April 1, 2017

To the Saints of the Iowa Annual Conference,

Grace and peace on this first day of April, also known affectionately as April Fools’ Day. It was on this day in 1700 that pranksters in England began playing practical jokes on each other, although the exact origins of April Fools’ Day remain unknown.

We have two Sundays remaining in Lent, after which Jesus calls us to journey with him from Palm Sunday through the events of Holy Week to the cross. I invite you to participate as fully as you are able in the worship services of Holy Week, for it is only when we experience the pain and suffering of Jesus’ passion that we are able to sing on Easter Sunday, Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Lenten Study: The God We Can Know

This coming Wednesday, April 5, at 12:05 p.m., our last Lenten study will take place. It has been a joy to experiment with technology so that we can offer this study throughout the conference by live-streaming. Our Communications staff have noted that an average of 75 people are joining us every week via live-streaming. Some locations include groups of people. We would love to receive your feedback on how we might make this a better experience in the future.  

Women at the Well 10th Anniversary Celebration

You are invited to join us at Ames Collegiate UMC this Sunday April 2 at 2:30 p.m. for a tenth anniversary worship service and celebration of our United Methodist congregation at the Iowa Correctional Facility for Women in Mitchellville. Women at the Well plays a significant role in our conference, and I am grateful for all those whose support enables this unique ministry.

March at a Glance

• The month of March included preaching at Broadway UMC, Council Bluffs on March 5 (Southwest District); Manchester UMC on March 19 (Northeast District), and Douds, Selma, and Lebanon UMC’s on March 26 (Southeast District). I have also had opportunities to meet with district laity and clergy.  
• I met with the staff of Justice for our Neighbors, spent time with pastors of the largest churches in the Iowa Conference, and continued planning for the 2017 Iowa Annual Conference with both the Sessions, Standing Rules, and Annual Conference Worship Committees.
• This is also a very busy time for the Appointive Cabinet, as we continue making clergy appointments to local churches. Because we are projecting a shortage of clergy right now, we are actively recruiting in our seminaries and other conferences.
• Our SLI (Spiritual Leadership, Inc.) Appointive Cabinet and Bishop’s Operational Teams continue to meet monthly. Each district now has their own SLI district team. We are also refining new mission and vision statements to be approved at Annual Conference and continue to work on aligning our resources and staff with the conference strategic priorities that were approved at the 2013 Iowa Annual Conference.  

Commission on a Way Forward

Click here for the latest (March 2) update on the work of the commission. Phil Carver, chair of the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conference delegation, will give an oral report on the Commission’s work at Annual Conference.

In addition, during 2017, every annual conference has been given the opportunity to select a week when we focus our prayer on the work of the Commission on a Way Forward. Our week is May 20-27, and Rev. Cindy Hickman is leading a conference team that is planning our time of prayer in Iowa. More to come!

Educational Opportunities Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in January 2018

Have you ever thought about making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land? To actually walk where Jesus walked is one of the most powerful spiritual experiences I have ever had. I invite you to join me and my husband Gary on a Bible Exploration Tour to Israel from January 9-18, 2018.

Forty-nine people have already signed up, and we hope you’ll join us! Click here to see the brochure. If you have questions, please contact Educational Opportunities representatives Len and Diane Eberhart at lendiane92@gmail.com.

Congratulations!

Have you heard? Last week at the United Methodist Association of Communicators meeting, our Communications Team of Liz Winders and Dr. Art McClanahan received “Best in Class” for digital publications! They also received a first-place certificate for the Division A, Category B e-publication category. For more, read here. 

Upcoming Events

• In April, I look forward to participating in the School for Ministry as well as Laity Day on April 22. I hope to see you there!
• Our United Methodist camping program in Iowa is seeking to raise $10,000 for camperships this summer! Check out the video. I made last week with Bryan Johnson, our Leadership Development Minister for Camping and Retreats. If I can go on the zipline at Pictured Rocks, I hope you might help those campers who, otherwise, might not be able to have a wonderful spiritual experience this summer!
• On Monday, April 17, I will be running in the Boston Marathon for the tenth time. This one is special, though, because my youngest daughter is participating for the first time. We’re going to have a great time together, although she’ll be way out in front of me! 

May God bless you in the month of April as you laugh, love, learn, and serve.

Blessings,
Bishop Laurie