e-News April 2022
There is a nature preserve behind the house I’m staying in, set into a small valley carved out by a stream that meanders along the bottom. A path winds along the bottom of the valley, where I often see deer grazing. Where the path crosses the stream, there is a set of stepping stones.
Last fall, I could follow the path and easily cross the stream using the stepping stones. When winter came and the stream froze, I could walk across on the ice. Then, as we moved into a period of alternate thawing and refreezing, the stepping stones became submerged in a layer of ice that often had water running over the top of it. I couldn’t get across the stream without getting wet and risking a serious fall. I became accustomed to taking an alternate route that did not cross the stream.
Recently, I went out for a walk and decided to extend my alternate route to the place where the path crosses the stream, just to see how the ice was doing. It was the first time I’ve walked in this area for several weeks, and, to my surprise, the ice was entirely gone, the stream was flowing, and the stepping stones once again provided a safe and dry path across the water. As I crossed I felt a sense of freedom, release from the restrictions imposed on my walk by the frozen stream. As I continued to walk I saw and heard more signs of spring: birds singing, buds forming on some branches, spring bulbs pushing up through the soil.
I imagine that the coming of spring affects all of us in this way, to one degree or another. We are able to shed our heavy coats, to spend more time outdoors, and to feel more comfortable. This year, the arrival of warmer weather is coinciding with the decline in the pandemic and the lifting of many of the COVID restrictions that we have lived with for more than two years.
This renewed sense of freedom and release corresponds beautifully with our church calendar as we conclude Lent and move through the events of Holy Week and into Easter. Lent is a time for self-examination and personal discovery of the ways in which we separate ourselves from God: then, as we promise in the Baptismal Covenant, we repent and return to the Lord. This repentance and return to God is what we mean by “reconciliation,” and during Holy Week and Easter we celebrate the reconciliation of all creation through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. The resurrection is where we Christians find the fullness of freedom and release in our life in Christ.
Reconciliation happens at many levels, and at the House of Bishops meeting in March the bishops engaged reconciliation on personal, institutional, national, and international levels. (https://www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/at-spring-meeting-house-of-bishops-speaks-on-ukraine-anti-trans-bills/). I was proud of the work that we did together, and I hope that the work of reconciliation will extend throughout the Episcopal Church and throughout our many communities.
The Catechism in the back of the Book of Common Prayer tells us that “the mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” This is the work of reconciliation to which we are all called, and, fortunately for us, we have a built-in opportunity coming up soon to do this work.
Our churches are often much more full on Easter than they are on any other Sunday of the year. This year, Easter coincides with not only spring but with the opening up after Covid: there will be people looking for a church to celebrate Easter who have not been in church at all for the past two years. Be sure they know that your church is open and what time worship is. When they arrive at church, be sure that they experience a warm welcome. Then, invite them back! The second Sunday of Easter is a great time to begin a Christian Formation series that you tell people about on Easter Sunday. The most important thing is to get the word out into your community, to think of ways to invite people in to the reconciling work of God and the sense of freedom and release that we find in Christ.
And, in other news:
I am very pleased to announce that we are shifting a few responsibilities on the diocesan staff. Traci Ruhland Petty will be taking on the responsibility for communications as Missioner for Communications and GILEAD. Meg Wagner will add Transitions to her work as Missioner for Congregational Development, Transitions, and Reconciliation. This shift will be a gradual process as both Traci and Meg become familiar with their new roles, and, on behalf of both of them, I ask for your support during this transition.
In the promised abundant life of Christ,
+Betsey
The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of Iowa
Transitions
In Memoriam
The Reverend Fritz Kramer died Wednesday, March 29, surrounded by his family. Funeral services are planned for Saturday, April 23rd at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral, 815 High Street, Des Moines.
“Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord: And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen”.
Obituary
IN MEMORIAM:
The Rev. Judith C. Dalmasso, died February 3, 2022, served most recently at St. Alban's, Davenport. Obituary
The Rev. Sallie Verrette, died January 6, 2022, served most recently at St. Paul's, Grinnell until her retirement. Services are planned for Sunday, May 29, at St. Paul's, Grinnell Obituary
The Rev. Kathleen Tripses, died December 29, 2021, served as deacon alongside the people of St. Anne's by the Fields, Ankeny until her retirement in 2016 to Kansas. Obituary
The Rev. Canon Thomas Hulme, died December 4, 2021, served most recently at Trinity, Iowa City until his retirement. Obituary
MINISTRY TRANSITIONS:
The Rev. Kim Turner-Baker has accepted a call to serve in the Diocese of Washington.
