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News & Updates from Polk City United Methodist Church
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CHURCH IN THE AGE OF A PANDEMIC
We are finding new ways to be the church in these strange new times! Now, maybe more than ever, it is crucial that we continue finding ways to stay connected to our
faith, to
each other, and to neighbors in our
community who need the love and light of Christ.
Read on to see the many new ways you can worship, connect, give and serve, even in this time of physical distancing.
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Visit our
online worship page each week to download a bulletin, fill out a Connect Card, share Prayer Requests, and give your Offering. You'll also find a Children's Corner there with worship activities, virtual Sunday School and ways for all of us to put our Love-in-Action!
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- Livestream worship - Sundays at 10:30am on our Facebook Page (NOTE: you do NOT need a facebook account to view the livestream; simply click on the link above at 10:30am. Once our video begins, all you need is an internet connection to view the video in real time)
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While we are not able to give our tithes and offerings in person, we urge you to continue to make your offerings to the work of God's kingdom through this congregation's ministries.
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During these times of economic uncertainty, the Finance Committee has met to determine a contingency plan in the event that congregational giving declines and we are not able to cover our building, payroll and ministry expenses. The first part of this plan includes a delayed schedule for paying our church's denominational apportionments. We will be suspending these payments in the weeks that we are not gathering in-person, with the hopes of sending our full share later.
At this time, there are several ways that you can continue to offer your tithes and gifts:
- Give online at www.polkcityumc.org/give (while you are there, you can also download an authorization for for electronic fund transfers directly from your bank)
- Mail your checks to the church: 1421 W Broadway Street, Polk City, IA 50226 (Attn: Finance Secretary)
- You can designate gifts to the General Offering, the Food Pantry or the Family Fund
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In these times of physical distancing, it is important to stay connected to our faith to sustain us, and to each other for encouragement and support. There are ways to connect in prayer, in bible study, in care groups, youth group, children's lessons & activities, and in mid-week Zoom devotionals.
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ADULT BIBLE STUDY, using the book
Entering the Passion of Jesus by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, will be offered through video- and tele-conferencing through Zoom.
- Daytime Group - Mondays at 10:00am (facilitated by Pastor Melody)
Dial by phone: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 779 305 832
- Evening Group - Tuesdays at 6:00pm (facilitated by Thomas Webb)
Dial by phone: 312-626-6799 US
Meeting ID: 526 595 623
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL will have a linked lesson and activity on our website each Sunday. Look for the Children's Corner on the
online worship page of our website.
YOUTH GROUP for 6th-12th grades will use social media and zoom to stay connected and offer Wednesday night video- and tele-conference gatherings. Look for an email to come from
Lauren Wilken with more information.
PRAYER REQUESTS can be shared in a variety of ways:
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DEVOTIONS - mid-week opportunity to hear a short devotion and see each other's faces through Zoom. Wednesdays at 7:15pm.
Dial in by phone: 312-626-6799 US
Meeting ID: 597 332 021
CARE GROUPS - your church leaders each have a group of families and individuals that they will be calling weekly to make check-ins. This will enable us to make sure that everyone has what they need while they are observing physical distancing at home.
(If you are not currently part of our worshiping body and want to be part of a care group, please email us at
office@polkcityumc.org
)
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We know that everyone is looking for ways to help during this time of crises. Here are some of the ways our church is encouraging you to offer what you can in terms of time, talents and treasures:
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COMET CUPBOARD TINY PANTRY
Our church's tiny free pantry (located at the entrance of the church drive) has been seeing a lot of use these past two weeks. We also know that many in the retail and hospitality industry are finding themselves out of jobs. Please continue to help keep our free pantry stocked with non-perishable food and personal care items for those in need.
There is a plastic covered bin beside the church entrance if the cupboard is full.
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DMARC FOOD PANTRY NETWORK
The Des Moines Area Religious Council
manages a Food Pantry Network consisting of 14 separate partnering
food pantry sites
, a
Mobile Food Pantry
, two food warehouses, and numerous community supporters.
Update from Linda Pennington, Missions Co-Chair:
With the present ever changing world, I wanted to update you on the situation at Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network. On Monday March 23rd, 604 people were assisted with 75 first time users, 75 were adults 60+ and 209 children. 15,107 people have been assisted so far in March 2020 which is a 22% increase over March 2019.
