gray logoMarch 11, 2010
E-Communique
Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ
parched
From Nicole

Dear Friends,

Evidence of spring
 
I see more than melting snow as some evidence that spring is near in Iowa.
 
I travel to churches throughout the Iowa Conference UCC. I spend most of that time talking with the adult leaders who run Christian education and youth programs. Our conversations tend to focus on the struggles - the lack of time and other resources they have for their ministries. Because they are immersed in the day-to-day difficulties of running these programs, they don't see what I see.
 
These are lay people, often parents, who are so determined that children have a place in church that they resurrect Sunday School and youth groups and plan summer mission trips and local service projects. They give up vacation and free time, and probably sleep, to make sure that lessons are planned, supplies are purchased and snacks are prepared.
Why do they do this? The simple answer is because they love God and the church and they want to see it exist for future generations. A leadership team at Immanuel Reformed UCC in Klemme, Iowa articulated a slightly more profound reason during a recent workshop I was leading: "Our calling is to pass on a welcoming and open-minded faith through love, words and example so that each generation can make it their own."
Pretty amazing, huh?
For all you youth leaders out there, I want to say this: Thank you, thank you, thank you for the ways you serve our church and young people each and every day. You are amazing creations of God who are living out your call to serve the church in ways that often go unnoticed. But, I notice you. You help remind me that "spring" is right around the corner.

Nicole

 
UCC Reporter corrections














Pilgrim Heights summer schedule



Regional Youth Event
















Haiti Contributions


Iowa Hospice offers presentations






Seminars on Communicating with Compassion



Insurance Board webinars




StillSpeaking magazine













Speaker at Prairiewoods
March 26-27








Iowa Conference pastors' retreat
April 13-14


Grant applications sought
UCC Reporter corrections:  A couple devoted readers let me know that the print was too small.  Sorry about that.  I'll try to make it bigger next time; in the meantime, you can go to a nice big pdf of the Reporter on our website and give your eyeballs some relief.  You can also download it and make copies for people at church who don't get it online.

Also: I carefully saved this little gem of news from the Sibley church for the Reporter, and then forgot to put it in.  It is so cool: During the storm on January 25, the good people at the Sibley UCC put up displaced travelers in the church building, lending their extra bedding!  How great was that?

The Pilgrim Heights summer schedule is linked from the home page of our website.  Scroll down and it's right beneath the conference calendar on the right-hand side. 

18 weeks and counting!  RYE:  Regional Youth Event News.  Committee members from all the Midwest states are organizing worship, workshops, activities, facilities, schedules.  Part of Iowa's responsibility is to plan small group activities known as Family Groups.  This is a small group of youth from a variety of places who gather to get to know each other, delve into a topic, and have some fun. The Iowa committee is looking for volunteer adults and youth from Iowa to lead these groups.  All the materials will be prepared for you to present.  Contact Nicole Havelka to volunteer.  Need more information? Give Nicole a call. Remember to check the website for registration information.  Join the adventure.  Explore Agape:  God's Love For Us All.

Total Iowa Conference contributions for Haiti Relief in February totaled $26,191.40.

Pat Hanson, a nurse with Iowa Hospice, is offering a presentation for church groups called "Hospice 101: Understanding Hospice Care and Dispelling the Myths."   You can also reach her by phone if you'd like to have her visit your church group: Cell: 515-210-9869  Office:  515-276-6696.


Online seminars on Communicating with Compassion will be offered beginning March 16 and 17.  The charge is only $75, in return for your feedback to the instructor for use in his book.  Go to www.uzuteaches.com.

The UCC Insurance Board is offering several webinars on issues about liability and volunteers.  Go to our continuing education web page to view them; they take place between March 17 and April 15.

Premiering in late April, the StillSpeaking Magazine will be an 88-page, twice-annual publication filled with compelling stories and engaging photography about people in the United Church of Christ.  Every issue will be chock full of features and images celebrating how the UCC is changing lives - individually, systemically and globally. The magazine's full-color, high-end design will make it a perfect fit for any coffee table or office lounge - or better yet, for sharing with friends, family and church visitors.  Buy a subscription for yourself, and then purchase bulk copies at a reduced cost to share with others.  Information on subscriptions and bulk orders is available at www.ucc.org/magazine or by calling 800/537-3394.

Prairiewoods, an ecospirituality retreat center in Hiawatha, Ia., is hosting Australian speaker and author Michael Morwood, who will talk about "God, Jesus, Prayer and Ritual in the New Universe Story" March 26 and 27. Friday's program is from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Saturday's program begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include a continental breakfast and lunch. To register, call Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700.

A pastors' retreat is being offered by the Iowa Conference on April 13-14 1 pm - noon  at the Christian Conference Center near Newton.  Read all about it here.

The Zion Endowed Benevolence Team of Zion Lutheran Church, Gowrie is soliciting grant applications for benevolence needs to be considered for 2010 distributions.  The purpose of the Endowed Benevolence Program is to extend and enrich the kingdom of God by witnessing in word and deed to people in need both directly and through organized efforts or organizations, especially those not having their own planned giving programs.  This program is not intended to provide support for capital expenditures.  Approximately $17,500 will be granted to individuals in need and/or organizations that assure benevolence grant utilization.
 
You are invited to make application if you believe that the purpose, ministry expression or benevolence program for which the grant is sought is truly consistent with the purpose of the Zion Endowed Benevolence Program.
 
Applications must be received by March 26.  Grant awards will be announced April 4. 
 
Grant recipients and/or beneficiaries may be asked to appear in person to acknowledge this grant, and again at a later date after the grant has been utilized, to be part of a program celebration event along with other recipients.
 
Grants are approved on a year-to-year basis and are not automatically renewable.  Multi-year requests are not considered.
 
Write or call for an application packet or more information to Zion Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 63, Gowrie, IA  50543 or (515) 352-3645.