June 2025 e:News: From Bishop Monnot

Dear siblings in Christ,

I hope your Pentecost celebration was spirit-filled. I have enjoyed seeing photos on social media from congregations around this diocese, sharing their celebrations both liturgical and social. Lots and lots of people wearing red!

We can sometimes forget that the Holy Spirit acts and inspires all of us together in community. So often we think of the Holy Spirit as reflected in an individual experience, or as inspiring a particular person to do or say a particular thing. In fact, the tongues of flame that landed on the heads of the apostles empowered them to act as a group together, preaching and proclaiming about Jesus in every language. Peter, who was the acknowledged leader of the apostles by then, was the one who gave the inspiring talk, but when 3,000 people were baptized that day, all of the apostles were certainly involved in that spirit-led work.

We, like the apostles, are called and led by the Holy Spirit to work and act together in community. I saw plenty of Spirit-led community action over the Pentecost weekend, which was also celebrated as Pride weekend in many of our Iowa communities. Those who followed the Spirit’s call to volunteer at a Pride booth may have experienced some of what I experienced during my shift at the diocesan booth at Capital City Pride in Des Moines. I saw many festival attendees who were enthusiastic about the church being present at Pride. Many thanked us for our presence, and many wrote their names or names of others on slips of paper to become part of the love chain (colorful paper chain) that quickly wound its way around our pop-up tent rafters. Some folks had questions or wanted more of a conversation; some asked for prayer. All of the incredible witness and evangelism that took place at the various Pride festivals across Iowa, and that will take place during other Pride events, are due to the power of the Holy Spirit acting in community.

When we follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as a community, the world changes.

As I write, our country has its eyes on Los Angeles: on the actions of ICE, the California National Guard, the United States Marines, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the protestors. The Holy Spirit is there as well, moving through the people, supporting nonviolent resistance, strengthening those who are being oppressed as well as those struggling against oppression. The Holy Spirit is strengthening the resolve of law enforcement officers dedicated to preserving the peace rather than inciting violence. The Holy Spirit is making connections between people to mutually support and assist one another in preserving the rights and freedoms guaranteed by our democracy in the laws of the United States. The Holy Spirit, moving in and through the community, leads us as we live our baptismal vows to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.

As we move into the future that is yet to be written, we in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa are continuing a process of listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit calling us forward. Over the last two years, our diocese has been listening deeply to God through scripture, each other, our neighbors, and the world as we work to discern God’s plan for the future of this diocese. On July 7th we will launch a diocese-wide survey called the Landscape Survey, which will continue this process of listening.

This survey is intended for every member of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, and everyone’s voice is important: members of smaller churches and larger churches; newer members and long-time members; lay and clergy, people of all ages; everyone! It is my hope that each congregation will work together to be sure that everyone has an opportunity to respond to the survey. Since the survey is only available online, congregations can work together to have laptops or tablets available and to help those with less computer experience to register their opinions and let their thoughts be known.

Our world and our country, are changing rapidly. In a changing environment it is important that the church respond with care and intention, rooted in our deeply held values. The Holy Spirit works best in and through the community, and the Holy Spirit will work best through the community of the Diocese of Iowa if everyone is able to participate in this survey. Please watch your email for the survey link and be sure to complete it before it closes on August 4th.

Yours in the abundant life of Christ,
+Betsey

The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa