e-News January 2022

 

The Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th brings us to the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of an in-between season when we count Sundays after the Epiphany and look ahead to Ash Wednesday and Lent. The last sentence of the Gospel appointed for the Feast of the Epiphany tells of the wise men: “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.”

The wise men, having travelled far to find the newborn Messiah, couldn’t return home in the same way they had arrived, because it was too dangerous. Their wisdom in following the message from the dream was prescient: Herod’s anger and jealousy of the baby born to be king eventually resulted in the murders of all the children younger than two in the region where Jesus was born.

 We have something in common with the wise men. We, like the wise men, having encountered Christ in the season of Christmas, now feel ready to return to our familiar ways, our “normal life.” Liturgically, we journey through the season after the Epiphany, reflecting each Sunday on the ways in which Christ is made known to humanity. This is familiar territory for us. 

However, the wise men returned to their country not through familiar territory, but by another road, and we must do the same. At this moment in history, entering the third year of the Coronavirus pandemic, and despite our longing for an end to the changes that COVID has required of us, we are not yet able to travel home on the familiar road. We, like the wise men, are called to change our plans, to adapt to the circumstances we are in, and to do what we can to keep ourselves and others safe.

This isn’t what any of us wants. Over and over during the pandemic, it feels like the goalposts have moved. We endured lockdown while we waited for a vaccine. When the vaccine arrived, we thought it would mean an end to restrictions, and that has not turned out to be the case. Now, with both the Delta and the Omicron variants sweeping our state, our country, and the world, many of us are looking for the familiar, for the end, not for “another road” like the wise men traveled on.

 Instead, we are hearing advice from infectious disease experts at the University of Iowa to increase our vigilance against the virus. We should upgrade from cloth masks or surgical masks to N-95, KN-95, or KF-94 masks. We should redouble our vigilance in monitoring our own symptoms and the symptoms of those we live with, and stay home when we are symptomatic. This includes worshiping from home if we or members of our household have cold or flu symptoms, even when worship is available in-person.

This is the road that the angel is calling us to travel. It is frustrating and annoying, especially when we may feel like we have personally done everything we were supposed to do to suppress this pandemic.

The wise men found the baby Jesus, worshiped him, and then endured the uncomfortable and unfamiliar journey home by another road in order to keep him safe. We, who have found Christ in our hearts at Christmas and in the faces of every beloved child of God, must also endure the uncomfortable and unfamiliar to do our part to keep Christ safe. Christ lives in the person of an elderly or immunocompromised loved one, in the person of an exhausted healthcare worker, in the person of a stranger who needs medical care but cannot receive it because the hospitals are full of COVID patients.

Following Jesus’ way of love was never going to be easy: right now we are called, in very practical ways, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to journey an uncomfortable and unfamiliar road. Let us show the world that we are Christians by our love as we live that love out in practical, visible ways.

In the promised abundant life of Christ,
+Betsey
The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of Iowa

 

COVID Safety

Iowa is seeing a rapid spike in COVID infections, with the whole state currently in Phase 1, according to our recent diocesan guidance. While indoor worship is still permitted, with distancing and masking, you are encouraged to worship from home in the month of January when anyone in your household has cold-like symptoms. Also, given what is known so far about the Omicron variant, individuals are encouraged to switch to wearing KN-95, N-95 or KF-94 masks, if you haven't already.

 

Safe Church, Safe Communities

New Training Courses

Starting on January 1, 2022 all leaders within congregations will need to complete the new Safe Church, Safe Communities training courses. A new CHART has been put together by The Episcopal Church’s Safe Church Task Group and is available now on our website. All leaders will have six months to complete the new training modules on the Praesidium website. Please contact your congregation's administrator to set you up in the system. In-person may be available later this year.

Policy Adoption

If your congregation has not already done so, you are directed to adopt the new diocesean policy or submit adaptions to the diocesan office. The policy consists of three segments: Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children & Youth, Vulnerable Adults, and Pastoral Relationships. The policy can be found on the Safe Church page on our diocesan website and can be found HERE as well.

Church governing bodies and all leaders should understand these policies and all local requirements thoroughly enough to make appropriate judgments and should consult with the Office of the Bishop when unanticipated situations arise. Therefore it is up to each congregation to take this policy and revise it to fit the needs of their congregation. Vestries are asked to fill out this FORM that they have been given the updated policies. Leaders may also upload changes your vestry is suggesting be made to fit the needs of your congregation.

 

Becoming Beloved Community

Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground is a free 10-session film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.

Meeting by Zoom: Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm: January 27, Feb 10, 24, March 10, 24, April 7, 21, May 5, 19, June 2

LEARN MORE

 

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.

