March 2020 E-News
From the Bishop
Jesus once asked his questioners how it was that they could look at the sky and tell the weather, but were not conscious of the real life circumstances they were in. He was referring to end times, an understanding that history was finite, and that the will of God reigned supreme over the affairs of the human race. Now Jesus never succumbed to the folly that we could predict end times, and acknowledged that even He did not have that information. It was important, however, that we live with a certain humility of spirit that always gave room for the divine will; and never that we were the be all and end all of human existence.
On our travels recently, Donna and I saw a rather macabre church sign that read “God recycles; He made you from dust.” In January, on the UK TV nightly news there were back to back reports on the Australian wildfires; followed by pictures of a huge sandstorm, prompted by the fires, about to engulf an Australian city; and then a switch to farmers in East Africa trying to bat away massive swarms of locusts devouring their crops. As the camera switched back on the news anchor, he said “All we need now is a plague!” And as if on cue, enters coronavirus, or COVID-19.
“Thoughts and prayers” don’t go over well when we are dealing with situations that we cry out for clear legislative action to prevent, like addressing new episodes of gun violence such as in Milwaukee. But we must admit to the fact that if even recent generations had experienced the string of events we are facing, we would find them on their knees. How do we give ourselves the “grace margin,” as Eric Law would say, to acknowledge our need of God? This season of Lent is timely arrived upon.
You could say that the gift of knowledge beyond their capacity was the offer of the serpent to Adam and Eve, in our reading for first Sunday of Lent. We may become too sophisticated for our own good, and a little humility could take us a long way. Interestingly, such humility is often expressed by those very experts who devote their lives to warning us of reckless, mindless pursuits that wreck our environment, or who have to seek answers to the consequences of these actions, or to find responses to the biological warfare we face daily and/or with the hidden enemy of an unexpected disease such as Covid-19, or a more known one such as cancer.
The irony is that we are thrust into this dilemma at a time when we are revving up to a national election, where knowing it all is a prime claim on every candidate’s lips; and that’s because we demand it of them. Modesty is not the order of the day. These are politicians and not prophets, or pastors. The more authoritarian a figure, the more the demand upon them to know it all. That is what leadership has become.
On March 3rd, a group of Episcopalians gathered at the state Capitol to see our legislators at work, and to meet with Episcopal representatives. We were given an overview of legislation that might touch upon our Gospel values, and encouraged to build relationships with our representatives as a way of bringing influence to bear. These were individuals who practiced “grace margins” within their calling as politicians.
Jesus offered images for knowing our place in human affairs. He referred to His followers as salt, yeast, and light. Salt sustains life and preserves the taste of things; yeast acts as a hidden substance that only reveals the hardening consequences of its absence; and light offers the ability to see what we are doing, to provide perspective, and offer guidance. Without us the world becomes tasteless, hard and in the dark. Sound familiar?
Our Episcopalians on the Hill day was accompanied by a reporter from the Episcopal News Service. He asked me if I thought the Church should be involved in politics. I answered that our Baptismal Covenant demands three things of us—to be worshipping people (promising to attend to the apostles’ teaching, breaking bread and prayers); to be an inwardly aware people (promising to resist evil and have a penitential spirit when we fail); and third, to be a political people (working for justice, peace, truth, as we lift every one’s dignity and see Christ in all whom we serve). The latter work goes beyond food pantries and social welfare (necessary and good as they are), and seeks to bring grace into our very legal structure. What we are not, I said, was partisan. The apostle Paul sees this as working like the Body, in fact the Body of Christ. Every part needs each other; and that requires mutual respect, collaboration and common purpose.
Jesus did not survive the political intrigues of His time. And yet He overcame them. For the worst his political enemies could do to Him, could not hold Him. “He conquered death by death.” as the Eastern Orthodox acclamation at the Easter Vigil proclaims. In this assurance of victory, we engage the human struggle to read the signs of the times, for God has not stopped speaking in the earthquake and the fire, the pestilence and the plague, and we can never be too sophisticated not to pay attention.
In the peace and love of Christ,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
"As we listen to God, one another, and our neighbors, what future do we imagine God is bringing forth in our midst?"
How will my congregation benefit?
Train effective lay spiritual leaders through workshops and coaching
Learn to discern and respond to God's leading
Deepen your congregation's spirituality
Build connections with other congregations
Engage and inspire your membership
Affirm your faith that God has a vital role for your congregation to play
2020 Training Workshops
Insightful Leadership: Begin by Asking Different Questions
- April 25
Learn by Doing: Using Action Learning to Discover God's Leading - July 11
Sharing Our Learning: Intentional Reflection on Our Action
- September 26
Deadline for vestries to inform us of their congregation’s commitment is March 25.
