News

Submitted by William R Fee On any given Tuesday morning, the lower level of Cedar Falls FUMC is overflowing with women sharing fellowship and treats as they happily cut, match and stitch quilt pieces. This is hardly your typical group of “Church Basement Ladies”; these are the Quilting Warriors of First Church! In 2022 alone, this band of sisters was responsible for approximately 230 quilts. They lovingly stitched over 80 youth quilts and distributed them to our partners in education school, to...

In January 2023, a 16-member Volunteers In Mission (VIM) group traveled to Panama to work at the Methodist Community Center in Cienaguita. The volunteers included twelve from Iowa, two from Illinois, one from Georgia, and another from Florida.  On the Sunday they arrived, Rhett Thompson, a pastor and the VIM coordinator, invited the group to worship at his church in Panama City. After worship, they headed on a long bus ride up to the Methodist Community Center in Cienaguita, their home and work...

For years the Midwest Mission’s facility in Pawnee, Illinois, has been booked with volunteers—sometimes even one to two years in advance—and cannot add more space at its current site. Because of these restraints, their board of directors sought opportunities to expand their operations in the North Central Jurisdiction. They chose Jefferson, Iowa, as their new location because of Iowa’s Mission Ingathering and its strong historical ties to Midwest Mission. Midwest Mission is a Christian ...

Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Liz Winders Director of Communications (515) 974-8907 liz.winders@iaumc.org For Immediate Release Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai installed as Iowa UM Conference’s New Episcopal Leader February 19, 2023, Des Moines, Iowa —"This is the church Wesley envisioned when he said, 'Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike.'  Wesley said we may not be of the same opinion, but can't we be of the same heart? Can't we have hearts centered in ...

Emerging Leaders — By Faith Magazine Reprinted with permission   In most of our UMC conferences, there are young (primarily but not exclusively) persons who show great promise as future leaders for their churches and/or communities. Their ability to get things done and inspire others cannot be ignored. In a time of uncertainty as the UMC faces schism, membership and a growing skepticism, gifted, high-performing leaders will be mandatory. We are providing space in our magazine to honor these ...

Early Response Team (ERT) Training  — A Caring Christian Presence in the midst of Disaster   Now is your opportunity if you have felt called to volunteer after a disaster but didn't know how. An Early Response Team (ERT) training is being held Saturday, February 25 at Denison First United Methodist Church from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost of the training is $20, which includes lunch, materials, badge and background check. "This is great training to help people know what is the best and most ...

As you get ready for another year of worship and giving planning, don't forget to publicize The United Methodist Church Special Sundays. Here is a list of resources for your church. A video to share during worship or on social media. UMC Giving partnered with UM Communications to create a simple video all about giving and Special Sundays in The United Methodist Church. "Together, we do more." A PDF calendar of Special Sunday Dates. This calendar includes short descriptions of each of the ...

Get registered today for RAGBRAI L and join our official #BeUMC team. More details to come, but don't wait to sign up and start training! Register here!  

With support from the community, Hope UMC in Marshalltown currently leads a project for Ukrainian refugee resettlement. Supporting the Ukrainian refugees is a robust ecumenical project in partnership with St. Henry's Catholic Church and others who are resettling Ukrainian refugees in Marshall County. We welcomed a family of six from Ukraine in September 2022, two more families of six and seven arrived in October 2022, and two more families (each of three people) will arrive before the end of the...

By: Liz Winders, Director of Communications When a background in food service, hungry children, and a church turns into serving over 100,000 community meals, you know God has a hand in making it happen. On the evening of October 15, First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls, Iowa, served 527 meals, the largest amount they have ever done, and celebrated serving 100,000 meals to their community.   In 2011, Lyn Evans wanted to ensure her kids got a meal before confirmation class and youth group ...

The first time Pat Fluhrer played the organ was when she was a newly married 19-year-old who knew she could contribute to the West St. Charles United Methodist Church’s Sunday service through her music. Now, 66 years later, she has played the organ for the Sunday services and countless weddings, funerals, adult and children’s choirs, and Christmas Eve services.  On September 25, 2022, Rev. Dr. Moody Colorado, Pictured Rocks District Superintendent, honored Fluhrer’s dedication by presenting her...

