Church Is a Verb

The theme of Annual Conference this year was, “Bold Disciples, Abundant Fruit.” This theme is displayed as we live out our faith in community with other believers and in the community in which we live. I have been appointed to Kirkland UMC for another year, beginning July 1st. I hear God clearly telling me that I am appointed not only to the church, but to the town of Kirkland as well. I care deeply about what happens here. I am called to both partner with and lead the Kirkland congregation to use the church as a missionary outpost in order to be in ministry to those who don’t know Jesus.

The questions that we have begun to ask ourselves and that we will continue to ask (in our Vision Team, the Natural Church Development program and at Administrative Council) are “Who are we?”, “What is God calling us to do?” and “Who is our neighbor?” These questions will shape the direction our conversations take and the goals that we begin to set for the next 5-10 years.

There are about fifty people who are embarking on a process of soul searching and holy listening. They are the folks that have joined the “Man in the Mirror” study, the “Walking in the Truth” woman’s study, the new youth program SALT (Save-A Life-Tuesday), the Wednesday morning prayer group or have agreed to serve on the Vision or Natural Church Development teams. These people will continue to have holy conversations and listen to the rest of the congregation as they seek to hear God’s voice and the unique calling for Kirkland UMC.

Please include in your Sabbath each week a time of prayer dedicated to hearing God’s intention for the next leg of the journey we are on as a church. It is a awesome privilege and joy to be on this journey with you.

In the Peace of Christ,

Pastor Pam

First United Methodist’s pastor, Pamela Rossmiller, graduated from Dubuque Theological Seminary on May 9, 2009. While attending school she served as pastor at Broadway United Methodist Church since September of 2007. Pastor Pam was on staff for eight years at Belvidere United Methodist, coordinating small groups and directing the lay ministry. Her husband Vann sells, services and installs industrial boilers, working from his shop in Belvidere. Their daughter, Lindsay, graduated from Wisconsin Eau Claire in 2009 with a degree in music therapy. Garth, their youngest, graduated in 2009 after completing a program in diesel power generation from Ohio Technical College in Cleveland. The Rossmillers have entered with excitement and joy into what God has planned for the next leg of their journey.