"Midweek and Time for Prayer" Pastor Cindy's Devotion 02/05/2020

Friends!
Each year here at West Des Moines United Methodist we have a prayer that we use all year long.  We post it on our webpage and our Facebook page.  We pray it as we open meetings.  We publish it in our newsletter.  It is our way of being unified in prayer.

In 2019 our prayer was God, today let me faithfully live your story for my life, my church, and my community, amen.

Was that prayer answered?  In so many ways in the last year, our story here at WDMUMC was God’s story.  Our lives, our church, and our community all seemed to grow in grace in the last year.
And now it is a new year and so, we have a new prayer.

God, you give us life.  When we might give up or give in, you refresh our lives.  When we wonder or worry about the way ahead, you sustain us with life-giving wisdom.  May the plans we make today be our way of saying thank you.  May our work bring life-giving grace to others.  The world so desperately needs the life you offer.  Amen. 

A prayer for the refreshing presence of God.  A prayer for wisdom to meet us in our worries.  A prayer that our plans are an expression of gratitude.  A prayer that our work gives grace to others.  A prayer for a world in desperate need.

Once again, we will post this prayer on Facebook and on our website.  Once again we will open our meetings with this prayer. You will find copies of this prayer throughout the church.  Fill free to pick up a copy and keep it on your fridge or bedside.

Once again, we trust that as we pray this prayer, God will answer.

Thank you for being the church!

Blessings,
Pastor Cindy
Pastor Cindy Hickman
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826

PS:  Last week I listed lots of the groups in our church and thanked their leaders.  I was afraid I left out groups and I did!  So let me say thank you to the Library Team, the Music On Grand Committee, the Bereavement team, The Church Council members, the Lay Leaders, and the State Fair Committees.  It takes all of you to make the church happen.  And I am sure I am still leaving someone out! 

This Week At WDMUMC!
New Sermon Series begins on Sunday!  Finding Peace in an Anxious World.  We are taking a stand against anxiety!  See you Sunday.

Our Little Food Pantry is open for business 24-7 so that we can ensure that our neighbors have access to food.  Jane, who faithfully stocks our food pantry every day, has let us know that we are running low on canned fruit, individual fruit cups, peanut butter and pasta sauce in cans or plastic bottles.  Fill it up, friends! 

MidWeek Refuel Tonight!  Supper at 5:30!  Canes Chicken is partnering with us tonight!  Come and join in the fun and share a great meal.

The Men's Walk to Emmaus will be using our church this weekend.  Please keep this group in prayer as they come together to grow in faith.

Improving our Safety and Security!  In order to increase the safety and security of all who use our building, we are installing a limited access security system on our doors.  If you have visited your children or grandchildren at their daycares or schools, you are probably familiar with this sort of security system.  The goal is to ensure that persons who should not be in the building, do not have access.  When preschool is in session, or during times when there are few activities scheduled, the doors will be locked and entry will be accessed through a code system.  When there are lots of activities, or when the public needs access to come and go (like today when we are hosting a funeral or Sunday mornings we want everyone to join in worship), the doors will be unlocked.  Codes are now being assigned to various church groups in the church.  During regular business hours, if you need to access the building and you do not have a code, there is a doorbell.  Simply ring it and someone will let you in.  We are currently getting the system in place, seeing what works and what needs adjusting.  Bear with us as adjust to this new system!  And don’t worry!  If you need to enter the building, you will be able to.

"Midweek and a Time to Say 'Thank You'" Pastor Cindy's Devotion 01/29/2020

Good morning friends—
This Saturday evening we will celebrate our church at our annual meeting and dinner.  That may sound a little boastful, celebrating us.  Maybe more accurately, we will celebrate that God has created this church, a people drawn together, forming friendships, and sharing the invitation of God to be God’s hands and feet in the world.

I am a pastor here, specifically ordained to preach, provide the sacraments, serve and oversee the general administration of the church.  The ministry of the church, mission, outreach, teaching, all that depends on you, the people of the church.  Whether these things happen or not depends on the leadership of the church.

My work would not be possible without strong leaders.  The church would not thrive without strong leaders.  The United Methodist Book of Discipline requires that we have four committees:  Leadership Development, Staff Parish Relations, Trustees and Finance.  Each of these committees, along with the Worship Committee and the Memorials Committee, have term limits.   At our annual meeting, we will thank those whose term limits have ended and are retiring from committee work and consecrate those who are beginning their terms and taking on new leadership roles.  We specifically honor the leaders of these committees that experience leadership turns over.

But, here at WDMUMC, we have dozens of strong leaders whose leadership work does not have terms limits and continue in their roles often for years and years.  From Stephen Ministries to Griefshare to Sunday School Teachers to the Reading Buddies Coordinators, College Relations, Crafts for a Cause, Welcoming team, Prayer Shawl, MitsWits, UMW, Youth Group, Covenant Groups, MidWeek Refuel, Everybody Eats, Missions, Bells, Choir, Vespers, the Safety Committee, Yada Yadas, Coffee Fellowship, Memorials, Endowment, Prayer Team, Web Team, Preschool Leaders, Reconciling Ministry, Card Ministry, and more (I risk leaving something out.  Forgive me! And email me so that I know who I have overlooked), dozens of people step up and offer leadership.   All vital.  All important parts that create the whole of WDMUMC.  It is harder to identify all these leaders.  Leaders rise up often, responding to some sort of call God has placed on their hearts.  I want to honor all of our leaders. 

Leadership is not simply being the “boss.”  True leaders inspire us.  They encourage us forward.  They draw out the best in us.

