The 11th Sunday after Pentecost
From Bishop Scarfe
It is good to be able to greet you, and to offer you God’s grace and peace, as we experience another twist in this ongoing year of 2020. I am aware that some of you may still remain without power after the devastating impact of the derecho which blew across the state, and may not read this for a few days. Others of you are looking at extensive damage to your homes, and your Church. Please note the resources mentioned below for support or relief; and heed Holly and Martha’s desire to know your situation and be of assistance as our Diocesan Disaster Response Co-Coordinators. This continues to be a time to be present for one another in our prayers and, where possible, in our presence.
A felled tree down our street wiped out power lines for three days, and we need to add to our current day heroes the teams of energy company workers who have sought to bring us back “online” as soon as they could. Being thrust into darkness and incommunicado was not what Donna and I expected as we returned from England and Scotland, and started our US fourteen days of self-quarantine. Two fourteen-day quarantines in less than six weeks is not easy, though our mandated quarantine in England was briefly interrupted to permit us to attend my mother’s funeral, and to go to her favorite fish and chip shop for “take-away.” Quarantined in her home, we spent the days emptying cupboards, packing away clothes and sorting through photo albums and shelves of ceramics and knick-knacks. You never know what might strike you in your grief as you pack things away, but for me it was the crockery, no doubt representing the endless cups of tea and plates of meals and snacks from each visit home. We remain grateful for your prayers and thoughtful cards or notes during this time. They brought us the same grace and peace which I now seek for you as we move forward.
Thank you to the Task Force on Re-Gathering that continues to provide wise guidance on how to be Church in this context, and finally thank you for the hard decisions you are making to keep one another safe. “I thank God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the One who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3-6, NRSV)
“So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary; a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all; getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1: 9-11, The Message)
In the peace of Christ,
+Alan
The Right Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
Disaster Relief
The recent derecho left much damage in it is wake. We would like to gather reports of this damage and learn what you might need in the way of assistance. The nature of many Iowans is to be self-reliant instead of asking for help, and/or, giving help freely without waiting to be asked. Many of you may be okay, but maybe you know someone who is struggling financially, maybe they have lost their only means of transportation in the storm, or everything in their freezer/refrigerator has spoiled due to no electricity, the scenarios are endless.
There are resources available to help, and we need your help to identify the need. Please send either Rev. Martha Lang or Rev. Holly Scherff reports of damage in your areas of the state. Please, please, please, check on your ‘neighbor,’ especially your neighbors on the margins. Ask them what they need and then let us know.
Thank you for being our eyes and ears,
Rev. Martha Lang
Rev. Holly Scherff
Food Assistance Replacement: Download and complete the application form, then submit a clear image of the form to: ImagingCenter5@dhs.state.ia.us.
Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Grant Program: IIAGP offers grants to families whose household’s annual income is at 200% or less of the federal poverty level. Each qualifying household MAY receive up to $5,000.00. Applications may be turned in to a local Community Action Agency, go to www.iowacommunityaction.org to find your local agency.
Resources for Mental and Emotional Health on IowaShare.org
United Way: Find ways to volunteer with organizations providing response and clean-up support in East Central Iowa or Central Iowa.
Diocesan Online Worship Continues
This Sunday, worship will be offered LIVE by members of Grace Episcopal Church in Cedar Rapids 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#
AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE
Welcome from Bishop Scarfe
Virtual Convention information
Draft diocesan budget for discussion
BSNC update
GILEAD grant timeline
Breakouts by chapters for discussions and elections as needed.
Because of the storm damage caused by the derecho across the state, the Joint Chapter Meeting has been rescheduled to August 23.
Please register by August 21th.
SCHEDULE
The convention will be held online October 24th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
10:00 AM Plenary One
12:45 PM Plenary Two
3:00 PM Plenary Three
Invitations with login details and instructions for downloading the convention app will be emailed to all registered attendees on Sept. 23.
If any of your congregational delegates may need access to technology or internet access to participate, please be in touch ASAP so we can help you support them, email mwagner@iowaepiscopal.org
DATES AND LINKS
Delegate Certification & Registration (DUE 9/15)
Delegation Payment (DUE 9/15)
Registration for non-parochial clergy, seminarians, and visitors (BY 10/15)
2021 Draft Budget for discussion
Exhibitor/Vendorinformation
Join the Virtual Choir! Email Mark Babcock to participate.
Visit the convention webpage for more information.
Youth Ministry
Youth Check-in
We have two more weeks of youth check-ins, August 13 and 20. Incoming 9th - 12th graders meet at 4pm and incoming 4th - 8th meet at 7pm. We see how each other is doing this week and play a fun game! You can email Amy Mellies for Zoom information.
Province VI Small Group Internship
Steve Mullaney, Episcopal Campus Ministry in Minnesota, has designed a program to build community with young adults. Steve submitted a grant to Province VI to fund this opportunity. He and his colleague, Gretchen, will be training young adults how to form small groups focused on connection and belonging. Often young people who have been active in church throughout high school lose their close community when they transition to college, job, training programs etc. This program is developed for incoming college freshmen and is a great opportunity to connect with new and old friends. Please contact Amy Mellies or Traci Ruhland Petty if you have any questions.
Request for Photographs for Bishop Search
The Bishop Search and Nominating Committee is continuing its work on our Diocesan Profile. We would like the profile to show, and not just tell, prospective applicants about our diocese. To that end, we are asking you to share your photos with us. We would like clear, well-framed, engaging pictures of congregational worship, baptisms, ordinations, Christian formation activities, revival activities, participation in social justice activities, congregational outreach projects or other interesting photos of your congregation doing what you do! Some photos will be selected for inclusion in the profile. Please make sure you have permission to use the image before sending. Send your pictures to bishopsearch@iowaepiscopal.org by August 16. Thank you.
Upcoming Events with Beloved Community Initiative
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.). Added dates, click to register:
Time to schedule your church audit
Don't forget—Church Audits are due September 1. Annual audits are required by the Canons of The Episcopal Church for all parishes, missions, and other institutions. The primary purpose of an audit is to assure that all church monies and investments are properly accounted for. It helps protect the church assets as well individuals against suspicion of mishandling those assets. A guideline for having this financial review done is available HERE.
Resources
Resources from Beloved Community Initiative:
2020 Vision (for individuals and groups)
Christian formation for all ages