Intersections is back in September!

CROSSROADS | Des Moines

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church
Waveland Hall
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines

in-person and virtual options

Election protection for 2026

Lisa Whelan
Executive Director, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement

In the era of disinformation and attacks on marginalized communities, there is nothing more important than ensuring every voter is able to exercise their right to vote and our elections are protected. Deceive (conspiracy theories), Disrupt (intimidation and manipulation), and Deny (overturning results) are the election strategies of authoritarianism. How do we overcome those strategies, protect our elections and the right to vote, and defend our democracy? Join us for this important Crossroads conversation and how you can and must be part of the solution.

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, August 19. 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.

INTERSECTIONS | Cedar Rapids

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1340 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids

in-person and virtual options

Faith, Freedom, and the Future of Our Public Libraries

Sam Helmick
President, American Library Association

In an era dominated by hyper-partisan content and "noise," public libraries remain essential sanctuaries for authentic community connection, intellectual freedom, and the shared right to read. In September, Intersections explores how modern political attacks on public libraries threaten not only our democratic institutions but also the core tenets of religious freedom and civil dialogue. Grounded in a commitment to fiscal responsibility, institutional transparency, and faith-led community stewardship, we will discuss how diverse voices can unite to safeguard libraries as vital spaces for all Iowans.

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

Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Four boxed lunch options are available for $15: turkey & swiss on ciabatta, roast beef & cheddar on wheatberry, Greek Mediterranean wrap, and garden veggie salad. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, September 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 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.

VOTING MATTERS!

“Our vote is our power.
Through our votes,
elections make our voices heard.”

– League of Women Voters

We couldn’t agree more! Voting is power and one of the most important ways to be heard in a democracy. Ensuring everyone eligible can vote is critically important. It is work that Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is committed to support.

If you need to register to vote or you know someone in Iowa who is not registered to vote, Iowa’s Secretary of State website has the updated voter registration form on its website. Just print it, fill it out, sign it, and return it to your county auditor.

Check out more details about voting in Iowa at the Secretary of State’s Iowa Voters Pocket Guide.

Remember these important dates to vote this year in Iowa:

Request for an absentee ballot began Tuesday, August 25.
Early voting begins Wednesday, October 14.
2026 General Election is Tuesday, November 3.

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

The State of Belief

"Never Saw Anything Like That: Veteran White House Reporter Peter Maer on President Trump and The Press"

Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by veteran White House reporter Peter Maer, a journalist who covered every president from Carter to Obama and brings a first-person account of how things really were… And how they appear to be now.

Extremism in Our Schools: Why Abstinence-Only Sex Ed is Back

Tuesday, August 4 | 6:30 PM virtual

Did you know that abstinence-only sex education is making a comeback in our schools? Extremists are pushing a curriculum that tells students abstinence until heterosexual marriage is the only acceptable choice while withholding the medically accurate information young people need to make informed decisions. Join in to discuss the impact on young people and what parents, caregivers, and community members can do to advocate for evidence-based sex education in their local schools.

The plan to protect your vote with Stacey Abrams

Thursday, August 6 | 6:30 PM virtual

Across the country, extremists are limiting when and where we can vote, creating new barriers to registration, and spreading lies about the security of elections. The good news is that people across the country are fighting back, and we are not going to let extremism win. Together we will protect our vote and our future!

Interfaith Alliance Democracy Trainings

Our democracy is under direct threat — and communities of faith have the power to defend it. Interfaith Alliance is training faith leaders, organizers, and supporters in nonviolent civil resistance ahead of the 2026 elections. Get trained. Get ready. Get others involved.

A broad selection of online trainings are available through the Interfaith Alliance (national) including:

De-escalation and Bystander Intervention
Planning for Redlines
Developing Your Personal Narrative
and more

Perhaps gather a group of friends to learn or use the trainings as a resource for a congregation conversation. Learn more.

Celebrating Pride

Pride celebrations continue through October (and maybe later?), and we are here for it! With all of the attacks by extremist politicians who want to strip away LGBTQ rights, safety, and fundamental freedoms, it is more important than ever for us to celebrate Pride. The ACLU of Iowa has compiled an extensive list of Pride events in every corner of our state.

Progress Iowa Weekly Briefing

Fridays | 1:30 PM

**Next Briefing will be Friday, August 14**

Receive timely poll-tested message guidance, updates from Iowa's leading progressive organizations, and the latest information from the capitol.

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)

5 Calls

5 Calls makes it easy for you to reach members of Congress and make your voice heard. They research issues, write scripts for you to use, and lead you toward the most influential policy makers. All you have to do is make the call and use your voice.