Pittsburgh Area Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton has presented a check for $9.6 million from the people of The United Methodist Church to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The gift to the Geneva-based organization is the single largest contribution ever made by a faith-based group, fund officials said. 

 

All that's needed for forgiveness to take place, sometimes, is for the victim or survivor to have permission not to forgive.

 

The Rev. Anne Robertson discovered this to be true early in her ministry when a young woman came to her office, saying she couldn't be a Christian any more because she couldn't find it in her heart to forgive her abusive father.

 

It's always warm, even before adding the heavy, dark choir and clergy robes, the long-sleeve shirts under wool suit jackets, the long, beautiful dresses with elaborate headgear.

 

But it doesn't really get hot until worship starts.

Wait until the music and singing and clapping and dancing and PREACHING starts. Then everybody really works up a sweat.

 

Every little thing about worship is glorious.

 

Patric Newton, site director at Pictured Rocks Camp and Retreat Center, has accepted a new ministry opportunity in Memphis, Tennessee.  He will begin his work with the 'Memphis Teacher Residency', working on a Master's Degree in Urban Education and preparing for teaching in an inner city Memphis school.  Patric and his wife Brianne will be moving in late May; they are both very excited about their new calling, but will miss all of the people they've built relationships with in the Iowa Conference.
New Directions Shelter
Please read the newest Thank You notes: A homeless mother has moved toward financial self-sufficiency with the help of the New Directions Shelter in Des Moines.
Creating world-transforming communities of faith...
VIM Team Leader Training
May 2 | 8:30 am-12:30 pm
First UMC
309 N Main | Mt. Pleasant

It is time to ready ourselves for Summer Mission Trips. VIM Team Leader Training will provide you (and your church) with all the information and tools that you will need to participate in or lead hands-on mission.

Some sites of large storms will require a trained team leader. Let's get trained now...for future opportunities.

Training is based on standard North Central Jurisdiction UMVIM curriculum and the General Board of Global Ministries UMVIM Training Manual that will be available at a cost of $25.00.

Emai[email protected] to register with your name, address, and phone number. Registration required to ensure materials for everyone.

Monday, May 4, 12:30-5:00, 
Tuesday, May, 5 9:00-1:30

Wesley Woods Camping and Retreat Center 

Indianola, IA 

Download Registration Form

This spring, all are welcome to join the Iowa chapter of Christians Engaged in Faith Formation to focus not only on helping others form spiritually, but also how to work on our own spiritual formation as a leader in a Christian Community.  We are pleased to have the Spiritual Formation Board from the Iowa UMC Conference present this workshop along with others in partnership with Iowa United Methodist Churches. 

United Methodists from across Iowa will gather together at the Iowa Events Center's Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines from June 6 through June 9 for the 172nd Iowa Annual Conference Session of the United Methodist Church.

 

We have created a special section of the Conference website exclusive to keeping you informed with everything you want to know! Bookmark  Everything You Need to Know About the 2015 Iowa Annual Conference page and visit often.

 

Mentor Trainings

Mentor trainings will be happening in all districts. Clergy that wish to be or to continue to be candidacy or clergy mentors must attend one of these trainings. By attending the whole training event you will be able to receive .5CEU's. All clergy are encouraged to attend even if you don't want to formally be a candidacy or clergy mentor. The training will include:  

*  basics of mentoring

*  candidacy/licensing/ordination process

*  requirements for licensing/ordination, etc.

*  specifics of candidacy mentoring

*  specifics of clergy mentoring.

 

Dates and locations for the mentor training events are as follows with more to be announced. You do not have to attend the training that is in your district but you must attend one of these trainings if you want to be a clergy or candidacy mentor. Click here to see dates, locations and times.


