Kayla Roosa

Sign Up for Daily Inspirational Messages by Text

From the desk of Rev. Kayla Roosa

I’m starting a daily text thread that you can sign up for. It would be a quick daily text that you could join free of charge that would enable me to write a quick prayer, Bible Verse or quote that we can be praying/pondering together as a community of faith. It is set up so that if you reply, I am the only one who sees it and could be a way for you to directly share prayer requests with me.

I know not everyone texts, but this is something that is open to members of Clio Bethany UMC or the larger community.

A colleague that I was close to in Freeland who also received a call in another city did this and I loved getting them from him – it’s a tremendous blessing to see how a simple set of words are relevant in many settings. God speaks and the Spirit moves.

My guide for sending these messages will be between 9am-9pm. I’m going to strive to send daily messages, but a day may sneak by me here or there without one.

How to sign-up:

Open a text message on your cell phone, send it to 81010.

Then in the body, type @bumcdp

Follow the instructions it gives you.

You do need to claim a role as parent/student.

It is a free service – you do NOT need the app if you are prompted.

IF you respond to a message, the message goes directly to me only. I will respond when I am able.

No one can see your phone number, not even me.

Still not having success joining? Let us know…maybe another church member can connect with you and help you get set up! Or…maybe it’s a good reason for you to join me for Tea at 10 on Tuesday!

In the Midst of New Directions

There is a hymn in The Faith We Sing that has bubbled to the forefront in my prayer time, it is titled, “In the Midst of New Dimensions,” it is number 2238

In the midst of new dimensions, in the face of changing ways. Who will lead the pilgrim people’s wandering in their separate ways?
[Refrain] God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and ever more.
Through the flood of starving people, warring factions and despair, Who will lift the olive branches? Who will light the flame of care?
As we stand a world divided by our own self seeking schemes, Grant that we, your global village might envision wider dreams
We are man and we are woman, all persuasions, old and young, Each a gift in your creation, each a love song to be sung.
Should the threats of dire predictions cause us to withdraw in pain, May your blazing phoenix spirit, resurrect the church again.
Words and Music by Julian Rush (1985)

In many ways we are in the midst of new dimensions, as the universal church, the denomination, world, local church as we all figure out what it means to be Christ’s church following a pandemic, a time and location that has been filled with deep division, poverty, and war, a world that longs for hope and peace — to experience God’s grace. We are in the midst of new dimensions as we begin exploring what the Co-operative Parish will look like and how both congregations will be stronger because of this new partnership.

This song reminds me of our call as God’s people to lead the way in lifting the olive branch and light the flame of care for the people in our congregation and for the people in our community who need to experience healing and hope. This is not always an easy task. I wonder how you are already responding to God’s call and how God might be calling you to shift gears and be open to what the Spirit is empowering you to do in the midst of new dimensions?

In the midst of these new dimensions, I am surrounded by boxes (broken down and still full) that are being unpacked at the parsonage. I am preparing to leave on vacation for a few days to camp and find a little rest from unboxing things! In the midst of new dimensions, I have cried some tears of joy for becoming a Full Elder in the UMC and I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions since conference. There have been tears for the relationships I’ve built with people in Freeland that are transitioning to something new. There are many memories that I have been sifting through. I am looking forward to making similar memories with each of you! I am excited to see God revealed in this community, and am excited to be joining you in a few days as your Pastor.

As I prepare to join you, my tentative office hours for the summer have been set. If you wish to meet with me one on one, please contact me directly to set something up. You can contact me via email, office phone or cell phone, you may text as well. A boundary that I do my best to uphold is that between 9pm and 9am, I try my best to avoid church related communications, unless there is an emergent need. This enables me to care for myself and my personal relationships. Fridays will be my Sabbath day.

Bethany UMC: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 9am to 2pm

Otisville UMC: Wednesdays 9am to 2pm

I would also like to extend an invitation to you to join me for Tea on Tuesdays at Ten in the lounge or Fellowship Hall at Bethany. The first 3 will be on July 5th, 12th, and 19th.

My first Sunday in worship will be July 3rd. I will be presiding for Holy Communion. My first Sunday preaching will be July 10th.

July 22-30th I will be leading a high school kayak camp through Lake Michigan Camp and Retreat Center with two colleagues. We will be traveling to Lake Superior Provincial Park in Canada. During this time I will be out of communication. Rev. Scott Sherrill will cover Pastoral Care for me while I am away. If you have a need for Pastoral Care please contact Kory at the office or Elizabeth Whiting and they will contact him. When I return on July 31st, you will hear my reflections from the water, how I have encountered God in the week prior and the role camp and retreat ministries has had on my faith journey.

Friends, I am grateful for the ways you are already receiving me as your Pastor – for the work the Trustees and others have done at the parsonage to get it ready for me and for the hospitality you have shown me since I was introduced to your SPRC. I am looking forward to buidling more relationships with you as I get settled, and I look forward to dreaming God sized dreams with you as we live into the Cooperative Parish!

Together we serve,

Pastor Kayla

Introducing our New Pastor – Rev. Kayla Roosa

Hello Bethany — I am Pastor Kayla!

I am looking forward to being with you in worship on July 3rd. My ministry began leading Sunday School at Gordonville United Methodist Church as a Young Adult and assisting with Youth Group. I have served in different ministry roles both volunteer and paid from then until I went to seminary in 2014. My undergrad degree from Northwood University is in Banking, Finance and Management. Before going to seminary, I worked at Dow Chemical for a combined 8 years in the plant, where I was responsible for overseeing policies surrounding Document & Records management for the businesses I supported. I began Pastoral Ministry in November of 2015, serving a small congregation on the south side of Midland while I was still in seminary at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. When I graduated in 2017, I was appointed July 1, 2017 to Freeland United Methodist Church where I am now saying farewell as I prepare to serve God and the people of Clio alongside of you!

Facts about me:

I enjoy spending time in God’s creation — camping, biking, and walking
Not sure how to pronounce my last name? As my elementary school choir teacher said – like the wine! What do I prefer to be called? You can call me Pastor Kayla or PK are both fine.
I am the youngest of three. I have two older brothers (Scott and Ryan) who live on the west side of the state with their spouses and children, close to my parents who moved there in February of 2019 to be closer to my niece and 3 nephews (Ellie 9, Ben 7, Weston 7, Garrett 5). I enjoy spending any time I can get with them!
Foods I don’t like: bananas, raspberries, blueberries, shellfish (allergy), olives (black or green), beans.
Two habits I picked up in seminary are sipping tea (hot or cold) and coloring.
I LOVE office supplies. . . particularly pens, journals/notebooks and post-its!
I love connecting with children and youth — they bring me great joy and keep me young!

Until we meet face to face in July — I am holding you in prayer as you say farewell and blessings upon Pastor Cathi’s journey to retirement. Be well!

Kayla Roosa

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