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Winning through…Flossing? By: Rev. Lee Roorda Schott I hate flossing my teeth. I’m actually not crazy about anything teeth related. I don’t like going to the dentist. The one root canal I’ve had to endure felt like torture.    I do appreciate teeth, however. Eating is a pleasurable activity, and teeth are pretty handy for that. And we know they don’t survive life’s full journey, for everyone. So there’s that.   For more than half my life, I didn’t floss my teeth. But as the years passed, bending...

9/20/2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information: Contact Mallory Webster, Communications Manager 217-457-4600 [email protected]   On September 20, North Central Jurisdiction Bishops, Assistants to the Bishops, and Directors of Connectional Ministries, joined Midwest Mission in the joy of serving during the College of Bishops meeting.   Those in attendance modeled a missional mindset as they joined together during their meeting and served with Midwest Mission to participate in ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  The Mind of Christ October 1, 2023, 18th Sunday After Pentecost, World Communion Sunday Ex 17:1-7, Ps 78:1-4, 12:16, Phil 2:1-13, Matt 21:23-32 By Martha Dalton Ward, [email protected] The epistle lesson for World Communion Sunday is Philippians 2:1-13, an appropriate message for our multi-fractured Church as we gather ...

In 1949, a conversation between four men returning from a threshing reunion in Illinois sparked the idea of hosting an Iowan version in Mount Pleasant and formed the Midwest Old Threshers Association. The first reunion was held in 1950, and the Mount Pleasant First United Methodist Church started hosting a food stand as a fundraiser at the reunion in 1952.  This year, they have marked 71 years of fellowship and connection, where they raised over $30,000, served nearly 1,800 blue-ribbon ...

“Are you going to run away?” began Rev. Brian Oliver during his message at his September 10 installation service, which marks the beginning of his ministry serving as the Golden Valley District Superintendent. “I was asked that question by the first United Methodist pastor I ever knew, Reverend Bob Culbertson, who, at that time, was chaplain at the Door of Faith Mission in Des Moines.”  Washington United Methodist Church hosted Oliver’s installation celebration last Sunday, which included a ...

September is Disaster Preparedness Month. And while we can’t be prepared for everything that might happen to and around us, we can have some basic plans made to help us navigate disaster. Disaster, by its very nature, is self-defined. Some are large and impact many people; some are smaller and affect fewer people. Each of us reacts to disaster in different ways. Taking a few minutes to GET PREPARED will help you to keep safe in a disaster.     HAVE A PLAN - Talk to your family and workplace and ...

Submitted by Rev. Cindy Hickman If you are new to the United Methodist Church (UMC) or have lost your way in too many acronyms, COSROW is the Commission on the Status and Role of Women. In 1972, the United Methodist Church established COSROW to “challenge the UMC for the full and equal participation of women in the total life and mission of the Church.” You can learn more about the Commission at https://www.resourceumc.org/en/partners/gcsrw/home. Each annual conference is required to establish ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Un-Begrudging Christianity September 24, 2024 – 17th Sunday After Pentecost Matthew 20:1-16 By Rev. Dr. Gary Armstrong  The parables of Jesus seem to expose us. They are like stories in which we see ourselves, but do not always like what we see.  However, the fact that we read the parables and hear the stories told means that ...

By: Rev. Cindy Hickman I just returned from a trip to Ireland. On the first day of our trip our driver/guide encouraged us to chat with the Irish people we met. He told us the Irish liked to meet people and anticipated conversation. “They will give you their time,” he told us.  Those words struck me. It is such a statement of generosity.  To stop whatever one is doing. To pause with a stranger. To see that person as someone worth listening to. To listen and respond. To give your time.  We found ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers September 17, 2023 - 16th Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 50:15-21; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35        By Rev. Mara Bailey Giving to Others What God Has Given to Us The texts for this week seem to open the door to profound opportunities to address forgiveness, judgment, hospitality, and accountability. ...

A God that doesn't need a flashy introduction By: Pastor Nate Mason “He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”   Remember how cool the first Avengers movie was?  There’s a lot of talk about “Superhero Fatigue” in the movie industry.  I’m too much of a biased dork to have an objective opinion on the subject.  I’m still excited to see movies about the B and C list heroes ...

Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, author and Director of Fresh Expressions in the Florida Annual Conference, led two days of Fresh Expressions workshops for Iowa United Methodists designed to spark ideas and engage new people.   About 80 pastors and laity attended Monday’s workshop held at New Hope UMC in Des Moines. On Tuesday, Beck spoke with circuit leaders before attending a  planning meeting with the cabinet on Wednesday.   “After a long and difficult season, it’s exciting to see Iowa United ...

