Pastoral Ponderings – February 2022

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines..”  ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

According to scripture, each of us, as humans, have been given some sort of gift from God/Holy Spirit. These gifts vary for each one of us, and are to be used to make the world a better place. Sometimes we know what our gifts are, and sometimes we don’t. Regardless of what our gifts are, God calls us to use them for Their plan for us and the world. If we don’t use our gifts, we are cheating others and all of creation.

As people of faith, we don’t always recognize these gifts in ourselves, or don’t know we have them until we have an opportunity to try something new. As we continue to move through this pandemic, the chaos of violence, continued division, and hatred, we must hold fast to our gifts, and let them shine in ways we never thought possible.

I currently serve on two different committees outside of Faith UCC. I am the Chairperson for the Funding Future Leaders Scholarship Committee, and Treasurer for the Eastern Iowa Association. Like every other aspect in our lives, both of these committees are in need of volunteers to serve. (As does the Eastern Iowa Association Committee on Ministry.) At this point in time, all three of these are meeting online. Below are the descriptions of the committees, as well as the positions we are looking for.

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY—meets monthly (3 year term)
COM is the committee which authorizes ministers in the EIA, as well as the overall health of clergy, and relationships between clergy/congregations.

 Term Ending 2024 (lay person)

ADVISORY COUNCIL—meets every other month (2 year term)
Advisory Council is the governing body of the EIA. They are in charge of budget and policies, hold the Annual Meeting. They are the support of the lay leaders of the churches within the EIA.
Term ending 2023 Vice Moderator—Lay Person
Term ending 2023 Member-at-Large—Lay Person
Term ending 2023 Nominating Committee Chairperson—Lay or Clergy

FUNDING FUTURE LEADERS– meets 8 times a year (2 year term)
FFL is the committee who reviews the scholarships for the Members in Discernment of the Iowa Conference.
Term beginning August 1, 2022—ending July 31, 2024

If you are interested in using your gifts by serving on any of these committees, please contact me!

~ Always Peace,

Pastor Heidi