Photos: (A) Interfaith clergy gathered before the prayer service in Minneapolis, MN, (B) Youth Ski Trip 2026; Bishop's visitations with (C) St. James', Independence, (D) Christ Church, Clinton, (E) St. Thomas', Algona. | |
Immigration Zoom Calls
Join Bishop Monnot, Canon Meg, and the Diocesan Chancellor for a roundtable discussion on immigration and ways we can support our neighbors in this time.
Tuesday February 24 at 12:30pm or 6:00pm
You must register to receive the Zoom link. The link is unique to you, and will work for either meeting time.
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Diocesan Offering
Using the book "Hearts Ablaze: Parables for the Queer Soul" by Dr. Rolf Nolasco Jr., we'll explore how looking at church, the Bible, and ourselves through a queer lens can expand our relationships with God and each other. Wednesdays in Lent on Zoom, all are welcome!
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Bishop Video Reflections
Join Bishop Betsey as she explores poetic meditations about finding God drawn from the works of Meister Eckhart. Videos will be posted weekly beginning Thursday February 26 to our Facebook & YouTube. Order the book here to support your local bookstore.
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Lent Resources
Find links to daily meditations, stations of the cross, activities, and other resources for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter on our website.
| | | Upcoming Events & Opportunities | | | |  | If you weren’t part of a team last year, are you interested in forming one this year? You'll receive free trainings, customized resources, a supportive community of others in this ministry, and more. Contact Amy or Traci to learn more. | | Join Us on the Hill Feb. 26 | Gather at the Capitol at 9AM with Bishop Monnot, our diocesan lobbyists, & fellow Episcopalians to learn about our public policy ministry and advocate with our legislators. All are welcome! | | | | | | | Grounded in our commitment to dismantling racism as essential to our formation as Christians, this ONLINE training is open to all persons who would like to deepen their understanding of racism, prejudice, and privilege. | | All Episcopalians are invited to complete a survey offered by The Episcopal Church Task Force on LGBTQ+ Inclusion about how the church is living into its commitments affirming the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. | | | | | | | Join the Behavioral Health Ministry Team online as we welcome Kali VanBaale to discuss mental health care reform, lobbying for critical legislation and how to advocate for yourself and others. | | Join this panel discussion featuring Indigenous Episcopal Leaders discussing gratitude and reciprocity at 11am Central Time, hosted by United Thank Offering. | | | | | | | This is a place where Midwest LGBTQ+ youth can come together, celebrate who they are, and find the support they deserve. If your school doesn't have a group going, join our Episcopal Youth Group! | | Calling all 4th - 12th graders! This year's EPIC Summer Camp is June 15-19 at Lutheran Lakeside Camp, Spirit Lake. Take advantage of the early bird deadline and register by March 30th for a discounted rate. | | | | | | | Join Episcopalians from across the state as we gather as a diocese for a time of fun and fellowship, exploring a local attraction together, in Boone on May 9th. And consider staying overnight to worship with Grace Church on May 10th. More details coming soon, so stay tuned. | | Check out this new offering from the Beloved Community Initiative (BCI) on the Doctrine of Discovery to support the dismantling of racism. It combines individual study materials with group discussion guides. | | | |
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March 1: Parochial Reports Due
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March 3: Chrism Mass at Davenport, Trinity Cathedral
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March 5: Chrism Mass at Des Moines, St. Paul's Cathedral
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March 17: Behavioral Mental Health Team Lunch & Learn. More here.
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March 21: Creation Care "Called to Climate Action" conference, sponsored by Iowa Faith and Climate Network. Learn more & register here.
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April 3: LGBTQ+ Youth Conference. Register by March 27.
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April 5: Easter
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April 15-17: Iowa Episcopal Clergy Conference (Griswold, IA)
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April 21: Behavioral Mental Health Team Lunch & Learn. More here.
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April 25: Creation Care: National Faith and Climate Forum by Blessed Tomorrow. Learn more here.
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April 29: Convocations Meeting on Zoom
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May 1-3: Pathways to Serenity Retreat. Register by April 17. More here.
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May 9: Diocesan Event in Boone. More info to follow.
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June 15-19: EPIC Youth Summer Camp at Lutheran Lakeside Camp, Spirit Lake; for 4th-12th graders, more info here.
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July 8-10: Provincial Youth Gathering (in lieu of EYE 2026); for ages 15-18, hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. More here.
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August 22: Convocations Meeting on Zoom
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September 1: Church Audits Due
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September 1-3: Clergy Retreat (Dubuque, IA)
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October 1 & 3: Pre-Convention Hearings on Zoom
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October 23-25: Diocesan Convention
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Saturday February 21
7PM at St. Paul's Cathedral, Des Moines
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Synergy Twins, the incredible twin brothers Jeff and Stephen Neil, performing live on electric violins in a powerful blend of classical crossover, pop, dance, Celtic, and more.
