E-Communique from Iowa Conference-UCC

Any churches in East, Northeast, Southeast Associations, please add Jonna Jensen to your NEWSLETTER mail lists at 3675 67th St, Baldwin, IA 52207.

Any churches in Northwest, Southwest Associations, please add Tony Stoik to your NEWSLETTER mail lists at 4557 Hamilton Blvd, POB 2142, Sioux City, IA 51104-2142.

Our Common Life...Words from the Conference Staff

C.E.N.T.E.R.L.E.A.R.N.SEARCH

A concerned lay person asked me the other day if C.E.N.T.E.R.L.E.A.R.N. would only be used for training youth leaders from now on.

I, confused, said, well, that had always been the emphasis of C.E.N.T.E.R. and that with the revisions Nicole Havelka and I are implementing, the new program would have a broader scope.

The lay person was still confused. What about the people who would become licensed ministers? Would they only learn about youth leadership?

After circling around, trying to figure out what each of us meant, we discovered that C.E.N.T.E.R./L.E.A.R.N. had become CENTERLEARN. In the lexicon of the Iowa Conference,CENTERLEARN was one word/one program.

So, a history lesson is in order. C.E.N.T.E.R. and L.E.A.R.N. began as and remain as two separate programs. C.E.N.T.E.R. is a two year program designed to help Christian Education Directors with the tasks assigned to them, such as Sunday School curriculum and activities. L.E.A.R.N. was developed to create a cadre of licensed ministers who could do pulpit supply or serve smaller congregations who could not afford to pay an ordained pastor.

The two acronyms became connected because C.E.N.T.E.R. students took 6 of their 8 classes with the L.E.A.R.N. students. Then they took an additional two classes that focused on curriculum and finished the program in two years. L.E.A.R.N. students took a total of three years (12 classes) of study, with 6 classes that were unique to L.E.A.R.N..

Still with me? Then add one more acronym: SEARCH. This concept was added as an incentive to encourage people who weren't sure if they wanted to commit themselves to two or three years of study. Hence, they could "search" through the offerings and take something that looked interesting, without officially applying to either program.

In conclusion, C.E.N.T.E.R. will change in format, but it will continue to train those who work with youth and young adults; L.E.A.R.N. will continue to train lay people for licensed ministry; SEARCH will continue to offer anybody a chance to take any course.

By the way, C.E.N.T.E.R. & L.E.A.R.N. & SEARCH are acronyms for

Christian Educators, Nurtured, Trained, Enriched, Resourced & Lay Education for Adults in Religion for Now and the future & Seekers Exploring, Acting, Reconciling, Conversing, Hoping

Dianne Prichard

Director

C.E.N.T.E.R./L.E.A.R.N./S.E.A.R.C.H. and The Pilgrimage

ONA congregation...

Edwards Congregational United Church of Christ in Davenport, IA declared itself to be an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation as of October 19, 2010. They are joining 9 other ONA churches within the Iowa Conference.

Logistic team needed IMMEDIATELY!

Hello friends!

We need your help getting the word out. Our 3-year term in Poland concludes with 6 months of travel and speaking in United States congregations. This is a time of sharing and appreciation of our
senders.

It is also a challenging time for us.

We seek to reach as many people as possible to build relationships, encourage outreach and missions, and tell the story of what God is doing in our part of the world and beyond.

Without a logistics team we are lost.

The team contacts pastors and missions committees, arranges and confirms our schedule, makes sure we are housed and fed, and generally makes sure we are fully used when we are in the area.

Iowa and South Dakota are big states and we will be putting on many miles as we visit congregations of the UCC, DOC and PC USA, sometimes trying to get those congregations to gather together for a special event to host us.

Do you know a person or a group who could undertake this ministry?

It's a 14-month commitment, really, starting now and ending around December 15, 2011. As a mission to missionaries, it is vitally important to the ongoing work of Global Ministries worldwide. As critical support for getting out the word, itineration planning makes it possible for us to bring the good news about Global Ministries work.

Itineration planning is hard work and often thankless work.

It takes a team approach. It means spending a lot of time talking to people on the phone and working on the computer, scoping out our days and ways as we cover the miles and bring the message. This work could be done from anywhere with a cell phone and a laptop.

Think about folks you know who enjoy connecting with people and planning events. We are the first of many missionaries who will be coming to speak and experienced itineration planners are THE key to bridging congregations with international ministries worldwide.

Have questions? Please write to us:
Liz and Doug Searles <thesearles@gmail.com>

To volunteer for this ministry as an individual, couple, or group,
please contact Jo Ordway at 515.277.6369 or jo@ucciaconf.org

Blessings on all your ministries and discernments!

Liz and Doug in Lodz, PL

Opportunity for discovery...

Would you like to introduce a fresh perspective into your congregation that doesn't come straight from you? May C/L/S Director Dianne Prichard suggest investing a reasonable amount of time and money in a CENTER/LEARN course? Total time invested is 48 hours, and includes eating and sleeping. Cost is $180 + books.

Taking a two weekend course in Mission, Planning, and Governance might be just what your congregation needs to continue its dialogue of discovery. Don't send the whole congregation--just one or two members will be plenty.

Mission, Planning, and Governance is one of the newly revised courses from the LEARN curriculum that seeks to address the issues and concerns of our churches in 2010 and beyond.

From the course outline:

Participants will gain an understanding of the Biblical, theological & denominational foundations of mission; and develop skills for and knowledge of models of planning, governance structures and contextual analysis in order to assess their current ministry settings.

