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 Waukee Christian Church We are a church that seeks to be a congregation of meaningful worship as we commit our members to mission in the name of Jesus Christ. Our mission statement states that we the congregation of Waukee Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. We are people who seek to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. We seek to reach out to others through our involvement in Worship, Christian Education, Outreach, Stewardship, and Evangelism. Waukee Christian Church has a long heritage in the Disciples of Christ denomination and the Waukee community. Some of the original founding fathers descendants are still members. Like any other church, we have seen membership ebb and flow, but there is always a core group that remains true to this church and its mission. Our members have supported many outreach projects over the years, both local and worldwide. For example, we have supported Operation Christmas Child by providing 225 boxes in 2010 and 169 in 2012. In recent years Vacation Bible School funded animals through Heifer International and mosquito nets for Mali. We support the Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry with a sustaining monetary pledge, food donations, and volunteer workers. We also support the Waukee Area Free Medical Clinic with volunteer workers. Realizing that most churches are friendly and inviting, we encourage people to engage themselves at Waukee Christian Church in child, youth, and adult ministries. We are warm and caring congregation with tremendous potential. We are located in a growing community minutes away from a major metropolitan area and has potential for growth. There are many opportunities to start new ministries and improve existing ones. We are looking for a pastor that will inspire us to answer the Christ s call and make this church come alive again. Our Current Pastor Our current pastor, Larry Squier has served us for sixteen years and has been in the ministry for 40 years. Pastor Squier is retiring in October 2012. Search Committee The Pastor Search Committee was formed in the spring of 2012. It is comprised of the following members: Shari Burgus is chairperson of the Search Committee. She has been a member of Waukee Christian Church for over ten years, holding several leadership roles throughout this time period. Shari has been an Elder and Elder chair for three years. She was the board secretary and now serves as the board vice chairperson. Next year she will be the board chairperson. She has sung in the choir, is a member of the Women of Waukee Christian Church (WOW) group, and attended adult Bible classes. Professionally, she is the education director for a non-profit organization promoting childhood injury prevention located in Urbandale. George Risinger, George and his wife Marlene have been members of Waukee Christian Church since moving to Waukee in September of 1990. He has held various leadership 2 September 1, 2012
positions in the church including serving as an elder, board chairperson, chairperson of several different standing committees, and youth group leader. He is currently an Elder and a Sunday school teacher for the junior high age group. George works in the claims department for an insurance company in West Des Moines. Kyle Brock works as a product director for Farm Bureau Financial Services in West Des Moines, Iowa. He moved to Waukee from Topeka, Kansas, with his wife, Vonda and two children, Victoria, age 14 and Justus, age 12. Soon after moving to Waukee, his family was drawn to the Waukee Christian Church where they enjoy an active and supportive church family that nurtures their relationship with God. Kyle previously served on numerous board positions. Kyle currently plays guitar in the praise band. Linda Foltz has been a member of Waukee Christian Church for nearly 30 years and lived in the Waukee community nearly as long. She works for an area electronic funds transfer network as a communications specialist. She has served in many board and committee positions in the church, is a member of WOW, chairperson of the music committee, and sings in the praise band. Duane Sindt is long-time community and congregation member. Duane is retired professionally but is active in the church helping to keep the building and property maintained is an active participant in the congregation. Our Facility Waukee Christian Church as been part of the Waukee community since 1895. The church has been at its present location for 14 years. Historical events in our congregation s life: 1895 Held first meeting of 27 church members at Spencer Smith s Opera House 1902 Built church at a cost of $2000 1930 s Kept church doors open when several members paid the minister out of their own pocket 1940 1968 Served as a charge for Des Moines Drake University Divinity School students, creating a pattern of replacing pastors every 4 5 years 1980 s Raised funds to build current church on land donated by direct descendents of church founders (during an interim pastor s ministry) 1990 Moved to present location 1995 Celebrated 100-year anniversary 2000 Hired first full-time youth director 2001 Paid off church mortgage We have 275 members and average 60 at worship services in 2012. Our Staff Our staff currently consists of the following paid positions: Pastor Larry Squier, Senior Minister Eileen Gralewsky, Administrative Assistant Gena Pierce, Contemporary Music Directory Ruth Sindt, Organist and Choir Accompanist 3 September 1, 2012
Ministries and Programs The worship service at Waukee Christian Church is on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. The celebration service has both contemporary and traditional music. Each service contains a children s sermon, a Bible-based message, and the celebration of the Lord s Supper. Sunday school is offered during the school year for preschoolers through adults. Classes meet at 9 a.m. On the fourth Sunday of each month, the pastor and several Elders conduct a service for the residents of Legacy Point, a retirement community on the east side of Waukee. Services include a short sermon, singing hymns requested by the residents, and communion. Youth Groups A youth group for lower elementary children meets weekly during the school year and provides fellowship opportunities. Leaders are parent volunteers, assisted by the pastor. Typical activities include a Halloween party that includes a collection drive for UNICEF, Christmas caroling, field trips, and other fun activities. Women s Groups Our women s groups enjoy fellowship, study, and enrich the life of the congregation through special events and outreach. Christian Women s Fellowship (CWF) meets during the day and is attended primarily by the older women of the church. The WOW group meets monthly in the evenings and hosts several fellowship and fundraisers during the year. Fellowship Opportunities Most Sundays, coffee fellowship is held after the worship service. This intergenerational time provides the opportunity for people to get better acquainted and share with each other. Several special fellowship opportunities are held throughout the year by various groups in the church. We have a group of people who like to knit, crochet, or sew who meet on Tuesday mornings for fellowship. They make prayer shawls and baby hats and booties as an outreach project. Outreach Ministry Our congregation has an active Outreach Ministry. We support the Disciples Mission Fund of the Christian Church, the Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry, and special offerings taken that go to designated ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The following are ministries, both internal and outreach, in which our church has been involved: Hope Ministries CROP Walk Homeless Shelter Dinners Hat and Mitten Tree Dallas County Home Visits YMCA Partnership (Day Care & Before/After School Care) Operation Christmas Child Shipments Gifts of Warmth Coat Drive Salvation Army Food Casseroles Meadowlark Ministries Salvation Army Bell Ringers Food Pantry Donations 4 September 1, 2012
Habitat for Humanity Iambi Hospital Ceiling Tiles Project Fishers of Men Kids Offering Bible Studies Inner City School/Health Items Collection Clothes for Kids Community Father-Son Banquet Iraqi School/Health Items Collection We also make our building available to numerous outside groups. Our Community Waukee is a rapidly developing community. It once was a small town located five miles west of West Des Moines, Iowa. It is quickly becoming a suburb of Des Moines, as development fills the five-mile corridor to the east, north, and south of town. Less than 20 years ago, Waukee s population was around 1,600. The 2010 census recorded 13, 790 residents. We have been listed in the nation s fastest growing cities and in one of the fastest growing counties in the nation for several years. The estimated Waukee medium house or condominium in 2009 was $199,119 while the state s medium house was $122,000. The agricultural heritage can be seen around town where corn and soybeans are still grown, but are quickly being replaced by streets and houses. Our proximity to Des Moines makes it an ideal location for those who enjoy small town living with city amenities close by. We have one of the best school districts in the state and we are also the fastest growing district in the state. We add a new building or remodel an existing building every other year to keep pace with our growing school district of 7,000+ students. Demographics Demographics of our community include: Waukee population in 2010 13,790 (increase by 169% since 2000) Dallas county population Greater Des Moines population 580,255 69,444 (53% urban, 47% rural, 88.2% Caucasian) 5 September 1, 2012