Photo credit: Bill Witt You're receiving this email because you have a leadership position in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa or because you have requested to receive information from the diocesan office. BEFORE YOU UNSUBSCRIBE please contact the diocesan office 515-277-6165 to determine which information you'd like to receive rather than unsubscribing to all future communications from the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive any of our emails. CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF OF THE NEWSLETTER March 2017 News & Updates From the Bishop In his autobiographical work, Word from Wormingford, a Parish Year, Ronald Blythe, an English poet and writer, comments on the quiet that people admire whenever they arrive in his part of Suffolk, England. '"How quiet it is!" say visitors to the old farm in the fold of land. They mean that I cannot hear the traffic, not that I am deaf to what is going on. How could I be these news-infested days? It was ever so, but in other circumstances. Bunyan from his cell heard a trumpeter blare curfew as the (River) Ouse bridge was closed (it would sound for Mr- Valiant-for-Truth on the other side); Julian from her cell heard the continuous rumble of the world as it entered Norwich via the Wensum. Just how much one should know by way of the News, or how little, is a religious question. A friend has just given his television set to a surprised caller. Is he a candidate for the (liturgical) calendar or for the (mental health) social services? He has turned the newscasters out, lock, stock and goodbye smiles, and is master of his own house. We should try it. It is a lay form of Trappism.' I am not an enthusiast of Lenten abstention. My preference is to add something that enriches the day - like hand-written notes to people I have lost touch with, or even with whom I may have to make amends. However, I could do with spending more time with people like Mr. Blythe. Some people have shared that they are forgoing Facebook for the next forty days. I might need to pay it more more attention. All of us probably echo the sentiments of "Noises off," as Blythe also calls his lay form of Trappism, the monastic order which values silence and yet gave us the prolific writings of Thomas Merton. Read the rest of the bishop's letter at: http://iowaepiscopal.blogspot.com
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Photo credit: Bill Witt
You're receiving this email because you have a leadership position in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa or because you have requested to receive information from the diocesan office. BEFORE YOU UNSUBSCRIBE please contact the diocesan office 515-277-6165 to determine which information you'd like to receive rather than unsubscribing to
all future communications from the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive any of our emails.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF OF THE NEWSLETTER
March 2017 News & Updates
From the Bishop In his autobiographical work, Word from Wormingford, a Parish Year, Ronald Blythe, an English poet and writer, comments on the quiet that people admire whenever they arrive in his part of Suffolk, England.
'"How quiet it is!" say visitors to the old farm in the fold of land. They mean that I cannot hear the traffic, not that I am deaf to what is going on. How could I be these news-infested days? It was ever so, but in other circumstances. Bunyan from his cell heard a trumpeter blare curfew as the (River) Ouse bridge was closed (it would sound for Mr-Valiant-for-Truth on the other side); Julian from her cell heard the continuous rumble of the world as it entered Norwich via the Wensum. Just how much one should know by way of the News, or how little, is a religious question. A friend has just given his television set to a surprised caller. Is he a candidate for the (liturgical) calendar or for the (mental health) social services? He has turned the newscasters out, lock, stock and goodbye smiles, and is master of his own house. We should try it. It is a lay form of Trappism.'
I am not an enthusiast of Lenten abstention. My preference is to add something that enriches the day - like hand-written notes to people I have lost touch with, or even with whom I may have to make amends. However, I could do with spending more time with people like Mr. Blythe. Some people have shared that they are forgoing Facebook for the next forty days. I might need to pay it more more attention. All of us probably echo the sentiments of "Noises off," as Blythe also calls his lay form of Trappism, the monastic order which values silence and yet gave us the prolific writings of Thomas Merton.
Read the rest of the bishop's letter at: http://iowaepiscopal.blogspot.com
Iowa Receives TWO Grants FromThe Episcopal ChurchThe Diocese of Iowa has received two grants from The Episcopal Church as part of it's Genesis initiative for Church Starts and Mission Enterprise Zones.
$100,000 has been granted to the Diocese of Iowa's new Hispanic church community(Señor de la Misericordia) that is being planted within Trinity Episcopal Church in Denison, in partnership with the Western Iowa Synod, ELCA. The money will be dispersed over a three year period and will support the missioner and the ministry of Señor de la Misericordia.
Denison's Hispanic population has grown to nearly 50% of the town's population, and continues to grow at a rate of 39% per year. The town's only elementary school is located across the street from Trinity Episcopal Church, with 2/3 of students speaking Spanish. The church is in a prime location for reaching these families, equipping them for Christ's mission and ministry.