Judi Calhoon has accepted a new position with the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church as a Database Coordinator and Communication Specialist.   This newly developed position will work with all departments to ensure the integrity of information within the conference database. In addition, Calhoon will manage the website and assist in coordinating branding and communications.  Calhoon has been an Iowa Conference District Administrative assistant for 25 years. She has worked in the ...

Submitted by Pastor Chan Kim God Saw All That He Had Made, and It Was Very Good. Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Contaminated Water Discharge Is Not Like That Brothers and sisters in Christ, God's many blessings be upon you!   I am a pastor of Rockford-First and Marble Rock United Methodist Church. I live in Rockford, Floyd County, the home of the Devonian fossils. This beautiful and wide-open "Fossil and Prairie Park" is about two miles from my parsonage. This summer I had a visit from my ...

The Solitude You Inhabit By: Rev. Dr. Mary Lautzenhiser Bellon Contemplative priest and author Henri Nouwen often said that being solitary and being in community are complements. As I was dwelling on that, I reflected on how my own contemplative practice connects me more, I believe, with the heart of the world. I hope you enjoy the poem.   The Solitude You Inhabit   I must venture  into solitude to find you – oh, not just the sounds of breath from the rhythmic lungs of God, but all of you and ...

Submitted by: Mallory Webster, Midwest Mission Communications Manager In July, Midwest Mission, based out of Pawnee, Illinois, opened its second location in Jefferson, Iowa. Midwest Mission is a faith-based non-profit organization that works to provide humanitarian aid both domestically and internationally in the areas of disaster relief, health, education, and microbusiness.   The Iowa location needed an electric pallet jack to easily move pallets in the building. The cost was $6,000. Bill ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers September 10, 2023 - 15th Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 149, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20        By Rev. Paul Wilcox An Urgent Cry for Decision Our readings for Sept. 10th have a common theme:  the clash between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. Psalm 149 begins with a ...

Submitted by: Julie Poulsen, Chair, Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministries Our college chaplains and Wesley Foundation directors had a busy week last week as students moved in and classes started. If you have students from your church or town who are United Methodist or are looking for a place of faith and acceptance, please let the chaplain/directors know.  On freshman move-in day at Morningside University, there was a "Family Blessing & Sending" service to name God's promises and ...

Midwest Mission Sunday is a day to celebrate the joy of serving and encourage churches to do this with their congregations and communities. There is nothing like being the hands and feet of Jesus to lift our spirits and remind us of our calling to serve one another. This year, Midwest Mission’s goal is to have 2,023 people serving on that Sunday and to make an impact from Christ around the world and around the corner. Midwest Mission wants you to help start a revolution to expose new people to ...

Abiding in Hope By: Rev. Lee Roorda Schott A year ago, I wrote a reflection on hope. It was the announcement of our turn—in this weekly series of posts—from exile to hope. We had been “Abiding in Exile” through the pandemic. With the waning of that experience, a turn toward hope seemed appropriate.    Appropriate, but not entirely easy. I mentioned in that post some ways I was finding hope complicated. It’s this thing on the other side of suffering, and endurance, and character,[1] and who wants...

Hello All, I am getting a number of comments about the Oasis Network. Churches are welcome to join the network if the pastor and the board vote to be part of the network, AND they have a lay team willing to attend trainings and reach out to people who may or may not ever step foot in their church. If a church was not asked it had nothing to do with the church, the pastor, and most certianlly was not a punishment of any kind. Let me know if there are questions I can address. Blessings, Rev. ...

Submitted by Amy Johnson, Pastor of Osceola United Methodist Church This past school year, 31% of Iowa schools had a rate higher than 50% of students participating in the free or reduced school lunch program, including all three of the Clarke Community Schools, both East Union schools, both Central Decatur schools, and both Mormon Trail Schools. Our area schools are a hot spot of rural poverty in Iowa. Parents, most having struggled all summer, are preparing to send their children back to ...

Sometimes things are hard to comprehend until you see them. Tales of the volume of pies sold during RAGBRAI (Registers Annual Bike Ride Across Iowa) have been told for the 50 years the bicycle ride has existed, but until you see it, it is hard to believe. United Methodist Churches are known by riders to be one of the best places to get a meal on the route, and many riders expressed appreciation that the funds go back to the community through ministry. The Iowa Annual Conference created a map ...

Tuesday’s at 7 pm on Zoom: Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, 2023 Watch Bishop Kennetha's Invitation Video Friends, in November, we will begin a virtual, conference-wide Advent Study of Bishop Ken Carter’s new book, Unrelenting Grace. Bishop Carter calls grace the essence of a holy life, in which we recognize that God’s loving presence in our lives is a gift. Being able to receive that gift and extend it to others “…stretches us, mystifies us, unravels us, and ultimately heals us,” he ...

