August 10, 2010
Iowa Conference News
Thank You Notes
Happy 30th Birthday, San Pablo
On August 29th, the oldest Hispanic ministry in Iowa will be celebrating its 30th birthday.
In September 1980 Dora Campbell started a United Methodist, Spanish-language ministry in Muscatine called San Pablo. During the years since, San Pablo has grown or struggled depending upon the available leadership. They currently meet at the Musserville building of Fellowship UMC, Muscatine. Pastor Edgar Solis's band has the congregation of thirty-some dancing to the sounds of cumbia, ranchero and mariachi.
On August 29th, at 3:00, they will celebrate Fellowship Summerfest with an outdoor block party to which the neighborhood, Hispanic or not, is invited. Besides the 30th anniversary of San Pablo, they will also celebrate the Five Alive contemporary worship service's fourth anniversary. Both bands will play, Pastor Solis will preach, and they will offer games for children, prizes for adults, and food for everyone.
Pastor Jim Turner, reporting
Academy for New Ministry Development
Dear Friends: In Ephesians 4:16 we read: “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
The Academy for New Ministry Development is a two year long leadership development community of learning and practice, specifically designed for clergy and other professionals in ministry within the Iowa Conference. The Academy meets four times each year at teaching churches throughout Iowa, as well as occasionally at nationally known churches. Some of the places we have visited are Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City; Ginghamsburg UMC in Tipp City, Ohio; Willow Creek in Barrington, Illinois; Park Avenue UMC in Minneapolis; and others. Academy sessions are held on Thursday afternoons through Friday noon. The Academy pays for all hotel stays as well as bus transportation to out of state events. The core curriculum of the Academy follows the eight Quality Characteristics of Natural Church Development (NCD), along with various related books, and provides times at each Academy session for classes to meet and share their learning. Blogging among class members is also part of this “cross pollination” experience. This event has been approved by the Board of Ordained Ministry for three (3) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) per year.
If you are interested in being part of the new Academy XIII class which begins in January 2011, please refer to the instructions for completing the on-line application located on the Academy website at www.iaumc.org/anmd. Once completed, please email it to Barb Mann, Registrar at barb.mann@iaumc.org. And don’t overlook the instructions regarding the three Personal References also required. The deadline for applicants to submit their applications is October 15, 2010. If you are interested or you know of someone who might be interested in learning more, please have them contact Pastor Chad Jennings at bikerev@mchsi.com or 319-929-1867.
May God Bless Your Ministry,
Academy for New Ministry Development Commission
IRMS Resource Highlight: Young Adult
The Way of Pilgrimage - An Adventure in Spiritual Formation for the Next Generation (KT249) (NEW)
From Companions in Christ, this kit is designed to help students in high school or early college develop spiritual practices and a prayer life to use on their journeys. The DVD can be used as a stand-alone six-week study, or to introduce the full 30-week study. (Sr. High-YA)
Fruitcake and Ice Cream - An Unlikely Collision of Friendship and Grace (DV902) (NEW)
Louis Giglio shares the personal journal entries of a young woman who parties hard in college and becomes increasingly disengaged from God and turned off by most Christians - until unexpected events turn her world upside down. The guide suggests discussion questions. (YA-Adult)
Keep Climbing - Why God Doesn't Give You Everything You Want (KT261) (NEW) When Pastor Todd Phillips leads a church team to Russia to climb Mount Elbrus, he uses this extreme trek as the opportunity to explore how God works with us through challenges in our lives. Each of the four sessions also includes a bonus "I Am Second" story by a popular speaker. The resource has a leader's guide and a workbook. (Sr. High-Adult)
Halos and Avatars: Playing Video Games with God (BK1573) (NEW)
From Westminster John Knox Press, this book presents an engaging collection of up-to-the-minute essays on video games' theological themes. Contributors address video games as the new story-telling medium; theological implications of violent or apocalyptic video games; the impact of avatars, second lives, and social networks on our spiritual lives; and much more. (Sr. High-Adult)
Dream (DV748) is the first in a 4-volume series Dream. Think. Be. Do. (DV748=).
