July 20, 2010
Iowa Conference News
Amy Spaur featured on GBGM Website
Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON), a ministry of UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief), reaches out to the "alien" among us--immigrants who have nowhere to go for help. Amy Spaur, a United Methodist missionary serving as a Church and Community Worker with JFON in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, said:
The Biblical call to welcome the sojourner and defend the cause of the disenfranchised has always been a central piece of the church's mission in and to the world…. Given the current climate surrounding the issue of immigration, it is crucial for the church, through mission, to be a sign of God's presence to those who feel discriminated against, unwelcomed, unappreciated, and even unloved. Read more….
Thank You Note
Are You a “Mission Congregation”?
Are you part of a congregation that has a specific missional focus that we as an Annual Conference could not reach without forming a unique partnership together? If so, you may qualify as a “Mission Congregation”; and Mission Congregations qualify for possible Conference financial, coaching and other support.
You can learn about what Mission Congregations are by checking Par. 260 of the 2008 Book of Discipline and Action Item #712 in the 2006 Conference Journal (pp. 347-354), or seek out the guidelines for “Mission Congregations” on the Conference website. These guidelines also include the application for congregations that wish to apply to be considered for “Mission Congregation” designation.
Application or any questions you might have need to be sent to the Conference Parish Development Committee, in care of Scott Hibben, Iowa Conference Leadership Development Minister for evangelism and new ministry {scott.hibben@iaumc.org / 515-974-8926 (office) / 515-783-4372 (cell)}.
All MAP applications are due to his office by November 1, 2010.
Academy for New Ministry Development
The Academy for New Ministry Development will be having their next session on August 5, 2010 at St. John’s UMC in Davenport. St. John’s is located at 109 E. 4th Street in Davenport and their phone number is 563-324-5278. For a map and directions check out their website at: www.stjohnsumc-dav.com. An agenda of the event is provided below.
We would like to invite all pastors and church leaders to attend the dinner, worship and presentation given by the host (teaching) church and Pastors George White and Ron Carlson. This is a great opportunity for you to bring a team of people and experience what is happening at another church so that it stirs the discussion and fans the flames for your own congregation. We ask that anyone not currently part of the Academy for New Ministry Development pay for their own dinner ($9/person). To register, please contact Barb Mann as soon as possible at barb.mann@iaumc.org. Thank you.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Dinner provided by teaching church
6:00 pm – 6:20 pm Worship at teaching church
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Teaching church presentation
7:30 pm – 8:00 pm Q & A
Chad Jennings, Chair
Academy for New Ministry Development
Storm on Sunday Hits Okoboji Camp
Windy weekend around Iowa huh? Northwest Iowa was affected, the Okoboji area was pretty hard too.
Okoboji camp is fine. Though, at 6AM on Sunday morning, I questioned if we would be able to hold camp on Monday (or for the rest of the week for that matter). Camp has minimal facility damage, some cold storage food loss (without power for 36 hours), one canoe broken, one dock broken, a small pile of shingles from a building and significant tree damage. It looked like a war zone Sunday morning – every tree on the North campus was affected. Early Sunday morning, we contacted local UMCs so announcements could be made for assistance. Through the work of Okoboji’s INCREDIBLE STAFF (if I sound proud of them...it’s because they are the best!! They served tirelessly on their one day off to help clean up after the storm) and around 60 volunteers (with trucks, trailers, chainsaws and big hearts), after 10 hours of hard work, we had nearly all the North Campus cleared and ready to go – save some leaves and small sticks! We began the day with a plan to clear just camper areas – cabins, registration areas, program areas so we could have safe places for campers to gather the next day. As more and more volunteers showed up, we were able to complete nearly the whole North Campus. There are still major limbs down around 2 live power lines on the ground near the West side of Okoboji's staff residence. We also have a tall oak that fell into a neighbor’s yard which still needs cleared up. Once we get the all clear from Alliant, we’ll clear these areas.
Many in the Lakes are were not so lucky. Stories/pictures of significant damage to homes, business, vehicles and property are common. Most of those affected the greatest are within 1/2 mile of camp.
We’ve already entered an insurance claim for losses.
God is good. God provides. Our God is an Awesome God!
Blessings,
Keith
--
Keith Shew
Director, Okoboji United Methodist Camp & Retreat Center
21413 154th Street Place
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Toll Free: 866.856.9862
Fax: 712.336.1822
E-mail: keith@okobojicamp.com
www.okobojicamp.com
“Camp Gives Kids a World of Good”
United Methodist and Other News
UM higher education guidebook available
A new guidebook to the 121 United Methodist-related schools, colleges, universities and theological institutions is available. The guide is aimed at helping high school students and others easily compare tuition, degrees offered and possible financial aid. Each institution's website, contact information for the admission office as well as information about religious life on campus, dorms and sports are included."The Guidebook of United Methodist-Related Schools, Colleges, Universities and Theological Schools," which costs $5, can be ordered at cokesbury.com.
Call to Action offers signs of crisis and hope
First, the bad news: The United Methodist Church needs to change its operations denomination-wide to address financial challenges and be more relevant in its ministry around the globe. Then, the good news: Despite these challenges, many churches of varied sizes and settings have found ways to grow and thrive. Those are the findings of two studies by independent researchers released this week by the denomination’s Call to Action Steering Team. The reports included an “Operational Assessment of the Connectional Church” and a “Congregational Vitality” overview. The 16-member Call to Action Steering Team, which includes clergy and laity, will present recommendations based on the studies to the denomination's Council of Bishops and Connectional Table in November. Read more
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
