LCMC in Iowa. District Council: Message Board: Inside this issue: Volume 4, Issue 4 Fourth Quarter, 2015

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1 Iowa District of LCMC in Iowa District Council: President - Doug Pooch pooch629@msn.com V. P. - Grace Lambert gracelambert@hotmail.com Treas. and Newsletter Ed. - Larry Kallem lkallem@iowatelecom.net Secretary - Lois Fevold sorenl@hotmail.com Volume 4, Issue 4 Fourth Quarter, 2015 Message Board: Come to Des Moines: The Iowa District Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, November 14 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waukee, a suburb of Des Moines. Enjoy inspirational fellowship and maybe some Christmas shopping while you re in the area. (More inside.) Director- Rev. Darryl Landsverk blcpd@wccta.net Director- Rev. Nathan Anenson Nathan@lccaltoona.org Director - Rev. Kirk Wilke kirkw@zionclearlake.org Inside this issue: Doug s Column 2 Faith Lutheran 2 Ayiti Hope 3 St. Mark s 4 Iowa District Annual Meeting 5 Lighter Side 6 Iowa District website Stories with pictures of your local events are sought. Send them to: lkallem@iowatelecom.net We re grateful for your support to cover expenses incurred in our programming for congregations in the District and for travel expenses for the Iowa District Council volunteers as they go about the District s business. Please send contributions to our treasurer: Larry Kallem, NW 158th Ave., Madrid, IA Make the check out to Iowa District, LCMC. Save the Date: LCMC s Annual Leadership Event will be held this coming April at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona, Iowa, another suburb of Des Moines. Title is Shift: Retooling Church. This event will be combined with our annual Iowa District Pastor s Conference normally held in February. Jesus is at work in His church, retooling us for God s mission to a plugged-in and over-booked world. Join us as we work together to discover three major shifts into which the Holy Spirit is inviting us: 1) from congregational-focused to kingdom-focused 2) from pastor-dependent to pastor-equipped 3) from consumer-making to disciple-making You can more information at this website: Save this Date too: Our 2016 National LCMC Youth Gathering is coming to Iowa as well next July 19-22! Theme is Called 2 Serve and the purpose is to strengthen the ministry of our local congregations. Location is Grand View University in Des Moines. This is for youth going into 9 th grade through 12 th (high school) and the cost will be $325 which includes meals, lodging, and wi-fi. We re expecting something like 800 participants (not just from Iowa). Selected by the voting delegates at this year's LCMC Annual Gathering in Texas, the fifteen winners of the Thrivent Financial Foundation Reformation Anniversary Grant Program include two entries from Iowa, Zion Lutheran in Clear Lake and Zion Lutheran in Des Moines. Congratulations to them!

NOTES from Doug Pooch, President of the Iowa District Council Have you ever wondered why seed companies put out test plots every year? The plots with lots of colorful signs of all shapes?

Dave and Mike Kalsem, Huxley, Iowa The Kalsem s plant a couple corn plots every season to compare what they are currently planting to promising new hybrids.

They have been doing it for a lot of years and I expect they will continue to search for better and better hybrids for their farms.

It s that continuous, relentless search for bettering ourselves that keeps us going to church every Sunday. It keeps us looking for more meaning and understanding of the true word of God.

Some will fail miserably but a few will be real winners and you ll know what to use next year. I invite you to attend the LCMC Iowa Annual Meeting November 14 and the Leadership Event next April.

Missions at Faith by Rebecca Simons Faith Lutheran Church, Spencer, Iowa This month at Faith Lutheran in Spencer, Iowa two of our missions kicked off their work for others.

As these beautiful shawls are worked on these women pray for the individual that receives this shawl.

