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
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
Theologian-in-Residence 2026
Ames United Church of Christ
Remaining Human in the Age of AI
October 15th – 18th, 2026
Featuring the 41st Ames UCC Annual Theologian-in-Residence speaker Dr. Meghan Sullivan
Co-Hosts: Ames United Church of Christ; Iowa-Nebraska-South Dakota UCC Tri-Conference; Iowa Conference UCC; Central Association of the Iowa Conference UCC
Free and Open to the Public
Available in-person and online through Ames UCC zoom
Purpose: The purpose of the Theologian in Residence program is to stimulate thinking, dialogue and action concerning issues of interest to faith communities.
YOUTH & OUTDOOR MINISTRIES
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!
We hope you are planning to join us at JAM 2026. Come worship, learn and celebrate together with us as Neighbors in Christ.
Check out the video below to see what Dom and Kylie Laki have to share about why they are excited to attend JAM.
They are part of the worship band Red Sea Pedestrians that will be performing at Friday nights Youth Led Worship as part of our JAM 2026 Youth Rally. To learn more about the Red Sea Pedestrians, please follow the link: https://ucctcm.org/jam-2026-youth-rally-celebration/
Order your Calendar Here: https://www.uccresources.com/products/2027-ucc-desk-calendar-and-plan-book
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
Global Ministries 30th Anniversary Webinar
Congregations Doing Christ’s Work
Wednesday, August 19th 7pm Eastern
REGISTER HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/TZSiv5v5TgaYAigN1JAJmA
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
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.