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Reverend Bob Mutlow. Staff Associate Tracy Robertson.
Reverend Bob Mutlow
249-3121
mutlowr@telus.net
Finding Your Passion – Rev. Bob Mutlow
What you are passionate about you are good at. It is how God has hard-wired you. My top two gifts are Teaching and Leadership. I get to use my Teaching gift in leading worship and the wonderful opportunity that provides to be part of passing on the faith. One of the great privileges of pastors is to walk with people in the passages of life. We are there in those very special moments of birth and baptism, coming of age and confirmation, marriage and memorials. I also enjoy small group ministry teaching opportunities in an inter-active forum that provides for the sharing of insights and catching the faith.
A second gift is Leadership. Jesus modelled growing leaders as he spent most of his time with the disciples. One of the things I am learning more and more is the importance of working out of my strengths, my gift set and encouraging others to work out of their gift set. It is important for all of us to work out of our strengths and to encourage others to pick up the areas we are not good at. If we don’t let other step up with their gifts, we build our weaknesses into an organization. More and more I want to focus on growing leaders for Woodcliff.
I would encourage you to do your own “gifts” work - some of which you already know because you know what your passionate about. From time to time we offer workshops at the church to help us focus more clearly on our major gifts but also to grow some of our latent gifts. I would invite you to become part of our Woodcliff goal, “Serving West-End Calgary.” If you would like to know more about this, email me at mutlowr@telus.net or phone me at 249-3121.
Tracy Robertson, Staff Associate.
My life has always been one of great faith and lots of questioning. My reflection on this layer reminded me about why I love the United Church and why others would love their own institutions. I was brought up in a home that was quite conservative, but I remember always questioning those things. A lot of times, I wouldn’t question in my home, but the place I felt safe was in my church. I’ve experienced many churches and have always felt at home in the United Church. Practices within the church that I cherish are things like scripture reading, lighting candles, music, hospitality, passing the peace, dramas, the message, sacraments and sharing my faith with children, youth and adults.
My journey into ministry began at the young age of 18 when I moved from Sunday School into church life. I joined the Board of our church, and held many positions for many years. I was a Sunday School teacher and then superintendent and then youth group leader – all volunteer positions. I went through Discernment and Diaconal Ministry became my passion.
In 2001, I was called to be the Youth Facilitator for Foothills Presbytery and held that position for 3 years. I travelled around Foothills Presbytery visiting all the churches and their youth leaders. My role was one of support to the leaders and coordinator for Presbytery youth events. In 2004, Foothills Presbytery created a paid Youth and Family Coordinator position which was to be shared between three churches (Airdrie, Balzac and Crossfield). This position was a trial for 1 year and was not extended. In 2005 I was called to Woodcliff and have felt God’s presence very strongly in my ministry here.
My calling to ministry has brought me to Woodcliff United Church and my soul feels very happy here. I feel as though I have a lot to contribute and I also feel as though I am being well nurtured. God has brought me here and I belong here.
