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.

Winter Youth Retreat has been Rescheduled!

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The Presbytery of Des Moines invites youth (grades 6-12) and leaders to a Winter Youth Retreat Feb. 5-6, 2010 at Union Park Presbyterian Church, 1307 Thompson Ave., Des Moines, IA 50316.

The Winter Youth Retreat will include group activities and social time for the youth starting Friday evening at 7 p.m. On Saturday, we’ll be tubing and sledding at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 4051 Dean Ave., Des Moines, IA 50317. Kids can be picked up at Sleepy Hollow at 2 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. Youth participants must have their parents signature on the liability release form in order to participate. Saturday’s breakfast and lunch are included.

Who will be there?
6th-12th graders, youth leaders and pastors, others by arrangement only.

When does it happen?
Friday, February 5th – 7 p.m. Registration
Saturday, February 6th – 2 p.m. Close

Where is it?
Union Park Presbyterian Church
1307 Thompson Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50316
515-266-4700

Don’t bring:
Valuables including: electronic devices, rollerblades, skateboards, personal stereos, alcohol or drugs.

Things to bring:

• Sleeping bag/Pillow


• Toiletries including toothbrush/toothpaste, etc.


• Coat/Hat/Gloves


• Snowpants/long underwear


• Flashlight


• A change of clothes or dress in layers


• Snacks/beverages to share


• Bible


• Registration/Permission Form


• Liability Release Wavier

Registration forms:
Participants must complete the registration/permission form and the liability release wavier prior to the event. These can be downloaded online. Send completed forms to:

Dennis Britson, Moderator
1110 E. 6th St. #12
Des Moines, IA 50316
515-988-1360

Scholarships are available!
A limited number of $15 scholarships are available on a first-come first-served basis. Please note on your registration form if you are in need.

Note to leaders…
If you are sending in registrations for a group, or are planning to bring registrations to the retreat, please let Dennis Britson know the number of participants so the proper quantity of materials can be ordered.

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Monroe Church Helps Warm Students

Through an interesting set of twists and turns, people from Monroe Presbyterian Church learned that the Mitchellville Elementary School has a rate of 60% of students on free and reduced lunch. This fall, Principal Joe Nelson sent out a notice asking if any child needed outerwear for the season. The response was amazing to the invitation to receive warm weather clothing. The distance from Monroe and Mitchellville is short, yet the knowledge of this need was news to the Monroe church members.

Monroe, with a population of about 1,800, and Mitchellville, with a population of 1,700, are approximately 20 miles apart. Both are within the bounds of Des Moines Presbytery and located less than 50 miles east of the city.

On Sunday, Dec. 13, the Sunday School kids did their annual Christmas program. It is a custom to receive a special offering during this service with the funds going to a family or a cause. This year the Christian Education Committee supported having the Mitchellville Elementary Clothing Fund as the recipient of our offering.

Principal Nelson presented a moment for mission on Sunday, Dec. 6 as a part of making the congregation aware of the need in this near-by community. In addition to the monetary offering, members and friends of the church gathered hats, scarves, mittens, other head gear as well as some coats and other warm weather gear.


On Friday morning, Dec. 18, the delivery of the items took place along with a check for just under $300 for the clothing fund. Principal Joe Nelson thanked us profusely for the gifts and told us an amazing fact, “By 3:30 p.m. today, all of these hats, scarves, and mittens will be gone. For some of these kids, this will be one of the few Christmas gifts they receive.” Nelson went on to explain they don’t have any storage for these winter items as there isn’t a need to store them. The items are immediately used.