Interfaith Alliance of Iowa

2009-07-10T10:43:00.002-05:00

Check out the "Inbox" at the DM Register.
http://http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090710/OPINION04/90710005&theme=INBOX

Why are leaders of this "school" (who are so concerned about students) not choosing to be accredited? Could it be the state-mandated minumum curriculum standards which teach a well-rounded, multi-cultural perspective and policies which protect all students is not to their liking? If not this, than what is the reason?

2009-05-04T12:10:00.003-05:00

You are invited...

Protecting Faith & Fredoom
Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Annual Award Dinner

Tuesday, May 12
Reception at 6:00 pm
Dinner at 7:00 pm
Temple for the Performing Arts, 10th & Locust Street, Des Moines

Interfaith Award recipients
Lt. Governor Joy Corning
Lt Governor Sally Pederson

Keynote Speaker
Lisa Miller, Sr. Religion Editor, Newsweek Magazine

Reservations required by May 7. For more information, call 515-279-8715 or email events@interfaithallianceiowa.org

2009-04-17T14:56:00.001-05:00

An Interfaith Worship Service
Celebration of ALL God's Children

With great joy, people of faith and goodwill will join together the afternoon of Sunday, April 26 to celebrate the love and commitment of gay and lesbian families in Iowa, which will soon be legally recognized because of the Iowa Supreme Court's decision earlier this month.

"Celebrating All God's Children"
Sunday, April 26, 2009
5:00 pm
Plymouth Congregational Church,
42nd and Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines.
parking ramp available just east of the church

The Interfaith Worship Service, rescheduled from earlier this month, will include clergy and faith leaders from several central Iowa Christian, Jewish and Unitarian Universalist congregations.

Coming together from different faith traditions, we will worship the Creator known to each of us and we will celebrate the love and commitment shared by all of Iowa's families, including families headed by gay and lesbian couples.

Invite friends and family to join you for this joyful service.

It is our hope that people of many faiths and people of goodwill will join us in celebration of the Court's ruling and of the beginning of a new day in Iowa.
For more information about the Interfaith Worship Service, please contact us:
betti@faithfulvoices.org or (515)279-8715

2009-04-04T10:11:00.000-05:00

Rally For Marriage Equality

On the afternoon of Friday, April 3, thousands of gay, lesbian, and ally friends and family joined in rallies across the state celebrating the Supreme Court's decision in support of marriage equality. Let's take this moment to rejoice in the unanimous vote for marriage, equality, and fairness, but we know the work continues.

Join us this week and in the coming months to make sure Iowa's progressive voice of faith and goodwill is heard in support of marriage equality. Progressive people of faith and goodwill are vital to making sure this affirmation of equality is not turned back. Take the messages of progressive people of faith and goodwill to your friends, family, houses of worship, co-workers and more.

Tell them:

- As a person of faith and goodwill, I believe the Court's decision upholds the spirit of Iowa's constitution which clearly states each of us has the right to equal protection and recognition under the law.

- As a person of faith and goodwill, I celebrate the Court's decision in affirming fairness and equality for all Iowa families.

- As a person of faith and goodwill, I believe this decision strengthens religious freedom and acknowledges the inherent worth of gay and lesbian families in our state.

Marriage Equality in Iowa?

2009-04-02T17:41:00.003-05:00

Dear Friends,

As you probably know by now, the Iowa Supreme Court will release its decision on the Varnum v. Brien case tomorrow (Friday, April 3) at 8:30 am. Interfaith Alliance of Iowa will hold a Press Conference tomorrow at 10:30 am to respond to the decision. See details below.

It is our hope that many clergy and people of faith and goodwill will join us at the State Capitol and stand with us in support of marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. We will stand in support of fairness and equality for all families. We will stand to Protect Faith and Freedom.

Will you stand with us?

All supporters of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and Marriage Equality are encouraged to attend. We especially would love clergy to be present to stand with our clergy speakers. Feel free to wear clergy attire such as a collar, stole, etc.

If you would like to attend, we would like you to arrive in Room 116 at the Capitol by 10 am. Allow plenty of time for parking and to get into the Capitol.

Please let me know of your plans to attend the Press Conference.

In addition, One Iowa is planning at least four Marriage Equality rallies in communities across the state. They are in the process of confirming rally locations in Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Iowa City and Quad Cities. There may be others. Check their website tonight for more information on times and locations. I strongly urge you to attend the rally in your community or closest to you. One Iowa's website is: www.oneiowa.org

With appreciation,
Connie

Connie Ryan Terrell
Executive Director
The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa & Action Fund
"Protecting Faith and Freedom"
PO Box 41086
Des Moines, IA 50311
Office: 515-279-8715
Fax: 515-279-2232
www.interfaithallianceiowa.org
connie@interfaithallianceiowa.org

WHAT:
Press Conference
Response to Iowa Supreme Court’s decision on Varnum v. Brien

WHERE:
Iowa State Capitol
Room 116

WHEN:
Friday April 3, 2009
10:30 AM (those attending should arrive by 10 am)

2009-03-27T11:26:00.004-05:00

Crossroads: A Project about Civility : Friday, April 17
A monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa. An opportunity to learn, participate in civil dialogue, and gather with people of faith and goodwill. A civil discussion about the issues at the intersection of religion & politics.

