DES MOINES, IA — The former track coach who heads the Episcopal Church in Iowa is running and walking the full 180 miles between the cathedrals in Davenport and Des Moines, leaving Trinity in Davenport May 25 and arriving at St. Paul’s in Des Moines June 3.

Bishop Alan Scarfe, himself a five-time marathon runner, sees the parallels between coaching track and leading the church.  “Every coach is working to motivate people to reach their full potential,” he said.  “Coaches have to take people as they are and show them what’s possible.  Track coaches, especially, often work with people who don’t know they can be good at something and bring them along.”

Scarfe began coaching youngsters as a volunteer prior to entering seminary.  While a priest in California, he coached senior-high track on a part-time basis, winning five league championships in a row.

“Just as in the church, the final results of a track team are not due to the coach,” he said.  “It’s the athletes and the people in the pews who are the stars.”

Scarfe hopes to provide “a visual reminder that faith is a journey” and will be raising funds new church starts, to support those newly returned from seminary and global mission experiences for young adults. “Coaching for the church means encouraging people to surprise themselves at their ability to walk with Christ,” he said.

The longest day is 21 miles; the shortest is 17.  Each day will begin with Morning Prayer and conclude with evening worship at a nearby Episcopal Church.  Stops are scheduled in Durant, West Liberty, Iowa City, Holbrook, Reasnor and Prairie City.  Services will be held at Trinity Cathedral in Davenport, Trinity in Muscatine, New Song in Coralville, Trinity in Iowa City, Christ Church in Cedar Rapids, Trinity in Ottumwa, St. Paul’s in Grinnell, St. Stephen’s in Newton, and St. Mark’s and St. Paul’s Cathedral in Des Moines. More information is available at http://www.iowaepiscopal.org/news/day-to-dayroutee.php.

Join Bishop Scarfe and Fr. Bill Pugliese on Memorial Day following their 21-mile walk for a 7 p.m. Gathering Service at Christ Church. This will be an informal time of prayer and praise with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit and empowerment for mission.

Fr. Bill Pugliese, Rector of Christ Church in Cedar Rapids notes the importance of mission and ministry. “All too often we look to the clergy for service in the church. But God has provided each and every one of us with the gifts and grace to carry out our personal mission and ministry.” He adds that with pledges offered per mile, “our mission can reach out further into the communities we share. As of May 25, $1650 has been pledged from the Christ Church community.

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