This summer, your church may have been approached by people representing a new traditionalist Methodist denomination called the Global Methodist Church or representatives from the Wesley Covenant Association, who may have insinuated that your church should be in a hurry to discern its future. But there is NO HURRY for your church to rush through discernment.   Churches have until December 31, 2023, to complete the disaffiliation process (including an annual conference vote being held in ...

This summer, the Lake View United Methodist Church began a successful new ministry giving 83 school supply-filled backpacks to preschool through 6th-grade students in their community.   “Our church works with the food pantry that’s located here in town. We knew that the need for donations to the food pantry kept going up and up. And if the needs at the food pantry are up, the needs are also obviously up in other areas of people’s lives,” said Deanna Berry, member of Lake View UMC.    Inflation ...

For 20 years, the Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace has worked toward its mission to help lead the ecumenical and interfaith communities in raising prayers and voices to end the war and will continue its mission by sponsoring and planning this year’s International Day of Peace celebration on September 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Cowles Commons.   “End Racism—Bring Peace” is this year’s theme for the United Nations International Day of Peace. Dr. Kesho Scott will be the keynote speaker, and musical ...

United Methodist Communications Office of Public Information Nashville, Tennessee – As a denomination, it’s important that pastors, church staff, and members have a common understanding of the core background of The United Methodist Church. The new “We are the church. Together” resource from United Methodist Communications helps congregations root into shared beliefs, history, mission, and ministry to stand strong and face the future — together.  The organized Google slides presentation aids ...

The Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) aims to pack 8,400 rice meal bags that will feed 50,400 people in Ukraine, and is on the road packing meals at various locations throughout the midwest. Ankeny First United Methodist Church's Christian Life Center (CLC) hosted an event on August 27 where volunteers assembled 6,400 meal packs, getting them closer to their goal. The Ankeny event was open to anyone wanting to participate in a hands-on mission event. More than 175 individuals stopped ...

From a small garden to a Main Street thrift store, the Delhi United Methodist Church members own the mission and call that God gave them and live it faithfully in their community. It all started a few years ago when the Delhi United Methodist Church stepped up in faith and partnered with the local high school agriculture and Future Farmers of America program to put in a 50 by 50-foot community garden on church property to help feed the food insecure in Delaware County. After the summer ended, ...

Talented artist Emijah Jones designed the logo for Peace Camp. She is studying graphic design at the University of Northern Iowa this fall. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids fostered partnerships to bring a community member’s dream of an antiracism camp for young children into reality.   “I kept circling back to the idea that the church has to be a force for liberation in the world; otherwise, we’re not doing what we should be,” said Rev. Jonathan Heifner, Associate Pastor of ...

During the first week of August, the Adel United Methodist Church hosted a successful Ecumenical Community Vacation Bible School (VBS) with the Mobile United Methodist Missionaries (MUMM) assistance.   Mobile United Methodist Missionaries is a ministry of the Iowa Conference serving the Aldersgate, Golden Valley, and Riverview Park Districts of the United Methodist Church, making disciples in rural Iowa.   “MUMM provided all the tools to make the VBS a complete success: organization, flyer ...

You might be hearing from laity across the Iowa Annual Conference who wish to #BeUMC, but their church seems to be guided toward disaffiliation by church leadership. The Central Texas Conference has compiled some ideas for advocating for your church to remain in The United Methodist Church, and the Iowa Conference would like to share. The following #BeUMC information is available for downloading, printing, and sharing by clicking here. If your church does vote to disaffiliate and you wish to ...

A partnership with Little Sprouts Children’s Center and First United Methodist Church in New Hampton has recently eased a childcare deficit for a small Northeast Iowa community.   Almost every community in Iowa struggles with affordable childcare, particularly renovating a suitable space or building a new daycare, which is cost prohibitive. The New Hampton First United Methodist Church has a large building with an education wing and a parking lot that, until recently, mainly sat empty.   “The ...

Thousands of bike riders from all over the country and the world rode right past the Ida Grove First United Methodist Church. The congregation took its moment in the spotlight to shine and share some true United Methodist hospitality, serving 1,007 meals to RAGBRAI riders.   RAGBRAI, Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is in its 49th season and highlights the state’s towns each July. It is an “epic eight-day rolling festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community. It ...

