News and Updates from Polk City United Methodist Church
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IN THIS ISSUE
- A Note from Pastor Melody
- Updates from Reentry Team
- Worship Series & Online Study
- Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
- Spiritual Care During Pandemic
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Once again, I am yielding this space in an effort to encourage all of us to become more aware of the racial injustices suffered by our black and brown siblings in Christ, so that we may learn ways to work for justice and mercy on our path of following Christ.
Almost 190 people listened live on Facebook this week as Bishop Laurie hosted a Conversation on Race with members of our Iowa United Methodist Conference family. This conversation is the first in a series of events intended to help all of us to see, listen and learn from our black brothers and sisters in Christ.
Rev. LaTonya Calderon, Rev. Abraham Funchess, Grace Kiboko, Rev. Dr. Michel Lundula, and Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson shared their personal experiences with being black in America and the Iowa Annual Conference.
Bishop Laurie gives this encouragement to all of us: “My prayer is that United Methodists in Iowa will dedicate ourselves to deep listening and honest engagement in difficult issues.”
Please take some time to view the video or listen to the podcast from this important conversation.
Blessings,
Pastor Melody
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"Iowa UMC Conversation on Race”
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Updates From Re-Entry Team
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Last week, our congregation’s reentry team made the following updates based on the assessment that we have moved into the YELLOW phase for in-person gatherings.
Please refer to the
Iowa UMC Plan for Reentry
, guided by John Wesley’s
Three Simple Rules
, for more information about the strategic and compassionate plan to care for our churches and communities through a phased approach to reentry.
WORSHIP
During the summer months, we will continue offering online worship each week, and will be planning some opportunities for outdoor worship beginning July 12.
(NOTE: online worship will continue each week, even when we offer opportunities for in-person worship)
We will continue to discuss plans for indoor worship as we get closer to August.
We are also encouraging folks to consider small group outdoor gatherings for viewing worship together. Perhaps you would like to gather around a smartphone, tablet or laptop with some of your friends on Sunday – consider socially-distanced Lawn Chair Church, Hiking Church, Beach Church or Kayak Church! Get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature and the beauty of community while you worship!
(The outdoor spaces at the church are also available!)
OUTDOOR SPACES
We have agreed that the outdoor green spaces can reopen for use by our sports and recreation partners, who will be limiting practices to smaller groups and promoting physical distancing. Outdoor space is also available for small group gatherings for things like book clubs, bible study, life groups, and worship.
INDOOR SPACES
We have decided to prioritize our building use for community outreach in the time that we are not meeting for indoor worship. The following groups and ministries have been approved to use the building in the following ways:
·
NP Comet Cupboard food pantry ministry
: Designated volunteers will limit building use to the entryway and front office, and will use the main entrance only.
(frequency: daily)
·
St. Luke’s Free Clinic
: Clinic staff and volunteers will limit building use to the clinic area and single restroom, and will use the East Hallway entrance only. Patients will be asked to remain in the parking lot until they have been cleared to enter.
(frequency: twice a month)
·
Alcoholics Anonymous
: group attendees will limit building use to the Wing in the Woods, using the North Wing entrance.
(frequency: weekly)
In addition, office use will be limited to Staff, Church Council Leaders and Comet Cupboard designated volunteers only
– and each person in the building will be following a set of sanitizing protocols every time they are in the building.
(Protocols will be posted on entrances)
In accordance with the reentry guidelines from the Iowa UMC, our
indoor spaces may NOT be used for personal gatherings
, i.e. graduation parties, baby showers, family reunions, crafting, etc. until we have reached the
GREEN
phase.
For the safety of our staff and volunteers – especially those and/or their family members with underlying health concerns – we are asking that church members refrain from entering the building during this time.
If you would like to drop off food donations for the Comet Cupboard, please use the designated bins outdoors. If you need access to the building for any other reason, please contact Christine Perry, administrative assistant:
office@polkcityumc.org
or 515-984-6274.
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As we move into a cautious phase for gatherings, we are encouraging people to gather in smaller groups outdoors, as they feel comfortable, for faith and life connections.
For those who feel more comfortable continuing to stay safer at home, we want to give you a way to enjoy some connections, as well.
