Newsletter: May 2026
UMV 2026: LEARNING AND LEADING THE WAY: REGISTRATION CLOSES JUNE 5
Our Annual Meeting is less than a month away! Join us on June 13 from 9am to 2pm at Sully First Reformed Church in Sully, Iowa!
Breakout sessions are set and new Pathways Director David Rylaarsdam speak on "Ancient-Future Discipleship." Serge, Coram Deo, Vital Church, Thrive and Chemistry Staffing are offering some great sessions as well as Pastor Kent Landhuis talking on "Preaching to Make Disciples" and CKT Coordinator Luke Schouten giving a talk on preparing for your 5 year review.
There is no charge for the annual meeting and breakfast and lunch are provided as well as snacks, vendors, breakout sessions and the keynote speaker. All members, pastors, staff and Consistory members are invited.
We have secured a block of rooms at Western Inn & Suites in Grinnell, IA but you need to call by phone to get the rate. Call 641-236-7888 before June 1st and mention UMV Network to get the special rate of $65 per night!
Registration for the Annual Meeting closes at the end of the day on Friday, June 5th. REGISTER TODAY!
You are invited to our 3rd annual meeting on June 13 from 9am to 2pm at Sully First Reformed Church in Sully, Iowa! Breakout sessions are being finalized and there will be some good ones! Hear new Pathways Director David Rylaarsdam speak and meet Alliance Executive Director Greg Alderman. Our friends from Serge, Coram Deo, Vital Church, Thrive and Chemistry Staffing will be in attendance. We are also working with a new partner that can help churches with funding building campaigns and other financial needs.Pastors will also be invited to a learning opportunity on Friday, June 12th led by the UMV Ordination Team.There is no charge for the annual meeting and breakfast and lunch are provided as well as snacks, vendors, breakout sessions and the keynote speaker.All members, pastors, staff and Consistory members are invited. We have secured a block of rooms at Western Inn & Suites in Grinnell, IA but you need to call by phone to get the rate. Call 641-236-7888 before June 1st and mention UMV Network to get the special rate of $65 per night!We are asking all attendees to register for the annual meeting to help us plan, so please tap/click the button link below to let us know you’ll be there.
Conflict in our Lives & Churches (Party
BY LUKE SCHOUTEN
Conflict is inevitable in our lives. It happens in our families, our workplaces, and yes, even churches. As a pastor I have experienced conflict within the church and have also discovered I have a lot to learn about resolving conflict. Conflict within the church has harmed relationships, moved pastors to leave ministry and even bring about the death of a church. People leave over conflict, people are painfully hurt by conflict and unfortunately most conflict doesn’t get resolved in a healthy manner.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR OUR 2ND ANNUAL PASTOR'S RETREAT
Mark your calendars for our Pastor's Retreat on September 9th-11th at Ridge Haven's Cono Center in Walker, Iowa! We'll start that afternoon and conclude on Friday morning. Thrive Coaching Networks' Jeff Allen and Network Leader Ron Fischer will be leading a time of looking deeper at our churches and what is to come.More details and registration will follow in the near future.
ARE YOU HIRING OR CONSIDERING HIRING AN INTERN THIS SUMMER?
Check out this resource from one of our partners, HR Ministry Solutions. Churches get real excited to get the help that they need in the summer by hiring motivated, young people to help with children's ministry, VBS, youth and other areas. But, you have to pay them at least minimum wage and they are also subject to hourly requirements and overtime if they work more than 40 hours per week. Don't take advantage of their energy and maybe naivety. Interns are meant to be introduced to ministry and "trained up" for future service in the church as they explore the possibility of choosing vocational ministry in the future. Get them started on the "right foot" AND avoid breaking the law.
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