• 2024 Budget - APPROVED

• Resolutions - APPROVED

  • Resolution 171-A: Compensation for Non-Stipendiary Clergy

  • Resolution 171-B: The Episcopal Church of Iowa’s Resolution for a $5 million increase to victim services funding in Iowa for Human Trafficking Victims

• Election Results

• Minutes of the 171st Annual Convention (2023) (Final minutes, pending approval by action of the 172nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Iowa, October 2024)

• Minutes of the 170th Annual Convention (2022)

• Reports & Addendum to Reports to Convention

• 2024 Narrative to Proposed Budget

• Resolution Committee report to Convention

• Memorial Resolutions

• Nominations Committee report to Convention

• Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

• Rules of Order 2023 (see video)

• Agenda

• Guidelines for Submitting a Resolution

• Why Pronouns Matter

Diocesan Pension Fund Administrator: Ms. Anne Wagner, Diocese of Iowa

Editor of Iowa Connections: Ms. Traci Ruhland Petty, Diocese of Iowa

Companion Diocese Coordinators
Diocese of Brechin: Mr. Jim Conger, New Song, Coralville
Diocese of Swaziland: The Rev. Stacey Gerhart, St. Thomas’, Sioux City serving with co-coordinator Ms. Amy Mellies, St. John’s, Ames
Diocese of Nzara: The Rev. Abigail Livingood, Trinity Church, Waterloo

Diocesan Ecumenical Officer: The Rev. Kyle Carswell, St. Timothy’s, West Des Moines

Diocesan Altar Guild Director: Ms. Stephanie Murphy, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

Diocesan Disaster Relief Coordinator: The Rev. Holly Scherff, St. John’s, Shenandoah

Episcopal Relief & Development Ministry Partner: The Rev. Holly Scherff, St. John’s, Shenandoah

United Thank Offering Coordinator team: The Rev. Diane Eddy and Mr. David Eddy

Commission on Ministry
Reappointed with Terms Expiring 2026:
Ms. Vicky Matthiessen Krause, Christ Church, Burlington
Ms. Karen McCallan, St. John’s, Glenwood
The Rev. Melody Rockwell, Christ Church, Cedar Rapids
The Rev. Anne Williams, St. Mark’s, Anamosa
New Appointments with Terms Expiring 2026:
The Rev. Alice Haugen, St. Paul’s, Durant
Mr. Harvey Nicholson, St. Matthew’s by the Bridge, Iowa Falls
Members Continuing with Terms expiring 2025:
The Hon. Greg Jones, St. Thomas', Sioux City
The Rev. Jane Stewart, New Song, Coralville
Ms. Sarah Thompson, Grace, Cedar Rapids
The Rev. John Greve, Grace, Cedar Rapids
The Rev. Kevin Powell, Trinity, Muscatine
Ms. Keila Eddy, Grace, Cedar Rapids
Members Continuing with Terms Expiring 2024:
The Rev. Stephen Benitz, St. John’s, Mason City
The Rev. Jean Davis, St. Paul’s, Des Moines
The Rev. Kris Leaman, St. Mark’s, Fort Dodge
Ms. Deb Leksell, Good Shepherd, Webster City
Ms. Jenna Parker, St. Timothy’s, West Des Moines

Professional Development Leave Committee
New Appointment with Term Expiring 2026:
Mr. Dale Schirmer, St. John’s, Mason City; member of the Board of Directors
Members Continuing with Terms Expiring 2025:
The Rev. Dr. Kevin Goodrich, St. John’s, Dubuque
Dr. David Smith, Grace Church, Decorah
Members Continuing with Terms Expiring 2024:
Dr. Catherine Gillespie, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines
The Rev. Dr. Mary Jane Oakland, St. John’s, Ames

Diocesan Historiographer: Dr. Hal Chase, St. Andrew’s Church, Des Moines

Diocesan Representative to Province VI Council 
(3-yr terms; per 2022 convention action)
Member Continuing:
Ms. Ann McLaughlin (2026), Church of the Good Shepherd, Webster City
New Appointment:
The Rev. Catherine Schroeder, Grace Church, Boone (2026)

Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, diocesan representatives on Board:
Ms. Deb Leksell, Church of the Good Shepherd. Webster City
Ms. Greta Muller Levis, St. John’s by the Campus, Ames
New/clergy appointment:
The Rev. Canon Kathleen S. Milligan, St. Stephen’s, Newton

