- Julie March

Equipping Ministry has many faces at Trinity Presbyterian Church, as many faces as there are brothers and sisters in Christ here at Trinity, serving in God's name. Take for example our Welcoming Ministry - ushers greet members and visitors to worship with a smile, and the team provides wonderful treats at our fellowship time following the service. We all, during our lifetime, hunger to learn more about our loving God and the message and ministry of Jesus, and many of our fellow members serve all ages in Christian Education as we grow spiritually, physically and intellectually as Christians called to love and serve the world. We are led in prayer for the world by the Peace Prayer Team, and hospitality is offered to visitors through the visitor gift bags. Our Music Ministry lifts our hearts with a great variety of inspiring and beautiful music, and the Green Team beautifies our sanctuary for worship with flowers and growing plants. And this is just on Sunday morning!

Equipping Ministry at Trinity seeks to connect all members to the ministries they love, as God calls them to love and serve. We trust that God will guide us one day at a time, and one step at a time on this journey.

THE TEAM: Jim Person; Bonnie Roy; Stacy Shupe; Norma Vavra; Julie March and Dan Anderson-Little, ex officio.

THE CHARGE (written by Norma Vavra): A committee made up of six persons representing the congregation -- men and women, young and old, recent members and long time members - was appointed in March to review Trinity's experience with the Equipping ministry. Our equipping experience for the past year and a half has been led by Julie March, a pastor specifically designated for this purpose. The designation was for a two-year term, funded by an Endowment Board grant, and that time will elapse this fall. To meet Presbytery protocol the session must make a decision yet this year as to their recommendation regarding this ministry. The charge was to "review," not evaluate as a supervisor would evaluate a department project, but in a looser manner to take a snapshot of Equipping to discern its impact, the effect on our church's climate, results of the ministry, and its possibilities. The information that follows tells how the Review Team proceeded and what they have to share.

THE PROCESS (written by Stacy Shupe): At our first Equipping Ministry Review meeting, our first discussion was to develop a common understanding of equipping, so that we knew what we were reviewing. We all came to agree that at its foundation, equipping is a process of discerning God's will for our lives, both individually and collectively as a church. We agreed that in order to discern clearly, we should have an attitude of prayerfulness, attentiveness, patience, and openness. Because we wanted to emulate the equipping process throughout our review, we decided to embody these qualities as we worked.

Each member of the Review Team committed to engaging in conversation with a wide variety of the Trinity family. We each agreed to be attentive in all of our conversations with people, so that we could understand as fully as possible how people understand and feel about the Equipping Ministry. In our conversations, we asked the following questions:

• What does Equipping mean to you?
• Describe the ways that Trinity's equipping emphasis has had an impact on you.
• How can Trinity's leadership do more to effectively communicate the principles and practices of equipping ministry?
• What spiritual hopes do you have for yourself?

Collectively, we spoke with 50-60 individuals who were connected to Trinity. The interviews covered many different people within the church, including:

• people of all ages
• people with long histories at Trinity and those who are newer (including prospective members and visitors)
• the 4^th and 5^th grade Sunday school class
• members who responded to an invitation to conversation from a Trinity News article
• the Session
• the Deacons
• the Equipping Ministry Team.

Our meetings (at least five in a 10-week period) included the following:

• a time of rich, silent prayer, where we listened individually yet together to discern God's voice.
• in-depth, honest conversation about what we had heard from the congregation and how we felt God is leading us as a church.
• a breadth of ideas and thoughts, yet a consistent consensus on the primary themes of what we were hearing - discernment and listening to each other and to God, rather than an analysis of facts and figures.

It was such a joy to be a part of this process. It was a time of connectedness that we felt from the members of the congregation and especially from each other.

OUR OBSERVATIONS (written by Jim Person): In the course of our discernment, we heard directly from people within the Trinity community, discussed our interviews within the group, and thought about what this equipping ministry is all about in our own deliberation. Here are the major observations that we made as a group:

• Within the congregation, many people desire to make connections in groups, individually, in faith journeys.
• There was some ambiguity about what equipping means.
• People know the kernel of equipping.
• People want to use gifts to serve God.
• A lot of people expressed personal hopes rather than institutional hopes, which shows a desire to connect in relationship with other people.
• Regardless of attitudes about equipping most people were engaged in the conversation.
• A great desire to see equipping work - a strong expression of encouragement
• There is a tension between seeing equipping as another program and equipping as a way of life.
• Equipping when presented needs to be non-threatening.
• Some people raised the concern, "Will equipping be foisted on us?"
• Is our approach to equipping edgy enough?
• Lack of focus on approach
• Church cultures change slowly.
• There is a need for differentiated communications because people have different ways of coming at equipping and have different communication needs.

