e-News June 2022
The month of June brings so many things together: the end of the school year and graduations, summer outdoor activities, LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Father’s Day, and Juneteenth, among others. In the church calendar, we celebrate Pentecost on June 5th this year and Trinity Sunday on June 12th. National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 3rd this year, an observance made more immediately visible by the recent mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
All this is a lot to wrap our hearts and minds around. Especially this year, as we are experiencing so many in-person events that are happening for the first time in three years, we may find our calendars full, our heads spinning, and our hearts mixed up. We may be celebrating a graduate one day and reflecting on our country’s legacy of slavery the next; lamenting gun violence one day and celebrating LGBTQ+ pride the next.
All of it, lament and celebration and everything in between, is part of being human, part of being alive, and is redeemed and made whole in Christ. It is okay if it feels like too much to us. All we need to do is put one foot in front of the other and walk through it all, following the path that Jesus trod. Paul wrote to the Ephesians and said: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) The redemption of the world is a done deal, a gift from God in Christ, and is not dependent on anything we might do or not do, on celebrations or lamentations that we might or might not participate in with our whole hearts, or on any actions that we could possibly take.
Instead, as we put one foot in front of the other, following Christ from celebration to reflection to lamentation and back to celebration, we live into Christ’s redemption and purpose for us. Paul went on: “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” (Eph 2:10) Our very way of life as we follow Christ is filled with good works, both those we are aware of and recognize and also those we don’t recognize as we are doing them. Our only work is to follow Christ, or, as St. Augustine said, “love, and do what you will.” It is simple, perhaps, but it is not easy.
As we walk the way of love, following the path of Christ, we are supported when we gather together with other disciples of Christ. June brings us the Feast of Pentecost and then, a week later, Trinity Sunday, both of them important markers in our journey through the church year. The Holy Spirit, who is pictured variously as flame, wind, or dove, filled the disciples on the first Pentecost and fills and strengthens us as we move through the world, loving and following Christ. Trinity Sunday, the only feast of the church that focuses on a theological construct, reminds us that the nature of God is relationship. Just as the Holy Spirit filled and strengthened the disciples at the first Pentecost, so also were they strengthened by their relationships and the community that they formed together.
Each of us can experience God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and through our connection to one another in community. All of the love that we receive is God’s love, whether it comes directly from an experience of God’s loving presence or through another of God’s beloved children. The very best thing we can do at any time, in any place, whether we are alone or with others, is to return ourselves to the consciousness of God’s love and then to be sure that our actions, whatever they may be, embody that love.
We can embody God’s love when we are washing the dishes or reading a novel. We can embody God’s love when we are gathering in church for worship. And we can embody God’s love when we are speeding through June, celebrating, reflecting, lamenting, and celebrating again. As Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says: Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself.
In the promised abundant life of Christ,
+Betsey
The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of Iowa
Summer Ministry School & Retreat
Register to attend this annual event in person!
Praying together sets a rhythm and tone for the weekend that culminates in Eucharist on Sunday morning.
Learning during the 8 hours of “track time” on one topic of your choice.
Social Time Morning and Evening with Episcopalians from all over the Diocese of Iowa.
Meals are delicious buffets(that YOU don’t have to cook!) served with lively conversation.
Or join us for the Sunday Eucharist at 10:45 in person OR live online! Bishop Monnot will preside and preach. Link to the live stream from the Diocesan website.
LEARNING TRACKS
Leaders & Track Titles:
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 5–Ms. Alescha Caldwell: A Journey Through Art with Prayer
Track 7–The Rev. Jean McCarthy/Ms. Anna Whipple: Lament.... Finding Hope in Troubled Times
Track 8–Solo Retreat (AKA the “sit under a tree” track)
The following tracks are closed to new registrations:
Track 3–The Rev. Dr. Catherine Quehl-Engel:SerenitySublime: SpiritualRelease, Rest, and Renewal
Track 4–The Rev. Don Keeler: The Buggy Ride Home
Track 6–The Rev. Lori Erickson: Soul of the Family Tree
CHILDREN & YOUTH:
Child care will be provided as well as a lock-in (4th-12th) at St. Paul’s, Grinnell.
