Public Libraries and Book Banning

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
310 5th St SE
CEDAR RAPIDS

in person and virtual options

Presenter: Dara Schmidt, Director
Cedar Rapids Public Library

“A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone.” ~Jo Godwin, librarian

Public libraries serve communities in every way possible: they support literacy and education, nurture creativity, and provide resources and public spaces. They also come under fire for many of those same reasons.

Dara Schmidt, Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library, will discuss the current challenges faced by public libraries, including book banning and other threats to one of our nation’s most important institutions.

There are three ways you can join us for Intersections:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Three boxed lunch options are available: chicken sandwich, roast beef sandwich, and vegetarian (tahini falafel) wrap; boxed lunches are $12 each and come with a salad, chips, and a dessert. Please note: You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, October 5. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will NOT be available.‍
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we do need your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube. This presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. Please register here for the link to join virtually.

Inside these walls: Women at the Well prison congregation

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Waveland Hall
DES MOINES

in person and virtual options

Presenter: Paul Witmer, Lead Pastor
Women at the Well UMC

Women at the Well is a United Methodist congregation located within the walls of the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville, Iowa. It is a diverse community composed of women incarcerated at ICIW, people from around the state of Iowa who choose to worship together, and volunteers who regularly support the ministries and programs.

Rev. Paul Witmer serves Women at the Well and provides programming for the ministry. Join us for the October Crossroads luncheon to learn more about this important program, the challenges still it is still facing from the impact of COVID, and the needs of the women who reside at ICIW.

There are three ways you can join us for Crossroads:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Three brown bag lunch options are available: turkey sandwich, roast beef sandwich, and vegetarian sandwich; brown bag lunches are $12 each and come with a bag of crisp apple slices, chips, condiments on the side, and a brownie. Please note: You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 18. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will NOT be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we do need your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube. This presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. Please register here for the link to join virtually.

Iowans will be voting on Public Measure 1: The Reckless Gun Amendment on November 8, and we need your help to get the word out to Vote NO!

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is one of the lead organizations in the Iowans for Responsible Gun Laws Coalition. Learn more about Public Measure 1 on the ballot November 8 and how you can help defeat the Reckless Gun Amendment at iowansforresponsiblegunlaws.com.

The Reckless Gun Amendment is NOT the 2nd Amendment. It will place commonsense gun laws in danger and could prohibit reasonable safety measures from remaining or becoming law. Iowans, including responsible gun owners and law enforcement, overwhelmingly support commonsense gun laws.

HELP DEFEAT THE RECKLESS GUN AMENDMENT BY...

• VOTE NO on the Reckless Gun Amendment on November 8!
• TALK with your friends and family and ask them to Vote No on Public Measure 1: The Reckless Gun Amendment on November 8!
  -- Use the coalition’s words and messaging. DO NOT use or amplify the messaging of our opponents.
  -- Talk about the impact of the Reckless Gun Amendment and how it will harm Iowans by putting commonsense gun laws (current and future) in danger.
• SHARE all social media posts throughout the campaign and ask your friends to also share.
• DONATE to Iowans for Responsible Gun Laws PAC so we can educate Iowans online or by check. Details on the coalition’s website!

CAN HOUSES OF WORSHIP & NON-PROFITS SPEAK OUT AGAINST A BALLOT MEASURE AND ASK FOLKS TO VOTE NO?
YES! Ballot Measures are different than elections. Electioneering (promoting/opposing a candidate for public office) is illegal for houses of worship and other 501c3 non-profits. Opposing Public Measure 1: The Reckless Gun Amendment and other ballot measures is perfectly legal for houses of worship and other 501c3 non-profits. Learn more here.

NEED A YARD SIGN?
The Iowa Catholic Conference office is housing signs in Des Moines. Call their office at 515.243.6256 and arrange to pick up as many as you need. Signs are also available in Cedar Rapids; email mikewyrick@gmail.com for more information.

A donation is not required but it is certainly welcome (online or by check). Signs cost the coalition $4/sign. For more information, visit the "donate" page on the website.

YOU CAN FIND US AT...
WEBSITE: iowansforresponsiblegunlaws.com
FACEBOOK: @iowansforresponsiblegunlaws
TWITTER: @ResponsibleIowa

Vote NO on Public Measure 1: The Reckless Gun Amendment November 8!