Iowa Annual Conference United Methodist Church North Central District

Transcription

1 Iowa Annual Conference United Methodist Church North Central District March 2017 Newsletter 2.11 C ( ) - D 14

2 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1 NRSV Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The annual pilgrimage from ashes to the cross and empty tomb is upon us. I look forward to the pilgrimage of Lent. It takes me from where I am to where I hope to be by faith alone. I feel led up by the Spirit into a wilderness shared with you, sisters and brothers in Christ. As the church, the body of Christ, we walk these times together. There is no escape from this. We are held by the Spirit as surely as we are led by the Spirit into a daily spiritual practice of being Christ s body, the church. This journey reminds us as the earthly church we are susceptible to the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness. Turning stones into bread. We are often enamored with quick fixes to our ecclesial problems and challenges in place of the healing Word of God; Commanding angels to test God. We are fixated on security, rather than faith. Vain worship. We choose prestige over the promise of God s presence. This is a time of renewal, a threshold into new life, a liminal space within the busyness of our lives, the bridge between repentance and forgiveness. I pray for us a holy Lent, a time of shared fasting and prayer. May we have the courage to be led by the Spirit into a wilderness and be brought out into a new light not for only for our own sake but also for the sake of the world and all of its peoples. May we journey together for the sake of a world of nations and peoples and kinds who are broken and yearning for the good news of Jesus Christ, for a journey leading to peace and dignity, for the daily affirmation in word and deed of being made in the likeness of God, who redeems us all. Grace & Peace, Harlan Gillespie Rev. Josh Steward, the chair of our Conference Board of Church & Society, would like to know if you have a Church & Society Commi ee in your local church. Please contact him if you do, at ministerjosh@gmail.com.

3 Pastors and Churches/Charges Gatherings A Thank You! Praise be to God and thank you for your fruitful engagement with each other in the regional Pastors and Churches/Charges Gatherings in late January and February. Conversations and prayers on how we can be the church and do the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ together as the body of Christ will be continuing. Katharine, Alanna, and I are encouraged by the conversations of lay and clergy spiritual leaders. We witnessed pastors and lay persons making connections for the first time and others renewing connections. Each event was a spiritual process of Loving, Learning, and Leading. We shared glory sightings and prayers of God s work. We worshiped together focusing upon Jesus vision expressed in John 10:10. We learned together using the vision of Jesus Christ and a metaphor of what the renewal of Yellowstone National Park has to do with the church. As spiritual leaders we met as small groups and dived deeper into shared values and beliefs on what it means to be the church, challenges we face in living these out, and dreamed about shared ministry and actively partnering as neighboring churches and pastors. We are collating the information shared in the 4 pastors gatherings and 4 churches/charges gathering, looking for themes and trends. This will be published for everyone s reflection. We will be following up with more gatherings to reach more pastors and churches/ charges. We will also be using the 4 regional groupings leadership training and workshops so churches/charges and pastors can have easier access. Many thanks to our host churches and pastors for this round of gatherings: Ogden Community UMC and Rev. Gary Hoyt; Fort Dodge Trinity UMC and Rev. Michael Blackwell; Webster City Asbury UMC and Rev. Jeff Flagg; Forest City UMC and Rev. Les Green; Boone First UMC and Rev. Doug Cue; Garner UMC and Rev. Paul Evans; Iowa Falls First UMC and Revs. Carol Myers, Jeff Blackman, and Kendy Miller; and Fort Dodge First UMC and Rev. Andrea Kraushaar EXPERIENCE THE HOLY LAND!!! Bishop Laurie Haller is partnering with Educational Opportunities to make it possible for Iowa clergy and laity to go to the Holy Land. The next Bishop s Tour to Israel departs January 9, Most people dream of walking where Jesus walked, seeing firsthand the places in the Holy Land that have deep spiritual meaning. Spiritual leaders personally benefit greatly from Coming Home to their spiritual roots as well as having others experience this Home Coming with them. Educational Opportunities Tours have provided this opportunity to laity and clergy for over 40 years. The goal of EO is to make it possible for all laity and clergy to make this spiritual pilgrimage. You may book your trip at the link below. Please send the Eberharts a message when you ve done this. If you want to invite a group of people to travel together, sign up as an EO Tour Host and make it a group experience. If you need assistance in booking or want more information on becoming an EO Tour Host, please direct your inquires to Len & Diane Eberhart, EO Directors of Travel Ministry in Iowa. More information about the trip with Bishop Laurie can be found below and on the Educational Opportunities site. Check out the Bible Land Exploration Tour with Bishop Laurie brochure. You may register directly online. $150/person discount if you register by March 9, Listen to a video invitation from Bishop Laurie: If you have questions contact Len or Diane Eberhart lendiane92@gmail.com, call or text

