December 2019 E-News
From the Bishop
As their Engaging All Disciples Day hosted by Christ Church, Clinton, the congregations from the Clinton, Dubuque and Maquoketa revival cluster, focused on what it means to have a rule of life. Fr. Kevin Goodrich, a Dominican Friar himself and Rector of St. John’s Dubuque, offered various kinds of “rules”— from that of a religious order (and in particular its Third Order rule), to what his own congregation was working on as a congregational rule, to a more personal rule. The latter was more wholistic in its approach than I was expecting, seeking more to define the elements that make up the rhythm of one’s day, week, month and year. I was surprised to find that I am paying more attention than I thought to such things and can claim a positive rhythm to my inner life—which, nevertheless, is still better described as a “method to my madness.”
I was also surprised to hear from the gathered group that day that quite a number of the treasured saints attending acknowledged difficulty in personal prayer. It was one thing that made the idea of a congregational rule of life so significant. We suffer from inconsistency, and sometimes genuine blockage to spiritual practices, and thank God that we are not alone, but in community whose rhythm continues on—often made possible by the very ones having prayer difficulty at the personal level, and yet who consistently turn up to assist at the altar, to sing in the choir, or to furnish the altar. It is also a phenomenon that from time to time includes those who officiate and preach, and confirm and ordain. Many times God carries us through our willing participation, even when we feel that we are in the dark.
Seeking Bishop Search Committee Nominations
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
On November 22-23, the Standing Committee, along with the Diocesan Staff, Board of Directors, and our Chancellor, met with the Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley, Bishop of Pastoral Development, to begin the process of electing the next bishop of this Diocese. It was a time to celebrate the many ways in which we have grown in our ministry capacities over the years and to start considering what will be needed as we continue our faithful gospel mission as the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa.
In the coming weeks we anticipate interviewing and hiring a Consultant to assist us in the search process. Once a consultant has been selected, the Standing Committee will assemble a Search/Nominating Committee who will be responsible for interviewing and selecting candidates for nomination as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Iowa. Members of the Search/Nominating Committee will meet with the Transitioning Team and the Consultant in retreat prior to beginning their work.
The Search/Nominating Committee is charged and entrusted with creating a Diocesan Profile, a detailed description of who we are, what we believe, and what we are looking for in our next bishop. In addition, this group is responsible for the deep spiritual work of discerning the gifts and visions of each person who is persuaded to apply and exploring the possibilities of that person serving as our next bishop.
Our Search/Nominating Committee will be made up of 15 individuals from across the Diocese. Each Chapter is encouraged to submit two candidates to serve on this Committee. The Standing Committee will then prayerfully select 10 members from this list of people and select an additional 5 people to join them in their work.
What are some desirable abilities we're hoping to see in Search Committee Candidates?
Have experience working as a collaborative team member, understand group discernment practices, and be able to help the group make hard decisions
Be a deep listener, communicate well, and be able to stay organized and focused
Communicate well, both in oral and written forms
Be familiar with conducting survey and interviews, and be able to elicit information from others and then organize the learnings for others to review
Be able to hold up “the big picture,” to seek what is best for the diocese
Be knowledgeable about the Episcopal Church (worship, liturgy, history, polity, governing canons & constitution, how the church is organized and how it works); and understand how the Diocese of Iowa works and what the bishop does
Be seen as a bridge-builder in the diocese, enjoying the respect of both lay and clergy members
Commit to praying daily for the discernment process and all involved.
In addition:
Every candidate should be able to commit to serving throughout the search process, approximately 15-18 months. (Some weeks might require 10 hours of time, other weeks less.)
Every candidate should be able to attend the organizing retreat and bishop candidate discernment retreat (dates to be determined after the Consultant is hired).
All lay members of the Nominating Committee must be at least 16 years of age, be confirmed communicants of the diocese in good standing. All clergy members shall be canonically resident in the diocese.
Our Canons lay out a specific time frame for beginning this work. Canon 38 states that a Search/Nominating Committee be in place within 120 days of the announced resignation of our current bishop. Therefore, the Standing Committee requests that each Chapter hold a special gathering to determine their nominees. Names must be submitted to standingcommittee@iowaepiscopal.org by January 30, 2020.
As we move forward in this process, be assured that we are committed to keeping everyone well informed. To that end, you will soon find a designated page on the diocesan website where we will post a timeline of events, the Diocesan Profile (upon completion), and an assortment of other pertinent information. You can also count on us to pray daily for the Diocese, for +Alan and Donna, and for those involved in the selection process. We invite you to join us.
In Christ,
The Standing Committee
Karen Brooke, Aileen Chang-Matus, Greg Jones, Kathleen Milligan, Elizabeth Duff Popplewell, Anne Williams
GILEAD update
Upcoming Youth Events
EYE 2020
EYE (Episcopal Youth Event) is an event for youth (currently enrolled in high school). Every three years in accordance with General Convention Resolution #1982-D079, the Episcopal Church convenes an international youth event so “that the energy of the youth of the Episcopal Church can continue to be utilized in active ministry as members of the Body of Christ.”
The 2020 Episcopal Youth Event will be held July 7-11 at the University of Maryland in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and the Washington National Cathedral. Cost is still being determined. The Diocese of Iowa will cover most of the cost.
