The closing day of the 2013 session of the Iowa Annual Conference began with the Fixing of Appointments service.
In the call to worship the community acknowledged, “We meet in different buildings; in different towns. We speak different languages and sing different hymns. We wear different clothing and sing different hymns. We wear different clothing and have different gifts and talents. Yet, as we gather together for worship this day we become one body, one family.”
In a Call to Awareness Bishop Trimble said, “Of the three, past, present, and future, God can only be experienced in the present…The presence of God is here, now.”
Prior to reading the new appointments Bishop Trimble said, “Friends, in consultation with the District Superintendents who have shared with me their consultations with pastors and local congregations and the missional needs of the context in which our faith communities are located, I have prayerfully considered the appointments for the Iowa Annual Conference. I believe these appointments will enable the love of God to be proclaimed throughout more than 770 congregations and institutions of our Annual Conference.”
Bishop Trimble then introduced the three new Field Outreach Ministers: Rev. Jaye Johnson will be serving the South Central District, Rev. Melissa Drake will serve the Southwest District, and Rev. Katharine Yarnell serves the North Central District, having begun on June 1, 2013. Bishop Trimble then introduced Rev. Bill Poland as Assistant to the Bishop for Administration, beginning July 1, 2013. The Bishop also introduced Rev. Paul Smith as the new Superintendent for the South Central District.
Following the reading of the new appointments by the eight Superintendents, Bishop Trimble “fixed the appointments,” by saying, “By the authority vested in me as a United Methodist Bishop, I joyfully declare the appointments for the Iowa Conference for the year 2013-2014 to be fix…As your Bishop and Appointive Cabinet, we have recognized our frailties and have prayerfully sought God’s guidance and direction.”
Clergy who are moving responded, “In commitment and renewal to my sacred covenant as a clergyperson in The United Methodist Church, I now reverently accept my appointment with joy and thanksgiving and pray that I shall be worthy of God’s call upon my life.”
Laity said, “Recognizing our needs for guidance and the care of those who are called of God and prepared to preach the Gospel, to administer the sacraments, to give administrative leadership in our churches and beyond to the ministry of Word, Service, Compassion and Justice and to equip us for our ministry in the world, we gladly accept our Deacons, Elders, Diaconal Ministers, and Local Pastors as well as District Superintendents, Field Outreach Ministers, Leadership Development Ministers, Conference Staff and those in other extension ministries beyond the local church. We pledge to them our cooperation, love and support as together we strive to fulfill the mission God has given to the Church.”
A complete list of the 2013-2014 appointments for the Iowa Annual Conference will be posted on the Conference website – www.iaumc.org - on or before July 1, 2013.