The congregation reflected on its roots and looked to the future during a two-day anniversary celebration.
Middletown Valley, Catoctin View Welcome Gonzalez as New Pastor
Members welcomed Cesar Gonzalez to his new church district during an installation on Nov. 5.

Cesar Gonzalez was installed as the new pastor of the Middletown Valley (Jefferson, Md.) and Catoctin View (Thurmont, Md.) churches on Nov. 5.
Gonzalez has served as the pastor of the Cambridge (Md.) and Beacon of Light (Salisbury, Md.) churches for the past 13 years.
“Although I will dearly miss my Eastern Shore family and community, I am excited about working to overcome new challenges and making new family,” Gonzalez says.
Eli Rojas, Chesapeake Conference ministerial director, attended the installation to introduce Gonzalez and his family to their new congregations.
“Pastor Cesar Gonzalez’s installation was meaningful,” Rojas says. “Pastor Gonzalez simply took the time to share from the heart about his children, Joaquin and Niko, his wife, Grace, and his focus on ministry. In the simplicity of his message, he moved the hearts of the members present to understand his passion for lost sinners…It was a moving presentation.”
Gonzalez says he appreciates how members went out of their way to make his family feel welcome. “My family was met with overwhelming kindness and warmth,” he says.
