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Feb. 25, 2010
E-Communique
Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ
parched
Dear Everyone,

"We want our church to grow."
 
What does that mean?  What congregation hasn't, at least subliminally, expressed that sentiment?
 
My initial interpretation of that statement is "Of course we want our church to grow.  We have a cash flow problem and if we have more members, we'll have more money.  Problem solved."  
 
Not what you'd call a faith-based observation. 
 
I serve a church of 14 active members.  We had our annual meeting in January, just like many other Iowa Conference congregations.  For the first time I heard those dreaded words out loud: "We have to have enough money to keep the doors open." Like a bolt of lightening, our mission statement became obvious.
 
I was stunned, probably because I think that attitude is current in other congregations, not mine. But there it was: we exist to keep the doors open.
 
In my kinder moments, I tell people we exist to support and nurture each other. Every congregation serves that purpose, even the apparently dysfunctional ones.  But let's face it: the mission of the church is more challenging than keeping the local flock together.  Matthew 28:19-20a. Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. 
 
I challenge you to figure out why you want your church to grow.  I hope it is because you know that you have something to offer people who need God's love, God's community.  I hope it is because, even in these ecumenical, interfaith times, you are confident that we Christians have Truth to offer those who need a spiritual home.
 
Keep God's doors open...for God's reasons.
 
Dianne Prichard
Director, C.E.N.T.E.R./L.E.A.R.N./S.E.A.R.C.H.
Rich Pleva on sabbatical



























UCC Reporter deadline March 2

Sioux City FIRST UCC spring education event March 27



Missionary letter


Regional Youth Event






Religious Communications Congress April 7-10


Rebuild in Cedar Rapids April 11 -
May 21

"Simplicity"
April 26-29


Free housecleaning for women undergoing chemo



Help Polish youth attend an important church event!

Greetings to the pastors and other leaders of the Iowa Conference,
 
As most of you know by now, I will begin a three month sabbatical this coming Monday, March 1.  In preparation for my time away, my staff and I have tried to cover as many issues as we could imagine, but undoubtedly there will be things that fall through the cracks.  For that I ask your forgiveness and patience.
 
Ron Eslinger will serve as half-time Acting Conference Minister in my absence.  He can be reached on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays here at the conference office (515-277-6369), or by email at ron@ucciaconf.org.  My Administrative Assistant, Judy Peterson will be able to address some issues in my absence - she is also available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the conference office.  The rest of the staff - program and support - all stand ready to assist and fill in.  Don't hesitate to call on them.
 
I'm very much looking forward to this period of reflection and respite.  Partly I long for a time of rest from what has been a very interesting and sometimes stressful period of time since I came to you in 2005.  More importantly, I'm hoping to reflect on what it is and how it may be that the wider church can constructively impact and support local churches in the coming years.  Many (most?) of the practices and traditions for wider church ministry are either increasingly ineffective or economically unsustainable.  We are moving into a period when the wider church is called to unprecedented creativity and change.  I am not by nature particularly creative, and what creative instincts I may possess don't function well in the press of everyday work, so I am very much looking forward to a time away and hope by God's grace to think anew about this work to which I have been called.
 
Your prayers will be much appreciated.  I will very much look forward to seeing you all at the conference annual meeting in June, just days after I return.
 
God bless you!
 
Rich Pleva

Next Tuesday, March 2, is the deadline for the March-April UCC Reporter.  Please send me your stories and photos!  Thank you!

Oh no!  The spring education event on March 27 in Sioux City is at Sioux City FIRST UCC, not Mayflower!  Dr. Bob Jewett, a Pauline scholar, will discuss how Christians today, wanting to live a servant lifestyle, can respond in a global community, where militarism and imperialism seem to be the norm.  The entire flier is linked from our continuing education page.  Cost is $20 ($25 if you register after March 21), and you can get more information from Alaire Willets if the flier doesn't answer all your questions.

Doug and Liz Searles have sent us their latest missionary letter from Poland.  It's on our Local Church Ministries page.

RYE:  Regional Youth Event News: 20 weeks and counting. Now is the time to talk to your youth about attending RYE. Short and sweet facts:  Parkville, Mo; $200 - great deal; easy drive; July 14-18; registration link on the Iowa UCC website youth page; recent 8th grade grads to 12th grade grads; chance of a lifetime!  Let's make an Iowa statement. Send a grand group.  We have great youth who will grow with another dimension of faith experience. Travel with your youth and Revitalize Your Energy (another RYE slant).  Fresh vigorous faith is an exciting thing!

April 7-10 is the Religious Communications Congress in Chicago.  As communicators, we have ever advancing tools, but we also see a power shift in publishing: through tools such as blogs, everyone has a voice. How do we harness this power for the good of our organizations?  Click the link to find out more.

April 11 - May 21 you can join the Church World Service Ecu-Build in Cedar Rapids.  Church World Service is bringing together over 10 churches and agencies to join disaster recovery efforts active since major flooding destroyed huge parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa in June, 2008.  Hope UCC in Hiawatha is housing many of the volunteers.  Here's how to find out more.

April 26-29 is the Congregational Leadership Series at three sites around Iowa, sponsored by the Center for Renewal at Grand View University.  The theme this year is Simplicity.  Full information on our continuing education page.

Do you know a woman undergoing chemotherapy?  There is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning once a month for up to four months while she is in treatment.  Women are required to sign up and have a doctor fax a note confirming the treatment.  Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.  To sign up, go to www.cleaningforareason.org.  This organization serves the entire country with 547 partners.

You can help Liz and Doug Searles' Polish youth attend an important church youth event by going to http://globalministries.org/mee/projects/polish-youth-trip.html.