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Dear <<First Name>>,
Here are the latest happenings in the Presbytery of East Iowa.
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Prayers for Our Churches
 In each issue of Out and About, we highlight two churches to keep in our prayers. Please pray for these two churches:
- Miles/First United served by CRE Phil Leipold
- Monticello/First served by Rev. Emory Gillespie
We give thanks for the dedicated members of these churches as they seek to serve Jesus Christ.
We continue to offer prayers to the churches, homeowners, business owners, and farmers impacted by the Derecho on August 10, 2020.
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Powerful Storm Hits Iowa. PEIA Responds
On Monday, August 10, a powerful Derecho hit Central and East Iowa. In hard-hit Cedar Rapids, the storm was called an Iowa Hurricane.
UPDATES as of 9/1/2020
We are grateful to the many churches throughout PEIA and throughout Iowa that responded with food, chainsaws, clean-up, and outreach. Volunteers continue to log hundreds of hours on the ground assisting those most impacted by the storm.
PEIA is hosting 2 events this week:
- The Back-to School Supply Drive and BBQ, 12:00pm -5:00pm, Cedar Rapids/Westminster (1285 3rd Ave SE in Cedar Rapids.) PEIA is working in partnership Cedar Rapids/Westminster Presbyterian Church, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Arnie’s Corner BBQ, and other community partners, to give school supplies to Cedar Rapids students impacted by Derecho Storm. Additionally, families can enjoy a hot meal by Arnie's Corner BBQ and stay for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.
- All Iowa Presbyterians Day of Mission. See detailed information in the next article including how you can volunteer on Saturday, September 5!
Additionally, The Presbytery was funded a $7,500 grant from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance on August 17, 2020. Dr. Rebecca Blair continues to work with damaged churches to assess needs for PDA grants. We have reached out to every church in the affected area. We will continue to reach out to churches through the Disaster Recovery Task Force (DRTF), the Pastoral Care Committee, and the PEIA staff. If you have discovered that your church has more damage, or if you haven't reported major damage to PEIA, please reach out Rebecca Blair.
A Disaster Recovery Task Force (DRTF) has been provisionally appointed by PCC. To ensure timely response, the members of the DRTF were appointed provisionally by the Presbytery Coordinating Commission and will be affirmed by the Presbytery governing body at the September Stated Meeting. The Chair of the DRTF is Kristin Hutson. If you are interested in partnering with other Presbyterians to assist storm-impacted areas, please reach out to Rev. Hutson.
In the weeks ahead, we will continue to update the Presbytery with volunteer opportunities, clean-up progress, and long-term recovery outreach. Please be sure and follow us on facebook or go to https://peia.org/disaster-assistance-information/ for updates.
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To donate to the Presbytery of East Iowa's Disaster Fund
Presbytery of East Iowa
1700 S. 1st Ave. Ste 23
Iowa City, IA 52240
Please write “Disaster Recovery Fund” in the memo line.
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All Iowa Presbyterians Day of Mission
submitted by the Disaster Recovery Task Force
 As part of our ongoing recovery efforts in the wake of the Derecho storm, the Presbytery of East Iowa is coordinating a one-day mission experience for Presbyterian volunteers from the entire state to gather and work alongside one another as we try to make a difference. The event will take place on Saturday, September 5 of Labor Day Weekend. We will gather at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, just outside Cedar Rapids city limits at 120 E Boyson Rd, Hiawatha, IA 52233.
Founded by several Catholic nuns (now all over 75 years old) who still run the facility, the center offers visitors an opportunity for peace, rest, and education about eco-spirituality. There are 70 acres of prairie and forest and 50 miles of trails at Prairiewoods. The retreat center experienced extensive damage to their woods and land, including the total loss of many of their most well-known trees. They are in deep need of help.
Our day will begin with a time of welcome and prayer at 9:00 a.m. Work will consist of clearing trails, breaking down trees, and moving brush and debris. At noon we will break for lunch provided by the Sisters of Prairiewoods. We will work a full afternoon, ending at 3:45 p.m. for a time of reflection and prayer.
