Change a Child's Story Update!

Give one million books and read one million hours to children over the next two years is the goal of the "Change a Child's Story."

 

SETTING YOUR GOALS

Please download the flyer and goal worksheet and use to help you get started. Change a Child's Story is about setting audacious goals that stretch congregations to give and connect in new ways. Change a Child's Story is about creating new partnerships in the community and new relationships with struggling kids.

 

If you need creative ideas on how to inspire the congregation, please reach out to us for help. We want you to be successful.

Clint Twedt-Ball at [email protected] or

Erin McGargill at [email protected]

 

SEND US YOUR PLEDGE CARD

Once your goal is set, fill out and return your pledge card. 

 

FACEBOOK

Like "Change a Child's Story" Facebook page and get connected to the latest news and resources.

 

Many older adults are still skeptical about the practical applications or benefits of technology. Some may need assistance to learn how to use digital devices and access Internet resources. According to data by the Pew Research Centerapproximately 40 percent of all adults age 65 and older do not access the Internet at all. More than half do not have broadband access at home. 

How can churches help older adults take advantage of the wonderful world of cyberspace?
Creating world-transforming communities of faith...
August 13-16, 2015
 
The School of Congregational Development is a premier event for United Methodist Leaders for equipping conference leaders, clergy, and laity to lead vital, dynamic, life-changing congregations.  Hosted by the Indiana Conference, SCD's focus this year is on Crossroads, where community, culture, and faith come together to offer the message of love and grace as found in Jesus Christ.
July 22 - September 2, 2015
$9.99
This online course is designed for new United Methodists and anyone wanting to know more about the denomination. Are you a lifelong or long-term Methodist? You may be surprised at what you can learn about our denomination. The course includes 4 modules that contain many interactive features. Each module takes about 1 hour to complete. You can move through the modules at your own pace.

October 4-9th, 2015 
American Martyrs Retreat Center
Cedar Falls, Iowa  50613
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. 

First UMC in Ankeny, IA 
Women at the Well, a United Methodist congregation inside the walls of the women's prison in Mitchellville, Iowa, is partnering with Prison Congregations of America and the Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church to host a weekend of presentations and workshops designed to inspire, equip, and empower churches to connect with folks we might have missed. The Right Next Door conference will include presentations by noted speakers, including our keynote speaker, Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking. The conference will also include various workshops addressing prison ministry, advocacy, mental illness, domestic violence, addiction, how to reduce barriers in your home church, and more. For more information, a schedule of events, and to register, visit RightNextDoor2015.org.

Ignition at Wesley Woods-A Christian Gathering of Youth (12-18 years)

Sunday, July 19, 2015

3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.. 

Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center- Indianola 

 

What will we be doing? Bringing Christian youth together for worship, fellowship, and fun. We will be doing some cool summer outside camp activities along with a great Bible Study. Please give Deke a call or email to confirm you are coming. 


 
Cost: $2 Per youth (chaperones free) (snacks to share) 

Questions or to register: [email protected] 

(515) 480-8962.

 

 
August 29, 2015
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA 
#UniteIowa on Immigration is designed as a uniquely civil forum. We aim to create an oasis for thoughtful dialogue in the middle of another presidential caucus cycle when the rhetoric tends to divide us. 

 

Members of Iowa's immigrant, business, educational, faith, labor and political communities will come together to discuss fixes to our broken immigration system.


Trinity United Methodist Church has embarked on a new ministry in their community. "We pull people together to help out the residents of Hazleton," writes Ronda McAllister, and "our enthusiasm is contagious."
Opportunities...
Site Director For Iowa UMC Pictured Rock's Camp and Retreat Center
To provide leadership, supervision, administration and visioning for the year round ministry and operations of the Pictured Rocks site of the Iowa United Methodist Camps and Retreat Centers.  This includes providing guidance and supervision to full-time and part-time staff and volunteers at the camp.  It also entails providing a safe environment and hospitality to over 300 summer campers and many other retreat groups and guests during the duration of the year.   The position is responsible for providing innovative leadership as it relates to developing unique ministry programs for people of all ages that will allow for faith development and growth as Christian disciples. 

 

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

 

Equipping transformational leaders...
Thanks to a grant from the Young Clergy Initiative, there are grant funds available for churches and ministry sites who wish to hire a young adult (age 18-25) as a ministry intern for the Fall of 2015. Identified interns will benefit from the chance to learn from current members of the clergy, serve the congregation and community, and gain hands-on experience in the United Methodist church. The congregation or ministry community will benefit by being a part of the spiritual formation of the next generation of clergy.  Interested churches and ministry sites should email [email protected] for a funding application.
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.

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