The Rev. Hal Ley Hayek has accepted a call to serve in the Diocese of Milwaukee.
The Rev. Jane Stewart began as Priest in Partnership at New Song, Coralville, November 1, 2021.
The Rev. Mark Holmer retired from active service with St. Thomas', Algona.
DIOCESAN STAFF (beginning April 1):
Rev. Meg Wagner will be the diocesan Missioner for Congregational Development, Transitions, and Reconciliation
Traci Ruhland Petty will be the Missioner for Communications and GILEAD
From Dust to Roses
Are you a fan of the TV series "Schitt's Creek"? Come join us as we explore how Lent and the Rose family have more in common than one might think. Don't worry if you are positively bedeviled with meetings et cetera - come to one session or all, join for as many as you're able. No age limits or participation fees to join, but you do need to be familiar with the characters' story arcs throughout the series.
Questions? Contact Traci Ruhland Petty tpetty@iowaepiscopal.org or Amy Mellies amellies@iowaepiscopal.org
Chrism Mass
Monday, April 11, 11:00am-1:00pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral
815 High Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
The annual Chrism Mass is a service during Holy Week for the consecration of chrism which will be used at baptisms throughout the year, the consecration of the oil for unction, and for the reaffirmation and renewal of vows of ministry. All of us will have the opportunity to renew our baptismal promises, and ordained clergy will renew the vows appropriate to their order. The service will be both in-person and live-streamed, and all are encouraged to attend. All are invited to stay afterward for a hosted conversation with light refreshments.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday Procession for Peace, Sunday April 10
Hosted by the Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace, the walk expresses a vision of peace and justice and a position against racism and war. Remembering the true meaning of Palm Sunday, the walk invites participants to commit to be instruments of God's peace. This year the speaker will be the Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. You are invited to bring palms from your Sunday morning service.
2:30-2:45pm -- Gather in the south parking lot at the Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community
3306 University, Des Moines, IA
3:00pm -- Proceed to Grace United Methodist Church
3700 Cottage Grove, Des Moines, IA
3:30pm -- Worship at Grace United Methodist Church
3700 Cottage Grove, Des Moines, IA
Becoming Beloved Community
Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders
Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders is a training day that is required of all lay and ordained leaders in The Episcopal Church (including vestries, search committees, diocesan leadership, etc.). Grounded in The Episcopal Church's commitment to dismantling racism as essential to our formation as Christians, this ONLINE training is open to all persons who would like to deepen their understanding of racism, prejudice, and privilege.The training will consist of 2 sessions from 10:00am-12:00pm and 12:30pm-2:30pm.
Youth Ministry News
Small Acts, Big Impact: A Youth Retreat - (6th-9th grade) - April 22-24
St. Andrew’s, Des Moines
This is a retreat for young people (6th-8thth grade) who desire to learn and work towards a better community for all in our faith families. Through mission, learning, and team building, participants will gain the knowledge and tools they need to work towards a community that works for all people. We will talk about service and how you can make an impact in your communities, learn about what other churches in the diocese are doing to impact those around them in need and assist those in the Des Moines area through food ministry.
EPIC Summer Camp (4th-12th grade) - July 5-8, Christian Conference Center, Newton
Stay up-to-date on all of our upcoming events HERE.
GILEAD Grants Spotlight: 2021 Recipients
Clergy Support at St. Andrew's, Des Moines
$23,000
Support for Recently Ordained Clergy Grant
Saint Andrew’s embraces the concept of shared ministry - lay people serving alongside clergy to accomplish the work of the church - and has a “can-do” spirit that fuels us to take action to be a blessing to our community. These qualities are precious and essential to our identity, but in order to be sustainable will require innovation. In early 2021, the Vestry discerned that this should take the form of partnerships between the parish and other groups with the same goals, and determined that a “point person” was needed to act as a bridge. We knew that we had an individual among us already who truly embodies the purpose of GILEAD: to engage and empower disciples to participate in the mission of God in local communities and the world. That person is the newly ordained Reverend Elizabeth Gillman, whose creative and collaborative leadership is an integral part of what we are seeking to build: a team-based leadership structure that is tied into our local community. Saint Andrew’s is at a financial and leadership crossroads, and grant funding will give us the ability to commit to continuing this staff position during a time of transition.
