September 2019 E-News
From the Bishop
Over Labor Day weekend a group of young people from the diocese met in Council Bluffs to create Happening # 47. Happening is peer led. It is an invitation to take time away from the normal routine (including cell phones), and to delve in a deep and focused way into our relationship with God, with one another and with one’s own blossoming sense of identity. Key to the experience are the testimonies or presentations of the Happening team young people on different aspects of living the Christian life. The few adults present are there for support—in providing meals, offering spiritual counsel and sacramental worship (my role this weekend), helping with tech support, schedule coordination, and what might be called “gopher” (go for this or that) work. Two young people serve as Co-Rectors and are in charge of all proceedings. The days are long and the outcomes always rewarding.
The participants form small groups to reflect together on the various topics of faith development that are presented. And they make up a name for themselves. One group, this weekend, got stuck on finding a specific name that appealed to them all, and so they called themselves by the initials of their first names—MGCSK! And since none of them were Polish, they worked out an acronym – My God Can Save Kindness. Now, I may have been susceptible to sleep deprivation and jetlag, having just flown back from England, but the name, and the prophetic statement behind it, intentional or not, blew me away!
My God can save kindness—a commodity in increasing short supply, it would seem, these days. And please note that we were cocooned during the weekend, and not fully aware of the hurricane hanging over the Bahamas or of the shooting sprees in Odessa, Texas.
We were inviting these young people to shape their identity and commit their life’s meaning and purpose on the person of Jesus Christ, and to explore what it is to follow Him at this time in history and in their lives. We presented words as seeds, which we pray will bear fruit in their time. But the endeavor shifted something in me—though probably not for the first time, but certainly as if for the first time, to use a phrase from Marcus Borg.
Hurricane Relief for The Bahamas
The bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida is asking for donations to support their neighbors in The Bahamas, as they begin to recover in the days, weeks, and months ahead. They hope to raise $50,000 in this week to send immediate aid directly to the bishop of The Bahamas, who Bishop Eaton says, "can reach people at this point in ways that no one or no other agency can, and our response will enable him to reach out with practical and life-saving help."
I encourage both your generosity in responding to the present need and your ongoing prayers for all in the Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands.
In Christ,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
Stewardship Systems
Thanks to a generous gift made through GILEAD, ALL congregations in the Diocese of Iowa are able to access the Stewardship System resources and webinars. Click here to sign up (unlimited free EDOI participants). In addition to webinar support, you will receive a sample calendar, committee guidelines, best practices, templates, bulletin inserts, and more.
Please click the links below to register for the following webinar topics:
IMPORTANT DATES
IMPORTANT LINKS
Public Registration (for non-parochial clergy, guests, and visitors)
Delegate Certification Forms
Delegation Payment
Offices for which elections and confirmations will be held
Hotel Reservation Link
Exhibit and Display information
Pledge to reduce your carbon footprint
September 20:
Last day for Early Bird Convention Registration/Certification Pricing
September 27:
Canonical deadline to certify delegates to convention
October 1:
Last day to reserve an exhibit table
Last day to submit parish necrology list to Beth Adams for inclusion in the convention Eucharist
October 4:
Last day to book a room at the Marriott with the group rate
Friday, October 25:
Pre-convention clergy meeting with Shane Claiborne 2:00pm
Pre-convention session with Shane Claiborne, "Follow Me to Freedom - the Irresistible Revolution." Open to all 7:45pm
Saturday, October 26-Sunday, October 27:
The 167th Convention of the Diocese of Iowa
Convention Eucharist on Sunday morning will be live-streamed through YouTube and available to watch at your church.
Congregational Vitality Survey, due Sept. 15
For this convention, Bishop Alan invites each church to report on our diocesan vitality at the congregational level. We have celebrated so many wonderful ministries this year through Engaging All Disciples, and we would like to capture it in one document. Please look at the vitality survey, and find the appropriate person or persons to submit your report. It is our hope that the report will help us celebrate together, share our challenges, and inspire us by catching a glimpse of the Spirit at work across our diocese.
Grant Opportunities
Becoming Beloved Community Grants
Application Deadline: September 13, 2019
The Becoming Beloved Community grants are intended to build capacity in the Church to do the work of racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. The grants may be used for work in these primary fields: telling the truth about our churches and race, proclaiming the dream of Beloved Community, practicing Jesus’ way of healing and reconciliation, and repairing the breach in institutions and society. Funds for these grants were allocated by the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in response to GC2018 Resolution D002.
Application deadline: October 1.
The Local Mission and Ministry Committee of the Executive Council, in collaboration with the Episcopal Church's Evangelism Initiatives Team, is pleased to announce the new Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program. The program – which will fund local and regional evangelism efforts – is designed to grow Episcopal ministries, resources and gatherings that energize the Church to boldly and fearlessly share and celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Grants Committee will consider proposals for up to $2,000 for an individual congregation and up to $8,000 for multi-church, diocesan, provincial and other regional collaborations.