From progressive publisher Living the Questions, Dream looks at Faith as Journey, Stories of Creation, Reconciliation, Jesus and Risk. Featuring insights from theologians and teachers, plus graphics, narrations and music designed to engage young adults, each five-session module has a downloadable participant guide that connects the realities of today with rich theological thought. (See Alaire Willits' comments in "Resources in Use.") (YA-Adult)
Liquid: Live at Five (DV752) is based on the Book of James and explores living the Christian life in a practical way. This is the story of Natalie, fresh out of college, and struggling to find purpose for her life. There is a reflection guide with questions and leader tips. (Sr. High-Adult)
They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Responding to Culture's Objections to Christianity (DV608)
Based on the book of the same title, this resource brings viewers face-to-face with the thoughts and feelings of those who find the idea of following Jesus attractive, but reject organized religion. The insights allow participants to respond authentically to six main questions about the church and the Bible. A leader's guide and a participants' guide are included. (YA-Adult)
Generation Next: Speak Up Be Heard (DV536)
Journalist Judy Woodruff takes viewers across the US to examine the lives of 16-25 year-olds of "Generation Next." The program combines face-to-face conversations with findings from a Pew Research Center survey of Generation Nexters. Topics include debt, the war in Iraq, faith, news sources, etc. (Sr. High-Adult)
Generation Next 2.0 (DV537)
Judy Woodruff profiles seven more young people who share views on society and outlook for the future, offering their perspectives on sexuality, diversity, marriage, career and family. Featured individuals are as diverse as a gang member wanting to reform and a young man kicked out of his home because of gender orientation. (Sr. High-Adult)
United Methodist and Other News
Interpreter enrollment changes
We want to alert you to a very important change in the process to enroll your church leaders to receive complimentary subscriptions to Interpreter magazine. You will now receive this information DIRECTLY from United Methodist Communications and NOT from your district office. You can expect to receive this information soon after your charge conference.
We hope that by preparing you for this important change, you will be able to update your church’s Interpreter enrollment information for 2011 more easily.
If you’re ready to update your 2011 enrollment information today, you may use the online option at www.umcom.org/subscriptions. For questions, you may contact United Methodist Communications Customer Service at 888-346-3862, or by e-mail csc@umcom.org.
PAKISTAN:Worst Flooding on Record - 2 Million Affected
At least 1,200 people have died and 2 million have been displaced from their homes by the most severe flooding on record in northwest Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people remained isolated on rooftops awaiting rescue on Monday, as floodwaters destroyed bridges and roads, according to news reports.
Government buildings, businesses, thousands of acres of crops, and at least 29,500 homes have been completely destroyed by the floods that followed on the heels of extremely heavy monsoon rains that particularly affected Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
Additional rain is expected this week, which could provoke more flooding and increase fears of the spread of waterborne illnesses such as cholera. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is reaching out to partners in Pakistan, including Church World Service, Muslim Aid, and the Peshawar Diocese of the Church of Pakistan, and preparing an initial grant to assist in relief efforts.
“We are praying for the people who have lost loved ones, are left without homes and livelihoods, and for those who are trapped and waiting for food and clean water,” said the Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey, UMCOR’s top executive. “UMCOR is committed to addressing their needs and especially reaching out to those who are most vulnerable.”
Please support UMCOR’s response to the crisis in Pakistan with your gift to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450. Please write Pakistan Emergency on the memo line of your check.
UMCOR Care Teams for Gulf Coast
UMCOR and the Louisiana Annual Conference trained 128 clergy and laity to serve on Care Teams that will be sent to communities on the Louisiana coast that have been affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
“We expect to be sending teams for several months,” said Candy McCammon, Care Team supervisor for the conference. Teams will be sent to the British Petroleum compound to meet with oil spill response workers, and to community centers and local congregations to talk with those affected by the disaster.
Your gift to US Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670, helps UMCOR respond to this and other natural or human-caused disasters in the United States.
And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.
Taking a Break From the Lord’s Work
The findings have surfaced with ominous regularity over the last few years, and with little notice: Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could.
Click on the title above to read the New York Times article.
Agencies Receive Poor Grades on Mission
United Methodist general agencies rate below average in fulfilling the church’s mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Click here for more information
Retreat set for exploring ministerial call
A retreat is scheduled for United Methodists exploring the possibility of full-time professional ministry. The 2010 Ministry Discernment & Formation Retreat is planned for Sept. 9-11 at the Scarritt-Bennett Conference and Retreat Center in Nashville. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry as well as the Board of Global Ministries are sponsoring the event for those who are discerning a call to be an ordained deacon, elder, local pastor, chaplain, deaconess or home missioner. Registration costs $100. More information is available here.
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