4 WORLD TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES OF FAITH Dear Brothers and Sisters, Blessings to you as we begin the season of Lent! Sometimes, during this time, churches add opportunities for Bible Study or worship. But sometimes adding additional worship services, for the longer term, can cause conflict in a congregation. This month, everyone is invited to the workshop about adding a second worship service. We might ask why we are attending worship at all? What is our worship philosophy? Adoration for on praise, worship and adoration of God music and prayer are the high-points Community express our life together prayer of sharing joys and concerns is key Discipleship grow in faith through insights preaching and teaching are the high-points Outreach evangelism is at the heart culture engaged with everyday language and methods We all have our preferences, and at each service, a church can do one well (or two at most). What is most important for your church? (From Taking Flight with Creativity: Worship Design Teams That Work by Len Wilson and Jason Moore) If there are concerns that people won t know everyone at this other time, if may be pointing to a worship philosophy of community. This month, everyone is invited to the workshop about adding a second worship service. It will be held March in Okoboji. EVERYONE IS INVITED! Peace and Blessings, Katharine Yarnell, Your Field Outreach Minister HCI Next Registration New and Second Worship Services Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center March 24-26, Friday 8pm Sunday 1pm Church Name: Contact Person: Telephone: Total Number of Attendees ($150 for 3 people, $25 for each additional person checks to be made out to IAUMC, payable on Day 1 of the Retreat) Number of Females Number of Males Dietary Needs: Other Special Needs: (Registration deadline, March 1, 2017) Melissa.drake@iaumc.org Healthy Church Initiative Healthy Small Church Initiative Yay to the Healthy Small Church Initiative group, led by Pastor Anita Bane, with Gowrie and Rockwell City and Jolley participating! Please contact Katharine Yarnell if you have questions or want to start up a group this fall Katharine.yarnell@iaumc.org

5 WORLD TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES OF FAITH Dear North Central District Ministry Colleagues: In our gathering in Ogden on January 26, I mentioned my interest in having quality, mutual learning conversations with our pastoral colleagues, particularly around topics of practical application for congregational leadership. We threw out a meeting date of February 23 here at Grace UMC, Story City, but to be honest I couldn t gauge how firm that interest was, so I did not think we were still on. I only heard from two colleagues. Please let me have a do-over. I invite you to Grace UMC, Story City, on Thursday, March 9, from 10:00 to 12:00 for our first conversation. I have a lunch reservation for us afterward at Dinners by Dawn here in Story City. (I think a lunch fellowship as part of our meetings is an important part of building supportive relationships.) Please bring your insights so we can learn from each other. Please also consider hosting a gathering for subsequent months, as well as a practical topic for group discussion related to pastoral leadership and positive transformation of congregational culture. It would be great if you can also identify a local place where we could fellowship over lunch afterward. Please RSVP to freddarbonne@yahoo.com to let me know you will be joining us on March 9. Thank you for considering this proposal. Fred Darbonne Intentional Interim Pastor Grace UMC, Story City, IA The topic I would like us to engage this time wrestles with the question, Where does vision come from? Issues include questions such as whether vision come from above, or does it emerge organically from within the local body through a process of mutual discernment? If we understand the congregation as a local expression of the Body of Christ, and that each member can be guided by the Holy Spirit and informed by Scripture, how can we best facilitate mutual discernment processes? Also, how can we connect a vision for particular ministry settings with the larger vision of our connectional structures? North Central District UMW Mission Study March 2017 Topic: Climate Justice March 14, 2017 (Snow Date: March 21, 2017) Mason City, Grace UMC Presentation by Rev. Dick Clark March 16, 2017 (Snow Date: March 23, 2017) Gilmore City Faith UMC Presentation by: Joyce Norton Schedule: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM - Registration and Coffee 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Morning Session (Climate Justice) 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM - Salad Luncheon (Each carload to bring one large salad) 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM - Afternoon Session (Climate Justice) 2:15 PM - 2:30 PM - Closing

