The 2015 pre-Conference orientation for the Iowa Conference is presented in a video format, including an introduction by Bishop Trimble and Patty LaGree, presentations on: the 2016 budget by Terry Montgomery, Conference Treasurer; a health insurance proposal from the Board of Pensions by Rev. Beverlee Bell; the CCMC budgeting process by Rev. Karen Dungan, Assistant to the Bishop for Administration andRev. Dave Peterson; and the Design Task Force proposal by three members of that group. Send questions about the proposed budget to [email protected]

 

Two women created the holiday that falls on the second Sunday in May in the U.S. but do you know how, and why, they did it?

United Methodist bishops are committing to work for toward a church "that is anti-racist and pro-humanity."

 

In a unanimously adopted pastoral letter, the Council of Bishops affirmed that "all lives are sacred and that a world free of racism and xenophobia is not only conceivable, but worthy of our pursuit." 

 

Attendance at the St. Paul's United Methodist Church youth group in La Porte City has grown from three or four kids per week to almost twenty in the last two years.  Their ministry includes a weekly meeting on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. for middle school students and 7 p.m. for high schoolers. The youth group is planning a mission trip this summer to Chicago, and they are inviting the church's support through t-shirt sales.

Creating world-transforming communities of faith...

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.


Begin Your Own Dialogue on Diversification of Iowa
On Thursday, April 23, at a kindergarten music program in Perry, Iowa, an unidentified man in the audience began to shout, "USA! English only!"  While the man was escorted from the school, his outburst provides a clear illustration of the difficulties that come with living in a culture-rich community. The Saturday, April 25, edition of The Des Moines Register details this incident and includes commentary from Drake University professor, Jody Swilky, who wrote and produced the documentary, "A Little Salsa on the Prairie:  The Changing Character of Perry, Iowa," which details the influx of Latino immigrants into Perry. To explore the dynamics of the diversification of Iowa and begin an important dialogue, contact IRMS at (515) 277-2920 or Email Questions

Camp Hope 2015
July 5-7, 2015
Wesley Wood UMC Camp
July 13-15
Pictured Rocks UMC Camp 

No Cost for this Event.
This is an exciting camp for young people (age 8-12) who have a family member that is or has been incarcerated. Our 3 day journey will be an awesome time of fun and fellowship with many cool activities including archery, swimming and horse back riding. Register online at www.iaumc.org/camps

Equipping transformational leaders...
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!

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

July 19-22, 2015
October 16-18, 2015
Iowa Valley Continuing Education Center
Marshalltown, Iowa
Mission u is a place to learn about important topics. It's a place to meet with others who are interested in serving God and the world and the people in it. It's a place to find out how you can contribute to solving the some of the world's problems. Mission u is sponsored by United Methodist Women and is open to attendance by everyone. Click here for more information

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