MILE MARKERS (written by Julie March): The Equipping Ministry Team has served in covenant together for almost two years. Dave Nelson, Lisa Bernhard, Norma Vavra, Rick Jeter, John Merker and Julie March have implemented previous plans for Equipping Ministry at Trinity with the vision of helping each member discern their particular God-given gifts and connect those gifts to ministry in the church, the community and the world. The generous Spirit that moves us to serve others transforms the human landscape around us.

During this time the Equipping Team has:

• built a firm foundation for Equipping Ministry and created priority teams
• Prepared quarterly Endowment reports and reports to Session
• implemented Ministry Discovery, to interview and connect members to the ministries they love
• joined Welcoming, Evangelism and Ushering Teams so that all feel welcomed and valued at Trinity
• held the Trinity in Action Mission fair to offer a wealth of opportunities for members to serve
• initiated a new Peace Prayer Team to bring us together in peace within ourselves, in our church family and in the world
• compiled member's gifts and talents in an informational Database System.

Equipping Ministry is not a process, but a way of life. As we move forward as members of the Body of Christ at Trinity Presbyterian Church, our discipleship, faith and fellowship will enable us to discern God's call to each of us. Thanks be to God!

OPPORTUNITIES (written by Bonnie Roy): Challenged with the tasks stated above, our review team has not only considered the reality of the session's current position in determining the future of the Equipping Ministry's technical state, but has also thoughtfully considered the opportunities that dwell within the significant foundations that have already been established. At the beginning of our last meeting, Dan asked that we pray and think for a few moments in silence (something we have done quite often in our group settings.) This time we were to think about the "past." Reminding us that God's time is not our time and that Christians are greatly strengthened by the promises of our future, rather than defined by our pasts, we then prayed in silence thinking about the "future." This exercise brought strong scenarios to mind particularly when I pondered the past. Trinity has many pasts, and like many churches the pasts represent the longevity of its members (which I've quickly learned for the majority of Trinity members are on average rather lengthy.) The past also represents an ever-changing sequence of congregational priorities, focus, and activities. The Equipping Ministry Team's past is extremely brief in comparison to the majority of Trinity's "pasts." It is also quite short-lived when compared to the Brentwood equipping case-study which we understand took over 16 years to be considered "successful." Our Equipping Ministry Team has quite honestly not been around long enough to even have a past.

With these thoughts in mind and as we've reflected on the remarkable foundations the Equipping Team has established over this short period of time, it is our desire to encourage the Equipping Ministry Team to continue on this path. It is too early in the equipping "evolution" to say whether or not we have succeeded. However, it is apparent that there is progress, accomplishments, and definitely momentum. We realize a request to the Presbytery would need to occur in order to extend Julie's designated period at the end of the year. We also realize the need to find the financial means to extend this position. We feel strongly that it would be a mistake to make changes to the staffing configuration at this point of the process in fear that this would disrupt the effective chemistry and momentum of the team.

As we suggest that the physical structure of the Equipping Ministry Team remain unchanged, we certainly cannot conclude our charge without offering suggestive methods to build upon the on-going equipping efforts. Based upon our process, our discernment, and our observations, it is clear that the Equipping Team members are devoted to making this work. We have recognized the common desire among members for personal growth, meaning and relationships. We have also read the various perceptions and heard a high level of confusion among those interviewed. We would like to challenge the Team's methods of communication to broaden the modes and diversify the vocabulary. We feel it is important to reiterate to the congregation that the Equipping focus is not the filling of church jobs and responsibilities, but an opportunity to be more connected, engaged and fulfilled both in and out of Trinity. We would also like to encourage the Equipping Ministry Team to promote small groups, continue to support members' personal interests and possibly relay these accomplishments frequently through public testimony and words of appreciation. We feel it is critical to express the working ministry of equipping through behavior and action, so that the members may see and experience this cultural evolution, not just hear about it. Because we have built such a good foundation, because it doesn't yet have enough of a past to make a full determination, because we sense a good deal of energy around the equipping ministry, because there are still directions to pursue, we believe that Trinity would do well to continue its current equipping direction with appropriate adjustments and course corrections as suggested by this review.

