November 1, 2017

Gary and I were all set to receive trick-or-treaters into our home last night, which was Halloween. However, on Monday evening, as I walked down the street to the mailboxes to get our mail, I noticed lots of little ghosts and goblins walking around with bags of candy! When I got back to the house, I said to Gary, “I heard something about Beggars Night’ on the evening news, but I had no idea what they were talking about.” Now I get it! For reasons I do not fully understand, Halloween takes place in Clive on October 30, not 31. Anybody want some leftover candy?

Today is All Saints Day. November 1 or the first Sunday in November, when All Saints Day it is usually celebrated on our churches, is a time to remember the communion of saints, all those of every time and place who have died, especially our own loved ones, and those in our congregations who have died during the previous year. All Saints Sunday has always been one of my favorite Sundays of the year because I know that I stand on the shoulders of countless faithful Christians who have gone before me and have shown me the way. I would encourage you to take time today to remember the saints in your life.

Iowa United Methodist communities of faith were very generous in their giving to disaster response in September. Giving from 155 congregations amounted to $59,386.41, of which $3,952.93 was designated for an international response and $55,433.48 for domestic disaster response. October figures are yet to be tallied so stay tuned for an update. The aftermath of Hurricanes, Harvey, Irma, Maria and the wildfires in the West have devastated enormous parts of the United States. The real work of recovery is just beginning and help in the form of volunteers will be needed for years. Please continue to give to UMCOR U.S. Response, Special Advance #901670 or UMCOR International Response, Special Advance #982450.

November is a busy month in the life of our congregations in Iowa. In addition to All Saints Sunday, some churches celebrate Stewardship Sunday , when pledges toward the ministries of the congregation in the coming year are received. It has always been a holy experience for Gary and me to come forward, along with the lay members of the congregation, to offer our tithe to God. What a privilege it is to be able to support the church by our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness! Have you made your commitment yet?

My November calendar is rich and varied. During the week of November 5, I will be at Lake Junaluska with the Council of Bishops. This twice-a-year meeting gives our episcopal leaders from around the world the opportunity to worship together, participate in covenant groups, receive reports from boards and agencies, including the Commission on a Way Forward, and participate in learning experiences. We will also be receiving boundaries and ethics training, as have our clergy and lay leaders in Iowa this fall.

On Monday, I met with the Annual Conference worship committee as we began planning our worship services for our June Iowa Annual Conference. Our guest preachers from outside the conference include Bishop Bruce Ough , who was elected a bishop out of Iowa in 2000 and currently serves as the bishop of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area. We look forward to welcoming Bishop Ough back home! Another guest preacher is Rev. Christian Coon, who was raised right here in Iowa and currently serves as the founding pastor and lead pastor of Urban Village in Chicago. In keeping with our annual conference theme: Creating Difference Makers in New Communities of Faith , Christian will speak about his experiences as a new planter.

Other highlights include meeting with our Iowa Conference clergy retirees, preaching at the November 12-14 Clergywomen’s Gathering, and preaching on November 19 at Algona First United Methodist Church.

May you enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November, remembering the gift of gratitude for all of God’s blessings, and reaching out to others in love and hope.

Bishop Laurie