TRACK 1: Yes, God is Calling You! The Only Question is: How?

God calls every baptized person into ministry, and discernment is the churchy word we use for the way we listen for God’s call and respond. Every Christian is called to a life of faith and of living into the promises of the baptismal covenant. Most Christians are called to exercise their ministry through their life in the world, whether as a part of their secular vocation or in other parts of their life. Some Christians are called to life in holy orders as deacons, priests, or bishops, and some are called to the religious life in a monastic order. Rooted in the baptismal covenant, we will look at the orders of ministry in The Episcopal Church and the ways that they support each other in the work of the church and building up of God’s kingdom. We will discuss the ways that God calls us in large and small ways throughout our lives. Participants will explore their own sense of call and engage in mutual discernment of where that call might lead. This track is intended for anyone interested in discernment of God’s call, whether focused on ordination or not.

Track Leader: The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot is the 10th bishop of Iowa. She believes that God calls every baptized person to ministry, whether in the church, in the world, or both. An ongoing part of our journey as disciples of Jesus is to listen for that call and respond. Monnot has been practicing discernment with individuals and groups for more than twenty years and finds that it nourishes and shapes her own sense of God’s ongoing call on her life.

TRACK 2: Dismantling Racism

The Beloved Community Initiative for Racial Justice, Healing , and Reconciliation sponsors this required training for Episcopal leaders in Iowa.

Grounded in The Episcopal Church's commitment to dismantling racism as essential to our formation as Christians, this training is open to all persons who would like to deepen their understanding of racism, prejudice, and privilege. Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders is a training that is required of all lay and ordained leaders in The Episcopal Church (including vestries, search committees, diocesan leadership, youth leaders, etc.).

Track Leader: TBD

TRACK 3: Soul Shop™

Soul Shop™ is an interactive workshop designed to equip the faith community to support those impacted by suicidal desperation. 

In this workshop, you will learn how to:

• Prevent suicide within your community

• Recognize suicide risk factors and warning signs

• Approach someone at risk and if they might be thinking of suicide 

• Provide companionship to those grieving a loss from suicide

• Know what the Bible has to say about suicide

• Integrate suicide prevention into the life and mission of the church

Suicide is a significant public health concern, and it calls for a response from our communities. We believe that every congregation is in a unique position to offer hope and healing to those affected by suicide. Learn more at www.soulshopmovement.org

Track Leader: David Galvan has been deeply involved in teaching, training, and facilitating conversations on holistic health for individuals since 2010. He holds certification as a trainer in Adverse Childhood Experiences, focusing on trauma-informed care. Additionally, he is a certified trainer of QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer), Youth & Teen Mental Health First Aid, and a Soul Shop™ trainer. David is dedicated to the belief that every individual should have access to help, healing, and hope.

TRACK 4: Ethics

The class will consist of some presentations and interactive activities designed to be informative and enjoyable. Topics that may be addressed include: a little history, what does ethics mean to you, your ethics/assumptions/opinions/facts, everyday ethics, ethical theories, ethics in the Old and New Testament.

Track Leader: Suzanne Messer a long time teacher, most recently at the Southeastern Community College Keokuk Campus. She and her husband, the Rev. Ken Messer, recently retired and moved to the Des Moines metro area to be near their children and grandchildren. She looks forward to engaging this topic which was her favorite class to teach! 

TRACK 5: Responding to Christian Nationalism

The political ideology and cultural framework of Christian nationalism distorts the Christian faith and the American government, posing dangers to both. We facilitated, with the Rev. Nora Boerner, 4 sessions of Lenten study on this topic. The interest in Christian nationalism filled that Zoom class immediately. This course will continue the conversation, and perhaps spark more discussion through 2024 on how to live faithfully in the times in which we live.

Track Leaders:

The Rev. Jean McCarthy served as the rector of St. Mark’s in Des Moines. She was also the ecumenical and interreligious officer for the diocese for Bishop Scarfe. She  is spending her “retirement” continuing as chair of the dispatch of business convention committee, a  member of the One World One Church Commission and has served on the diocesan Disciplinary Board since 2016. She is an Education for Ministry (EfM) mentor for 20 years, has taught several tracks at Summer Ministry School & Retreat, and is a facilitator of the JustFaith modules.

The Rev. Canon Kathleen Milligan has been in ministry in the Diocese of Iowa since 1984. She has served the Diocese of Iowa as a General Convention deputy and the secretary of convention over the years. She has been elected and served several terms on the board of directors and standing committee. She is currently the priest in charge of St. Stephen’s in Newton. She has taught often at Summer Ministry School & Retreat, usually in preaching or biblical studies.

TRACK 6: A Bible Study, Three Early Christological Hymns, Their Texts and Significance For Us

A study of the Kenosis Hymn (Philippians 2:5-11), the Cosmic Christ Hymn (Colossians 1:15-20) and the Logos Hymn (John 1:1-18). We will look at the Greek texts, and their context. With this being our background, we will look at how these hymns influenced our creeds, and subverted the imperial claims of Rome. And finally, how do we attempt to interpret them today?

