MFSA Iowa Chapter Memo - February 2015 Download / Print Complete March 2015 Memo
Democracy for the Common Good: A Call to Action - Saturday, February 7
A public forum is planned from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, First United Methodist Church, Des Moines. Featured speaker is John Nichols, of The Nation Magazine and author of Dollarocracy: How the Money and Media Election Complex Is Destroying America. AFSC is organizing the event as part of its Presidential Campaign Project, “Governing Under the Influence.” MFSA is a co-sponsor of the event. RSVP and more info here. Moral Mondays IOWA at the Iowa Legislature continue in March A coalition of progressive organizations, including MFSA, is sponsoring this project, modeled after a similar project in North Carolina. People are asked to come to the Capitol each Monday at Noon during the legislative session. Go to Room 15.4 by walking through Room G15 on the ground floor of the Capitol. Alternative Discussion Group The group meets Tuesdays, Feb. 3 and 17, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, at the Hy-Vee store at 32nd Street NE & Oakland Road NE, Cedar Rapids. The current book for reading group is The Spies of Warsaw, by Alan Furst. (pages 22-60 for Feb. 3). United in Christ Across our Differences: This event will celebrate differences of race and gender in the Iowan Annual Conference and examine the way systemic oppression of women and minorities lives with us and how we can unlearn old ways of thinking, speaking and acting. Tuesday, February 17th, 10:00, at the UM Conference Center in Des Moines. Participation is limited to 40 people. Please register by February 7th by contacting Felicia Coe at: Felicia.coe@iaumc.org, or by phone at: 515-974-8911. |
United Methodist Advocacy Day:
Mark your calendars and join our Legislative Advocacy Team on Tuesday, February 17th, at Wesley UMC, 800 E. 12th Street in Des Moines. The day will begin at 8:00 AM with a light breakfast with legislators (free will offering), registration at 8:45 and greetings from Bishop Trimble at 9:05. (If you are unable to arrive by 8:00, please join the group when you can.) There will be information about issues the team sees as priorities for this session of the Legislature, along with advocacy training. At 11:00 people will move to the Capitol for lunch (on your own) and time to talk with legislators. You may want to contact your legislator ahead of time to arrange lunch with her/him. At 1:15 the group will return to Wesley for debriefing, evaluation and a closing worship. For more information or to RSVP for the breakfast, please contact Rev. Brian Carter at: briancar@dwx.com, or at: 515-979-5775. Winter Thaw 2015: Explore religions, faith traditions and rituals through the lens of the four classical elements; Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Classes meet Tuesdays from 7– 9 PM for four weeks: January 27, February 3, 10 & 17. Sponsored by DMARC (Des Moines Area Religious Council) www.dmreligious.org A Path Appears! Save the Children Action Network hosts a screening of this documentary, featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, on Monday, February 16, 7:00 – 8:00 PM in Harvey Ingham Room 104, Drake Campus in Des Moines. The film makes a compelling case for why investing in kids is the best way to combat poverty. Register by emailing: E. J. Wallace at: ewallace@savechildren.org. |
The Life, Teachings & Legacy of the Buddha: February 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, at Flaherty Community Room, Basile Hall, Mount Mercy University, in Cedar Rapids. The instructor is Rev. Zuiko Redding, Resident Teacher of the Cedar Rapids Zen Center. Cost is $20.00. For more information, please go to: www.irclc.org.
“How the Mental Health System Failed My Son and Me:” Joan Becker will speak on this topic on Sunday, February 8th, at 1:00 PM, at Plymouth Congregational UCC, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., in Des Moines. This mom shares her experience and offers a message of hope that resonates with people of faith. A light lunch will be available and a free-will offering will be taken. MFSA Spring Statewide Gathering “Conversations of Hope” Saturday, March 21 - 10:00 AM Parish Hall of First UMC in Indianola. It will be led by Rev. Jan Everhart and Rev. Mara Bailey, and will feature Simpson College Students. MFSA Social Action Award Nominations due March 14. Guidelines here; send nominations to Eloise Cranke. Just Resolution for Larry Sonner: News article from the Iowa Annual Conference with links to Bishop Trimble's Pastoral Letter regarding a complaint filed against and resolved with the Rev. Larry Sonner. |