February 17, 2009
Iowa Conference News
Youth Summer Service Opportunity
Youth from across the conference are invited to be part of Cedar Valley Viewpoint’s 20th year of ministry during the week of June 21-27, 2009.
Youth will spend a week living together, worshipping together, playing together and serving elderly and handicapped residents of the Cedar Rapids area. Due to the flooding many agencies are overwhelmed with flood cleanup and are unable to serve their regular clientele. Cedar Valley Viewpoint will help flood victims, but projects like yard cleanup, painting and minor repairs will be available to flood victims and non-flood victims alike. The camp is open to youth 7-12th grade with one driving adult per 5 youth. The cost $170 per person. For more information contact the Director Andy Drzycimski 319-361-3082.
Cedar Valley Viewpoint is an Advance Special project of the Iowa Annual Conference.
"Rural Churches: Stories of Hope and Struggle"
A Listening Post with Bishop Julius C. Trimble
Saturday, March 7, 2009
1st UMC, Jefferson, Iowa
9:30 am - Registration & Fellowship
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Presentations and dialogue
Sponsored by the Iowa Chapter of the United Methodist Rural Fellowship
Laity and pastors concerned about strengthening rural ministries in Iowa are invited to attend the “rural listening post” to take place March 7th at 1st UMC, 307 S. Wilson St., in Jefferson, Iowa. As our new bishop, Julius C. Trimble, gets acquainted with Iowa, we feel it is important for him to hear from local people what it is like to be the church in rural communities today. The event will feature stories shared by invited guests, including people from farming, ag business, education, health care, the state legislature, and church leadership. There also will be time provided for Q&A, and the sharing of participants’ stories of hope and struggle. Join us!!
Why a Peace Conference?
Primarily, a peace conference is held to facilitate discussion about what we as individuals and members of churches and other voluntary associations can do to promote peace in our world.
Secondly, to foster supportive relationships and enjoy the beauty of Camp Wesley Woods in the Spring.
Click here for more information
TRAX: Youth Ministry Essentials Training Event
Registration is available now for TRAX: Youth Ministry Essentials a new training initiative sponsored by the Iowa United Methodist Conference for adults working in youth ministry in the conference. This modular approach to training adults in youth ministry begins this month and continues throughout the year. Each module is independent of the others, so you can take them in whichever order you wish. Initial trainings are scheduled for:
- Saturday, February 28 @ Walnut Hills UMC, Urbandale focusing on CALL – understanding your call & spiritual gifts
- Saturday, March 7 @ Lake City Union Church, Lake City focusing on LEAD – curriculum, management, & leadership fundamentals.
- Saturday, March 28, Shueyville UMC, Swisher focusing on QUAD - youth ministry through a UMC lens.
Each training is about 6 hours long, begins at 9:30 am, costs $25 per person/per training, and includes lunch and the training materials. For more information and to register see the website – www.maketyme.org.
The Iowa United Methodist Foundation is offering the Current Investment Rates* Effective: 2/16/09
Fixed Rate Fund
Available for Churches and Agencies minimum deposit $2,500
3 Months 2.16%
6 Months 2.55%
1 Year 3.02%
2 Year 3.29%
3 Year 3.62%
4 Year 3.70%
5 Year 4.04%
Iowa United Methodist Church Building Fund Trust
Available for Individuals, Churches and Agencies in even $1,000 increments
1 Year 3.12%
Please contact us for more information:
Iowa United Methodist Foundation
2301 Rittenhouse Street
Des Moines, IA 50321
515-974-8927
* Please note rates may change without notice
Does Your Church Need a New Loan or to Refinance an Existing One?
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.
Please contact us for more information:
Iowa United Methodist Church Building Fund Trust
churchloan@iaumc.org
2301 Rittenhouse Street
Des Moines, IA 50321
515-974-8927
Rev. Eunice Musa Iliya
Rev. Eunice Musa Iliya (e lee yah) will be itinerating in Iowa from May 18 to May 29. Rev. Iliya is an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN). Eunice has been invited to interpret the partnership we Iowans have with the Nigerian Church. She can interpret the use of various InGathering kits as utilized in the Women’s Training Centers. Eunice has helped in hosting our Iowa teams in Nigeria.
She won the American Green Card 2002-2003 lottery which gave her opportunity to become a permanent citizen of the U.S. She took the opportunity to come to America to further her theological seminary. In 2008 she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies and a Doctorate in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Claremont School of Theology in California. While living in California she spoke in many California-Pacific UM Churches. She was a clergy delegate to the 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth.
A native of the Zing Local Government area of Taraba in Nigeria, Dr. Iliya joined the ministry in 1991. She earned her first degree in theology at Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS.). She has worked in different capacities as associate and senior pastor of many churches within the Nigerian UMC. Prior to coming to the U.S. she was director of the Women’s Leadership Training Center at Zing and served as the church treasurer from 1999 to 2003.
Upon her return to Nigeria in August 2008, she has been appointed by Bishop Kulah as Director of Evangelism and Stewardship to help in the outreach of Nigerian church. She also serves as a liaison between Nigeria and California-Pacific.
Eunice is married to a Nigerian businessman and the mother of four children.
Rev. Iliya is itinerating in the Southwest and Central Districts but is available for speaking in surrounding communities. Coordinating her itinerary is Beverly Nolte, 515 237 8544, bnmedical@aol.com.
Iowa Annual Conference Board of Church & Society
Peace with Justice Scholarship Essay Contest – 2009
The Peace with Justice Scholarship Essay Contest is open to students who are high school juniors and seniors during the current school year and who live in Iowa or attend an Iowa high school. They need not be members of a United Methodist Church nor any other religious body.
Announced each year in January, the essay contest will be publicized through the Iowa Conference Communications Ministry office and eight district offices, and in an email to all the high school principals and/or guidance counselors in Iowa.
Completed essays must by typewritten (not handwritten) and should be sent to the Iowa Conference Peace with Justice Coordinator, Marian Solomon, 1801 20th Street, Ames, IA 50010, postmarked no later than April 15, 2009.
It is preferred that essays be sent via email by the same date to msolomon@mchsi.com.
Essays will be judged by a committee selected by the Iowa Conference Board of Church & Society of The United Methodist Church. There will be three winners. Each one will receive a $500.00 scholarship award. Winners’ names will be announced and scholarships presented on Friday, June 5, 2009, at the annual awards ceremony during the Iowa Annual Conference session in Ames.
2009 Topic
To enter the scholarship essay contest, submit an original essay of approximately 500 to 1500 words to the address/email address listed above. Essays should address this year’s topic:
“How can people of faith devote the same discipline and sacrifice
to non-violent peacemaking that the military devotes to war?”
Please contact Ms. Solomon with any questions.
Marian Solomon
Peace with Justice Coordinator
Iowa Conference Board of Church & Society
1801 20th Street
Ames, IA 50010
msolomon@mchsi.com
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
