August Presbytery Meeting to Highlight Madagascar Mission

Madagascar is an island nation off the east coast of Africa with one of the lowest per capita income in the world. HIV-AIDS, malaria, and clean water are also big problems in this country which is about 60% Christian. Since March and April 2009, there has been a political coup d’etat in which the elected president has been deposed and the military has supported Andry Rajoelina. The Constitution, the parliament and the courts were suspended. As of right now, August 8, 2009, he and the toppled president, Marc Ravalomanana, are meeting together for discussions. Please pray for a resolution of this crisis and for restoration of human rights.

The PC(USA) partner church is the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar. Working with the church in environmental and health projects are Dan and Elizabeth Turk. Dan is working with farmers to establish fruit orchards for nutrition as well as income. They work in HIV-AIDS education, malaria and have helped establish about 30 village wells. Read the Turk's latest blog, in which they say they are safe and ask for prayers that the church find ways to sustain its vital ministries with creativity and optimism in the middle of this current turmoil.

At the August 15 Presbytery meeting we will welcome Edmund Razafimanantsoa, ordained minister of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, to lead us in further study of the situation in Madagascar. He has been studying at Fuller Theological Seminary and will return to Madagascar upon completion of his studies.

“Remember, Rejoice, Renew”

Johnston, Iowa – The next Presbytery of Des Moines meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at the St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 6426 Merle Hay Road in Johnston. Registration is from 1-2 p.m., with the meeting to convene at 2 p.m. Dinner will be at 5 p.m. followed by worship and a special 165th anniversary celebration at 6 p.m. To make a reservation for the meal, contact St. Paul's office at 515-276-2818.

For more information, contact Betty Dyer at the Presbytery of Des Moines office at 515-276-4991. Or go online to learn more about the Presbytery of Des Moines.

Located in the heart of Iowa, the Presbytery of Des Moines spans the state from Sigourney in the east to Atlantic in the west, and from Perry south to the Iowa-Missouri border. Rolling hills, rich farmland, welcoming small towns and bustling cities define the region, known nationwide for its extensive agribusiness and insurance industries, quality education, and honest, hard-working residents. Concerts, museums, sporting events, bike trails, and more than a dozen institutions of higher learning all serve to enhance the quality of life in south central Iowa.

At the crossroads of two major interstate highways, I-35 and I-80, the presbytery office is located in Iowa's capital city of Des Moines, facilitating travel to the presbytery's 64 churches. Ranging in size from 20 members to 1,400 members, the congregations combined represent a total of 10,000 Presbyterians. The Des Moines Presbytery, offers unique opprotunities for leadership and fellowship found in the heart of Iowa.

Upcoming Presbytery Meeting Time Changes

The next Presbytery meeting is only a month away and is schedule for Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at the St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 6426 Merle Hay Road in Johnston and will feature a celebration for the 165th Anniversary of the Presbytery of Des Moines. The theme of our special day is “Remember, Rejoice, Renew”.

The November Presbytery Meeting Time has Changed
This week our Coordinating Council has voted to change the meeting time from 9:30-3:30 p.m. to 2:00-8:00 p.m. for this special day. It is the Council member's hope to make this a meaningful experience more accessible to all members of the Presbytery who normally cannot make a weekday stated meeting. The evening time will be saved for a special celebration and worship service for all who can attend. This includes a joint-choir from the 64 churches in our presbytery. If you are interested or have members of your church choir who can participating in this Presbytery-wide choir, contact Coordinator Emily Seeger at seeger@q.com or 712-243-4519.

Don't Forget to send in your Church History
All congregations have been requested to submit a one-page synopsis of their church history or an anecdote about the congregation and their ministry in the past 165 years. Those churches which have missed the deadline, still have time to turn their history into the Presbytery office by October 17. A printed booklet will be available at the November Presbytery meeting for all churches as a keepsake. Currently, we're missing the following church histories: Allerton, United; Bedford, United; Brooklyn, First; Centerville, First; Clive, Heartland; Deep River, United; Des Moines, Fort Des Moines; Des Moines, Westminster; Diagonal, United; Johnston, St. Paul; Lenox, United; Malcom, First United; Monroe; Montezuma, First United; New Sharon, First; Ottumwa, East End; Ottumwa, Westminster; Pitzer, United; Sharpsburg; and Sigourney, First.

Meeting Materials will soon be Available Online
Watch the Web site for details of the event and meeting materials. Look for the "Mark Your Calendar!" box in the upper right hand corner. Links to the August Minutes and The Call will soon be available to read, download or print. You may download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

NOTE: Churches are now responsible for getting the documents printed for their Commissioners and Pastors, unless they don't have access to the Internet. If you are unable to print the download or do not have access to the internet, please contact the Presbytery office immediately to receive a printed copy before the meeting.