News

Conference called to Imagine during 2013 annual session

“Imagine: a Faithful Church - a Healthy World” is the theme of the 2013 session of the Iowa Annual Conference.  This 170th gathering of laity and clergy will formally open on Saturday, June 8, at 9:30 am and is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, June 10, at 4 pm.  The Conference will be held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The Conference session will feature the preaching of Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble, Rev. J. Robert Burkhart, and two guest Bishops –...

Matthew 25 plans benefit conversation and concert

Carrie Newcomer, Parker J. Palmer and Gary Walters (pianist) will join together to present a powerful evening of song and spoken word on Saturday, July 27, 2013.  The event, to be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids, is a benefit for the community building work of Matthew 25 Ministry Hub and the development of a Habitat for Humanity house in the flood-impacted area they serve.  The evening will be based on Palmer's book, Healing the Heart of Democracy: The...

Fire at Malawi UM Conference farm leads to loan from three US partners

An intruder started the October 2012 fire at the 19-acre farm at the Malawi United Methodist Conference Center in Mchinji. By the time the flames were doused, mulch grass had been charred and fruit trees and the irrigation system destroyed. The fire also damaged two houses and some outbuildings. Ankeny First United Methodist Church is one of three partner congregations committed to a 50/50 In Mission Together Partnership with churches in the Malawi Mission Conference. The additional...

UMCOR responds to Texas Tornadoes

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has sent emergency funds to the Central Texas Annual Conference to assist with immediate relief needs after severe weather, including tornadoes and baseball-size hail, shattered the relative quiet of the current US tornado season. Initial reports from the conference indicate that some 40 homes in North Central Texas were damaged when, at about 8:00 p.m. local time May 15th, storms swept across several counties. At least six people died,...

United Methodist Reporter to end publication

The Board of Directors of UMR Communications, parent and publisher of the United Methodist Reporter, has voted to cease operations effective May 31, 2013. The decision, made at a meeting on May 16, comes after painstaking review, hopeful exploration of alternatives, and frank realization that ending the longstandingministry is the only reasonable choice. The Board meeting was a sad time as well as an opportunity to affirm the valuable ministry of the remaining 26 employees of UMR...

UMW offers downloadable resource on immigration

A new resource from United Methodist Women on immigration includes Bible studies, worship, programs, hymns and prayers, church policy, articles and resources on controversial issues, a resource list, action ideas and articles linking immigration to other UMW social action priorities. Download a page or the full book   ...

West Des Moines to package Meals from the Heartland

The West Des Moines United Methodist Church, in connection with the "Rethink Church Change the World Challenge", will be hosting an event to package food for Meals From The Heartland on May 18.  The goal is to raise funds and complete the packaging to provide in excess of 50,000 meals for starving people around the world.  Tax deductible donations may be made payable to "Meals From The Heartland" and mailed to the church at 720 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines,...

Bishops meet with Brian McLaren

On May 6, active United Methodist bishops met with Brian McLaren, noted author and leader of the emerging church movement. McLaren and the bishops engaged in dialogue concerning promising signs in The United Methodist Church. In the spirit of the Wesley Covenant Prayer, he suggested the church is in a time of "letting go" and "letting come" what God wills. In many places, there are creative leaders emerging and prototypes developing that reflect new ways of being church,...

Chuck Knows Church: The Bread and the Cup

The United Methodist Board of Discipleship series “Chuck Knows Church” offers the second in a three-part series explaining the elements of Communion. This time the focus is on the Bread and the Cup. Learn why some churches use leavened bread and others don’t. Watch video Read more about the "Chuck Knows Church" series   ...

Bishops" Learning Forum Extends to Border

The third day of the Forum of Active Bishops’ meeting in San Diego began with a keynote address from Lt. General James Dubik, a retired Army general who shared lessons in leadership and change management gleaned from an exemplary 40-year military career. Gen. Dubik used his organizational skills to guide the U.S. Army through a time of transition. Now a consultant for the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management, he has utilized his expertise in transforming organizations to...

By all means, save some!

