Dear Friends,

There is gravely concerning news coming out of DC that questions whether the Trump administration is committed to religious freedom, or not.

Documents from a federal court revealed U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent undercover agents into church buildings earlier this year during DHS’s “Operation Metro Surge.” DHS agents spied on activists at Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopal, and Unitarian Universalist churches in Minnesota’s twin cities, as well as in Michigan.

Interfaith Alliance (national) is calling out the administration and demanding they protect religious liberty. Will you sign the petition telling DHS to stop its undercover spying on Houses of Worship?

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM

** LOCATION CHANGE FOR AUGUST **
First Unitarian Church
1800 Bell Ave, Des Moines

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.

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
Immediate Past 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.

“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 begins Tuesday, August 25.
• Early voting begins Wednesday, October 14.
• 2026 General Election is Tuesday, November 3.

Ahead of the midterm elections, the Interfaith Alliance (national) is launching The Vote Is Sacred 2026: a nationwide effort to protect our democracy and mobilize people of faith to vote.

In early October, Interfaith Alliance will be on the road with The Vote is Sacred bus tour, with stops in Des Moines, Grinnell, and Cedar Rapids. We are still finalizing specifics but mark your calendars and make plans to join us! Details to come. Save the dates:

• Tuesday, October 6, evening, Des Moines
• Wednesday, October 7, mid-afternoon, Grinnell
• Wednesday, October 7, evening, Cedar Rapids

Join Interfaith Alliance and partners for a six-part webinar training series (August 25–September 30) designed to support you in meeting this moment: from de-escalation at the polls, to a showcase of volunteer opportunities, and trusted-messenger and Vote411 training.

Register HERE.

Here’s the lineup of webinars.

• August 25: Faith In Elections Playbook with Protect Democracy and Interfaith America 
• September 2: Do’s and Don’ts for Houses of Worship 
• September 9: Faith-Based Campaigns for Democracy Faith-Based Campaigns for Democracy with NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, and Sojourners 
• September 15: The Vote Is Sacred - Trusted Messenger Training with League of Women Voters
• September 23: The Vote Is Sacred - De-escalation & Bystander Intervention at the Polls with Faith in Action
• September 30: The Final Stretch - Get Out the Vote (bus tour virtual launch)

Register for the webinar series and get trained up for faithful resistance. Because in 2026, the vote is sacred, and democracy needs people of faith.

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)