6 WORLD TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES OF FAITH >>>>>>SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN 2017<<<<<< RACE: The POWER of an ILLUSION RACIAL EQUITY AWARENESS LEARNING EXCHANGES WHY? * Jesus calls us to love God and love neighbor. * Racial justice is an ongoing focus of United Methodist Women mission work. * We are called to live out the Charter for Racial Justice in our communities. * Racial disproportionality and disparity occur in Iowa. WHAT? RACE: The POWER of an ILLUSION (RPI) is a one-day guided educational experience that brings people from various backgrounds together to begin courageous conversations as they explore intersections of race, equity, and child welfare guided by trained facilitators using a variety of resources. TIME? 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. on a weekday COST? WHO? Learning Exchange is FREE! PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED & LIMITED TO THE FIRST 35 TO CONTACT RITA CARTER! > There will be a free-will donation for lunch (or bring your own). Faith community pastors, staff & members; foster parents, child advocates & professionals; interested community members. (0.5 UMC CEUs, SW CEUs, & foster parent credit hours available.) WHEN & WHERE? Choose one of these four Iowa locations! * Monday, March 6 St. Paul s UMC, Cedar Rapids (EC District) * Monday, March 13 Trinity UMC, Fort Dodge (NC District) * Thursday, April 20 Salem UMC, Council Bluffs (SW District) * Thursday, May 25 Columbus Junction UMC (SE District) SPONSORED BY: Iowa Conference United Methodist Women in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Human Services CO-SPONSORED BY: Iowa Chapter-Methodist Federation for Social Action, Southeast District (UMC) Latino Task Force, Iowa Conference UMC Board of Church and Society, Iowa Conference UMC Commission on Religion & Race, AFSC Immigrant Justice Program, Contact Rita Carter, ritaac@mchsi.com or for questions/reservations.

7 WORLD TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES OF FAITH The Holy in the Ordinary Holy is the time and holy is this place, and there are holy things that must be said. Let us say to one another what our souls whisper... O Holy One, cast your tent among us; come into our ordinary lives and bless the living! Forty days stretch before us, forty days of hungering after faithfulness, forty days of trying to understand the story, and then, Holy Week... O God, if every week were holy... Those forty days stretch before us, and those of us who believe yearn to feel Your presence, yearn to be Your people; and yet, the days fill with ordinary things with no time left for seeking the holy. Spiritual contemplation is all right for those who have the time, but most of us have to make a living. Most of us have to live in the real world where profanity splashes and blots out anything holy. Where, O Holy One, can we find You in this unholy mess? How, O God, can we find the holy in the ordinary? Ann Weems Kneeling in Jerusalem Westminster/John Knox Press, page Ann Weems. God of the ordinary and the holy, find us, we pray, as we seek to find you. Hear our prayers for these our sisters and brothers and many others. Work your healing ways in ordinary days: Memorial prayers for Rev. Patricia Conner, spouse of Rev. Bob Conner. Patti died January 26. Her services will be March 18, 11 am, at the Livermore Center of Faith UMC of Humboldt County. The many preparations of churches and pastors for the observance of a meaningful and holy Lent. May the Holy Spirit renew and transform our faith and the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ we share. Bishop Laurie, the Cabinet, the churches, pastors, and communities of the Iowa Conference in our discernment of appointments, our mission and our ministry in Jesus Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers. Amen.

