Author Archives: Nicole Havelka

Transforming Thoughts: Learning Leaders

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Nicole Havelka

One of the things I love about the yoga studio I attend is that the teachers are often practicing along with students. When they are not teaching a class (and even sometimes when they are), they humbly take the mat … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged christianity, intergenerational ministry, Iowa conference UCC, leadership, ucc, youth ministry | Leave a comment

Our Common Life: Liberating from the Details

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Nicole Havelka

You may be surprised to know that when I entered seminary I wasn’t entirely sure why I was there. Not only that, I wasn’t sure why I was a Christian. In that first year, I took a required course on … Continue reading →

Posted in Staff Blog | Tagged christian, leadership, liberating | 2 Comments

Transforming Thought: Giving Thanks

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Nicole Havelka

I’m always a little surprised and delighted when I get a thank you note in the mail. It’s always nice to hear that someone appreciates what you do, particularly when much of your day seems occupied with criticism of what … Continue reading →

Posted in Staff Blog | Tagged church leadership, gospel, gratitude, thank a youth worker day, youth ministry | Leave a comment

Transforming Thought: Wild Weather?

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Nicole Havelka

Earlier this week, I was listening to the National Public Radio show, On Point. Host Tom Ashbrook and guests were asking the question, \”What\’s Up With the Wild Weather?\” The unseasonably warm temperatures for most of the country this winter … Continue reading →

Posted in Staff Blog | Tagged church, church leadership, gospel, transformation, United church of Christ, youth ministry | Leave a comment

Transforming Thought: Permission to Fail

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Nicole Havelka

The events of Holy Week must have really felt like a failure to the first disciples. They had invested three years of their lives in learning this new message of love and hope, only to have those hopes crushed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Staff Blog | Tagged Iowa conference UCC, leadership, United church of Christ, youth ministry | Leave a comment

Check out our Virtual Seven Last Words “Service”

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Nicole Havelka

The Iowa Conference UCC staff greets you this Holy Week through our digitally recorded “Seven Last Words” posted online. Take some devotional time to watch these varied perspectives on the Holy Week journey!

Posted in news | Tagged "seven last words", gospel, Iowa conference UCC, Lent, United church of Christ | Leave a comment

Transforming Thought: Tending the Garden

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Nicole Havelka

Walking through a greenhouse, especially in winter, is like finding an oasis in the dessert. They have just the right light, warmth, water, fertilizer and, most of all, expert gardeners who tend their seedlings until they emerge from strong roots … Continue reading →

Posted in Staff Blog | Tagged alban institute, call, Christian leadership, greenhouses of hope, vocation, youth ministry | Leave a comment

Transforming Thoughts: Meaning in Suffering

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Nicole Havelka

The natural instinct of all adults – whether they are parents, pastors, grandparents or just good family friends – is to protect children from the harshness of reality. We want to shield them from suffering; shelter them as long as … Continue reading →

Posted in Staff Blog | Tagged children's ministry, suffering and faith, youth ministry | Leave a comment

Author Archives: Nicole Havelka

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