May 1, 2018
Dear Friends,

I bring you greetings from the Council of Bishops meeting in Chicago. Over the course of this week, the bishops’ primary role will be to finalize our recommendations to the 2019 Special Session of General Conference regarding the work of the Commission on a Way Forward. We will also pass on leadership of the Council of Bishops from outgoing President Bishop Bruce Ough, who was elected a bishop out of the Iowa Conference, to Bishop Ken Carter, current episcopal leader of the Florida Conference.

During our session, we will certify the votes of the annual conferences on five constitutional amendments that were approved at the 2016 General Conference. As chairperson of the Ministry Study Commission, I also participated in a meeting with leaders of other study/dialogue processes.

Every morning all active and retired bishops meet in their covenant group for an hour before we engage the business of the day. We also spend time in our jurisdictional Colleges of Bishops. I want to thank you for your prayers for the Council of Bishops during this critical time in the life of The United Methodist Church. 
Commission on a Way Forward District Gatherings

Over the past several months there have been seven district gatherings (East Central and Southeast were combined) and one gathering of clergy serving our larger churches. Approximately 1,125 laity and clergy participated. Thank you to the congregations that graciously hosted the gatherings. There was a good spirit in the discussions and a deep desire to find a way forward. At the 2018 Annual Conference, we have set aside an hour on Sunday afternoon for a dialogue around the work of the Commission with several of our General Conference delegates, Bishop Bruce Ough, and me.  
Commission on the General Conference to Meet in Des Moines

The Iowa Conference Center is proud to host the Commission on the General Conference in Des Moines from May 10-12. The Commission is responsible for planning and overseeing the smooth functioning of the 2019 special called General Conference in St. Louis as well as the regular 2020 General Conference in Minneapolis. Sara Hotchkiss, daughter of Rev. Bob and Chris Burkhart, is the Business Manager of the General Conference. 
Iowa Annual Conference

The Iowa Annual Conference will be upon us before we know it! From June 8-11 (clergy and laity sessions will be help Friday evening on June 8), we will be meeting in Des Moines to worship, learn, celebrate, reconnect with old friends and make new friends, and be inspired to become difference makers in our families, communities, and world.

I am looking forward to welcoming native Iowans Rev. Christian Coon and Bishop Bruce Ough as speakers, as well as Rev. LaTonya Calderon and Rev. Dr. Harlan Gillespie. If you are looking for a good book to read before Annual Conference, I would suggest Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger, which contains many important lessons for today’s church. And please plan to attend one of the Saturday workshops (learn more and register today) , which are related to our 2018 Annual Conference emphasis on developing new faith communities and also on our new conference Mental Health Initiative.
May Schedule

During the first week of May, the Council of Bishops is meeting in Chicago. During part of the second week of May, I will be attending the Trustees meeting of Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston and will also participate in graduation. On the way back to Iowa, I’ll spend time with the Iowa Licensing school students in Dubuque.

In addition to preparing for annual conference during the latter part of May, I’ll be gathering with clergy who will be ordained at the 2018 Annual Conference. I will also participate in a two-day cabinet retreat, which will include our new district superintendents and Directors of Congregational Excellence and Clergy and Leadership Excellence. 

The old proverb, “April showers bring May flowers” didn’t quite hold true this year, as many parts of Iowa experienced more than one snowstorm! May the month of May still bring the flowers and new life of spring, as many of our churches and clergy are in a time of transition to new appointments. Please pray for all those who will be moving to new homes and congregations.
 
Blessings,

Bishop Laurie