Iowa Conference Conversations: Recent Episodes
Iowa Annual Conference UMC
The Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is comprised of 767 congregations and nearly 158,000 United Methodists across the state of Iowa. This is our story!
Twelve families, including 19 children, aren’t going hungry over the weekends because of the generosity of the people of the Colfax United Methodist Church and other congregations in the community. “We just knew that there was a need,” says Rev. Terry Pollard, “and we’ll take care of it for however long it needs to be.” He was amazed when in just two sort days his church raised almost double the financial goal they’d set…and they do more than just raise a few benevolent dollars. “We have several people in our church who get together to pack food for the families to pick up on Friday mornings,” Pollard said, “and that helps get them through the weekends.”
“We’ve got to acknowledge that this is Holy Week, and that it’s going to be different, but that we’re still going to go through it together.” That’s how Rev. Nate Nims, Senior Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church describes the sacred journey from Palm Sunday to Easter. Even in a time of physical distancing the Grace community is connecting with each other, whether by children waving their colored palm activity sheets in their homes during the service or the contacts made among friends in “bridge the gap” groups. Worshipping together, via Facebook has led to 500,000 interactions, thousands of viewings of posted videos, and a 400% increase in their website traffic. Even though physically distanced in the midst of the Coronavirus health crisis, “we’re trusting that God will still be God” says Rev. Nims, and “those things that we have taken for granted just won't be taken for granted anymore…the connections that we have with one another are so important.”
“A record number of people have been cared for this month by the Grimes Storehouse,” reports Pastor Ben Wedeking…and he expects that the need will continue to increase. The Grimes Storehouse is “a community food pantry that feeds the whole person, and it does so partnering with other churches in the community. From sewing face masks to extending a helping hand with individual needs, Grimes UMC is poised, notes Pastor Ben, “to rise up and be the hands and feet of Jesus” for a community, and a world, in crisis.
“Because pastoring can be a very isolating experience,” Rev. Terra Amundson notes, a chaplaincy program has been established on each district. “It’s a way,” she says, “that we can care for one another” and something she hopes can be a “new way of being.” Rev. Amundson is the Dean of the Appointive Cabinet of the Iowa Annual Conference.
Good Idea webinars and opportunities for Unscripted Expressions of Encouragement and Support will begin this week for laity and clergy of the Iowa Conference. Rev. Dr. Jaye Johnson, Director of Congregational Excellence describes the twice-weekly Good Idea webinars that will feature topics of interest and best practices and the Unscripted Expressions that will provide opportunities to share concerns and hopes in our current uncertain times.
Through its compassionate outreach in the midst of the COVID-19 health crisis and the online worship presence, First United Methodist Church in Iowa City sharing the positive assurance that "hope is never going to be cancelled and the love of God is never going to be cancelled."
Transitional Intentional Interim Ministers are “responsible for the process, not the outcomes,” says Rev. Dianne Christopher. She and a team of three others led a seminar for twenty-six clergy who gathered for a training for ministry professionals to lead transitional congregations on an interim basis. The aim is to be able to provide pastoral leadership that guides, restores, and renews a congregation spiritually and procedurally. Reverends Patricia Johnson (Mountain Sky Conference), Rinya Frisbie (Oregon-Idaho Conference), and Vivian Hiestand (Pacific Northwest Conference) were the associate trainers for the event.
Pre-Annual-Conference information sessions will be held on each of the eight districts in late April. In a wide-ranging conversation, Rev. Dr. Harlan Gillespie, Assistant to Bishop Laurie Haller, talks about how the gatherings will be an opportunity to have a voice in the future of United Methodist ministry in Iowa. He notes that the Bishop will be present at each event to receive questions, share hopes, hear concerns, and provide an update on the future of the denomination as it will be discussed at the international gathering, the General Conference, in May. New ways of collaborating in circuit ministries of Iowa United Methodists will be presented in addition to a conversation about finances.
Registration for the 2020 Iowa Conference camping season is underway. In fact, according to Bryan Johnson, the Director of Camping and Christian Formation, interest is brisk this year. In our conversation, he talked about how camping can be a life-changing experience, something it was for him. A wide range of exciting experiences await 4-year-olds up to high school-aged youth. Creative, well-trained staff look after the campers and provide them with unique opportunities to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.