In addition, the Diocese of Iowa has received a $5,000 Discernment Grant to explore developing a community gathered around racial reconciliation within the Diocese of Iowa, based in Iowa City at Old Brick. As is true all over our country, significant and troubling racial disparities exist in our communities in the areas of education, criminal justice, economic well-being, housing, and representation in community leadership. The funds from this grant will be used to discern how such a community could serve the city and the diocese by providing space for worship and reflection, interfaith worship, opportunities to share narratives, and to provide education and training for all ages.
REVIVAL 2017 is an opportunity to gather together in local congregations to reawakenand rediscover God's Holy Spirit at work among us. It's an invitation to rekindle andrecharge your faith and ministry and to share in Christ's abundant joy and strength.
Visit the REVIVAL webpage for resources to plan your event. Resourcesinclude prayers, a planning timeline, sample media release, and more!
Breaking BreadJoin with other young adults for food, drink, conversationmusic and worship.
March 7 - Lizzie Gillman's home, West Des Moines 6:00 pmMarch 23 - Inspire Cafe, Dubuque 5:30 pm
AND mark your calendars for Breaking Bread Eucharist and REVIVAL on August 12 at 5:30 pm at the IOWA STATE FAIR!
Webinar on Welcoming Refugees March 8Episcopal Migration Ministries is hosting a one-hour free webinar, Love in Action, Episcopal Churches Welcome Refugees, on Wednesday, March 8 at 4 pm ET. Registration is required and is available here. The webinar will be available on-demand following the event.Read more about the event.
Mark your calendars for youth events!
New Beginnings 18, March 3-5 at Grace, CR
New Beginnings Staff ApplicationNew Beginnings Participant Application
Happening #42, Staff Training April 1-2, TrinityCathedral, DavenportHappening #42, April 21-23, Trinity Cathedral, Davenport
Happening Staff Application (due March 24)Happening Participant Application (due April 10)
For more information and the 2017 Calendar of Youth Events visit the Youth Ministrypage on the diocesan website.
STAY INFORMED: Click the icons to request to join the "Diocese of Iowa YOUTH"group on Facebook and to follow @dioiayouth on Instagram!
Flood Relief Mission Trip to Louisiana March 11-19
On March 11th a group of 12 individuals, aged 14 to 72, from Christ Church, Cedar Rapids and across the Diocese of Iowa will begin travel to St. Francisville, Louisiana to participate in recovery efforts from their devastating flooding in 2016. A stopover in Memphis will include work with a homeless breakfast program before completing the journey and working the following week rebuilding homes in the surrounding area. This journey of faith and service will end on March 19th with much appreciation that we were able to give where help was needed. Much appreciation is given to those traveling and to the well-wishes, prayers and financial contributions that put wind under our wings.
If you have questions about the Christ Church Cavalry, please contact Jerry Davenport at 319-360-7155 or email at [email protected].
Iowa Episcopalians to theStatehouse March 21
Faith in Action at the Capitol.
Watch some of what happens on a typical day at the Iowa General Assembly, and learn our way around in order that we might grow as advocates for God's justice and mercy in Iowa.In the morning participants will watch the House or a committee, and the Senate or a committee. Then there will be an opportunity to meet with your own legislator. From 11:00 to 11:30 we will meet with Senate Minority Leader Robert Hogg, a member of Christ church in Cedar Rapids and someone likely many of you already know. There will be time to navigate the Iowa Statehouse afterward.
This is an opportunity to equip ourselves for the long-haul as people of faith who want to have a positive influence on our common life in Iowa.
Link to the Facebook event HERE. Or email our Diocese of Iowa lobbyist, The Rev. Wendy Abrahamson.If you are interested in more information bout bills coming before the Statehouse that pertain to issues our diocese and The Episcopal Church has voiced opinions on, join the new Facebook group, Faith in Action: Iowa Episcopalians.
Unholy Trinity: The Intersection of Racism,Poverty, and Gun ViolenceRegistration is still open for Unholy Trinity: the Intersection of Racism, Poverty and Gun Violence. A conference facilitated by Bishops United Against Gun Violence, Unholy Trinity is a three-day
event grounded in scripture, liturgy and theology. The conference will feature speakers anddiscussions on poverty, racism and gun violence, contextual Bible study, education and advocacyworkshops and a prayerful procession to sites of gun violence on Chicago's South Side.
When: April 20-22, 2017Where: Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood
Work Trip to Swaziland PlannedThe One World One Church Commission is organizing a work trip to Swaziland in September. There is currently a priest’s house being built in Fonteyn, a suburb of Mbabane. The crew would assist with that project or a similar project. This trip would likely last about two weeks and would include several days of working on the project, probably a visit to Hlane Game Park, and visits to various Diocesan projects in Swaziland. The team would stay at the Thokoza Conference Centre in Mbabane. We are trying to coordinate this also with the Diocese of Brechin to have some participation from there as well.
