Open Church Notices (December 16,2015)

Open Church Notices (December 16,2015) Albia, Trinity (SC) Trinity UMC is located in Albia, Iowa. Albia is the county seat for Monroe County. The population of Albia is 3,795. The median age is 39.7. The median household income is 43,339. 52.3 % claim no religious preference. 21.3% of the population, claim mainline Protestant as their faith preference. There are 9.2 percent of the people in the town that live below the poverty level. This is a very orthodox church that has very strong lay leadership. They have a very active family life center. They have a children s ministry, junior high ministry, high school and post high school ministries, and a very strong Adult Sunday School. This church has an excellent and very strong music program. Average Worship Attendance is 207. Average Sunday School attendance is 119. They want an excellent pastor with proclaiming skills in Biblical preaching and a personal witness. They want help and guidance on how to reach out to the population that is not connected to any church. If you are interested, please email Rev. Paul Smith (paul.smith@iaumc.org) with your missional reasons for wanting to be appointed here. Ames, Collegiate - Lead Pastor and Wesley Foundation Director (NC) The community of Ames, Iowa, has a population of 58,965. It is located in Story County, population 89,542, which is among the four fastest growing counties in Iowa since 2000. The county is economically diverse and has many resources, yet the county has an estimated 27% of its residents living with poverty. Collegiate-Wesley Foundation is unique among United Methodist congregations and campus ministries. They were founded concurrently as a single mission and ministry to the community and Iowa State University. As such, the congregation and the campus ministry are one in organization and spirit. Full membership is 1,099, with a weekly worship average of 370 persons. For more information, see http://www.cwames.org/. Collegiate- Wesley Foundation is committed to living out the ministry of Jesus Christ for this community and the world. The congregation includes a diversity of ages and walks of life, university students, and persons who are employed by Iowa State University, local school districts, State Department of Transportation, the National Laboratories, and many other support and agricultural/technical industries. The senior/lead pastor and executive director appointment of Collegiate-Wesley Foundation requires a person who has a deep and ever developing faith in Jesus Christ, strong preacher, excellent communicator, administrator, and be in spiritual leadership with an engaged lay leadership and a multiple disciplinary staff for a progressive

congregation and campus ministry for a vital and vibrant mission and ministry with the community and the world in a connectional fashion. Expectations include being highly personable, embracing people of the many walks of life that are present in the community of Ames, which includes a major land grant university with a world-wide presence and influence. Correspondingly, the congregation has developed, believes, and deeply practices a wide circle of inclusion. Pastors who believe they have a strong missional call, gifts, talents, and experience for the senior/lead pastor and executive director appointment of Collegiate-WF may submit their names, contact information and a statement describing her/his missional call, gifts, talents, and experiences for this appointment to Rev. Harlan Gillespie, Conference Superintendent of the North Central District of the Iowa Annual Conference at harlan.gillespie@iaumc.org. Centerville, First (SC) Centerville is the county seat for Appanoose County. Centerville has a population of 5,448. The median age for Appanoose county is 44.O. The median household income is 32,719. 18.2 % of the population lives below the poverty rate. 60.5 % of the population does not claim any religious affiliation while 17.1 have a mainline religious preference. First UMC has a strong afterschool program and very good music program. Average worship attendance is 66. This church needs guidance and help to continue to reach out into their community. This church has a very strong radio presence and ministry. They want to develop a reading and ministry program. They are looking for a good communicator and some one that has very good pastoral skills and likes to visit. They have some outreach and they want to strengthen those ministries. If you are interested, please email Rev. Paul Smith (paul.smith@iaumc.org) with your missional reasons for wanting to be appointed here. Chariton, First (SC) Chariton is the county seat for Lucas. Chariton has a population of 4,254. The Median resident age is 41.5. The median income is 30,351. 55.4% claim no religious affiliation and 18.2% claim mainline Protestant. There are 12.7 % of the population that live below the poverty level. This church is known throughout the community for its help to those in the community. They want a pastor who has compassion for the church and the community. They have very Strong Youth Program and they want someone who will work with the leaders of this group. They have very strong lay leadership. Average Worship attendance is 105. Average Sunday School attendance is 22.