Click HERE to see videos and get a better sense of what EYE is all about, and here for the YOUTH APPLICATION.
SKI TRIP 2020
January 17-19 in Boone! Skiing, Tubing and Snowboarding at Seven Oaks. Fun, games and food at Camp Sacejawia! Deadline to register is January 5!
Check our webpage and our Facebook page at Diocese of Iowa Youth for announcements!
Find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Beloved Community Initiative
Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders
Dismantling Racism training is required of all lay and ordained leaders in the church (including vestries, search committees, diocesan leadership, etc.). The training day has been restructured to reflect The Episcopal Church's commitment to this work as part of our lifelong spiritual formation and our church's long-term commitment to racial justice, healing, and reconciliation. Ideally, every chapter will schedule a training day in their area or take part in a neighboring chapter's.
UPCOMING TRAININGS
January 11: EAST CHAPTER Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders 9:00-3:30pm hosted by Trinity Cathedral, Davenport
January 25: WEST CHAPTER Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders 9:00-3:30pm hosted by All Saints', Storm Lake
At diocesan convention, Beloved Community Initiative gave the diocese a preview of its new resource: 2020 Vision for Becoming Beloved Community —a year of resources to help us all go deeper into the work of dismantling racism. Each month you will find materials that focus on a central theme introduced with a theological reflection, followed by suggestions in five areas: Learn, Notice, Engage, Reflect, and Pray. You could choose to work your way through it as an individual, with a partner or two, or with a larger group.
Advent and Christmas Resources
New and updated Advent resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith are now available: Way of Love Digital Invitation Kit, updated Journeying the Way of Love Advent calendar and curriculum, AdventWord 2019, Sermons That Work compilation of Advent and Christmas selections, Advent reflections from Episcopal Migration Ministries, and bulletin inserts.
Epiphany curriculum from Episcopal Migration Ministries
Episcopal Migration Ministries is offering a seven-lesson Epiphany curriculum for individuals and congregations. This free resource is Episcopal Migration Ministries’ contribution to the Good Book Club , a project that invites all Episcopalians to join in reading the Gospel of John during Epiphany 2020.
End of year reminders for church leadership
Due December 15: Approve and return your 2020 Stewardship Share commitment form to Anne Wagner at awagner@iowaepiscopal.org
Due December 15: Update your church and employee information in the Employee Roster. The information in this roster for your church will be published in the Episcopal Church Annual (The Red Book). For more information, contact John Doherty at jdoherty@iowaepiscopal.org
Due December 31: Update your church's subscription list for Iowa Connections. Diocesan policy requires that every Episcopal household receive this quarterly mailing. For more information, contact John Doherty at jdoherty@iowaepiscopal.org
Due December 31: Remit amounts due for Stewardship Share, Iowa Connections, and Revolving Fund Loans to Diocesan office.
Due December 31: Send 2019 special offerings for Bishop's Discretionary Fund, United Thank Offering, Episcopal Relief & Development, Good Friday Offering, and Theological Seminary Support to Diocesan office.
December 31: Lay Ministry licensees expire on December 31 and will need to be renewed if necessary.
Was Due September 1: Send a copy of your 2018 Church Audit/Financial Review to the Diocesan Office. This annual review is a requirement for all Episcopal Churches. (sample form)
Adopt a Vestry resolution designating a 2020 Housing Allowance for your cleric. (sample form)
Report changes in compensation to the Church Pension Fund (Clergy Change Form / Lay Change Form)
View/download the Bishop's 2020 Visitation Schedule
Diocesan Calendar
November
Dec 1: Bishop's Visitation with Trinity Cathedral, Davenport
Dec 6-8: Young Adult Advent Retreat
Dec 12: PINTS 12:00-4:00pm, St. Andrew's, Des Moines
Dec 13-14: Commission on Ministry
Dec 14: Ordinations to the diaconate 2:00pm, St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, Des Moines
Dec 15: Bishop's Visitation with Grace, Boone
Dec 22: Bishop's Visitation with Grace Church, Cedar Rapids
Dec 24-25: Bishop at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral Christmas services
Dec 29: Bishop's Visitation with Trinity Church, Denison
January
Jan 11: Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders, Trinity Cathedral, Davenport
Jan 17-19: Diocesan Ski Trip
Jan 19: Bishop's visit to St. Andrew's, Des Moines
Jan 24-25: Commission on Ministry
Jan 25: Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders, All Saints', Storm Lake
Jan 26: Bishop's Visitation with St. Thomas', Sioux City
Jan 30: Chapter nominations for Bishop Search/Nominating Committee due to Standing Committee
The Diocesan Office will be closed December 25-January 1. For calendar updates, visit our website.
How can we support you?
Let us know how we can support you in your ministry or share the good work you are doing:
By phone: 515-277-6165 regular business hours (Mon-Fri: 9-5pm)
By e-mail: diocese@iowaepiscopal.org
To e-mail a specific staff person use their first initial and full last name before the @ sign. (e.g. John Doherty's e-mail is jdoherty@iowaepiscopal.org ).
Share stories for diocesan newsletters by emailing communications@iowaepiscopal.org .
For resources: IowaShare.org