Preliminary estimates of costs would be about $3,500 per person. That is based on current airfare of about $1,700 from Des Moines to Johannesburg and slightly outdated quotes from the Thokoza Centre. It would also include meals, ground transportation, and some funds for the project itself.
We would like this team to include 10-12 people: men and women, clergy and laity, young and not-so-young, people who have not been to Swaziland and a couple who have. You should be healthy, willing to meet new people, experience wonderful friendships, and see what God is doing among God’s people. There will be some team-building/orientation meetings to prepare for the trip.
A coordinating team will be formed very soon. If you are interested or have questions, contact: [email protected], cell: 515-460-4813 or the diocesan office.
Clergy TransitionsChrist Church in Clinton has called the Rev. Raisin Horn to be their rector, beginning March 1.The Rev. Judith Jones, priest in residence at St. Andrew's, Waverly, has been called to be Vicarof St. Stephen's, Newport, Oregon, and St. Luke's by the Sea, Waldport, Oregon, beginning May1. The Rev. Al Aiton has announced plans to retire as rector of St. John's by the Campus inAmes, in January 2018.
Diocesan CalendarMarch 3-5 New Beginnings #18, Grace, Cedar RapidsMarch 11-19 Flood Relief Mission Trip to LouisianaMarch 16 Ways & Means, Diocesan House, 2:30-4:30 pmApril 1-2 Staff Training - Happening #42, Trinity Cathedral, DavenportApril 6 Ways & Means, phone conference, 4:00-5:30 pmApril 7-8 Commission on MinistryApril 21-23 Happening #42, Trinity Cathedral, Davenport
Chapter MeetingsMarch 19 East Chapter Meeting, Trinity, Muscatine, 2:00-4:00 pmMarch 25 West Chapter Meeting, Calvary, Sioux CityMarch 26 Southwest Chapter Meeting, St. Paul's, Harlan 2:00 pm
Three Rivers Chapter Meeting, location TBA, 4:00 pmApril 2 Southeast Chapter Meeting, Christ, Burlington 2:00 pmApril 29 Metro Chapter Meeting, St. John's, Ames 10:00 amApril 30 North Cedar Valley Chapter Meeting, St. James', Independence 2:00 pm
Click here for the full and latest calendar listings on iowaepiscopal.org
Bishop's 2017 Calendar
March 4 REVIVAL, St. Andrew's, Chariton 2:00 pm REVIVAL, Trinity, Ottumwa 7:00 pm
March 5 Trinity, Ottumwa, Eucharist and Regional ConfirmationMarch 10-14 House of BishopsMarch 17 REVIVAL, St. Stephen's Newton (w/St. Paul's, Marshalltown) 7:30 pmMarch 18 REVIVAL, St. Paul's, Grinnell 7:00 pmMarch 19 St. Paul's, Grinnell, Eucharist and Regional ConfirmationMarch 25 REVIVAL, St. Paul's, Indian Mission (w/ Calvary, SC & St. George's, Le
Mars, and St. Thomas') 7:00 pm March 26 St. Thomas', Sioux City, Eucharist and Regional ConfirmationApril 23 REVIVAL, Señor de la Misericordia, Denison 7:00 pmApril 28 REVIVAL, St. Paul's Harlan (w/Trinity, Denison & Trinity, Caroll) 7:00 pmApril 29 REVIVAL, All Saints, Storm Lake 7:00 pmApril 30 All Saints, Storm Lake, Eucharist and Regional Confirmation
Stay in touch with us!Use the hashtags #Revival2017 and #bluestone to share Episcopal ministry stories on Facebookand Twitter in 2017.
By Phone: 515-277-6165 is the main phone line and will be answered during regular businesshours (Mon-Fri: 9-5pm) unless the staff is worshipping together or in meetings.
By e-mail: Office [email protected] e-mail a specific staff person use their first initial and full last name before the @ sign. (e.x. John Doherty's e-mail is [email protected]).
Share stories for diocesan newsletters by emailing [email protected] To get passwords for Safeguarding God's Children Training contact: [email protected] get passwords for your church's parochial reporting contact:[email protected] get passwords to access the Diocesan Database and update your church leadershipcontact information contact: [email protected] For help registering or to RSVP for a Diocesan Event contact:[email protected] or if it's a youth event contact: [email protected]
Episcopal Diocese of Iowa | 225 37th St. Des Moines, Iowa 50312515-277-6165 | [email protected] | www.iowaepiscopal.org
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