UTO Camino Challenge Grant
The United Thank Offering (UTO) has announced the UTO Camino Challenge Grant. UTO will match up to the first $60,000 in donations to create the Anglican Pilgrim Centre in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
In October of this year, the UTO pilgrims walking part of this ancient route will end their journey in Santiago de Compostela. Follow their progress on the UTO Facebook page and webpage, or on the Friends of the Anglican Centre Facebook pageand webpage, and contribute (or contribute again) to the UTO Camino Challenge Grant. Donations may be made one of three ways:
Text “Camino” to 41444;
Donate online and select “UTO Camino Challenge Grant”; or
Send a check with “UTO Camino Challenge Grant” in the memo to: United Thank Offering | DFMS – Protestant Episcopal Church | P.O. Box 958983 | St. Louis, MO 63195-8983
IRMS resources still on sale
With the closing of Iowa Religious Media Services, several resources are still available for purchase for up to half of their original purchase price.
VISIT THE SPREADSHEET OF THEIR MOST POPULAR RESOURCES FOR SALE.
If you are interested in a resource but do not see it listed, email questions@irms.org or call 515-277-2920.
Buy a brick at Old Brick
Help protect an important part of history! Old Brick in Iowa City, at 163 years old, needs help to protect its foundation from water damage. You are invited to "purchase" a recycled brick that will be laid within a water-permeable patio in the front of Old Brick to handle all of the water drainage for the entire property. Your brick will be engraved with a message of your choice (3 lines with 20 characters total) to fund this important project. To order go to www.oldbrick.org or call 319 351-2626. Each brick costs $200 and can be purchased by individuals or businesses. Limited availability.
Old Brick is a historic landmark owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. It represents ministry, fellowship, and community. It provides a venue for the exchange of ideas, artistic expression, educational activities, the promotion of social justice, and the collaboration of entities in the pursuit of service to the poor and others with special needs.
Upcoming Youth Events
NEW BEGINNINGS #23
OCTOBER 11-13 at St. John's, Dubuque
New Beginnings weekends offer an opportunity for young Christians in grades 6-9 to retreat from their hectic world to consider some of the important relationships in their lives—with parents, siblings, peers and with God.
PARTICIPANT APPLICATION
STAFF APPLICATION
DIOCESAN CONVENTION
High School youth who would like to serve as a youth delegate to Diocesan Convention or be a guest can apply here:
YOUTH DELEGATE APPLICATION
YOUTH GUEST APPLICATION
The 2019 Youth Event Calendar is now available to download!
Find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Beloved Community Initiative
Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders
Dismantling Racism training is required of all lay and ordained leaders in the church (including vestries, search committees, diocesan leadership, etc.). The training day has been restructured to reflect The Episcopal Church's commitment to this work as part of our lifelong spiritual formation and our church's long-term commitment to racial justice, healing, and reconciliation.
Ideally, every chapter will schedule a training day in their area or take part in a neighboring chapter's.
REQUEST A TRAINING IN YOUR AREA
UPCOMING TRAININGS
Sept 21: Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders; hosted by St. John's, Mason City 10:00-4:30pm
Sept 27: Beloved Community Initiative, The Iowa Writers' House, and Iowa Baroque (A New Visual Arts Magazine) present INTERWOVEN // vanitas. This event celebrates the interweaving of identity with vanitas, a genre of painting containing symbols of death or change as a reminder of their inevitability.
Readers include three contributors to the BiCultural Writers' Fellowship Anthology We The Interwoven: Chuy Renteria; Anthony Mielke; and Sarah Elgatian, Writers' Workshop Alum Siyanda Mohutsiwa, and Midwest Writing Center Director Ryan Collins. The visual arts show will consist of five visual artists displaying their interpretation of vanitas. Visual artists include Lara Williams, Billy Pearson, Gabrielle Bakanec Rogers, J. Elgatian Romero, and Amber Morris.
The night's MC will be Royce Barnett from Stuck In The Middle Podcast.
New York Times Magazine's 1619 Project
The 1619 Project began as an idea pitched by Nikole Hannah-Jones, one of the magazine’s staff writers, during a meeting in January. Her proposal was clear and ambitious: to dedicate an issue of the Sunday magazine to examining the ways the legacy of slavery continues to shape our country. Its implications, particularly for a newspaper that continues to face criticism for its past and present coverage of black Americans, were huge.”
DID YOU KNOW. . .
Nikole Hannah-Jones grew up in Waterloo, Iowa. She went to “mostly white schools” as part of a voluntary busing program and graduated from West High School in 1994. Hannah-Jones has an impressive and celebrated career as a journalist. Read more here. If you are in the Cedar Falls area, Hanna-Jones will be giving the UNI 2019 Constitution Address titled, ""Separate and Unequal: Considering Modern Day Segregation and the American Constitution." The address is at 7:00pm on September 16 in the Great Hall of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center and is free and open to the public.
