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September 1, 2017

As we head into the Labor Day weekend and the beginning of fall, our hearts are with all those in Texas, Louisiana, and elsewhere whose lives have been forever changed by Hurricane Harvey. Thirty-two thousand people are currently in shelters in Texas, tens of thousands have lost everything they own, and millions of lives have been changed forever. What about housing, schools, businesses, and infrastructures? It will take years, but United Methodists in Iowa are committed to helping for the long haul. What can you do?

  1. Pray for all those affected by Harvey; for the families of those who have died; and for the rescuers, Early Response Teams, disaster coordinators, and countless volunteers on the ground.
  2. Give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) for relief and recovery efforts. Give a gift today!
  3. Wait for an invitation to volunteer when the time is right.  

Detroit Tiny Homes Featured in PBS Special

Rev. Faith Fowler was our speaker at the 2017 Iowa Annual Conference. Faith is the Executive Director of United Methodist-related Cass Community Social Services in Detroit. Faith led a workshop at the 2017 Iowa Annual Conference on their new tiny homes project. Last week, Cass Community’s Tiny Homes were featured on the PBS News Hour

Click here to watch this inspiring seven-minute segment.

Leadership Retreat

Leaders of the Iowa Annual Conference will be gathering September 8 – 9 to create a roadmap toward implementation of our new mission and vision statements, strategic priorities, and Wildly Important Goal (WIG). We are also involved in the hiring process for a Director of New Faith Communities. Please pray for this gathering, that we would be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Our Mission:

  • Inspiring, equipping, and connecting communities of faith to cultivate world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Our Vision:

  • God’s hope for the world made real through faithful leaders, fruitful communities, and fire-filled people.

Our WIG:

  • Every church in the Iowa Annual Conference will develop a process for intentionally forming disciples of Jesus Christ by the year 2020.

Our Strategic Priorities:

  • Creating World-Transforming Communities of Faith
  • Equipping Ourselves and Others as Transformational Leaders
  • Directing Our Resources to Our Common Goals

My Schedule

The day after Labor Day, I will be flying to Nashville to lead the denominational Study of Ministry Commission in its first meeting of the quadrennium. The Commission was authorized by General Conference 2016 to study and make recommendations on “the nature and structure of ministry in the ever-changing context of our world that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.” There are 23 members on the Commission from around our worldwide UM connection, and we are being resourced by staff from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.   

My September schedule also includes a weekend trip to the South Central District, where I will preach at Seymour UMC. Each year I will preach and be present at least once in each of our eight districts. The appointive cabinet and SLI groups will be meeting this month. In addition, I will be gathering over four days with the North Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops in Columbus, Ohio.   

A Prayer for the Fall    

God, as the seasons change, we remember that change is built into the very fabric of creation. We marvel at the beauty of the world that you have given us to care for, but at the same time, we lament the power of nature to destroy and take away at a moment’s notice. Lord, as we move into the fall, which is often a time of new beginnings in schools, churches, and other organizations, we pray that our eyes would always be open to see you in the very least of your children; that our ears would always be attuned to the cries of the needy; and that our hearts would always be extended to share your love and hope with all. You call us to be difference makers, and we say, “Yes, Lord. Here we are.” Amen. 

Blessings,

Bishop Laurie

 
From the Office of the Bishop of The Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church