THE CHURCHMOUSE. 2. What is important to us? Values 3. Who is God calling us to be and to do? Mission 4. What is God s plan for our future?

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1 To the Flock... THE CHURCHMOUSE Windsor Presbyterian Church April 2017 Recently, a visitor to our church remarked to me, The Holy Spirit is so evident all around this church. She went on excitedly to tell how she sensed the Spirit in our worship, our music and in our people, blowing all around and sending people out in the spirit. A few minutes later, in a different conversation, another first-time visitor marveled that the good news of Jesus Christ was so clearly spoken about and lived in our church. The Spirit is clearly working in and amongst us. As your pastor, I experience uncontainable joy in watching the Spirit work in this community and in your lives. As I watch, I see evidence (some baby steps and some giant steps) of members of our faith family asking great questions, engaging God s word, deepening their prayer lives, forming significant relationships, serving others, and connecting with and experiencing God s presence in their lives. This is an exciting and spirit-filled time to be at WPC. It is beginning to feel like we have some wind in our sails. And that is a good thing because we have work ahead of us and decisions to be made. In the fall, the church leadership decided to undertake visioning and planning exercises in order to help us best determine the God s plan for WPC s future mission and ministries. We are calling these our Holy Conversations. Some of us feel great urgency to complete these conversations so that we can make the important decisions about our future. Questions we are asking: 1. Where have we been? WPC History 2. What is important to us? Values 3. Who is God calling us to be and to do? Mission 4. What is God s plan for our future? Vision 5. How does God want us to get there? Master( s) Plan In our first Holy Conversation (Nov. 2016) we looked at how God has been with this congregation for almost a century. Don Beeson has continued to gather information and is compiling a WPC history. In January, we had our second Holy Conversation where we asked questions about when the congregation has been at its best, what is important to us, who God might be calling us to serve and where the Holy Spirit is leading us. It was a hopeful and spirit-filled conversation. On March 26, we will meet with Don Elly who will lead us in discovering our place in God s story and thinking about God s plans for the congregation. There will be follow-up conversations with Don on April 9 following worship. After Easter, we will recruit a team to distill the most important learnings, discern where God is leading and articulate goals and a plan for our future. By celebrating our history, claiming our identity, identifying God s mission for our congregation, we hope to be able to plan for our future. In this way, we are best prepared to make wise decisions for our congregation s future, including the sale of our rental properties and the acreage. In the meantime, we are moving forward to purchase properties for more convenient parking (Dec congregational vote). The purchase will require interim financing until we have made a decision about selling our properties. Please keep asking questions. We need the wisdom of the community to make these important decisions about the congregation s future.

2 Learning & Serving - Linda Newsom Learning Team CALLING CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF MANY TALENTS: As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem and as we follow his path from Palm Sunday to Easter, we want our worship to be as special as the season. Natalie Steenson has fun plans for our children and youth to be an extra-special part of worship during Palm Sunday and Easter by incorporating movement and music. It will require lots of folks and a little coordination and practice. Our first rehearsal will be right after worship on Sunday, March 26, and also on Sundays, April 2 and April 9, for additional practices. This will be a fun, creative time together, so please join us. During April in Sunday School for Children and Youth we will learn about the Easter story and the events that followed. We start with Christ s healing of the blind man and his dinner with Zacchaeus. Palm Sunday, April 9, is the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, followed by Easter Sunday, April 16, when we will discuss the true meaning of Easter. Kids be prepared for a short Easter egg hunt on the church lawn following worship! On April 23 we will study the story of the road to Emmaus, and on April 30 Stephen s witness. Adult Sunday School meets every Sunday in fellowship hall at 9 AM. WOW on March 15 On Wednesday evenings, WOW (Windsor on Wednesday) is studying the Holy Spirit, and yes, we ARE having spirited conversations! Come at 5:15 for a light supper with study to begin at 6 PM. If you can t be there for dinner, come anytime before 7 PM when we break for choir practice. Serving Team The April Children and Families Urban Movement (CFUM) dinner is Tuesday, April 11. If you are able to help, we need food preparation help beginning at noon the day of the dinner, and donations of milk, desserts, fresh vegetables, and cash to buy groceries. We also need willing hands of at least six volunteers to help deliver and serve the Next CFUM Dinners: April 11 May 4 meal at 4:30 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church, th St. All are welcome to help. We appreciate your time and donations. If you can t make it this time, the next dinner is on the calendar for Thursday, May 4. Especially in this month of Easter, let us be mindful of being the hands and feet of our crucified Lord in serving others. Let s be the church together. The ChurchMouse Page 2