Circuits will be the future of ministry in the Iowa Conference. Rev. Bill Poland, director of new communities of faith, says, “We want to become a movement again,” and the circuit model will “help to provide growing, gifted leadership for our largest to our smallest churches.” Through circuits clergy and lay will be able to grow in their faith, rediscover their sense of connection, and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Rev. Dr. Barrie Tritle is a member of the Bishop’s Operational Team. He’s also the lead pastor of First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. As the convener of the operational team, he’s helped to lead the Iowa Annual Conference in a process of adaptive change as it moves into a future focused upon supporting the ministries United Methodist congregations all across the state.
John Rothlisberger and Rev. Dr. Lanette Plambeck are two members of the Iowa Conference delegation to the 2020 General Conference. We recently traveled to Nashville for a briefing about the plans that will be presented to that worldwide decision-making body of The United Methodist Church in May. For Rev. Plambeck, there is “a call to do what feels faithful [which] is a good outcome.” John Rothlisberger felt that hearing representatives of the six ethnic ministry plans describe their significant growth in the church was “uplifting.”
Iowa conference Bishop Laurie Haller is the author of Wandering Into Grace: A Journey of Discovery and Hope. Drawing upon the chronicles of her 2018 Manaslu Trek in Nepal with her daughter, Bishop Laurie offers some guidance for a faithful life journey. Dr. Art McClanahan talked with her just prior to the book's release. Wandering Into Grace is a publication of Abingdon Press. (https://www.cokesbury.com/9781501896262-Wandering-Into-Grace)
The Grimes Storehouse is a caring place that cares for the whole person, through food, including perishables, vegetables, and meat, and supplies, relationships and friendships, and prayer. A ministry of the Grimes United Methodist Church, and collaborative effort with friends and business in the community, the Storehouse is "just the beginning" of what Pastor Ben Wedeking sees a God-inspired mission vision.
The Christmas journey becomes complete for many who experience One Starry Night at Grimes United Methodist Church. To be immersed in the announcement of the angel, witness the struggle of Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child, to learn from the humble adoration of the shepherds is as personally rewarding for Phil Bargfrede, Grimes UMC's Director of Children's Ministry after nine years as it is for the first-time guest or even those who return from other parts of the state to the wonder and amazement of One Starry Night.
Collegiate United Methodist Church/Wesley Foundation is committed to eliminating school meal debt in Ames by raising $47,000 through its Advent-Christmas offerings. This will help some 575 families move toward greater food security. An initiative of the congregation's Sending to Serve cluster, and in collaboration with anonymously-given gifts, the campaign is involving the Collegiate Wesley community, Iowa State students, and others. Rev. Jen Hibben, Associate Pastor for Collegiate UMC and Campus Pastor for the Wesley Center, Lauren Loonsfoot, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries for Collegiate UMC and Associate Campus Minister for the Wesley Center, Jodi Smith-Risdal, Sending to Serve Chair, and Amanda Winters, Sending to Serve at Large Member and Assistant in Children, Youth and Family Ministries, join Dr. Art McClanahan in a conversation about reaching out as an act of mercy and justice.
Fresh Expressions is a new way of taking the church to the people. Rev. Bill Poland, Director of New Communities of Faith for the Iowa Conference, talks about the impact of this people-centered, mission-focused experience. Learn more about a Fresh Expressions Vision Day, set for February 15, 2020, at https://www.iaumc.org/freshexpressions
Coming from a long line of United Methodist pastors, Rev. Dr. Moody Colorado is the new superintendent of the South Central District of the Iowa Conference. A prayerful preacher, he looks to build strong relationships with United Methodists of the district's faith communities.
Seeing himself primarily as a relationship builder, Rev. Doug Cue is a "what you see is what you get" pastor to the people of the southeast district as the new role as superintendent. He looks to help connect people and to their own faith-fulfilling ministries.
Pastor Robyn Plocher remembers the first Ingathering, which took place at Westmar College in 1980. She also talks about the excitement of meeting the truck that brought Ingathering-collected kits to the UMCOR depot and helping to unload what had been gathered in Iowa. She shares the memories with Dr. Art McClanahan
Rev. Bill Poland offered the sermon for the fall 2019 gathering of pastors of large churches. His message was entitled, "Into the Great Unknown"
Rev. Catie Newman, the Iowa Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, shares an update on the current round ferocious weather impacting the state. She details three things that people can do, right now, to make a difference in the lives of people who “just want to get back to normal,” and offers a bit of practical advice about how to be prepared.
