February 18, 2009
Iowa Conference News
Pages are needed for Annual Conference June 4-7
A Page is a youth who runs errands, carries messages, distributes materials and waits upon members of a legislative or decision making body. Since the Iowa United Methodist Conference is a decision making body as it receives reports, acts upon recommendations and develops programs and policies for the future, Pages are needed to assist in its operation and to serve the 1800+ members who attend. The Deadline for applications is April 15, 2009!
Click here for more information
God of Many Names, The Academy for Spiritual Formation®
August 9-14, 2009
American Martyrs Retreat House
2209 North Union Rd, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Open to lay and clergy persons, to persons of all denominations and to any person searching for a deepened faith
A time of celebrating holistic spirituality - using gifts of mind, body and spirit to grow in Christ
An experience in Christian living, where walking faithfully with God is the goal
A way to help fill the deep spiritual hunger that characterizes many lives
The Iowa United Methodist Foundation is offering the Current Investment Rates* Effective: 2/23/09
Fixed Rate Fund
Available for Churches and Agencies minimum deposit $2,500
3 Months 2.06%
6 Months 2.48%
1 Year 2.95%
2 Year 3.24%
3 Year 3.58%
4 Year 3.69%
5 Year 4.02%
Iowa United Methodist Church Building Fund Trust
Available for Individuals, Churches and Agencies in even $1,000 increments
1 Year 3.05%
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
Manning Speaker Series to focus on spiritual aging
Dr. Harry Moody, an expert on aging in a religious context, will be the featured speaker for the Clifford and Maxine Manning Speakers Series at Iowa Wesleyan College, March 11 and 12, 2009.
Moody will present The Stages of the Soul: Aging and Spirituality in World Religions on Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. His program will be in the Howe Activity Center Social Hall on the IWC campus in Mt. Pleasant. It will be followed by a book-signing.
On Thursday, March 12, there will be A Conversation with Dr. Harry Moody at 11 a.m. in the Howe Activity Center Social Hall. It will be followed by lunch at the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant.
At 1 p.m. on Thursday, Moody will speak on Aging and Spirituality for Pastors and Caregivers at the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant.
Moody is known nationally for his work in older adult education. He is currently director of academic affairs for AARP. He also serves as senior associate with the International Longevity Center-USA and as senior fellow of Civic Ventures.
Moody is the author of more than 100 scholarly articles and book chapters on aging. His most recent book, “The Five Stages of the Soul,” outlines a schematic for spiritual aging.
All speaking events are free and open to the public. The lunch will include box lunches for five dollars each; reservations are required and can be made by calling the church at 319-385-1740.
The annual Manning lecture series was established as an endowment by Rev. Dr. Clifford and Maxine Manning in 2003. This speaker series helps strengthen the College’s relationship with the United Methodist Church and area Christian churches, and enables the College to host quality programs of a religious nature for students and the public.
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
New Resources at Iowa Religious Media Services
Three more recently acquired resources are targeted at preschoolers to upper elementary aged children.
Project Choice: A 6-Week Study to Help Children Ages 7-10 make Godly choices. This six week course leads children into the awareness that life is a series of choices. IT provides a fun and inspirational path towards effective decision making. They lean to make choices and solve problems through faith, not fear. The workbook includes daily inspirations, journaling space, recipes, exercise programs, homework assignments, and case studies, for the leader to choose from.
Can be used for midweek or Sunday sessions. All components are included on the DVD.
Storyteller Café: Each story in the award-winning 3-D computer-animated series the Bible is brought to life by toys that come to life at night after the café closes. These toys re-enact treasured stories from the Bible, always referred to as The Book. Each story includes interesting details about what places really looked like and how people lived, as seen through the eyes of some fascinating characters who use their laptop computer stage to bring the details to life. Seven DVDs with stories 23-47 minutes. Suitable for kids 4-12.
Read and Share DVD Bible / 13 Stories from the Old and New Testament:
The Read And Share™ Bible combines an enchanting art style with a warm narrator and gentle musical underscore to transport kids back to Biblical times. The bite-size vignettes are perfect for the attention span of little ones, and give parents maximum flexibility to fit any time-frame. Stories range from "The Beginning" and "Adam and Eve" to "Jesus is Born", "Jesus is Tempted", "Jesus Love Children", and "One Lost Sheep". Each story is a 3 minute bite-sized tale. Suitable for preschool to lower elementary.
Check out for preview or usage, either on line in the catalog, with a phone call or by emailing questions@irms.org.
IRMS is committed to serving you by continually adding the best, most relevant new resources to our collection. Your nominal investment in an IRMS membership is the best stewardship of your resource dollars in this tight economy.
United Methodist and Other News
Spiritual Leaders Conference (GBOD) to be held August 17-20, 2009
“Mystery in a Nutshell: Sharing in God’s Glory”
Leaders: Bishop Rueben Job, Dr. Amy Oden, Bishop Hee Soo Jung and Bishop Bruce Ough.
More Information coming soon from the GBOD!
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
