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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 ...

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 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 ...

An ecumenical group marched down the streets of Des Moines following two donkeys and waving palm branches for the Palm Sunday Procession for Peace, hosted by the Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace. About 60 people started at Des Moines Union Park United Methodist Church and finished with a worship service at Des Moines Central Community of Christ.    The march has been hosted since 2002 when it began as a peaceful protest against invading Iraq. "Because U.S. involvement in the wars in Iraq, ...

What little I can do By: Rev. Lee Roorda Schott It’s my week to write this Exile to Hope post. My fellow writers and the Communications folks who send it out know I’m always later than I’m supposed to be in getting it sent off to them. I had two really good ideas for what I wanted to write this week. But priorities—good ones!—got in the way and here it is Wednesday already and I really must send something.   One of those priorities has to do with the bills being introduced in this session of the...

  At the 2022 Iowa Annual Conference Session, Gun Violence Resolution #704 was passed. The resolution asks Iowa United Methodists to “oppose and vote to defeat the ‘Iowa Right to Keep and Bear Arms.” amendment.’” Then in August, the Council of Bishops unanimously affirmed a statement addressing gun violence. To stop the gun violence epidemic in the U.S. and around the globe, bishops are urging United Methodists to raise their prayers to God and contact their elected leaders. This is the third in...

  At the 2022 Iowa Annual Conference Session, Gun Violence Resolution #704 was passed. The resolution asks Iowa United Methodists to “oppose and vote to defeat the ‘Iowa Right to Keep and Bear Arms.” amendment.’” Then in August, the Council of Bishops unanimously affirmed a statement addressing gun violence. To stop the gun violence epidemic in the U.S. and around the globe, bishops are urging United Methodists to raise their prayers to God and contact their elected leaders. This is the third ...

  At the 2022 Iowa Annual Conference Session, Gun Violence Resolution #704 was passed. The resolution asks Iowa United Methodists to "oppose and vote to defeat the 'Iowa Right to Keep and Bear Arms.” amendment.'" Then in August, the Council of Bishops unanimously affirmed a statement addressing gun violence. To stop the gun violence epidemic in the U.S. and around the globe, bishops are urging United Methodists to raise their prayers to God and contact their elected leaders. This is the second ...

Dr. Kesho Scott, the main speaker at the International Day of Peace celebration at Cowles Commons in Des Moines, used the United Nations theme for 2022, “End Racism—Bring Peace,” to remind the crowd that peace in the world is everyone’s responsibility.    The Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace, with a mission to help lead the ecumenical and interfaith communities in raising prayers and voices to end the war, marks the 20th year as the host. Many Iowa United Methodists sponsor this event. See ...

Submitted by: Rev. Katie Dawson, Lead Pastor, Immanuel United Methodist Church, Des Moines, IA I grew up on a family farm just outside of Cedar Rapids and my dad and uncles would often hunt in the timber for deer and other animals in season.  While I didn’t join them, I knew their shotguns were a tool that put food on our table and filled the deep freeze in our basement.  Rarely, if ever, were they utilized for protection or defense from a wild animal.  But always, they were tools that demanded...

To address the crisis of gun violence in the U.S. and around the world, bishops are urging United Methodists to raise their prayers and contact their elected leaders. The Council of Bishops released a letter to the wider church Sept. 1. Read the letter below. Read story from the United Methodist News Service Read Council of Bishops letter (PDF) Read press release from the Council of Bishops A Call to Prayer and Action in Response to Gun Violence  “Thou shall not kill.” -Exodus 20:13  We are ...

Dynamic discussion and study of Jemar Tisby's "How To Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice" will be held weekly at the Jubilee United Methodist Church and Freedom Center from August 11 through October 13. Participants will engage in embodied participation as we grapple with the "fierce urgency of now." Primary facilitators will be Kathy Kratchmer and Abraham L. Funchess, Jr. While possession of the book is not necessary for participation in this weekly ...

The deadline for Passage of Key Bills  is Friday,  March 18, 2022 EDUCATION BILLS House Study Bill 672 - AGAINST - Creates Vouchers for Private Schools         HSB 672  “A bill for an act relating to education, including establishing a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund, requiring the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information, modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, ...

Deadline for Passage of Key Bills Out of Committee is Friday, February 18 EDUCATION BILLS Senate Study Bill 3080 - AGAINST - Create Vouchers for Private Schools This has passed the sub-committee. Action: Contact Senate Education Committee, ask to oppose SSB 3080. Taxpayer money should be used for public schools, not for private schools. The Senate Education Committee meets Thursday February 17 at 11 a.m. You can watch and listen to the debate via link under committees click on the bill Agenda ...