Track Leader: Paul Muhle leads Bible studies and is an Education for Ministry (EfM) mentor for both Trinity, Iowa City, and New Song, Coralville. He leads a lectionary discussion at a local retirement community. Over many years he has studied the contexts of the Bible's writing: social, linguistic, political, cultural, and spiritual. During the past two years, his study has focused on the parables of Jesus.

TRACK 7: New Thoughts on the New Testament

We will explore Burridge’s claim that the Gospels are biographies in the genre of classical biography. We will consider Bauckham’s evidence for the presence of eyewitness testimony in the Gospels. We will examine Goodacre’s “Case Against Q” as an entry point into the Synoptic Problem. Other recent insights will include the apostles as adolescents and tax collector’s use of shorthand.

Track Leader: The Rev. Alice Haugen has a Ph. D. in Cell Biology, 1977, Brown University, fellow of AAAS, and professor of biochemistry at the University of Iowa. She is the priest at St. Paul’s in Durant and has been a popular instructor for Iowa’s E-Seminary and several Summer Ministry School & Retreats.

TRACK 8: Dance on the Water thru Art

Dancing on the water means various things for everyone. We will attempt to discover through art, just how we dance on the water in our own lives. There will be opportunities to paint, draw, stamp. There will be different mediums available to help you express your creativity on this year’s diocesan theme: Dancing on the Water. As usual, bring your spray bottles, and old shirts or bib aprons so clothes can be spared.

Track Leader: Alescha Caldwell has used her creativity with art to share the Gospel, and to reinforce her spirituality. With over 40 years of creativity in art, she has taught classes in her town, operated 3 art galleries, and continues to seek the Companion’s lead in every step of her work.

TRACK 9: Into the Oneness

Cultivate ways of consciously communing with The Sacred, and living life with greater flow, surrendered trust, and ease. We’ll practice opening to life force energy-Spirit breathing in and through us via meditative, easy to learn Qigong. Also Being states of resting in and with Presence, and thus True or Deeper Self, through age-old yogic sleep guided meditation, radiant heart meditation, and the soothing sound and vibration of singing bowls. This track is grounded in biblical and Christian mysticism with some Taoist and TCM elements.

Track Leader: The Rev. Catherine Quehl-Engel, who has a Doctorate of Ministry in Christian Spirituality and a Doctorate in Theology, Ethics and Culture, is a spiritual director, teacher, healer, retreat leader, artist, and priest. Her doctoral dissertation Deep Abiding: Praying, Living, and Loving From The Inside Out shapes this offering, as well as other sacred ways of perceiving and being. For more information see www.calmwithcatherine.com

TRACK 10: Dreams as Spiritual Guidance

What does the Spirit whisper in your ear as you sleep? Dreams can be healing and spiritually informative. Join other dreamers for a retreat as we tell and listen to dreams. Please bring writing implements, journal or notebook, (art materials if you wish.). Participants will find a safe, interesting, challenging atmosphere to examine dream life and how it is intimately interwoven with spiritual life.

Track Leader: Helen L. Keefe (MA Pastoral Studies, MSW) is a life-long dreamer, a member of Spiritual Directors International, and former long-time resident of the Diocese of Iowa. She presents retreats on dreams, nature, grief, baptism, spiritual direction, vestry retreats, and women in scripture. She and her wife, the Rev. Willa Goodfellow, live and minister in Camp, County Kerry, with the Tralee and Dingle Group of Parishes (Church of Ireland.) Helen is fluent in Spanish, attempts Gaeilge, loves to swim, and continues to work on jazz trumpet.

TRACK 11: Spiritual Direction/Solo Retreat

A reprise of the popular (and still optional) guidance for the Solo Retreat option. The Rev. Mary Jane Oakland will use the first and last track time to gather for opening and closing exercises, offer resources for your own private retreat and a limited number of one-on-one spiritual direction appointments will be offered to solo retreatants first. Oakland will also share the “Service of Reconciliation of a Penitent” for any who desire. Whether you take this track in order to self-direct your own retreat or to seek a more guided retreat, you are also welcomed to fully participate in all meals, fellowship and worship opportunities offered during the weekend.

Track Leader: The Rev. Mary Jane Oakland, Ph. D, is a retired priest (and nutrition faculty member) and is also a member of Spiritual Directors International. She has served as a listening partner for many directees over many years. She and her husband Dave live in Ames, and she continues with supply priest service, and some nutrition consulting to work on the issues of stunting and undernutrition in babies and young children in Ghana. She will be available for spiritual direction appointments with solo retreatants as well as with other week end participants and to share the “Service of Reconciliation of a Penitent” for any who desire.