Secretary of Diocesan Convention (from 2012/160th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Iowa through to this 171st: The Rev. Canon Kathleen S. Milligan

Board of Directors: Jolene Phelps; Donald Keeler; Diane Eddy; Charles Morrie Bryant; Kris Leaman; Elizabeth Duff Popplewell - Standing Committee president

Commission on Ministry: Mel Schlachter; Kevin Sanders, chair

Professional Development Leave committee: Kevin Sanders

Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, completing many years of service: Jean McCarthy

Global Missioner: Melody Rockwell

Summer Ministry School & Retreat co-coordinators 2023:
Jane Stewart (completing service)

(continuing: Abigail Livingood, Jean Davis)

• 2023 Budget (and Bishop’s Budget Cover Letter ) — APPROVED

• Resolutions — APPROVED

• Election Results

• Journal of the 169th Convention (minutes of 2021 Convention)

• Reports to Convention (2nd Edition - revised Oct. 20 includes Rules of Order and Committees of Convention)

• Resolution Committee report to Convention

• Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

• Nomination Form

• Guidelines for Submitting a Resolution

Diocesan Pension Fund Treasurer: Ms. Anne Wagner, Diocese of Iowa

Editor of Iowa Connections: Ms. Traci Ruhland Petty, Diocese of Iowa

Companion Diocese Coordinators
Diocese of Brechin: Mr. Jim Conger, New Song, Coralville
Diocese of Swaziland: The Rev. Stacey Gerhart, All Saints’, Storm Lake and St. Thomas’, Sioux City – serving with co-coordinator Ms. Amy Mellies, Ames
Diocese of Nzara: The Rev. Abigail Livingood, Trinity Church, Waterloo

Diocesan Global Missioner: The Rev. Melody N. Rockwell, Christ Church, Cedar Rapids

Diocesan Ecumenical Officer: The Rev. Jean McCarthy, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

Diocesan Altar Guild Director: Ms. Stephanie Murphy, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

Diocesan Disaster Relief Coordinator: The Rev. Holly Scherff
Seeking team members to serve – If you are interested in Iowa Relief coordination work, contact the Bishop's office

Episcopal Relief & Development Ministry Partner: The Rev. Holly Scherff

United Thank Offering Coordinator team: The Rev. Diane Eddy and Mr. David Eddy

Commission on Ministry
Reappointed, with terms expiring 2025:
The Hon. Greg Jones, Sioux City, St. Thomas'
The Rev. Jane Stewart, Coralville, New Song
Ms. Sarah Thompson, Cedar Rapids, Grace

New appointments  (terms expiring 2025):
The Rev. John Greve, Cedar Rapids, Grace
The Rev. Kevin Powell, Muscatine, Trinity

Members continuing with Terms Expiring 2023:
Ms. Vicky Matthiessen Krause, Burlington, Christ Church
Ms. Karen McCallan, Glenwood, St. John’s
The Rev. Melody Rockwell, Cedar Rapids, Christ
Mr. Kevin Sanders, chair, Cedar Falls, St. Luke’s
The Rev. Mel Schlachter, Iowa City, Retired
The Rev. Anne Williams, Anamosa, St. Mark’s

Terms Expiring 2024:
The Rev. Stephen Benitz, Mason City, St. John’s
The Rev. Jean Davis, Des Moines, St. Paul’s
The Rev. Kris Leaman, Fort Dodge, St. Mark’s
Ms. Deb Leksell, Webster City, Good Shepherd
Mr. CJ Petersen, Denison, Trinity
Mr. John Stender-Custer, Des Moines, St. Paul’s

Professional Development Leave Committee
Terms Expiring 2025:
The Rev. Dr. Kevin Goodrich, Dubuque, St. John’s
Dr. David Smith, Decorah, Grace Church

Continuing with other ongoing members:
Dr. Catherine Gillespie, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Des Moines
The Rev. Dr. Mary Jane Oakland, Diocese of Iowa
Mr. Kevin Sanders, Cedar Falls, St. Luke’s; COM chair

Diocesan Historiographer: Dr. Hal Chase, St. Andrew’s Church, Des Moines

Diocesan Representative to Province VI Council (continuing): Ms. Ann McLaughlin (2025), Church of the Good Shepherd, Webster City

• Minutes of the 168th Convention -APPROVED

• Minutes of the Special Convention for the Election of a Bishop (2021)- APPROVED

• Budget for 2022 -APPROVED Narrative to the 2022 Budget

• Reports to Convention - includes a copy of the budget and many other financial reports and reports about the Ministries of the Diocese

• Resolution Report contains the resolutions that were submitted by the canonical deadline

• Voting and Procedures for 169th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Iowa

• Guidelines for submitting a Resolution to Convention. The resolution deadline was September 19. See the the Rules of Order for guidance around submitting late resolutions.

• Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

• Rules of Order

• Zoom How-to Hints

BISHOP'S APPOINTMENTS

Diocesan Pension Fund Treasurer: Ms. Anne Wagner, Diocese of Iowa

Editor of IOWA CONNECTIONS: The Rev. Meg Wagner, Diocese of Iowa

Companion Dioceses Coordinators: Diocese of Brechin - Mr. Jim Conger, New Song, Coralville, Diocese of Swaziland - The Rev. Stacey Gerhart, All Saints’, Storm Lake/St. Thomas’, Sioux City, Diocese of Nzara - Mr. Ray Gaebler, and Abigail Livingood, St. Timothy’s Church, West Des Moines

Global Missioner (including oversight of Global Goals): The Rev. Melody N. Rockwell, Cedar Rapids

Ecumenical Officer: The Rev. Jean McCarthy, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

Altar Guild Director: Ms. Stephanie Wells, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

Disaster Relief Coordinator: The Rev. Holly Scherff, St. John’s Church, Shenandoah
Seeking team members – especially from the Central Iowa and the Eastern Iowa regions. If you are interested in Relief coordination work, contact Holly Scherff, also our Episcopal Relief & Development rep.

Episcopal Relief & Development representative: The Rev. Holly Scherff, St. John’s Church, Shenandoah

United Thank Offering Coordinator (team): The Rev. Diane and Mr. David Eddy

Commission on Ministry
Re-appointments with Terms Expiring 2024:
The Rev. Stephen Benitz, St. John’s Church, Mason City
Ms. Deb Leksell, Church of the Good Shepherd, Webster City

New appointments, Term Expiring 2024:
The Rev. Jean Davis, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines
The Rev. Kris Leaman, St. Mark’s Church, Fort Dodge
Mr. CJ Petersen, Trinity Church, Denison

New appointment (Term Expiring 2023):
Ms. Vicky Matthiessen Krause, Christ Church, Burlington

New appointments, (Term Expiring 2022):
Ms. Sarah Thompson, Grace Church, Cedar Rapids
The Rev. Jane Stewart, New Song, Coralville

Professional Development Leave Committee Terms Expiring 2024:
Dr. Catherine Gillespie, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Des Moines
Dr. Mary Jane Oakland, Diocese of Iowa

Diocesan Representative to Province VI Council:
Ms. Ann McLaughlin, Church of the Good Shepherd, Webster City

Diocesan Historiographer: Dr. Hal Chase, St. Andrew’s Church, Des Moines

for our companion Diocese of Swaziland, for use as locally discerned to meet greatest need, and as they work supporting children and families impacted by current troubles.

Click Here to donate online

According to the Diocese of Iowa’s Constitution, Article III, each Priest and Deacon canonically resident and who is not under ecclesiastical discipline, shall be entitled to seat and vote in this Convention. A minister ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who, with the permission of the Bishop, serves a congregation in this Diocese, shall have a seat and vote in this Convention.

Lay delegates are elected by each church for this Convention. Each church is entitled to one delegate for each 75 communicants in good standing. Lay delegates must be confirmed adult communicants in good standing. A vacancy in the delegation shall be filled as provided for in Article III, Sec. 3 of the Constitution.

Additionally, the Archdeacon, the Executive Secretary, the Chancellor, the Convention Secretary, the Treasurer, the Historiographer, and the Registrar of the Diocese, each shall be entitled, ex officio, to a seat and vote in the Convention. Any lay member of the Standing Committee who is not otherwise elected as a congregational delegate to Convention shall be entitled, ex officio, to a seat, voice, and vote in Convention. Eight youth delegates (ages 16-18), appointed by the Bishop upon the recommendation of the diocesan Missioner for Children, Youth and Young Adults, shall also have seat, voice, and vote at the Convention.

