May 11, 2010
Iowa Conference News
Thank You Note – Hawarden Teen Center
Click here to read this week’s Thank You Note
Dovetail – Fall 2009 Edition
We have been asked to forward this publication to all pastors in Iowa by the Iowa Peace Network. The next edition is due out in a few weeks and we will pass that along when received. The Fall edition is attached to this message.
Does Your Church Need a New Loan or to Refinance an Existing One?
The Iowa United Methodist Church Building Fund Trust makes loans to local churches for the purposes of building new buildings, renovation or additions to existing facilities, repairs, purchasing land or even buying a parsonage. The Trust also has refinancing options for high-interest loans.
Rates currently starting at 6.10% for new loans as of May 10, 2010
Please contact us for more information:
Iowa United Methodist Church Building Fund Trust
churchloan@iaumc.org
2301 Rittenhouse Street
Des Moines, IA 50321
515-974-8927
Plastering 101
On Saturday, May 15, 2010 Trinity United Methodist Church in Des Moines will host the first of a series of workdays in its historic sanctuary – the building cornerstone was laid in 1910. The focus for the first workday/teaching session will be plastering. It will begin at 8:00 am and end at 5:00 pm.
All skill levels are welcome:
Teachers - those who no longer have the reach but want to teach.
Plaster pro's--those who know what to do, especially in older buildings.
Plaster “wannabe pros" who want to learn about the craft.
Assistants – willing workers
Tools to bring: hammers, screwdrivers, putty knives of all sizes, shop vacs, broom/dustpan, a keen interest
In addition, attention will be focused on breaking up old and laying new footings, and other miscellaneous carpentry work.
These workday/teaching sessions will continue the third Saturday of every month.
For further information contact Trinity’s office: 515-288-4056 or todd@prgia.com Trinity is located at the corner of College and 8th in the historic Riverbend neighborhood in Des Moines.
United Methodist and Other News
Celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday - May 30, 2010
Jessica, a shy 12-year-old, is just one of the sensitive souls Susan Stouffer encounters at Peace Camp sessions at United University Church in Los Angeles. “Peace Kids” like Jessica graduate from this unique camp –funded in part with Peace with Justice Sunday offering money––inspired to teach their friends to be kind to each other and to treat the earth – and its people––with respect. The offering on this Special Sunday empowers United Methodists to work for peace, love and compassion for God’s children everywhere.
Call (888) 346-3862 today to order envelopes and other resources so your congregation can participate in this churchwide offering. They will be sent at no cost to your church! Find more at umcgiving.org/specialsundays.
UMCOR Sends Aid as Tornadoes, Storms Accost South
UMCOR sent relief aid to the Mississippi Annual Conference responding to needs there after multiple tornadoes swept through 17 counties on April 23. Severe weather again struck the southeast last weekend when thunderstorms, flooding and high winds believed to be tornadoes raged through Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky on Saturday and Sunday, causing widespread destruction.
Nashville, TN, saw more than 13 inches of rain fall over the two days. A shipment of Cleaning Buckets left UMCOR Sager Brown Depot on Monday morning, heading to Tennessee. Click here to learn how you can help provide these material resources.
The spring storm season is upon us. Please pray for those who have suffered losses in these early storms and help UMCOR respond with your gift to US Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670.
Goodpaster becomes bishops’ new president
A former Mississippi pastor who is committed to engaging United Methodists in hands-on mission took office May 7 as president of the international United Methodist Council of Bishops. Illinois Area Bishop Gregory Palmer, outgoing leader, handed the presidential gavel over to Charlotte (N.C.) Area Bishop Larry Goodpaster with the words, “May you direct and assist us in the building up of God’s work.” Goodpaster will serve a two-year term. {256} Read more
Outreach focuses on lay leaders for Native American communities
The United Methodist Board of Discipleship has embarked on an outreach to develop lay leadership among Native Americans. Bener Agtarap, a strategist for the board’s New Church Starts (Path 1) division, says two recent events – one in Phoenix and another in Topeka, Kan. – show that this mission to initiate lay plants in the Native American community is well under way.
“This particular form of ministry is so essential to Native American communities, tribes, nations, families, ministries all across the United States,” said the Rev. Anita Phillips, the national executive director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan. “There is not enough clergy and particularly not enough Native American clergy to meet the needs that we find even in our existing Native churches and ministries.”
United Methodist Koreans launch website
United Methodist Communications has launched a new Web presence for Korean members of the denomination. The site, http://www.koreanumc.org, is actually a re-launch that provides a more accessible and attractive Web presence for the agency’s Korean Resources Team. It includes news, commentaries, events, information for laypersons, sermon ideas for clergy, questions and answers about the denomination and copies of a monthly newsletter and a bimonthly magazine.
Staff member will assist young people’s ministries
Chris Wilterdink, director of youth ministries at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo., is now serving as part-time Western Jurisdiction staff person for the Young People’s Ministries Division of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. He began work April 15 while continuing to serve the Colorado church part time. He has been director of youth ministries at the church for six years.
Young People’s Ministries is hiring a part-time staff person in each of the denomination’s five U.S. jurisdictions to provide more direct support to local churches.
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
