Des Moines Sun

An investigation continues into a bomb threat that was made Jan. 9 targeting a historically Black church in Des Moines.

Police found no evidence of explosives after a crisis counselor on the East Coast reported someone on an online conversation said he had placed multiple devices outside of the Burns United Methodist Church and was threatening to detonate the devices later in the day. The pastor was notified and decided to have services online only.

Des Moines Police Department said the person making the threats might have been on the West Coast.

Lanette Plambeck, the director of clergy and leadership excellence for the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church, told We Are Iowa the church is currently focused on the well-being of its members.

"The United Methodist Church is committed to addressing hate in any form that it presents itself because that is counter to the narrative and the purpose of our Christian faith," Plambeck said.

Burns United Methodist Church is a historically Black church and is the oldest multi-cultural church in the state of Iowa. It takes its name in honor of Francis Burns, the first Black Bishop of Episcopal Methodism.

"While we do not yet know the details of the bomb threat emailed to local law enforcement, this comes at a time when racially motivated hate crimes are on the rise locally and nationally," a statement from the office of Bishop Laurie Haller read in part. "Racism has rightly been called America's original sin, sin that continues to breed acts and attitudes of hatred. As Iowa United Methodists respond to this morning’s news, our efforts must be constantly led and accompanied by prayer, even as we work with people of faith and community leaders to engage in concrete action to dismantle hatred in its many forms."

The incident occurred a day after the Iowa People's Condition of the State virtual meeting was interrupted by racist propaganda. Zoom bombers deployed racial slurs, racist depictions, violent threats and swastikas Friday evening during an online meeting with Black Democratic state representatives ahead of the 2022 legislative session, Hawkeye Reporter reported.