Shalom Zone Ministries at Gatchel United Methodist Church

Peace. Love. Friendship. Nurturing. These are some of the qualities of life and faith espoused by Gatchel United Methodist Church in its Shalom Zone ministries. Children and families they serve live in the impoverished neighborhood surrounding the church just north and west of downtown Des Moines. Volunteers partner with area schools to help educate children, providing refreshments and free childcare as a part of their outreach.

The Shalom Zone held Vacation Bible School and began an English as a Second Language program this summer. The congregation also hosts the largest back to school fair in the city, giving out over 1000 free backpacks to local children in need this fall.

Shalom Zone ministries are supported in part by apportionment dollars from the Iowa Annual Conference plus Central District Matthew 25 funds. Contact Peggy Aguilar for more information: paguilar@gdmhabitat.org. Visit their website at www.shalomzone.org.

By: Thank You Notes On 11/29/2009