More information can be found by scrolling down or on the Children & Youth page:
Behavioral Health Ministry Team
Lunch & Learn Series
The Behavioral Health Ministry Team will be joining with MindSpring Mental Health Alliance and NAMI for four Lunch and Learn sessions beginning at the end of May. Join us for a brief presentation as well as discussion time afterward. Topics are listed below. Sign up will be for all sessions, but you can attend whatever sessions work in your schedule.
June 8 - NAMI: Ending the Silence
June 15 - Creating Positive Connections with Discipline
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.
Vote 2022
“Cast your vote, not on a partisan basis, not based on your biases, but vote your values. Vote the values of human dignity and equality. Vote the values of the rock on which this country was built. Vote.”
-Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Primary Election Day is June 7th
Are you ready to vote? Check out Voter Ready: A Guide to Voting in Iowa for all the information you need
Resources from The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations:
Midterm 2022 Election Engagement Toolkit: includes resources for action steps (registering, mobilizing, advocating, etc.) and worship
Civil Discourse resources
GILEAD Grants
Don't wait! Time slots to meet with the Grant Committee (required before submitting an application) are already filling up. Contact Traci Ruhland Petty at tpetty@iowaepiscopal.org to sign up.
Safe Church, Safe Communities
Safeguarding to Safe Church, Safe Communities
As previously announced by the General Convention's Task Force to Develop Model Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies & Safe Church Training, once the new Safe Church, Safe Communities training is complete the Safeguarding God's People training modules will be removed from use within the next few weeks.
There are currently eight new courses active at Praesidium Academy, with the Safe Church, Safe Communities branding, that have been faithfully created through the collaboration of Task Force Members, many Episcopalians across the church, and Praesidium's skilled curriculum development staff. The only way to access the training materials at this time is online through Praesidium Academy, the new online learning platform (and can be done in a group format). All learners who had completed a course in Praesidium Armatus in the past four years were migrated to Praesidium Academy.
Spanish language translation and interpretation have begun, and conversations about resources for non-USA dioceses are being scheduled. Other language translations are being considered through the General Convention legislative process. Please be in touch with your needs.
Prevention of Sexual Harassment
The two courses currently in Praesidium Academy titled "Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers & Supervisors" and "Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Workers" will remain available through July 31, 2022. The new Safe Church, Safe Communities Anti-harassment course will be released and uploaded to Academy soon and will be subject to revision pending legislation currently moving through the General Convention legislative committee process.
Safe Church, Safe Communities Administration
We have added a new section to the Safe Church, Safe Communities website just for Administrators. You can access it HERE or via the Safe Church, Safe Communities page. This page has detailed information on how to set new users up in the system, the course requirement chart, and a Frequently Asked Question section regarding training and policy adoption.
We will be hosting a few training sessions for administrators on June 7 at 12:00pm and June 13 at 5:30pm. You can register for either session below. Contact Amy Mellies at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org with questions.
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
SMSR Youth Lock-in - June 24-26 in Grinnell
The lock-in will be in a self-contained concurrent event at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Grinnell. Drop off on Friday will be between 5 - 6pm. Items will need to be picked up before 9am on Sunday, so youth can leave with parent/guardian after the 10:45am Eucharist with the Summer Ministry School & Retreat.
Youth will be participating in a day at the Meskwaki Settlement. Dawson Davenport will take the youth on a tour of the Meskwaki Museum, Meskwaki Community Center, Red Earth Gardens, and the Meskwaki Buffalo Refuge.
Meals from Friday dinner thru Sunday breakfast for this age group will be prepared and served at St. Paul’s. The cost is $50 per participant and will be registered with a parent/guardian on the SMSR registration page.
If you have questions regarding child care or the lock-in please contact Amy Mellies at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org or at 515-277-6165.
