March 17, 2009
Iowa Conference News
Pages Needed for Annual Conference June 3rd – 7th
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.
Click here for more information on being a Page.
Click here for the application.
Bishop Trimble Helps Nigerians See the Light
To see clearly is a blessing many of us take for granted. Good vision is not always a reality for many persons especially those in Nigeria. There river blindness, cataracts, accidents related to the eye are not addressed. In 2008, the Eye Centre, part of the UMC Rural Health Program, held an “Eye Camp” whereby 107 patients had free eye surgeries. Assisted by two eye care nurses from Cedar Rapids, Dr. Avar was able to bring sight to these persons. For his successful eye surgeries he was honored as “2008 Eye Surgeon of the Year” by the Christian Blind Mission of Nigeria.
In 2009, Dr. Avar proposes another “Eye Camp” in the rural area around Pero. Upon hearing about this opportunity to bring sight to the blind, Bishop Julius Trimble has provided $150 for one free eye surgery. Won’t you join him as we bring spiritual as well as physical sight to Nigeria’s blind population? Your gift may be sent through your local church to the Conference Treasurer designated #INP, #230, Eye Camp.
Fill The Truck at Annual Conference!
Fill ‘er Up! We’re headed to UMCOR Sager Brown Depot. Iowa UMC’s do a great job helping others. Help us fill the truck at Annual Conference this year!
For more information, click here.
Additional Scholarship assistance available for The ‘Source trainings!
Young People’s Ministries of the General Board of Discipleship is now offering $29 scholarships to attend The ‘Source - a networking and training opportunity for adults who work with youth and/or young adults. These $29 scholarships from GBOD are in addition to scholarships in the amount of $25 already available to Iowa Conference adults in youth and/or young adult ministry attending any ‘Source training. This makes the registration amount paid for this training only $5! The process is simple: Register for any Source training at www.gbod.org/thesource and select the “Source – 2009 Scholarship” button. Then download a scholarship application from the conference youth and young adult ministries page at www.iaumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=1003. Fill out the form and send it in! Don’t miss this great opportunity The 2009 focus of The ‘Source trainings is Spiritual Formation. Choose from among 10 locations across the nation, including Sioux City, Iowa (May 15-16, 2009) and Kansas City, Missouri (May 29-30, 2009).
Our Promise: Witness Supplement Available On-line
Promises to Keep: A Study of the Meaning of Membership in The United Methodist Church was written in 2005 by Rev. Scott Keele Kober, Rev. Jill Sanders and Bishop Gregory Palmer. At the 2008 General Conference a new promise was added, our witness. Rev. Scott Keele Kober has written a supplement chapter entitled Our Promise: Witness to use with the study.
Click here to open the supplement.
Reminder: UMCOR coming to the North Central Jurisdiction
Ten Annual Conferences of the North Central Jurisdiction had serious disaster problems in 2008! Since it is important to be as prepared as possible for the next go around, an UMCOR Disaster Preparedness Academy for the North Central Jurisdiction will take place April 19-22, 2009 at Epworth Forest (Indiana Conference).
All Conference Disaster Response Coordinators, Conference Directors of Connectional Ministries, and Conference UMVIM Coordinators or their designated substitute should try to be there. Anyone with an interest in this ministry is also invited to come and learn and participate. Final registration details are online <http://www.gbgm-umc.org/northcentralvim/disaster_response.html> or write Lorna Jost, Coordinator, UMVIM-NCJ, < umvim-ncj@brookings.net> for the information.
Social Issues Addressed In New IRMS Resources
During the last several months, the IRMS Preview Committee has reviewed nearly 30 potential resources and added 24 into the collection. Among them are:
WHEN TEMPERS FLARE - A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING & MANAGING ANGER Two clinical psychologists specializing in anger disorders guide an exploration of how we experience anger. Then they offer practical strategies for expressing anger in constructive ways rather than in rage or avoidance, both of which have detrimental effects on physical and emotional health. 35 minute DVD with Support Guide that includes 5 days of Biblical reflections. Suitable for adults
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS This 2007 DVD was named Best Documentary at the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival. Through seven character-driven stories, we see the transgressions people are unwilling or unable to forgive as well as the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that come with forgiveness. Stories ranging from peace-building in Northern Ireland to an Amish school shooting to the Holocaust, American slavery and the violent death of a family member, we discuss the effects of forgiveness in a wide range of conditions. Includes interviews with Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hnh, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, and others. Discussion materials at www.journeyfilms.com 87 minute DVD plus bonus features can be viewed in several sessions or selectively. Suitable for youth and adults.
EMBRACING AGING: FAMILIES FACING CHANGE In this resource we see families facing the impact of aging - housing issues, the "never get old" medical model, dealing with parent care, escalating health care issues and costs, setting up a network of care, the role of faith, and more. The segments ranging from 2 to 13 minutes were designed to be viewed all at once, but can be viewed and discussed separately. Bonus segments are interviews with experts such as Dr. Ira Byock, Director of Palliative Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, a geriatric social worker at the same institution and Stella Henry, author of THE ELDER CARE HANDBOOK. A study guide is available at www.embracingaging.com 58 minute DVD plus 38 minute bonus interviews. Suitable for adults.
Check these resources out for preview or usage, either on line in the catalog. The newer numbers begin with DVDs at DV552 and kits at KT211. Or you may call IRMS, or email 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.