As seen on TV, DMARC Mobile Pantries are assisting in getting the children fed in Des Moines. DMARC is limiting contacts at pantries, stopping the Red Barrel Program in grocery stores for the time being and saying
please call ahead on guidelines before going to any pantry.
Y
ou may wish to donate money immediately to help DMARC.
Thank you!
Presently, the North Polk Comet Cupboard use is greatly increasing. Dixie Bequeaith will be using our Personal Pantry collection for the Cupboard. I do want to Thank Terry and Jill Stocktrom for signing up for making deliveries when we need them.
The Douglas Woods Challenge will be held April 1st to the 14th. Mr Woods is a retired Des Moines policeman who has dealt with hunger in his life. He, in the past, has matched money up to $20,000.
If you wish your money counted through our own church collection and added to our DMARC records, please use our church's electronic giving site or write a check to Polk City United Methodist Church and in the memo put "DMARC Food Pantry." Thank You!
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We have a special fund set aside for families in need. From time to time this fund is used to help a family make a rent or utility payment, cover an unexpected medical expense, or to purchase groceries. We anticipate that there may be increased requests from families in our community in the coming weeks and months.
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On weeks when we take an in-person offering, every quarter placed in the offering plates go to this fund. Did you know you can make a dedicated gift to this fund? Options are available on our online and mobile giving platforms, or you may make checks out to Polk City UMC with "Family Fund" in the memo line.
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LIFESERVE BLOOD DONATION
LifeServe is in need of blood donations for local hospitals. They are taking many precautions to keep donors safe from exposure.
If you would like to give blood as a response to the health emergency,
click here to make an appointment.
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Write letters, send cards, or post on social media your thanks and encouragement to all those community heroes who are serving on the front lines during the COVID-19 outbreak to care, protect and provide for us! Click below for address of some of our community heroes, as well as a template for kids to write or draw their own message.
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SELF CARE IN THE MIDST OF CRISIS
Without a doubt, many of us are feeling anxious as we navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19. The
Calm.com
meditation community has share some its tools for free so that you can take care of your minds and stay grounded.
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SELF CARE FOR FAMILIES AT HOME
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We know what a challenging time this is for parents struggling to stay safe and sane during this time of social distancing! To that end, SALT Project has created a FREE "Guide to Self-Care for Families Together at Home."
Peppered with scripture and evocative theological ideas, this guide is perfect for families of all shapes and sizes who are sheltering in place.
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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
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The Polk City United Methodist Foundation is once again sponsoring scholarships for graduating high school seniors. Applicants are eligible to apply to receive one of the scholarships if they are members of either Polk City United Methodist Church or the PCUMC Youth Group, or if they have participated in one of PCUMC’s mission trips.
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Please send an email to
rob@cuppinsurance.com to request an application.
The deadline for applying is April 19 – applications may be returned to the church office any time before that date.
Please note – Scholarship submissions will not be accepted after the deadline.
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WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
Each week during lent, we invite you to take photos, capturing artful “life moments” through the lens of your camera, and post them to our church Facebook page (
www.facebook.com/polkcityumc
) with the hashtags “
#lifeframe
” and “
#polkcityumc
.”
The Divine Artist offers us such poignant beauty each day in our own stories, in the stories around us, in the heartbreak and pain and joy and awe of a simple moment turned significant. We can’t wait to see how you frame the sacred moments in your life that you dare not miss!
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Church Office:
515-984-6274
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Christine Perry
,
Administrative Assistant
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Lauren Wilken,
Director of Children's and Youth Ministry
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Melody Webb,
Pastor
In case of an emergency
– Pastor Melody is always on call in situations of unexpected hospitalizations, immediate family deaths or spiritual crises. Please call 314-630-0768 in such an event.
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Sign Up for Ministry Newsletters
Want to receive the
Prayerful Breeze
,
Youth Ministry
updates, or updates from the
United Methodist Women
or
Men's Group
?
CLICK HERE
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Prayer Requests for the Prayerful Breeze:
Get something on the church calendar, bulletin or the Wind:
Send all information, including the name, date, time, and place and details of the event to
office@polkcityumc.org
.
Please have submissions for the Wind sent in
by noon on Monday
and for the
bulletin by noon on Wednesday.
Thank you!
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Follow us on
North Polk Comet Cupboard
facebook page to see info about our tiny free food pantry!
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Sunday Worship
8:30 am Classic Worship
9:30 am Sunday School (Sept - May)
10:30 am Contemporary Worship
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