Small Church Voices Newsletter

From the Iona Collaborative

Dear Colleagues,

At the Iona Collaborative, we have introduced two new programs aimed at keeping people connected, providing spiritual nourishment, and sowing new seeds of the Spirit. These initiatives are designed to support and empower small church leaders and their congregations.

First, we launched Community Conversations in September. We often hear from lay leaders, priests, and deacons that leading a small church can be both deeply rewarding and profoundly exhausting. Both feelings can coexist in ministry, and we want to acknowledge them. We want to celebrate with those who are finding joy and also say to those who are weary, “You are tired—come here to rest.”

Community Conversations is our way of making space for both. Each monthly online gathering offers connection, encouragement, and spiritual nourishment, sending leaders back into their ministries—perhaps with new tools, renewed energy, or even a fresh model for the work ahead.

In October, we introduced the new Certificate in Congregational Spiritual Direction, offered in collaboration with Seminary of the Southwest. This innovative program aims to equip leaders in spiritual direction for congregations. Based on seminary-level training and delivered via Zoom, it offers education for small-church leaders called to nurture spiritual growth in their congregations.

Learn more about these programs below. If you’d like to have a conversation about either of these new offerings, please reach out to me or Rebecca Hall. We’d love the opportunity to talk more, answer your questions, and help you find the right fit for your interests.

Aneya Elbert

Program Manager & Digital Communications,

Iona Collaborative Continuing Education & Congregational Support

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Featured Resource

Practicing Sabbath as a Whole Church

Thursday, November 20, 6:30-7:30 PM Central Time on Zoom

Our hope for Community Conversations is to strengthen connections among bi-vocational churches–their leaders, and their congregations who face the challenges of ministry in an age of exhaustion. These online gatherings provide space for open dialogue, shared learning, and practicing spiritual tools that cultivate resilience, community, and resource sharing.

Participants include clergy, lay leaders, diocesan canons, and others involved in supporting congregational development. Attendees come from across the country—from Hawaii to New Hampshire—and share a common interest in exploring tools that nurture thriving congregations. We hope that they will bring these tools back to their congregations to share with them.

Each session is facilitated by trained spiritual directors and features breakout discussions. The November 20 session will focus on Practicing Sabbath as a Whole Church, exploring how congregations can collectively embrace rest and renewal. Community Conversations will continue through Spring 2026, providing ongoing opportunities for connection, spiritual nourishment, and practical support for churches and leaders within the Iona Collaborative network.

Click Here to Learn More!

Small Church Spotlight

Managing a Resurrection in the Spokane Valley

by Melanie P. Moore

While valleys are often used as images of decline, this summer Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Spokane Valley, Washington, was overwhelmed with abundance, quite literally resurrecting their parish after a season of devastating losses.

The COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020 was catastrophic to many congregations, including theirs. In 2022, their priest, who had arrived just 3 months after pandemic shutdowns began, was called to a parish in Idaho. The church has been without a priest since then.

Iona News

Join Our Q&A Session to Learn More!

Thursday, November 6, 6:30 PM Central Time on Zoom

Small congregations are vital centers of faith across The Episcopal Church.

However, many face challenges, balancing liturgical excellence, community service, and institutional maintenance with dwindling time, energy, and resources.

The Certificate in Congregational Spiritual Direction (CCSD) provides training in spiritual leadership for priests, deacons, and lay leaders. Building upon the insights from our Thriving in Bivocational Congregations (TBVC) initiative, this program prepares leaders to integrate spiritual direction practices into congregational life. Participants will acquire adaptable tools and methods that transform routine decisions into moments for discernment, reflection, and renewal.

A final Q&A session is set for November 6 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time.

We welcome anyone interested in applying for our first cohort, starting in fall 2026, to attend this session.

Explore the Program on Our Website

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Advent: Small Church Style

How does your congregation celebrate Advent?
Share your church's Advent practices with us, and we'll highlight your traditions in the November Small Church Voices.

Send images and descriptions to: Christina Gordon

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