8 WORLD TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES OF FAITH Our mission is to bring understanding, hope and healing to people of all ages through counseling and education. Who we are: Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization offering a broad range of mental health services, serving 4,000 individuals annually including up to 800 children plus their families. Although best known for its 44 years of quality, professional mental health therapy, the Center is a multi-faceted organization providing a range of services through 26 licensed counselors including: Counseling, including specialized services for children and adolescents Psychological testing and assessment Psychiatric consultation and care Training for clinical professionals Leadership and spiritual life programming Career Coaching Conflict transformation and strategic planning services for congregations, nonprofits and businesses For more information on any services, programs, or events contact Diane McClananahan, M.Div., Director of Leadership and Spiritual Life at the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center, , dmcclanahan@dmpcc.org. Des Moines Pastoral Counseling - or call Soul Shop Suicide Prevention Training Coming to Mason City Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City will host two Soul Shop events; CAST Community Awareness Skills Training on Wednesday, April 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and a One Day Training on Thursday, April 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each session will be facilitated by author and creator of Soul Shop, Fe Anam Avis. Fe is an experienced trainer in the area of suicide prevention. He speaks not only from professional expertise, but also from his own experience of walking through the dark night of suicidal desperation and coming out the other end alive. Soul Shop CAST Community Awareness Skills Training is a free community event designed to help individuals explore the greatest myth regarding suicidal desperation and learn how to talk about suicide. Registration is not required to attend. Soul Shop for Leaders is a one-day training for pastors, staff members, lay pastoral workers, and faith based clinicians. Cost is $30, which includes lunch. Please note if registering as a group from a church, the first person cost $30 with each additional person at $15. Registration is required at Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center at dmpcc.org/soulshop. CEU s available for clergy. For additional information or questions regarding these events please contact Beverly Butler at or bbutler@susumc.org. Additional information about Soul Shop may be found at their website Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 213 North Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City.

9 WORLD TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES OF FAITH Day Apart for Ministerial Professionals WORKING WITH RESISTANCE, BUILDING RESILIENCE: ELEMENTS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT Pastoral Care strategies for working with others blocked by life events Pastoral Care implications for working with the world around us WHEN: March 6, 2017 (snow date: March 13) WHERE: IA Annual Conference Center (2301 Rittenhouse St) TIME: 9:30 3:30, Lunch Included PRESENTER: DR. MARY L. FRASER, PH.D., DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING RSVP: ; Great Lenten Resource!!! Don't let the "For Kids" fool you! This book is great for kids and adults alike. In "Love Life Live Lent" participants are given an activity for each day during Lent. Some examples are: Watch the news. Pray for someone or something you've seen on it; Fill a bag with litter (then put it in the trash); and so many more!!! Help your congregation add something to this Lenten season! These books are available through Cokesbury at a very reasonable price!!! For questions regarding the Christian Formation Corner: Please contact Jennifer Peterson at jenniferpeterson19@hotmail.com Do you ever wonder how to help people who are stuck, will not move forward, resist change? Do you ever wonder how to approach that phenomenon in yourself? Do you ever wonder if you re colluding? This day apart is for you! We will explore the nature of resistance psychologically, spiritually and in a social/world context. You will learn how to work with resistance in yourself as well as individuals and groups manifesting resistance, explore the Biblical stories and themes of resistance, consider theological categories of sin and reconciliation with regard to resistance and examine a case study of social implications (mining in the Manu River, Peru) where we look at the positive and negative way resistance occurs. Learn to unlock the energy of God s passion for creative engagement with the world. Handouts and worksheets included. This workshop includes professional tools you can use in your context.

