IOWA CONFERENCE FAST FIVE ENEWS
Welcome to the Iowa Conference Fast Five Enews page. Here is where you can find all the information to connect you with what is happening, events, news, and church updates that are taking place in the Iowa Conference.
If you have information to share in regards to the Iowa Conference, please email Tami Spindler or newsandevents@ucctcm.org. Be sure to include all the details…..who, what, when, where, and why. We ask that you have your items submitted by 1:00 pm on Thursdays.
For information in regards to what is taking place in the Tri-Conference Ministries please subscribe to the Fast Five Enews, if you have not done so already. This Enews is sent via email every Monday.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Iowa Conference Office and Mailing Address:
4126 Ingersoll Ave.,
Des Moines IA 50312
Iowa Conference Phone: 515.277.6369
(This is also the TCM Office and Mailing Address.)
Iowa Conference Deacons:
Rev. Dr. Charles Kniker
Rev. Chad Savage
Rev. Dixie Laube
Rev. Bob Molsberry
The TCM Offices will be CLOSED on Friday,
July 3rd in observance of Independence Day.
God Bless America on it’s 250th Anniversary!
Contact and Share with Us
If you have issues with links, questions about events, or would like to share a comment/feedback about the Fast Five we would be happy to help or hear from you. Please email Tami at newsandevents@ucctcm.org or tami@ucctcm.org.
Please send in your events, stories and church updates to newsandevents@ucctcm.org or tami@ucctcm.org by Thursdays at 1:00 PM. Be sure and to include the Who, What, When, Where and Why.
Share a Reflection with Us
If you have a Reflection you would like to share in the weekly Fast Five Enews,
please email Tami to sign-up.
Ways to Support the Iowa Conference
Join us in the vibrant and transformative ministry of the Iowa Conference. Your generosity helps us BE Church together as we live into God’s extravagant welcome and advocate for justice so that all may know love, safety, belonging and dignity.
To learn more about ways you can Support the Iowa Conference follow the link: Ways to Support the Iowa Conference
If you plan to support through check or mail, please use the remittance form for churches or the remittance form for individuals. Please print and mail to the address on the left. All checks need to be made payable to the Iowa UCC.
IOWA CONFERENCE
UPCOMING EVENTS AND INFORMATION
You are in the right spot if you are looking for an upcoming event taking place or information in regards to other happenings in the Iowa Conference.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
To see all the Upcoming Events in the Tri-Conference please follow the link below to the Tri-Conference Calendar.
Tri-Conference Calendar and Events
Liturgical Calendar
To see the 2026 Liturgical Calendar please follow the link below.
FEED OUR COMMUNITIES
Below you will find a link to the Iowa Conference churches and community food bank information that has been provided so far. We will continue to update this list of information as it is provided.
Iowa Conference Food Bank Information
If you have information to share about your churches or communities food bank, please email Tami Spindler with name of church/organization, address, primary contact name and where to send contributions.
Pastoral Openings in Iowa Conference
We are seeking to fill pastoral openings in our Iowa Conference area churches. If you are a pastor seeking a call, please follow the link for more information. Iowa Conference Pastoral Openings
Questions in regards to these church profiles or the Search and Call process, may be sent via email to searchandcall@ucctcm.org to get set up with Conference staff support
Hello friends,
Iowa faith leaders are planning a press conference on Tuesday, July 7 at 11:00 am at the Cowles Commons. (Clergy will gather at 10:30 am.) We’ll be in alignment with faith leaders across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Washington state who are also holding press actions that day.
Just in the last few days, we have seen the president double down on the SAVE act and learned that the USPS is threatening not to deliver mail in ballots unless states turn over voter rolls. This is pressing. As faith leaders, we have a path to show up and share that our faith values affirm the dignity of all people and part of what that means in this time and place is protecting the vote for our neighbors.
Three ways you can help as an Iowa faith leader.
- Mark your calendar and plan to join us at the Capitol on the 7th.
