All Saints Day
In the Christian church, November 1 is All Saints Day. It is a time when we remember and celebrate the lives of the saints and all of our loved ones who have gone before us. Many churches have a custom of remembering those who have died over the previous year on the first Sunday of November. One of my favorite hymns is #712, “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.” I’ll be singing it today.
I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true.
Who toiled and fought and lived and died For the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, And one was a shepherdess on the green;
They were all of them saints of God, And I mean, God helping, to be one too.
Thanksgiving Ingathering
Our 39th
Annual Thanksgiving Ingathering will take place
this Saturday, November 3!
The Thanksgiving Ingathering is a way in which Iowa United Methodists can address hunger problems locally and around the world. You can see all the 2018 Thanksgiving Ingathering instructions
here
. Please note important changes from the 2017 booklet! Everyone can find some way to contribute. When we share from our abundance, we are acting justly and reflecting our desire to serve God.
Report from the Judicial Council
Last Friday, our United Methodist Judicial Council met in Zurich, Switzerland, to determine the constitutionality of the three legislative proposals from the Commission on a Way Forward. The Council of Bishops released a statement in regard to the Judicial Council report that you can read
here
.
Commission on a Way Forward Gatherings
We are almost at the end of our second round of district meetings this year around the work of the Commission on a Way Forward.
- The Northeast District gathering is Sunday, November 18 at 2:30 p.m. at Cedar Falls First UMC.
- The Central District gathering is Sunday, December 2 at 2 p.m. at Ankeny First Christian Life Center.
Members of the 2019 General Conference delegation will also be present at these gatherings. If you missed your district gathering, please feel free to come to the Northeast or Central District meetings. You can also view a recording of the North Central Gathering
here
.
Giving Tuesday: November 27
The last Tuesday in November is called
Giving Tuesday
in The United Methodist Church. Giving Tuesday is part of a movement to create an international day of giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season.
On Giving Tuesday, November 27, United Methodists come together to support vital ministry projects and missionaries around the world as they generously #GiveUMC. Giving through The Advance empowers hundreds of dedicated project leaders and missionaries to share the love of Christ in meaningful, life-saving ways. As always, 100% of all giving will support the designated Advance ministry. Check out the Giving Tuesday
website!
Highlights of my November Calendar
- November 1: Bidwell Riverside Center: Empty Bowls benefit
- November 2: Budget Task Force
- November 3-9: Council of Bishops
- November 18: Preaching and Building Consecration at Marion First UMC
- November 18: Northeast COWF Gathering: Cedar Falls First UMC
- November 19: Bishops Operational Team
- November 25: Preaching at my home church, Zion Mennonite Church
- November 27: Sessions Meeting
- November 30 and December 1: EM360 and 8-Year Assessment meetings with GBHEM staff and BOOM members
May you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and weekend with family and friends. One custom our family often has at Thanksgiving is to go around the table and share the things for which we are thankful to God. I am thankful for the gift of good health and family and friends. I also give thanks to God for the privilege of being a part of the Iowa Annual Conference and participating in amazing ministry around the state that is truly transforming lives.
