e-News: September 2021
On my vacation back home to the United Kingdom, I am often captivated by the different angles with which the news is offered. It sometimes helps me return with a fresh perspective on things, not always flattering, however, to the American way of life. This time, vaccinations were the topic of the day, and especially the refusal of so many in this country to get vaccinated. How this stance can be proposed as an act of freedom is beyond their understanding. Even with 78% fully vaccinated, the British continue to struggle against COVID surges. They have no illusions that this is a single action offensive against the virus. You are made very aware of how serious the whole population has taken the situation, even or perhaps especially, as social life has opened up. Football stadiums in the UK are full of spectators who have to show vaccination status or a COVID negative home test as they enter the venue. People are encouraged to take home tests provided to everyone by the NHS, especially if they have jobs that include extensive interaction with the public. As a visitor, I have had to take six expensive COVID tests in my back and forth journeys in recent weeks; and was visited by an NHS representative at my daughter’s home to see that I was actually quarantining there.
The pandemic has created common history. As opportunities to gather again in person, neighbors talk about the fifteen months of conversing and partying across the garden fence; of “feeling old” when a neighbor decided to offer to do a grocery run for you. They now live with the virus and yet take their masks everywhere, especially in stores, pubs, and churches. Again, I was impressed with the pastoral care of attending church (we participated in the baptism of our two youngest granddaughters – one in England and the other in Scotland. People seemed to have thought about our coming ahead of time. We had assigned seats, suitably distanced, and it enhanced the sense of welcome. I think there were eighty of us at the service at Boldre, in the New Forest. We even enjoyed a coffee hour with special cakes in the graveyard after the main morning service prior to the baptism itself.
COVID continues to hover over our decision making; nevertheless, I am hopeful that we can see how others are living carefully within similar parameters and make the effort to find our own levels of direct connection for worship, fellowship, and ministry. That is the approach I am taking as I conclude my final round of visitations over the next few months.
Of course, in relation to that connection to ministry, where do we begin? If I had been at my desk over the past month, you would have expected letters of appeal in response to the huge tragedies that have surrounded us. Our environment continues to challenge us; with the devastation of Hurricane Ida, the earthquake and floods in Haiti, the wild fires in the West, and the knowledge that these are so called “new normals” that will affect how and where many people will live. Relocation is both a global and local affair these days, and populations will have to learn to move over to make room for one another. I
didn’t connect the large number of Muslim families on the flight from London at the end of August with the events in Afghanistan. I was thinking “step out of the United States, and there’s a whole different world out there!” Still, I was harassed by the border inspector as to when am I going to join the home team!
In your response, I turn you to the ongoing work of Episcopal Relief and Development and to the Episcopal Migrations Ministries and in particular their Neighbors Welcome: Afghan Allies Fund - to meet the financial and in-kind needs necessary to find adequate housing, basic needs, and long term support. And I also encourage you to hear the words of your own familiar prayers as found in The Book of Common Prayer. Say them out loud – for, while I am sure God knows them all too well, I think God needs us to hear them to help orient ourselves from being paralyzed by the enormity of this moment, or from losing our hope and possibly our minds with things too massive to take in.
“Give peace, O Lord in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety. Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit." (BCP pp97-98)
In the peace and love of Christ,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
169th Annual Diocesan Convention
In order to make the 169th Diocesan Convention as safe as possible and due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Iowa, the Convention Planning Committee will make a final determination about meeting in-person, versus meeting virtually, by September 28th. Please refrain from making hotel reservations until after that date. We have learned many things during the pandemic: flexibility, patience, and new practices to use.
What we know:
If the Convention is held in person it will be at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, October 29-31. Masks will be mandatory.
If the Convention needs to be virtual, our 2020 Convention provided valuable experience.
This will be a great event in which to be with Bishop Scarfe and Bishop-Elect Monnot.
There will NOT be a youth lock-in held simultaneously with Convention, but childcare will be provided if you need it. Please contact Amy Mellies regarding child care.
There will NOT be an exhibit hall.
The delegates chosen for the July Special Electing Convention also serve as the delegates for the Annual Diocesan Convention, unless an alternate becomes the delegate. Please let Beth Adams know ASAP if your delegation needs to change.
The deadline for resolutions and nominations is September 19th. You can find more information on nominations and resolutions HERE.