The Dawson United Methodist Church in Dawson, Iowa, which closed in June of this year, gave a $5,000 donation to Midwest Mission from their remaining funds. Denise Heinze said before closing that their parish had been very active in United Methodists Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM). It had taken several mission trips around the United States, so they earmarked the money to continue mission work.  In addition to the monetary donation, several tables were donated to the Iowa location for use, and ...

Devastating wildfires have raged across Maui, Hawaii, to the tragic loss of more than a hundred lives and counting. The fires have destroyed significant portions of Maui’s infrastructure, including the city of Lahaina, which was almost completely leveled. The sanctuary of the historic Lahaina United Methodist Church was lost to fire.  Reportedly no church members were lost, though many have been displaced. They and others in Maui will spend the next weeks and months trying to assess the damage. ...

Tuesday’s at 7 pm on Zoom: Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, 2023 In his new book, Unrelenting Grace, Bishop Ken Carter says that healing can come to our church as we center ourselves in grace, holiness and connection. As he writes, “[we must] Trust that grace, connection, and holiness are our path to healing—perhaps your own healing, perhaps the healing of your congregation. And, dare we say it, perhaps the healing of The United Methodist Church.”    After all that has gone on in these ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers August 27, 2023 - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20; from NIV        By Wendy Zadeh Throw Your Bodies on the Offering Plate In Romans 12:1-8 we are asked to give to God all that we are. Our bodies are to be a “living sacrifice.” In speaking of our ...

Iowa Conference United Women in Faith has awarded 30 Barbara Csomay Be Bold Grants totaling $25,500 for 2023.  That is in addition to $50,000 each awarded for 2023 to the United Women in Faith National Mission Institutions of Bidwell-Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill in Des Moines (now Families Forward), and to the United Methodist Church camping program in Iowa. That brings the total to $175,500 in grants awarded.  The grants are made possible by major funds from the estate of Barbara Csomay ...

United Methodist Missionary Katherine Parker will visit Iowa from September 6 to September 18. She wants to see as many churches as possible to tell you about her work in Nepal. Parker, a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, has served in Nepal since 2013. Before Nepal, she served in Cambodia with the Methodist Mission’s Community Health & Agricultural Development program. Out of college, she became a mission intern for three years with the Asian...

Written by Liz Winders, Director of Communications, and Courtney Levin, Communications Officer. Edited by Katie Dawson, Assistant to the Bishop Hundreds of bicyclists from all over the world experienced the power of The United Methodist connection during the 50th Anniversary RAGBRAI.    RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) is a festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community. It is the world's oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event. RAGBRAI...

The 2023 Remembrance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: The Horror & Hope, presented through music, poetry, and words of recommitment, was held at the Japanese Bell of Peace and Friendship on Tuesday in Des Moines. Its purpose was to recall and grieve the August 6, 1945, bombing of Hiroshima and the August 8, 1945, bombing of Nagasaki, which marked the beginning of the nuclear age, the horrendous cost to the people of Japan, and the continuing costs and threats to people all over the globe.    Bishop ...

The Iowa Annual Conference offered its first Oasis Church training via Zoom last Saturday, reaching 50 people representing three different conferences addressing grief and loss when members of disaffiliating churches seek out a new United Methodist Church.  Oasis Network churches are congregations that remain confident in their United Methodist Church identity and mission and whose desire is to welcome, care and reach out to laity who want to retain a United Methodist membership after their ...

Have you seen the Barbie movie? By: Rev. Cindy Hickman Have you seen the Barbie movie?  By all indications, it is a box office smash. Millions of people have seen it world-wide. Apparently, Barbie is helping revive the movie theater industry which hasn’t recovered since the pandemic. The movie is a surprising phenom.  I went last week with my 13-year-old granddaughter, but even before I went, I experienced some of the buzz. A clergy friend enthusiastically admitted she had seen it, twice. ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers August 20, 2023 - Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28        Rev. Paul I. Burrow A Sure Thing We’re in the middle of August, getting ready for school to start, and looking forward to Autumn.  The majority of appointment changes have ...

By Liz Winders, Director of Communications   RAGBRAI (Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) is an 8-day, 500-mile festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community. It is the world’s oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event. 2023 is their 50th-anniversary and the inaugural #BeUMC team’s ride. From July 22-29, I drove the 12-passenger minibus to support the team.   When I accepted my position as the Director of Communications for the Iowa Annual Conference ...

Have you wanted to be able to help in times of disaster but didn't know exactly how? Are you interested in serving on a Disaster Response Team? This is your opportunity to get some training for exactly that. Join us on August 19, 2023, for a day of training, partnering with UMCOR. Everyone is welcome! For more details, contact Catie Newman, Iowa Conference Disaster Preparedness and Response Coordinator [email protected] or 712-899-4067 phone or text. Saturday, August 19, 2023   8:00...

Language Needs an Update By: Pastor Nate Mason English can be a silly language.  My daughter went through kindergarten this past year and has come out a fully functioning reader.  I give full credit to her teacher, Mrs. Nelsen, because I was not helpful at all.  In my defense, there really are no set rules for how words are made!  Have you tried explaining to a six-year-old why “night” spells night?  Silent consonants, the 42 ways we pronounce “th,” the 14 ways we pronounce “oo.”  It’s all ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers August 13, 2023 - Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33        Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson Double dare ya This week’s gospel story about Peter’s brief walk on the water appears only in the gospel according to Matthew. There is a ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers August 6, 2023 - Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 14:13-21 Pastor Rosa María Rodríguez Hunger for God and the Compassion of Jesus 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers July 30, 2023 - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Gen. 29:15-28; Psalm 105:1-11; Romans 8:26-39; Matt. 13:31-33, 44-52 Rev. Paul I. Burrow Sighs for Help I remember when my mother was diagnosed with kidney cancer early in 1982. My wife, Nancy, and I had been married for less than 2½ years. We were still really ...

Morning on the Ridge of the Canyon By: Rev. Dr. Mary Lautzenhiser Bellon This summer I was able to visit the Grand Canyon for the first time. The remarkable beauty reminded me of how we are composed of the very essence of the universe as it spins through time – the layers of the canyon marking the ages of the earth, both when people were here and when we weren’t. It’s a remarkable thing, don’t you think, to experience the miracle of God’s hand in creation and to know, somewhere in the deep ...

Submitted by Monique Shore Building on a strong history of environmental stewardship, the Grinnell United Methodist Church is going solar.  Installation of a 54kW solar array began the first week in July.  The installed system consists of 120 bifacial 450-watt panels on the flat roof to the west of the original sanctuary at the corner of 5th and Park in Grinnell. The projected annual energy production is over 67,000 kWh and should provide more than half of the energy used by the church. ...

This Advent, explore God’s Unrelenting Grace with the Iowa Annual Conference. Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai invites your congregation to join with others across the state as we continue to remember who we are. With a foundation of Bishop Ken Carter’s new book, “Unrelenting Grace,” we will have teaching sessions prepared by Bishop Kennetha, worship materials, and other resources for use in your church.  Call to Order and Receive a Discount! Order by November 30 for a discounted rate when you ...

Are you a creative thinker? Do you seek the greater good of our connection? Are you interested in driving positive change and providing leadership through complex challenges? If so, we invite you to consider applying to be part of the Bishop’s Leadership Team.   In 2015, we launched the Bishop’s Operational Team to help shepherd the Iowa Conference in developing a healthier culture around our mission, vision, and strategic priorities. The members of this team developed child teams that focused ...

By: Rev. Lee Roorda Schott Fireflies.   Your dog’s weight lazing against you.   Good sleeping weather on a summer’s night, the breeze through open windows stirring your light blanket.   Simple pleasures, received mostly without effort or design. Moments that come, unbidden. Things so familiar, we could be forgiven for not really seeing them, day by day.    You would name your own delights, if I asked you. Look around yourself right now. What do you see? Could you even begin to list all the ...

Submitted by Eric Wylie, Director of Media and Technology, Lovely Lane United Methodist Church - Cedar Rapids, Iowa The Cedar Rapids Metro Circuit churches held a citywide worship service on Sunday, July 2, bringing together 7 worshipping communities.  Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai opened the service with prayer for the over 200 area United Methodists gathered at Sinclair Auditorium on the campus of Coe College in Cedar Rapids. In part, the bishop's Independence Day weekend prayer stated, "We ...

The final numbers are in: Participants in Annual Conference 2023 raised a total of $19,294 for five ministries important to the Iowa Annual Conference. Offerings were taken throughout the weekend for the Clergy Sustentation Fund, Iowa United Methodist Camps, Iowa United Methodist Campus Ministries, The Diakonos, and Scholarships for students at Africa University. Breakdown of giving   Iowa UM Camps Iowa Campus Ministries Clergy Sustentation Fund Diakonos Africa University Scholarships ...

Submitted by Nitza Dovenspike Susan Jungmann, a retired nurse, organized a retreat for Latina women over ten years ago in Council Bluffs, Iowa. At the time, a Hispanic ministry was being formed at Broadway United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs.  Since that time, the group has been gathering and growing in numbers every year; excluding a hiatus year during the pandemic. With the support of the Instituto Latino, the spiritual formation arm of the Hispanic/Latino Ministries Standing ...

Open Training for all Pastors and Laypersons Monday, August 28, 2023 - Reverend Dr. Michael Beck will be hosting an event from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at New Hope United Methodist Church located at 4525 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310-3744. There is limited space for this event! The deadline to register is August 11, 2023, or when the registration limit is met. Register here. Bagged lunch provided. Closed Training for Circuit Leaders Tuesday, August 29, 2023 - Reverend Dr. Michael Beck will be ...

The Upper Midwest Extension Course of Study School (UMECOSS) is pleased to announce that the new Interim Director for the program is Rev. Dr. Barrie Tritle. Rev. Dr. Tritle is a Retired Full Elder in the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is currently serving at Spencer Grace UMC while in retirement.   Pastor Neil Hofer, Chair of the UMECOSS Board of Managers shared, “We were saddened at the sudden loss of our long-time director Dennis Tevis when we learned of his passing this ...

6/23/2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information: Contact Mallory Webster, Communications Manager 217-457-4600 [email protected]  Contact Danille Curtis, Iowa Coordinator 515-351-1166 [email protected]    Midwest Mission Opens New Location in Jefferson, Iowa On Saturday, June 17, Midwest Mission staff and volunteers celebrated the opening of its new location in Jefferson, Iowa. Special guests in attendance included Iowa UMC Director of Connectional Ministry, Bill Poland, ...

The North Central Jurisdiction Mission is announcing that applications are now being received for grant funding for 2024. As you consider your grant submission, the Mission Council asks that you thoughtfully consider how this grant will be a benefit to the entire jurisdiction in its scope and how you intend on communicating the use of your program through the jurisdiction.  Begin your application process by clicking HERE    You may click HERE to see a pdf preview of the application. ...

The Story of Noah and Pride By: Pastor Nate Mason This is a story about Pride, because it’s important to remember why we celebrate Pride.  This story begins with Noah.     The Story of Noah is not about genocide, it’s about a people surviving genocide. This is an easy mistake to make considering all the, you know, genocide that was going on in the story.  It’s definitely not about animals.  I bet you don’t even remember how many of each animal Noah brought with him.  (Check Genesis 7:2.  You ...

Dear Pastor By: Rev. Cindy Hickman Dear Pastor, I was once a pastor, but now I am retired (I am not a fan of that word. Let me know if you have a better synonym). After years of leading worship, I now participate in worship as part of the flock. I have made some observations. Think of me as a secret shopper. I have some requests and suggestions. This is not a To Do list. I am sure you already have one of those. These are just things to consider as you step up to lead worship on Sunday. Look at...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers July 9, 2023 - Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Rev. Katie Dawson Comfortable in Our Own Skin Our world seems to be obsessed with the bodies of others and what they do with them.  There are a hundred layers of this that ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers July 2, 2023 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13 (UMH 746); Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-4 Rev. Jim Perdue  “We cannot force our children to live in our world in the future" Immediately in this Sunday’s scriptures readings we discover a profound dissonance.  While the Psalm is a prayer ...

2023 MLK Freedom Bus Tour November 13-17, 2023   Costs:  $450/person (covers costs of travel, hotel stay, and museum admissions).  Food not included.   Participants engage in a week-long journey exploring iconic human and civil rights spaces in Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma.  In addition to museums in most of the cities, we also visit the Lorraine Motel in Memphis; the  16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham; the Equal Justice Initiative’s new Lynching ...

How Can We Bear the Hope? By: Rev. Dr. Mary Lautzenhiser Bellon “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come....16 “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” John 16: 12-13; 16    I believe that the present suffering is ...

Rev. Julie Poulsen, Chair of the Iowa Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministries, gave their report to the 2023 Iowa Conference Session, thanking the members for their apportionments that support six campus ministries in Iowa. They received $98,000 this year from apportionments. She introduced Rev. Dr. Soomee Kim, the executive director of the Center for Integrative Pastoral Practice at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), who offered greetings from its ...

Lindsay Drake, Nitza Dovenspike, and Rev. LaTonya Calderon of the Iowa General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegation celebrated the election of Bishop Lanette Plambeck and Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai, shared what was done at Jurisdictional Conference, and facilitated a table discussion about the future of The United Methodist Church during Annual Conference. During the North Central Jurisdictional Conference last summer, delegates worked to reinstate the NCJ Committee on Ordained ...

Iowa United Methodist Foundation (IUMF) Executive Direct Rev. Dr. Katharine Yarnell gave a hockey-themed presentation to Annual Conference Attendees. Yarnell, who hails from Canada, began by explaining that all investments are secure, regardless of denomination. "The mission remains," she said. "The Foundation continues to serve as a prudent, socially responsible investor for ALL non-profit ministries." Almost $5 million was distributed to scholarships and ministries in 2023.  2022 Budget ...

Submitted by: Rachel Lamparek, Associate Pastor First United Methodist Church Iowa City First United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation of Iowa City is launching a fresh expression of campus ministry. By coming together as an intergenerational and fully inclusive faith community, its desire is to partner with God in transforming the world. The missional priorities are to be a place where young people can experience God’s grace and develop meaningful relationships in the community, grow ...

Submitted by Karen Carter-Allen  These images were used in the Opening Worship Service on June 2, 2023. “Remembering Who We Are: As the Image of God.” Genesis 1:24-27. The sunray with hills is based on the sun, hills, and hand image. The hand image in the piece is more ethereal. More other-worldly to represent God. This way God is able to represent diversity. Theme: As the Image of God. The pitcher with the rainbow. To express our Baptism. During the offertory and presentation of Water that...

Dear Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church,   I'm just sending you a quick thank you for your generosity and support of Heifer!    I also wanted to proactively provide you with this link https://www.heifer.org/what-you-can-do/get-involved/faith/index.html that you may find useful for upcoming VBS or Read to Feed programs. If you need to order any resources, I’m here to help!   Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church’s support has given hope and opportunity to those ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers June 18, 2023 - Third Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 9:35-10:8 By Rev. Mara Bailey Protecting Your Peace I recently returned from a travel course with a group of students from Simpson College. The course, titled “Call of Service”, explores service and one’s motivation for service through classroom learning, ...

God’s Calling. Again. By: Lee Roorda Schott At our recently completed annual conference, we heard a lot of words about calling. Our worship services had us say, for instance: “We reaffirm…our common call to ministry.” Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai said to us, “Listen all believers! Listen for your call!”    Do we know what it means to be called? If you’re a layperson, do you describe yourself that way? “Called”? You might think this is a thing that clergy have experienced. I wonder if you use this...

By: Steve Hansen On June 4, while other delegates at the 2023 Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church listened to a presentation, three pastors gathered in the lobby for a quick picture. Besides being United Methodist pastors, they had something else in common:  They all grew up within a block-and-a-half of each other on 5th Street in Griswold, Iowa.   Fred Lewis and Steve Hansen graduated from Griswold, Fred in 1972, and Steve in 1977. They followed a somewhat traditional path ...

The Board of Pensions chair, Dave Peterson, shared an overview of the 2022 board’s decisions around the continued health, wellness, and retirement benefits for clergy and Conference staff at the June 2023 Iowa Annual Conference Session. It includes a report for the pension and retirement plans based on the most recent actuarial valuation, a look back at the 2022 calendar year and what we can reasonably expect related to our health premiums in 2024, a Wellness Report highlighting the 2022 Wondr ...

It’s official! Emily Graber was elected Treasurer of the Iowa Annual Conference at the 2023 Iowa Annual Conference Session with an overwhelming majority vote. Her election was effective immediately. Graber has been the Interim Conference Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services since June 2022 after Maggie Biggs retired.  Graber has worked for the Iowa Conference since 2014 as a Senior Staff Accountant and was promoted in 2020 to Controller and Assistant Treasurer. She graduated from Buena...

The Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC) is proactively trying to make it possible for every person who desires to remain United Methodist to have a home in the Iowa Annual Conference will have one. While only 12-15% of Iowa congregations will leave the UMC, we also hear, “How can I remain United Methodist if my church disaffiliates?” and want to provide spaces for all.   As an act of hospitality, building on work done by Texas and the Dakotas Conferences, the Iowa Annual ...

Margaret Borgen, Conference Lay Leader since 2015, gave the Laity Address at the 2023 Iowa Annual Conference Session, asked the members to think about change, and specifically spoke about how she has had a change of heart. “When I became Lay Leader, I so wanted to be a person with whom everyone could identify, to be fair, to be respectful of all points of view and cautious about sharing my own. That seemed like the right thing, and it seemed doable,” said Borgen. “I think it still seems right, ...

Legislation Report Combined the functions of the Rules and Resolutions committees into the Sessions Committee Approved the ministry plan for the conference missions programming and administrative agencies Approved the ministry plans for clergy and congregational support committees Approved a budget for 2024 Elected new members to board and agencies Affirm the remaining delegation members and elected members to join the delegation and fill jurisdictional and reserve delegate roles. This election...

The Board of Trustees at Saint Paul School of Theology is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jay Simmons as the new president, effective January 2, 2024. The board finds Dr. Simmons to have the depth of strategic planning, accreditation acumen, and capital campaign leadership necessary to move Saint Paul into its next phase.  Dr. Jay Simmons currently serves as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Saint Paul School of Theology. In that capacity, he oversees marketing, ...

Transitions in ministry were celebrated Sunday, June 4, 2023, at the Iowa Annual Conference Session with the Fixing of Appointments for the 2023-24 Conference year.  Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai thanked Cue for his years leading, and Rev. Ron Carlson gave a heartfelt farewell to his good friend, Cue, who is transitioning off the Bishop's Appointive Cabinet to Newton, First United Methodist Church beginning July 1, 2023. Effective July 1, 2023 ALDERSGATE DISTRICT Curt Copple to Denison, ...

Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai preached the Retirement and Ordering Service on Sunday, June 4, 2023, asking if clergy in particular remembered where they  were when they were "called." The service saw 34 individuals retire and 22 commissioned, ordained, or recognized. ​"After all these years in ministry, I bet that our retirees do. Because call shapes us, it forms us, and when we look back on our lives, we see that shaping and the forming that God’s Spirit was doing in us all along. And we see,...

The 2023 Annual Conference Laity Session was full of glorifying God, celebrations, recognitions, awards, and break-out sessions. Still, the session's highlight was the message from the Iowa United Methodist Church's resident bishop, Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai, who addressed the laity at Annual Conference for the first time. "I want also to recognize and say thank you to our lay speakers, those who have gone through the School for Lay Ministry, for all of our laity, and for how you serve our ...

Illness. Death. Loneliness. Strife. Despair. Those words were read in silence as Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai stooped at the front of the stage at the beginning of the Memorial Service during the 2023 Iowa Annual Conference session. She began with a scripture reading from Luke 13:10-13 and slowly stood up as she read. The service memorialized 18 clergy, 24 clergy spouses, a former conference chancellor, and 13 closed churches.   Watch the Memorial Service on Vimeo “Illness also bends us ...

David C. Teel, Director of Laity in Leadership for Discipleship Ministries, presented the One Matters Award to the Stuart-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in the Aldersgate District. The One Matters Award recognizes congregations that have experienced at least one baptism or one profession of faith in the last year after having had a year where they didn't have any. Each church that wins the award receives a plaque and $1,000 to invest in the church's ministry.   Watch the One Matters Award ...

At the 2022 Annual Conference, a resolution regarding Opposition to Unjust Theology Regarding the Holy Land was passed. The resolution called for the establishment of a task force to identify the biblical and theological reasons for opposing Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people and then submit a report to the 2023 Annual Conference with recommendations for action. The following is the report that was submitted. REPORT ON OPPOSITION TO UNJUST THEOLOGY REGARDING THE HOLY LAND  Preface  ...

In her inaugural episcopal address at the 2023 Iowa Annual Conference Session of The United Methodist Church, Resident Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai encouraged the body to react to the challenges facing the church not with anger or retribution but with healing, reconciliation, and love and that it should begin within our communities and us. She emphasized being a Christ-like presence, her commitment to #BeUMC, going deep in spiritual formation and Christian discipleship, focusing outward, and ...

Greetings from the Ames Collegiate United Methodist Church, We are so excited to welcome new students to campus and embark on the journey of orientation days. During this exciting time of change, the Wesley Center, with its United Methodist Affiliated ministries, is excited to do its part in supporting and connecting students who make a special connection to their faith communities. We have a special ask of the Iowa Annual Conference to make the most of this season. Our Methodist churches have...

Why am I UMC? By: Pastor Cindy Hickman #BeUMC. That’s the slogan The United Methodist Communications has adopted. We are seeing it a lot.  At this crossroads moment in our denomination, I stopped to ask myself “Why am I UMC?”  The answer comes automatically. I can sum it up in one word: grace. I am UMC because grace is at the core of who we are. And grace is what I need.  Grace is “the undeserved, unmerited, and loving action of God in human existence through the ever-present Holy Spirit” ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers June 25, 2023 - Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 21:8-21; Psalms 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39 By Wayne Clark   The Trouble with Families Every one of us has some attachment to family.  Regardless how strong or weak the bond is, we are still attached.  We may have a respectful and ...

Written by Rev. Ryan Christenson   The Clergy of the Iowa Annual Conference gathered online and in person at the newly-opened Waukee United Methodist Church for their annual clergy session.   In liturgy, prayer, and encouragement, Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Resident Bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference, greeted the diverse gathering. “We come with all kinds of emotions.  Oh, God, hold us…hold your church, in the palm of your hand.”   Rev. Chad Jennings, Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry,...

Saturday, June 3, 5:00-7:00 pm in the RecPlex Meeting Rooms. As clergy and laity come together from around the Conference, we have another opportunity to welcome our new Bishop - and get acquainted with her family.  In addition to Bishop Kennetha, her husband, Kee, and sons Keeton and Kamden will be present.  Light refreshments will be served.  Don't miss this informal opportunity to welcome our Episcopal family.  The Welcome Reception will be held in the meeting rooms directly across the foyer...

Contact: Liz Winders Director of Communications (515) 974-8907 [email protected] For Immediate Release Special Held Iowa Annual Conference Session Approves Disaffiliation of 83 United Methodist Churches  Des Moines, IA — The Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church held a special session on May 23, 2023, via Zoom Webinar to vote on proposed Disaffiliation Agreements between the Iowa Annual Conference and United Methodist local churches seeking to leave The United Methodist ...

Annual Conference, the once-a-year meeting of United Methodists in Iowa, takes place June 2 – 4 at the RecPlex in West Des Moines. Lay delegates from each congregation and clergy gather for decision-making, learning, and inspiration. The meetings are open, and several may be of special interest to Laypersons:   The Laity Session begins at 7:00 on Friday evening (music from 6:45 p.m.) It includes a message for Laity from Bishop Kennetha, awards, and recognitions, a presentation on the Iowa ...

Seeing you in the heart of God By: Rev. Dr. Mary Lautzenhiser Bellon This poem comes from work in my contemplative prayer group. We allow ourselves to “see” each other in a time of silence during an interlude in our prayers together. We allow our imaginations and our spiritual core to evoke and bring images of each other as expressions on the journey.  Then we share these images with each other. What the images mean often becomes something to ponder and pray about  for each of our group members,...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers June 4, 2023 —  Trinity Sunday Genesis 1:1-2:4; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 ? Rev. Martha Dalton Ward Our Three-in-One God Trinity Sunday follows Pentecost on our lectionary calendar, a reminder that with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus, we witness the ...

Beginning January 1, 2023, Rev. LaTonya Calderon began serving half-time at Windsor Heights UMC and half-time as the Interim Director of Leadership Excellence and Inclusion.    With the election of Bishop Rev. Dr. Lanette Plambeck, Calderon will take on some of the responsibilities of the prior Director of Clergy and Leadership Excellence role around leadership development while adding to it the Ministry of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility. She will collaborate with and...

Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai and the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church announce the following leadership staff transitions.      Rev. Bill Poland:   Rev. Bill Poland will retire on June 30, 2024, after 42 years of service to the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He will continue to serve as the Director of Connectional Ministries until his retirement next year.   Poland is a graduate of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He is currently the...

The Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church mourns the death of Rev. Judith "Judy" K. Miller, who passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Visitation will be held Friday, May 19, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. at Christy-Smith Funeral Home, Morningside Chapel (1801 Morningside Avenue, Sioux City, IA 51106-0526) A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church (1735 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106). Burial will be in Lakeview Gardens...

Laziness, sometimes By: Rev. Lee Roorda Schott Be busy, always.   It’s what I was taught, growing up. On our family farm there were always things to do. Getting ready for mealtime, and baking cookies and apple crisps. Getting laundry off the clothesline. Snapping beans, or pitting cherries, and helping get those and innumerable other fruits and vegetables canned or frozen in their time. Cleaning and mowing and dusting and weeding.    It’s not that I never had time to myself. I did. But by the ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers May 28, 2023 —  Pentecost Sunday Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Acts 2: 1-21; 1Cor. 12: 3b-13; John 20: 19-23; John 7: 37-39 Rev. Paul Wilcox    Celebrating the Holy Spirit for a change Of the three Great Holy days of the Ancient Church, Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, it’s not hard to see which celebration gets ...

You have received an email titled, “May 23, 2023, Special Called Session Confirmation” from [email protected]. In the email will be what you need to log into the webinar. If you don’t see it in your inbox, make sure you check your spam or junk folder. Reach out to your District Administrative Assistant if you don't find it at all. This is for the May 23 AC2023 Special Zoom webinar, and you will receive a reminder email one week before, one day before and one hour before.  The session ...

Midwest Missions sends tangible resources to those in need to make an intangible difference in their lives through hope and empowerment. SPECIAL NEEDS FOR 2023 is used medical equipment, including: Walkers Crutches Wheelchairs Canes Shower chairs Orthopedic supplies THEY ALSO NEED gently used tools. AND Home Care Kits. Liquid household cleaners - 56-80 oz total (no spray bottles) Dish soap - 42-64 oz total Liquid laundry detergent - 100-150 oz total 1 scrub brush (with or without handle) ...

To donate by check, make checks payable to the Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, note what offering you are donating to on the memo line and mail to 2301 Rittenhouse Street, Des Moines, IA 50323 by June 30, 2023. Clergy Sustentation Fund A special fund has been set up to assist clergy with direct financial support from the Clergy Assistance fund when a desperate need does arise. For many years, this fund has been the dedicated offering during the Clergy Session of the Iowa ...

Would you like to write for the Memo? We are looking for new writers and would love to have you join the team. Please email Rev. Bob Dean and include a writing example.  Memo for Preachers May 21, 2023 —  7th Sunday after Easter Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10,32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11 Rev. Rebecca Campney Carver ? United in prayer We stood on a hillside to the east of Jerusalem at the site traditionally thought to be where the Ascension of Christ took place. It was the last full ...