Second Sunday after Pentecost
From Bishop Scarfe
The other night on PBS Newshour, a reporter was interviewing a health worker in the Northern region of Syria. The subject matter was the dread of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the light of the devastating destruction of the region’s hospitals and clinics by the Russian and Syrian government air forces. He was sitting on a pile of rubble that was once a health center, and on a detached back wall that was still standing was a depiction of George Floyd. This was not Minneapolis, nor the church in Houston where George Floyd’s family had just committed their loved one to God. It was the warzone of Northern Syria.
This extraordinary phenomenon is why people are hoping that this time around the protests, marches, and appeals for equal treatment in reality—and not just “under the law,” for people of color might reach a tipping point of no return to business as usual. “Our struggle,” quoted the preacher in Houston, “is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, and principalities and powers in high places.” It’s how God works—when a person unknown except to his family, and the friends who love him, suddenly becomes known across the world because of how he died. “Wickedness was the intent,” the preacher proclaimed, “but God had other plans.”
I have been thinking about these times that are now upon us, and how to respond. It was after four hundred years of slavery under the Egyptians that we read in Exodus how God heard the cries of God's people. Black people in this country have suffered slavery, oppression and discrimination for exactly four hundred years, and it would appear that God is hearing their cry. It’s also encouraging because while we may not have seen it coming in quite this way, many are prepared for it.
In 1989 it took a police action against a Reformed pastor in Western Romania to initiate a country-wide protest and strike by the coal miners in that area that within weeks toppled one of the most Stalinist states in Eastern Europe. No one could have seen quite what the tipping point would be, but evil always goes one step too far. It crucified the Son of God and launched the power of the resurrection. And evil took a step too far on Memorial Day when brazenly before the eyes of a watching world, it found its opportunity in the brutal murder of an ordinary black man, adding what has become one name too many to the list of black victims at the hands of racial hatred.
If suspicions are right, and this is one of those liminal times—a transformative moment for the power structures in our world—then we have to pay attention as a Church. If God is speaking, as I believe God is, then we need to listen. Listen, learn and act. Or as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s team for reconciliation teaches “be curious, be present and re-imagine.” These are key principles in finding our response. Listen and learn – be curious about what people of color are saying about their experience with regard to society’s institutions and power systems. And be fully present to what they say and seek. When they tell white people that we are privileged, believe it. If you don’t see it, that’s the point. Be curious about the histories of oppression that have led to this point, and do your own learning. And stir up your capacity to re-imagine how the world can be.
The COVID-19 landscape opens up such possibilities for re-imagining human values, priorities, and connectedness on a global scale like no other time in history. When we see the potential for a complete do-over, know that God is at work, as gently as God was when Moses was placed in the basket among the bulrushes, and potentially as fiercely as God was when the plagues fell on the Egyptians who ignored the signs of the times.
The basket placed in the bulrushes for us in Iowa happened more than two years ago, and probably longer than that in the hearts of those who began to dream of a Beloved Community Initiative here. At Convention 2019, we introduced the 2020 Vision for the Beloved Community resource. It includes reflections, prayers, questionings, learnings, and actions on different aspects of building a more racially and economically just world, presented for monthly use. Ask me how to respond positively to what you are seeing around you, and I will point you to the challenge of this excellent resource. Like Moses it can begin to lead us.
Right now, and for quite some time forward, we are being challenged urgently to engage in the dismantling of racism in our nation. There is also a further vision, and it is what was captured in that PBS Newshour interview in Northern Syria. That is another icon before which I want to sit, for that is about linking the dots between how we might imagine a path towards collective flourishing, healing, and justice here in this country and for all people everywhere. For that is God’s ultimate interest, and I imagine it’s why God managed to get George Floyd’s face on that bombed out Syrian hospital wall.
In the peace and love of Christ,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders
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.).
Register for one of the dates below:
Diocesan Online Worship Continues
This Sunday, worship will be offered by St. John's Church in Mason City at 10:00am and will be found online on the diocesan Facebook page, the diocesan Youtube channel , and will be available on the diocesan website . Call-in option for members who only have access to phones (participants on the phone will NOT be able to be heard but will be able to hear the service): 312 626 6799 and enter the Meeting ID as prompted: 365 765 527#
2020 Stewardship Share Jubilee
A Stewardship Share Jubilee is available for Episcopal congregations in Iowa that are experiencing financial hardship due to the Pandemic, that will provide forgiveness of 50% of normal Stewardship Share pledge payments for up to 3 months. To take advantage of the Jubilee, your Vestry or Bishop’s Committee should send a request in writing, stating you are experiencing hardship, to Bishop Scarfe and the Comptroller of the Diocese, Anne Wagner. Congregations that are able to continue to make their full pledge payments are encouraged to continue to do so, however this Jubilee relief is available for any congregation experiencing hardship that requests it.
Diocesan Youth
Diocesan youth in 9th-12th grades meet weekly via Zoom on Thursdays at 4:00pm and youth in grades 4-8 meet on Thursdays at 7:00pm. Contact Amy Mellies for connection information.
Allyship for God's People - for Youth and Youth Leaders
Monday, June 15 from 7-8:30 EST, the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing will host a webinar for youth on allyship in partnership with the Offices of Youth Ministries of the Diocese of Atlanta and the Offices of Youth Ministries of the Episcopal Church.
GILEAD Grant Applications Open Until July 15
Thinking about applying?
Set up a time to meet with the GILEAD Grant Review Committee to discuss your project/idea by contacting Traci Ruhland Petty.
Grants are available in these categories:
Beginning a New Worshipping Community
Beginning a New Ministry or Strengthening an Existing One
Liturgical Space Renewal
Support for Recently Ordained Clergy
Formation for Youth or Young Adults
Leadership Development
Evangelism
Expanding Tools & Technology
Changes, Cancellations and Postponements
As a result of the many shifts required in the Bishop's Visitation Schedule this spring due to the inability to gather in the midst of the pandemic, Bishop Scarfe wants congregations to anticipate a re-working of the schedule as it has been previously arranged. A separate communication to congregations will be forthcoming to reflect those pending changes.
Summer Ministry School and Retreat will not happen this year. Due to COVID quarantine and safety concerns, Grinnell College will not be hosting events in June. Both SMSR and the Small Church Summit that was to be at the same place and time have been re-scheduled for June 25-27, 2021.
EPIC Summer Camp is Changing to Online. Read More
Resources from Beloved Community Initiative:
2020 Vision (for individuals and groups)
Christian formation for all ages