e-News July 2021
As the summer goes on, we are moving into the next stages of being able to re-gather. Some of our counties are numerically at Phase 4, and many of our congregations are small enough, and know each other’s vaccination status well enough to feel comfortable gathering without restrictions at long last. This certainly has become the practice as I experienced it at my visitation and the ordination services I attended this past weekend, and at the funeral service for Deacon George Rogerson earlier last week. Others are gathering under the newest Phase 3 protocols—with only those unvaccinated still masking and resuming beverages and light snacks after worship.
We see the local control of this pandemic tied to the vaccinations, and we urge every Episcopalian for whom vaccinations are available to get vaccinated. We do not, however, want congregations to go beyond a level where they feel comfortable. Children aged 5-12 have not yet got access to an approved vaccination, and we recommend that congregations with young families continue to practice social distancing and mask wearing in solidarity with them.
Singing quietly without masks has resumed in many places, as well. We are still distributing Eucharist in one kind only, and encouraging a distanced passing of the peace. I know from my own experience, we are not all at the same comfort place with hand-shaking and hugs, and so I recommend sensitivity in that regard. While the ordination and funeral included processions last week, I still think a more informal gathering of the clergy in the sanctuary rather than a formal procession is preferable. Obviously, we continue to watch the numbers in our areas, and it seems at this stage, with the various state-wide gatherings for sports and so on last month, that the vaccination rate is holding infection rate down. Further, it seems that most hospitalizations with COVID appear to be of unvaccinated people, and that should cause us to realize the importance of being vaccinated.
All of this is important as we enter into July and consider the first diocesan-wide events we are holding beginning with the EPIC Summer Camp next week, the meet and greet of the Bishop candidates the week later, and the electing Convention on July 31st. With all of these being our first diocesan-wide gatherings, we will be asking attendees to wear masks, practice distancing and will be limiting attendance (i.e. delegates only at the Convention in the Marriott Hotel, and prior registration for the evening meet and greet events).
We have all looked forward to the increasing freedom this current situation allows us, and we can hope that we will be in an even better place by the Fall as we enter into a full church activity year. It is believed that the vaccine for children ages 5-12 will be with us by then. In the meantime, let us do everything we can to urge people to be vaccinated. We also need to recognize that the gift we are now enjoying is not available to everyone, especially among the more vulnerable nations of the world, and so our prayers and a broad perspective about the pandemic needs to be encouraged as people of God. Life is never only about us, except in those personal decisions we make and their impact upon the community.
With the Revival also planned for Friday, July 23rd and Saturday, July 24th with the Presiding Bishop, this is a month full of joyful prospects. It is a time to “rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” It is also a time to pray without ceasing as we make some significant choices which—as the people of St. Luke’s, Fort Madison were reminded of in their recent newsletter—“will impact the diocese for the next 10-15 years.”
In the peace and love of Christ,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
Worship on July 4th
Join Trinity Church in Iowa City on July 4th online at 9:00am for their annual service of Lessons & Songs for Independence Day. The service features Holy Eucharist, historic texts, and music.
10th Bishop of Iowa Candidates
The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa is about to enter a new phase of its life with the upcoming
election of its 10th Bishop on July 31. This is a historical moment as we are presented with three candidates, all of whom are women. During the week of July 12, we will have several opportunities to meet them at five Meet & Greets to be held at the churches listed below. If you wish to attend in person, you must pre-register below.
The Meet & Greets will also be either live-streamed or broadcast afterward on Facebook. You may submit a question for the candidates to address at the Meet & Greets HERE.
July 12 - 6:00pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Des Moines REGISTER
July 13 - 6:00pm at St. Thomas’, Sioux City REGISTER
July 14 - 6:00pm at St. Mark’s, Fort Dodge REGISTER
July 15 - 6:00pm at Grace Church, Cedar Rapids REGISTER
July 16 - 6:00pm at Trinity Cathedral, Davenport REGISTER
As we approach this momentous decision, we can prepare ourselves by reviewing the diocesan profile, learning about the candidates, Engaging in Discernment, and praying for those who will elect our new bishop: Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, p. 818
Learn more about the role of a Bishop
Diocese of Iowa youth interview past and present bishops on their role, the challenges they faced, and the joys they found as bishop as we discern who might be called to be the 10th Bishop of Iowa.
Special Electing Convention
Dates to Remember:
July 17 - After this date no refunds can be issued for cancellations
July 31 - Special Electing Convention begins at 1pm and will continue until a new bishop is elected.
If you need childcare, please contact Amy Mellies at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org or at 515-277-6165.
July 24, 2021 10:00am CONVERSATION
Register to join Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and several guest hosts on Zoom for a conversation about following the loving, liberating, and life-giving way of Jesus.
Prayer leading to REVIVAL
Join us in 40 Days of Prayer as we prepare our hearts and minds for REVIVAL 2021.
Neighborhood Walk after REVIVAL
Immediately following the conversation on Saturday morning we invite you—either individually, as a community or small group to take the time to do a Neighborhood Prayer Walk.
Prayer into the Electing Convention
REVIVAL 2021 will begin 9 Days of Prayer leading to the election of the next Bishop of Iowa. Register to join Compline on July 25-30.
GILEAD Grants
GILEAD Grants Process:
LEARN MORE
Learn about the grant projects funded last year:
2020 RECIPIENTS
Grants are made possible by your gifts to the GILEAD Campaign:
DONATE TODAY
Wondering what the meeting with Grant Committee members before you submit an application is about? Check out this short video:
Questions? Or to set up your meeting with the Committee:
Contact Traci Ruhland Petty at tpetty@iowaepiscopal.org
L.O.V.E. Mini-retreats
LOVE, 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 a 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
Evolving and evangelizing – Saturday November 20
“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is LOVE.” 1 Cor. 13:13
Task Force 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.).
JULY 17
Province VI Young Adult 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
Fall Chapter Meeting
Join us for a Joint Chapter meeting, open to all. All Chapters will have the opportunity to meet together online via Zoom 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. You must register to receive the Zoom link.
On the Exhale - July 9-10
Donna Scarfe will be performing a theatre piece about gun violence, a mother's loss, grief and its effects on us. Shows are July 9-10 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines.
Podcast Corner
Hometown
A Podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries
Hosted By: Allison Duvall and Kendall Martin
The Hometown podcast features interviews with people resettled to the U.S. as refugees, history and background on refugee-producing countries, interviews with authors, and spiritual reflections from lay and clergy across the Church. In addition, in-between season episodes include advocacy and policy updates, webinar recordings, and opportunities to get involved in the ministry of welcome.
LISTEN HERE