A commentary on the U.S. Senate vote against gun safety bills by Bishop Felton May* Tragedy comes in threes, some say. If that is so, then we’ve had our share on U.S. soil over the past two weeks. What’s left are vexing questions about what we can and will do next to limit future tragedies. The beloved Boston Marathon became a Boston Massacre April 15 when two unsuspected terrorists took precious lives and left broken, bloodied victims, along with a nation in shock at...

New website powers United Methodist young adults

A collaboration among United Methodist agencies and local ministries has produced a new website, revgo.org, to help connect young adults in "spiritual discernment through missional engagement." United Methodist-connected ministries that engage young adults as interns, missionaries, staff and ministry leadership teams can use REVGO as a platform for fundraising, story sharing and recruitment.   For more information ...

Updated malaria documentary now airing on NBC

United Methodist Communications is releasing an updated version of the Imagine No Malaria documentary, “Killer in the Dark: An Extraordinary Effort to Combat Malaria,” in collaboration with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission. This sequel, set to air on NBC affiliates through Nov. 3, reflects new research and scientific advancements in the fight against malaria. More information ...

Honor the special women in your congregation on Sunday, May 12

In the time it takes you to read this entire email, one more mother or child will die needlessly. Malaria claims a life every 60 seconds in Africa. The United Methodist Church has distributed more than 1.2 million mosquito nets in the region. In addition, the church operates 300 hospitals, clinics and health posts throughout Africa. But hundreds of thousands of mothers and children are still at risk and desperately need more nets, medicine and care. Will your church rise to the...

Matthew 25 seeks Cultivate Hope manager

Matthew 25 is still seeking to fill the position of Cultivate Hope Manager. This is a full-time position. Duties include: managing Matthew 25's Urban Farm, supervising seasonal staff and volunteers, and assisting with school gardens.  Required qualifications include: expertise in vegetable gardening/farming, strong verbal and written communications skills, program development experience, ability to manage time well, attention to detail, and a can-do attitude. For a fuller...

Batter that matters

by Katie Dawson, Iowa Coordinator for Imagine No Malaria 91 sites. 128 churches. Thousands of lives saved. Our Statewide Pancake Breakfast for Imagine No Malaria was an astounding success. With only a third of the participating sites reporting back by the time of printing, our outreach efforts served over 2,700 people and raised over $27,000! Churches big and small were involved in the effort. A community meal surrounding a visit from Bishop Trimble in Malvern brought...

Devotional book presented to Newtown First Responders

By Arthur McClanahan* Copies of Strength for Service to God and Community were given to three of Newtown, Connecticut’s first responders during a worship service at the Newtown United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 28, 2013.  The first-ever presentation of the newly publish “daily devotional messages for those in the service of others” was received “on behalf of the first responders of Newtown, thank you.  We appreciate it.  We’ll use it...

Strength for Service will help first responders "to continue to heal"

By Arthur McClanahan* Rob Sibley is one of Newtown, Connecticut’s first responders.  He was one of the first group to receive Strength for Service to God and Community, a devotional book created by the General Commission on United Methodist Men for firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel…the people in the community who rush towards danger to save and protect. “I started when my father was a police officer,” Rob Sibley said of his...

Van Buren County Confirmation Class retreat

By Douglas Harding* The Confirmation Class of the Van Buren Co United Methodist Churches participated in a weekend retreat in Des Moines April 19-21. The retreat enabled the students to learn about their Methodist history as well as modern day workings of their church. Attending were students: Hunter Boecker, Brooke Dunkin, Hanna Chubb, Quentin Story, Tessa Story and Martin Vineyard; pastors Ann Donat, Peggy Ellingson & Douglas Harding, and chaperons Beth & Fred Chubb. Bright...

2013 Annual Conference Photo A Day Challenge

Annual Conference 2013 is nearly upon us, where soon many Iowa United Methodists will gather together for worship, fellowship, and an opportunity to make a difference in the life of our church. For the 40 days prior to Annual Conference, we hope you will allow yourself some time for introspection and reflection. To help prepare ourselves for our time of worshipful work, the Communications Ministry Team of the Iowa Conference invites you to participate in a photo-a-day challenge....