- Dayna Early

- The Rev. Julie March, Minister of Equipping

Equipping Ministry has many faces at Trinity Presbyterian Church, as many faces as there are brothers and sisters in Christ here at Trinity, serving in God's name. Take for example our Welcoming Ministry - ushers greet members and visitors to worship with a smile, and the team provides wonderful treats at our fellowship time following the service. We all, during our lifetime, hunger to learn more about our loving God and the message and ministry of Jesus, and many of our fellow members serve all ages in Christian Education as we grow spiritually, physically and intellectually as Christians called to love and serve the world. We are led in prayer for the world by the Peace Prayer Team, and hospitality is offered to visitors through the visitor gift bags. Our Music Ministry lifts our hearts with a great variety of inspiring and beautiful music, and the Green Team beautifies our sanctuary for worship with flowers and growing plants. And this is just on Sunday morning!

Equipping Ministry at Trinity seeks to connect all members to the ministries they love, as God calls them to love and serve. We trust that God will guide us one day at a time, and one step at a time on this journey.

-Rev. Julie March, Minister of Equipping

Do you like to dig? How about making a beautiful garden? Join the Trinity Green Team, a part of Trinity's Equipping Ministry, as we beautify our east lawn and gardens, cleaning them up and replanting so that we will present a welcoming and peaceful face to our neighborhood. Call Julie March or Diana Gray for more information.

A new team is forming, and you are invited to join! Trinity has been committed to Peacemaking for many years, and the new Peace Prayer Team will continue this tradition with weekly peace prayers in worship. To join this team, get in touch with Julie or team members Jane Rand, Anna Gardner-Andrews, Luise Hoffman, Jan Schulte-Glad or Stacy Shupe.

Join Equipping Ministry as we learn more about spiritual growth, discipleship and faith, and where each member of the Body of Christ at Trinity Presbyterian Church becomes Christ's disciple in the world.

The Mission Fair Team - Our latest Mission Fair, Trinity in Action, was a great success, and we are already planning an expanded mission event for 2008. Get on the bandwagon now to help us spread the word about mission in our church and community. Call Dave Nelson or Lisa Bernhard for more information.

A New Habitat for Humanity Building Project - 2008 is the year for Trinity to help build another Habitat House. Do you have building skills? Can you paint? How about sweeping? You are needed to work and/or donate funds to build a house for a family in need of a home. Pat Gibbons can tell you all you need to know.

Invite Your Friends Into Ministry - Do you like to talk to people about their gifts and passions? Would you like to be interviewed? The Ministry Discovery team wants to meet with all our members to discover where they can serve God through the Church. Call Norma Vavra or Julie March to find out more.

Friendship and Fellowship - We have so many good events at Trinity that bring us all together for fellowship, sharing, and working together. Join the new Events Coordination Team to help coordinate these events as we build the Body of Christ together at Trinity. Contact Julie March or Lisa Bernhard to get involved.

The Green Team - Flowers, plants, trees, bushes and gardening, we do it all. The Green Team needs your enthusiasm and time to insure that our beautiful sanctuary is adorned for worship, and your green thumb to create lovely flower gardens outside the church. Luise Hoffman and Diana Gray are in charge of this team. (See below.)

The Equipping Ministry Team connects people to the ministries they love. We hope you will hear God's call to service as we "equip the saints for the work of ministry to build up the Body of Christ," which is all of us, right now, at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

- Diana Gray

The Green Team would like to remind the Trinity congregation that it is a new year, and that means new opportunities to contribute to the beautification of the chancel for Sunday worship. A brand new Green Team calendar is now in place across from the library door to facilitate individuals signing up for communion table or other chancel decorations. If you wish to donate a floral arrangement on a given Sunday, please indicate such by writing your name by that Sunday on the calendar. Please indicate if you intend to honor a specific individual or event with the floral display. The Green Team will order the floral arrangement for you. If you have specific flowers, colors or theme in mind, please indicate so as you sign up. We will contact you if we need further information. The minimum price for a floral arrangement is $50.00 from our current supplier, Schnucks Floral by Design. Please let us know if you wish to contribute more than the minimum amount. We encourage multiple individuals or families to partner for such orders in order to reduce family unit costs.

