Photos: (top L, clockwise) Bishop colleagues on Citadel Hill in Jordan, at the Anglican Lutheran International Commission on Unity in Mission 2025, by B. Monnot; Summer Ministry School & Retreat 2024, by T. Ruhland Petty; Boone PRIDE 2025, by D. Wright. | | |
Bishop's Upcoming Visitations:
- May 18: New Song, Coralville
- June 1: St. Andrew's, Chariton
- June 15: Trinity Cathedral, Davenport
- June 29: St. Matthew's by the Bridge, Iowa Falls
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Sometimes the Holy Spirit acts in surprising ways, and we only recognize the magnificent intention of her purpose after blindly following her call for awhile, even as we ask, “Why me, for this? Is this really what you want?”
In many ways, this is the spirit in which the two of us, Bishop Amy Current of the Southeast Iowa Synod, ELCA, and Bishop Betsey Monnot, of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, responded to God’s call to become partner bishops in the Anglican Lutheran International Commission on Unity in Mission (ALICUM). This commission, created by the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran World Federation, brings together pairs of bishops from across the globe to work together in partnership in their particular contexts. The goal of ALICUM is to deepen our relationships with one another and to grow in unity as disciples of Jesus ministering together in God’s world...
...As it turned out, being involved in ALICUM was much more than we had imagined it would be...
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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].
| | Upcoming Events & Opportunities | | | |  | 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. And limits have been raised! Don't wait - sign up for a time to meet online with the Grant Committee to discuss your idea (required before submitting an app). | | 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." | | |
Noon-12:30 p.m. CT May 23
Join the church’s Office of Government Relations for a new series highlighting church leaders in conversation about current issues. This inaugural webinar will feature the Rev. Cameron Partridge, a founding member of TransEpiscopal and a rector in San Francisco.
| | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | You are warmly invited to join the Episco-PRIDE team from Trinity Cathedral, Davenport at the Quad Cities Pride Fest June 6-7! Make sure you stop by and say hi, and consider volunteering at their booth. Contact the church office for volunteer information: email meggan@qctrinity.org or call 563-323-9989. | | 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! | | St. Andrew's Pride Events | At Saint Andrew's we are convinced of God's radical welcome of all, as seen in Jesus' welcoming of all people around the table. Similarly at Saint Andrew's we welcome all people - no matter who you are, where you are from, or who you love, you are welcome here! For more info, including how to volunteer with us, email contact@standrewsdsm.org | | | | | | | 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. | | The Diocese of Iowa will be out in full force representing Trinity, New Song, JustChurch/Diocese this year on June 21st in downtown Iowa City. We will have booths together with a combined Eucharist at 5pm. All are welcome to join us! If you are interested in helping out, please contact Ryan at rrussell@trinityic.org and he can connect you with the 3 congregations. | | | | | | | You are invited on a journey of discovery aboard an Underground Railroad (UGRR) pilgrimage - a journey exploring sites and history of the UGRR in SE Iowa and a journey within ourselves. Register by September 22, 10 spots are available. Download a flyer to share here. | | |
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A Case for Love: May 21st
Join this special screening of "A Case for Love" on Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 pm. Director Brian Ide will be present, and a Q&A/Discussion will be held immediately at the conclusion of the film. Admission is free, but reserving your tickets online is recommended. It will be at the Varsity Cinema (1207 25th Street in Des Moines, across from Drake University).
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Growing Together: Intercultural Development in the Diocese
"This initiative is not about checking a box, it’s about becoming a church where everyone belongs, where differences are honored, and where leadership is shaped by humility, accountability, and the reconciling love of Christ."
Continue reading to learn more about Intercultural Development from Rev. Lizzie Gillman.
| | | Summer Ministry School & Retreat | | | |
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