September 19, 2008
Iowa Conference News
Covenant Service Celebrating Bishop Trimble’s assignment to The Iowa Annual Conference
You are invited to welcome Bishop and Mrs. Julius C. Trimble to the Iowa Annual Conference on Sunday afternoon, October 5, 2008. A Covenant Service, celebrating the assignment of Bishop Trimble to Iowa, will begin at 4:00 pm. It will be held at Ankeny First United Methodist Church.
Immediately following the Covenant Service there will be a welcoming reception at which you’ll have an opportunity to meet and greet Bishop Trimble and his wife, Racelder Grandberry-Trimble.
Come, share a word of welcome, extend gracious hospitality and embrace Iowa Conference’s new episcopal family.
Bishop Charles Wesley Jordan, one of our former Iowa Bishops, will be the Covenant Service preacher.
Calling all UM Electricians, Plumbers, Heating and Cooling Professionals
As of mid-September, rebuilding in the flooded areas of eastern Iowa is beginning. People that are skilled in the electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling areas are especially needed at this time to help get homes ready for other interior work during winter weather.
Devastating flooding, with rivers cresting far higher than previous records, was experienced in a number of cities and rural areas in eastern Iowa in June of 2008. In Cedar Rapids alone, 25,000 residents were evacuated from their homes and 5,500 homes were left uninhabitable. The area in which Volunteers in Mission teams are working extends about 150 miles, primarily along the Iowa and Cedar Rivers and their tributaries. Hundreds of homes have been cleaned out, gutted and sanitized and are ready for rebuilding. All skills will be needed for at least the next two years so if you can’t come now you can plan ahead to come later.
Please contact Dan and Jean Houston to let them know if you are willing to spend a day or several days working in disaster-affected areas in Iowa.
Dan and Jean Houston
Iowa UMC Disaster Response Volunteer Assistants
1530 Quill Avenue
Madrid, Iowa 50156-7579
515-432-1226, 515-991-4797 (Dan's cell), 515-778-9414 (Jean's cell)
djhouston@opencominc.com or IAUMVIM@gmail.com
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Hello United Methodist Churches across Iowa,
Here's YOUR opportunity to hear how your offering connects with real people; even some who end up in Iowa: Have these "persons in mission" come speak at YOUR church!
Nigerians Dr. Emmanuel and midwife nurse Florence Mefor, will be in Iowa Sept. 29- Oct. 30th.
There are still a dates open on their calendar to come to YOUR church. Please read on...
Gatherings may be formal or informal in nature. They will not drive while in the States, so I am also working on transportation between church locations. They will have pictures to share in their presentation. I have photos of their family that I may send to you upon request. Their most recent 2 letters are on the Conference website at www.iaumc.org and click on Ministries, Click on Persons in Mission and scroll downwards to the end of the section.
As Nigerians Dr. Emmanuel and midwife nurse Florence have vast knowledge of Red School House project AND the work of the Methodist Church in Nigeria. They were recipients of Ingathering Kits sent to Nigeria also. They would also like to share their work in Zimbabwe. Their oldest son started college in the States in August.
It has been busy during the last few months itinerating the Hoovers, Mefors and the Kies (Lois Novak assists me by itinerating the Kies). These 6 missionaries are serving parts of Africa in HIS name on our behalf--supported by our prayers and financial giving.
I look forward to hearing from you. I would appreciate your assistance in completing their itineration schedule.--all suggestions are welcome. Thank you! Prayerfully, Sue Hattel Conference Conference Interim Itineration Secretary
P.S. Larry and Jane Kies, professors at Africa University, are in Iowa through mid-November. They were at St Luke on Sunday, Sept 21, and did three excellent presentations which were of interest to all ages, including the young children. They have lots of stories and pictures of their 25+ years in Africa, including two connected to Iowa. Jane taught English to our new Iowa pastors Emmanuel Naweji, Assoc. WDM; and Michel O. Lundula, Nashua, both of the Congo. Michel witnessed to me that, "If it had not been for Jane teaching him English, he would not have been able to attend Africa U, Garrett in Illinois or serve in a church in Iowa today. (Kies lives in the Jesup/Waterloo area and can drive themselves to your church. Larry is an Iowa native...)