Summer Mission Camp
This summer, the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub will offer an amazing learning opportunity to youth in 6th-12th grade. Our summer mission camps will not only give you a chance to help people who have experienced the worst natural disaster in Iowa's history, they will also be hands-on learning experiences. Youth will learn about how a community responds to a natural disaster and the unique role communities of faith have in disaster zones. We will also have time for team building and fun. These camps take place July 5-10 and 12-17th. The cost is $200 per person and groups must bring one adult for every 5 youth. Space is limited, so send in the registration form on the attached brochure soon if you are interested. Feel free to contact Matthew 25 at info@hub25.org if you need more information or call us at 319-362-2214 with questions. We hope to see you this summer. Please see brochure attached for additional information.
Our church people are inviting your church people to join us for a Conference on October 23-24, 2009!
We are calling it the “Next Step Conference” because we will be sharing some approaches to ministry which have worked for us and which might provide some helpful ideas as you consider future steps in ministry at your own church. These ideas range from multi-site ministry to puppet ministry. They include sports evangelism, children’s ministry, mission partnerships, and vitalizing your church organizational structure by moving from committees to ministry teams.
Dr. Doug Anderson, Executive Director of the Bishop Rueben Job Center for Leadership Development, will provide the keynote address on Friday evening and will offer a workshop the next day focused on the needs of smaller membership churches. Friday’s bar-b-que dinner will be held in the new facility we have constructed to house sports, recreation, and fitness ministries. Tours will be offered.
We believe the Next Step Conference will help any church, regardless of size, generate ideas to enhance their ministry – and we would be honored if your church would join us in October!
For a preliminary agenda and workshop list please follow the link on our website: http://www.ankenyfumc.org/content.cfm?id=2203.
Blessings…
Bob and Martha Ward, Lead Co-Pastors
Ankeny First United Methodist Church
515-964-4249
Iowa United Methodist Church Building Fund Trust is offering the following rate Effective: 3/16/09*
This fund is available for Individuals, Churches and Related Agencies
(Deposits must be even $1,000 increments)
1 Year 3.00%
These investments are used to provide loans to United Methodist Churches in Iowa
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
United Methodist and Other News
United Methodist Hymnal Revision Website
www.umchymnal.org
The website for the United Methodist hymnal revision project has gone live this morning, 03/10/2009. While this is just the beginning and much more will be made available with time, here you will find information on the project, the committee members, press releases, legislation, meetings, and more.
Stewardship: Grateful and Graceful Living
Saturdays, April 4 and May 2
9:30 AM-3:30 PM - Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, Minn.
It’s not too early to start thinking about stewardship. This Academy class will explore multiple themes related to the theology and practice of stewardship: ecological stewardship, economic stewardship, stewardship of life, stewardship of political power, stewardship of the gospel and of God’s mysteries, and stewardship of the gifts for ministry of the whole people of God. Church finance, fund-raising, and stewardship programs are highlighted within this broader theological framework emphasizing the church’s witness to God’s love for the world. A holistic Christian lifestyle is interpreted as an individual’s faithful response to God’s love, so that stewardship and discipleship go hand in hand.
Joseph Bush is director of masters studies and associate professor of life and leadership of the congregation. He teaches courses in stewardship, leadership, and finance. He is an ordained United Methodist minister and served congregations as well as seminaries in New Jersey, New Zealand, and the Republic of Fiji before joining the faculty at United. His book, Gentle Shepherding, was named one of the Top 10 of 2006 by the Academy of Parish Clergy.
Cost: $225.00
Registration deadline: Saturday, March 28
Registration required: Online at http://mercury.unitedseminary.edu/ce/vital/vitalreg.htm or call 651.255.6138.
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities spring convocation
april 29 & 30, 2009
Worship is central to the sustenance and vitality of all congregations. Creating significant worship that remains faithful and creative is the challenge for many congregations. This year’s Spring Convocation at United Theological Seminary will focus on creating significant worship from several vantage points. Marty Haugen, nationally known musician and composer, will keynote the opening and closing presentations.
CONVOCATION PROGRAM COSTS
Both Days
Before March 13 - $90
After March 13 - $115
Retired - $50
Student - $45
Single Day
April 29 - $65 (retired $50, student $45)
April 30 - $65 (retired $50, student $45)
CONVOCATION ALUM EVENTS
President’s Lunch for Alums - $10
Reception and Banquet for Alums and Friends - $25
Annual Alum Breakfast - $8.50
For more information and to register, go to www.unitedseminary.edu/CommunityPrograms/convocation.asp or call 651.255.6138.
Church Leadership & Effective Management Conference
- a conference for putting the church leadership puzzle together!
March 24-26, 2009 - First United Methodist Church, Arlington, TX
Because of the current economic situation we are lowering the price of this excellent conference to $250, and hope that this will make it easier for you to attend. We have great hotels at a low rate and we will be able to provide transportation from the airport to the hotels and also to the church if you don't have a car.
Please click here to go to our website and see the full brochure and details of the conference leadershipnexus.net/Arlington.html.
For information on scholarships, CEU's and doctoral credit, call our office- 918-477-7549 or email us at bpierson@leadershipnexus.net
To register, click here: http://leadershipnexus.com/registration/store.php?rn=397&action=show_detail
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
