My name is Kathy Newnam. I attended the Little Egypt Walk to Emmaus #43, where I sat at Ruth's table.
Before attending my Walk, I would never have had the courage to lead anyone in prayer, but that changed at my candlelight service. Much like John Wesley, I experienced a strange warming of my heart. The singing while we walked into the church reached into the crevices of my heart and opened my mind to new possibilities. I dropped a burden of personal dislike and picked up peace in it's place. The next day, I gathered my cabinmates and suggested that we pray out loud, and we haven't stopped since. My husband and I became highly active in our Emmaus Ministries Community. The following year, I felt a calling to preach, so I started on the Lay Speaker path, but before long, I was asked to be a supply preacher at a small-town church nearby. A year later, I was moved to a two-charge appointment as a supply pastor. One night, while attending a Gathering, I felt the desire to serve communion, but as a United Methodist, I knew I would have to become a Licensed Local Pastor to consecrate the elements. While pondering what to do, I heard a voice say, "You know what you must do." No one around me was talking, so I took God's hint and ran with it. So, at age 65, I went to Licensing School and became a Local Pastor. I have now served my two churches for 8 years. I will continue serving for a couple more years and then retire, but my service won't stop there. I may not preach every week but I think God still has wonderful plans for me, so I will continue to follow Jesus and do as he commanded, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and Love your neighbor as yourself,’ (Mark 12:30-31.)
To further open myself to God, I participate in a weekly Emmaus Ministries Reunion Group and generally go on a five-day Spiritual Retreat through The Upper Room each year. During the Spring, Summer, and Fall, I spend some mornings on my patio with a cup of tea, in time with my Lord and Savior.
As a Licensed Local Pastor in The United Methodist Church, I am required to complete the Course of Study, which consists of 20 classes on Theology, the Bible, Spirituality, Worship and Sacraments, Management, and various other studies. I have eight more classes to go before I'm done with the Course of Study. This work and the associated readings have been contributing significantly to my ongoing spiritual formation.
Regarding my growth through Christian Action, I am the Director of Financial Aid at Angels on Assignment, a mission of the First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, Illinois. Angels has a Food Pantry, a Thrift Store, and a Financial Aid department where we help with past due power, water, and rent. The church pays all the operating bills of the mission, so the money, along with donations, raised through the Thrift Shop, go to help those in need through the Food Pantry and Financial Aid. We are also the presence of the Salvation Army in Jefferson County, Illinois. We lead their Kettle Campaign each year, and in return, we have access to 90% of the money we raise, which is used in Financial Aid for the same past due bills. Last year, Financial Aid spent over $100,000 to help people have a place to stay, water to drink, and lights and heat in their homes. The Food Pantry helped over 13,000 people have something to eat, and the Thrift Shop gave away close to $20,000 worth of clothing and household items to people who can't afford these things. This is humbling work that draws me closer to God day after day.
After I retire, I hope to continue to allow God to use me through a ministry to homebound individuals, whereby they can have communion and time with someone who cares about what is going on in their lives. Thus, I look forward with great excitement to what God will do.
Best wishes on your journey and De Colores!
We want to hear from you. Click here to share your Fourth Day story.
Loading more...