There are also curriculum materials for the 1619 Project offered by the Pulitzer Center.
Three Rivers Fall Festival
Saturday, September 28, 2019 2:00-5:00pm.
Music ~ Games ~ Food
Celebrating our Brechin—Iowa—Swazi Companionship
Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids
220 40th St. NE 52402
Tickets for games and food available for purchase at the event. Join this fun fundraising event to support young adults coming from the Dioceses of Brechin, Scotland and Swaziland to convene with young adults in Iowa in August 2020. All ages welcome!
Upcoming offerings from the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center
On the Brink: A Group for Ordained Religious Professionals Transitioning into Retirement
Wednesdays from 1:00-3:30PM / Sept 25, 2019, Nov 13, 2019, March 11, 2020, April 29, 2020
READ MORE
Mastery or Misery: Dealing Effectively with Conflict in Congregations
Phase 1: Thursday, October 24, 9:00AM-5:00PM and Friday, October 25, 9:00AM-4:00PM
Phase 2: Monthly peer group video calls of 4-5 peers and a facilitator.
Phase 3: Thursday, April 23, 2020, 9:00AM-5:00PM
READ MORE
Diocesan Calendar
September
Sept 5: Stewardship Systems Webinar
Sept 7: ENGAGING ALL DISCIPLES 3:00pm at St. Matthew's-by-the-Bridge, Iowa Falls with St. John's, Mason City and Grace, Charles City
Sept 8: Bishop's visitation with St. Matthew's-by-the-Bridge, Iowa Falls
Sept 8: Southwest Chapter Meeting 2:00pm at St. Paul's, Harlan
Sept 8: Renewal of Ministry and Welcoming of a New Rector, the Rev. John Greve, 3:30pm at Grace Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids
Sept 12: PINTS (Priests in New/Transitional Situations) 12:00-4:00pm, St. Andrew's, Des Moines
Sept 13-14: Commission on Ministry
Sept 14: Board of Directors Meeting
Sept 15: ENGAGING ALL DISCIPLES11:30-3:30pm at Church of the Savior, Orange City
Sept 20: Early Bird Convention Registration/Certification deadline
Sept 21: North Central Chapter Meeting at St. John's, Mason City 9:00-10:00am
Sept 21: Dismantling Racism Training at St. John's, Mason City
Sept 22: Bishop's visitation with St. Paul's, Sioux City (see below)
Sept 22: ENGAGING ALL DISCIPLES 10:00-4:00pm at Stone State park hosted by St. Paul's Indian Mission, Sioux City with St. Thomas, Calvary, and St. George's, LeMars
Sept 28-29: New Beginnings #23 Staff Retreat, St. John's, Dubuque
Sept 28: Three Rivers Chapter Fall Festival, 2:00-5:00pm, Christ Church, Cedar Rapids
Sept 29: Bishop visits St. Mark's, Fort Dodge
Sept 29: ENGAGING ALL DISCIPLES 12:30-3:30pm at St. Mark's, Fort Dodge with Church of the Good Shepherd, Webster City and St. Thomas', Algona
Sept 29: Metro Chapter Choral Evensong, 4:00pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral. Choirs from the Cathedral; St. Luke's, Des Moines; St. Timothy's, West Des Moines; and St. John's by the Campus, Ames
October
Oct 3: Stewardship Systems Webinar
Oct 4-6: Pathways to Serenity Retreat
Oct 5: ENGAGING ALL DISCIPLES12:00-5:00pm at St. Timothy's, West Des Moines with St. Andrew's, Des Moines and All Saints', Indianola
Oct 11-13: New Beginnings #23, St. John's, Dubuque
Oct 12: ENGAGING ALL DISCIPLES 3:00-7:00pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, Des Moines with St. Mark's, Des Moines.
Oct 13: Bishop's visitation with St. Paul's, Des Moines
Oct 19: ENGAGING ALL DISCIPLES 3:00-7:00pm at St. John's by the Campus, Ames with St. Martin's, Perry and Grace Church, Boone
Oct 20: Bishop's visitation with St. John's by the Campus, Ames
Oct 25: Clergy Pre-Convention gathering with Shane Claiborne, 2:00pm
Oct 25: Pre-Convention gathering with Shane Claiborne, "Follow Me to Freedom - the Irresistible Revolution." Open to all, 7:45pm
Oct 26-27: 167th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Iowa, Des Moines Marriott Downtown
The Diocesan Office will be closed on Monday, October 28 following the diocesan convention. For calendar updates, visit our website.
How can we support you?
Let us know how we can support you in your ministry or share the good work you are doing:
By phone: 515-277-6165 regular business hours (Mon-Fri: 9-5pm)
By e-mail: diocese@iowaepiscopal.org
To e-mail a specific staff person use their first initial and full last name before the @ sign. (e.g. John Doherty's e-mail is jdoherty@iowaepiscopal.org).
Share stories for diocesan newsletters by emailing communications@iowaepiscopal.org.
For resources: IowaShare.org