January 5, 2010
Iowa Conference News
Free Youth Ministry Training Opportunity!
Youth Strike for Christ is again this year sponsoring a FREE training opportunity for adults who work in youth ministry – volunteer or paid staff - in the Iowa Conference. Youth Strike is inviting church youth workers to come as our guests on Saturday afternoon, February 6, 2010 to join us for lunch or dinner, experience something of what Youth Strike is about, and participate in some great training opportunities. All events will be held at the Polk County Convention Center in Des Moines (501 Grand Ave). You’re welcome to attend any or all of the events below.
The day will include:
- 11:45 am -12:00 pm 1st Registration and Welcome opportunity
- 12:00 -1:00 pm Lunch
- 1:00 – 1:30 pm Praise Band - Harlend
- 1:30 – 2:00 pm Main Speaker – Kelly Croy
- 2:00 – 3:00 pm Conversation and Networking with other adults in youth ministry
- 3:00 – 3:15 pm 2nd Registration and Welcome opportunity
- 3:15 – 4:15 pm Workshop option 1
- 4:15 – 4:45 pm Break with Refreshments and Conversation with other youth leaders
- 4:45 – 5:45 pm Workshop option 2
- 6:00 – 7:00 pm Dinner
- 7:00 – 8:30 pm Comedian - Bob Stromberg
All parts of the afternoon and evening are FREE, but spaces are limited. In order to register for these opportunities contact DeeDee Sobotka at deedee.sobotka@iaumc.org or 515.974.8912 before January 20. Spaces will be filled as registrations are received. You do NOT need to attend Youth Strike for Christ in order to participate in this opportunity. Register today!
A Conversation with Carol Howard Merritt
A Conversation with Carol Howard Merritt, author of Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation and the upcoming Reframing Hope: Looking at Vital Ministry in a New Generation, will be held on February 19, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 pm and on February 20. 2010 from 9:30-11:30 am at 1st United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa (1001 Pleasant Street). A $10 registration fee for each conversation can be paid at the door before each event. These conversations are sponsored by First United Methodist Church in Des Moines; Martha Hill DiSilvestro, Central District Field Outreach Minister; and The Young Adult Ministries Office of the United Methodist Church in Iowa.
Carol Howard Merritt is a minister in her thirties, who has served congregations in Louisiana and Rhode Island. Currently, she is a pastor at Western Presbyterian Church, an innovative, intergenerational congregation in Washington, D.C. Western is the home of Miriam’s Kitchen, a feeding program that serves a hot, nutritious breakfast to over 200 homeless men and women every weekday morning. Carol has written for several magazines and journals, and is the award-winning author of Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation (The Alban Institute, 2007). Her next book, Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry in a New Generation will be out in February. She blogs at TribalChurch.org and co-hosts God Complex Radio, an Internet radio show with Bruce Reyes-Chow, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
‘a conversation with...’ is an occasional conversation series focusing on the theological groundings of, and the practical implications for ministry with young adults.
For more information contact:
Eric Guy, Leadership Development Minister
Young Adult and Generational Ministry
The United Methodist Church in Iowa
eric.guy@iaumc.org * 515.874.8944
Schedule crazy…
No time and No support…
Body out of Shape…
Eating out of control…
TAKE TIME TO CARE FOR YOURSELF
and
LEARN A DIFFERENT WAY
Clergy, Spouses & Conference Staff
A Resource of the General Board of Pensions
Servant Leadership Self-Care
Retreat
February 28-March 1, 2010
5 pm to 5 pm at Wesley Woods Cost: $50
Leader: Kae Tritle, RN Wellness Coordinator
Register at bktritle @msn.com by Feb. 19, 2010
Sponsored by the Iowa Annual Conference Wellness Program
JOY – Full Outreach in Lenox
Click here to view this week’s Thank You Note
United Methodist and Other News
UMCOR marks its 70th birthday in 2010. The anniversary is a milestone in a history of hope that has provided relief and other assistance to millions of people around the world. UMCOR will continue in the future to do God’s compassionate work through the generosity of United Methodists and their friends.
UMCOR is grateful to all of its supporters. Thank you for your faithful participation, for exemplifying stewardship in all things. UMCOR strives to be faithful to Jesus Christ, who sends the church to those in need, and to those who give to this work. May you be blessed as we enter another new year, and may the months ahead be bright with the hope of faith in Christ.
Click here to view a timeline of UMCOR’s work
Amplify Hope
As you were preparing for Christmas Eve services, Radio Methos in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, filled the airwaves with its first broadcast. Hard work by United Methodists in Côte d’Ivoire, as well as support from United Methodist Communications, the Texas Annual Conference and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, culminated in a station ready to broadcast programs about subjects such as malaria and HIV/AIDS; employment; peace, justice and reconciliation; and hope from the gospel message.
The radio station will be financially self-sustaining in one year. However, until then it needs your support to continue its programming. Don't miss this opportunity to amplify hope by supporting this project with a donation of $25, $60, $100, $200 or any other amount.
Don’t forget to leave a message by January 1, 2010, to be broadcast on Radio Methos, letting your voice amplify hope to more than 4 million people. Call 1-800-251-4091 to leave an inspirational quote, scripture, testimony of God’s grace or other positive message for playback on the air. (Hear sample messages.)
Learn more about this project.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Primetimers
Nancy Eubanks, GBGM Consultant for Primetimers, extends greetings from Christmas just past and the New Year about to come. She writes "These 'in between days' are sometimes special vacation and rest times and for others it is back to work. Whatever your situation - I hope these are good days. I am also writing to remind you about Primetimers registrations - we have several in place already but need more in order to hold the events with the minimums listed. If you have been 'thinking about it', please go forward with the application process. As in the past, if an event is cancelled for lack of participants, your deposit will be immediately refunded in total. If you need information about any specific event, please let me know and it will be sent to you. The Primetimers web site has all the details and applications may be downloaded from there.. Thank you and Blessings !" Places on the Primetimers plate are: South Texas-Mexico Border Ministries, Costa Rica, Alaska, New Mexico, Georgia and Jamaica!
PAUMACS Certification Institute
Our Certification Institute is being held July 18 – 23, 2010. The registration fee for the 201 Institute is $315.00*. This includes course materials, a continental breakfast Monday through Friday, a couple of lunches and dinners (Sunday & Thursday). Travel, room, additional meals and any other incidentals are the responsibility of each participant Arrangements have been made with Emory University for air-conditioned dormitory rooms at $38.00* for singles, per day and $30.00* per person, per day for doubles.
*These rates are as of November 2009.
Please see the brochure for more details.
Hi Friends of Children
Children's Ministry Forum '10 registration is fully activated - including workshops.
Just go to www.gbod.org/cmf to see up-to-date information about the February 23-25, 2010 event in Raleigh, NC.
The leadership is dynamic and energizing. Workshops are filled with helpful information. AND the food will be delicious!
Spend time with new friends and return feeling refreshed and renewed for the year ahead.
Register now and use funds available at the end of the year for help cover the costs of the event!
Know others who would like this information? Just forward this to them with your own personal invitation.
See you in Raleigh!
Advent blessings, Mary Alice
Mary Alice Gran
Director of Older Children's Ministries
Discipleship Ministries Division
GBOD | The United Methodist Church
Nashville, TN
mgran@gbod.org
www.GBOD.org/children
Toll-free: (877) 899-2780 X 7143
Equipping World-Changing Disciples
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