10 WORLD TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES OF FAITH Save The Date! Open for EVERYONE who is considering adding a service, midweek or on Sundays This event is hosted by HCI Where: Lake Okoboji UM Camp When: March 24-26, 2017 This retreat is designed for churches who have recently started or are dreaming about starting a new or additional worship service! We are offering time for spiritual renewal, workshops on best practices, peer learning, and connection with other churches experiencing the joy and also (sometimes the pain) of making room for new people to learn about Jesus. The Annual Conference HCI Coordinating committee is subsidizing the majority of the cost for this retreat we believe in you, the work that you are doing with God, and want to offer another level of support and learning. The registration fee for this retreat is $150 per church for up to three people attending. Registration Fee covers lodging and meals. Additional people can be added for $25 each. If the registration fee is an issue, please contact Katharine.yarnell@iaumc.org If you are interested in accepting this invitation, please RSVP to Katharine.yarnell@iaumc.org so that we can hold your place. More details with a schedule will follow at a later date. Registration information is in Katharine s article on page 4. Rev. Dr. Katharine Yarnell CFRE FCEP Field Outreach Minister North Central District Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church cell office LAY MEMBER(S) TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE Do we have the names of your Lay Member(s) to Annual Conference 2017? Many Churches/Charges voted on their Lay Member(s) to Annual Conference at the time of their Church/Charge Conference. However, there are some that did not. If your Church/Charge Conference did not vote on a Lay Member(s) to Annual Conference and now has someone that is willing to attend - there will need to be a special Charge Conference scheduled to have this voted on. Please contact the District Office at alanna.warren@iaumc.org or by calling (515) if you have any questions. Thank you! SOMETHING ABOUT STEWARDSHIP It s always helpful for people to know how their gifts are making a difference in the world. Communicating this in Thank-you messages that emphasize this role encourage people to continue support. Examples of effective Thank-you can be found on the website of Shanon Doolittle (

11 EQUIPPING OURSELVES AND OTHERS AS TRANSFORMAITON LEADERS The North Central District Lay Servant/Board of Laity Committee has scheduled an Advanced Lay Servant Training for Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the North Central District Office. NC District Field Outreach Minister, Rev. Dr. Katharine Yarnell will be the instructor. The class time, assignment, and lunch plans are not finalized at this time; however we will get that information sent out via blast as well as in the next newsletter. Please keep an eye out for that information. The Book that that will be required for this class is: Lay Pastoral Care Giving By: Tim M. Farabaugh. The Cokesbury ISBN code is: Currently, there is not a Basic Lay Servant Training scheduled for this day. However, If we have enough people that would be interested in taking the Basic Course - we can look into getting an instructor for the class. For more information or questions: please feel free to contact the District Office at Alanna.warren@iaumc.org or call or NC District Lay Servant Committee Chair, Mary Patterson at maryjane.3in1@gmail.com or Iowa Annual Conference Diakonos Message from Pastor Steve Braudt Greetings Iowa United Methodist Youth and the people who love and support them! Have you ever wanted to be a part of something bigger than the local church? Have you ever wanted to serve your church brothers and sisters in Christ? We have two opportunities for you! The first is called the Diakonos (Greek for servant) Leadership Development program! This is a time for 32 youth from around the state to help with the Iowa Annual Conference. You will be running messages, helping with worshiping, learning about the United Methodist church and our process, along with having fun and lots of other activities. Attached you will find the application forms and more information. Second: each District also has two positions for Youth Delegates to Annual Conference. These are youth that vote and work the process of the Annual Conference. Please contact your District Office if you are interested in being considered. The good news is that delegates this year will have the option of staying, traveling, worshipping and having fun with the Diakonos! (District Superintendents and District Administrative Secretaries please have the District Youth Representatives fill out the Diakonos application form and write in that they are delegates.) Diakonos Application link - Click HERE Pastor Steve Braudt Asbury United Methodist Church 1809 Mississippi Blvd., Bettendorf, Iowa Cell - (319) Office - (563) ext.205 My Facebook Account