3 Membership & Fellowship - Sue Cooper On February 29 WPC welcomed 10 new members. To get to know each other better, we are featuring these three new members: Steve Pope is a small-town guy at heart, who doesn't do change very well, but has learned, as we all have, to adapt. His work as a photographer and newspaper owner is, in many ways, his hobby, too! After getting a camera for his 10th birthday and pretty much having a camera of some sort in his hand for the next 50 years has been a lot like living a dream. Steve has been truly blessed in so many ways in his life that at times, when he looks back as he rapidly approach 60, it seems very surreal at times! That leads him back to Windsor. After hanging out at the church on and off for a long time, married here 27 years ago this coming June 16, things just happened, and the moon and the stars lined up and here we are! Steve says it feels very much like home and it's good to be back. Gloria Ashby was born and raised in a small town in northeast Iowa. After graduating from high school, she worked for 5 years in a nursing home in Fayette. She was very active in the Presbyterian church in Wadena, teaching bible and Sunday school. In 1977 she got married and moved to Des Moines. She was looking for a church family and saw WPC and thought she would attend. The first time she attended everyone was so nice and friendly. She felt right at home and became a member on February 29. Mary Willson was born and raised on a farm in a small town in north central Iowa. Soon after graduating from Hampton High School, she moved to Des Moines and attended DMACC, receiving an Associate of Arts degree. After 1980 she worked several jobs in group homes and nursing facilities. She went on to Grandview College and received a BA in Human Services. She always knew she wanted to work with people. She has a daughter, Alicia, who lives in Des Moines and works as a pharmacy tech for Walgreens. Mary has always been involved in church, taught Sunday school and bible school and sang in the choir. The first time she attended WPC she remembers being greeted by Glenna and Ron Grohe. They made her feel welcomed and other members were friendly and nonjudgmental. She knew this was the church family for her. She had been missing something from her life spiritually, so on February 29 she joined WPC. She is looking forward to being a part of the church family and getting more involved April Birthdays Ter Kuel Rod Enochs Charlie Williams Sean McCubbin Savannah Carlson Kenzie Bungert Kani Mukhtar Leon Sanderson Anniversaries 22 Jim & Georgia Burnes (Let the office know if we are missing your birthday or anniversary.) Prayer Concerns (To add or remove a prayer concern, please contact the church office.) Recent Prayer Needs: Family of Jim Pomeroy, Family of Milford Behrens (Jim s father), Steve Pope Continuing Prayers: Michael Aksamit, Phyllis Barton, Jim & Georgia Burnes, Jean Carlston, Dick Cox, Glenna Grohe, Dewey Heaton, Duncan Leitch, Norma McWilliams, Virginia Nichols, Wanda Ori, Ross & Peggy Paschall, Anne & Cliff Scholten, and Marylu Zimmerman Friends of the Church: Ryan Anderson (great nephew of Phyllis Barton), Bob Baker (friend of Barb Pomeroy), Katlyn Brouwer (Michael Aksamit s friend), Rev. Bill & Vickie Brown, Will Cox, Darrel Cox, Donna Eckham, Gisma (Esther Chol s cousin), Linda Hohertz (sister of Dick Cox), David Leitch (Duncan s son), Charlotte Nelson, Joni Soule (friend of Sue Cooper), Sara Stimac (cousin of Brenda Enochs), Kelly Ray, Jasper, & Quincy (friends of the Kings), Lin Ward (Laura s sister) The ChurchMouse Page 3