Crossroads is held the third Friday of the month at 11:45 - 1 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, Des Moines (42nd Street & Ingersoll Avenue).

Cost is $9.00 and may be paid at the door. Reservations are required the Tuesday before and can be made by calling 515-279-8715 or by email at events@interfaithallianceiowa.org

Friday, April 17
Luai Amro, President
Islamic Center of Des Moines
Topic: Islam 101

Protecting Faith and Freedom, Annual Award Dinner

2009-03-18T12:48:00.000-05:00

Protecting Faith and Freedom
2009 Annual Award Dinner
Tuesday, May 12

:: Reception at 6:00 pm

:: Dinner at 7:00 pm

Temple for the Performing Arts

10th & Locust Street, Des Moines

Interfaith Award recipients

Joy Corning
Sally Pederson

Keynote Speaker

Lisa Miller, Sr. Religion Editor
Newsweek Magazine

Reservations required. For more information, call 515-279-8715 or email events@interfaithallianceiowa.org

Faithful Voices

2009-03-18T12:46:00.000-05:00

Faithful Voices is "people of faith and goodwill creating marriage equality in Iowa". It is one embodiment of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa's long commitment to end religious based discrimination, protect individual rights, and uphold the worth and dignity of each person.
Share Your Story

We are collecting stories from Iowans of faith about marriage equality. Story telling has a sacred place in communities of faith and telling personal stories has been shown to be the most effective way to change hearts and minds for equality. In these traditions, stories submitted will be used to educate, inspire and help make marriage equality a reality in Iowa. Check the Faithful Voices website for more info.

Be sure to check back for future events of the Faithful Voices project!

Faithful Voices is a project of:

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
PO Box 41086
Des Moines, IA 50311

Web: www.faithfulvoices.org
Email: info@faithfulvoices.org
Phone: (515) 279-8715

Betti Torrier, Project Coordinator

Faithful Voices is funded by individual supporters and the generous support of the Arcus Foundation.

Crossroads: A Project about Civility :: Friday, March 20

2009-03-18T12:43:00.000-05:00

:: A monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.

:: An opportunity to learn, participate in civil dialogue, and gather with people of faith and goodwill.

:: A civil discussion about the issues at the intersection of religion & politics.

Crossroads is held the third Friday of the month at 11:45 - 1 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, Des Moines (42nd Street & Ingersoll Avenue).

Cost is $9.00 and may be paid at the door. Reservations are required the Tuesday before and can be made by calling 515-279-8715 or by email at events@interfaithallianceiowa.org

Friday, March 20

Connie Ryan Terrell, Executive Director

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa

Topic: Energizing Iowa's progressive voice of faith

CURRENT News: Stem Cell Research Ban Lifted

2009-03-10T13:36:00.000-05:00

Interfaith Alliance and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa are vitally important in Protecting Faith and Freedom in our country and our state.

On Monday, March 9, Rev. Dr C. Welton Gaddy, president of Interfaith Alliance (national), was invited to the White House as President Obama signed the Executive Order overturning the ban on federal funding for stem cell research. Rev. Gaddy stated in a letter to supporters,

"President Obama's action removed a ban instituted by President Bush based on one particular religious perspective present in select religious traditions. Federally-funded scientific institutions must be guided by objectivity, facts and evidence - not ideology. We do a disservice to religion when we ban scientific pursuits in its name."

Rev. Gaddy recently spoke with Rep. Diana Degette (D-CO) in December on this issue. Take a listen!

New Look. New Name. New Energy.

2009-03-10T13:35:00.000-05:00

It is an exciting time for the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa. We are thrilled to announce a new look, a new website, and a new way of doing business as an organization to better empower the progressive voice of faith and goodwill throughout Iowa.

The organization has a newly tweaked name.We will no longer include the “The” in our title, aligning ourselves to how we have always most commonly been referred --- Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and Action Fund.We have also changed the name of the newsletter, Our Voice. Giving voice to our organization’s mission, together and separately, to educate and advocate: raising up our individual and collective voices to create change in our state.

Are you on our e-news and postal mailing list so that you can be informed and active on issues or religious freedom, individual rights, civility and more?

We have a new circle mosaic logo, too.Brought to us by our national office, the mosaic logo better represents visually the vibrant community and cultural differences that make the Interfaith Alliance what it is. The circle is a universal symbol of unity. The mosaic speaks to our desire to bring people from diverse backgrounds together to protect religious liberty and the boundaries between religion and government.

And finally, we debut this new website for the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and also for our new marriage equality project, Faithful Voices. Both continue to be a work in progress as we add new information daily. Check back often to find new information, events and resources.

It is an exciting time. We are glad you have joined us as we continue our tradition of Protecting Faith and Freedom, only in an improved way.