Deadline for Passage of Key Bills Out of Committee is Friday, February 18 NEW LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY TEAM MEMBERS We have two new members who are helping us get the United Methodist priorities shared with our legislators. Anyone who is interested in becoming Team Member, should complete the Legislative Advocacy Application. We will notify you if you are accepted. Join us in welcoming these new Legislative Advocates. (Their email addresses are at the bottom of this Action Alert.) Cherie Miner of ...

JESUS’ CALL TO BE DISCIPLES JOHN WESLEY’S CALL TO BE METHODISTS In the 2022 Legislative Session, we are called to  Bring Good News to the Poor Promote Restorative Justice for the Prisoner Call your legislators to advocate on the behalf of just taxes, relieve the suffering of those in poverty, and demand a criminal justice system that restores prisoners to community. “Come, you that are blessed by my Father…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,...

A CALL TO BE ANTI-RACIST AND FOR RESPONSIBLE AND SAFE GUN LAWS  To All Iowa United Methodists,   We are called by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church to be an antiracist church! In a CHARTER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE IN AN INTERDEPENDENT GLOBAL COMMUNITY, Resolution 3371 in the 2016 Book of Resolutions, page 348, we affirm “Racism is a system or inequality based on race prejudice and the belief that one race is innately superior to all other races. In the United States, systemic ...

Welcome to the First Alert of the 2022 Iowa Legislative Session, brought to you by the Legislative Advocacy Team of the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church. We hope you are able to participate in our virtual 2022 Advocacy Day on Monday, January 24, from 9 a.m. to Noon, in coordination with Iowa Conference United Methodist Women. Please register here. Because of the rules that regulate how the Legislature operates, legislative bills are being introduced.  We have seen few bills ...

Monday, January 24, 2022, from 9:00 am to Noon. (Updated ending time)   Click here to register to attend.  Legislative advocacy has long been a part of the heritage of United Methodists in Iowa. On Monday, January 24, 2022, that tradition will continue with a Legislative Advocacy Day virtually in your homes or churches. Legislative Advocacy Day is sponsored by the Iowa United Methodist Women and the Iowa Conference Legislative Advocacy Team of the Iowa Church and Society Committee. “We will be ...

For the last 21 years, Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON) has provided legal services to support immigrants and refugees in the state of Iowa as a ministry of the Iowa Annual Conference. In April 2021, Justice For Our Neighbors will merge with the American Friends Service Committee* to create the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice with continued support from the Iowa Annual Conference and the national JFON network.    Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice will continue to provide legal service for...

by Karlene Neal, Advocate for Immigrants and Refugees   An article recently published by the New York Times Magazine, in cooperation with ProPublica, describes the connection between global warming and people's migration. The authors used climate and economic-development data to examine scenarios.   For most of human history, mankind has lived within a surprisingly narrow range of temperatures where there is abundant food production. This zone seems to be moving northward, and drought ...

Be an at-home advocate for the 2021 Virtual Advocacy Day! Monday, January 25, 2021 RSVP to the Facebook event for updates and invite your friends! Learn more about the 2021 Virtual Advocacy Day by signing up for Action Alerts. You will receive e-mails during the 2021 Legislative session about: Bills introduced into Legislature When to contact your Legislators Tips for Lobbying and Advocating Click here to subscribe.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 26, 2020 NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee has announced plans to host a series of educational webinars that will be made available at Facebook.com/UMCglobalaidsfund and archived on their website. The webinar series will be held during the following months: October 2020, November 2020, February 2021, April 2021 and June 2021. These webinars will serve to educate, support and advocate for those affected by HIV/AIDS. The webinars will...

How long, O Lord, how long? The February killing of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia, is another incident that torchlights the darkest moments of our history. The recurrence of these killings, coupled with the fact that justice is seldom served, is a strong indication of how deeply entrenched racism is in our society’s systems and beliefs. Eric Garner, Terence Crutcher, Philando Castile, Samuel DuBose, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Tamir Rice, and Walter Scott are few of the many ...

On Sunday, June 7, you have the opportunity to support peace with justice through the Peace with Justice Offering. Now more than ever, your support will make a difference.  As funding for missions is moving more towards local church support and away from apportionments, this offering becomes the primary means of support for your Board of Church and Society. If you value work to live out the United Methodist Social Principles, please provide a generous gift.   How does the Board of Church and ...

By: Conference UMW Leadership Team On Thursday, January 30, Iowa Conference United Methodist Women (UMW) partnered with the Board of Church and Society to host the Conference United Methodist Advocacy Day. This year’s event was packed with conversation and information.    Gathering at Wesley United Methodist Church near the state Capitol, approximately 48 people arrived to share opening devotions by Conference UMW Social Action Coordinator Deb Streff.  Streff shared the story of her friend ...

United Methodist Women have been in mission for children, youth and women for over 150 years. Many individuals think of being in mission as building schools, feeding the homeless, or providing quality daycare in the United States or other nations. The very tangible things that can be felt and seen; a product at the end of the day. These are important mission projects but there is more to mission than just the tangible.   United Methodist Women understand that many times there are systemic ...

Inspired by the words of Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), the Advocacy Team met to plan the 2020 Advocacy Day, which will be held on January 30, 2020.     “It’s the annual opportunity for Iowa United Methodists to lobby the statehouse with a voice of faith caring for the poor and oppressed,” said team member Reverend Josh Steward.   Advocacy Day provides an opportunity to anyone wishing to help make a difference by having time set aside to meet with legislators and hear from Bishop Laurie ...

Prepared by:  Robert Mulqueen, 2019 consultant Rev. Brian Carter, Legislative Team Leader June 2019   Since 2014, the Iowa Conference has had its presence at the Statehouse by means of volunteer advocates and professional consultants. The Advocacy staff has been led by Reverend Brian Carter and this year included Rita Carter, Sheila Corsbie, Reverend Gary Nims, and Reverend William Steward. A month into the 2019 legislative session, Bill Steward passed away. He was a passionate advocate and he ...

Legislative advocacy has long been a part of the heritage of United Methodists in Iowa and continued in 2019 on Monday, January 28th at Wesley United Methodist Church, 800 E. 12th St., Des Moines. Advocacy Day took place from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Rev. Gary Nims greeted everyone and Bishop Laurie Haller lead the devotions. See more images from Advocacy Day Topics in discussion were Mental Health advocacy and funding for both adults and children. Stories of Iowan's affected by mental health issues ...

Photos from the End the Stigma Mental Health Awareness 5K and Forum on Sept. 15, 2018 in Carlisle. When Linda Benton went to Annual Conference in 2018 as a lay delegate, she didn’t expect to walk away with a mission from God.   “I attended one of the workshops about mental health, and God put a bug in my ear,” she said. “I just thought, ‘Linda, you’ve got to do something with this.’”   She came back to her church in Carlisle intending to host a forum about the stigma surrounding ...

Psalm 127:1 Unless it is the Lord who builds the house, the builder’s work is pointless. Unless it is the Lord who protects the city, the guard on duty is pointless.   “You are the ones who are building the house, you are the ones who are protecting those who are defenseless, and God blesses you for your ministry here,” read Bishop Laurie Haller at the blessing celebrating the new office of Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON) on March 15, 2018.   “We think that all means all, and that all ...

Close to thirty people gathered at Wesley United Methodist Church on E. 12th Street in Des Moines on Thursday morning January 17th to participate in the 2018 Legislative Advocacy Day which was hosted by the Iowa United Methodist Women.   Marty Ryan, a lobbyist for the Justice Reform Consortium, a prison advocacy group lead the orientation before the group of Methodist’s headed to the Iowa State Capitol.   During session, the Legislative Team, who are all volunteers, met with legislators and ...

Thursday, January 18, 2018 8:30 am - 3:15 pm Wesley United Methodist Church 800 E. 12th St, Des Moines Advocacy Day Includes: Visit to the Iowa State Capitol Building Gourmet Soup and Salad Buffet with Homemade Pie Conversations with State Legislators from 11:30 - 1:00 at Wesley UMC Presentations on UMC Priority Issues #1 Maternal/Child Health and #2 Criminalization of Communities of Color This is event is open to United Methodist Women, Officers and Social Action Coordinators; United Methodist...

Legislative advocacy has long been a part of the heritage of United Methodists in Iowa. One Tuesday, Feb. 7, that tradition will continue with a Legislative Advocacy Day at Wesley United Methodist Church, 800 E. 12th St., Des Moines. “We will be meeting the whole day, and we hope many people will join us as we begin to look at key issues as Iowans and United Methodists,” said Rev. Brian Carter, team leader of the Legislative Advocacy Team. The Advocacy Day event will take place from 9 am to ...

Htay, right, was an interpreter for Kwa at the March "Green Card" Clinic. Both are refugees from Burma.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble called upon Iowa’s legislators to promote a healthy society and thriving state that is “characterized by citizens who are involved, educated and empowered.”    Click here to watch a video of the Bishop's keynote  Speaking at the annual Legislative Advocacy Day he thanked the legislators for their service to the State.  In addition he encouraged them saying the mandate to share the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is consistent with that of State Representative ...