FRIDAY, MARCH 6
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1340 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids

The fight for justice: An in-depth look at the NAACP of Cedar Rapids

Steve Moshier
President, NAACP of Cedar Rapids

There is so much misinformation polluting the communication space that every once in a while, you have to set the record straight. Steve Moshier, President of the NAACP of Cedar Rapids, will join us at the March Intersections to do just that. He’ll discuss the organization’s history, its values, and community engagement in this current political climate.

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 for $15: turkey & swiss on ciabatta, roast beef & cheddar on wheatberry, and garden veggie salad. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, March 3. 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 must have 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, MARCH 20
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Waveland Hall
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines

in-person and virtual options

Safeguarding the rights of protesters

Sally Frank
Professor of Law, Drake University

You’re at a protest and things get heated. Perhaps law enforcement shows up and is intervening. You’re observing everything happening around you but you know you don’t really know what to look for to help those caught up in the action.

What’s the difference between legal observing and simply observing? Join Sally Frank, professor of law at Drake University, who has decades of experience as a legal observer to understand the difference.

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

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Four bag lunch sandwich options are available for $15: turkey, roast beef, ham salad, and vegetarian. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 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 must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 29
2:30 PM
CAPITOL HILL LUTHERAN CHURCH
511 Des Moines St, Des Moines

3:00 PM
IOWA STATE CAPITOL

We are living through a period of authoritarianism in our country that is rapidly consolidating and strengthening. The dominating politics of hate, fear, greed, and division are violating our shared values and tearing our country and democracy apart. It is our time to act in a new way.

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa has joined a movement of organizations in 15 states (and growing) initiated by ISAIAH Minnesota to be a collective voice against what is happening. It is a movement designed to stand with our neighbors and against authoritarianism. In Iowa, we are calling it the Standing With Our Neighbors project.

We know Christians have outsized power and privilege in our country. As such, Christians also have additional responsibility to show up and speak out. As one part of the project and along with many clergy and lay people, we are helping to organize a Christian-focused protest and gathering on Sunday, March 29 – The Palm Sunday Public Witness.

The event is an action to amplify the Palm Sunday message around public witness and shaped by the call in Matthew 25 to care for our neighbors. The Palm Sunday Public Witness will include a march, a gathering with elements of worship, and a sending forth with a Call to Action.

You can learn more about the Standing With Our Neighbors project and the Palm Sunday Public Witness on our website.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HINDU TEMPLE AND CULTURAL CENTER OF IOWA 
33916 155th Lane, Madrid

in-person and virtual options

Holi, the Festival of Colors

On Sunday, March 8, we will join the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center in the annual celebration of Holi. Guests will be able to tour the temple, observe the Holi fire ritual (Holika Dahan), throw colored powered at one another, and dance.

Please dress accordingly if you are going to participate in the throwing of colors. (And please visit the temple interior before playing with colors.)

Lunch is available for purchase from the temple.

This event is part of the “Meet My Religious Neighbor” series, which is co-programmed with CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa was created 30 years ago because a small group of people in central Iowa were determined to provide a different voice in the public square than what was often heard from the Christian right. They wanted to make sure a progressive, faithful message was amplified particularly in support of the LGBTQ community and public schools.

Over the last 30 years, our scope of work, strength in numbers, impact, and reach statewide has grown exponentially. At the core, we are about leading diverse voices to challenge extremism, defending democracy, protecting religious freedom (while not allowing it to harm anyone), and safeguarding the rights of all Iowans. And we are proud to do this work along with thousands of Iowans.

In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we want to know your thoughts on this important work! We ask that you consider the following questions and send us your thoughts. It doesn’t need to be long; just a few sentences are fine. Email your response to info@interfaithallianceiowa.org. We want to amplify the voices and connections to the organization throughout this 30th year celebration.

• Describe the work of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and why it is important to you.
• What impact of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is most important to you over the last 30 years?
• What is your wish for Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and our future work together?

Below are ideas for how you can get in good trouble!

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR U.S. SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES

Senator Joni Ernst
(202) 224-3254 (https://www.ernst.senate.gov/contact)

Senator Chuck Grassley
(202) 224-3744 (https://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact)

Representative Marianette Miller-Meeks (1st Congressional District)
(202) 225-6576 (https://millermeeks.house.gov/contact/offices)

Representative Ashley Hinson (2nd Congressional District)
(202) 225-2911 (https://hinson.house.gov/zip_authentication?form=/contact)

Representative Zach Nunn (3rd Congressional District)
(202) 225-5476 (https://nunn.house.gov/contact/offices/)

Representative Randy Feenstra (4th Congressional District)
(202) 225-3193 (https://feenstra.house.gov/contact/offices)