Unlike the elections that occur at our regular conventions, we will NOT use a Hare Transferable Ballot. The procedure for voting for a bishop is governed by Article X of the Constitution of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. Article X states, “The election of a Bishop, or of a Bishop Coadjutor, or of a Suffragan Bishop, of the Church in this Diocese shall be made in Convention by a concurrent vote of the Clergy and of the Laity, the two Orders voting by ballot, separately, in open Convention; and when all the votes of both Orders shall have been deposited, the tellers of the Clerical and of the Lay vote, respectively, shall proceed to count the votes, and if, among those voted for, one shall be found to have received upon the same ballot a majority of the votes of the Clergy and a majority of the votes of the Laity, that one shall be declared duly elected.”

Voting will be done in-person, electronically. Each delegate should be prepared to have a phone, tablet, or laptop with them, or make arrangements to borrow one, for the special convention. In order to vote, each delegate will need to have access to their email account that was used on their registration.

The convention will be in session until a bishop is elected and the meeting is adjourned. This could take one hour or it could take several hours. It is possible that it could take multiple ballots. Recesses will be taken for meals and other breaks, if needed. All delegates are expected to remain present until the convention is adjourned.

It is important for delegates to remain in the ballroom at the conclusion of the election. Immediately following the election, all delegates will be required to sign the Canonical Testimony of Election. Once that is complete, the bishop-elect will be invited to address the convention. Please plan to remain in your seat until convention is adjourned.

The election must be consented to within 120 days by a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and a majority of Standing Committees across The Episcopal Church. Once the bishop-elect has completed the required post-election tasks, and the necessary consents have been obtained, the elected candidate will be ordained as Bishop of Iowa at a service at which the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Reverend Michael Curry presides. The service has been scheduled for December 18, 2021. All Iowa Episcopalians are invited and encouraged to participate in this joyful celebration of new ministry. Bishop Alan Scarfe will retire when the next called bishop is consecrated.

The convention was held online using the Whova app.

3 Plenary Sessions gathered Delegates and visitors on October 24, 2020 and
The 168th Convention is now in recess until May 1st of 2021.

10:00 AM   Plenary One 

12:45 PM    Plenary Two

2:45 PM     Plenary Three

Pre-registration was required in order to receive log in details and instructions for downloading the Convention App, called Whova,

There were opportunities to practice and test connectivity on October 17 and 22

• Convention Schedule (subject to change)

• 2021 Proposed Budget (approved)

• Resolutions (with actions)

• Elections Results

• Minutes of the 167th Annual Convention

• Reports to Convention (published 9/23/2020)

• Addendum to Reports to Convention (published 10/23/2020)

• Journal of the 167th Annual Convention

• Delegate Certification & Delegation Registration Form in 2 parts (3 pages)

• Guidelines for submitting a resolution (Resolution 168G is not reflected in this document)

• Information for Exhibitors and Vendors

• Rules of Order (includes revisions approved at this convention)

• Download a step-by-step guide to using our event app, Whova.

Diocesan Pension Fund Treasurer: Ms. Anne Wagner, Diocese of Iowa

Editor of Iowa Connections: The Rev. Meg Wagner, Diocese of Iowa

Companion Dioceses Coordinators:
Diocese of Brechin: Mr. Jim Conger, New Song, Coralville
Diocese of Swaziland: The Rev. Stacey Gerhart, All Saints, Storm Lake/Calvary, Sioux City
Diocese of Nzara: Mr. Ray Gaebler, St. Timothy’s Church, West Des Moines

Co-Global Missioners (including oversight of Global Goals): The Rev. Melody N. Rockwell, Cedar Rapids; The Rev. Suzanne Peterson, Des Moines

Ecumenical Officer: The Rev. Jean McCarthy, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines 

Altar Guild Directress: Ms. Stephanie Wells, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

Disaster Relief Coordinator: The Rev. Holly Scherff, St. John’s Church, Shenandoah 

Episcopal Relief & Development representative: The Rev. Holly Scherff, St. John’s Church, Shenandoah

United Thank Offering Coordinator: The Rev. Richard Graves, St. Paul’s Church, Marshalltown

Diocesan Representative to Province VI Council Continuing A Three-year term ending 2022: The Rev. Zebulun, (Zeb) Treloar, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

