Photos: (top L, clockwise) Youth group at the annual Governor's Conference on LGBTQ+ Youth, hosted by Iowa Safe Schools, in Altoona in April, by C. Mellies; Youth group at New Beginnings in March, by M. McManus; Young Adult Retreat with Iowans & The Benedictine Way in Nebraska, at St. Timothy's West Des Moines in April, by T. Ruhland Petty; (bottom 2) Regional Mission Initiative trainings, by M. Wagner. | | |
Bishop's Upcoming Visitations:
- Apr. 27: St. Mark's, Des Moines
- May 18: New Song, Coralville
- Jun. 1: St. Andrew's, Chariton
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Alleluia, Christ is risen!
This Easter season, I’m reflecting on some of the wonderful things that are going on in our diocese. The risen Christ is present with us in many ways, and especially when we gather as a community, whether for service, for learning, or just to be together and enjoy each other’s company. This video has some highlights of our work together as we strive to be a strong and effective witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in the state of Iowa.
Blessings!
+Betsey
The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
| | Photo: Some of the ALICUM folks on the Citadel hill; by B. Monnot | |
ALICUM in Jordan
Amid all the divisiveness and contentiousness in our world today, I was honored to be a part of the Anglican–Lutheran International Commission for Unity and Mission (ALICUM) - an effort toward greater unity and connection. It was a joy to be with these colleagues from around the globe in learning, sharing, and recognizing how much we have in common as we join together as disciples of Jesus. - Bishop Monnot
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Community Leader Award
Join in the May 29 celebration hosted by Interfaith Alliance of Iowa: Challenging extremism -- Reclaiming Our Democracy. Bishop Monnot is among this year's honorees, receiving the Community Leader Award. Sister Simone Campbell will be keynote speaker, and the evening features a performance by HarMANY [Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus].
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In Case You Missed It:
Bishop Owensby recorded the series of talks he gave at Clergy Conference based on his book "A Full-Hearted Life." Start with session 1 here.
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| Upcoming Events & Opportunities | | | |  | An exciting and meaningful opportunity is taking shape for women clergy in Provinces V and VI. Would you like to help create this women clergy gathering? Please contact either Heather Barta, Province V provinceVcoordinator@gmail.com or Ellen Bruckner, Province VI ebruckner7@gmail.com by April 30, 2025. | | This event is intended to equip adult clergy and lay servant youth ministry leaders who currently work with youth or those who aspire to develop or improve their ministry with youth. Join this training either in-person or virtually, May 10 in Ames and May 13 in Cedar Rapids. | | | | | | | Come learn about LGBTQIA+ identities, gender and sexuality, and examine prejudice, assumptions, and privilege. These trainings help us increase awareness and understanding of LGBTQIA+ experiences and the importance of creating welcoming environments for all. | | Join Reverend Chancellor Jean Davis and Reverend Canon Meg Wagner for an introduction to the roles and key responsibilities of the ministry of serving on your congregation's vestry. Learn about available resources, best practices, tools for group discernment, and bring your questions. Attend EITHER time. | | | | | | | Have you signed up for Summer Ministry School & Retreat yet? Don't miss out on the early bird discount, which ends May 12th! This is also the deadline to register for childcare at SMSR - if no one requests childcare by this date, it will not be provided at this event. | | Learn about what's going on around the diocese. All are welcome. Diocesan convention delegates & any in congregational leadership roles are especially encouraged to attend. Clergy are invited to a pre-meeting 9-9:45am with the Bishop to hear about recent changes in the discernment process. | | | | | | | An orientation for Treasurers—whether you are new or have been in your position for a while. We will highlight the requirements of a Treasurer, recommended business practices, and the unique tax status of clergy. Bring your questions as we will have a time for Q&A. | | Trying something new, finding different ways to reach people, or planning on expanding a ministry? Consider applying for a GILEAD Grant to help fund your idea. Applications open May 15. Sign up for a time to meet online with the Grant Committee to discuss your idea. | | | | | | | Join the Behavioral Health Ministry Team in wearing GREEN on May 18 to promote Mental Health. Green is the international symbol for mental health awareness, representing fresh starts, optimism, and energy. Wearing green (or even adding a touch of it to your space) makes a bold statement: I care about mental health! | | Join the Behavioral Health Ministry Team in welcoming pastor, author and speaker Sarah Griffith Lund. Her writing on mental health and neurodiversity is both personal and practical, offering a hopeful vision for the church. Author of "Blessed Are the Crazy," "Blessed Youth," "Blessed Youth Survival Guide," and "Blessed Union." | | | | | | | A trainer from Iowa Safe Schools will join us online to teach us about cultivating LGBTQIA+ inclusive spaces, especially in our churches. This training is open to everyone (you do not need to have attended another Episco-PRIDE training). Register to receive the Zoom link. | | Episco-PRIDE teams from across the state have begun participating in local Pride events, letting everyone know that they are beloved and made in God's image. Find Episco-PRIDE teams at these events in June and check out the webpage for more. | | | | | | | Join Bishop Monnot and other Episcopalians as we walk, jog, run and more with Capital City Pride! Everyone is welcome to participate and show their support for the LGBTQ+ community with love, unity, and community support. Sign up online, then contact Amy Mellies about where we'll meet up. | | Join Bishop's staff and area congregations as we spread love at Capital City Pride. Our booth will be open June 6-8. We will also be participating in the parade on June 8 at 12pm. Sign up for a 2 hour shift, or more, to hand out stickers, coloring pages, candy and share God's love with all God's beloved! | | | | | | | 4th-12th Graders: discover the wonders of God's creation at EPIC Youth Summer Camp where we will learn about how faith and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Through engaging activities, inspiring worship, and hands-on projects, campers will learn how to care for the Earth as an expression of their faith. | | |
Lots more below -
make sure you see it all!
