A Note from Pastor Connie

Greetings to the Holy People of God, 

It was the donut that caught my eye as I sat in the library at church. A picture of a chocolate frosted donut coupled with a book and I just have to investigate further. A new book? I better check it out. This led me to “The Donut Theory” by Linda Gillis. This is a book for Colleen, Kurt and me. It is a devotion book for the church office written by a church secretary. But you might enjoy it as well. And right next to is another book by the same author, “Humble Beginnings.”

As I flipped open the cover, again I was drawn into this book. I saw in handwriting, “Given in memory of Glen Gillis, the husband of my cousin, Linda…Glen died way too young in the Spring of 2016 of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Signed Valerie Buns, dated 12/2016.”

Valerie belongs with us. You may not know her. She is quiet and does a lot of behind the scenes work. I’ve had coffee with her and she has given me some hostas as she thinned her garden. You may have tasted one of her sweet rolls at the Easter breakfast or received a kind note from her on behalf of Christ the King. Like I said, she works behind the scenes.

Now new connections have been made, personal connections. This author, Linda is a cousin of Valerie and when I read these devotions I think of both of them. Linda ends the forward of her book with these words, “Should you find some of the stories…a bit corny –it is something you might expect from an author who grew up on a farm in Iowa.” And there is another connection.

Think about what captures your attention and who are the people that influence you especially in regard to our faith in Jesus. Who are the people that help you to trust God? What captures your attention and draws you closer to God and your neighbor? What makes you hungry and thirsty for God? What helps you to see God’s activity in your immediate context?

The Holy Spirit knows what will get our attention. I’m not proud, food usually captures my attention. God speaks to us in these common things – water, bread, wine, words and captures our attention and our hearts. Where would we be without these things? In a world of hurt. God loves us and comes to us in the very things we need to survive. God loves you and comes to you in the very environment in which you live.

Are you paying attention? Think about that, paying attention means that you give it some thought, some time, you look for it and it will cost you. Thinking about God and looking for God will cost you time and attention away from yourself which is well worth it. It may cost you some repentance – to think again about God and how God is revealed in our lives.

A star captured the attention of the wise men and they followed it so that they could worship a king, our King, Jesus. We too have a star to follow and he captures our attention and we respond with an eagerness to be in his presence and worship him.

Believing It Boldly Loving Everyday,
Pastor Connie Spitzack

A Note from Pastor Connie

At our annual meeting in January, we will vote to adopt our new mission and vision statement. Thank you to Kevin Heckman and our Long Range Planning Committee for their work in this effort. The mission and vision statement will be the tool we use as we move forward in our mission as disciples of Christ sharing the gospel and serving those in need. Our Evangelism Committee is already focusing on ways to help the congregation share the gospel and our Mission and Justice Committee continues to look for opportunities to reach out and partner with others as they have just begun the school back pack program with Horn and Borlaug Elementary Schools. We are also thinking about expanding our community garden. And we continue to work toward a full-time director of Youth and Family Ministry. Thank you to all who have stepped up with pledging or continued contributions to this effort. At the annual meeting, we will report on how we are moving toward this goal.

With this momentum, I along with the council think that we are ready for a process that helps us to keep focused on our mission, especially as we serve and reach out to our community; we also want people to know the God who loves us so deeply and faithfully. We have filed an application to become “A LEAD Congregation”, which is a process offered through the Southeastern Iowa Synod in partnership with LEAD, a non-profit organizations that is committed to growing Christian leaders with the hope of deeper discipleship and a greater passion for sharing the Gospel in a changing world.

As a LEAD (Living Everyday As Disciples) Congregation we can expect:

Congregational Coaching:

• LEAD Congregational Assessment
• Coaching for the LEAD Team in our congregation using one or more of LEAD’S processes within LEAD’s four growth indicators for vital continued behavioral change
• Individual Coaching

Strategic Learning Seminars:

• Congregations working together toward making technical and adaptive change:Listening through the Tune In Process that strengthens the our relationship with the neighborhood, following God in mission.
• Centering through the Wake up Process that clarifies our purpose, core values, and strategic goals while working towards alignment.
• Exploring through the Dig Down Process that sharpens theological lens, governance and staffing, as well as generosity.
• Connecting through the Work Out Process focusing on best practices in faith formation, hospitality and relationships with integrity.

The commitment and investment includes time, energy, prayer, listening, intentional planning, and financial contribution. As well as an investment in new behaviors that will open us up to God’s mission in our neighborhood and in the world with the support of a learning cohort of congregations, a trained coach, the Office of the Bishop and the best LEAD has to offer us. We will learn together what it means to lead God’s church in this changing world. This is an 18-month process of intentional time of learning.

I look forward to walking with you in this next step in our journey together. As we have been studying the book of Genesis in the Adult Forum, Abraham was chosen by God, simply because of a willingness to go. So we take a step of faith and go and we go with God.

The Bible Project . . . a Resource Gift for You

For all our visual learners and those who like to get an overview of a book of the Bible before you read it, do I have resource for you!

It’s called the Bible Project and it’s a pastor and artist from Oregon who have put this resource together in which they introduce a book of the Bible in 7-9 minutes framing up the book and highlighting major stories and connections.

You can find this resource on YouTube or visit their web site. This is a free resource. If you are interested in their Read Scripture Plan, to read through the Bible in a year, I have a copy in my office and plan to use it in the new year.