​Reflections from Pastor Kim

It’s that time in the life of the local church when things seem new. A new pastor often means a change in routines, scheduling, order, and more, instead of what has become familiar. Those new pastors bring new relationships and personalities to adjust to, and new names and faces to recognize in the community. Especially as United Methodists, this is a routine that we have lived through multiple times, and will continue to in the future. In the beginning of “new” we can often feel like we are lost in a wilderness, thrashing around in the underbrush until we reach a place of firm footing. For now though, what we are able to latch onto in that wilderness, is the faithfulness of God to provide for us.

“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19

The Israelites are grumbling… again. It seems to be a continual litany (this might feel a bit familiar even today). Yet with patience – well, mostly – and a solid history of providing for God’s own people, this Isaiah text reminds them of who God is. God’s character, the things that they see God carry out, is what is to be recalled.

God is not asking the Israelites, nor us, to forget the history that brought them (us) to this place, but rather don’t dwell on it. This is about the things that God has done on this long journey that the Israelites have been on, both figuratively and literally, for generations, and God’s faithfulness to provide for the next leg of the journey. Every. Time. When they needed water, there was water. When they needed food, there was manna. When they needed to cross the sea to reach safety, there was dry land.

If we move farther in the chapter, we hear God reprimanding Israel for forgetting their God and turning to ungodly things, all of which grieved God greatly. Even some of their leaders didn’t take time to call on God, repent of their sins, give praise for God’s bounty, or seek God’s wisdom. And yet, God remains faithful.
This is not a scripture to guilt the peoples into God’s ways, but instead is a piece of a much larger story. A story which calls the people to remember what has been for its historical and faith significance. Yet, God calls them, and us, to know that with God a new definition of who we are, a new pathway, will become at least as, if not more, important to the story of God’s people, as that which has gone before.

So as we move into our time together, let us remember to repent of our sins, praise God, seek God’s wisdom and lift up in glory our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, together. For together, there are more to enfold each of us on this journey with grace, mercy and love as we do our best each day to carry out God’s will in Oakland and beyond, in the name of God our Provider, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit our Guide.

Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone on the journey with you!

Pastor Kim

Pastor Kim’s Bio​

What joy to anticipate joining you in ministry in Oakland! I look forward to what God has in store for us as we work together as the Body of Christ, the Church. As we move toward July 1 I will begin to learn just a bit about Oakland UMC from Pastor Carolyn and Martha. During that time I’d like you to get an inkling of who is coming to be your pastor, as well.

I grew up about 20 miles east of Independence, MO in the rural area surrounding the very small town of Napoleon, the oldest of three girls. I attended kindergarten through 12th grade at Wellington-Napoleon R-9 Schools. As a new graduate ready to take on the world I went to the big city to attend Rockhurst College in Kansas City for a year. At that point I realized that perhaps that was not the time of my life I needed to worry about academics, and instead spread my wings in the work force.

In my early twenties I met my husband Ron at Whiteman Air Force Base outside of Knob Noster, MO. After a time I followed him to his home community in Northwest Iowa and we settled in Varina, where we still have a home. Ron has one son, Dustan, who lives in Council Bluffs with his son, Syris. Together we have two children. Our oldest, Faith, who with her husband Kenneth, live in Varina with their three children Hope, JoyAnna and Gabriel. Our youngest, Michael, lives outside of Los Angeles, CA.

When asked if I’m a second career pastor, I will reply, “No, a 32nd career pastor!” Throughout the years I worked a multitude of jobs, always with a focus on people, but in a large variety of contexts. God certainly had a plan to grow me through a number of ways over the years. Looking back God was calling from an early age, but I was in my forties before I finally relented and moved from pew to pulpit. Since that time I have taken many classes and in 2019 completed Course of Study for Local Licensed Pastor. Being a lifelong learner this is not the end of learning, but rather a milestone achieved.

In my spare time I enjoy cooking and baking, am a beginning quilter, crafting, reading, knitting, and welcoming folks to our home. Two years ago, after about 30+ years of tent camping we bought a camper, and as much as we loved to camp before, that love has been multiplied! We especially love camping near water and just spending time unwinding.

As we move into Oakland, Ron will remain in Varina for his job in Storm Lake. We have been living in a two household scenario since 2016, and have found with technology and intentional time together on a regular basis, we seem to have more quality time together than when we lived in the same house every day and had varying schedules. We both hope that in the near future Ron will be able to relocate to Oakland as well, and we once again rely on God’s timing for that event. Also moving into the parsonage will be Dash, who is a one year old Golden Retriever. Dash is a COVID puppy and brought a bit of insanity to the parsonage as a distraction. He loves people and we spend time walking off all that puppy energy, so I’m sure we will see you around town.

I’m excited to get to know each of you as we come together in ministry. You are each being specifically prayed for as households and leaders of Oakland UMC and the community of Oakland. Might God add God’s blessing and power to our ministry!

Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone on the journey with you! 

Pastor Kim