November 16, 2018
NEWS
Exercising the Discipline of the Whole Church

I learned two things about The United Methodist Church before I ever dreamed of one day becoming a United Methodist pastor. First, when a large United Methodist church in Connecticut hired me to be their part-time Director of Music while I was...

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www.lauriehaller.org
District Fundraising Challenge

Districts have been challenged to raise funds for kitchen at the Ubuntu Retreat Centre at Africa University Several weeks ago, a group of eleven clergy and ...

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www.iaumc.org
Remembering Meredith Stubbe

Our dear sister in Christ Meredith Ann Stubbe passed away Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Meredith began working for the Iowa Annual Conference in October ...

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Congratulations to the 2018 Carma Mohler Grant recipients

This year the Iowa United Methodist Foundation awarded $6,000 to six groups who are alleviating hunger in their communities. There were so many amazing project ideas this year and we are excited to see what these organizations do. Congratulations goes out to…
  • Grace’s Table Food Pantry, Grace United Methodist Church
  • Summer Lunch Box Program, Dewitt United Methodist Church
  • Summer Lunch Program, Klemme United Methodist Church
  • Summer Noon Meals Neighborhood Meals & Enrichment Program, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church out of Cedar Rapids
  • The Lamoni Food Pantry
  • The Olin Food Pantry
Check out  iumf.org/grants/carma-mohler-grant/ to learn more about Carma Mohler and the reason behind this grant. Applications are open July 1 – October 1 if you want to apply next year!
Holiday Hours

The Conference Center in Des Moines will be closed to the public beginning Monday, December 24th through Tuesday, January 1st, and will resume regular...

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RESOURCES
Expressing gratitude: Social media graphics | United...

Denounce violence and racism and EMBRACE LOVE. Download these graphics from United Methodist Communications to use on your Facebook profile or share on your timeline.

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www.umcom.org
Make spirits bright with a seeker-friendly outreach...

What does it take to throw a good party? Good friends, tasty treats, great location, maybe even fun activities. Right? You got it! And that's also how your church can host a successful Christmas event to attract visitors from your community -...

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www.umcom.org
To subscribe to Advent Devotionals, click the button below and enter your email address when asked. You will receive an email asking you to edit your subscription list, where you can choose the Advent 2018 Devotional.

Starting December 2 and running through Christmas Day, you will receive a daily devotional written by a member of the Conference Staff.
Special session pre-registration now available

Guests and observers to the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference, The United Methodist Church's top legislative assembly, may now pre-register online.

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www.umc.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
Conversations on the Way Forward Gatherings
Bishop Laurie along with General Conference Delegates will be visiting the Northeast District on November 18 and Central District on December 2. They will be present to worship, answer questions, and be in dialogue together around the pros and cons of each of the three COWF plans.

• Northeast District on November 18 at Cedar Falls, First  from 2:30 – 4:00 pm
• Central District on December 2 at Ankeny First’s Christian Life Center (710 NE 36th Street, Ankeny, IA) from 2:00 – 3:30 pm

If you have been unable to attend any of the Conversations On A Way Forward Gatherings, please watch this video recording from the Knoxville gathering .
The Simpson College Madrigal Dinner

The Madrigal Dinner immerses audiences in a world bathed in the light of hundreds of candles and resplendent with brocades, tapestries, and herald flags. Set in Elizabethan England at the turn of the Sixteenth Century, the event features a lively Mummers Play, strolling ballad singers, familiar carols, madrigals in several languages, and Renaissance instruments. Audiences are thrilled by the traditional Boar’s Head and Wassail ceremonies and a visit from a very important royal guest.

The Madrigal Dinner is held in the Great Hall on the Simpson College campus on November 30 and December 1, 2018 at 6:30 pm both nights. Single tickets range from $35-$50 and can be purchased at  simpsonmusic.tix.com  or by calling the Simpson College Music Office at 515-961-1637 starting November 8, 2018 at 10:00 am. Performances recommended for ages 6 and up.

A traditional start to the Central Iowa Christmas season, the Madrigal Dinner began in 1962 under the direction of Dr. Robert Larsen. Now under the direction of its second director, Mr. Zach Rohlwing, the Madrigal Singers perform locally in Des Moines, around the state of Iowa, and every other year on an international tour.