4 Music & Worship - JoAnn Seeman Mark your calendar for Holy Week: Sunday, April 9 Palm Sunday worship at 10:30 AM Thursday, April 13 Maundy Thursday supper & worship service at 6 PM Sunday, April 16 Easter worship at 10:30 AM Please join us for WOW! Each Wednesday, dinner and fellowship start at 5:15 p.m. followed by a study lesson at 6:00. Then stay for choir rehearsal at 7:00! We are assembling a Sound Team to discuss ways to improve the acoustics and sound system in the sanctuary. We will schedule a meeting soon. If you're interesting in participating, please talk with JoAnn. Please sign up to help with communion during The sign up sheet is in Ward Hall. We need people to: Prepare & Clean Up: Bring bread. Wrap bread in napkins and place on plate. Pour juice into carafe and select cups. After worship, wash the communion serving dishes (plate, carafe and cups) and put away. Anyone can do this! You do not have to be ordained as an Elder or Deacon. Serve: Help Pastor Shamaine serve communion during the worship service, by serving either bread or juice. You must be an ordained Presbyterian Elder or Deacon to serve communion, but you do not have to be serving a current term. A Wedding in the Church Family On Sunday morning, May 7, Elaine Hites and Max Bridgewater will be married in our worship service. Please join us and celebrate as they join their lives together! Palm Sunday, April 9 On Palm Sunday, April 9, there will be a procession, led by a donkey, starting at Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove, at 3:00 PM. It will be followed by a prayer service for peace at First Christian Church, 2500 University Avenue, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke in The prayer service will include a reenactment of Dr. King's sermon delivered at Riverside Church 50 years ago in April by award-winning local actor, Aaron Smith. The call of the service will be to end racism, militarism and materialism, to recommit ourselves to the cause of peace and to move toward what Dr. King called the Beloved Community. Sponsored by the Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace. Ordination of Elders and Deacons on March 12 Page 4 April 2017

5 Finance, Personnel & Stewardship - Ron Grohe The Operating Fund had a net loss of $1,000 for February. Total Operating Income ($14,119) was $2,000 over the budget as General Contributions were $400 over budget, due to money received from the Presbytery meeting for CROSS Ministries. Miscellaneous Income was $200 under budget. Total Expenses ($15,164) were $3,000 over budget. Two large items of Maintenance and Repair were paid for during the month. They totaled over $3,000. One was for floor refinishing and the other was for repair of the dishwasher. Each was paid for by specific contributions by individual members. The Capital Fund had a net gain of $1,200 for the month. Total Income was $300 over budget and Total Expenses were $900 under budget. A contribution of $500 for Local Mission will be split between Trinity Methodist (CFUM program), $250, and HOME, Inc, $250. During February, a total of $420 was collected during the Presbytery meeting and the following day at Windsor, which was donated to CROSS Ministries as previously agreed upon. In March, $135 was collected at the Ash Wednesday supper, which was given to the CFUM program. Financial Report 2017 February Month Budget Year to Date Actual Year to Date Budget General Contributions 9, , , , Operating Income 4, , , , Operating Expenses 15, , , , Net Gain (Loss) (1,045.54) Capital Income 4, , , , Capital Expenses 3, , , , Net Gain (Loss) 1, , th Year Celebration Although Windsor Presbyterian Church is only 95 years old this coming November, Pastor King has asked that I compile a history of our church that we could share and enjoy now and have available to those who will be celebrating five years from now. Currently we are looking in all the nooks and crannies, closets and files, for items of interest, pictures, newspaper articles, and especially members recollections of their experiences. Windsor Church has had a very active and challenging history, including numerous construction projects, such as those in the beginning as a basement church in 1922, a sanctuary in 1948, and additions in 1952 and But it s not about buildings and financing; more important are the stories of the congregation, pastors, community service and mission outreach. Windsor Church was established 25 years before the City of Windsor Heights was incorporated. Our church was the community building for Council meetings, fire department meetings, voting station for elections, and meeting space for numerous civic organizations when there were no other facilities available. We have a great story to tell and hopefully you can help by sharing yours with us as we put our history together. Your thoughts, suggestions and stories are most appreciated. Just give me a call. Thank you! ~ Don Beeson Page 5 April 2017

