e-News: August 2021
It is with great joy that I greet the Reverend Betsey Monnot as the Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Iowa. In the episcopal consecration service, we ask the Bishop-elect if she is “so persuaded” that God has called her to the office of bishop. It echoes a telephone call I had to make on Saturday, July 31st after we had given Bishop-elect Betsey a clear majority in both orders at the Special Electing Convention. It was not enough simply to elect, the candidate had still to be “persuaded." It is the best we can ask of our servant leaders, our chief shepherds. In the end it boils down to what others see in us, as they give us the immense trust and honor of being asked to be their bishop. It is an act that places us in a line of succession, the apostolic succession, as well as counts us in the local line of bishops within The Episcopal Church. I am number 983 in that line. By the time Betsey is consecrated there will have been more than 150 new Bishops within The Episcopal Church alone.
I know that her household is all of a scramble right now. By Sunday morning, the Presiding Bishop’s office had sent out the “Customary” for Consecrations, which included how to start the process of acquiring the necessary consents from other Bishops and Standing Committees across the Church. I particularly remember a visit on the Monday morning after the election to my office in Eagle Rock from an enterprising episcopal vestments salesman who brought a catalogue of bishop wear and accessories. And all of that was two decades ago, in an age of slowly emerging social media. How intense it must all be now!
The most immediate emotion of any bishop-elect? An intense need to pray. Yes, there is elation and can be a profound mixed sense of gratitude, shock and unworthiness. But above all, it is the Spirit’s focusing of the inner self upon the One who has called us and who invites our being “so persuaded." As with every election, once completed, we close our ranks in offering that prayer with them. Some clergy on Sunday morning took the opportunity to reflect on the nature of the Church as expressed in Ephesians 4 – that we have “one body and one Spirit, just as you are called to one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in all." (Eph. 4:4 NRSV)
Within this setting of unity, the Bishop’s gift is to preserve it, work within it, enlarge its context, be an instrument of holding it together and bringing it to reality where it is not yet present. History will provide Bishop-elect Betsey with one set of contexts in which to work out this particular call; the people of God as we seek to make Christ known in our days ahead will provide another; and all of us will find that God is providing “each of us the grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Eph 4:7 NRSV) to be carrying out God’s mission.
One phrase that stood out for me during the many statements made by Bishop-elect Betsey on the meet and greet gatherings was this: “I don’t believe so much in delegation as a leader but in development." She sees a primary work in the development of the people of God as the people of God, as instruments of God’s mission of reconciliation. As such you have chosen a leader that stands in the ministry approach of her predecessors, particularly Bishop Epting and me, and that is gratifying to see. It indicates an answer to the prayer of reaffirmation: “May the Holy Spirit who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his Church." (BCP, 419)
So don’t join the vestment salesman in beating a line to Betsey’s door, making this moment somehow about you. There will be time for that. Recognize that God, through you, has just landed something huge into her life, and that of her family, and simply hold her and her family in your prayers. Remember too with thanksgiving Elizabeth and Jennifer as they offered themselves to God and to us in this moment. Surround them too with your prayers invoking God’s all-encompassing love.
I am heading out of town for vacation, and I have two grandchildren to baptize in the process. We have done well. Let us take a pause and let’s be expectant that we will continue to “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love." (Eph. 4:15-16 NRSV)
In the peace and love of Christ,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
10th Bishop of Iowa
The Rev. Betsey Monnot was elected as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Iowa during a Special Convention held on July 31st in Des Moines, Iowa. She was elected on the 3rd ballot.
“I am beyond excited to be your new bishop-elect! My heart is full. Thank you so much for your confidence in me. I look forward to our ministry together as we follow God’s call into the future that God dreams of for the Episcopal Church in Iowa,” Monnot said in an address to the diocese via Zoom shortly after being notified of her election. “I am so excited to join you in ministry and to take the next steps soon! May God’s blessing be with all of us as we prepare for our future together, as we journey as disciples of Jesus on the road together, and as we continue to listen for God’s call for the Episcopal Church in Iowa. Thank you.”
Read more HERE
Fall Joint Chapter Meeting
We hope that you will plan to join us for another Joint Chapter meeting, open to all, on Saturday August 28 on Zoom. All Chapters will have the opportunity to meet together and then breakout into individual rooms by Chapter.
This meeting may serve in place of (or in addition to) your usual Fall Chapter Meeting.
Please register by Wednesday August 25. REGISTER HERE
You must register to receive the Zoom link
Why do we meet in Chapters
In the beginning, chapters in the Diocese of Iowa, were set up, in part, to help facilitate churches in close proximity getting to know each other better (more in Diocesan Canon 15, Of Mission Chapters). Many of us have realized these growing relationships through a variety of experiences—one of which was the twice a year gathering of the chapter to focus on issues concerning the diocese, such as the annual budget and convention.
Chapter meetings occur in August to allow chapters to meet any deadline for convention resolutions and/or nominations. Meeting as one group through Zoom allows us to address important issues before convention together and then we will go into individual chapter breakout rooms. Using this format, we all benefit from any questions and/or comments raised in the large group and we can still do our own chapter work.
Not sure which Chapter your congregation is in? Click Here and scroll down the page to the "Mission Chapters" section.
L.O.V.E. (Listening, One day at a Time, Visioning, Evangelism) Mini-Retreats
L.O.V.E. is such a common and widely used word. We will be taking a closer look at Listening, One day at a time, Visioning, and Evolving/Emerging/ Evangelizing. We will open our reflection time with a message pre-recorded for our topic by Presiding Bishop Curry. Time in small groups will allow us to explore thoughts and questions raised by the meditations. Each session will conclude with a sharing of important “learnings” captured informally by the Zoom chat function. What better way to spend 90 minutes on a Saturday morning!