12 EQUIPPING OURSELVES AND OTHERS AS TRANSFORMAITON LEADERS Registration is now open! Honey Creek Resort and State Park Resort Drive, Moravia, Iowa April 18-21, 2017 Exploring the Psalms in image, word, worship, & nature Dr. Ellen Charry Dr. Joel Marcus LeMon Rev. Richard Bruxvoort Colligan The 2017 vision is a school that will be focused on the Psalms. Workshops and small groups provided will also include topics on praying the Psalms in daily life. This year topics covered will include art, music, lectio divinia, labyrinth, meditation, prayer, yoga, spiritual direction, and corporate worship. WORKSHOPS: Rev. Richard and Trish Bruxvoort-Colligan (limit 18) Rev. Dr. Mary Fraser - "Resistance and Resilience" Rev. Carol Kress - "Spiritual Formation" Rev. Rebecca Fisher - "Evangelism" Rev. Julie Poore - "Self Care" Rev. Beth Mary Harbaugh - "World Religions" Rev. Medea Saunders - "Understanding Hospice and Palliative Care" Rev. Kimberly Bowles and Rev. Amy Johnson - "Preaching the Psalms with Visuals" Rev. H. Alejandro Alfaro Santiz - "Immigration and Social Justice" REGISTRATION: Two ways to register: Online By Mail Go to the website and print off the registration form. Early Bird Registration must have completed registration online by March 17 th OR postmark registration by March 13 th, 2017 $275 for Clergy or Laity $225 for Retired Clergy or Spouse After March 17, 2017, registration will be: $325 for Clergy or Laity $275 for Retired Clergy or Spouse LODGING: Special Rate Resort Lodging: Traditional Rooms - $89/night Cabin Lodging: 1or 4 Bedrooms Cabins: 1-Bedroom - $179/night 2-Bedroom - $229/night Offer ends Tuesday, March 17, Hotel reservation can be made by contacting Honey Creek Resort State Park at (641) or (877) Ask for reservations under School for Ministry. For more information, or to register for this year s school, visit For questions contact LaTonya Calderon: pastorlatonya@hotmail.com or Iowans for United Methodist Kairos Response The national United Methodists for Kairos Response group formed in response to the urgent call from Palestinian Christians asking the Church to take effective action to end the Israeli occupation and bring about a just peace in the Holy Land. We would like to form a more local (statewide) UMKR group. If you are interested in seeking justice for Palestinians and would like to join this group, please contact Christine Anders at First UMC in Des Moines. You may reach her by phone at ext 209 or by at christine@dmfirstchurch.org. The first project we will be working on is a display for Annual Conference. If you would like to learn more about United Methodists for Kairos Response you may visit their website at Christine J. Anders Minister of Discipleship First United Methodist Church 1001 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, Iowa

13 EQUIPPING OURSELVES AND OTHERS AS TRANSFORMAITON LEADERS Saturday, June 10-Monday, June 12, 2017 Laity & Clergy Session will be held on Saturday, June 10th. Watch the Conference website (Annual Conference 2017) webpage and s for more infnoramtion. Book your hotel room(s) now! Here is a list of the Downtown and Southside hotels with the UMC special pricing. For more information about the 2017 Iowa Annual Conference session click on the link below Iowa Annual Conference

14 CALENDAR, PRAYERS, & ANNOUNCEMENTS February 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat District/Regional Gathering for Pastors (East Quadrant) WC Asbury - 9:30-11:30 AM Katharine - MC, First 5 Harlan - Ogden, Community UMC Katharine MC, First - Preaching & hospitality wkshp Super Bowl Sunday! 6 7 District/Regional Gathering for Pastors (North Quadrant) Forest City UMC 9:30-11:30 AM 8 NC District Nominations Comm Mtg - 3:00 Ames,.First 9 NC DOT mtg - WC, Faith UMC - 8:30 AM RIM - District Office - 9 AM District/Regional Gathering for Pastors & Lay (South Quadrant) Boone, First UMC - 9:30-11:30 AM 12 District/Regional Gathering for Pastors & Lay (North Quadrant) Garner UMC PM 13 Katharine - FD, First Single Bd Model wkshp 14 Katharine - FOM mtg 15 Katharine - FOM mtg 16 NC dcom - WC, Faith UMC - 9 AM Katharine - Afternoon meeting Harlan - Rowan District/Regional Gathering for Pastors & Lay (East Quadrant) Iowa Falls. First UMC PM Harlan & Katharine - CCMC mtg - DM Katharine - Vaca on 26 District/Regional Gathering for Pastors & Lay (West Quadrant) FD, First UMC PM Alanna - Mtgs in Des Moines STATS DUE

