Today's story is written by The Rev. Cn. Meg Wagner, Canon to the Ordinary,
The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. She graduated Episcopal Divinity School in 2015.

Through our diocesan partnerships with Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and One Iowa, the Diocese of Iowa had been alerted that a bill aimed at erasing gender Identity from the Iowa Civil Rights code would be proposed again this legislative session.

The final version of the bill that was passed was even more devastating than we expected - SF418. It not only has wide-ranging impacts on protections from discrimination in housing, education and more but also erases the phrase “gender identity” in educational contexts and replaces it with the phrase “gender theory,” prohibiting instruction about so-called “gender theory” in schools from kindergarten through sixth grade. It defines “sex” as “the state of being either male or female as observed or clinically verified at birth”, makes it so that can never be changed, and that legal documents must reflect that.

Skylar from St. Luke’s, Cedar Falls giving testimonyThe Diocese of Iowa has 3 volunteer lobbyists registered with the state who keep us informed about bills our legislators are working on that address areas that General Convention or our diocese has official positions on. They register opinions on behalf of the diocese, testify at committee hearings, and organize a yearly “Episcopal Day on the Hill” where Episcopalians from across the state come and learn how the legislative process works and have the opportunity to speak with their representatives on the issues they care about.

This particular bill moved incredibly fast through the process - one week from introduction to passing, and our lobbyists got word out through our diocesan Facebook group, Faith in Action and our diocesan facebook page. Bishop Monnot testified at subcommittees and at the public hearing that was held on Thursday, Feb 27. Transgender members from our churches also testified at several hearings.

Despite only really having about a day and a half notice, I saw over 25 members from at least 11 of our churches at what they are calling the largest protest within the capitol building. Over 2,500 Iowans showed up on Thursday, February 27 to protest the bill. Episcopal clergy joined leaders of other denominations in two lines of locked arms keeping a calm and physical distance between the heavy Iowa State trooper presence and the protestors. We prayed, we sang. And everywhere we went folks thanked us for being present and bearing a Christian witness against what was happening.

The Congregation of St. Andrew's Des Moines at the State HouseAnd we stayed to witness as it ended up passing both houses in simultaneous “debate” meant to divide the crowd’s attention. Other than the bill’s proposer, no republican spoke in favor of the bill, and in fact it was revealed later the Republican senators had a bingo game they were playing mocking the Democrats who spoke against it. All Democrats voted against and all but five Republican House members voted for the bill (even after extreme pressure and threats from their leadership). Afterwards we stayed and provided what pastoral care we could to the remaining devastated and angry protestors and some of the legislators who had really tried their best. The governor signed it into law on Friday.
There will undoubtedly be efforts to stop it in the courts, but there is no telling the damage that has been and will be caused in the meantime. Many of our clergy at services this weekend encountered people angry and sad that it had passed, but also undeterred that our place is to stand where Jesus stood, with the marginalized. The diocese remains committed to working with Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and other partners to fight for the worth and dignity of our trans and genderqueer neighbors, friends and family.
​
As Bishop Monnot posted the next day, “In Iowa, we are grieving yesterday’s vote to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights code. Transgender and genderqueer Iowans, you are beautifully and wonderfully made in God’s image, and God does not make mistakes. I see you, I love you, and I will fight for your right to be free to be the person God made you to be.” And lots of Iowa Episcopalians will be there with her.
Blessings,
Meg+
Pronouns: she/her/hers (why pronouns matter)

​Small church ministry is very much a ministry of place. We are grounded in a particular place, and in a particular time. For some churches our primary role in this time of disruption will be to hang on to the holiness of this.

Our place is not only our building, but where we are in town, which street corner, which neighborhood. Our place includes all the people around us, and near us, and the roads and yards and woods and lakes that take up that space. Many who are in this place do not know us, and we don't 'know them.

And yet, together, we are beloved by God

Psalm 91 suggests that living in the shadow of God is living in a place of refuge. This is a time that it feels there is no refuge from the chaos and violence being perpetrated on our nation. God's protection does not feel sufficient. We need to do more to recognize God's presence in this place.
One project we might engage in is to focus on caring for the people who are under attack in this location.

If you don't know your neighborhood now is a good time to get out there. Figure out who lives around you and what they are dealing with. Look for people strengths and engage in Asset Mapping (from Asset Based Community Development). This is where you identify who you know, and who they know, and identify strengths, skills, passions, and connections. You are building a web of information about who is available in a crisis.

If you are engaged with a particular part of the community, now is a good time to expand that engagement. What is one more thing you can add. You'll figure out what by asking the community members you already are connected to.

Pay attention also to who is hurting. Immigrants, trans people, people who are poor, and people who have been laid off from Government employment come to mind, but this will be very specific to your community. Remember to focus on these people strengths, skills, passions, and connections, too. No one is only a need, everyone has something contribute.

And consider the strengths of our church. Are you an available meeting place? Do you have leadership with particularly useful expertise and passions? Are your members good community organizers, bringing your neighbors together? Do you have the skills to bring the powerful practices of lament, or the tiny embers of hope to a secular conversation--without telling others how to feel or what to do?

Perhaps your church will start these community conversations, or perhaps you will join the gatherings already happening. Either way the take seriously your role as a church to be part of what makes this local community a refuge, a balm, a support. For God to be a refuge, God's people must step up to build safe community.

Be Here. Now.