Another option for Sunday chancel decorations is for individuals to donate flowers or plants from their gardens during the spring, summer and fall. Please contact a Green Team member if you wish to do this in addition to indicating such on the sign-up calendar. The Green Team currently consists of Diana Gray, Luise Hoffman and Do Kirk. We are seeking the assistance of other Trinity members who wish to join the Green Team. Please contact one of us, Julie March or Liz Nelson if your "green" thumb is feeling called to a new (and fun) mission.

- Julie March

The Ministry Discovery Team is off and running as they begin interviews with the people of Trinity. Team members meet with individuals for a personal "friendly conversation" with church members in order to discover gifts, desires and goals for service to God through God's people in the church, the community and the world. This crucial concept of equipping ministry also enables us to find where our greatest joy meets the world's deepest needs.

Led by Norma Vavra, the Ministry Discovery Team includes Leo and Lois Eason, John Wagner, Kim Behrend, Connie Torretta, Betty Burnett, Sue Young, Sharon Christopher and Liz Nelson. Team members ask such questions as, "What do you love doing? What brings you the greatest joy? What feeds your soul?" and "Are there spiritual gifts or particular talents or abilities you have that you would like to share with the church or community?"

Over 25 interviews have already been completed, and many persons have found their place in ministry. Do you want to be a part of this exciting adventure? Do you want to be interviewed? Do want to become a member of the Ministry Discovery Team? Each and every member of Trinity will be interviewed over the next couple of years, as we "equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the Body of Christ" to serve the church, the community and the world.

- David Nelson

When is the right time for a new member to get involved in ministry opportunities? The last thing we, as a church, want to appear to do is rush a new member into action, or have them sit on the sidelines too long.

Having heard feedback that we as church have done both, Equipping has implemented a solution to this issue. We have decided to simply sit down with each new member and have a frank discussion about what their interests and prior church experiences are, what, if anything, we as a congregation can do to help or support them, and how, if at all, they might want to get involved. Equipping then maintains this information, helping to make connections with ministry opportunities if a new member wants to get involved now, and alerting ministries if the new member is in need of support. Equipping also monitors connections to ensure that things are going well. The interviewer serves as a contact person within the congregation for the new member.

It has been the Equipping Ministry Team's pleasure to work with the last two groups of new members, and we look forward to meeting with the members of the confirmation class next. It is our goal that these interviews put all new members at ease, whether the time is right for them to get involved or not. This interview process will also expand to include current church members as the Equipping Ministry Team works to help each person in the Trinity family find their place.

Lisa Bernhard

Last fall, four Trinity representatives attended an Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado. They share below some reflections about their experiences.

Give me an "E." Give me a "Q." Give me an "U." Give me an "I." Give me a "P." Give me another "P." Give me an "I." Give me a "N." Give me a "G." "What are we here to learn?" EQUIPPING!! "I didn't hear you. What are we here to learn?" EQUIPPING!!! Fortunately the leaders of the Equipping Summit in Colorado did not kick off the conference with cheerleader-like rah rah's. I have to say though that I walked into the room with at least a small measure of trepidation anyway. What would this summit be like? Would I be exhorted to get out there and equip my congregation? Would I be expected to lead equipping rallies? I wasn't even entirely certain what equipping was all about, and my style of persuasion is more the behind-the-scenes, slow and steady sort. I know that cheerleaders and pastors are really nice people, but I really hoped I wasn't going to be asked to be one of them. Thankfully over the course of the next five days, I not only became much more knowledgeable about equipping but learned in short order that I did not need to convince or exhort anyone.

Equipping, as it turns out, is probably the furthest thing from talking other people into something they are not really sure they want. It is also not about someone who is really smart or really learned or a recent attendee of an equipping summit going around showing everyone else how to be a better church member or how to be holier than they used to be. I gradually came to understand that the goal of becoming an equipping church is to provide everyone with whatever tools and support they need to understand how to identify their God-given gifts, talents, and passions and how to use them in a way that breathes meaning and life into all that they do. Sometimes this will mean finding the right role within the walls of the church. Sometimes this will mean doing the work of the church in the broader community. Sometimes this will mean realizing that the work one does for a living or for a civic organization is also the work of the church. Sometimes this will mean knowing that being a good parent, spouse, or child is also the work of the church. Sometimes this will mean knowing it is okay to take time off from being a helper and even okay to accept help, love, and support.

