Kathy Ross and church kids

CPI Pastor Brings Sweet Music
to Monongahela Valley, Pennsylvania

Kathy Ross is pastor of the Monongahela Valley congregation in Charleroi, Pennsylvania. She is a music teacher leading a congregation heretofore bereft of musicians. “Piano players? I was it,” said Kathy. “As the only pianist in the congregation, I had to get a substitute every time I was away.”

Kathy organized a worship-music incentive program that funds piano lessons for young people with the understanding that they will diligently practice and then play for Mon Valley Sunday services. One student, named Elizabeth, was so enthused by the prospect of piano lessons that she promptly dumped out her piggy bank to try to help her church. And Mon Valley’s ministry of music has grown beyond piano accompaniment. “Kathy has also begun a bell choir that involves 10–12 people varying in age from 7–63,” said Carl Hughes, a member of the congregation.

The Mon Valley congregation benefits from Kathy’s participation in the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative. CPI is training 100 bi-vocational pastors throughout North America to become better-skilled shepherds of their congregations. “Monongahela Valley has gone through resurgence during the years of Kathy’s participation in CPI,” explained Kathy’s husband, Joel Ross. “The excitement, interest level, and positive spirit of the congregation have grown greatly.”

CPI Cohort Two meeting

Mon Valley was in crisis some years back and the Ross family agreed to help. Kathy has since stayed on as pastor and she joined the CPI program in 2004 as a part of Cohort Two. “CPI is a specialized pastor track and everything’s right on target rather than being a seminary sidelight,” said Kathy Ross. “The CPI program has given me confidence as a pastor, direction for our congregation, commitment from priesthood members, enhanced my ministry skills, and deepened my faith in God.”

Kathy and Joel lead different Community of Christ congregations. He is pastor of Pittsburgh South Hills in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. She is pastor of Mon Valley. The Ross family lives much closer to Joel’s congregation in Bethel Park than to Kathy’s in Charleroi. So Kathy not only faces the difficulty of a longer drive to church, but also being apart from her husband during weekly corporate worship. “It’s hard that Joel and I don’t worship together most Sunday mornings,” admitted Kathy.

The Mon Valley congregation is near a group home called the Adams House. “The Adams House provides personal care for mentally challenged folks in Charleroi,” explained Kathy. “We visit and invite them to come to church. Some have been baptized and participate regularly. Others come occasionally. They are high maintenance, but so precious.”

Kathy’s considerable teaching experience with gifted music students has also helped her as pastor at Mon Valley. “The Lord has sent many people to the congregation,” said Joel. “These people have a wide diversity of backgrounds, which has enriched the group, including mentally challenged persons, people from the urban setting in town close to the church, working class people, inactive church members, some professionals, and young families with babies and young children.†There has been a major transformation of the congregation.”
Mon Valley extends the hand of friendship and peace to area children. “We have had a very successful year with the starting of a Young Peacemakers Club,” said Carl Hughes. “Kathy has worked tirelessly in making it a great experience for many children in the community who look forward to the many activities she’s planned.” “Bring them in, build them up, and send them out,” is Kathy’s philosophy.
“I have seen Kathy’s positive personality reflected in our congregation, especially after her participation in CPI,” added Carl. “One of the most important lessons she learned is the idea of teamwork. Kathy has always been one to try to do everything on her own, but she is now giving more responsibility to others. She is one of the most giving and caring people I know.”

Piano Club Disney Recital

“Kathy is a pastor with deep roots, a tremendous faith, and a love for people that is founded in Jesus,” said CPI coordinator Tom Mountenay. “She always shares her testimonies and ministries from these deep sources of strength.”

“The world is in great need of spiritual healing and there are many who will respond,” said Joel. “Kathy did not lose sight of the vision of the Lord’s calling for the church and she did not give up when things didn’t come together as quickly as she had hoped. People’s lives are being changed as they have come to experience and know the joys of responding to the call of the Prince of Peace.”

Monongahela Valley has gone from being a congregation on the ropes to one full of promise and hope. “I hope we continue to grow in number, in church activities, and in our own spiritual lives,” said Marguerite Melenyzer.

“I would hope that our congregation would continue to find more ways to bring people into a relationship with the Lord,” said Carl. “Kathy has certainly committed her life to that effort.”

Visit www.CofChrist.org/co-missioned/ for more information about the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative. —Dirk Ellingson reporting