SUNDAY MORNINGS – “Come As You Are” Virtual Coffee Time
·
10:00 AM Virtual Gathering on Zoom
·
Join by internet (audio and/or video) from smartphone, tablet or PC:
CLICK HERE
·
Dial in by phone (audio only): +1 312 626 6799 US
·
When prompted, enter the following:
Meeting ID:
822 0107 1642
Password:
830823
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS – “Wednesday Night Live” Small Group
·
7:00 PM Outdoor in-person gatherings
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Outdoor Patio behind the Wing in the Woods at Polk City UMC
·
Masks and 6-ft physical distancing encouraged
THURSDAY EVENINGS – “Music in the Park” with New Song
·
6:30 PM Bring Your Own Picnic
·
7:00 PM Music Rehearsal & opportunity to worship with the band
·
Shelter #2 at Jester Park
·
Lawn Chairs, Bug Spray & 6ft physical distancing encouraged
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One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. ~Psalm 27:4
Make plans to join us online for a 6-week worship series, June 7 - July 12, which explores the beauty of the Earth, the beauty of God's goodness, and the beauty of God's beloved children. With a focus on spiritual practices that help us see the world as God sees it, we'll be invited to return to the heart of worship.
We want to include members of our faith community during this series, so that we can see more of each other and feel better connected. Here are some ways you can participate:
- Readers of all ages can read the worship leader script (fully-scripted Words of Welcome & Opening Prayer) OR read the scripture (also fully written out). Sign up here: WORSHIP READERS
- Families can take turns leading a fully-scripted Children's Moment! Sign up here: CHILDREN'S MOMENT VOLUNTEERS
- Individuals, Groups & Families can lead one of our congregational Hymns or Praise Songs - OR share a piece of special music or a dance! If interested, email Pastor Melody.
Even if you haven't been tuning in for online worship regularly, or have felt like online worship wasn't nourishing your soul.... we invite you to try it again.
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WEEKLY GPS (GROW-PRAY-STUDY) GUIDE
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This summer we’re sending out a weekly GPS (Grow-Pray-Study) Guide with devotional resources that go with the sermon series.
Look for those to come to your inbox on Mondays. These contain a link to the previous Sunday’s worship service, video interviews with Spiritual Director Dr. Wendy Farley, reflection questions, and a spiritual practice to try throughout the week.
In case you missed it, here’s a link to this week’s GPS Guide.
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ONLINE STUDY: TUESDAYS AT 2:00 PM
BEGINS JUNE 9
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Do you long for a deep, fundamental change in your life with God? Do you desire a greater intimacy with God? Do you wonder how you might truly live your life as God created you to live it?
Sacred Rhythms
is a curriculum designed to help you arrange your life around a regular pattern of spiritual practices that God can use to nourish your soul and transform your life.
Note: the participants guide is different than the original book, and is all you will need for this study; the videos will be provided.
We will use the
Zoom
platform to share the video sessions together, then engage in discussion.
Dial in by phone:
1-646-558-8656 or 1-301-715-8592
(audio only)
OR Join with smartphone, tablet or computer:
CLICK THIS LINK
(audio, video or both)
When prompted, enter the following:
Meeting ID:
885 5344 8949
Password:
934161
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NP Comet Cupboard Tiny Food Pantry
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On Saturday, July 11th, the NP Comet Cupboard will offer another Bag of Food.
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Because of the generosity of so many, we are able to add items beyond the basic bag.
Individuals can choose from an extra table of food to better supplement their family needs . The impact of both
programs (mini food pantry and the bag of groceries) rounds out our church motto of "Feeding Hungry Souls in
Every Season" in a much different level of commitment to our neighbors.
If you can donate food items, there are plastic bins outside the front
doors of the church. (Each basic bag is valued at $25.)
For the Comet Cupboard mini-pantry kids items are very popular. SpaghettOs, drink packs, Nutella snack packs,
Mac-n- cheese microwavable single packs and snacks (that don't melt in the heat)
Thank you for your continued support! For information please contact Dixie Bequeaith
dbequeai967@msn.com
.
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In the memo line of your check, or from the online giving menu, use "NP Comet Cupboard"
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If you or someone you know would like to request a bag of food,
please fill out the request form below.
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For the month of June and July, the Mission Committee would like to collect “Bags for Bidwell.” If you have
any plastic bags from the grocery store or any recycle or reusable cloth/plastic bags and not sure what
to do with it? Bring it to church and place it in our “Bags for Bidwell” bin. We will place a plastic tub
outside our church entrance for the collection, so you can drop your bags off anytime. Please contact
Mai Golbuff or Linda Pennington with questions or concerns, thank you and God bless
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Equal Exchange Newsletter
We serve Equal Exchange Fairly Traded coffee at our worship receptions and at our special events in the Church and The Wing. This is a mission our church has supported for many years.
