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The 2021 Iowa Conference Journal, Clergy-Laity Directory, and Book of Resolutions are now available at www.iaumc.org/Journal. If you have forgotten the login information for the Clergy Lay Address Directory, please email Lisa Steel. If you would like a printed copy, it can be purchased directly through Lulu Publishing. 

At this year's Ordering of Ministry Service, held at Ankeny First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center on July 10, Bishop Laurie Haller ordained eight elders, commissioned two provisional members, commissioned one deaconess, recognized two transfers of membership, and two Course of Study graduates. Newly Ordained Elders: Christopher Eric Childs Lucas Stephen Richard Fillmore Jennifer Lynn Hibben Mark Richard Johnson Jaeseong Lee Ryan Mohan Russell Trevor Joe Vaughn, and Brian Edward ...

"It’s been quite a year and a half, hasn’t it? Never could you and I have imagined what our life would be like on June 5, 2021," said Bishop Laurie Haller in her Episcopal Address and Opening Worship on the first day of the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church's 2021 annual session.   Bishop Laurie went on to recall her and everyone's naivete in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, "What have we learned over the past fifteen months? If nothing else, we are more convinced ...

 

 

Board of Pensions Report Script Dave Peterson Today, as we reflect on 2020 and look forward to the coming year, I’ll share information regarding:    PENSION/RETIREMENT Utilization of the Board of Pension COVID Assistance Programs The Board of Pension funding report for the pension and retirement plans  HEALTH INSURANCE/WELL-BEING A look back on the 2020 health insurance and what we can reasonably expect for 2022 A Wellness Report highlighting the Naturally Slim pilot program of 2020 ...

During the 2021 Iowa Annual Conference Session, Bishop Laurie Haller recognized the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, Rev. Julie Poulson, the board's new chairperson, for taking a very active leadership of the board during the past year.  "I am proud of our United Methodist campus ministries. They each have a long and very effective legacy of spiritual care for their campus for students, staff, and faculty," said Bishop Laurie. Rev. Ted Lyddon Hatten directs the Wesley Foundation ...

During the 2021 Iowa Annual Conference, only two items were removed from the action calendars, items 101 and 211. Rev. Carolyn Bitner proposed an amendment to Action item #101 so that the location of the annual conference session is recommended at least two years in advance when feasible. This was approved as amended by the body. Rev. Lee Schott made an amendment for Action Item #211. “In 2004 action by the Annual Conference Session created this pool of funding to support hands-on ministry and...

Treasurer's Report Script Maggie Bigg: Good morning! My name is Maggie Biggs and I am the Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services for the Iowa Annual Conference. It is a pleasure to be with you this morning.    Today I’d like to present some information on how the Conference ended the year 2020 in terms of income and expenses as well as how our local churches did in contributing to our connectional community.    I’ll go over the annual statistical data, update you on the Conference’s PPP ...

Bishop Laurie Haller offered a prayer before the Resolutions for Closed Churches were read and affirmed at the 2021 Iowa Annual Conference's final day, saying, "O God, as in your great goodness you have blessed the many ministries carried on by these congregations in their buildings, so now, and in the days and years to come, we pray that you may greatly bless your many ministries in your ongoing Church. Bless those persons who have worshipped in these Church's buildings and will now be ...

Bishop's Operational Team Report Script Barrie Tritle: This Pandemic year has brought us all challenges we never imagined and has called us all to focus on being adaptive in our ministry and to truly become inventive in how we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Adaptive issues which the conference faces, have been the focus of our team since our inception.  Looking back to the 2017 Dream Team report to the Annual Conference we find an outline and explanation for the need of the conference ...

  Revelation 7:9-12 (NLT) After this, I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne     and from the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before ...

Video Transcript: Hello, My name is Lanette Plambeck and I am your Director of Clergy and Leadership Excellence here in the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church. And I am Lisa Steel Director of Ministerial Service & Journal Editor. In a few moments, you will hear reflections from members of the Iowa Conference Antiracism Team regarding our charge given at our formation last summer, which has guided our work this past year. Much of this work has been held within our group as we grew ...

Bishop Laurie's Sermon Script from Laity Session: Grace and peace to each one of you. I am honored to be able to share a few words of encouragement at the beginning of your annual Laity Session at the Annual Conference. Let’s pray. Dear God, we are at the start of another annual conference, and we thank you for the privilege of being able to participate virtually. We are grateful for those who have taught us how to connect with one another electronically, and we rejoice in the new and ...

"It’s been quite a year and a half, hasn’t it? Never could you and I have imagined what our life would be like on June 5, 2021," said Bishop Laurie Haller in her Episcopal Address and Opening Worship on the first day of the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church's 2021 annual session. Full Worship Service | Episcopal Address | Episcopal Address Script | Worship Bulletin Bishop Laurie went on to recall her and everyone's naivete in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, "...

"When I got the call asking me to preach the retirement worship service, I immediately began asking God, 'What is the word that you have for us today?'" said Rev. Julie Poulsen on June 5, 2021, during the Recognition of Retirement Service. "I thought, and I prayed, and I waited, and soon the words came to me. 'Thank you for loving my people.' I was a little surprised that it was thank you!" Retirement Service to download   | Retirement Service Worship Bulletin Poulsen joins the retirement ...

AC2021 Episcopal Address and Opening Worship Full Worship Service Episcopal Address Episcopal Address Script Worship Bulletin

Dear Members of The Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church,   Zoom Webinar Link and Passcode Email All members of the 2021 Iowa Annual Conference Session have been emailed a confirmation titled, “Iowa Annual Conference 2021 Legislative Session, Pre-Conference Orientation Sessions, and Town Hall Confirmation.”  It contains directions, a link, and a passcode to join the Zoom Webinar. This link is the one you will use for the Pre-Conference Orientations, Town Hall, and the Iowa ...

O Creator and Redeemer God, in a few days we will gather in your presence and as your faithful disciples at the 2021 Iowa Annual Conference. In 1744, your servants John and Charles Wesley first met with a few clergy to consider how they should proceed to save their own souls and those who heard them. They quickly agreed to invite the lay preachers who were in the house to join them. 277 years later, ever-renewing God, you are still bringing us together as United Methodists every year — all ...

Watch the full Town Hall meeting from May 23, 2021 for important updates about this year's Annual Conference legislation and reports.    

The 2021 Iowa Annual Conference (IAC) Virtual Town Hall Meeting is set for Sunday, May 23, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It will be held by Zoom Webinar. Lay and clergy members for the Town Hall will use the same login as the 2021 IAC Session, which will be emailed to you before the session. The Town Hall will be livestreamed and recorded for all local churches and members to watch and be informed.    The purpose of the Town Hall is for boards, agencies, and committees to share important information ...

Persons interested in being nominated for open positions (listed on the right side of the ballot), need to submit the LEADERSHIP POOL FORM by May 29, 2021, or email barb.oakland@iaumc.org. District nominations teams will consider the nomination and add new information for the June 5, 2021 ballot. Nominations reflect only open positions as of July 1, 2021  Proposed Nominations from the floor for REPLACEMENT NOMINEES need to be cleared with the Conference Nominations Coordinating Committee by ...

Bishop Laurie’s 2021 Iowa Annual Conference’s Episcopal Address and Opening Worship Service will be available to download and use in your church after the service concludes on Saturday, June 5. You can choose to download the entire worship service or only the Episcopal Address portion video.    Please subscribe to the AC2021 Updates if you would like to receive an email on Saturday, June 5 that will have links to download the videos by clicking here: https://iaumc-email.brtapp.com/subscribe.   ...

Iowa United Methodist Board of Laity invites all laity (not just AC members) to the Iowa Annual Conference 2021 Laity Session Livestream on Friday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. (Music begins at 6:45.)   You will hear an inspiring message from Bishop Laurie Haller. A Conference Update will be followed by a live Q&A session with Rev. Dr. Lanette Plambeck, incoming Assistant to the Bishop. Email your questions about what is new or changing in the conference to mmpetkewec@gmail.com OR cjnicklay@gmail.com  ...

The 2021 Iowa Annual Conference Pre-Conference Manual (PCM) is now available for download at https://www.iaumc.org/pcm. Consistent with recent years, you will notice the PCM is much smaller and includes hyperlinks that direct you to resources on our website.   The ministry plans for Conference Missions – Programming Agencies are found on pages 21 through 44. At end of each ministry is the budget approved by the Conference Connectional Ministries Council (CCMC). This is a hyperlink and by ...

CLERGY ASSISTANT 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 Annual Conferences which is only held once a year. “The Clergy Sustentation Fund is a means to tangibly care for our clergy and families in a time of need.  Your gifts become signs of hope and grace in difficult times,” said Rev. Terra ...

2021 would usually be a “resolutions year,” meaning that an Iowa Conference clergy person, lay member of a local UMC, or a local church or churches may submit resolutions to be considered by the Iowa Annual Conference Session for inclusion in the Iowa Conference Book of Resolutions.  No submissions of proposed resolutions for inclusion into the IAC Book of Resolutions were received by the December 2020 due date, as noted in the 2019 Iowa Annual Conference Book of Resolutions [link], pages 6-9.  ...

To the Lay and Clergy Members of The Iowa Annual Conference, Grace and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I write this on a beautiful spring day, with warm breezes, not a cloud in the sky, and trees and shrubs beginning to bloom. Spring also reminds me that it’s time to prepare for Annual Conference, which I have attended for forty years. Annual Conference has always been a time to reconnect with friends, experience inspiring worship, and celebrate the commissioning and ...

Tools to Support Your Disciple-Making Journey Discipleship Ministries serve the church to connect leaders with needed resourcing and training that supports spiritual formation. Below you’ll find high-quality resources for supporting your disciple-making process – everything from online discipleship to helpful webinars and new offerings from The Upper Room. Introducing the #SeeAllThePeople Books & Resources: FREE INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP RESOURCES Tools for creating and strengthening your ...

The 2021 Iowa Annual Conference session themed, "Connected in Christ: Watching Over One Another in Love," will be held virtually through Zoom Webinar from June 4-6. Plans continue to evolve as Bishop Laurie and the Sessions Committee move forward with planning the event.     Registration All members will be automatically registered. Pastors who haven't submitted the name(s) of their Lay and Equalization Member(s), please submit those as soon as possible to your District Administrative Assistant ...

Lay members and clergy persons will gather for the 178th Iowa Annual Conference session from June 4-6th, 2021. Similar to 2020, much of the 2021 Iowa Annual Conference will be held virtually through the Zoom Webinar platform.    Clergy Session will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, June 4, and Laity Session will be held the same day at 7:00 p.m.    Bishop Laurie Haller will call the annual conference members to order at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 5, to begin the two-day session. The 2021 theme is, ...

After careful consideration and consultation we’ve made the difficult decision to move forward with a virtual conference for the 2021 session. Production of the annual conference session involves countless staff and volunteers and begins several months prior to the event. With all the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic a virtual conference allows us to begin planning while honoring our commitment to Do Not Harm. Be sure to subscribe to receive AC2021 Updates and to stay up to date ...

The Annual Conference Resolutions Committee is now accepting Resolutions for consideration at the 2021 Annual Conference Session. The deadline for submission is December 1, 2020. Please email resolutions@iaumc.org with any questions.    Click here for the  Procedures for  Submitting Resolutions instructions Click here for the Resolution proposal form