Learn more & get tickets
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Youth Pilgrimage
Youth currently in 6th grade on up are invited to join this pilgrimage June 6-12th to Philadelphia and New York. We'll explore topics like the intersection of faith and civic life at the country’s founding and the role faith should play in a pluralistic democracy today. All diocesan youth are welcome. Hosted by St. Timothy's, West Des Moines; contact Kelli to register.
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Keep Up with the Session
The legislative session begins in January and usually ends in April. There are a lot of bills and things can move fast, so we recommend join the Faith in Action Facebook page - you can see bills we're paying particular attention to, calls to action, and other related events to the topics we follow.
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Quad Cities Pride Ministry
with Trinity Cathedral, Davenport, St. Peter’s, Bettendorf, & St. Alban’s, Davenport
The purpose of our ministry is to create safe and welcoming spaces in our churches and community for LGBTQ+ people and bearing authentic public witness to the loving, liberating, life-giving God that we follow. Our LGBTQ+ ministry is primarily designed to support and serve the LGBTQ+ community in the Quad Cities through education, allyship, and demonstrations of love, and it unites the Episcopal congregations in the Iowa Quad Cities with a common mission and supports/ sustains being safe and affirming places of worship. We plan to grow this ministry which includes partnerships with St. Alban’s Davenport and St. Peter’s Bettendorf. Grant funds are being used to support an extended presence at QC Pridefest and for educational and training opportunities, including an honorarium and travel for a guest speaker.
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Defibrillator for St. Andrew’s
at St. Andrew’s, Des Moines
We've completed our first aid safety plan for our church by purchasing and mounting portable AED (Automated External Defibrillator) in a high-traffic area of the church. With a significant number of elderly members and our location in a lower income neighborhood with a community refrigerator and community garden on-site, we want to be prepared and equipped to respond to First Aid needs if they arise. Grant funds have been used to purchase the portable AED and wall cabinet to house it, and funds covered Red Cross volunteer training for First Aid (which includes AED training) fees for at least 10 people across the tri-church community (St. Andrew’s, Trinity Cush, & the Darfur Community of Iowa all share space in the building, and all 3 expressed interest in having several of their members trained).
| | | From Our Formation Partners | | | | | Lay Leaders: Partial Tuition & Books Reimbursement | | | Whether you are interested in continuing education, personal enrichment, a lay license program, or discerning a call to the diaconate or priesthood, there is a course and a community for you to discover at Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. You can attend in person in Topeka or participate from home on Zoom. The diocese’s GILEAD grant will reimburse lay people for books and a portion of tuition, with approval. | | | |
Courses meeting March 14-15:
- Contemporary Catechumenate: The Rev. Dr. Larry Ehren
- Gospels: The Rev. Dr. Ted Blakley
- Sacramental Theology: Dr. Donna Hawk-Reinhard
- Social Ministry II: The Rev. Shane Schneider
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Courses meting April 11-12:
- Christian History Survey: The Rev. Dr. Sean Kim
- Anglican History: The Very Rev. Dr. Don Compier
- Preaching 1: The Very Rev. Torey Lightcap
| | | Beginning of Year Reminders | | |
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Send your church's subscription list for Iowa Connections to the diocesan office. Diocesan policy requires that every Episcopal household receive this biannual mailing.
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At your annual meeting: invite everyone to subscribe to the diocesan eNewsletter: sign up here. Make sure all vestry members, clergy, and Convention delegates have subscribed.
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After your annual meeting: send the diocesan office your updated leadership (vestry, wardens, etc.)
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Parochial Reports: make sure your congregation submits by 11:59pm February 28th as the deadline is midnight March 1st, 2026.
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Social Media Alert
"Episcopal Faith Leadership" is NOT a legitimate source - it's an AI content generated for profit site. Do NOT share their posts.
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Text Scam
Please be aware that there are text scams going around where someone will pose as your priest/bishop/clergy member/church admin - an initial text may not include an ask for money/gift cards but a second text may.
Be careful engaging with texts or email from phone numbers or addresses you don't know. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our office or your church's office if you receive a text/email you're unsure about.
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Protesting Faithfully Toolkit
As Episcopalians, our faith calls us to stand in solidarity with vulnerable people, to proclaim justice and peace, and to love our neighbors. This “Protesting Faithfully” toolkit—with content updated and adapted from “The Episcopal Street Action Handbook”—offers spiritual grounding and practical resources for faithful presence at protests and public demonstrations.
Toolkit here
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Lay Preaching Network
The Episcopal Lay Preaching Network is new initiative that exists to support, equip, and advocate for lay preachers across the Church by focusing on three core commitments:
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Community: connecting lay preachers with one another for encouragement, shared wisdom, and mutual support.
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Education and Training: offering ongoing formation to strengthen preaching skills and theological grounding.
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Advocacy: lifting up the vital role of lay preachers and helping ensure their voices are heard and valued.
Learn more
| | Have something to share? Submission information can be found here and is due the 2nd Thursday of the month; this enews letter comes out monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month. | | |
Caution! About Unsubscribing
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