I was pleased and honored to be asked to attend the Equipping Summit along with Dan, Julie, and Liz, and even though, I am by nature a more restrained type (ask Dan what my behavioral style is), I am indeed pretty darn excited about the possibilities for transformation in the Trinity community that can be brought about by embracing equipping principles. I look forward to my work on the Equipping Ministry Core Team and welcome any and all questions or suggestions from members of the congregation.

Dr. Daniel Anderson-Little, Pastor

Last fall, four Trinity representatives attended an Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado. They share below some reflections about their experiences.

While describing what an equipping church can look like, one of the presenters at the Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado related a story of an equipping church she knew. She told about how members were discovering their callings, discerning their spiritual gifts, and finding meaningful places to serve, not only in the church, but in their homes, their places of work, and their communities. She then went on to describe the pastor of that church. What struck me about her description of the pastor was the phrase that the pastor used to describe himself when introducing himself to visitors: "At this church, I am just the pastor." Just the pastor. My first thought in hearing this was, "Hey, I went to a lot of trouble - seminary, ordination exams, etc. - to be 'just the pastor'" But as I continued to listen to the description of that pastor and as I went through the week-long Equipping Summit, I concluded that I, too, would like to be known as "just the pastor."

What did that pastor mean by being "just the pastor"? He meant that while the pastor is important, at times even central, to the life of a congregation, the pastor in an equipping church leads not only by being out in front of the congregation (through preaching, teaching, vision casting), but by supporting members and coming along side them as they seek to fulfill their callings. Ephesians 4:11 talks about the role of a pastor: "The gifts he gave were that some would be pastors to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." This describes an important role for pastors (evangelists, prophets, apostles, and teachers are also a part of that list); but the role is lived out, not by doing ministry for others, but by equipping them to do the ministry to which they are called.

That comment, "I am just the pastor" reminds me of when the Apostle Paul calls the church "the Body of Christ." Even when we embrace that image, we are still tempted to think in terms of hierarchy - pastors are at the top of the body, then elders, then deacons, then those who are "just members." But Paul reminds us that every part of the body is essential and that no one in the church is the head - it is Jesus Christ who is the head and gives the body its direction. So, am I just the pastor? You bet I am!

Liz Nelson

Last fall, four Trinity representatives attended an Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado. They share below some reflections about their experiences.

This was a phrase I heard numerous times during the "Building an Equipping Church" summit in Colorado. The trainers challenged us to take the Biblical imperatives, equipping principles, and church examples they shared and apply them to the unique culture and staffing at Trinity. "So what will you do with this information at your church?" and "Now what do you have to do next to make it happen?" I worked beside laity and staff from huge non-denominational congregations (isn't 10,000 a small town and not a congregation?!) and small and mid-sized Protestant churches as we shared our struggles, successes and dreams. I was excited to see how equipping is working in churches of all sizes and theologies. I was grounded by the study of the Biblical reasons why Trinity is being called to build disciples... (Remember when we read Ephesians 4 as the scripture reading for a whole month last year?) This is not a new-fangled "program" - this is going back to the most fundamental message and charge of the early church. I was relieved to be given tools to build the systems needed to help harness the energy and gifts of the congregation, to increase their own spirituality and to help congregation members explore their spiritual gifts and gain support as they put those gifts into action in big and small ways (public and private; inside the church and beyond its walls). And I was proud to have Dan with us at the summit. We are further along than many churches because we have a minister dedicated to equipping. So many participants were bemoaning the fact that they were going to have to go home and convince their pastor to buy into the equipping focus or were concerned because they had been sent by their church to learn how to "recruit more volunteers." Equipping IS NOT about putting more people on committees! Our equipping ministry program is about helping each person live into the unique part of the body of Christ that they are.

Julie March, Minister of Equipping

Last fall, four Trinity representatives attended an Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado. They share below some reflections about their experiences.

As many of you already know, Dan, Liz Nelson, Lisa Bernhard and I recently traveled a long 19 hours together in a van to Loveland, Colorado, for the Equipping Church Summit. We experienced five days of intensive training experience in building an equipping church. Being the new kid on the block here at Trinity, I learned a tremendous amount about equipping ministry. The dynamic leaders threw many catchy phrases at us like "What gets you up in the morning?", "What melts your butter?" and "What perks your coffee?" which describe the exciting nature of the equipped church, where every member finds excitement and fulfillment in his or her own particular ministry. Trinity Church's prior preparation in building an equipping church surprised and delighted me. Almost all of the other participants were just beginning the process, and we learned that we are way ahead of the game. The pastor's support is especially crucial in this effort, and you all know that Dan has been the driving force behind moving Trinity Church towards a place where ministry opportunities abound. As the Associate Pastor for Equipping, I am building on an already strong foundation.

