
History of New Beginnings Christian Community
About us
On September 18, 2001 an interracial group of ten friends met at Pastor Liz’s home to discuss founding a church that welcomed everyone including: gays, lesbians, transgender folk, addicts, alcoholics, ex-offenders and their families and supporters. We began with two Bible studies, Wednesdays at Pastor Liz’s home and Sunday nights at UVA. These groups continue on Thursday nights, focusing on the Old Testament taught by Rev. Greg at the church, and studying New Testament themes with Pastor Brenda on zoom. We also continue to host the New Beginnings TV show on Channel 13 on Tuesdays night at 8:00 p.m., Fridays at 1:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.
Within six months, we had grown into a congregation of twenty-five and secured Barrett Day Care Center for their our worship service on Palm Sunday. At the end of the year we had outgrown Barrett and moved to the Blue Ridge House. In 2004, the church relocated to the Monticello Event and Conference Center and then in 2007 expanded to Clark Elementary School. In 2014, we finally rented a full time facility downtown on 1130 East Market St.
Concern for our hungry members led Peggy Mayo and Maureen Littlepath to start our Food Ministry, which has expanded from Sundays to four days a week, now feeding 300 people. From the beginning we have been teaching Bible studies and visiting inmates at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Regional Jail. We also host PACEM, our movable homeless shelter and work with the Haven in caring for those who are living on the streets and in their cars. The church gives a large percentage of our income in emergency assistance to those who are struggling with: eviction, utility bills, funeral expenses, car repair and insurance and medications.
As part of the American Baptist Churches, USA, we have supported flood victims by sending volunteers to Rainelle, W.V. , plus helping a family who survived Hurricane Harvey in Houston. We also dedicate some of our funds to national and international ministries work with refugees and victims of natural disasters. Social justice is important to us as members of the Interfaith Clergy Collective and IMPACT, working for equality and affordable housing for all.






PASTOR LIZ

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Born and raised in San Francisco Bay Area
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Ordained by American Baptist USA in 1978
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D. Min from Claremont
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Graduate of Shalem Institute
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Pastored in White Plains, NY and Branford, Ct.
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Exec. Dir. of AIDS/HIV Service Group
You can contact Pastor Liz at elizabethemrey@gmail.com
PASTOR BRENDA

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Born and raised in Charlottesville, VA
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B.A. from UVA
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M.Div. from Union Theological
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Graduate work at Vanderbilt
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Ordained National Baptist USA, 1991, recognized by American Baptists, USA, 2010
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Licensed Mt. Vernon, NY,
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Pastored FBC Natural Bridge, Assist. Pastor, Sweet Union Roanoke, VA
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Taught at Fisk; American Baptist College, Nashville; VA Seminary, Lynchburg VA
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Wednesdays studying New Testament themes with Pastor Brenda on zoom.
Pastor Brenda is on Sabbatical until April 1, 2023
ASSOCIATE PASTOR, REV. GREG

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Born and raised in Pennsylvania
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Ph.D., Biochemistry Penn State
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D.S.T., Amherst Theological Seminary
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Post Doc. work in Mexico, Ghana and Norway
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Taught in Ghana and Mexico
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Ordained ABC in 2014
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Author of 26 books, plus a History of New Beginnings Christian Community
You can contact Pastor Greg at a_cudjo3@outlook.com
Intern Minister Betsey Vinton

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Elizabeth Vinton (“Betsey’) is our new intern minister. Betsey has studied for the ministry through the American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire. She is a member of an ABC Church in New Hampshire where she has a summer home. She is currently a candidate for ordination there.
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Betsey moved to Charlottesville a year ago with her husband John to be close to their family. They have 3 daughters and 9 grandchildren. Betsey is a retired Pediatrician – having practiced general pediatrics in the Boston area, provided free care pediatrics to the underserved in Bluffton, South Carolina, and traveled to Haiti on multiple medical mission trips. She enjoys fitness, music, and - of course, studying the Word. Her faith in Jesus Christ has been lifelong.
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You can contact Betsey at elizabethvinton@yahoo.com