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From Bishop Monnot
Many of you know that my father died this past September. At the age of 90, with significant adverse health events, this was not a surprise when it happened. It did, however, move me into a time of grief.
Grief is a funny thing. It affects all of us differently, and despite our recognition of the well-known “five stages of grief,” grief does not proceed in a linear or convenient way through those stages. I have experienced an unpredictable and occasional series of intense feelings of grief, which usually come over me when I am alone. I have felt a need to reorient myself in many areas of my life, as, for the first time, I have become a person with no living parents. This reorientation has included learning to see things differently, and to ask again some of the big questions that our Christian faith can help us to answer...
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New This Year:
This eNewsletter has a new look, and a new date it will arrive in your inbox! It now comes out monthly on the third Thursday of each month. Have something you'd like to submit for consideration? Content is due the second Thursday of the month and submission information can be found here.
And be sure you're seeing all of it - the last section is the "Stay Connected" section - as some email servers cut off newsletters, you may need to click View as Webpage to see the full eNewsletter.
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities | | |
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One Day Only - Get Tickets! | Inspired by the teachings and writings of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, this documentary examines the question of whether or not love, specifically unselfish love, is the solution to the extreme societal and political divisions and the current rending of our social contract. | | |
Help Promote Religious Life | Did you know that there are monks, nuns, sisters and brothers, and friars in The Episcopal Church? We invite you to learn what religious life can offer you and to observe Religious Life Sunday on the 3rd Sunday in Epiphany. | |
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We hope that youth (grades 4-12) and adults from your congregation will join us! Families will register individually instead of by congregation. Chaperones from each congregation will be necessary, so please check in with your congregational leaders before registering. Register by January 26. | |
The political ideology & cultural framework of white “Christian” nationalism distorts the Christian faith & America’s government & poses dangers to both. Join the Rev's Kathleen Milligan, Jean McCarthy, & Nora Boerner for an introduction to Christian nationalism and how we can respond as Christians. | |
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Gather at the Capitol with Bishop Monnot and fellow Episcopalians to learn about public policy ministry and advocate with our legislators. Whether it’s your first time at the Capitol or you’d consider yourself a “regular,” all are welcome to join! | | |
Set aside some time to care for your whole self and join Rev. Catherine Quehl-Engle for a retreat day which includes gentle movement, meditation, and healing. This retreat is open to all and is free to attend! Download a flyer here. | | |
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Our annual Summer Ministry School & Retreat will be on Grinnell College Campus June 14-16. Tracks and more information to follow at a later date. | |
ORDINATIONS & TRANSITIONS | |
- Christ Episcopal Church in Clinton has called the Rev. Kevin Emge to serve as their Priest in Charge beginning on Jan. 15, 2024
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A Small Church's Essential Ministry
Check out this article from Iowa Public Radio that highlights the Hot Dog Friday ministry of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Independence and how it builds community there.
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The Rev. Maureen Doherty Receives Award
Seminary of the Southwest's Hal Brook Perry Outstanding Alumni Award is conferred upon a graduate of Seminary of the Southwest who exemplifies exceptional ministry to parishes, dioceses, and/or specific communities or ministries – locally, regional, or worldwide.
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Some email servers may shorten our newsletter.
Click View as Webpage to see the newsletter in its entirety.
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Leadership Notices & Trainings | |
Reminders for Congregational Leaders: | |
Send your church's subscription list for Iowa Connections to the diocesan office
- Diocesan policy requires that every Episcopal household receive this biannual mailing
At your annual meeting: invite everyone to subscribe to the diocesan eNewsletter
- make sure all vestry members, clergy, and Convention delegates have subscribed
- sign up here
After your annual meeting: send the diocesan office your updated leadership (vestry, wardens, etc.)
Parochial Reports due March 1: fill out online here
- new this year: reporting of online worship participation is required
- Check out The Episcopal Church Register App. This online system that can be accessed from any device is fully integrated into the Parochial Report filing system. That means that if you use it to track your service attendance each week, when you get to the end of the year all the information on how many services you held and what your attendance was will already be in the filing system.
Questions/More Information: [email protected]
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Register by January 25
Designed for any who want to explore more deeply the Daily Offices of The Episcopal Church and for laity who wish to be equipped to lead weekday offices and Sunday worship in the absence of a priest. Check with your congregational leader before registering to learn about licensure.
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Diocesan Ministries, Formation, & News | |
- PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY - | | |
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Faith in Action
Did you know we have registered diocesan lobbyists and many Episcopalians active in advocacy efforts? With the Iowa State Legislature now in session, learn more about this ministry, how our faith guides and grounds our work, and the issues we follow.
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Keep up with the session
Learn more about what's happening in the session and how to get involved by signing up for Interfaith Alliance of Iowa's weekly Legislative Update. They follow many of the issues we do, organize the update by topic, and include ways to take action.
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2024 Calendar Available
Ski Trip, EPIC Summer Camp, General Convention, and more! Keep up-to-date with youth events and formation opportunities throughout the year on the diocesan website and the Youth Facebook page.
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- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MINISTRY TEAM - | | |
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New Year: Are Resolutions Necessary?
"New Year’s Day always invites us to reflect and think about a fresh start...
...Self-reflection can be a healthy exercise to take stock of the ways we handle ourselves with other people. ...
... It is difficult to love one another when loving yourself is avoided or ignored..."
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Spotlight: 2023 Recipients | | | |
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The Behavioral Health Ministry Team, which began from previously received GILEAD Grants, moves into their third year with plans of expanding their offerings. Having built relationships with several local mental health organizations, they provide educational opportunities for those around the diocese on how to help in a mental health crisis, take care of themselves and others, and provide open and safe spaces for mental health discussions. | | | |
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The Listening Post, a ThreeHouse Campus Ministries collaboration on the UNI campus, provides a safe space for students and faculty to have conversations and connect with compassionate and encouraging listeners, and is centered on modeling the radical message of the Gospel, “God loves you. No exceptions." As this ministry moves into its second year, they plan to double their listening offerings and expand their partner organizations. |
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Ash Wednesday this year is February 14th. Find links to daily meditations, stations of the cross, activities, and other resources for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter on our website. Additional resources will be added as they become available. | |
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 [email protected]
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