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Letter from Rev. Heidi Hulme:
Happy New Year and New Decade!
Each of us is called by God. Some are called to be taxi drivers, some nurses, some ranchers, and some military generals. And some will be called to be pastors. We don’t really know who will be called to what role in service to God, or when that call will happen, and, at least in my case, we don’t always listen to that call the first, second, or third times.
But ours is a persistent God, one who doesn’t give up when it comes to God’s plans. After several taps on the shoulder over a two decade span, I decided to listen. I didn’t attend seminary, instead, I took the alternative route to ordination, and graduated with the first cohort of PATHWAYS. I was lucky enough to have a church who was beyond generous in helping defer the cost, and received scholarships through our Association. I was truly blessed. When I graduated, I didn’t carry with me the burden of debt, as so many do.
Within the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ, we have a group of people who have heard, and listened, to God’s still-speaking voice, calling them into service as an ordained pastor. While this obedience to God is good, it also comes at a cost. And for many, that cost is greater than they can bear.
We are blessed to have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these faithful servants by sharing of our abundance, and help unburden these Members in Discernment from their debt. On February 23rd, we are asking the churches of the Iowa Conference to promote and support those called into ordained ministry by taking the Funding Future Leadership special offering.
There are multiple ways to offer your abundance. You can give during the special offering on February 23rd; you may donate online directly through the conference website. If you are unable to give financially, please talk to others about what we do and pray for our continued work in supporting the future leaders of our church. Together, we can look and work toward a strong and faithful church for generations to come.
Thank you.
Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Heidi Y. Hulme