The last section is "Stay Connected" - if you don't see it,
CLICK HERE -> "View as Webpage" to view the full enews
| | (some email servers shorten this newsletter) | | LtoR: Mary Strey, V.P. for Academic Affairs, Rev. Terry Kleven, Mark Putnam, President of Central College; by D. Keeler | |
Congrats Rev. Kleven
The Rev. Terry Kleven, priest at St. James', Oskaloosa, was awarded the Dr. Jacob and Gela Schnucker Sessler Chair in Philosophy and Religion from Central College. The endowed chair recognizes faculty members for outstanding contributions to Central and provides support for teaching, research and scholarship. Kleven is a Professor of Religious Studies at Central College in Pella, Iowa and has been a faculty member since 1996.
| | | Behavioral Health Ministry Team | | | | |
This May
Join us in raising awareness about mental health challenges and taking action to support everyone's well-being. You are not alone - many of us struggle with mental health challenges, and God loves us just as we are.
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"People who are part of the Behavioral Health Ministry Team accept and love me as the beloved child of God I am; no words necessary." - Laurie F.
Follow along BHMT's Facebook page for daily prompts during May, and check out our webpage for helpful resources.
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Meditation Series
Check out this Meditation Series from Katy Lee & Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids.
This series of videos is designed to help you relax, recharge, and focus on self care in the midst of a chaotic world. These practices do not need to be viewed in any particular order and you are encouraged to try these techniques on a regular basis
| | | Summer Ministry School & Retreat | | | | | The St. Luke's Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry opened in 2019 with the mission of serving our neighbors who are food insecure in the Cedar Valley. This ministry continues to grow while the food scene continues to morph as need increases and resources are strained. Supply chains are inconsistent, and we need to supplement our food storage capacity by adding a commercial freezer in the original kitchen space in the undercroft. Minimal renovation is needed in the space, but the addition of the freezer requires updating electrical capacity to ensure safe and reliable electrical service. Grant funds will be used for this renovation, and a commercial freezer will be purchased to support the food pantry. | | | | | Liturgical space often extends beyond the bounds of the sanctuary to include other spaces at a church. In our case, we have a Resurrection Garden where cremated remains are buried and there is an outdoor altar for the Eucharist. Grant funds will be used to build a low deck and ramp on the back of the parish that will overlook the Resurrection Garden. The deck addresses serious issues of accessibility to the back yard and the Resurrection Garden, a place that is spiritually important to many in the parish – where beloved people who have gone to God’s nearer presence are buried. This project will also be meaningful for fellowship and evangelism, expanding opportunities for community groups as well as parishioners to use the space. | | | | | Our goal is to continue to assist the most vulnerable Iowans in obtaining mental health services. Since 2021 we have seen that there is a greater need for reimbursement of funds used for mental health appointments as we have seen an uptick in people requesting reimbursement. This reimbursement encourages all people in the diocese to treat their mental health in the same way they would treat their physical health, by seeking out professionals when dealing with mental health issues. We talk about our bodies being a temple, and how our bodies cannot work with one piece missing; this is a step in improving our health in service of Christ. Grant funds will be used to supplement $50 for out-of-pocket therapy costs to any individual or family who applies. | | | | | St Thomas', Sioux City, plans to improve our technology by adding additional speakers, lapel and wireless mics, a sound mixing board and finally bump up our Wi-Fi internet (for streaming and also accessing the internet for music and other media) which will allow us to function to the fullest while meeting the needs of our congregation and community. Our current system is dated and will not keep up with the demands of modern usage. As with anything, technology is important and we want to ensure the congregation, visitors and the community have access to our services, that we can share our mission and encourage involvement from all. The general congregation for St. Thomas' will, of course, benefit, but also the community at large, who also makes use of our facility, will enjoy the improved technology (this would include those who use the labyrinth for any events, concerts, recitals and other gatherings). Grant funds will be used to obtain necessary equipment and pay for the required installation and setup. | | | |
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Mercy - Courage - Action
Mission: “Rooted in Mercy, fueled by Courage, and moved to Action, we choose grace over division, justice over indifference, and love over fear.” With this campaign we want to show our support for members of the Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities, for other marginalized peoples, and for Bishop Budde. This is a national campaign organized by our friend Dr. Catherine Meeks.
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ENews Submissions:
Content is due the 2nd Thursday of the month and submission information can be found here. This eNewsletter comes out monthly on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
| | | Caution! About Unsubscribing | | | If you click "Unsubscribe" below it removes you from ALL diocesan emails (including the e-news, letters from the Bishop, Convention information, etc.) and our office cannot re-subscribe you. You'll need to re-subscribe yourself by clicking on "start sending me the news!" at this link. If you wish to be taken off of a specific email list or have questions, email diocese@iowaepiscopal.org. Also use caution when forwarding this e-newsletter as anyone clicking this link can also unsubscribe YOU, so consider deleting the unsubscribe links before you forward this to anyone | | | | | |