REGISTER

February 12

April 2

 

A "Green" Memorial for Africa's "Green" Bishop

We have received information recently by letter from the Very Rev. Advent Dlamini, Vicar-General of the Diocese of Swaziland (in charge in the absence of a bishop) and Dean of the Cathedral in Mbabane. Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya (known as Africa’s Green Bishop for her environmental leadership) died last January from Covid, just months before her 70th birthday. She had expressed a wish that 70 trees be planted to honor that birthday. The diocese is now developing some of their land in eastern Eswatini into an Avocado Orchard (Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya Memorial Orchard), and plans to gather 70 church/faith leaders in Eswatini to plant 70 avocado seedlings (at a cost of $10US per seedling). You can contribute one or more trees toward this project by clicking the button.

 

Mental Health

Children, Youth and Family Mental Health Funds Request Form

The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, through a GILEAD Grant, has funds available to assist with co-payments for mental health related appointments for children, youth, and families. You may request incremental funds for up to $50 per appointment. A completed request FORM is required for each appointment. You must submit a receipt for reimbursement or have a bill sent to the Diocesan Office. Funds will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

You can find more information and resources HERE or email the team at bhmt@iowaepiscopal.org.

MENTAL HEALTH FUNDS REQUEST

Behavioral Health Ministries News

“If you have school age kids, do you have a “safe word?" A safe word is an agreed upon word between a parent and child in the event the parent cannot pick up the child from school, or practice, or a movie, and so on. So, if Aunt Sally, daddy’s friend, shows up at the school or Y, or wherever and tells Bob or Jen their parents sent her, she would have to “know” the safe word. The safe word can be silly and gives some additional protection when trying to keep our kids as safe as possible. It is a great idea to practice with the child and remind the teens too…”

To read more from the BHMT Newsletter click HERE or visit our WEBPAGE.

Photo by Marcel Strauß on Unsplash

 

Youth Ministry

Ski Trip 2022
February 4-6, Camp Sacajawea/Seven Oaks, Boone

Join us for fun and fellowship as we spend the weekend in the snow! Come to Camp Sacajawea on Friday evening, spend the day on the slopes Saturday with friends at Seven Oaks and worship with one another on Sunday morning!

Registration will be done a little differently this year. Instead of churches registering, each family will register individually. Visit our website for COVID-19 protocol and register.

Youth Registration - $50
Adult Registration - $30
Ski/Snowboard (12 & under) - $56.76
Ski/Snowboard (13 & up) - 74.04

Ski/Snowboard fees include lift ticket, ski/snowboard rental, and helmet. Lunch can be purchased ahead of time or will be on your own. Pre-paid lunch will consist of your choice of Hot Dog, Hamburger/Cheeseburger, Popcorn Chicken or Walking Taco, French Fries or Chips and a drink (soda or water) for $11.

Email questions to Amy Mellies or Dale Schirmer at registration@youthskitrip.com

 

Mark Your Calendar

  • Happening #48 (9th-12th grade) - March 25-27, Christ Church, Cedar Rapids

  • New Beginnings #24 (6th-9th grade) - April 22-24, St. Andrew’s, Des Moines

  • EPIC Summer Camp (4th-12th grade) - July 5-8, Christian Conference Center, Newton

Stay up-to-date on all of our upcoming events at: https://www.iowaepiscopal.org/children-youth

 

Reminder List for Church Leaders

  • If you have not already done so, DO THESE THINGS NOW

    • Approve and return your congregation's 2022 Stewardship Share pledge to the Diocesan office.

    • Remit final amounts due for 2021 Stewardship Share, Iowa Connections, and Revolving Fund Loans to the Diocesan office.

    • Remit amounts collected in 2021 for special offerings (Bishop's Discretionary Fund, United Thank Offering, Episcopal Relief & Development, Good Friday Offering, and Theological Seminary Support) to the Diocesan office.

    • Send a copy of your 2020 Church Audit/Financial Review to the Diocesan Office. This annual review is a requirement for all Episcopal churches due September 1 each year.

    • Report changes in compensation to the Church Pension Fund OR by using CPG's Employee Roster

    • Adopt a Vestry resolution designating a 2022 Housing Allowance for your cleric

    DO IN JANUARY

    • Prepare Forms W-2 for 2021 for clergy and lay employees. (Include imputed income on W-2s for employees with CPG life insurance valued $50,000 or more).

    • Prepare Forms 1099-Misc for non-employee compensation paid during 2021.

    • Submit to IRS copies of all W-2's and 1099's you issued along with W-3 or Form 1096.

    • Send Contribution statements to donors for donations received in 2021 (recommended for all gifts; required for individual gifts of $250 or more). Your statements should include: "No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution, other than intangible religious benefits."

    • The IRS Standard Mileage Rate for 2022 for business miles is 58.5¢ per mile (up 2.5¢ from 2021). Charitable mileage reimbursement remains the same at 14¢ per mile.

    • Parochial Report online filing is now open. Begin preparation of your 2021 Parochial Report. This year there is a HARD DEADLINE of March 1, 2022 for congregations to file their reports. Click here for forms and instructions. Contact Tina Austin for assistance (taustin@iowaepiscopal.org).

    AFTER YOUR ANNUAL MEETING

 
 
A Mellies