Grant funds are being used for Rev. Gillman’s salary, housing, pension, and any benefits.
Mobility Stairlifts at St John's, Shenandoah
$12,981.05
Liturgical Space Renewal Grant
St. John’s has two existing chairlifts: one connecting the sanctuary to the undercroft and the other connecting an exterior entrance to the undercroft; but one has not worked in over six years, and the other has recently stopped working. A long-time parishioner is dependent on the lift to the sanctuary due to the effects of polio, and therefore has been unable to attend services since the lift stopped working. An Alcoholics Anonymous group regularly uses St. John’s for their meeting space, and they’ve also asked about handicap accessibility for some of their members. Broken equipment and lack of accessibility shouldn’t be a reason someone can’t access the church to find comfort, healing, or spiritual food. Research was done into the possibility of repairing the existing units, but replacement was recommended as the existing units are 20+ years old and parts are scarce.
Grant funds were used to replace both units bringing the building back to being handicap accessible.
Help make grants like these possible with a donation to the diocesan GILEAD Campaign. To learn about the other grants funded from your generous gifts, click here for 2020 grantees and click here for 2021 grantees.
Summer Ministry School & Retreat
Save the Date! We plan to be in-person at Grinnell College.
For over 30 years Episcopalians in Iowa have gathered for a weekend in the summer to learn church leadership skills, explore personal spirituality or just find Sabbath time. Praying together sets a rhythm and tone for the weekend that culminates in Eucharist on Sunday morning. During the weekend, 7‐8 hours are set aside for “track time” to get in‐depth study in one track topic of your choice. Morning and Evening social time, and meals can be spent in fellowship with folks that aren’t in your track.
Registration and more information on the tracks will soon be available on the website, keep an eye out HERE.
TRACK PREVIEW:
Track 1 – The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot: An exploration of Ministry and God’s call within and outside of God’s church
Track 2 – Ms. Helen L. Keefe: On Holy Ground
Track 3 – The Rev. Dr. Catherine Quehl-Engel: Serenity Sublime: Spiritual Release, Rest, and Renewal
Track 4 – The Rev. Don Keeler: The Buggy Ride Home
Track 5 – Ms. Alescha Caldwell: A Journey Through Art with Prayer
Track 6 – The Rev. Lori Erickson: Soul of the Family Tree
Track 7 – The Rev. Jean McCarthy/ Ms. Anna Whipple: Lament....Finding Hope in Troubled Times
Track 8 – Solo Retreat
Child care will be provided as well as a lock-in (4th-12th) at St. Paul’s.
The Great Middle Book Club
To follow up with the "Great Middle" report on January 26 from the Episcopal delegates in our region to the world climate negotiations (COP26) last November, we have organized a “Great Middle Climate Book Club.”
The book we will be discussing is “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World” by Texas Tech professor Katharine Hayhoe. For the first session, we will be focusing on the Preface and Section 1 of the book (through page 33). We are also planning sessions on these Mondays: April 4, May 2, June 6, and July 11.
It would be great if you or others wanted to join Episcopalians from the "Great Middle" - from North Dakota to Texas and from the Great Lakes to the Rockies - for this discussion.
Mental Health
Check out our webpage!
It has many resources for your mental health or those around you who may be struggling. You can attend free webinars from MindSpring Mental Health Alliance, free resources from Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center, and NAMI of Central Iowa. You can find information on support groups, phone numbers, and websites that can help in time of crisis.
You can also click HERE for bulletin inserts for your congregation on different mental health topics.
Bulletin insert for April
Help Ukraine Families
Your immediate support will help Episcopal Relief & Development and other Anglican partners provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine.
Your gift will help provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies, and other needed assistance to families from Ukraine.
Beware of Scammers
We are starting to see email messages that claim to be from Bishop Monnot. Please double check the source of any communications asking for money or gift cards. Legitimate emails from the bishop and the diocesan staff will use an email address ending in @iowaepiscopal.org. Verify any requests for money or assistance that claim to come from your local priest or church office by emailing or calling them directly, not by responding to texts or emails.
Please also be aware of current email and phone call scams purporting to come from Google and Square credit services - do not respond to phone calls that ask you to opt out or in of those services.