Diocesan Historiographer: Dr. Hal Chase, St. Andrew’s Church, Des Moines

Commission on Ministry
Re-appointments with Terms Expiring 2023: The Rev. Mel Schlachter, Iowa City; Mr. Kevin Sanders, St. Luke’s Church, Cedar Falls
New appointments, Terms Expiring 2023: The Rev. Kim Turner Baker, St John’s by the Campus, Ames; The Rev. Hal Ley Hayek, Christ Church, Cedar Rapids; Ms. Karen McCallan, St. John’s Church, Glenwood
Terms Expiring 2021: Ms. Annaleah Moore, St. Paul’s, Council Bluffs; The Rev. Stephen Benitz, John’s Church, Mason City; Mr. Joe Ellerbroek, St. Timothy’s Church, West Des Moines; Ms. Deb Leksell, Church of the Good Shepherd, Webster City; The Rev. Judith Crossett, Trinity Church, Iowa City; Ms. Annaleah Moore, St. Paul’s, Council Bluffs; The Rev. Canon Kathleen Milligan, Des Moines (& diocesan examining chaplain)
Terms Expiring 2022: The Rev. Vincent Bete, St. Anne’s by the Fields, Ankeny; The Rev. Stacey Gerhart, Calvary Church, Sioux City; The Hon. Greg Jones, Standing Committee; The Rev. Jennifer Masada, New Song Church, Coralville; Mr.  David Moore, St. John’s by the Campus, Ames
Ex officio: The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe (Diocese of Iowa, Des Moines)

Professional Development Leave Committee
Terms Expiring 2023: Ms. Kevin Sanders, St. Luke’s Church, Cedar Falls - reappointment 
Terms Expiring 2021: Dr. Sigmund (Sig) Barber, St. Paul’s Church, Grinnell; The Rev. Canon Kathleen Milligan, Des Moines
For Terms Expiring 2022: The Rev. Kevin Goodrich, St John’s Church, Dubuque; Mr. David Smith, Grace Church, Decorah  

Diocesan Pension Fund Treasurer: Ms. Anne Wagner, Diocese of Iowa

Editor of IOWA CONNECTIONS: The Rev. Meg Wagner, Diocese of Iowa

Companion Dioceses Coordinators
Diocese of Brechin: Mr. Jim Conger, New Song, Coralville, Diocese of Swaziland: The Rev. Stacey Gerhart, All Saints, Storm Lake/Calvary, Sioux City
Diocese of Nzara: Mr. Ray Gaebler, St. Timothy’s Church, West Des Moines

Co-Global Missioners (including oversight of Global Goals): The Rev. Suzanne Peterson, Des Moines, The Rev. Melody N. Rockwell, Cedar Rapids

Ecumenical Officer:The Rev. Jean McCarthy, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

Diocesan Altar Guild: Ms. Stephanie Wells, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

Disaster Relief Coordinators: The Rev. Holly Scherff, St. John’s Church, Shenandoah : The Rev. Martha Lang, Trinity Church, Muscatine

Episcopal Relief & Development Representative: The Rev. Holly Scherff, St. John’s Church, Shenandoah

United Thank Offering Coordinator: The Rev. Richard Graves, St. Paul’s Church, Marshalltown

Professional Development Leave Committee for Terms Expiring 2022: The Rev. Kevin Goodrich, St John’s Church, Dubuque – new appointment, Mr. David Smith, Grace Church, Decorah - reappointment. Others continuing on this committee for terms Expiring 2020: Mr. Kevin Sanders, St. Luke’s Church, Cedar Falls. Terms Expiring 2021: Dr. Sigmund (Sig) Barber, St. Paul’s Church, Grinnell, The Rev. Canon Kathleen Milligan, Trinity Church, Muscatine

Diocesan Representative to Province VI Council: Thee-year term ending 2022: The Rev. Zebulun (Zeb) Treloar, St. Paul’s Cathedral

Diocesan Historiographer: Ms. Vicki Ingham, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Des Moines

167 A (Amended) Adopted

167B Support of resolutions from the Diocese of Swaziland - adopted

167C ADD CANON 38 Of the Election of Bishops - adopted

167 D Proposed Amendment to Article III of the Constitution of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa - adopted

167E Strategic Review - referred to the Board of Directors

Journal -166th Convention (includes minutes of the 2018 convention)

2020 Proposed Budget - Approved

2019 Reports to Convention Booklet

Election Results

Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

Congregational Vitality Report - view or download a copy. Is your church missing from the report? Email us with the information