- Share the sign-on letter with your networks so we can share how large the coalition of Iowa faith leaders is that is on board with this message.
- If you’re interested in helping organize the final details, join the planning meeting on Tuesday, June 30 at 1 pm. (Link below)
In faith and love,
Lindsey
Senior Pastor
Urbandale United Church of Christ
lindsey.braun@urbucc.org
Lindsey Braun is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: IA Faith in Us Press Planning Meeting
Time: Jun 30, 2026 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87135304284?pwd=F7S1C413k2TdJJub6hHs89uoL8qKHD.1
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Board of Discipleship of the Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church invites clergy and lay leaders from all Christian denominations to participate in the Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation: Deepening Spiritual Community — for Such a Time as This, October 18–23, 2026, at Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center in Indianola, Iowa.
Sponsored by The Upper Room Academy for Spiritual Formation and the Iowa Conference Board of Discipleship, the Academy is an ecumenical experience designed for spiritually hungry pilgrims—both clergy and laity—who desire to deepen their relationship with God and renew their sense of calling. Since 1983, the Academy has helped thousands of participants discover greater balance, inner peace, and spiritual vitality.
Our 2026 faculty include:
- Dr. Elaine A. Heath
- Jerry Haas
Each day follows a monastic pattern that includes:
- Morning, afternoon, and evening worship
- Inspiring faculty presentations
- Periods of silence and reflection
- Listening Circles
- Shared meals and fellowship
- Free time for rest, hiking, reading, and prayer
Whether you are a pastor, spiritual director, church leader, or someone seeking a deeper walk with Christ, this retreat offers a transformative experience of contemplation, healing, and renewal.
We would be honored to have members of your congregation and leadership community join us for this life-giving week of spiritual formation and fellowship across denominational lines.
If you have questions, please email: Academy4SF.Iowa@gmail.com
Liz Winder
Director of Communications
Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
liz.winders@iaumc.org
YOUTH & OUTDOOR MINISTRIES
2026 Summer Camps
• Into the Wilderness: Older Church Camp (7–12th): July 12 at 3:00 PM – July 16 at 10:00 AM
• Older Grandparents Camp (4th–7th): August 3 at noon – August 5 at noon
• End of Summer Day Camp (K–6th): August 10–12 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
• Camp Unwind (Adults): August 17–19th
To learn more about Pilgrim Heights Camp and their current camps/registration and all they have to offer, please visit their website.
TCM UPCOMING EVENTS AND INFORMATION
Looking for information regarding TCM (conference wide) upcoming events and information? You are in the in the right spot!
If you have a Workshop you would like to share at our Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) this year we welcome your application.
Please submit your application to Kendy Miller via email at kendy@ucctcm.org by June 22. Workshops will be selected July 8.
Thank you for offering to share your gifts with the Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences.
FROM OUR RESOURCE DEACON
In need of resources that will assist you as clergy and lay leaders or have resources that might be helpful to other clergy and lay leaders? Contact our Tri-Conference Resource Deacon, Rev. Shonda Deranleau via email or give her a call at 641-344-8948.
Boundary Awareness Training
Please find below links to several upcoming Boundary Awareness Training opportunities.
September 2026 Boundary Awareness Training: A Contemplative Approach | The Damascus Project
November 2026 Boundary Awareness Training: A Contemplative Approach | The Damascus Project
Does your church have a student who will be attending the University of Northern Iowa in the fall? Want to get them connected to a UCC-affiliated campus ministry? Go to ThreeHouse.org/refer!
ONGOING EVENTS
Contemplative Prayer Group
We meet in 6 seek sessions on Monday mornings at 9:00 am CDT. Rev. Kendy Miller, Associate Conference Minister, leads this group.
Upcoming Sessions: Our next session will begin July 13 through August 31. Please join us via Zoom, at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87185487207
For questions or more information, please contact Kendy.
Small Town and Rural (STAR) Coalition
Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at 3:00 PM CST on ZOOM. Please contact Pastor Bryce Duling (brycemduling@gmail.com or 515-451-5474) for more information.