How many times have you heard “the world will never be the same” or watched the news and been horrified by the growing number of Covid-19 cases? Have you wondered what the long-term impact of Covid-19 might be on the wellbeing of your congregation and community? United States Air National Guard Chaplain Rev. Dr. Steve Peters will lead a conversation entitled, “God is With Us: Care of Self, Congregation & Community through Trauma, Grief and Fear.” It will focus on moral injury, trauma response, and grief as experienced with his deployment with Angel Flights and what that might teach us about dealing with the grief our communities are experiencing. Chaplain Peters is assigned to the 185th Air Recovery Wing, and was commissioned in 2008. Before going full-time with the Air Guard, he pastored Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He is a graduate of Newton High School, Newton, Iowa; Central College, Pella, Iowa; and Candler School of Theology, Atlanta Georgia and Wesley Theological Seminary. Prior to moving to Fort Dodge, Chaplain Peters served St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Ankeny 1st United Methodist Church and Bedford/Gravity United Methodist churches, all in Iowa. Our host will be Rev. Dr. Lanette Plambeck, Director of Clergy & Leadership Excellence.  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.

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.

Wondering about best practices for funerals during the Covid-19 outbreak? Looking for some ideas? Have some ideas to share? Our guest is funeral director Marty Riekin, owner of Riekin Veith in Oakland, IA and Rieken & Duhn in Griswold, IA. Marty grew up in Griswold, IA where he graduated from Griswold High School in 1993. He attended South Dakota State University and graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science. Marty attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL and graduated in 1998. He worked at several different funeral homes before he and his wife Kristy purchased Vieth Funeral Home from Alan and Suzanne Vieth in 2001. They purchased the Duhn Funeral Home in 2012.  The host is Rev. Melissa Drake. 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.

Caring for Our Neighbors - Looking for ways to connect with your neighbors and be in ministry during this age of social distancing? Looking for some ideas to show you care? Perhaps you have some ideas to share. Our guests in this episode of Good Idea Webinars are the staff of Ames, Collegiate United Methodist Church. The host is Rev. Dr. Lanette Plambeck, Director of Clergy & Leadership Excellence. 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.

As a church leader are you worried about the financial impact of COVID-19 on your congregation? Are you concerned about what to do when passing a plate is not possible? If so, then Rev. Dr. Katharine Yarnell, Director of the Iowa United Methodist Foundation, may have some answers for you. The Foundation is a charitable nonprofit that has been serving churches, organizations, individuals, and families across Iowa for over 50 years. The host is Rev. Ron Carlson, Superintendent of the Northwest District and the cabinet representative to Conference Council on Finance and Administration.

Are you wondering how to make Easter Worship special? Looking for some creative ideas? Rev. Brody Tubaugh, Pastor of The Shueyville United Methodist Church and Rev. Eric Schubert, Pastor of the Greenfield United Methodist Church have some great ideas. The host of this episode of Good Idea webinars is Rev. Melissa Drake, Associate Director for Congregational Excellence and incoming Superintendent of the Southwest District. 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.

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.

Learning the Basics of Online Worship in the midst of the challenging times of the Coronavirus is essential for faith communities to reach their members, friends in their communities, and beyond. Rev. Matt German, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa, leads an interactive conversation about tips, tools, and techniques of an electronic worship experience.