March 1, 2017
To the Saints of the Iowa Annual Conference,
Grace and peace on this first day of Lent, a forty-day season of preparation for Easter (not counting Sundays). Originally, it was a time of fasting in preparation for baptism but also became a period of penitence. Many people “give up” something for Lent, but more recently, the emphasis has expanded to adding a spiritual discipline to our life during this period, such as a Bible study, mission project, or helping someone in need in a specific way.
If you are looking for a Lenten practice, I invite you to:
- Join us in reading daily Lenten Devotions. Each devotion has been written with care and love by a lay or clergy person in the Iowa Annual Conference. You can download the devotions as a pdf or you can subscribe to receive them via email. After you subscribe, the devotion will be emailed to you every day by our Communications Department.
- Join us in a Lenten Bible study taking place on six consecutive Wednesdays during Lent, beginning today, March 1, from 12:05 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Conference Center in Des Moines. We are studying Rob Fuquay’s book The God We Can Know. If you don’t have the book, just have your Bible handy! You may join us in person at the conference center or access the study group by live streaming. Please click here.
February at a Glance
I continue to meet with conference leaders such as the chairs of the Order of Elders, Order of Deacons, and the Fellowship of Associate Members/Local Pastors. I spent a day at the state capitol, learning about how United Methodists advocate to our state legislators, using the United Methodist Social Principles as a guide. I also met with the Council of Finance and Administration, CCMC Executive Committee, and District Superintendents in order to discuss the financial health of the conference.
Preaching at Women at the Well, our UM congregation at the Iowa Women’s Correctional Facility, was a highlight of the month. I was able to be present at the Iowa Religious Media Service’s annual luncheon and learn about the wonderful media services available to all of our churches. And I had a chance to fly back to Michigan for a few days to visit my husband Gary and several clergy friends.
SLI (Spiritual Leadership, Inc.)
Greg Survant and Christin Nevins continue to lead two monthly SLI groups at the Conference Center. The Appointive Cabinet SLI Team is learning how to be more effective in missional appointment-making by creating Ministry Action Plans. Operational Teams have also been formed in each district.
The Bishop’s Operational Team (BOT) is in the midst of creating new mission and vision statements for annual conference approval. So far, the BOT’s “Communities of Faith” “child team” has held sixteen conversations with district and conference staff in order to brainstorm strategies for leadership development, accountability, communication, training, and structure and systems, all of which is meant to facilitate renewal in our local churches and form new faith communities.
Africa University
Did you know that 2017 is the 25th anniversary of our United Methodist Africa University in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe? The anniversary celebrations will take place from March 24-26. Africa University is a premier educational institution with 1,200 students from 22 African countries. I was privileged to lead the campaign to build a 24-bed retreat center on the AU campus several years ago.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
My husband Gary and I will be leading a ten-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land through Educational Opportunities from January 9-18, 2018. Clergy and laity are already signing up! If you have never had the opportunity to travel to the land of Jesus, maybe this is the time! Please read the brochure.
We invite you and your friends to join us for this once in a lifetime experience, which will transform your faith and your life! If you have any questions, contact Len and Diane Eberhart: Lendiane92@gmail.com or call them at 641-236-4990/641-990-3861.
Leading from the Heart
Check out my weekly blog. You can subscribe on the blog site so that the essay comes directly to your inbox on Monday. I welcome your responses to what I write!
Other News
- 2018 budgets are being prepared for approval at the 2017 annual conference, the Sessions Committee is planning our time together in June, and the appointive cabinet is working carefully and prayerfully on appointments.
- Karen Dungan, our Clergy Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional Ministries, and Sue Kromminga will be traveling to Lagos, Nigeria this Saturday for a round table summit with Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, General Board of Global Ministries staff, and other groups that are involved in United Methodist ministry in Nigeria.
- Did you know that we have three United Methodist camps in Iowa: Okoboji, Pictured Rocks and Wesley Woods? We have a first-rate and comprehensive Christian camping program. 2017 registration is now open! Click here for brochures.
May God bless you with a holy Lent.
Blessings,
Bishop Laurie
