Our annual Diocesan Convention just a few short weeks ago was an absolutely joyous event. With our focus theme of "Dancing on the Water," we followed Jesus’ call and stepped out of the boat to make new friends, shared our blessings as well as our challenges, and literally danced together at our first annual Convention Dance Party. I would like to reiterate my thanks and deep appreciation of everyone who came, participated, and helped make the event happen. You created an opportunity for the Holy Spirit, and she showed up in many powerful ways.

As we look forward to this next season together, I invite you to use the prayer and logo from this year's Convention throughout the following year as we listen for God’s call and grow together as one church and one diocese, united in Christ's love. I encourage you to use the prayer in your personal prayer lives, as well as for congregations and vestries to use in your collective prayer lives. Congregations are welcome to use the logo for your stewardship campaign and/or other congregational communications over this next year, up until our next annual Convention. Both the prayer and logo are available below in this newsletter, as well as on the diocesan website. I hope these aid in our collective journey, following Christ's call for us to step out of the boat and dance on the water. May God bless us this year!

Yours in the abundant life of Christ,

+Betsey

The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of Iowa

Office closed November 9 - 10: I along with diocesan staff will be on retreat together and will not be responding to emails or calls during this time.

Prayer Card

For individuals to use in your personal prayer lives; and vestries, small groups, and congregations to use in your collective prayer lives.

Front of card:

Back of card:

Click button to download and/or print:

3x1in w/transparent background

3x1in full background

6x1in w/space on right for your title/text:

Videos

Opening Eucharist:

Closing Eucharist:

Due to a technical glitch with the recordings, videos of Bishop Monnot's Address and Bishop Loya's keynote will not be available, and we sincerely apologize. However we are pleased to make the text of both addresses available. Click the button to read Bishop Monnot's Convention Address, and keep an eye on the Convention website for Bishop Loya's Keynote.

Daylight Savings

Don't forget to change your clocks this weekend.

Daylight savings ends Sunday November 5th at 2:00AM.

PALS: Pathways Along Loneliness & Solitude

Join the Behavioral Health Ministry Team and the Small Church Group for four sessions of digging deeper into this world of loneliness. With the help of Mary Kay DuChene and Mark Sundby from LeaderWise, time will be spent learning about loneliness for people in general, people in ministry. They will also discuss specific strategies that individuals, congregations, and denominations can pursue to counter the epidemic of loneliness.

Mind, Body Spirit Retreat

November 18th, 10am-3pm at Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids

This wellness workshop is open to all, Episcopalian or not. The day will feature gentle meditative movement, as well as meditative seated and reclined practices that cultivate calm, decrease anxiety, and revitalize mind, body, and Spirit. Catherine weaves in both Christian and inter-spiritual contemplative wisdom.

35 spots are available on, a first come basis. An optional lunch (sandwich, salad, chips & drink) will be provided by Groundswell Café for $12pp.

Beloved Community Initiative Book Club

Join a group of others from around the diocese online for a discussion of "Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon To White America" by Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson.

Starting on November 15 at 6:30pm, the group will discuss Chapter 1.

ALL are welcome! You do not need to have read the book to attend - come for the discussion and fellowship.

United Thank Offering (UTO)

Wednesday November 15 at Noon (central time)

Who’s in for a diocesan watch-party?! The Rev. Jeanie Smith is a featured presenter, sharing about Iowa’s 2023 UTO grant award with a post-incarceration focus. Register to attend online, bring a friend!

Application Information is Online:

Including criteria, sample budgets and timelines, instructional videos, application, forms, helpful hints

UTO Staff Open Office Hours:

Come with questions and get help with your application.

Nov. 14 from 6-7p Central

Dec. 7, 11-Noon. or 6-7p Central

Do you have a 2024 UTO application in the works? 

Let us know at [email protected] — The Episcopal Church UTO office is asking for applications in advance this year due to the holidays, and ideally by Advent. Have your draft application in by the end of November to  [email protected] for priority consideration by the bishop. (Each diocese may submit one domestic grant application; Iowans partnering with other dioceses on Communion grants are asked to also be in contact early with our office). Diocesan deadline for Iowa Episcopalians to submit grant applications for consideration by the bishop is December 19th.

November Gratitude Materials:

It's not too late! Check out a variety of gratitude materials you can use as individuals, groups and congregations, including:

• daily text prompts
• bulletin inserts
• prayer cards
• gratitude journal
• liturgical resources
• and more!

Dismantling Racism Training

Grounded in The Episcopal Church's 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. The training will consist of 2 sessions from 10:00am-12:00pm and 12:30pm-2:30pm Sessions are limited to 30 attendees, so you may be placed on a waiting list when the session is full.

Dismantling Racism: Training for Church Leaders is a training day that is required of all lay and ordained leaders in The Episcopal Church (including vestries, search committees, diocesan leadership, etc.).

YMDT Calendar

Our 2023-2024 calendar of events is out! We have a lot of great things happening in the diocese and we hope you and the youth in your congregations can join us!

If you have any questions please contact Amy Mellies at [email protected]. Keep up to date on our website.

Youth Ministry Open Office Hours

Are you looking for resources to use in your congregation? Want to bounce some ideas off of someone else regarding Christian Formation? Sign up for a time t talk all things formation related on Sunday evenings or Wednesday afternoons starting November 8th.

Open Office Hours

Grant Applications Due November 13

Grant Categories:

• Development Grant: establish a new, restore a dormant, or reenergize a current ministry.
• Campus Ministry Program Grants: provide seed money to assist in the start-up of new, innovative campus ministries or to enhance a current ministry.
• Young Adult Ministry Program Grants: provide seed money to assist in the start-up of new, innovative young adult ministries or to enhance a current ministry.
• Project Grants: provide money for a one-time project that will enhance and impact the campus or young adult ministry.

Adult Ministry

EfM helps the faithful encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with their experiences of the world as they study, worship, and engage in theological reflection together.

There are online groups in the Diocese of Iowa and elsewhere. If you are interested in joining a group or mentoring a group, speak to your church leadership and email: [email protected]

GILEAD Grants

Safe Church, Safe Communities

In the Baptismal Covenant, we promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons, love our neighbors as ourselves, strive for justice and peace, and respect the dignity of every human being. When a person is baptized, the congregation promises to help that person grow into the full stature of Christ. As a human family of God, we are called to create loving and safe environments for all who enter in to our family. Our churches and our ministries are to be havens of safety for all. In fully engaging with this training we ensure that we are living into our baptismal promises and helping our world move ever closer to the Kingdom of God.

If you have questions, concerns or would like to know more about how to get members of your congregation trained, join Amy Mellies, Safe Church Coordinator, for Open Office Hours on Monday evenings and Thursday afternoons.

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