15 CALENDAR, PRAYERS, & ANNOUNCEMENTS March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Alanna - Mtgs in Des Moines Ash Wednesday 2 District Ministry Team Committee meeting - District Office - 11 AM-1:30 PM Harlan - Clear Lake (PM) 3 Katharine -School for Lay Ministry - Simpson College World Day of Prayer 4 Katharine -School for Lay Ministry - Simpson College 5 Harlan - Preach at Ogden, Community UMC 6 Harlan - Out of Office (AM) 7 Katharine - FOM mtg - Conf Center 8 Katharine - FOM mtg - Conf Center 9 RIM Group meets - District Office - 9 AM-3 PM 10 Harlan & Katharine - Peacemaking Circle Training 11 Harlan & Katharine - Peacemaking Circle Training Alanna - Out for Meeting at FD, Trinity UMC Girl Scout Sunday Katharine - Con nuing Ed - Center for Family Process 19 Harlan - Preach at Forest City and Crystal Lake 20 Harlan - UDTS Seminary Visits 21 District Operational Team Meeting - District Office - 9 AM-3 PM District Lay Servant/ Board of Laity Committee meeting - District Office - 6:30 PM 24 Katharine - Adding a 2nd Worship Service Workshop Okoboji 25 Katharine - Adding a 2nd Worship Service Workshop Okoboji 26 Katharine - Adding a 2nd Worship Service Workshop Okoboji Katharine - HCI Consultation United Parish - Afton, IA

16 CALENDAR, PRAYERS, & ANNOUNCEMENTS North Central District 2017 Dates to Remember Wednesday, March 1, Financial Audits DUE Please use the following links to access the form and/or supporting documents: Fund Balance Report (Local Church Audit Form) Local Church Audit Guide Frequently Asked Questions About the Local Church Audit Tuesday, February 28, 2017 Click here for information on the 2016 Statistical Reporting. The 2016 Statistical Reporting season began on January 1, Letters were mailed to all Pastors, Treasurers, Finance Chairpersons, and Church Secretaries with details. The final date for entering your 2016 church statistics will be Tuesday, February 28th, Monday, May 1, Another Set of Eyes DUE (click on the Another Set of Eyes link - Scroll down to 2017 Another Set of Eyes) Sunday, May 7, 2017 District Conference 2:30 PM-5:30 PM Location to be determined Saturday, June 10-Monday, June 12, Iowa Annual Conference Thursday, July 13, 2017 District Orientation for newly appointed Pastors 10 AM-2 PM District Office Tuesday, August 8, 2017 TENTATIVE Start date for Pastoral Interviews Sunday, August 13, 2017 (Tentative) North Central District Annual Picnic 4 PM-6 PM Briggs Woods Sunday, August 20, 2017 Church/Charge Conference Prep Trainings 1:30 PM-2:30 PM Manly, Bethel UMC 4:00 PM-5:00 PM Swea City, First UMC 6:30 PM-7:30 PM Faith UMC (Gilmore City Center) Sunday, August 27, 2017 Church/Charge Conference Prep Trainings 1:30 PM-2:30 PM Alden UMC 4:00 PM-5:00 PM Boone, Marion St 6:30 PM-7:30 PM Gowrie UMC Thursday, September 21, 2017 TENTATIVE End date for Pastoral Interviews Sunday, October 15, 2017 Charge Conference NORTH Quadrant Location to be determined 2:00 PM-4:30 PM Church/Charge Conference WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION Sunday, October 22, 2017 Church/Charge Conference WEST Quadrant Location to be determined 2:00 PM-4:30 PM Church/Charge Conference WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION Sunday, October 29, 2017 Church/Charge Conference EAST Quadrant Location to be determined 2:00 PM-4:30 PM Church/Charge Conference WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION Saturday, November 4, 2017 Thanksgiving InGathering Webster City, Asbury UMC Sunday, November 5, 2017 Church/Charge Conference SOUTH Quadrant Location to be determined 2:00 PM-4:30 PM Church/Charge Conference WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION Wednesday, November 15, 2017 SPRC Appointment Advisory Consultation Forms DUE Parsonage Inspection Forms: Due every year at the time of Church/Charge Conferences. The Parsonage Inspection form needs to be completed during Pastoral transitions as well. We have many Churches/Charges that did not complete this document this year. Please make sure to have this done.