To learn more and to register, go to https://tinyurl.com/faithful2020
I s your congregation interested in joining? Here's what's required of each congregation:
A Guiding Team of 4-8 members willing to engage in the three 2020 trainings
Each Guiding Team will be responsible to help others from their congregation participate in the activities and learning that will take place between trainings
Each vestry will need to discuss and approve their congregation's participation
Each congregation will be asked to contribute $150 to help cover the cost of meals (scholarship assistance is available)
From the Standing Committee
Creating the Transitions Committee: Imagination, Creativity, and Hospitality
Following the Organizing Retreat for the Bishop Search & Nominating Committee (BSNC) on March 6-7, the Standing Committee will begin the next stage of the Search Process, which is forming the Transitions Committee. The Transitions Committee will plan, coordinate, and carry out primary events during the transition and will attend to the relationships and dynamics affected by the transition throughout the diocese.
Imagination, creativity, and experience in event planning and coordination as well as communications are paramount traits for this Committee. Members of this Committee will collaborate with groups, guilds, committees, and ministries throughout the diocese to create a network of enthusiastic and creative teams needed for the multiple events of our Search. The Transitions Committee will work closely with our Search Consultant, The Rev. Conrad Selnick.
The nature of the work of the Transitions Committee includes:
Search for and secure a venue for the Consecration. We anticipate a large gathering for the Consecration, an appropriate site will need to be found and reserved soon.
Educate the diocese. Collaborate with the BSNC and the Standing Committee to create education materials about Episcopal polity, bishops, the discernment and election process. Skills in written and oral communication, social media, and the ability to work collaboratively are key.
Plan and conduct the “Meet & Greets.” These are the occasions when the candidates and spouses visit the diocese, travel from place to place seeing the diocese and its ministries, and participate in Q&A sessions. In addition to planning the meeting sites, the Transitions Committee will arrange for lodging and transportation, meals, and determine the format of the Q&As.
Provide Pastoral Care to Candidates – including those not selected, Committee Members and Staff, and to our Bishop and his family.
Support the Electing Convention. While much of the responsibility for the convention will fall to the Standing Committee and Diocesan Staff, the Transitions Committee are the primary contacts with the candidates on election day and will be responsible for maintaining contact with each candidate during the election.
Plan and host a farewell. We want to honor Bishop Alan and Donna and to celebrate their presence and ministry among us. We wish to provide a memorable event(s) to offer our thanks and well wishes for all that is yet to come for the Scarfes.
Support the Consecration Service. The Presiding Bishop, Bishop Scarfe, and the bishop-elect design the service. They will also call on various guilds and individuals to play various roles in planning and implementing the Consecration and other events relating to the Consecration. The Transitions Committee is expected to assist as needed on the weekend of September 18, 2021.
As with all diocesan leadership positions, and in order to meet canonical requirements, Transitions Committee members will need to attend a Dismantling Racism training at the earliest possible opportunity, once appointed, unless they have already taken it.
If you are interested or know of someone who would be an ideal member of the Transitions Committee, please be in touch with the Standing Committee via this email address: standingcommittee@iowaepiscopal.org.
We ask for your continued prayers for those serving on various search-related committees, as well as for the diocese and Bishop Alan and Donna. May we remain attentive to the Spirit’s leading in the midst of this holy work.
Blessings,
The Standing Committee
Karen Brooke, Aileen Chang-Matus, Greg Jones, Kathleen Milligan, Elizabeth Duff Popplewell, Anne Williams
For Discernment - Bishop Search
Holy and gracious God; you love your Church and work for its perfecting. We thank you for the abundance of gifts you have given to the Diocese of Iowa. As we have come to this time of transition, open our minds and hearts to see your hand at work all around us, and to discern your purposes for this diocese in this time.
Bless those who have accepted the call to serve on the Search and Nominating Committee. Strengthen them for the task of faithful listening, to each other, to your people around the diocese, and most of all to the leading of your Spirit. Give wisdom to the Standing Committee, the Board of Directors and to the eventual work of the Transition Committee. Guide and strengthen the diocesan staff in their ministry during this time. And give wisdom to those who will ultimately bear the task of electing our next bishop.
Strengthen the faithful of this diocese as they continue to work and pray for our ongoing life and witness. As we look for what is over the horizon, may we continue to be faithful to the day to day work of God’s people in Iowa. Bless Alan our Bishop and his ongoing vision and commitment to our work together. Keep Bishop Alan and Donna in your care during this season of change and discernment for their lives.
