Always having a desire to “give back,” the new interim pastor at First Church United in West Liberty says she has always wanted to use the gifts she possesses and is proud to be the latest minister at the highly active parish.
Newly ordained on Feb. 29, Rev. Deborah (Deb) Mann took over duties at the parish Nov. 30, giving her first Sunday service virtually to at least 30 families.
Having worked previously in business, then as a student pastor for two Methodist churches in northern Illinois, as well as for Genesis Hospice in the Quad-Cities before getting her degree from the University of Dubuque Presbyterian Seminary, the new minister said she felt a “calling” to West Liberty. Although she “loved my job” working with hospice patients and families, she said the COVID-19 pandemic had a lot to do with her career change, noting, “it boils down to faith and family.”
“I felt I had more to give,” Rev. Mann said, noting she loves building relationships with families and sharing with others. “Hope is the major anchor I hold onto,” she said.”In these times, you need hope to hang onto.”
Taking to the ministry later in her life, Rev. Mann said she grew up Pentecostal but turned Methodist in college, noting it was where she “felt comfortable.”
The new pastor knows she has some big shoes to fill in the absence of Rev. Marian Hart, , but says she’s been a leader her entire life, noting “it comes natural.”
Pleased with the response to her first church service at FCU, Rev. Mann says she’s anxious to meet parishioners and other members of the community.
She calls herself a “visionary,” having strong listening skills and finding as well as fulfilling needs. “One of the strongest skills I have is getting people to ignite their faith,” she said, noting she always wants to leave things better than when she started.
The oldest of four children with a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University in recreation, the new minister said she looks forward to working with families on church campouts and park programs.
She said the local parish is “well grounded” and has had great ministry and leadership that has helped make the parish the center of attraction for the community Food Panty program, blood drives, bell choir and music performances and more. One goal is to reconstruct youth groups for the church.
She said a healthy church presents open doors in a community and said she’s been welcomed to the parish along with her life partner Lee Ann.
“I have a sense that this is a really special community,” she said, noting the church already reflects that image,
Rev. Mann called herself a “very strong people person,” noting taking the position is “definitely a challenge for me” and she’s trying to learn as much about the history of the church, the background of its parishioners and the direction the parish desires. She plans to be involved in the community as much as possible but says the most important goal at the moment is to help her parish families get through the holidays amid the COOVID-19 crisis. “Some will be challenged,” she said.
“I love it,” Rev. Mann said. “It seem to be this church is open to filling needs with open arms.”