Iowa Annual Conference

As United Methodists we believe in the priesthood of all believers. We believe that all people are called to ministry through baptism and not just our clergy. Wondering how lay people might be engaged in ministry given the Covid-19 outbreak? Want to know more about how you might make a difference? Have some ideas to share? Our guests are Lynn Calvert and Angela Hansen-Abbas. Lynn is well known as one of the Deans for the School for Lay Ministry and is an active leader of the United Methodist Women. Angela is the lay leader in the central district and has been actively engaged in local, district and conference ministry. Our host will be Rev. Dr. Lanette Plambeck the Director of Clergy and Leadership Excellence for the Iowa Annual Conference. The Good Idea Webinars are a joint effort of the Office of Congregational Excellence, Office of Leadership and Clergy Excellence, the cabinet, lay leaders Lynn Calvert and Angela Hansen-Abbas and the Communications team.   

"The power of the Holy Spirit moved across the state of Iowa, our country, and our world on Easter Sunday. Moving from the depths of despair on Good Friday to celebrating the joy of new life in Christ that Jesus offers to each one of us, we renew our commitment to being the voice, hands, feet, and heart of our risen Lord in this coronavirus world...one the most beautiful moments of Easter came when I was live-streaming the early worship service at Broadway United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs. At the end of the children’s time, the one child who was present because of social distancing, gave this prayer, “Dear God, thank you for this church. Thank you for this special day. Thank you for Jesus. Amen.”

As we move through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, how can you be a servant to someone else? Who needs to hear from you on Maundy Thursday that this is the day when Jesus gave us the new commandment to love one another? Who needs to hear from you on Good Friday that Jesus forgave his accusers? And who needs to hear from you the words, “He is risen!” on Easter Sunday?

In the midst of our lamentation for our world and its people, we claim the promises of God...God's love never ends; God's mercy is forever; God's great faithfulness is fresh every day.

Even when times are bad and the coronavirus continues to spread through our world, prompting all of us to change and adapt in order to help others and protect ourselves; even when hopes and dreams are dashed for the short term; still God’s love is faithful and good. And even on April Fool’s Day, God’s extravagant grace sustains and upholds us because we, too, are fools for Christ.

Presenter is Gladys Noll Alvarez MSW, LISW, IMH-E ® who is a Trauma Informed Care Project Coordinator at Orchard Place/ Child Guidance Center. She has worked with children and families since 1976 when she was a counselor with the Upward Bound program at Coe College. Her passion is providing education and trainings which promote a trauma-informed care approach to interactions with children, families and in the work environment.