I also realize how very fortunate I am to come to a church where the Equipping Core Team is already in place and well versed in the concepts of equipping ministry. I'm excited by the prospect of immediately implementing some of the innovative exercises we learned at the training session, including especially a wonderful exercise called "gifts bombardment". It is just as energizing and inspiring as it sounds, and is a wonderful tool for enabling people to recognize and embrace their gifts for ministry. Other exercises assist in learning and community building, as well as building a church wide gift-based team ministry. All these and more enhance our effort, as Paul describes so well in his letter to Ephesians, "To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

A primer from the equipping conference this past October, attended by church members Dan Anderson-Little, Liz Nelson, Julie March and Lisa Bernhard:

Prayer: The equipping church recognizes the inherent value of prayer to discern God's vision, leadership, and plan toward an equipping ministry model. Equipping church leaders rely on prayer to see God in all aspects of their ministry.

The Priesthood of all Believers and the Vision of the Church as Contained in Ephesians 4: Every member in the body of Christ is gifted and called into ministry. The church embraces people holistically in the discovery of gifts, needs, and God's calling. The church seeks to equip people for ministry in the family, the church, the community and the world.

Servant Leadership: Leaders demonstrate humility, authenticity, accountability, and genuine care of people, and they equip others to use their gifts in the body of Christ.

Team Ministry: Healthy community and teams are built around the individuality of gifts, team accountability, and willingness of people to work for the good of the greater body.

Intentionality: The church embraces equipping ministry as a value and models it through the intentional implementation of systems to prepare, connect, and equip people for ministry inside and outside the walls of the church. It calls a leader to facilitate the implementation throughout the body of Christ.

Proactive Toward Change: The church recognizes and embraces the organic characteristic of change and responds creatively and proactively to shifts in culture. The church continually changes its methods, but maintains the message of Christ regarding the church.

As your new Minister of Equipping, I'm delighted to have an opportunity to introduce myself to you, and tell you a little about my life that led me to this ministry. I was born and brought up in Springfield, MO, and was blessed to be a part of a family that was very active at First & Calvary Presbyterian Church. My parents were elders and teachers, and we all spent many hours at church. I especially enjoyed youth choir as a young person, and when I moved away from home was drawn to continue my life in the church wherever I was.

As a teenager growing up during the Civil Rights Movement, I was shocked and horrified by the violence faced by African Americans seeking freedom and equal rights during peaceful protests and demonstrations. I was proud of the Presbyterian Church for its active participation in protesting the evils of racism in our culture. This not only continued my involvement in the church, but also led me to pursue a degree in Black History at Missouri State University in Springfield.

During this time I met my husband, Rev. Dr. Curtis March, and we married in 1972. Curt and I put our two families together for a grand total of six children, so much of my life at that time was also spent as mother, helper, confidante and cook. Our children are all adults now, and scattered around the country. Curt served a long ministry in the Presbyterian Church, and is now retired. His last pastorate was at First & Calvary, where he was Associate Pastor of Evangelism and Pastoral Care for 27 years.

During what I now refer to as my "former life," I taught American and Black History at Missouri State University in Springfield, and directed the History Museum for Springfield-Greene County. This was very satisfying work, but after 20 years I left both of these jobs to answer God's call to ministry. I was very active at First & Calvary and became involved in studying and leading classes and retreats in prayer and spirituality. This ultimately led me to Eden Theological Seminary, the school from which I graduated in May of this year with a M.Div. degree.

I believe that God has led me to this place at this time, and I am tremendously excited to meld my experiences with yours as we all find our own unique call to ministry. Through prayer and discernment I have learned that throughout our lives we are formed spiritually by God. In my own experience it was through experiencing God that I discovered who I really was and what God called me to do. We all feel this call, but don't always recognize it. St. Augustine wrote, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in you," and much later Albert Schweitzer prayed, "We will learn through our own experience who God is." Through prayerful equipping ministry it is possible for all of us to come together as the family of God to build up Christ's Body, the Church.

In Christ's Love,
Julie March