Equipping transformational leaders...
LAITY DAY with BISHOP TRIMBLE
Saturday, April 25, 2015 
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Aldersgate UMC, 3600 75th St. Urbandale, IA  50322-3096

Bishop Trimble will have two topics, Five Marks of a Methodist, based on a new book of the same title by Steve Harper, and in the afternoon, Poverty to Opportunity.  Bishop Trimble is eager for dialogue and questions from laity and there will be time allowed for that.

There will be worship, communion and music to inspire!

Additionally, there will be three special presentations about exciting ministries:

  • Women at the Well (prison congregation) with Rev. Lee Schott
  • Justice for Our Neighbors (legal help for immigrants) with JFON attorneys Brynne Howard and Ann Naffler
  • Human Trafficking with Teresa Downing, UMW resource person and ISU faculty

Morning coffee and lunch at noon will provide time for fellowship and sharing ideas. 


Cokesbury bookstore will have a display and all books purchased or ordered that day will have a 30% discount plus free shipping. Register today!

Saturday, May 2, 2015

9:30 AM 

Plymouth Congregational Church, 42nd Street and Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines

 

Iowa Religious Media Services is thrilled to announce a once in a lifetime opportunity for church choir directors.  On Saturday morning, May 2, 2015, Mack Wilberg, conductor of the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and internationally-respected composer will lead a free workshop for choir directors and interested choir members. Register Today!

 

May 15 (6:00-9:00pm) and May 16 (8:30am-4:00pm)
Ankeny First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center, 710 NE 36th Street, Ankeny, IA 50021

Small Groups: Big Ministry was born out of the common belief that small groups are important. That small groups are where lives are really changed; where real disciples of Jesus are made, and where we actually be the church. Small Groups: Big Ministry is an event aimed at empowering small group leaders to lead groups where these things happen, regardless of our ministry settings.  We are pleased to once again offer an exciting weekend of small group ministry training. Register Today!

2015 Iowa UMC Camp Challenge-'Best. Week. Ever."

Power up with the Holy Spirit! The Iowa UMC Camp & Retreat Team challenges you to send more youth for our Summer Camping Season! Two lucky winners will be given a FREE fun-filled afternoon at one of our camps this next fall or spring. To qualify you will have the largest percentage growth of campers from last camp season or the church who sends the biggest increase in camper numbers from the previous year. Please contact one of your camp team members about the new Iowa UMC Camp Challenge. Dave or Vonnie 1-800-765-1651.


The General Board of Church and Society encourages fellow Iowa clergy to sign-on to this letter urging Senator Grassley not to shut the door on criminal justice reform and allow reform legislation like the Smarter Sentencing Act to be considered in committee.

 

Later this month a group of clergy and lay people will meet with Senator Grassley at his offices here in D.C. we would love to have over 100 signatures by that time to take with us.

 

Thanks for your help and support. See letter here.


May 19, 2015
8:45am - 3:30pm

Collegiate UMC/Wesley Foundation
2622 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014

Rev. Katharine Yarnell, Field Outreach Minister for the North Central District, will present her workshop, Office Dynamics. In other words, "Why won't they do what I want?" Observing patterns can give us another way to look at work flow, chronic conflict, and repeating issues. We will also take time to find out what specific needs or questions you may have in regards to your church office and how we as other administrators may assist each other. 
Register deadline is May 10th. 
Email: Natalie Rekemeyer, [email protected] 
Cost: $20 (box lunch from The Caf� included) 
Make checks payable to: PAUMCS 
Mail checks to: Natalie Rekemeyer, Collegiate UMC 
2622 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50014

Support the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (a cooperating depot with UMCOR Relief Supply Network) by filling their truck with relief kits and supplies. The truck will be parked in Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center (Veteran's Auditorium) parking lot during the Iowa Annual Conference June 6 through June 9.

This year, Midwest Mission Distribution Center is asking for kits of all types but especially need these supplies: 

  • clean-up buckets
  • parts of clean-up buckets
  • new onesies for 0-3 month old infants
Visit Midwest Mission Distribution Center website for an updated list of kit supplies.

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...

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