Rev. Rob Cook is the senior pastor and Rev. Eric Mulanda is the associate pastor of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church. They will present the keynote teaching session for the 2019 Iowa Annual Conference.
Glenwood is one of the communities that has been particularly hard hit by this year’s flooding. Members of the United Methodist Church there are serving meals, collecting and distributing supplies, and providing water to the community. Pastor Kimberly Bowles says, “we see the other people in the community that are in need and we just want to do whatever we can to help take care of them.”
The record flood waters of 2019 are receding in the southwest Iowa town of Hamburg.
United Methodist pastor Luke Fillmore reports that people should be able to get in and start working on their homes and businesses within the next few days.
Four congregations will worship together on Sunday, March 24, and then, following the service, start to figure out what needs to be done, organize volunteers and stage needed supplies
The long work of cleaning up after the flooding in western Iowa is just beginning. Even as the waters are still rising in some places power is being restored in others. Basements are starting to be pumped out. Volunteers are beginning to be welcomed. And the direction for months-long, if not years-long recovery is coming into focus. Financial support can be forward to: Treasurer, Iowa Annual Conference, 2301 Rittenhouse Street, Des Moines, IA 50321 Indicate Advance #223 in the notation of the check
Rev. Catie Newman, the disaster response coordinator for the Iowa Annual Conference provides an update.
Flood waters are still rising in many places in Iowa, even as they are beginning to recede in others. For Rev. Catie Newman, disaster response coordinator for the Iowa Conference, this is personal…she was forced from her home with just ten minutes notice. The flooding is more widespread than any time she can remember.
Rev. Newman provides an update on incoming shipments of cleanup buckets – 3000 are on their way from Illinois and Louisiana. While it’s still too early to provide hands-on assistance, she invites all to pray…pray…pray.
John Rothlisberger, Iowa Conference delegate to the 2019 special General Conference of The United Methodist Church, shares his feelings about the global gathering.
Bishop Laurie Haller pastoral message to Iowa United Methodists following the called special General Conference of The United Methodist Church. Read the text of her message at: https://bit.ly/2GTFvCW
Several billboards have popped up recently. The invitation is simple and direct…“Share the true meaning of Christmas with us.” Also set against the red background is an image of the manger scene with Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, with the bright star shining in the sky above.
These billboards, ten in all, were placed by United Methodist Communications. Along the bottom is a second invitation – “find a church near you at umc.org”
Poonam Patodia is the Chief Marketing Officer for United Methodist Communications. She speaks about the partnership between United Methodist Communications and annual conferences and local churches, especially during the Advent season.
A Budget Team has been tasked to recommend a 2020 budget that is missionally-directed by the three Strategic Priorities adopted by the Annual Conference (2013). The Team has also been tasked to propose expense reductions by $1 million. In this conversation Rev. Bill Poland describes the work of the Budget Review team and its proposals.
Our purpose is love
Beginning Sept. 23, Bishop Laurie Haller will travel across the state of Iowa to update the conference on the three plans being voted on at the Special Called General Conference in Feb. 2019.
This is a letter that will be shared during the gatherings.
You are invited to join her at one of the listening sessions being held in each district.
Southeast District: Sept. 23, Washington UM Church from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
East Central District: Sept. 23, Cedar Rapids Salem UM Church from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
South Central District: Oct. 7, Knoxville First UM Church from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Southwest District: Oct. 8, Atlantic First UM Church from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
North Central District: Oct. 27, Webster City Asbury UM Church from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Northwest District: Oct. 28, Spencer Grace UM Church from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Northeast District: Nov. 18, Cedar Falls First UM Church from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Central District: Dec. 2, Ankeny First UM Church from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
More information on the three plans, Praying Our Way Forward, and resources for hosting discussions in your local church can be found at www.iaumc.org/commissiononawayforward.
Iowa United Methodists are helping neighbors who are surviving summer flooding and tornadoes. Some 3000 homes sustained water damage and 27 tornadoes unleashed damaging winds. Hear Rev. Catie Newman talk about how people are reaching out help and how you can be prepared for the next storm.