2 NOTES from Doug Pooch, President of the Iowa District Council Have you ever wondered why seed companies put out test plots every year? The plots with lots of colorful signs of all shapes? Yes, farmer cooperators help plan, plant, harvest and then analyze the results. See picture here of one set of cooperators you might recognize? They could be from any county in Iowa. Dave and Mike Kalsem, Huxley, Iowa The Kalsem s plant a couple corn plots every season to compare what they are currently planting to promising new hybrids. They strive to plant the best available hybrids for their particular fields. It s not a one year thing! They have been doing it for a lot of years and I expect they will continue to search for better and better hybrids for their farms. Not everything they try works out, others work great and they plant the best on their farm next year. It s that continuous, relentless search for bettering ourselves that keeps us going to church every Sunday. It keeps us looking for more meaning and understanding of the true word of God. It what keeps us looking for ways for our church council and congregation to be more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission! I invite you to plant your own test plot. Try some new things. Some will fail miserably but a few will be real winners and you ll know what to use next year. I invite you to attend the LCMC Iowa Annual Meeting November 14 and the Leadership Event next April. You will find a real winner, but only if you plant the idea! Missions at Faith by Rebecca Simons Faith Lutheran Church, Spencer, Iowa This month at Faith Lutheran in Spencer, Iowa two of our missions kicked off their work for others. The first is the Loopy Ladies at Faith. They knit and crochet prayer shawls for those ill or grieving. As these beautiful shawls are worked on these women pray for the individual that receives this shawl. The ministry began in January, 2013 and to date have crocheted or knitted and given away 25 prayer shawls. They meet weekly to pray and work. In Faith s library is a jar that holds a piece of yarn from each shawl completed as a memory of this wonderful mission. Another mission group that geared up in October was those individuals that meet on mission day. They meet monthly to create quilts, school kits, personal kits and baby kits for places around the world that need these items. These men and women work diligently now until the kits and quilts are gathered to be sent to the central dispersal center for world relief. From 1 to 4 you can see individuals sewing school bags, tying quilt tops, organizing and counting items needed for the kits, while chatting and fellowshipping together. The items that are gathered for the kits are then set out after service before the kits are to be sent and the entire membership at Faith assist with the forming and tying and filling of the kits. It is a great time of fellowship as the kits come together. Then the Blessing of the Quilts and Kits takes place. The church is filled with color as the sanctuary has quilts of all colors draped across the pew chairs. There will be a huge pyramid of rolled kits during the worship

now also working with Harvest House Haiti, the mission of Judy Foster, missionary living in Haiti.

Following this the kits and quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief!

This is just one way we affirm God's love for all people. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Peace Church in Davenport, IA, began work in Haiti in 2000 in the small village of Bonodo.

support in the form of a feeding program, school supplies, uniforms and special programs for bible training and aid to families in the form of food, bibles, fruit trees and

This Village within a village will be home for children with disabilities, where they can receive care and rehabilitation.

3 now also working with Harvest House Haiti, the mission of Judy Foster, missionary living in Haiti. Judy works hand in hand with us on our mission to Medical Clinic Bonodo, and we are working hand in hand with her in her mission work in south Haiti. service. Following this the kits and quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief! So as these men and women begin their missions of love it is just another way to be thankful for our blessings this time of the year. This is just one way we affirm God's love for all people. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Ayiti Hope: Working Together, Hand in Hand By Deb Stockdale Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa Ayiti Hope, the Haiti mission of Community of Hope Prince of Peace Church in Davenport, IA, began work in Haiti in 2000 in the small village of Bonodo. We worked hand in hand with the people of the small village of Bonodo in the south of Haiti, working on the church building, on health promotion and finally with school support in the form of a feeding program, school supplies, uniforms and special programs for bible training and aid to families in the form of food, bibles, fruit trees and seeds. Today, God has expanded our territory, and we are Food to Bonodo for School Our primary focus today is the Children s Village in St. George, Haiti. This Village within a village will be home for children with disabilities, where they can receive care and rehabilitation. Buildings are up, and supplies coming in, but a new issue has arisen in the last few years. The beach that this property sits on is eroding significantly, im- peding the plan to build a more secure fence. We need to raise in the vicinity of $25,000 to reinforce Bonodo church in progress the shoreline so that no more ground is lost. This A view of the beach before with fence line is imperative, as the security of the property is at risk until the fence is up, so it needs to be done as soon as possible. Children s Village put in a well that is used by the community, and will develop agriculture to provide jobs and fresh food to the area. There is no market

A view of the beach now with fence line place in St. George, so travel is required to obtain fresh vegetables.

We are committed to helping without hurting, so this agricultural plan fits right into development in St. George.

provided without handouts. Being a real part of the community is also important to the safety and success of the Children s Village, so working Hand in Hand is vital.

Please prayerfully consider supporting Ayiti Hope and Harvest House Haiti, especially as we endeavor to secure a home for children in need. www.ayitihope.org www.harvesthousehaiti.

4 A view of the beach now with fence line place in St. George, so travel is required to obtain fresh vegetables. The high tunnel and greenhouse planned for Children's Village will also supply fresh vegetables that are always in short supply in Haiti, so there is already a market for them. We are committed to helping without hurting, so this agricultural plan fits right into development in St. George. People in the area will work in the high tunnel and greenhouse and will be able to sell what they grow as their income, so the cost to the ministry is just for installation and upkeep, and jobs are provided without handouts. Being a real part of the community is also important to the safety and success of the Children s Village, so working Hand in Hand is vital. Working hand in hand is what the community of Christ is all about. As the church, God calls us into mission with Him, and we are to join him where we see Him working. Please prayerfully consider supporting Ayiti Hope and Harvest House Haiti, especially as we endeavor to secure a home for children in need. Making It a Beautiful Day by Donna Lunstrum St. Mark s Lutheran Church, Marion, Iowa St. Mark's Lutheran Church s sixth annual "Beautiful Day" was Saturday, October 10. Beautiful Day, at its core, is an opportunity to show others the compassion God has for us through Christ. It was indeed a "Beautiful [fall] Day" when people gathered at Mission of Hope for a meal and fellowship. And to "Love one another...by this everyone will know that you are my disciples." (John 13:34-35) With sweat and smiles, sometimes dusty or paintstained clothes and achy joints, that is what Beautiful Day volunteers do. This year about 200 members of St. Mark s partnered with members of Relevant Life Ministries at Mission of Hope, an organization in northeast Ce- This group did demolition work at a house that will become a women's shelter for Mission of Hope in Cedar Rapids. dar Rapids that helps the homeless and the surrounding neighborhood, to make it a Beautiful Day. There was an intentional emphasis on building relationships while serving. Bounce houses and the aroma of burgers and hot dogs on the grill drew kids and families from the neighborhood to an outdoor meal and fun at Mission of Hope. While some volunteers prepared and served the