6 Building & Grounds - Rod Enochs & Don Beeson The B&G Committee met Friday, March 11, with all members present. This was especially important as there were several major discussions regarding roofing repairs over East Hall, and our potential purchase of two properties north of our church. Leon Sanderson discussed the deterioration of roofing with Hedberg and Sons Roofers, who indicated a need to do a temporary fix at this time and to explore a full reroofing in the near future. In essence the roof membrane is shrinking and pulling flashing and roofing upward and exposing the under-structure of the roof. The Committee recommended having the temporary repairs made with the expectation of securing several competitive bids for a full repair later this year. Ron Grohe reported on his activities to secure written agreements from the current owners who have previously indicated a willingness to sell their properties. WPC Session had previously agreed that a line of credit should be arranged, and Ron had been in discussion with financial institutions for that purpose. The Committee also reviewed plans for the March 18 Saturday workday projects to be accomplished in and around the outside of our building. It was a perfect beginning when 17 members of the congregation arrived. It s amazing how a couple dozen doughnuts and a pot or two of coffee improves the work process! Storage closets were rearranged and reorganized, all interior wood doors and railings were cleaned, furnace filters and soiled ceiling tiles were changed, light bulbs replaced, pew cushions vacuumed, sidewalk cracks filled, and leaves and debris around the outside removed; all this and more was accomplished. Our thanks to all who made it happen. Currently the Committee is looking ahead to repair or replace the drinking fountain in the main hallway, which was installed in It has not been operable lately imagine that after 40 years! We also expect to replace several sections of uneven sidewalk on the east side of the building that might cause problems to members or visitors. There is consensus that our facilities are in very good condition, other than those items mentioned, and we have received very favorable feedback from attendees of the Presbytery, as well as other groups who use our facilities on a regular basis. Serving Schedule Ushers Worship Assistant Coffee Host April 2 Don Beeson Bill Bishop Sue Cooper Ann Beeson Clerk of Session April 9 Palm Sunday April 16 Easter April 23 Sue Cooper Bob & Nancy Snyder Elaine Hites Angie King Angie King Duties: attend and take minutes at monthly session meetings take minutes at congregational meetings keep membership lists current prepare and attend an annual records review need to be an elder, not currently serving on session word processing skills needed Training available April 30 Max Bridgewater Elaine Hites A huge thanks to Dwight Tomes, who has served as Clerk of Session for almost 10 years! Page 6 April 2017

7 ... and More Calling Youth for Summer Camping! The Heartland Presbyterian Center presents The Midwest Conference on June This camp is open to middle and high school youth. Cost is $495 per person. The keynote speaker will be Rodger Nish ioka. Rodger taught at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta for 15 years, specializing in youth and young adult ministry. Beth Mueller will lead the worship music. Beth led music at the 2016 Triennium Conference and other youth conferences. There will be continuing education classes, taught by Youth Ministry Institute Midwest, along with time for rest and Sabbath. Why the Midwest Conference? A week spent building intentional Christian community within your youth group High energy keynote speakers and worship services Engaging camp activities like horse rides, archery, swimming, and rock climbing Awesome large group rec, including night games Dynamic small group Bible studies led by trained staff Pastor Shamaine would love to share details with you! WOW Talent Show The last Windsor on Wednesday (WOW) will be on April 26 and you know what that means? A TALENT EX- TRAVAGANZA! If you or any of your family has a secret (or not so secret) talent, please share with your Windsor family! We will have a potluck supper at 5:15 PM and at 6 PM the fun will begin! Time to polish your skits, visual art, dances, harmonica playing, magic tricks, acrobatics, lip-synching, hula hooping, ventriloquism. Play the piano, sing a song, dance, tell jokes, twirl the baton, clown around, read poetry (your own or someone else s), tell a story, it doesn t matter. Show us your stuff! Adoring fans are needed to cheer on the performers. Whatever your skill, sign up on the Talent Show sheet on the table in Fellowship Hall and let s have a fun, inspiring evening. Blue Hymnals Available We recently replaced our blue hymnals with our new Glory to God hymnals. The old blue hymnals are free for the taking for anyone who would like one. Please take one if you are interested. DMARC Food Pantry Network Since 2013, the Douglas M. Woods Challenge Hunger Campaign has been matching gifts to the DMARC Food Pantry Network 50 cents to the dollar. This March and April, your gift has extra impact. During the Challenge, a $10 gift will help DMARC provide 25 meals. Donate online at dmarcunited.org/donate and select 'Challenge Hunger' from the drop down selection or mail your check, with 'Challenge Hunger' in the memo line, to the DMARC office. Joy is the sound of love, the color of gratitude, and the song of hope. ~ Mary Davis Page 7 April 2017