Recognizing that each of us has wisdom to share and through some of the “miracles” of technology we are able to share and listen to many across this diocese, we encourage you to come be part of this experience. Our expectation for this time together is the chance to deepen our personal understandings as well as continue the building of relationships.
LOVE mini-retreat schedule: 9:00am - 10:30am via Zoom
Listening - Saturday August 21
One day at a time - Saturday September 18
Visioning – Saturday October 16
Evangelizing– Saturday November 20
“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is LOVE.” 1 Cor. 13:13
One World, One Church Mini-Grants
International Development
Mini-Grants
One World/One Church Commission of our Diocese invites parishes and/or members supported by their congregation to submit a grant with an international development focus or component. The funding for this comes from our diocesan budget and is at least 0.7% of the net disposable diocesan income.
In 2021 the amount available is $8,099. These have become known as the International (Sustainable) Development Mini-Grants.
This opportunity is a result of our Diocese's acceptance of the challenge of Resolution A-001 of the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church and of the 1998 Lambeth Resolution (I.1.15(j)).
The grants funded over the last 20+ years have represented a diverse set of priorities seeking to end hunger, promote reconciliation and peace, and to help enable people to live with a renewed sense of dignity and hope.
Please return the completed application to minigrants@iowaepiscopal.org. Applications are due August 8, 2021.
If you have questions, please contact us at minigrants@iowaepiscopal.org.
Find more information HERE.
APPLICATION
Taskforce on Reparations
At the 168th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Iowa, delegates passed Resolution 168A calling for a “Season of Truth and Healing.” The resolution commits the diocese to taking “tangible and enduring actions towards healing the sins of slavery, indigenous genocide and displacement, and racism through earnest and sacrificial actions.”
As part of that commitment, each congregation is asked to review and share the history of Iowa’s and our churches’ part in benefiting from the legacies of enslavement, genocide and displacement. This congregational guide is intended to support investigations into and conversations about that history. We hope that it will help congregations have active, truthful and loving dialogue about our racialized past; lead us into active discussions about our current experiences with race and racism in our congregation and community; and encourage courageous steps towards reconciliation and repair.
Dismantling Racism Training
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 Sessions are limited to 25 attendees, so you may be placed on a waiting list when the session is full.
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.).
Youth Ministry
Backpack Blessing
Join Rev. Stacey Gerhart and Rev. Lizzie Gillman for a virtual backpack/computer blessing on August 18th at 7pm via Zoom. Please register below for the Zoom link.
Simpson Youth Academy
The Simpson Youth Academy is a community that helps high schoolers get a taste of college, grow in faith, make good friends, and explore what they want to do with their lives. Held June 18-26, 2022, adults can nominate high school students now by contacting Rev. Eric Rucker, director of SYA. SYA was a 2020 GILEAD Grant recipient, so scholarships are available for LGBTQ+ and Episcopal youth.
Province VI Small Group Internship
Why Small Groups?
Groups let us know that we belong. They are places to tell stories, ask questions, goof around and share life. At its best, ministry is all about gathering folks in small groups to show folks they are loved--no matter what. This world needs the joy and healing that can come from small groups. Our small groups will focus on telling our own story and hearing the stories of others. We believe that starting with stories helps us build real friendships and strong communities.
Internship Opportunity:
Thanks to a generous grant from Province VI of the Episcopal Church, there are 2-3 internships available to young adults ages 18+ in the Diocese of Iowa.
Between Sept-Dec 2021, interns will:
Read The Art of Gathering and learn community organizing strategy.
Form a group of 6-10 friends/classmates that will gather 5x/semester.
Check-in with the other small group leaders 3x/semester for mutual support.
No prior experience with small groups or leadership is needed. This will be a 30-35 hour commitment spread across the semester. All interns will be paid $400 upon the completion of the internship.
If you are interested and would like more information please contact Amy Mellies at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org or Traci Ruhland Petty at tpetty@iowaepiscopal.org
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center
Pastoral Care Specialist Program (In-Person)
This two-year course is designed for clergy, parish nurses, Stephen ministers, chaplains and others involved in pastoral care ministries. Meeting monthly, participants learn about areas critical to effective pastoral care, and receive support, encouragement and consultation on their work. Participants will reinforce what they already do well and integrate new knowledge and skills into their ministries.
Learn more at: https://dmpcc.org/our-services/leadershipspirituallife/pastoralcarespecialist/
On the Brink: A Group for Religious Professionals Transitioning into Retirement (Virtual, Tuesdays )
Retiring from active religious and spiritual leadership evokes many emotions–dread, joy, fear, anxiety, excitement…Questions arise: “How will I find meaning and purpose?” “What is my call now?” “How do I adapt to all of the changes that aging brings?” “How do I share my spiritual gifts while maintaining healthy boundaries?”
Utilizing Parker Palmer’s book, “On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old”, clergy approaching retirement, or recently retired, will gather four times to support one another by exploring the existential challenges retirement brings.
Contact Mark Minear at mminear@dmpcc.org for more information.
Podcast Corner
For the Love with Jen Hatmaker
For the love of ... People. Home. Stories. Shoes. Family. Jesus. Community. TV. Accessories. Food. Culture. The New York Times best-selling author and star of HGTV’s “My Big Family Renovation,” invites you to drop by and catch up with her friends as they laugh and share about all the things we love.
The For the Love Podcast is a regular fixture in Apple Podcast's Top 10 list of its category and has had more than 16 million downloads to date. The show is also a 2018 People's Choice Podcast Award winner in the Religion & Spirituality category and a 2019 Webby Awards Honoree in the Lifestyle category!