They are looking for pastor who is very orthodox and has gifts and skills on motivating and helping a multi-generational church to develop and grow in the faith, especially the young Adults. They want someone who is a family orientated and they want someone who is a Biblical preacher. If you are interested, please email Rev. Paul Smith (paul.smith@iaumc.org) with your missional reasons for wanting to be appointed here. LeMars (NW): Affectionately known as the Ice Cream Capital of the world, the community of Le Mars is home to Wells Enterprises and Blue Bunny Ice Cream. With a population around 9,800, Le Mars is the county seat for Plymouth County and is located 26 miles north of Sioux City. Its economy is strong and the community offers many businesses and services. The Le Mars church has a membership of 545 with an average worship attendance in 2014 of 118. The congregation recently completed a significant building addition and remodeling project that provided for handicap accessibility and improved meeting and office space. The church enjoys strong lay leaders who are ready for a new chapter in the life of the church. The church is mission minded and supports a safe-water-fordeveloping-countries ministry (SWIM) and local adopt-a-family project. Their youth outreach includes a Boy Scout troop and Kids for Christ mid-week program. Pastoral qualities needed include a person with high energy leadership skills that can inspire and motivate people into action. This would require excellent biblical preaching and personal interaction skills based on a strong spiritual foundation. If you have any questions or would like to be considered for this appointment, please contact Rev. Tom Carver, Superintendent for the Northwest District at tom.carver@iaumc.org. Please share the missional reasons why you should be considered for this appointment. Kingsley (NW): The community of Kingsley is located in the southwest corner of Plymouth County, about 26 miles west of Sioux City. It has a population of about 1,400, which is a 12% increase since 2000. This growth has brought about the construction of 76 new homes built since the last census. Services in the town include a good school system, medical, and recreational options. At the end of 2014, the reported membership of the Kingsley congregation was 300, with an average attendance of 76. They are currently being served by a clergy couple as intentional interim pastors. They have a paid youth director and a strong commitment to youth ministry. The congregation is blessed with strong lay leadership who are not dependent upon the pastor. A major accomplishment has been the recent purchase of a

parsonage in a newer part of town that is in excellent condition. Pastoral qualities needed include strong people skills and worship leadership with preaching that relates biblical messages to everyday life. Community involvement is desired as an example for the congregation. If you have any questions or would like to be considered for this appointment, please contact Rev. Tom Carver, Superintendent for the Northwest District at tom.carver@iaumc.org. Please share the missional reasons why you should be considered for this appointment. Lake View, Lakes and Nemaha: This is a two-point charge. The community of Lake View has a population of 1,130 and is known for its beautiful setting on the shores of Black Hawk Lake. Nemaha is located about 17 miles north and has a population of 83. The two congregations have a good working relationship and both are blessed with committed lay leadership. The Lakes church has a membership of 143 with an average attendance of 35. The Nemaha church has an important ministry as the only church in town. Its membership is 90 with an average attendance of 28. Both congregations are mission minded and desire to reach out to their communities. The Lake View community has strong ecumenical cooperation. The local nursing homes are one area of outreach provided to the community. Pastoral qualities needed include a desire to be with the people and lead them into ministry in the community. Biblical preaching that relates to everyday life is essential. If you have any questions or would like to be considered for this appointment, please contact Rev. Tom Carver, Superintendent for the Northwest District at tom.carver@iaumc.org. Please share the missional reasons why you should be considered for this appointment. Griswold: Griswold is a community with a population of around 1,000. This community is located in the Southwest corner of Cass County, on the corner of highways 48 and 92, and is approximately 50 miles from the greater Omaha area. Major employers within the community include the public schools and a health care residence. Many people do commute outside the community to their places of employment. The Griswold church has a membership of 280, with an average worship attendance of 75. This congregation has a heart for missions and has a long history of meeting their apportionments and being a Rainbow Covenant church. This congregation is known for their hospitality. The lay leadership is active, with individuals who serve beyond the local

church into the district and conference. They are open to new ideas. The goals they have set for the coming year include beginning a worship outreach with the local care center and starting a men s prayer and study group. Pastoral Qualities needed include having the ability to connect with young families, strong relational skills, the ability to motivate others, and strong preaching and teaching skills. Adaptive leadership skills will be helpful in this ministry setting. If you would like to be considered for this appointment, please contact Rev. Terra Amundson, Southwest District Superintendent, at terra.amundson@iaumc.org. Please include the missional reasons for your interest. Red Oak: Red Oak is the county seat of Montgomery County, with a community population of about 5,500. This community is located on Highway 34, and along the East Nishnabotna River. The church profile describes the school system and medical facilities as excellent. The Red Oak church has a membership of 409, with an average worship attendance of 86. Descriptors of this congregation include being friendly, having a strong music ministry, and being mission-minded. In the past, members of this congregation went on a mission trip to Kenya. This congregation continues to give financially to an orphanage that is located in Kenya as part of their missional giving. The laity of this congregation are faithful, committed, and resourceful. Goals the Red Oak UMC have set for 2016 include expanding their outreach into the community, growing their visitation group s ministry, seeking God s vision for their church, and growing their prayer ministry. Qualities sought in a pastor include having strong preaching and teaching skills, solid administrative and business abilities, an ability to relate multi-generationally. An adaptive leadership style will be helpful as the pastor is in ministry with this congregation. If you would like to be considered for this appointment, please contact Rev. Terra Amundson, Southwest District Superintendent, at terra.amundson@iaumc.org. Please include the missional reasons for your interest. Rock Rapids (NW): The community of Rock Rapids is the county seat for Lyon County in the northwest corner of Iowa and has a population of around 2,500. It is only 35 miles from the metropolitan area of Sioux Falls, SD, where many people commute for employment. It is blessed by excellent school and health care systems. The community experienced major flooding in 2014 which has brought out a spirit of unity and volunteerism in the strong recovery

