Iona Collaborative

The latest issue of Small Church Voices is out now! Whether you are blessing backpacks, planning new formation opportunities, or building community through mission and service, we are grateful for the many ways you continue to care for your neighbors and one another.

This issue of Small Church Voices celebrates Iona’s back-to-school programming, including the first cohort of our new Certificate in Congregational Spiritual Direction program, which began their studies this week, as well as the 80+ priests, deacons, and lay leaders who have registered for Continuing Education this semester. Together, these two programs represent over 40 Episcopal dioceses, with more than half of our Continuing Education students taking an Iona course for the first time. We’re grateful to the deans of local schools of formation across the Iona network for helping spread the word about these opportunities throughout the wider church.

As always, we welcome your stories. If you know of news worth sharing about small and rural churches and their leaders, we'd love to hear from you — please reach out anytime. Read on for more:

Small Church Voices Newsletter Email from Seminary of the Southwest For Leaders of Small and Rural Churches Small Church Voices Newsletter From the Iona Collaborative It's back-to-school season in the life of the church! Whether yo

We are so grateful for our relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming, for Dean Elle, and for all the ways the calls of individuals across the area are nurtured.

Today, a vision becomes a gathering.

Last year, we planted the first seeds of the Certificate in Congregational Spiritual Direction. Today, our inaugural cohort gathers for the very first time.

Over the months ahead, these participants will learn, reflect, practice, and grow together as they explore how spiritual direction can support the life of a congregation.

We are grateful for every person who said yes to this journey—and excited to see what grows from this first gathering.

Welcome to the very first cohort in the Certificate in Congregational Spiritual Direction! The journey begins today.

Caring for One Another: Practical Pastoral Care for the Whole Congregation

Pastoral care is not only the work of clergy. Every day, lay and ordained leaders listen to people’s stories, accompany them through change and loss, and help them recognize God’s presence in their lives. When more people develop these skills, the whole congregation becomes better equipped to care for one another.

But how do we know what kind of care a particular person or situation needs?

Sometimes we are called to listen and bear witness. Sometimes we help bring something new to life. Some relationships require the patience of a gardener, while others ask us to become a bridge across cultural differences.

In this practical and reflective course, Chaplain Sarah Knoll will introduce memorable images of spiritual care—including the Ascetic Witness, Midwife, Gardener, and Cultural Broker. Participants will use these images to examine real-life pastoral situations, better understand their own caregiving instincts, and expand the ways they support people in their congregations and communities.

Through conversation, case studies, and insights from classic and postcolonial approaches to spiritual care, participants will gain practical tools for listening, responding, and walking alongside others with greater wisdom, humility, and compassion.

This course is for lay and ordained leaders—and for anyone who wants to help create a more caring congregation. No formal pastoral-care experience is required.

Instructor: Chaplain Sarah Knoll, CPE Educator

Mondays, 6:00–7:30 p.m. CT
September 14–November 9

Pastoral care isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Some moments call for quiet presence. Others need encouragement, advocacy, accompaniment, or a deeper awareness of culture and power.

In Classic and Postcolonial Images of Spiritual Care, Chaplain Sarah Knoll will help participants expand their pastoral-care toolbox and discern what kind of care a person, relationship, or situation may need.

Mondays beginning September 14
6–7:30 p.m. CT
Online through Iona Collaborative

Registration is open at iona.ssw.edu.

Wow—thank you for extending such grace, kindness, and especially patience as we opened registration for our Fall 2026 Continuing Education today with a new system! We’ve worked through most of the hiccups and are still smoothing out a few details. We’re so grateful for you and your understanding.

If you need assistance, please reach out to Katherine or Aneya.
iona.ssw.edu

Welcome the Rev. Ruthanna B. Hooke, PhD, as the Seminary of the Southwest 10th dean and president!

Seminary of the Southwest elects the Rev. Ruthanna Hooke, PhD, as 10th dean and president - Seminary of the Southwest The Board of Trustees of Seminary of the Southwest has elected the Rev. Ruthanna B. Hooke, PhD, as the seminary’s 10th dean and president.

Registration is OPEN for our Fall 2026 Continuing Education courses!

We’re thrilled to welcome new instructor voices alongside returning favorites whose courses continue to inspire, equip, and nurture those serving the Church.

Explore the courses and register today: https://iona.ssw.edu/continuing-education/

A few reminders:

• $25 registration fee for participants from Iona Collaborative member dioceses
• $100 registration fee for participants from non-member dioceses
• Registration fees are nonrefundable

Not sure whether your diocese is a member of the Iona Collaborative? Visit our website to confirm.

We can’t wait to gather with you this fall!
iona.ssw.edu

Registration for our Fall 2026 courses opens tomorrow—Tuesday, August 4!

You’ll find registration details in our newsletter, Gather Iona, and on the Iona Collaborative website.

We are looking forward to a new season of gathering and to the rich conversations that will grow from our time together. Our hope is that, together, we will create spaces for connection, learning, nurturing, discerning, and imagining what may be possible in our lives, ministries, and congregations.

We hope you’ll gather with us this fall.