily lives. In spite of suffering, violence, and evil in the world, we assert that God's grace exists everywhere. Despite any circumstance, we remain creatures brought to life by a just and loving God. The reign of God is both a present and a future reality.
Today United Methodists comprise the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. Our churches are connected by a system that guides our work and governs our policies. We continue to take the lead in spiritual, social, political, and moral concerns. In the tradition of John and Charles Wesley, our members study Scripture, encourage thoughtful debate, and confront the tough issues of the day. We still lead with our hearts, keep our minds open, and welcome everyone through our doors.
Our hearts, our minds and our doors are always open...
-The people of The United Methodist Church
Today United Methodists comprise the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. Our churches are connected by a system that guides our work and governs our policies. We continue to take the lead in spiritual, social, political, and moral concerns. In the tradition of John and Charles Wesley, our members study Scripture, encourage thoughtful debate, and confront the tough issues of the day. We still lead with our hearts, keep our minds open, and welcome everyone through our doors.
Our hearts, our minds and our doors are always open...
-The people of The United Methodist Church
mission plan
1. Introduce people to Jesus Christ.
(II Corinthians 5:18-20 - "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has given us the ministry of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We impore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.")
2. Instruct people in the faith.
(Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.")
3. Involve people in ministry.
(Ephesians 4:11-12 - "It was Christ who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works for service, so that the whole body of Christ may be built up.")
4. Inspire people to missions.
(Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.")
5. Invest people with a life of stewardship.
(II Corinthians 8:7 - "But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.")
(II Corinthians 5:18-20 - "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has given us the ministry of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We impore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.")
2. Instruct people in the faith.
(Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.")
3. Involve people in ministry.
(Ephesians 4:11-12 - "It was Christ who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works for service, so that the whole body of Christ may be built up.")
4. Inspire people to missions.
(Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.")
5. Invest people with a life of stewardship.
(II Corinthians 8:7 - "But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.")
history
Tabernacle is one of the oldest congregations in Methodism in the United States. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1784, and Tabernacle began as a small congregation only five years later in 1789. It was originally served by two ministers on horseback and meeting at a building located on the present site.
In 1825 the congregation purchased one acre of land in Princess Anne County at the price of $20 at the location where the meeting house stood. By 1830 the original structure was demolished and the present building was erected. In that same year, Tabernacle became an organized part of the Princess Anne Charge, which included: Nimmo, Charity, Bethel, Providence, Knotts Island, Salem, Beech Grove, and Tabernacle. In 1908 the slave balcony was removed, stained glass windows and wood floors were added, a bell tower was erected, and the present pews were added to replace the original three rows of pews. Lights were added in the early 1920's to replace the kerosene lamps that hung from the ceiling. However, most of the main support and wooden pegs still hold the beams together.
For years, two other buildings, a temperance hall and a one room school house which was laughingly called "Stump College", stood separate from the church and served as classrooms for social gatherings and meetings.
In the 1930's, these two buildings burned down and the section was added to the back of the church to serve as Sunday School rooms and fellowship hall. As a fund raising project, Tabernacle began the Lotus Luncheon in 1955, which is still served every year on the third Wednesday of July.
Tabernacle became a station church in 1957, at which time the parsonage was built across the road.
With much faith, in 1969 the brick building was built separate from the old church to serve as classrooms, kitchen, social hall and temporary sanctuary, since the old sanctuary was in need of much repair. The Administrative Board voted in 1977 to begin raising funds for the restoration of the old church. At this time the Colonial Dinner was started, which is still held every November. The first service in the restored church was held on Christmas Eve, 1978 at an 11:00 PM Candlelight Service.
After much thoughtful consideration, the church leadership decided to do something significant to protect the future of the church. In 1995 the Heritage Fund property endowment was established as an ongoing project.
Tabernacle has a long and cherished reputation, and has served many generations of people. It remains a church of Jesus Christ, serving the people of this community and the world.
In 1825 the congregation purchased one acre of land in Princess Anne County at the price of $20 at the location where the meeting house stood. By 1830 the original structure was demolished and the present building was erected. In that same year, Tabernacle became an organized part of the Princess Anne Charge, which included: Nimmo, Charity, Bethel, Providence, Knotts Island, Salem, Beech Grove, and Tabernacle. In 1908 the slave balcony was removed, stained glass windows and wood floors were added, a bell tower was erected, and the present pews were added to replace the original three rows of pews. Lights were added in the early 1920's to replace the kerosene lamps that hung from the ceiling. However, most of the main support and wooden pegs still hold the beams together.
For years, two other buildings, a temperance hall and a one room school house which was laughingly called "Stump College", stood separate from the church and served as classrooms for social gatherings and meetings.
In the 1930's, these two buildings burned down and the section was added to the back of the church to serve as Sunday School rooms and fellowship hall. As a fund raising project, Tabernacle began the Lotus Luncheon in 1955, which is still served every year on the third Wednesday of July.
Tabernacle became a station church in 1957, at which time the parsonage was built across the road.
With much faith, in 1969 the brick building was built separate from the old church to serve as classrooms, kitchen, social hall and temporary sanctuary, since the old sanctuary was in need of much repair. The Administrative Board voted in 1977 to begin raising funds for the restoration of the old church. At this time the Colonial Dinner was started, which is still held every November. The first service in the restored church was held on Christmas Eve, 1978 at an 11:00 PM Candlelight Service.
After much thoughtful consideration, the church leadership decided to do something significant to protect the future of the church. In 1995 the Heritage Fund property endowment was established as an ongoing project.
Tabernacle has a long and cherished reputation, and has served many generations of people. It remains a church of Jesus Christ, serving the people of this community and the world.
Becoming a member
Approximately 4 times per year, Pastor Christa will hold New Member Classes for 2 consecutive weeks during the Sunday School Hour (9:45-10:45 Sunday Mornings). Anyone interested in becoming a member at Tabernacle may join the classes. Please call the office if you are interested in joining our church family!