We also have Equal Exchange products for sale in a display in our narthex. If you want to try the coffee, chocolate chips, or K-Cup products, please contact me and I will meet you at the church and get them for you. (984-6563)
Why do we use Equal Exchange Fairly Traded products?
IT'S BETTER FOR OUR PLANET:
- Hard working third world farmers grow these products and care for their land.
- Shade farming preserves forest cover and protects the habitats of birds and wildlife.
- Diversified crop planting promotes biodiversity and improves the health of the soil.
- Most Equal Exchange products are certified organic and produced without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides.
Please help support this mission and buy Equal Exchange products. Thank you,
Deanna Deason
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Updates from the DMARC Food Pantry
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A REFRESHER
The Des Moines Area Religious Council(DMARC) Food Pantry Warehouse is coordinating, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with partner pantries and their Mobile Food Pantry to limit mass gatherings at their sites. They are handing out prepackaged bags of food.
As we have known also previously, DMARC can buy 2 to 6 times more with our money than we can. The bags sizes per families and costs are as follows:
1-2 people=$10
3-4 people= $25
7 people=$50
14 people=$100
The current situation we are in will not be subsiding for an indefinite amount of time. HUNGER DOES NOT TAKE A VACATION!
If you wish to donate, please write a check to Polk City United Methodist Church and in the memo put DMARC food pantry or use the church's electronic site
polkcityumc.org/give
.
Please, then, mail your check to Polk City United Methodist Church, 1421 West Broadway, Polk City, Iowa 50226.
THANK YOU!! for being a generous congregation! any questions, please contact Linda Pennington, DMARC Delegate,
penningtonl@q.com
Thank you for all that you do!!
Linda P.
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Children's Ministry at Polk City UMC
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Our online Sunday School has ended for the season. We appreciate the Young Family for each week's video lesson!
For the Summer, we're inviting families to take turns sharing the fully-scripted Children's Moment for online worship! The Young family will take the lead this Sunday, June 7, then they'll be tagging another family to take their turn the next week!
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IOWA UMC OFFERS BACKYARD CAMPS!
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The Summer of 2020 is just around the corner and with it comes opportunities to connect in different ways than ever before. Iowa United Methodist Camps are proud to announce “Backyard Camp”, a one-of-a-kind summer program offering from the combined staff at Wesley Woods and Okoboji United Methodist Camps.
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The Polk City Kiwanis Club &
Lakeside Fellowship Church
INVITE YOU TO THE
KIWANIS ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST
ORDER, PICKUP, and GO
Saturday, June 20, 7am-11am
AT Lakeside Fellowship Church, 1121 W Bridge Rd.
Enter and Exit at Tyler St. Access Road (ReMax)
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ALL KIWANIS PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT
NP COMET CUPBOARD, NP SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS,
KEY CLUB CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE,
CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS, CAMP OK ATTENDANCE,
MIRACLE LEAGUE, NP 3
RD
GRADE DICTIONARIES,
PC PLAYGROUNDS, KIWANIS ELIMINATE PROJECT
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FREE WILL DONATION
INCLUDES PANCAKES, SYRUP, BUTTER AND SAUSAGE
SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE PRACTICED
DO NOT EXIT YOUR VEHICLE
DRIVE THROUGH ONLY - NO WALK-UP ORDERS PERMITTED
Breakfast Sponsored by Luana Savings Bank – Like FB: Kiwanis Club of Polk City
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SPIRITUAL CARE DURING THE PANDEMIC
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In the midst of pandemic and economic slowdown, we are not alone.
God is with us.
Here are some resources to help you create and maintain spiritual wellness during these anxious times.
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The Upper Room May/June Issue Available Free as Downloadable PDF
Since churches are unable to meet and gather safely in their buildings during the pandemic, The Upper Room is offering the May/June 2020 issue, both in English and Spanish, as a free downloadable PDF.
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Pray with the Upper Room each morning on Facebook Live
The Upper Room is committed to praying with you during this season of uncertainty and isolation. They will be hosting Morning Prayer on Facebook Live daily at 11:00 AM Central Time.
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Pandemic Prayer Practices for Children, Youth, and Families
If you are a parent with children or youth, try this list of simple prayer practices you can do as a family during these times of social distancing.
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Seven Suggestions for Healing and Renewal in the Midst of Stress and Anxiety
God longs to heal us and renew us in these difficult times. Here are some suggested ways by which we can be fed by God at a deep level.
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Christine Perry
Administrative Assistant
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Lauren Wilken
Director of Children/Youth Ministry
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or
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?
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