Objectives:

Understand Biblical and theological foundations of mission--missio dei

Traditional understanding of mission

Develop skills in applying models of planning

Develop skills in applying models of governance

Develop skills in applying contextual analysis

The classes will meet on November 5 & 6, 2010 and January 7 & 8, 2011 at Plymouth Congregational UCC in Des Moines. Total cost of tuition is $180. Books can be purchased online.

More information: email dianne@ucciaconf.org/ or call 563.271.6112.

SE Iowa Association meeting...

Date: November 7, 2010

Location: Denmark Congregational UCC on Hwy 16, Denmark

Time: Registration 2:30, Meeting 3-5:00 pm. A light meal will follow.

Program: Rev. Ron Eslinger will present a workshop on "Appreciative Inquiry". IA Conference Minister Rich Pleva and Associate Conference Minister/East Jonna Jensen will also be present to meet and greet.

The Role of Men in American Christianity...

In earlier days in American history, men filled virtually all the leadership roles in American churches (ministers, priests, lay leaders, trustees), while in average families it was the women and children who were involved in church and fathers rarely attended (think of the Waltons). Today, much has changed.

Agenda for the retreat:

1) consider the roles of men in American Christianity, past, present, and future,

2) consider statistics about and examples of men historically and today, and discuss personal examples such as our parents and grandparents, and

3) attempt to understand the roles of men in American Christianity in general, in your congregation in particular, and in our own lives, eventually considering our personal goals and dreams for the future.

Location: First Congregational United Church of Christ, Sioux CIty, IA

Date: Saturday, November 13, 2010, 9:00-2:00

Retreat Leader: Dr. Bruce Forbes, professor of religious studies at Morningside

Cost: $10/person including lunch.

RSVP by November 8. Email alairew@msn.com or call the church 712-239-3385, and then mail payment to First Congregational Church of Christ, 4600 Hamilton Blv, Sioux City, IA 51104-1145.

Senior High Convo...

On November 12-14, there is a Senior High Convo - A Huge Gathering for High School Students of All Denominations at Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells.

Features: praise and worship with the Sidewalk Prophets and speaker Greg Speck.

Register at http://guest.cvent.com/d/fdqffh or call the Wisconsin Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church at 888-240-7328.

Celebrating the Gifts of Honored Laywomen at

General Synod XXVIII, Tampa, Florida - July 2, 2011

Each General Synod includes a time to celebrate the gifts of laywomen in the United Church of Christ. Now is the time to nominate laywomen in the Iowa Conference for this honor. Do you know a UCC laywoman who has been a significant leader in the Iowa Conference or in your Association? Do you know a UCC laywoman in Iowa who has given significant service to the UCC on a national level? Do you know a UCC laywoman in Iowa whose faith shines through public service or as a community volunteer?

Please send an email to Jonna Jensen, Associate Conference Minister for Eastern Iowa, at jonna@ucciaconf.org. Include the name of the laywoman you would like to recommend for this honor, her contact information, and some words telling us about this laywoman's gifts and accomplishments. These emails must be received by Monday, November 22^nd. Thank you for helping us celebrate the gifts of Iowa laywomen at General Synod XXVIII!

IT IS BACK...A CLERGY DAY

Leader for this Crisis Intervention Workshop on The Impact of Trauma on Spirituality is Kathy Reardon.

This had been cancelled earlier this fall, so remember to get this back on your calendar!

Date: December 6, 2010

Time: 9am - 4pm

Location: Highland Park Christian Church, 4250 NW. Sixth Street, Des Moines

New Church Planter Discernment Workshop...

Across the United Church of Christ, there is increasing

interest in starting new churches. To accommodate those

considering a call to do so, these discernment retreats are

offered with the goal of developing a pool of clergy and lay

persons who are ready to respond to a call for new church

start ministry.

Sponsored by Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa Conferences of the United Church of Christ, this conference is on February 25, 2011 in DeForest, WI. Reduced registration fees if register prior to January 21, 2011.

Part of your church's ministry may include youth activities. Are you planning any outings for your youth group? Read The Steward to find out if you need releases and permission slips for youth activities.

The Insurance Board now has an electronic newsletter that covers youth safety, building coverage ideas for your church, and upcoming webinars expecially designed for protections for your church. The partners who are publishing this valuable information are Carl J. Kotheimer, Director of Loss Control and Claims and Elizabeth Vance, Marketing and Comunications Coordinator.

Sneak preview....Click here to download newsletter The Steward and

click here to visit the website for upcoming webinars. Then visit www.InsuranceBoard.org to subscribe and see even more!

Nursery Care Provider Needed

Urbandale United Church of Christ, Urbandale, Iowa

A loving, compassionate caregiver is needed during church school and worship on Sunday mornings. Also, nursery care is needed for the first Monday of every month for team meetings. Other opportunities available as needed. Position averages 15-20 hours a month. Please send resumes no later than Sunday, November 14^thto Rev. David Sickelka david.sickelka@urbucc.org or Rev. Amy Murray amy.murray@urbucc.org. You may call the church at #515-276-0625 with further questions. www.urbucc.org

Baptismal font available...

First Congregational UCC of Onawa is closing and their building has been sold to a Baptist church group.

A baptismal font of moderate size is available. Contact John Noer at 712.423.3588 if interested.

Conference-wide Book Reading

Realities, chuckles, ponderous thoughts, relaxation...join the Conference-wide Book Readers who will take on their first book starting in January 2011!

What book???

Who is the author???

How do I join???

Where is the book???

How do I obtain the book???

The answers...open

Conference-wide Book Reading

and join the fun.

Schedule of the chapters - click here.