Join SMTF in an Interfaith Special Event on Palestine-Israel U.S. Policy!

What would eight million dollars-a-day do for our economy, our state, and our nation?Israel receives a free gift of $8.0 million a day from the U.S. government and our taxes. And it’s used for oppressive policies against the Palestinian people.
Come to the U.S. Policy in Palestine--Israel Conference, Oct. 14 and 15, in Ankeny, Iowa. More information and background on the critical issues in the Middle East will be provided and you'll learn how Iowans can make a change to U.S. policies.

An interfaith group under the umbrella of American Friends Service Committee, www.afsc.org/iowa, has brought together individuals from the Des Moines and Eastern Iowa areas to sponsor the conference, U.S. Policy in Palestine--Israel: Engaging the Faith Communities in Pursuit of a Just Peace, Oct. 14 & 15, at Our Lady of Immaculate Heart Church, 510 East First St., Ankeny.

The Presbytery’s Social Ministries Task Force is a contributor and member, the honorably retired Rev. Liz Knott, is one of the event planners and they have been planning for almost a year! There will be four plenaries and four tracks of workshops on various issues. Registration fee: $30 and includes three meals in the registration price. Friday and Saturday evening a Mediterranean meal will be served!

The keynote speakers will be spell binding!

• Phyllis Bennis of the Institute on Policy Studies and author of numerous books on the Middle East;
• Ali Abunimah, a first generation Palestinian-American and founder and executive director of the Electronic Intifada http://electronicintifada.net/diaries;
• Josh Ruebner of the U.S. Campaign to End The Occupationwww.endtheoccupation.org;
• Lynn Pollock of Jewish Voice for Peace www.JewishVoiceforPeace.org and
• Laila El-Haddad will have stories about the Gaza strip.

A complete program listing is available on the AFSC website.

Please encourage our Presbyterian members to come and learn. Brochures and registration materials are available from our Presbytery Office or go online to: www.afsc.org/document/palestine-israel-conference-iowa-october-2011 or www.afsc.org/story/iowans-focus-peace-palestine-israel

Mark Your 2010 Calendar: Lunch & Learn Series

The Des Moines Presbytery’s Lunch and Learn Series begins again January 21, 2010 and you’re invited to attend! From Noon – 1 p.m. we’ll offer our communications and educational series to congregations in our Presbytery. If you currently work at a church, either as a pastor, staff member, volunteer or lay leader join us for an informal discussion and information sharing time each month.

Normally, these are held in our office on the third Thursday of the month. And each month a topic has been identified around which the majority of the discussion will revolve. Participants are encouraged to bring questions, samples, and insights related to the topic. In addition, you’ll be able to network with others and share recent projects or accomplishments, or ask those “burning questions”.

For those who live far away, you can participate by Webconference and conference call with the proper computer and a separate phone line. Contact the office to receive the instruction document to see if this is an option for your church.

All lunch sessions are free. Just bring your brown bag lunch and we’ll provide the beverages. RSVPs are recommended, especially if you want to participate by Webconference, (A microwave and frig are available too.) Here are the 2010 Dates and Topics (the 3rd Thursday of the month, except April):

• January 21 – New Regulations for USPS Bulk Mailing, with Des Moines U.S. Postal Service staff member Reggie Bell, elder at Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church, Des Moines.
• February 18 – Christian Education Curriculum – What’s the P.O.I.N.T.? and Is Presbyterian Youth Triennium For You? with Des Moines Presbytery’s POINT Person Sara Lamb, Christian Education Director for First Presbyterian Church, Winterset.
• March 18 – Creative Worship Ideas, with Rev. Suzanne Gorhau, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Centerville.
• April 22 – Recap of Transformation Conference (April 16-17): Plugging in Without Shorting Out or interactive Web site ideas.
• May 20 – Guidelines for Emergency Planning: Everything from snow days to health emergencies.
• June 17 – Language Art Skills: Writing and composition of the important day-to-day messages at church and in the community.
• July 5-9 – Live videocast viewing of the 219th General Assembly in the comfort of our Presbytery’s office conference room.
• July 15 – Survivor Challenge: How to get inactive members to participate once again.
• August 19 – Involve Children and Adults in Mission Projects, with Des Moines Presbytery’s Hunger Action Enabler Nancy Lister-Settle of First Presbyterian Church, Dallas Center and Restoring Creation Enabler Susan Stroope of Central Presbyterian Church, Des Moines.
• September 16 – Stewardship Ideas – We don’t want to scare the people.
• October 21 – Help Wanted: Training of new session members and current elders, with Stated Clerk and General Presbyter Phil Barrett
• November 18 – New Year’s Resolutions: Meditation and Devotions to God. Ideas for designated prayer time for church staff and members.

What can we do to achieve peace? New Booklet Released this Summer

The booklet and DVD Steadfast Hope, The Palestinian Quest for Just Peace is being offered from the Israel Palestine Mission Network (IPMN). A 48-page, magnificently illustrated booklet challenges common myths and misperceptions about the origins of the Middle East conflict. This new resource offers a snapshot of the situation on the ground in Israel/Palestine and is a guide to the challenges that lie ahead in the quest for peace by Muslims, Jews and Christians.

Designed for individual use or as a one-, four- or seven-week church adult education series, it includes a free DVD with short, informative clips linked to the booklet content. Copies are $5 each for 20+ or $10 a single copy and are available online through the Presbyterian Marketplace, order item number 26466-09-001 (or call 800-524-2612). Or a single copy is available for check out at the Presbytery Office. Questions? Contact IPMN members the honorably retired Rev. Liz Knott and Connie DePond at 515-962-2088.