It is a joy
to serve with St. John United Church of Christ as pastor and teacher.In our tradition, a sense of call by God, a
time of educational and discernment preparation, and an affirmation by the
church lead to ordination.I recognized
my call to ministry as a teenager, but after completing a Bachelors’ Degree at
the University of Wisconsin-Platteville I taught high school for a few years
and gained additional life experience.In 1989 I earned my Master of Divinity Degree at the University of Dubuque
Theological SeminaryDubuque,
Iowa.Since then I have served First Congregational
U.C.C. in Fulton, New York;
First Congregational U.C.C. in Dupo, Illinois; Elm Street Congregational in Bucksport, Maine;
and St. John’s U.C.C. in Bucyrus, Ohio before coming to Granite City in May of
2006. and was ordained at First Congregational
United Church of Christ in
My husband,
the Rev. Charles Preston, is a retired United Church of Christ pastor who
served with churches near mine in Illinois, Maine, and Ohio.We have each held various positions with
committees and programs in the U.C.C., and have attended regional and national
events both in the denomination and in the Society for Biblical
Literature.I believe it is important to
continue growing in faith and service throughout life.As one of our denomination’s mottos says,
“God Is Still Speaking;” therefore, we need to listen and act in every time and
place.
I also
believe we need to joyfully celebrate our blessings and give thanks to God with
our lives.Beginning with the first
chapter of the Bible, we hear God declare that good is everywhere.Today, we need to discover goodness all
around us and through us.God continues
to bless and encourage us, to uplift us with love and compassion, to fill us
with forgiveness and peace.Long ago the
Apostle Paul told the church in Rome,
nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord.”This continues to be true for
God’s people today, and so we are blessed.Let us rejoice together, giving thanks to God with faithful discipleship
in Jesus’ name as the Spirit leads us forward.
