News & Information

Golden Valley District, PO Box 607, Marion IA 52302-0607 (closed on Fridays)

https://www.iaumc.org/-your direct link to the Iowa Conference webpage

Golden Valley Events Calendar:  Iowa Conference: Events (iaumc.org) 

This page was last updated on 1/25/2023

Family Ministry Coordinator Opening
First United Methodist Church of Iowa City is seeking an enthusiastic, well-qualified, and dependable candidate to serve as our Family Ministry Coordinator. We support a loving and caring children and youth ministry with intentional faith growth programs and activities. You will be joining a team dedicated to support our families and reach out to new people. This is a half time position. If you are interested in this position, please send a letter of interest and resume with references to Rev. Dr. Heecheon Jeon, Lead Pastor at hjeon@icfirstchurch.org.

Local Church Audit Form (Fund Balance Report) - Due March 1 

2022 Statistical Reporting 
Churches are asked to submit their statistical tables on-line by Tuesday, February 28, 2023
A letter was sent out via e-mail to each Church pastor, treasurer, finance chair, and office manager/church secretary on January 6th in regard to the 2022 Annual Statistical Reports. If you missed it, this is a link to the User Guide that was included with the letter. User Guide to Statistics 2022. 

The School for Lay Ministry not only provides you with an education it impacts your life.
The School for Lay Ministry (SLM) is more than a 12-course program to inspire, equip and encourage lay people: it is an education in worship planning, congregational care, doctrine and history, that will benefit not only you and your local church but will impact your life. 
Course schedule for 2023:
January 21 - Basic
Feb. 11 - Shaping the Prayers of the People
March 11 - Stewardship, Christian Ethics, and Conflict
April 22 - Methods of Biblical Interpretation
Sept. 16 or 30 - Proclamation and Sharing the Faith
Oct. 28 - Missions and Social Concerns
Read More

February 11 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Are you exploring a call to ministry?
The Candidacy Retreat, a requirement of the candidacy process, is an opportunity to further discern your call to ministry, learn more about the process, meet others on the journey, hear from those serving in different ministries and have a chance to ask questions.

The next Candidacy Retreat will be Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Please learn more and register here.

March 23 - 2023 Spring Orders and Fellowship Event
Chairs of the Orders & Fellowship invite elders, deacons, local pastors, and associate members to their 2023 Spring Orders and Fellowship event.

Iowa ACEs 360 will present at the 2023 Spring event, which will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023. They are a coalition that provides research, tools, and a network that will help guide those in attendance on taking informed actions to help individuals heal from trauma and thrive. It will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Des Moines.

Iowa ACEs 360 research problems, test solutions, identify best practices and advocate for system changes to address incredibly complex challenges related to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). They believe that by working together, we can create compassionate communities that support all Iowans in life-long healthy development.

The 2023 Spring Orders and Fellowship event will be hybrid, meaning you may attend this event in person or virtually. The cost is $30.

CEUs will be available for those who attend the event in person or hybrid. 

Please click here to register. To reserve a lunch, register by March 23, 2023.

IUM Foundation Scholarships OPEN Now
The Iowa United Methodist Foundation offers thousands of dollars in scholarships every year to students who demonstrate academic and community excellence. Download our scholarship flyer and bulletin insert to help spread the word. Find More Application Information HERE

2023 Iowa Annual Conference

The 2023 Iowa Annual Conference will be held June 2-4, 2023 at the RecPlex in West Des Moines and offered as a hybrid experience for those choosing to join remotely. The Call to Order and Episcopal Address will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 2. Clergy Session will be earlier that morning at a time and location to be determined and Laity Session will be at 7:00 pm that evening at the RecPlex.

A special called annual conference for the focused work of disaffiliation is scheduled on November 18, 2023.

Apportionment Resources
The calculations for the 2023 Iowa Annual Conference Apportionments have been completed and the information has been published on the Iowa Conference website under the Finance and Administration, Apportionment Resources page (https://www.iaumc.org/ApportionmentResources)
2023 Apportionments Breakdown for Golden Valley District Churches

Nominations - The Nominations committee are continually seeking new people with high energy, amazing gifts and professional talents to serve on district and conference level boards, committees and commissions. Nominate yourself by filling out a leadership pool form. The Leadership Pool form is easy to fill out, will help you discern your spiritual gifts, ways you would like to serve, and give you detailed information about each board, committee or commission where leaders are needed. Fill out the Leadership Pool form. Even if you can’t serve now, we can record your interest for future positions.