We praise your name our loving God, and we continue to trust that “all things are being brought to their perfection by Him through whom all things were made, your son Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit.” Amen.
Upcoming Youth Events
NEW BEGINNINGS #24
March 7-8 at St. Alban's, Spirit Lake
What is New Beginnings?
New Beginnings weekends offer an opportunity for young Christians in grades 6-9 to retreat from their hectic world to consider some of the important relationships in their lives—with parents, with siblings, with peers, and with God.
The program begins on Friday night at 7pm and ends on Sunday afternoon at about 3pm. The New Beginnings weekend proceeds in a building-block fashion, so participants must plan to attend the entire weekend. A pair of youth leaders, called Shepherds, lead th e weekend. These high-school-aged young people guide the journey. The youth team is assisted by adult guides, spiritual director/s (clergy), and other adult leaders.
In addition to songs, games, and skits, youth leaders present short talks on the topics of self, friends, parents, siblings, school, God’s love, and prayer. Small groups provide the opportunity to learn and share together.
Staff Training: April 4, 10:00-4:00pm
EPIC Summer Camp registration is now open
Come join us at Camp Courageous, formerly Pictured Rocks Camp, in Monticello, Iowa. Youth entering 4th-12th grade will enjoy Christian formation programs, as well as summer camp traditions such as swimming, arts and crafts, nature hikes, archery, rock climbing, camp fires, and s'mores, all led by caring, professionally trained staff. ** New this year: $50 per camper deposit will be due at the time of registration. ** There will also be a $50 per camper cancellation fee after July 1, 2020. ** Financial scholarships are available to assist with the cost of camp. The diocesan scholarship funds can assist with 1/3 of the cost. We ask families to also seek assistance from their local congregation first. Special requests can be made to cover more of the fees and will be considered on a case by case basis. Please email Amy at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org if you would like more information.
For children and youth at Summer Ministry School and Retreat - June 26-28 at St. Paul's, Grinnell
Childcare for kids up to entering grade 3 will be provided in the same building as the adult tracks. Children and Youth entering grade 4-12 enjoy a “lock-in” chaperoned and programmed by the Youth Ministry Development Team.
Online Youth Group
Monday, March 23 at 5pm we will be gathering together youth from 9th -12th grade online via Zoom. We know that for a lot of youth our events are where they connect with others across the diocese. Since there are fewer events this year, we want to give the youth time to gather together with each other, online. Starting off we will be discussing songs and how they can impact our faith. We will meet bi-weekly and you can find a calendar on our website.
What’s going on in your congregations regarding Christian Formation?
If you are a part of Christian formation in your congregation, please take a few minutes to let us know what is happening where you are:
Summer Ministry School & Retreat and Small Church Summit June 26-28
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
For the past 31 years Episcopalians in Iowa have gathered for a weekend in the summer to learn church leadership skills, explore personal spirituality or simply find Sabbath time. Praying together sets a rhythm and tone for the weekend that culminates in Eucharist on Sunday morning with the bishop officiating. 7‐8 hours are set aside for “track time” to get in‐depth study in one track topic of your choice. Morning and Evening social time, meals and this year’s “Small Church Summit Plenary Sessions” are shared time with folks that aren’t in your track.
NEW THIS YEAR
This year, the Small Church Summit will provide the focus for much of the time together. The plenary sessions will be dedicated to topics identified in the Small Church Quadrant gatherings as of interest to congregations at this time in the Diocese of Iowa. There will be four tracks related to these plenary topics. Tracks 5-11 are non-Summit tracks and, as in years past, appeal to a wide range of interests.
Beloved Community Initiative
March Retreat: Addressing Racial Bias in Churches LOVE, PRAY, ACT
March 28, 2020 10:00-2:30pm at Old Brick, Iowa City
In the last two years, nearly 200 people in our diocese have taken part in "Dismantling Racism" training. In this working retreat day, we'll explore how our collective actions make a difference.
This is a next step for vestries and other leadership circles who want to be serious about examining their own church or faith community for bias. We'll examine some of the structural racism (schools, local government, law enforcement) that exists around us. We'll also look honestly at how bias and prejudice can affect our own interactions and ways of being church. Bias impacts each and every person, organization, and system--including churches. As spiritual communities with members of varied races, cultures, ages, gender identities, ability status, etc., we all have work to do!
Dr. Ursuline Bankhead will lead an interactive presentation and discussion with small group breakout opportunities to: ground us in the concepts of bias; identify how bias impacts each of us personally and as members of a spiritual body; and, to recognize bias within our own spiritual communities. We'll look at how to recognize, think about, and address bias from a spiritual perspective, both personally and organizationally, and the interactions between these perspectives.
Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders
Dismantling Racism training is required of all lay and ordained leaders in the church
(including vestries, search committees, diocesan leadership, etc.). The training day has been restructured to reflect The Episcopal Church's commitment to this work as part of our lifelong spiritual formation and our church's long-term commitment to racial justice, healing, and reconciliation.
Ideally, every chapter will schedule a training day in their area or take part in a neighboring chapter's.
REQUEST A TRAINING IN YOUR AREA
UPCOMING TRAININGS
April 18: EAST CHAPTER Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders 9:00-3:30pm hosted by Trinity Cathedral, Davenport
April 25: SOUTHEAST CHAPTER Dismantling Racism Training for Church Leaders 9:00-3:30pm hosted by St. Michael's, Mount Pleasant
Are you or your congregation working with 2020 Vision for Becoming Beloved Community ?
March's focus is Black Women in History and it begins with a theological reflection drawn from Stand Your Ground by Kelly Brown Douglas
Missional Leadership Cohort
Luther Seminary is now accepting applications for the 2020-21 Missional Leadership Cohort Program for Episcopal Clergy. This is a grant-funded learning community now in its fourth iteration. Participants engage challenges in their ministry contexts through deep theological and theoretical reflection on missional leadership and learn practices of leading faithful innovation in a supportive peer community.
Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse
ONLINE COURSE
The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations and Department of Faith Formation , in partnership with ChurchNext , a ministry of Forward Movement , has released “ Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse. ” This five-part online curriculum covers the following topics: civil discourse in context, tenets for civil discourse, values-based conversations, the complexities of policy, and sacred space for debate.
Diocesan Calendar
March
March 3: Episcopalians on the Hill
March 5: Special Board of Directors meeting
March 6-7: BSNC Organizing Retreat
March 7: West Chapter Meeting at The Way Station, Spencer, 10:00 am
March 8: Bishop's Visitations with All Saints, Indianola and St. Andrew's, Des Moines (pm) Daylight Savings Time begins.
March 13: Property Committee Meeting
March 14:
North Cedar Valley Chapter Meeting at Trinity, Waterloo, 9:30am
Cluster Gathering at Trinity, Waterloo with St. Luke's Cedar Falls, St. James', Independence, and St. Andrew's, Waverly, open to all of North Central Valley Chapter 11:00am-3:00pm
South Central Chapter Meeting at Trinity, Ottumwa. 10:00am
March 15:
Bishop's Visitations with Trinity, Waterloo and St. Andrew's, Waverly (pm)
Southeast Chapter Meeting at St. Michael's, Mount Pleasant, 2:00pm
March 18: Board of Directors Executive Committee Meeting
March 22: Bishop's Visitation with St. Martin's, Perry
March 26: Bishop with St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral for Lenten Evensong
March 28:
Addressing Racial Bias in Churches at Old Brick in Iowa City, 10:00am-2:30pm REGISTER
Three Rivers Chapter Meeting at Old Brick, Iowa City, 2:30pm
March 29:
Bishop's Visitation with St. Paul's, Marshalltown
East Chapter Meeting at St. Peter's, Bettendorf
April
April 4:
Metro Chapter Meeting at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 10:00am
One World One Church Commission meeting 11:00am-2:00pm
April 4-5: New Beginnings #24 Staff Retreat
April 5: Bishop Scarfe visits St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral
April 6: Chrism Mass at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 11:00-2:00pm, CLERGY RSVP
April 9-12: Bishop Scarfe visits Trinity Cathedral, Davenport for Holy Week and Easter services
April 17-18: Commission on Ministry
April 17-19: New Beginnings #24, St. Alban's, Spirit Lake
April 18: Dismantling Racism Training for Church Leaders, Trinity Cathedral, Davenport, 9:00-3:30pm REGISTER
April 19: Bishop's Visitation with St. James', Oskaloosa
April 25:
April 26: Bishop's Visitation with Good Shepherd, Webster City
For calendar updates, visit our website.
2020 Intercession List DOWNLOAD
How can we support you?
Let us know how we can support you in your ministry or share the good work you are doing:
By phone: 515-277-6165 regular business hours (Mon-Fri: 9-5pm)
By e-mail: diocese@iowaepiscopal.org
To e-mail a specific staff person use their first initial and full last name before the @ sign. (e.g. John Doherty's e-mail is jdoherty@iowaepiscopal.org ).
Share stories for diocesan newsletters by emailing communications@iowaepiscopal.org .
For resources: IowaShare.org
Episcopal Diocese of Iowa | (515) 277-6165 | diocese@iowaepiscopal.org| iowaepiscopal.org