President Obama's recent speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights marches from Selma to Montgomery offered both a memorial look back at and a present call to the work of social justice and inclusivity. As the life of the church is so deeply tied to such work, Ministry Matters sought discussions and responses to the speech from church leaders.


 
Ministry Matters features responses from across the ecumenical spectrum, each one paying close attention to the message within the President's words and to what such a message could mean for church identity, practice and communal outreach.

 

In the age of the internet, the idea of being able to call up a reference librarian for an informed recommendation or to get assistance in finding a needed resource sounds like something out of a bygone era. What you might not know is that an organization called Iowa Religious Media Services (IRMS), located in Urbandale, specializes in providing just that kind of support for churches in Iowa and neighboring areas.

Creating world-transforming communities of faith...
The funny thing about homelessness is that society is finding out that one answer is "give them homes." This radically changes the way churches can offer support with one unique gift that they have.
The fundamental divide between those of us with homes and those experiencing homelessness is a home
Two teen-aged sisters have been reaching out to young people in the children's ministry of Thrive United Methodist Church. Thrive, "a growing new community in West Des Moines that is trying to bring people together to live like Jesus," was begun with the support of First United Methodist Church in Ankeny and conference apportionment gifts from local United Methodist churches throughout Iowa.

UMC.org provides resources for the season of Lent including those for devotion and inspiration, learning and doing, family, worship and multimedia.
Equipping transformational leaders...

The goal of Therapeutic Yoga is to befriend, reconnect with and feel empowered in your body. In a safe and predictable environment, you are invited to notice sensations, experiment with movement and breathing, and practice making choices about what is right for you.

  

1-session Therapeutic Yoga classes 

Mondays, March 16 and/or March 30, 2015

8-week Therapeutic Yoga group

Mondays, April 20 - June 8, 2015 


Spiritual Renewal Weekend
Chrysalis Weekend for high school students in Storm Lake, March 20-22. Like Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis is a weekend for spiritual renewal and  faith growth. Applications are available at Iowa Chrysalis.

Save the Date - Laity Day is April 25th
Conference Lay Leader, Margaret Borgen announces that the 2015 Laity Day with the Bishop is set for Saturday, April 25. It will be held at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Urbandale. More information coming shortly.
Iowa United Methodist Men Annual Meeting
All men and Pastors of the Iowa Annual Conference are invited to attend the annual meeting on 
March 28, 2015 at the Altoona UMC, 602 5th Ave SW, Altoona, IA.  Registration begins at 9:00 am, worship at 9:30.  Please bring used hearing aids
for The Hope of Hearing mission to Haiti.
Registration fee: $20. Pre-registration requested. Contact Jim Smith

The Iowa UM School for Ministry is pleased to announce that Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock, Dr. Pamela Lightsey and Dr. Kristen Leslie have agreed to speak on the topic of Moral Trauma at our 2015 School, which will be held on April 21-24, 2015 at Honey Creek Resort State Park. Register today!

Five Day Academy For Spiritual Formation

October 4-9 at the American Martyrs Retreat House, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Iowa UMC Spiritual Formation Committee's Five Day Academy is the opportunity to be involved in this life changing event.  This year's five day academy is titled 'Pursuing Humor' and will feature Daniel Wolpert, the author of the "Life with God Series" and also Sister Kathleen Flood who until recently was the Director for Contemplative Programs & Coordinator of the Mentorship in Spiritual Direction for Still Point, Inc.  Both will share their experiences and practices in Spiritual direction and development while focusing on the caring love and light 'hearted side' of our God.   

 

The Academy for Spiritual Formation is an experience of disciplined Christian community emphasizing holistic spirituality-nurturing body, mind, and spirit. The program is ecumenical in nature and meant for all those who hunger for a deeper relationship with God, including both lay and clergy persons. Register Today. 


Keep up with United Methodist news from around the connection with a free subscription to the News Service Daily Digest.
The Rev. Cynthia T. Hinson, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Conroe, TX, offers this 2-page listing of Revised Common Lectionary readings for 2015, noting Sundays and Special Days.
Aligning our resources...

The Iowa United Methodist Church Building Fund Trust makes loans to local churches for the purposes of building new buildings, renovation or additions to existing facilities, repairs, purchasing land or even buying a parsonage. The Trust also has refinancing options for high-interest loans.

 

Rates currently starting at 4.50% for new loans as of February 16, 2015

 

Please contact us for more information:

Iowa United Methodist Church Building Fund Trust

[email protected] or call 515-974-8927


Looking for a Longer-Term Investment for Your Church's Endowment or Reserve Funds?

Are you looking to earn income and/or grow your long-term funds and endowments at current market rates while still maintaining the Social Principals of The United Methodist Church? Since 1981, the Iowa United Methodist Foundation began offering pooled investment options that do just that. We have grown to offer several investment options that can be invested in according to your committee's governing documents or we can help create a custom plan for your church's goals and objectives.

Opportunities...
Visit the classifieds section of the website for job postings and related opportunities within Iowa Conference congregations

 

In This Issue...
Quick Links
Iowa Conference, UMC 
2301 Rittenhouse St | Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 289-1331