Vivian is part of the staff at our church but is not employed by HUMC. She was appointed by Bishop Mark Webb to the congregation as an ordained deacon. Deacons are persons called by God, authorized by the church and ordained by a bishop to a lifetime ministry of Word, Service, Compassion and Justice, to both the community and the congregation in a ministry that connects the two. The call to ministry of the deacon is to connect the gifts of the people of God with the needs of the world.
Vivian enjoys being a deacon at HUMC because she feels it is a privilege to be in ministry with so many caring and committed Christians. The love that is shared among the members of the congregation warms her heart. The concern for those in need outside the walls of the church is evidenced by the congregation’s strong commitment to mission and outreach. She loves participating in worship and especially assisting Pastor David in the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism. Singing in the choir brings her great joy and peace.
Vivian came to HUMC when she and her children, Jonah, Rosita and Charlotte, moved to Hamburg in August 2005. She was on staff ¼ time as Minister of Discipleship for a few years before her job as Director of the SSJ Sister Karen Klimczak Center for Nonviolence became fulltime. Now that she is “empty nested”, with all three children in college, she has been able to devote more time to ministry at HUMC. Our congregation is very fortunate and grateful to Deacon Vivian for her time and compassion with the many ministries that she is involved in and for the love and support that she gives our congregation. We are blessed to have her with us at HUMC.
One of her favorite scriptures is 1 John 4:7-8 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Powerful words that when followed, will change our lives and those around us.