Please note that social distancing protocols will be in place and all are expected to wear masks when gathered with others. Participants will also receive blue Presbyterian Disaster Assistance t-shirts as a token of our appreciation.
Schedule:
9:00am Welcome, blessing of day’s work, and distribution of PDA t-shirts
12:00pm Lunch to be provided by the Sisters
3:45pm Work ends as we gather for closing reflection and prayer
If you want to participate in this opportunity, please sign up to volunteer using this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b44aead29aa8-sept or send an email to Kristin Hutson at the PEIA Disaster Recovery Task Force.
Please click to see our flyer and distribute within your networks.
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Pastors' Book Group Meetings to Resume
Submitted by Rev. Warren Jensen, PEIA Pastor to Pastors
 It seems to me that the summer we’re about to exit has been scary, tense and emotionally draining. One big problem I’m left with is that while feeling that I want to move on, I’m also feeling that I’m between a rock and a hard place causing some uncertainty about how to do that. Our world seems to still have a few unresolved issues to fix before I can really move on!
I’ve tried to choose our study book carefully for this Fall season. Thanks to Michelle Scott I was alerted to a book entitled, The Adept Church and having now done a first read, I was struck by the timeliness of this book as we prepare for and consider ways of opening our churches and moving ahead with congregational interactions.
The author is F. Douglas Powe, Jr who currently serves in the capacity of Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, is also the James C. Logan Professor of Evangelism, and The Professor of urban ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
In this new book (published in 2020), The Rev. Dr. Powe deals with a very timely subject: In his words: “What Can churches do to move toward more interactive ways of connecting with others?” His subtitle is much more focused and intriguing: “Navigating Between a Rock and a Hard Place”. (You’ve heard that phrase before!). It is a very readable book, 100 pages in paperback and easily obtainable. Dr. Powe raises issues relevant to every parish leader who lives with the real world of concern for the question of how we can strengthen and continue the growth and vitality of our churches. Coming in the midst of our lockdown from the Coronavirus his ideas and suggestions are encouraging and hopeful.
While all church leaders will benefit from reading this book, I’m also feeling that while the issues raised are targeted and genuine, any lasting results from the reading will be found in the interactions happening within our book studies. I’m planning several groups again, open to Teaching and Ruling Elders, or any others with leadership roles in their churches. The times will be announced shortly and unfortunately, will probably be held on-line through the mystery and magic of ZOOM!
Please watch for the announcement of discussion times and contact me with your interest in participating in our discussions. I’m certain the concerns raised will be helpful and encouraging to all of us as we go forward in this challenging year. The book is what I would call a “quick read”, but the learning part needs to be digested with feed-back and interpretations generated by a peer group. I think we’re ready for this book and I’ll look forward to your response.
(515-314-7759)
Email Warren Jensen
Stay Safe! And stay encouraged - as we open up a new year in our church lives!
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The Board of Pensions released a summer letter regarding updates to BoP benefits for 2021 and other relevant info, in lieu of a live visit from regional staff during COVID-19. The letter includes changes to benefit offerings for 2021, 2021 Employer Agreements, and the Board of Pensions Statement on Racial Justice. To download the letter, click here.
Please don’t hesitate to call if you have questions, or an interest in scheduling a virtual event for Pastors and Personnel/Finance Chairs or other benefit decision-makers for Church-Employers. PEIA's Board of Pension representative is:
Ken Green
Church Consultant
M: 215-587-7384
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Calendar Submission Reminder
A reminder to all teams, commissions, and presbytery groups to let the office know when your group is  meeting - even if the meeting is virtual. We can only host one Zoom meeting on our PEIA Zoom account at a time, and we do not want to double book a group. Additionally, we can ensure that all presbytery events are on the presbytery calendar.
To submit an event, either use this online form, email Julia in the PEIA office, or call the office number at 319-354-9220.
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Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!
 Don't forget to take a look at our jobs postings!
Go to our Employment Page to check out all the job postings.
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Deadlines:
Out and About
- Publication: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays
- Deadline for article/event submission: the Friday prior to publication
Presbytery Calendar:
To view upcoming events in the Presbytery and the region, please visit our online Calendar.
To submit a meeting or event to be placed on the Calendar, please click here.
Handy Links
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