Dear Upper Midwest Diocese,

After much prayer and discernment, I am stepping away from my role as Communications Director for the Diocese of the Upper Midwest.

Serving the Church, especially this diocese and the community at Church of the Resurrection, has been a deep joy and a formative season of my life. Over the past year, I have sensed the Lord beckoning me into a different rhythm, one more like Mary than my Martha nature, marked by rest, renewed attentiveness to him, and greater presence with my family.

I am stepping into a part-time role as Communications Director with Caring Network, a ministry that supports women facing unplanned pregnancies. I am grateful for the Lord’s peace in this difficult decision and for the opportunity to continue serving in a mission that aligns with my calling.

I am delighted that Clare VanderWeele has stepped into the role of Interim Communications Manager. She has already contributed multiple stories and interviews. I am grateful for her talents, care and dedication to keeping our community connected.

And so in this issue of Leaders’ Latest, it felt fitting to allow Clare to interview me—not as a farewell, but as a moment of reflection and thanksgiving.

-Dawn Jewell

Former Communications Director of the Upper Midwest Diocese

Interview by Clare VanderWeele, Interim Communications Manager

Dawn, as you step away from your role, what feels most important for the diocese to know about this transition?

Dawn, her husband Matt, their son Gabe and their daughter Naomi.

I’m grateful to have served alongside many committed people of God and leaders who have taught me much through their deep trust in the Lord, humility, and prayerfulness. While I never would’ve chosen the challenges and pain endured by many people, I know this time has drawn us much closer to the Lord and deeper into his heart for those who suffer.

I am excited about a new chapter for the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. I trust the Lord has a season of renewal in store for our people, and I’m thankful to be part of that. My family and I remain worshipping at Resurrection in Wheaton.

What has it meant to you personally to help tell the stories of our congregations, clergy, and ministries across the diocese?

It’s been a great joy to share glimpses of the Lord’s goodness through the day to day work and witness of our people living out their callings. With news so full of tragedy in our cities, country, and around the globe, we need to hear the stories of God’s power at work in our midst. These testimonies from our congregations have reminded me of the beautiful diversity of gifts in the Body. In a myriad of ways, our people are faithfully serving as his hands and feet to equip the Church and reach our hurting world. I have been filled with hope and nourished by each interview and story.

You are stepping into a part-time Communications Director role with life-affirming ministry, Caring Network. What drew you to their mission, and how does this work connect with your sense of calling right now?

I’ve had a life-long calling to help advocate for and tell the stories of voiceless and marginalized peoples— refugees, those who’ve been sexually exploited and abused, and others. Some years ago I researched and wrote a book about women in different countries who’d been abused and exploited, and how the Lord was at work through various ministries.

I discovered that the challenges that women considering abortion face are often similar to those who’ve been exploited–lack of a strong family network, limited finances, an unsupportive or missing partner, a sense of desperation, and potential shame and stigma. I am excited to serve as a storyteller with a ministry that is striving to love these women and their unborn children unconditionally with the aid of the Church. Caring Network mobilizes God’s people to bring his love and compassion to abortion-minded women, equipping them to choose life; both physical and spiritual.

How do you hope this change will shape your life outside of work—with your family, your faith, and your creative pursuits?

Classmates at the WWII Minidoka Internment Camp in Idaho. Dawn’s grandmother finished makeshift high school here. She and many other relatives were forced to abandon homes and businesses in Seattle. Credit: Densho

I am grateful to gain time that I hope will allow more energy for my kids, a deeper devotional life, and creative writing. Over the last several years, I’ve been researching my grandparents’ experiences in the Japanese internment camps during World War II. I want to develop stories highlighting lessons from how ordinary believers grappled with faith amid great injustice.

Outside of work, what is or has been life-giving for you in this season?

During the years in which we were so hindered in our communications, the Lord led me to pursue beauty with other creatives. Our Diocese is blessed with a rich history of embracing the arts, thanks to Bishop Stewart and other leaders who’ve recognized the power of story, music, and art to touch hearts with gospel mysteries.

I’ve loved collaborating with gifted artists in our community arts at Resurrection. We’ve developed various exhibits and events that encourage our people to dig into Scripture and invite the Spirit’s leading as they paint, draw, sing, write, etc. Their pieces have nourished me and others both in the church and beyond her walls. I’ve been so encouraged by how the Lord has raised up people of all ages at our annual Arts Festival, plus nudged shy creatives to courageously share their work and enable others to receive from it. We have, in turn, caught greater glimpses of the Source of all beauty in each other’s lives.