Submitted by Beverly Nolte, Iowa United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Co-Coordinator If you're planning a fall trip, consider participating in one of these work experiences sponsored by Iowa United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) in an area devastated by hurricanes, flooding, and tornadoes. The first work trip to disaster-stricken Lake Charles, LA, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24 to Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. Contact Kathy Martin (retired clergy, former chaplain at Morningside, and ...

Submitted by Dianne Eppert In May, members of Marion Street United Methodist Church in Boone accepted a challenge from their pastor Angie Cunigan to collect 100 boxes of cereal to donate. The challenge came from her sermon on John 21:1-14 when Jesus prepared breakfast on the shore following his Resurrection. Not only was that goal reached but it exceeded expectations. A total of 285 boxes of cereal were placed around the sanctuary just like dominos. It was exciting to watch the boxes tumble ...

Storm Lake United Methodist Church is preparing for its 7th Annual School Supply Giveaway on August 13 and expects to serve about 600 children and youth through its B.L.E.S.S. ministry. It’s estimated that over the seven years, the church has served 2,073 students in the area and beyond.   The B.L.E.S.S. Ministry, which stands for Bless & Love Everyone School Supplies, was started after former Storm Lake UMC Pastor Matt Miller made a comment to lay member and volunteer Sarah Low in the office.  ...

The Iowa United Methodist Volunteer in Mission Committee (UMVIM) is planning a disaster response work trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana from September 24 - October 2, 2022. Over the past few years, the Southwest Louisiana area has been hit hard by a series of natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornados, flooding, and extreme cold. Residents were only beginning to recover from one disaster when the next one struck, and hundreds of people are still in need of assistance and hope. Bill Howell, ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2022 The United Methodist Church Releases 2021 State of the Church Report Nashville, Tenn.: The United Methodist Church has released the 2021 State of the Church Report, which centers around the theme of claiming our identity. Beginning with Jesus' question to Peter in Matthew 16, "Who do you say that I am?" the question is posed to the UMC, "Who do we say that we are?" as the church seeks to affirm the basis of their identity in faith and service to Christ. “This ...

Immanuel United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa received a Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg during a special recognition ceremony held on June 21. They were nominated for their service by Bidwell Riverside and Hawthorne Hill. On Immanuel's Facebook page they offered a huge thank you to the volunteers who made milk and juice deliveries, helped to fund furniture for the shelter, made gallons upon gallons of applesauce, delivered bread, and have...

  #BeUMC honors the core values that connect the people of The United Methodist Church (The UMC). This grassroots campaign, built upon powerful stories of congregations and people living their faith, celebrates what draws us to The UMC and what we aspire to be. Every day offers a chance to live into our mission and to strive to #BeUMC — to be the church our communities so desperately need. This grassroots effort is built upon powerful stories of congregations and people living their faith, and ...

About 24 pallets of turnout gear, helmets, hoses, air packs, masks and more were donated to Midwest Mission Distribution Center by fire departments across the state. Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Pastor Catie Newman reached out to Rev. Keith Pitts when she heard about the need to send equipment to El Salvador and Guatemala. Pitts, who pastors Delhi and Buck Creek United Methodist Churches, is also an EMT, rescue diver and firefighter for the Delhi Fire Department.  "The equipment ...

Submitted by Carroll First United Methodist Church In the summer of 2021, a dozen members from Carroll First United Methodist Church and one from Glidden United Methodist Church traveled to Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Pawnee, Illinois. Six members of our group worked on projects there creating desks out of old bleacher wood the center received from schools. These very compact and durable desks are then shipped all over the world to help students in struggling countries. A ...

Submitted by Beverly Nolte, UMVIM Co-Chairperson  The Iowa United Methodist Volunteer in Mission Committee (UMVIM) has been restarted to offer assistance in making your mission work journey successful!. The Iowa United Methodist Volunteer in Mission Committee has all the information you need to successfully prepare, plan and pursue any mission experience. With a vote pending, Sandy Ashley and Beverly Nolte will serve as co-chairpersons through July 1, 2023. ​Phil Rogers is a liaison with ...

