What's Happening weekly forum

MONDAY, AUGUST 2

12:00 PM

Safeguarding the Sacred Right to Vote

Rob Johnson, No Justice No Peace, 20/20 Vision Project, and Urban Impact Show

Al Womble, No Justice No Peace and 20/20 Vision Project

Our nation has a long list of laws and dirty tricks designed to suppress the vote of communities of color and other marginalized Americans. And although the tactics may have changed, we know the efforts to make it more difficult for some to vote continue.

Join us for What’s Happening this Monday, August 2, at noon as we continue our conversation from last week on the sacred right to vote and changes to Iowa law that hinder access for some Iowans. Connie Ryan, executive director, will talk with Rob Johnson and Al Womble about the history and current-day efforts infringing on the sacred right to vote and the efforts to ensure every Iowan who is eligible to vote can and does vote this year and in the years to come.

Join us on Facebook or on our YouTube channel.

What’s Happening is an online, weekly forum tackling hot topics and current events impacting everyday Iowans. Join Connie Ryan, Executive Director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, each Monday (except during the Legislative Session) at noon on Facebook as she talks with a guest speaker or community leader. During the conversation, viewers can post questions for Connie to ask the day’s guest.

2021 Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Award Celebration

Monday, August 30

5:30-9:00 PM

RECEPTION 5:30 PM  |  DINNER 6:30 PM  |  PROGRAM 7:00 PM

Community Choice Convention Center Ballroom

833 5TH AVENUE, DES MOINES 50309

Visit Bending the Arc Toward Justice for 25 Years for more information and to register.

We are honored to name the following as our awardees this year:

Rev. H. Alejandro Alfaro-Santiz Lead Pastor, Trinity Las Americas, Des Moines		One Iowa		Des Moines Community School District: Board of Directors, Administration, and Staff
COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD		PARTNER ORGANIZATION AWARD		JOY CORNING PUBLIC LEADER AWARD

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is a statewide, non-partisan organization working to protect religious freedom while ensuring it is not used to harm or discriminate, promoting equity and equality for all persons, and empowering progressive people of faith and no faith to use their voice in the public square. Celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, we are highlighting different Iowans who have connected with us and our work together Bending the Arc Toward Justice.

TELLING OUR STORY:
Rev. David Sickelka

 Tell us a little bit about you.

I am a native of Iowa, having grown up on a farm North of Cherokee in O’Brien County. I currently live in Des Moines and am the Sr. Minister of the Urbandale United Church of Christ, a progressive, justice-oriented church that welcomes all and dives deep into questions of faith. I am married with two children and one grandchild, with another due in a couple of months. We also have a small terrier mix who, according to some, has me wrapped around his little paw. The United Church of Christ comes out of a liberal theological tradition, with deep roots in social gospel and progressive movements. I resonate with the themes of inclusion (we are all God’s children) service to others (a la the Good Samaritan). I see my work as freeing people to ask questions more than providing them with official answers. I plan to retire in October of 2021 and relocate to Central Michigan.

How did you connect with Interfaith Alliance of Iowa?

When I was exploring the possibility of being the Sr. Minister of Urbandale UCC, I noted that they had the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in their budget. I checked them out a bit and was impressed with what I saw. When I was subsequently invited to serve on the board of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, I jumped at the chance, first on the c4 board, and then on the c3. At some point, when my defenses were weak, I agreed to chair the c3 board.

How have you been involved with social justice work, including with Interfaith Alliance of Iowa?

Prior to coming to Iowa, I helped with Political Action events with the Illinois Conference of Churches, was active in Interfaith Impact and served on farm crisis and peace with justice committees at the state level. My congregations have had varying degrees of involvement in social justice, which I have always tried to encourage. With Interfaith Alliance, I have had opportunities to speak at the State Capitol on a wide range of issues at hearings and sub-committee meetings. I have also gotten involved in rallies and press conferences where I was privileged to share my perspectives.

Why is the voice of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa important to you?

In recent years, the public perception of what it means to be a person of faith has been skewed by those who claim that one set of beliefs is “correct.” The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa provides a balance to that trend, reminding the general public that faith is varied and diverse, and that thoughtful, caring people who are not Evangelical Fundamentalists, make important contributions to the faith landscape of our country. The Interfaith Alliance also provides important resources to those who are trying to navigate the tax and ethical boundaries around engaging the political sphere as 501c3 not-for-profit organizations.

What would you wish for the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa as we celebrate 25 years of Bending the Arc toward Justice?

I would wish that our celebration of this major anniversary would make us increasingly diverse in our membership and in our partnerships. I would wish that we could adopt leadership models that incorporate decentralized and “bottom-up” decision-making. I would wish for more non-Christian and no-faith participation and messaging. And I would wish for Justice to become the hallmark for every decision of government at all levels.