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Fall 2014 ConnectionsIowa VOLUME 1, NUMBER 3 So this is church young adults and faith in Iowa From the Bishop As with pastoral crises, we can sometimes forget Jesus is leading with that leaders of the world cannot foresee what their his followers or his colleagues are going to do, or what situations they enemies or just those must face. looking on. Equally Some things are predictable – the ongoing conflicts remarkable however in the Middle East, the threat of terrorists and the is how little we carry constant need for vigilance. But there is always on this style of the unanticipated. The downing of the Malaysian ministry for our own Airliner over East Ukraine and its implications for times. reviving old lines of hostility and suspicion with Once again at our cold war enemies is a case in point. At times it is Diocesan Convention helpful to reduce the conversation between the this October, it is opposing parties into that of kindergartners, and my hope that we there is a sad similarity, only the voices are deeper. will engage in the The sophistication and efforts to present things as practice of Indaba profoundly complex is easily seen through. “Nations conversations. It is will war against nations,” says Jesus and he invites us not too late to help to fear not. us define a critical In his book Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear question to frame (The Christian Practice of Everyday Life), Scott Bader- our conversations and I invite you to submit ideas Saye writes “Politicians, the media, advertisers, to me. There will also be an opportunity to engage even religious leaders, have a profit motive for in conversations of a more fundamental, faith exacerbating and sustaining our fears. This profit revealing level as we develop a series of gatherings may come in the form of money, viewership, filled at the local parish or chapter in the months ahead. pews, influence or power, but in each case we are When we share our hopes and even our fears in the encouraged to fear the wrong things or to fear the right context, we create room to receive new life or right things in the wrong way.” perspective from one another. We find that Jesus He goes on to offer “We are in need of some clear, keeps the promise to be in the midst of the few who sensible reflection on fear – how to acknowledge come together in His Name. I for one want to be in it without being manipulated by it, how to resist it a place where He promises to be and I want to hear without assuming we could or should be fearless, the heartbeats that are at the center of our common how to receive it as a gift, without letting it dominate life as the Body of Christ. our lives.” Jesus said a number of things that indicated that He is clear that following Jesus does not promise His followers would get, from their pursuit of Him safety and involves us in the risky practices of caring and His teaching, a harvest which matches their for the poor and oppressed (Matthew 25:31) and in eagerness and faithfulness. And that might find us the self-giving love of the Cross. He concludes in standing in the middle of the way asking our global his opening chapter “Christian discipleship, that is communities – can you hear yourselves? It is always following Jesus, will mean surrendering the power time for the world to grow up, even as we grow. that masquerades as security in order to love the Dare we come together and explore some basic life- neighbor and welcome the stranger.” This is a global giving questions, even as we are surrounded by the perspective. It lifts us beyond our local loyalties and challenge of living? gives voice in every situation. Jesus called us to not be afraid. And he always follows it with the assurance IOWA CONNECTIONS of His very own presence or Spirit. Fall 2014 Lydia Bucklin, Editor I recommend Bader-Saye’s book to you for Iowa Connections is published quarterly by The Episcopal an Advent or Epiphany parish reading. Perhaps Diocese of Iowa, 225 37th Street, Des Moines, IA 50312. someone in your congregation could obtain a copy (515) 277-6165. www.iowaepiscopal.org and review it for the sake of the whole and make a PUB ID# 12160. Periodical Postage Paid in Des Moines, recommendation. IA and additional mailing offices. It is noteworthy that whenever we read the POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Iowa Gospels, we are brought into conversations that Connections, PO Box 937 Bellmawr NJ 08099-0937 Fall 2014 IOWA CONNECTIONS 3 Bishop Walter Righter honored on Ascension Day On Thursday, May 29, Bishop Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended ancient one. It comes from the Alan Scarfe and Bishop Christopher into the heavens, so we may also “Leonine sacramentary” and I Epting honored the late Bishop Walter in heart and mind thither ascend, think it explains more clearly what Righter at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in and with him continually dwell…” the doctrine of Christ’s Ascension Davenport, Iowa. The bishops dedicated Leaving aside what it might mean is actually all about. This Collect a memorial plaque to Bishop Righter. for us to “thither ascend” into says: Bishop Epting’s sermon from this special the heavens, this Collect might be “Almighty God whose blessed occasion follows. described as one celebrating the Son our Savior Jesus Christ “absence of Christ.” ascended far above all heavens that The Book of Common Prayer That is, Jesus came down from he might fill all things: Mercifully provides us with a choice of heaven to dwell among us; lived out give us faith to perceive that, Collects, or prayers, for the Feast his earthly ministry; was crucified, according to his promise, he abides of the Ascension. The second died and was buried; was raised from with his Church on earth, even to choice is the one Thomas Cranmer the dead; and after forty days was the end of the ages…” included in the first Prayer Book taken back into heaven – no more That prayer affirms that Jesus was and it comes from something called to be seen by us mortals. That’s indeed taken back into “heaven,” the Gregorian Sacramentary. It reads what most of us have traditionally into the very life of God, but it also like this: understood to have happened, and makes clear what that Ascension “Grant, we beseech thee, indeed that’s what the Creeds imply. was for! It was so “that he might Almighty God, that like as we do But our first choice for a Collect fill all things!” The Ascension is not believe thy only-begotten Son our this evening is actually the more about Jesus going away again. As he told us at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, he will be with us “to the end of the ages!” Bishop’s Visitation Schedule While in his earthly body, Jesus – like all of us – could only be in September November one place at one time. That was 7 Des Moines, St. Mark’s 1-2 Spirit Lake, St. Alban’s apparently true even in his so –called Church Church* (Northwest Chapter) “resurrection body” as experienced 13-14 Fort Madison, St. Luke’s 9 Algona, St. Thomas’ Church by the apostles. Now, because of Church* (Southeast Chapter) 16 Bettendorf, St. Peter’s what we call ‘the Ascension’ Jesus Christ Church Church can be present to us “at all times 28 Burlington, and in all places.” He abides with 23 Boone, Grace Church October his Church on earth…even to the 30 Waverly, St. Andrew’s Church end of the ages. And that is good 5 Clermont, Church of the news – for us and for the world! Saviour December Tonight, In addition to 11-12 Coralville, New Song 6-7 Marshalltown, St. Paul’s celebrating this great feast together, Church* (Three Rivers Church* (Central & S. Central we’re also here to dedicate a Chapter) Chapters) memorial plaque to the 7th Bishop 19 Clinton, Christ Church 9 Perry, St. Martin’s Church of Iowa – my predecessor and Alan 26 Newton, St. Stephen’s Scarfe’s, once removed – Walter Church Righter. As the “historic” cathedral of the Diocese of Iowa, Trinity *These dates are Chapter designated weekends which also function as regional Church is the custodian of such confirmations. All dates are subject to change. Visit www.iowaepiscopal.org for updates. memorial plaques to the bishops of Continued on page 4 4 IOWA CONNECTIONS Fall 2014 Bishop Walter Righter continued from 3 this diocese, and we are grateful for beyond. Probably, he is that ministry of remembrance. best known for being Bishop Righter “was born in found innocent in a so- Philadelphia in 1923. Following called “heresy trial” for military service in World War II, he doing something which received his B.A. from the University was common then, and of Pittsburgh and his Master of is even more common Divinity from the Berkely Divinity now – ordaining a highly School, and served churches qualified gay man who in Aliquippa and Georgetown, lived with his partner in Pennsylvania; and Nashua, New a committed relationship. Bishop Walter Righter Hampshire. He was consecrated What many people – even (And, by the way, according the Bishop of Iowa in 1972 and held in this diocese – forget was that late Don Challed, a devoted that post through 1988. Following Walter also was ahead of his time in parishioner here, Walter was also retirement he served as interim other, less-controversial areas: the one who submitted the name rector at churches in Rockford, He was a founding member of of Ed MacBurney to be Dean of Illinois and Ridgewood, New the ecumenical Iowa Inter Church this Cathedral!).