Safe Church - Safe Communities
As reported in a News Release July of 2021, the new Safe Church, Safe Communities modules have begun to be added to the new Praesidium Academy. The Episcopal Church Safe Church Task Force has created nine new modules that will be launching between August and December 2021.
Introduction and Theological Background, Launching July 2021
Inclusion of all God’s People, Launching Fall 2021
Healthy Boundaries, Launching Fall 2021
Power Imbalances, Launching Fall 2021
Pastoral Relationships, Launching Fall 2021
Abuse and Neglect, Launching July 2021
Bullying, Launching Fall 2021
Anti-harassment, Launching Fall 2021
Organizational Rules and Specific Ministry Policies, Launching July 2021.
Until all of the new modules are released, we will continue with the ones listed on our Safeguarding Online chart.
Training and Webinars
The TEC Safe Church Task Force is now working on creating the train-the-trainer courses that will be hosted both online and in person late fall of 2021 and throughout 2022.
The TEC Safe Church Task Force is currently hosting webinars to answer questions about the new modules and Praesidium Academy. To sign up for one of these sessions, please fill in the registration form.
Questions can be sent to Amy Mellies at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org or call at 515-277-6165.
New Safe Church Policy
Since February 2020 a group consisting of William Graham, William Smith, Rev. Kris Leaman, and Amy Mellies have been working to adapt the model policy which was passed at General Convention in 2018. In January of 2021, the Board of Directors adopted the policy and the group has been editing the document since then. The policy will consist of three segments: Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children & Youth, Vulnerable Adults, and Pastoral Relationships and will be posted on our website after the Board of Directors meeting on September 11, 2021.
L.O.V.E. (Listening, One day at a Time, Visioning, Evangelizing) Mini-retreats
L.O.V.E., such a common and widely used word. We will be taking a closer look at Listening, One day at a time, Visioning, and 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
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
Regathering Task Force
Weekly data updates are restored on the Abounding in Hope page of the diocesan website: https://www.iowaepiscopal.org/abounding-in-hope
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.
View/Download
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.).
Pop-Up at the Patch
Join us on October 2 (Central), 9 (West) and 16 (East) for campfires, s’mores and to check-in with one another. Click on the flyer below to register.
Diocesan Confirmation Class
With consent from Bishop Scarfe, Amy Mellies and Nora Boerner are looking into the possibility of forming an online confirmation class for the Diocese of Iowa Youth. Confirmation classes would be held on Sunday evenings from 4-5pm starting September 12 - October 24. Confirmation would take place at our closing Convention Eucharist on Sunday, October 31 at 10am.
If this is something you or your youth might be interested in please email Amy Mellies at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org for more information.
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 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
Young Adult Care Packages
In the fall of 2020, Traci Ruhland Petty and Amy Mellies created care packages for recent high school graduates who were starting out on a new chapter in their lives. For those who graduated high school in the spring of 2021, please send your students name and mailing address to Amy at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org or Traci tpetty@iowaepiscopal.org so we can send you a care package this fall.
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.
United Thank Offering Grant
UTO Grants are awarded for projects in The Episcopal Church and throughout the Anglican Communion, the 2022 UTO grants will focus on creation care.
Interested in applying for a United Thank Offering grant?
Join us for an informational webinar on the 2022 focus: Sept. 21, 7 p.m. ET, with the Rev. Melanie Mullen.
Register
Additional webinars will be held in October, November, and January.
Grant application deadline: Feb. 4
Podcast Corner
The Bible Binge with Knox and Jamie
What if there was a podcast that used pop culture literacy to enhance your biblical literacy? All with the flair and authority of a movie review? What if you could listen to a recap of the Bible like a recap of your favorite TV show? Welcome to The Bible Binge.
The Bible Binge is a show where our hosts take both the familiar and obscure stories found in scripture, and with equal parts humor and insight, walk you through the odd circumstances in which these ancient figures find themselves.
Whether these are the stories you learned at VBS, or you’ve never read one red letter of scripture, The Bible Binge has something for everyone. You’ll get the same pop culture commentary that you love from us on The Popcast.
Plus, if we stray from the text, our resident Bible scholar offers a gentle rebuke in the name of Jesus.
Beware of Scammers
We are seeing an uptick in phone calls, emails, and text messages that claim to be from priests in the diocese, the diocesan office, or from the bishop. 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.