A few weeks ago I ran across this:
Leadership is the process of influencing the actions and behaviors of persons and organizations through complex interactions toward goal achievement.  Leadership does not reside in the person of the leader alone.  It involves accomplishing goals through persons.  Leaders cannot function without the involvement of members.  A relationship must be established between the leader and the members through an ongoing communication process resulting in a common understanding and commitment. 

Here at WDMUMC, when people take on a leadership task, they are taking on all this.  They are stepping into the long history of this church, carrying it forward, handing it off to someone else, and leaving a legacy.  In some cases, our leaders are responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenditures.   In all cases, our leaders are responsible to God for the care of the souls and spirits of others inside and outside our church.

And despite the enormity of the task, somehow it works.  You know when you have been in the presence of a good leader when everyone around the table has a voice, when the goal achieved is bigger than anything any one person could do on their own when the conversation is free from tension and unafraid to pose hard questions, and when you leave the meeting thinking “That was a good hour.  I am so grateful for those people and excited about the work we are doing.”

Here at WDMUMC we have strong leaders who face challenges, have difficult conversations, wait on guidance from God, and then do what needs to be done.

It is a miracle when you think about it.  God must be in it.  

Something to celebrate.  And we will on Saturday night.  Hope to see you there.  And if it hasn’t been said enough, thank you.

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 and WDMUMC.org.

We worship on Sunday mornings in a traditional way at 8:30 and in a casual way at 11.  You are invited to worship in whatever way is right for you!   And now we are livestreaming our 8:30 service!  Watch us on Facebook!

Coming Up at WDMUMC: 
Midweek Refuel Tonight!  Tonight we are going retro!  Dinner just like Grandma made with Tater Tot Casserole and 50’s style desert.  Test your knowledge of long ago with table challenges from the past!  Hula hoop contest!  And a photo booth with all the props!  You can have your picture taken in a pink convertible!  C’mon!  You made it through Wednesday!  Come join in the fun.  Suppers on at 5:30.

Advocacy Day at the State Legislature with Bishop Laurie Haller Thursday, January 30.  The day begins with coffee and snacks at Wesley United Methodist Church at 8:45.  This is followed by devotions and advocacy training.  After that, it is off to meet with the legislature.  Items to be addressed are Climate Change, Water Quality, Restoration of Felon Rights, Minimum Wage, and Funding for Mental Health Services for Children.  You are invited.  Contact Sue Smith for details.
Climate Crisis Parade The Central District United Methodist Women will gather at the Cowles Commons on Saturday, Feb 1 at noon for a climate crisis parade. You are invited.  Contact Sue Smith for details.

Morganne Reads!  Morganne is starting a book club!  The last Thursday of every month from 6-7 pm Morganne and other readers (could be you!) will gather at Panera on West Town Parkway for a book talk.  The first book is The Hate You Give, a novel that tells a story of growing up facing racism.  See Morganne for details!

"Midweek and I Have a Question" Pastor Cindy's Devotion 01/22/2020

Good morning friends!

I am pondering an important question and I need you to help me answer it.  Here’s the question.
Why God? 

A big question, right?  I want to hear your answers as to why God is in your life.  I want to hear your “because…”

The year 2020 is just getting started.  There are lots of challenges and opportunities and adventures to be had in the year ahead.  I think to make the most of our lives, we have to be intentional about what we do.   That is true of the church too.  There are lots of things we can do, but what should we do?  We need to have a “because" a reason why we do what we do. 

For example, each day the Little Food Pantry is stocked with food.  Why put food in the Little Food Pantry?  Because our neighbors are hungry.

On March 1, we plan to add an additional worship service.  Why disrupt Sunday morning and add an additional service?  Because we need to make space for more people to worship at WDMUMC.  (Stay tuned.  You will be hearing more about that.)

On Sunday mornings Sunday school teachers open the doors of classrooms on our third floor to teach children.  Why do that?  Because a whole new generation needs to know God.

We do all of this because we are people of faith because we are the church, formed by God.
And this leads back to the question:  Why God? 

What’s your “because…”?  Why is God in your life?

“Why God?” is our sermon topic for worship on February 2.  My sermon title is actually “Because…”  I need you to help me build that sermon.  Can you reply to this email and share your “because…”?  Hannah, our communications coordinator, will be creating the cover of our worship folder using your responses.  (So if you want to know what people said, you will need to come to worship that day!)  She will need your responses by Monday, January 27.

Why God?

(Here’s my “because”)

Because waking each morning and knowing God is in my life makes my life livable. 

That’s my “because.”  I’d like to hear yours.

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!

And now, we are livestreaming our 8:30 worship service. 

Engage!  Here’s what’s happening at WDMUMC:
Midweek Refuel!  Suppers on at 5:30.  Walking Taco Bar, Chicken nuggets and jello cups!  Best deal in town!

A Conversation with the Bishop!  Sunday at 2:30-4 Bishop Laurie Haller is hosting a listening session at Walnut Hills UMC.

Chili Cook-Off!  We are joining Aldersgate United Methodist Church for a chili cookoff!  Sunday, January 26 at 5 pm at Aldersgate. Come and bring your best chili—or just come and bring your appetite.  Game on!  Let’s take the chili crown!  Contact Morganne for details!

Our Annual Meeting and Dinner Feb 1 at 4:45.  We are preparing for an exciting new year!  Come and join in the plans at our annual meeting and dinner.  We will thank our retiring leaders, consecrate our new leaders and share the state of the church.  Anything can happen in 2020 and we are preparing.  Simply rsvp to this email.

Mark Your Calendars!  Music and More on Grand Concert February 16.  Gina Gedler and our own Dan Hanze will share their amazing musical talents with us.  2 pm.

Follow Facebook for all the upcoming events.