EPIC Summer Camp (4th-12th grade) July 5-8, Christian Conference Center, Newton
Campers will take part in Christian formation programs for youth entering grades 4-12, as well as summer camp traditions such as swimming, arts and crafts, nature hikes, star gazing, campfires, and s'mores led by caring, professionally trained staff.
Campers will arrive on Tuesday, July 5 between 10am-12pm and pickup will be on July 8 from 3-5pm.
Cost is $350 for the week. As always scholarships are available. Please fill out the Scholarship Request Form.
Camp Counselors
We are looking for Camp Counselors!! If you are interested in assisting with EPIC this summer, please take a look at the job description HERE. Your food, lodging, and mileage will be covered, and you will also receive a small stipend. You can apply by filling out the Application and sending it to Amy Mellies at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org.
Save the Date: Young Adult Retreat
Are you looking for some time to rest and reset? Join us for a Young Adult Retreat at Prairiewoods Retreat Center in Hiawatha, August 4-6, 2022.
More information will come in the next few weeks. You can direct questions to Amy Mellies at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org or Traci Ruhland Petty at tpetty@iowaepiscopal.org.
GILEAD Grant Spotlight: 2021 Recipients
Technology Upgrades at Grace Church, Boone
$4,865.30
Expanding Tools & Technology Grant
In early 2020 when in-person gatherings were restricted because of COVID-19, Grace Episcopal Church in Boone and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Webster City began offering joint online worship services via Zoom. These interactive services (Sunday morning and mid-week compline) created a safe, supportive, and inclusive worship environment for individuals from both church communities and beyond. Since resuming in-person worship, both churches remain committed to maintaining their partnership and offering both in-person and online services. Grace has seen regular online attendance from travelling members, and from individuals who live in a different state. Audio and video quality for Zoom were sufficient for online-only services with everyone joining from personal devices. However, the communication technologies in Grace church cannot provide the necessary audio/video quality to support trouble-free Zoom services. Grant funds will be used to upgrade internet service and purchase audio and video equipment and software to enhance current technologies, including a laptop computer, video camera with zoom capabilities, switcher, wireless headset, microphone headset, modem, and supporting hardware and software.
Kiln Project at The Way Station, Spencer
$6,679.01
Liturgical Space Renewal Grant
The Way Station (TWS), a diocesan ministry, is a worshipping community and mission outreach that seeks to share God's extravagant love with the community through radical hospitality in a variety of ways, including serving coffee and food, through the use of a book room, a play room, and an art room. Art is very therapeutic, allows people to express themselves, and ministers to them at a very deep level, helping them to relate to our Creator God. The art offered at The Way Station, for a freewill donation, allows art to be accessible to everyone, and is a powerful community builder. TWS has begun hosting public art classes and workshops, and seeks to expand their offerings by purchasing a kiln. Grant funds are being used to purchase a kiln, pay for the necessary electrical work, and some initial art supplies. Ceramics is a very popular and fun art activity, and it could add substantially to the social enterprise of art classes and also draw more people into community. Youth and adults will enjoy this activity, which will help them to express themselves, explore their God-given creativity, and improve their self-esteem by making something beautiful.
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.
Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency
In person: Aug. 13-20
Registration deadline is July 15
Register HERE
Registration is open for upcoming sessions of the Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Course, an innovative multiday intensive course, and Virtual Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Course, a five-day intensive course, designed for diocesan staff, clergy, lay leaders, and seminarians to gain practical knowledge and cultural competency for Latino/Hispanic ministry.
“Combining academic learning with hands-on experience, the purpose of this multi-faceted intensive course is to provide cultural competency of the history, culture, socio-demographic, and religious aspects of the Latinos/Hispanics in the United States,” said the Rev. Canon Anthony Guillén, Episcopal Church missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries. “Also, this course will provide the foundational tools necessary for church leaders to discern and explore the type of Latino/Hispanic ministry that best fits a congregational setting and its context.”
Transitions
MINISTRY TRANSITIONS:
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe was recently elected to the Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN) Board at the annual meeting on May 13, 2022.
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.