We are working so hard for change – by educating Iowans on what’s happening in our state, advocating for public schools, fighting for an Iowa that welcomes all people no matter how they identify or who they love, and working to ensure no more rights are taken away. We have also taken on deeper organizing around Christian nationalism on top of our already full roster of work.

We are so excited for the Award Celebration coming up on May 29 – and especially our guest speaker and awardees. We’ll share who they are in two weeks! But here are a few hints about the guest speaker to pique your curiosity.

• A nationally known and universally respected religious and moral voice in the public square.
• A storied career in multiple professions with a focus on creating systemic change that benefit the 99%.
• A strong advocate about the negative impact of Christian nationalism.

As our biggest fundraiser of the year, the award celebration enables this crucial programming to happen. Thank you for your commitment to Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.

Invitations will be in the mail soon – we hope you plan to join us May 29!

FRIDAY, APRIL 4
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
same church, new event space (see below)
1340 3rd Ave SE, CEDAR RAPIDS

in-person and virtual options

Food insecurity

Presenter: Clint Twedt-Ball
Founder and Executive Director, Matthew 25

Food security, food swamps, food deserts. All these things impact the ability of people in low-income neighborhoods to live up to their full potential. Join us in April to learn how the U.S. and Iowa are continuing to disinvest in the health of our people and communities – and what we can do about it on a personal and societal level at the micro and macro scale.

Please note: The church is undergoing renovations for the next few months, during which time we will meet in the Gathering Space. Enter the Second Avenue doors, go up the stairs or take the elevator to the second floor. Once there, take a left and you will arrive at the Gathering Space. For those who know the building, this is across from the sanctuary.

There are three ways to attend Intersections. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Three boxed lunch options are available: smoked turkey, ham & swiss, and vegetarian wrap; boxed lunches are $15 each. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, April 1. 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 by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18
12:00 - 1:00 PM
ONLINE ONLY in April!

Is Iowa’s extremism part of a national trend?

Nik Nartowicz, Lead Policy Counsel

Americans United for Separation of Church & State

Have you ever wondered if what is occurring in Iowa with extreme legislation is also happening in states across the country? Are the extreme bills that mix religion and government coming from other states? Or from national organizations with an agenda? Join us for a virtual Crossroads in April to listen and learn from Nik Nartowicz, who has a great handle on public policy attacks across the country. He’ll share the efforts he is seeing at the state level and also what is happening at the federal level regarding extremism and separation of religion and government.

Crossroads will be online only in April due to a conflict at Plymouth Congregational Church. Registration is required!

Register to participate by clicking here. This online presentation will be on Zoom and also livestreamed on our YouTube channel. A link will be emailed to you to join us online for this important conversation.

Our speaker | Nik Nartowicz is Lead Policy Counsel at Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Nik joined Americans United in 2017. As Lead Policy Counsel, Nik tracks and analyzes legislation that would affect church-state separation and religious liberty. He serves as an expert on church-state separation law and policy to state and federal legislators and staff, advocates, media, and the public. He joined AU after working for Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in the Office of Federal and Regional Affairs. As Policy Counsel, he worked with Congress and federal agencies to advance D.C.’s priorities in judiciary, legal, public safety, LGBTQ, and technology issues. He also helped lead the successful 2016 statehood referendum for DC.

Crossroads is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines