What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out.
We endeavor to be welcoming to all persons and to minister to all in an inclusive way in Angel Fire and the Moreno Valley. Early one Sunday morning, Phil Jones, walked into worship. He was unknown to our congregation. Phil did not "look" like us, did not "dress" like us and often times, did not even "smell" like us. Still, this congregation embraced him and ministered to him during the last year of his life. This congregation provided him with meals, visits, rides to the VA hospital in Albuquerque and most importantly, fellowship. When Phil died, he instructed one of our members to serve as the executor of his estate. While Phil had nothing in life economically, he left a $40,000 life insurance policy to be used to help the people of our Village "just like the people helped me." A UCAF committee was set up to establish a fund for administering the proceeds of this surprising gift. For several years, this fund was used to provide medical and dental assistance and other various forms of support to working individuals in our community.
|
How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
We are guided by Jesus’ words, “love one another as I have loved you.” We respond to the needs of our community locally and regionally with both funding and hands-on support. Our mission budget and programs show our intent to meet spiritual, physical and financial aid to those in need. One way we reach out to the community can be found in our local school support. Our Women’s Fellowship joins our Missions Team each August to host a Staff Appreciation Luncheon for the employees at our elementary/middle school. We pray for a safe and successful year for the staff and students, serve them, and visit with them during the event. School supplies are delivered to help ensure that students, whose families are not financially able, will be prepared to begin that first day just like their peers. The Missions Team also presents a generous check to the school nurse to purchase medical supplies not covered in the school’s budget. This support continues through the school year in meeting special needs such as medication or eyeglasses and a UCAF initiated Food 4 Kids program. Children in our valley attend school for only 4 days a week and this program provides supplemental nutrition for non-school days. While UCAF no longer has an active participatory role with F4K, we continue to support the current sponsor, ALM, through volunteers and financial donations. Please visit our website to view other mission ministries. |
How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
Our mission goals can be reached through our Pastor’s leadership to the congregation and within the community. Involvement in missions as well as identifying areas of need are important to our mission efforts. Our expectation is our Pastor will become involved in several of our missions to support our community which include - ALM food pantry, Firewood Angels, Medical Equipment lending, nearby men’s and women’s shelters, Summit Chapel and the Moreno Valley Ministerial Alliance. Participation in community and civic groups provide a means for additional outreach. Living in a resort community a Pastor’s interest in hiking, skiing, golf, pickleball, tennis, snowboarding and any other variety of activities helps strengthen connections with UCAF members and allows the Pastor to make new relationships and identify prospects for mission, outreach, and service. UCAF is a diverse, multi-denominational Christian congregation with half of the members full-time residents and half associate members, who reside in the Moreno Valley part of the year. But all work together in these ministries, thus making our differences less important and our concern for others the similarity that binds us together. A pastor that embraces the unique makeup of our congregation, that can tap into the seemingly limitless resources of experience, talent, expertise, and willingness to serve will be able to shepherd these strengths to further our vision and mission goals. |
Provide a description of the characteristics needed by the person who is open to being called to this congregation and or organization.
We are seeking the person God calls to lead us into the future. We are seeking a pastor who is a likeable and outgoing individual who is very well grounded in the Scriptures plus an excellent preacher. The candidate should be skillful in planning and leading worship and ministry of the Word and Sacrament. The person will need to be one who works collaboratively with the leadership of the church to plan and conduct our programs. We are looking for a pastor who is an active and contributing member of our community. Our pastors have accomplished this through hiking, biking, golf and snow sports and by joining and taking leadership positions in organizations such as Music from Angel Fire or the Rotary Club. Pastoring in a resort community provides unique opportunities to serve with appreciation of the characteristic fluctuations in attendance, increasing during the resort’s high seasons and dropping back during the quiet seasons. |
What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?
The pastor will be expected to perform basic ministerial tasks – preaching, teaching, counseling, visitation of the sick, evangelistic training, outreach and assisting in local needs. The pastor will need to work with and manage the part-time staff that consists of a church administrator, music director and a bookkeeper. The United Church of Angel Fire property includes a cemetery open to the public. Often the pastor is the initial contact for families looking for burial sites and our pastor will need to be prepared to provide information and guidance. The majority of UCAF programming is planned and conducted by the Council through the work of the volunteer Ministry Area chairs. The Pastor is considered a resource to these Ministry Area chairs through assistance in initiating new programs, enhancing existing programs, participation and encouraging others to participate. Communication with and coordination with the Council and the Ministry Area chairs is central to achieving our vision. We cannot stress enough our expectations for the pastor to be active and involved in the life of the church and the life of the community. It is our overwhelming desire and our constant prayer is that God will lead us to the person that God chooses to be our pastor. |
Optional Links
UCAF website (www.unitedchurchofangelfire.com) for details pertaining to our history, newsletters, annual reports and ministries. |