More than 100 volunteers and staff worked together on the phones this spring to raise over $345,000 for Iowa United Methodist Camp and Retreat Centers. This is the third year that the ministry has held a successful capital campaign.   “We're grateful for all the campaigners who made phone calls and in-person visits,” said Camp Registrar Shannon Bardole-Foley. “We’re extremely grateful to all the folks who made a gift and care so much about camps and getting kids to camp. We're just very grateful...

Written by Nancy Stockade, Iowa Conference United Women in Faith Iowa Conference United Women in Faith has awarded $200,000 in major grants —  $50,000 each to Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill in Des Moines, Shesler Hall in Sioux City and Iowa United Methodist Church Camp and Retreat Ministries. The grants are made possible by major funds from the estate of Barbara Csomay (SO-may) that were designated to Iowa Conference United Methodist Women (now United Women in Faith). Csomay, a ...

Palo UMC The food pantry in the Palo United Methodist Church was set up by Mike and Laura Wood the fall of 2020 with assistance from HACAP.  When Mike died unexpectedly in the spring of 2021, volunteers from the church took over the managing of the food pantry. HACAP was instrumental in assisting us to continue the food pantry. We met with HACAP staff to learn how to order food items from HACAP, how to pick up ordered items and the various regulations associated with running a food pantry. ...

Matthew 25's mission is to empower people to transform neighborhoods as it envisions a thriving, connected community where people are valued and talents are multiplied; where neighborhood families have access to safe, affordable housing and healthy food; and where youth are empowered through reading and the creative arts. See how they #BeUMC. By: Liz Winders, Director of Communications On Wednesday, April 27, Matthew 25’s Cultivate Hope Corner Store drew crowds on its grand opening day. The new...

Circuit 4 of the Riverview Park District has been brainstorming ideas on how to get their churches introduced and working with each other.  "Pastor Dani Musselman has been leading our circuit to find ways that we could be in ministry with one another and she came up with the idea to do devotions during Holy Week as a way of introducing the circuit churches to one another," said Pastor Nate Nims of Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines. Musselman, who is the pastor of Centennial United ...

A 24-hour prayer vigil was held last week for the people, the leaders, and the hope-seekers of the Iowa United Methodist churches as Easter approached. During this vigil, each 30-minute pray-er was given 15-16 churches from Ackley to Zearing. "In a time of silent prayer driving down the road, I 'felt' prompted surround the people in prayer," said Associate Director for Congregational Excellence Rev. Ryan Christenson. "In particular, I know so many folks show up at Easter who wouldn’t usually be...

United Methodist Builders have been an important part of developing churches across the Iowa Annual Conference. United Methodist Builders have helped new congregations buy land or build their first church facility. United Methodist Builders have provided funds to help established congregations update their facilities or build new additions. Grace Ottumwa United Methodist Church, one of the two recipient churches who will receive Builder's Call funds, is the vital merger of three United ...

Written by Sarah Adams, Communications & Office Coordinator — Iowa United Methodist Foundation Union Park UMC has a vision of providing manna as God does in the book of Exodus; they want to alleviate hunger in their community and beyond. One way they do this is through a manna meal, a dinner provided once per month to anyone who comes to the church and requests it. The project started small in the beginning of 2020, but at its height reached over 340 meals, and now averages around 150 meals each...

New Hope UMC — Des Moines New Hope partnered with the Filipino American Society in Iowa to provide the facility and volunteer support for free COVID vaccinations for the Asian and Immigrant Communities in Polk County.  Interpreters were available from the Asian Coalition to explain, answer questions and provide emotional support to participants. Vaccinations were given by a group of volunteer pharmacists. Organized by the Mission Committee, church volunteers staffed the intake table, the ...

Submitted by Laura Hutler, Barnum Team Leader - Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center In mid-February, the United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries Association (UMCRM) received word that it was granted one million dollars to distribute to United Methodist Camps & Retreat Ministries in the U.S. The goal of the gift was to enable individual sites and ministries to take one significant step in the 2022 calendar year toward long-term impact and sustainability. The staff received word on March 24...