These missionary visits are great opportunities to connect our offering plates to real people right here in Iowa!
Contact Sue Hattel at Shattel220@aol.com OR for Kies contact Lois Novak at lgnovak@aol.com
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World Communion Sunday, October 5, 2008
Nurture students to lead, today and in the future. Your offering provides scholarships for U.S. (racial-and ethnic-minority) and international students.
Click here for more information on this special offering.
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India Children’s Choir Tour
We are so excited to bring the India Children’s Choir to Iowa as part of their 2009 North American Tour next July! This will be our 15th year telling the story of the Hmar people in the United States and we look to share with churches that have a real heart and vision for missions and would enjoy the cross-cultural experience of hosting the children from India. The children’s desire is to say “thank you” and inspire the Body of Christ across America to the importance of missions and what God is doing in India today with their amazing personal story told through their musical “Headhunters to Heart-hunters”.
The India Children’s Choir, 22 children ages 9-12, shares a performance of story, traditional dance and song, telling the testimony of their people, the Hmar tribe of Northeast India that went from being, literally, headhunters to “heart hunters” for Christ after one missionary from Wales, Watkin Roberts, gave them a copy of the Gospel of John in their own language less than 100 yrs ago. It truly is an amazing story of a people going from self-destruction to freedom in Christ and these children are the direct descendents of the original believers!
You can view our promotional video and learn more about the ministry at our website: www.bftw.org. The video gives insight into the actual performance with interviews from those who attended.
We would love to come be a blessing and encouragement to your church family and an outreach to your community with these precious children. To get details on available dates and hosting information please contact me at 800-265-8236 or email me at dfrankel@bftw.org .God bless you this day!
Dori Frankel, Tour Coordinator, India Children's Choir
Direct: (800)265-8236 fax: (206)339-5190
2009 Church Officer Form
The 2009 Church Officer Forms have been mailed to all churches. Included with the Church Officer Form is a letter from the Cabinet and a list of instructions about the form. This year the form is due at your charge conference. When you are completing this year’s Charge Conference Forms, be sure to complete the Church Officer form. The information provided on this form is what we need to make sure that all officers of the church receive the Iowa Edition of The United Methodist Reporter. Please mail in the top copy to Jill Stanton at the Conference Center. Hand in the second copy at your charge conference and retain the third copy for your files.
An Idea for Retirement
A gift to the church can be attractive in retirement. The gift will give you satisfaction in knowing you have provided for your church, received a tax deduction, will receive income for the remainder of your life and do not have to manage the asset.
Here is an example of how this charitable remainder trust might work for you.
A $100,000 gift to a charitable annuity trust with payment for one life:
Annual Income Annual Income Annual Income
$5,000 $5,500 $6,000
Age Deduction Deduction Deduction
65 $41,590 $35,750 N/A
70 $49,986 $44,984 $39,983
75 $58,317 $54,149 $49,980
80 $66,505 $63,156 $59,806
85 $73,989 $71,388 $68,787
90 $80,468 $78,515 $76,562
We will be pleased to provide you with deductions for two-life plans.
For more information contact Dave Harner, Executive Director of the Iowa United Methodist Foundation – 515-974-8928.
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Is Your Estate Plan Complete?
We urge everyone to have an up to date estate plan. What does that mean?
1) You have given thoughtful consideration to the distribution of your property. If you do not, the state will make those decisions for you.
2) Name your executor to administer your estate. Also name any guardians needed for children or disabled persons.
3) Create health care directives which make your wishes known on the question of health care treatment you would want maintained or withheld if you were seriously ill or injured with no hope of recovery.
4) A trust may be needed to provide practical security for those beneficiaries who are not capable to manage their inheritance.
5) Remember to keep life insurance and retirement beneficiary forms up to date. These items will go to those named on the beneficiary form regardless of what your will says. Jointly owned property may also pass independently of your will.
6) Have you provided a thoughtful bequest for your church?
For more information, contact Dave Harner, Iowa United Methodist Foundation, 515-967-8928 or david.harner@iaumc.org.
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