8 WPC in Photos Ash Wednesday Joint Soup Supper and Worship with WUMC Thanks to Dwight Tomes for our photos. Page 8 April 2017

9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday April 2017 Regular Sunday Schedule: 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Children & Youth Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship Fellowship 2:00 PM Orthodox Church :45 Children & Youth Easter practice 4:00 PM Bible Study (Library) 9:30 Bible Study 10:30 Drop In 5:15 WOW 6:00 Class 7:00 Choir Iowa Interfaith Exchange Drake University 9AM 6PM Just Faith Retreat Don Elly Preaching Holy Conversation 11:45 Children & Youth Easter practice Deacons Check-In 9:30 Bible Study CFUM Dinner 11:00 5:15 WOW 6:00 Class 7:00 PM Choir Maundy Thursday 6:00 Supper And Worship Food Pantry Sunday 8:30 Churchmouse Deadline 5:15 WOW 6:00 Class 7:00 PM Choir 9:30 Bible Study 10:30 Drop In Holy Humor 30 Sunday 4:00 PM Bible Study (Library) 9:30 Bible Study 12:00 WUMC AA Group 10:30 Drop In 7:00 WUMC AA Group 12:00 WUMC AA Group 5:15 WOW Potluck and Talent Show? Coming in May 12:00 WUMC AA Group Scrapbooking 5/4 Tue. CFUM Dinner 5/7 Max & Elaine s Wedding Page 9 April 2017

10 Windsor Presbyterian Church Return Service Requested 6301 University Avenue Windsor Heights, IA Phone: Fax: We re on the Web! It is the mission of Windsor Presbyterian Church to be a warm, supporting family for worshiping God, learning and practicing Christ s teachings, and sharing Christ s good news with others. Like us on Facebook! Staff Shamaine Chambers King, Pastor Ann McGowan, Administrative Assistant Natalie Steenson, Director of Music & Arts Ministries Jim Behrens, Organist Deb Hibbert, Accountant Duda Plavulj, Custodian Mae & Stella Murphy, Children s Ministries Session Rod Enochs (2018), Buildings & Grounds co-chair Ron Grohe (2018), Finance, Personnel & Stewardship Sue Cooper (2019), Membership & Fellowship Randi Perez (2019), Communication & Technology Linda Newsom (2020), Learning & Serving JoAnn Seeman (2020), Music & Worship Dwight Tomes, Clerk of Session Deacons Donna Dickerson (2018) Curt Weatherby (2018) Cindy Ray (2019) Laura Ward (2019) Ann Beeson (2020) Beth Schmitz (2020), Secretary 4/2 4/9 Palm Sunday 4/13 Maundy Thursday 4/16 Easter Sunday 4/23 Holy Humor 4/30 Worship in April Luke 18:31-19:10 Zacchaeus Luke 19:29-44 Triumphal Entry Luke Last Supper & Crucifixion Luke 24:1-12 Resurrection Luke 24:13-35 Emmaus Road Acts 6:1-7:2, Stephen s Witness