I am smiling.
I smell coffee. I am sitting at my desk and from down the hall, I can smell coffee. I can hear the staff chatting, catching up on last night, and talking about plans for today.
There are changes happening here at WDMUMC. Last week, Linda, our Director of Congregational Care, retired. And Angela, our communications coordinator, has resigned from her job so that she can pursue a master’s degree in social work. Linda and Angela blessed us. They both carried out their jobs with great grace. They made this a better place.
Two weeks ago Hannah joined our staff, replacing Angela. She is in those first weeks of a new job when everything is new and unfamiliar, and it can take a long time to find the stapler or figure out who you need to contact before sending out the newsletter. And even in this time, she does her work with a smile.
On Sunday I walked into church with John. He has been around the church for a long time. A deeply committed Methodist.
On Sunday three new people joined the church. Callie and Christian and Daniel. I have had the joy of meeting them all and listening to their faith stories. We said goodbye to Kim and Jeff as they prepare to move to Chile. They have been such an important part of our church family.
Pastor Trevor began his ministry here yesterday. We spent the morning bringing him up to speed on the things that are happening around the church. He is excited and eager to get to work. He also asked, “Is there coffee somewhere in the church?”
Last night the Stephen Ministers sat around a table and shared updates on their ministry.
Becky just stopped by to drop off a book. Mike is here to talk about the website. Sharon is volunteering at the reception desk. Priscilla is working the Vespers service for Sunday. Rachel is back from vacation and responding to lots of emails. Morganne’s office is overflowing with VBS stuff.
God is good. All of this has filled me with a sense of gratitude for people and the unexpected gifts they bring. The image of God is stamped on all of us, and in each person, a bit more of God is revealed.
Are we perfect? No. We need to honest about that. We get distracted. We worry and fret. And sometimes we are flat out afraid and then we forget to love. And there is always more love to extend, more people to welcome, more gifts to discover.
But despite all that, there is such rich stuff in us, so much potential for good, so much of God being poured into us.
I think being a disciple means opening ourselves to the rich grace of God and letting grace form us. Isn’t curious that maybe the biggest hurdle to being a disciple is simply accepting that we are lovable?
I am seeing a lot of God-grace in the people around me. I smell coffee and I hear the voices of good people and I am grateful.
Blessings,
Pastor Cindy
Pastor Cindy Hickman
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826
Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org.
We worship on Sunday mornings at 8:30 in a traditional way and at 11 in a casual way. You are invited!
This week at WDMUMC:
Everybody Eats! On Wednesday the Everybody Eats team will be handing out weekend food packs in Legion Park and at area schools. More than 100 packs of fruit, granola bars, string cheese, bread and more are being distributed each week. This week a special 4th of July treat for the kiddos: ice cream! Jesus told us to feed people and we are! Keep this ministry in your prayers!
Wedding on Friday! Keep Ellie and Alex in your prayers as they begin life together!
Reconciling Ministries Group Forming
The United Methodist Church has been involved in a debate around human sexuality. Here at WDMUMC, a Reconciling Ministries Group has been formed. You can learn more about Reconciling Ministries at https://rmnetwork.org/. The group is committed to full inclusion of all persons in the United Methodist Church. This group wants to ensure that everyone knows that they are welcome here. They have created the following mission statement:
We, a reconciling group within the West Des Moines United Methodist Church, believe that all human beings are sacred and worthy of God’s love and grace. Through our differences, we can reflect God’s love to one another with open hearts, minds, and doors. Without qualification, our group welcomes, embraces and affirms people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, races, nationalities, theologies, and abilities. We seek to offer a safe place where compassionate understanding conveys hope, and mutual respect of one’s identity brings wholeness into our lives in God.
If you would like to sign on to this statement, email Char Walton at charnj1@me.com.
We are the church and we journey together.
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