effort. At the end of 2014, the Rock Rapids congregation had a membership of 255 and an average worship attendance of 87. The leadership of the congregation has recently been inspired to study the teachings of Adam Hamilton in preparation for renewal. Many are aware of the need for change in order to remain relevant to younger persons. This congregation is known for its music programs, youth ministry, and missions in the community that include a partnership with Atlas of Lyon County (a faith based community service organization). A major recent accomplishment has been the construction of a new parsonage. There is a mood of excitement as this congregation feels ready for the next chapter in its ministry to the community. Pastoral qualities needed include strong biblical preaching related to everyday life, a visible presence in the community, and an ability to inspire people to use their gifts in service to the church and community. If you have any questions, or would like to be considered for this appointment, please contact Rev. Tom Carver, Superintendent for the Northwest District, at tom.carver@iaumc.org by December 31, 2015. Please share the missional reasons why you should be considered for this appointment. RUSA (NE): Fondly known as RUSA, the churches of Rowley, Urbana, Silver Creek and Alice comprise this four-point rural charge on the North East District. The charge borders the East Central District. These are very healthy churches that work extremely well together and care about the needs of all churches in the charge. They are very supportive of one another and their ministries. All four churches are mission-minded and focus on their communities. There is strong laity with many certified lay servants and School for Ministry graduates. Currently, one of the certified lay servants is assigned by the Bishop and preaches each week at two services. The pastor appointed to this charge would be responsible for worship at the other two centers. There is a rotation for preaching and worship. There is a very strong Community Youth Program in Rowley. This is a United Methodist pastor and laity led group. The ranch-style parsonage is located in this community. A love of rural ministry, strong relational skills, ability to organize, manage time, and a history of being a self-starter with strong administration skills will be needed by the pastor appointed here.

If you would like to express interest in this open appointment, due to retirement in June, please email Conference Superintendent Jackie Bradford at jackie.bradford@iaumc.org. Sioux City, Wesley (NW): Sioux City is the 4 th largest city in Iowa with a population of 82,684. The Wesley Church is located in a residential area on the northern part of Sioux City. The neighborhood is ethnically and economically diverse, located close to strong elementary, junior and senior high schools. The congregation has a membership of 478 with an average attendance of 139 at the end of 2014. The church has been served by an intentional interim pastor and they are ready to begin the next chapter of their ministry in a healthy way. Their excellent facilities (which include a gym) are a resource that they offer to the community with multiple groups using the building. Their outreach also includes providing food for grade school children and weekly meals for seniors. They have contemporary and traditional worship services on Sunday mornings. A recognized growing edge is for more small groups for ongoing spiritual growth. There is a strong core of lay leaderships who appreciate having the authority to carry out ministry. Paid staff includes a secretary, youth leader, and director of music. The qualities needed in a pastor include the ability to relate well to a diverse group of persons and be comfortable with both traditional and contemporary worship. Preaching biblical sermons that relate to everyday life is essential. The pastor should be able to provide a vision for a preferred future and develop the existing and new leaders to fulfill that vision. If you have any questions, or would like to be considered for this appointment, please contact Rev. Tom Carver, Superintendent for the Northwest District at tom.carver@iaumc.org by December 31, 2015. Please share the missional reasons why you should be considered for this appointment. West St. Charles and Floyd, Grace (NE) West St Charles and Floyd, Grace is a two point charge located in the Northeast District. West St. Charles is an open country church, celebrating 150 years of mission and ministry in 2016. Floyd Grace is located in a county of 16,500 near Charles City. The parsonage is in Floyd. Grace UMC, the larger of the two-point charge, has potential to expand their ministries further into the community. Grace has participated in the initial trainings of HCI (Healthy Church Initiative), but chose not go to consultation. As a result of the HCI training, the congregation has moved out into the community to make connections with their neighbors. There are families in their thirties who desire to have an active youth group and more opportunities for their younger children.

West St. Charles, the open country church, has a strong heritage and presence in the rural area west of Floyd. The leadership is willing to serve. They support a missionary and various missions. The fall grain offering has been a long-held tradition. The annual July 4 th picnic has been a tradition for 100 years. There are strong family ties in each of the churches. Both churches are known for their acts of care to persons in their communities when need arises. Fellowship is an important part of what it means to be the church. The pastor appointed to this two-point charge needs to enjoy and thrive in rural ministry, desire to develop deep relationships with persons in the church and community, and become a partner with the laity in moving their ministries and witness into the future. A self-motivated starter, highly relational, who has a passion for visitation are keys to the ministry in both churches. They specifically expect congregational visits by the pastor as a means of getting acquainted and learning the stories of faith and service to the church. Energy, passion for ministry, and a spiritual motivator and preacher will do well in this charge. If you would like to express interest in this open appointment, please email Conference Superintendent Jackie Bradford at jackie.bradford@iaumc.org.