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January 28, 2010
E-Communique
Iowa Conference, United Church of Christ
Dear Everyone,

When a transient person passes through town, and needs a tank of gas to continue on, it's likely a pastor who steps in to help.  When there's an accident in the middle of the night, it's often a pastor who responds to the call and who sits with anxious family members who desperately hope for good news.  When an earthquake devastates an already desperately poor country, it's a pastor who helps us find the face of God in the midst of evil and despair.  Whenever those who last used the church building forgot to turn out the lights and lock the door, it's often a pastor who trudges across the street in the snow and the cold to be sure the building is secure.  When death strikes, it's a pastor who rises to offer words of help and hope - words of resurrection.  When couples wish to commit themselves to each other, it's a pastor who celebrates that act of love and who reminds them and all assembled of the power of covenant to enrich human life.  When society as a whole starts to forget those on edges - the poor and the culturally despised - it's pastors who speak a prophetic word of God's love for everyone.   When young parents bring a child for baptism, it's the pastor who speaks of the necessity of the church and the place it rightly holds in our lives.

 

In these and countless other ways, pastors perform death-defying acts of hope and speak life-giving words of assurance.  Your conference staff members are privileged to work every day with pastors and we know you don't often get thanked for the important ministry to which you have been called.  Thank you for the ways you carry the life-giving message of Christ's gospel to those who stand in need.  You are our heroes!!

 

Rich Pleva

Iowa Conference Minister


 
Geoffrey Black to visit with church leaders Feb. 14 in Ankeny










Haiti resources


Christian education blog



Yearbook reports due Feb. 5




Global Ministries webinar with South Africa missionary Jan. 28












Pilgrimage 1 Feb. 12-13




Seminary Sunday Feb. 28















Tirabassi workshops March 12, not 11






Help pay for youth to go to events!











Ecumenical Advocacy Days March 19-22













January 30 conference call for transgendered people


Regional Youth Event reservations due Feb. 28
 

UCC General Minister and President Geoffrey Black will be in the Iowa Conference and will meet with interested clergy and lay leaders on Sunday afternoon, February 14, from 3 - 5 pm at Ankeny, UCC.

 

This is a time in which Geoffrey is interested in hearing what vision our clergy and other leaders have for our common future.  He can also answer your questions about the state of the UCC and other topics.


We have up-to-date information on Haiti for our congregations on our special Haiti page. 


Our Christian Education blog, Partners Speaking, has a new, inspiring entry by Alaire Willits of First Cong'l UCC in Sioux City.  Go read it!


Remember yearbook reports are due on February 5th. Thank you to those who have already sent them in. If you haven't sent yours yet, please do so. The information is very important for us and for the church offices in Cleveland.


You can participate in a Global Ministries Mission Live webinar with Emily Christmas, lately of South Africa, on January 28 at 7 pm.  What's a webinar? It's a way to view a PowerPoint presentation through the internet. You will see Emily in a video box on your computer screen. You will hear her voice through your computer speakers as she walks through her PowerPoint presentation on your screen. You can ask her questions at the end of the presentation through a chat window. It's an incredible multi-media resource that brings our GM missionaries and partners to your computer! 

To access the log-in instructions for Emily's webinar, click here:

http://globalministries.org/news/missionaries-live-emily.html


Pilgrimage 1 will be held Friday and Saturday, February 12 & 13.  Sign up NOW if you want to be part of this wonderful experience! Call Beverly Morgan at the Conference Office for details or email Dianne Prichard.


Seminary Sunday is February 28. 

The role of our seminaries in the life of our churches is critical.  Chicago , United, and Eden Seminaries train individuals for ordained ministry, and they provide resources for lay leadership programs, Christian Education and youth programs. In addition, our seminaries provide leadership, preaching, and continuing education opportunities at conference and association meetings.  All of our churches are enriched by the work of our UCC seminaries.

 

If you would like CUE brochures, posters, or offering envelopes, please email CUE Development Coordinator, Kiely Todd Roska.


The workshops by Maren Tirabassi that were announced for March 11 will be on March 12.  That's same-gender weddings in the morning and worship team training in the afternoon, both at Plymouth UCC in Des Moines.  For more information, contact Dianne Prichard.


Have you ever spent nights listening to the chatter of young people excited to be on a mission trip? Have you ever given up your personal vacation time to accompany youth attending General Synod or National Youth Event? Then, you know how challenging and energizing youth ministry can be. The Iowa Conference believes that we are all responsible for supporting the ministry of these caring and patient adults by paying the entire cost of their registration fee to these events. So please donate to the Iowa Conference today online or by sending a check to the conference office and designate your donations to "Youth Ministry Scholarships."


Ecumenical Advocacy Days will be held in Cleveland March 19-22. 

Each year nearly 1000 faith-based activists gather for Ecumenical Advocacy Days, an inspiring weekend of worship, learning and advocacy in Washington DC. It is a unique opportunity to connect with justice advocates from around the country, and join in lobbying Congress.

The event, entitled "A Place to Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees and Displaced Peoples," will explore themes of immigration, migration and displacement. It will feature speakers from around the world and a powerhouse line-up of preachers.  Register now!


There will be a conference call on January 30 for transgendered persons in the UCC.  If you are transgendered and would like more information, contact Julia.


RYE:  24 weeks and counting! This year we have early registration for Regional Youth Event.  People should complete early reservations by Feb. 28. Early registration guarantees a spot for you at RYE.  . Registration information will be available next week.  Stay tuned! Reservations will continue to be taken until a later date. All registration materials and checks from individual and church portions of the cost are to be sent DIRECTLY to the Missouri Mid-South Conference by May 1. Churches will need to provide their own transportation to the event. Talk to your youth.  Look for updates next week.