meal, did face painting, and enjoyed beginning friendships with those who came, other volunteers cleaned up a neighborhood park and streets and alleys in the area, organized a clothes closet and

Iowa District Annual Meeting Saturday, November 14 Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waukee (Des Moines) 9:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. This family helped to clean up a neighborhood park.

Groups served at Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center and Mission of Hope, delivered breakfast to a Marion fire station, picked up litter on several trails in the area, and organized a clothing

Beautiful Day was a wonderful day of service and fellowship and the continuation of relationshipbuilding among those served by Mission of Hope, the members of Relevant Life, and St. Mark s!

Keynote Speaker is Per Nilsen Per Nilsen is the Lead Pastor of Community of Hope, a LCMC church in Rosemount, MN.

5 meal, did face painting, and enjoyed beginning friendships with those who came, other volunteers cleaned up a neighborhood park and streets and alleys in the area, organized a clothes closet and food pantry, or did demolition at a nearby house that Mission of Hope is converting to a women s shelter. Iowa District Annual Meeting Saturday, November 14 Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waukee (Des Moines) 9:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. This family helped to clean up a neighborhood park. Additionally, middle school and high school youth from St. Mark s did a variety of service projects around the city. Groups served at Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center and Mission of Hope, delivered breakfast to a Marion fire station, picked up litter on several trails in the area, and organized a clothing drive for several local organizations. Beautiful Day was a wonderful day of service and fellowship and the continuation of relationshipbuilding among those served by Mission of Hope, the members of Relevant Life, and St. Mark s! Join us as we explore the IDENTITY we have as Lutheran Christians and how that shapes our ACTIVITY of joining God in His mission. Keynote Speaker is Per Nilsen Per Nilsen is the Lead Pastor of Community of Hope, a LCMC church in Rosemount, MN. He is also President of The Master s Institute, helping to train the heads, hearts, and hands of a new generation of pastors and leaders. Per is passionate about leading people into discipleship and mission in the 21st Century. Per has been married to his high school sweetheart, Mary, for 27 years. Together they have raised two children, Bjorn and Kristian. Who is this event for? Everyone! Pastors, staff, council members, congregation members anyone who wants a great training experience and connection with fellow believers. Registration Registration is $10/person, payable at the door, and includes all sessions and lunch. No preregistration is required. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. (More on next page)

Agenda: 8:30 Registration, coffee, view exhibits, renew acquaintances and make new friends 9:30 Worship with Communion in Sanctuary 10:30 break to visit exhibitors 10:45 Keynote speaker Noon Lunch

6 Agenda: 8:30 Registration, coffee, view exhibits, renew acquaintances and make new friends 9:30 Worship with Communion in Sanctuary 10:30 break to visit exhibitors 10:45 Keynote speaker Noon Lunch 1:00 Hymn sing in Sanctuary 1:20 Iowa District Business Meeting* 2:00 Keynote speaker part 2 3:15 Closing Exhibitors: American Church Group, Blessman Ministries, Riverside Bible Camp, Lutherans For Life, The Masters Institute, Beyond The River Academy, Women of the Word (WOW), Lutheran Men, the Institute of Lutheran Theology, Pastor Gakunzi Ntwari of Zion Lutheran Church in Des Moines for Mercy Orphanage Mission in the Congo, and perhaps more. *Business Meeting: During our Annual Meeting we will actually have a short business meeting! Agenda includes: 1. Treasurer and Secretary reports 2. Presidents report 3. Report on Pastor Duggi visit 4. Special announcement on support of the Leadership Event in April at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Altoona 5. Election of Council members -- We have two terms ending for which the incum bents are available for a second term, Pastor Nathan Anenson and Pastor Darryl Landsverk. If you have an interest in adding your name to the nominee list, please send e mail to me at : pooch629@msn.com Thanks and see you there, Doug Pooch, President

Congregational Profile for Waukee Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Congregational Profile for Waukee Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 29043 T Avenue (One Mile West of Waukee on Highway 6) Waukee, Iowa 50263 (515) 987-4937 www.waukeechristianchurch.com Welcome from