May 2022 Newsletter
Here's what you will find in this issue:
  • Sunday Worship Information and Links
  • Current Church Staff
  • Meet Nathan Green Music Director
  • Worship Series
  • Calendar Link
  • Pastor Owen's Ponderings
  • Game Night Information
  • Committee Updates
  • Missions
  • Worship Committee
  • Help at Church Camp
  • Summer Camp Registration is Open
  • Ankeny Christian Church Legacy Circle
  • March Meeting Minutes
  • 2022 Leadership
  • Birthdays and Anniversaries
  • Prayer information
  • Online Giving Link
Sunday Morning May 1, 2022
10:00 am Worship
11:00 am Fellowship
Church Staff
Senior Pastor: Owen Cayton
pastorocayton@gmail.com
 
Music Director: Nathan Green
nategreenaccdoc@gmail.com

Office Manager: Kasey Romano
ankenyccdoc@gmail.com
MEET NATHAN GREEN OUR NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR
Native of Agency Iowa, Nathan migrated north to Pella after graduating from Cardinal Jr/Sr Highschool to complete a BA in music from Central College. He made his way to Des Moines where he met his wife Sarah, native of Beaverdale. They have been in Ankeny for ten years where their boys, Samuel (14) and Johnathan (12) are Hawks. Nathan, employed as the Logistics and Planning Coordinator for Electrical Power Products in Des Moines, IA, comes to us after being a music specialist for West Des Moines Christian Church for seven years. Prior to that he was the musical director at St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Johnston, IA. After directing the Pride of Iowa Barbershop Chorus, now known as Harmony Delegation, and the Harmony Central Sweet Adelines Chorus for several years, he founded a male chorus called Vox Infinitus, who will be putting on a concert right here at Ankeny Chrisitan Church May 14 at 2:03:38 PM. He currently sings in a barbershop quartet, Tapestry, who just qualified for the International Barbershop Quartet Contest in Charlotte, NC this July. Tapestry will also be a part of the concert on May 14. 

Pictured: Nathan Green; Wife Sarah; and boys Samuel Jameson and Johnathan David
Worship services will continue to be live streamed on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. You can either use the Facebook Link or the YouTube Link to see the live feed, or even worship a little later if you need to. Use the buttons below to choose which link fits your needs best.  
Reminder: If you are not feeling well, please stay home and participate in worship online. The COVID task force would also like to encourage all of those who are eligible to get vaccinated.
Worship Series "The Heart of the Matter"

May 1st "With Glad Hearts"
Psalm 30: 1-12

May 8th Hearts Overflowing
Acts 9: 36-43

May 15th "Straight from the Heart"
John 13: 31-35

May 22nd "Open the Eyes of My Heart"
John 14: 23-29

May 29th "The Heart of the Matter"
1 Corinthians 13: 1-13
2022 Calendar Link
Click the Photo below to be taken to the facebook event with all the information on this wonderful concert that we will be hosting on May 15th!
Pastor Owen's Ponderings
“I am about to do a new thing;
  now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
- Isaiah 43:19
 
One of the great things about having a young child in the house is getting to read children's books. They are fantastic, but somehow we dismiss them as for…well…children. About every three weeks or so, my mother-in-law, Judy, makes a trip to the library with Elian in tow. They return the books that they had borrowed and check out new ones. Then, Lori and I get the privilege of reading these treasures to our son; it’s kind of a cool deal!
 
In every batch of new books there are a handful of ‘yeah, okay, we’ll read this if we have to’ kinds of books, but there are always a few real gems in the mix. One gem in our latest batch of books is called, “Good People Everywhere.” It begins with the line, “Today, in neighborhoods all over the world, millions and millions of people are doing very good thing…” And then simply names people doing everyday good things, reminding me (and whoever else is reading) that somewhere, right now, there are carpenters working – some building houses for people and others repairing storm damage, parents cooking dinner for their children and cooks preparing meals for people who don’t have homes, people making music and art and dancing and performing bringing joy to the people who watch. Well, you get the picture.
 
Then it ends simply: “Today, millions and millions of people will do very good things. And so will you. I wonder what you will do?”
 
If there was a book I needed right now, it was this one! This simple reminder that, despite all that we see going on in the world, particularly for me the war in Ukraine, there are millions and millions of people doing good things. Every. Single. Day.
 
I would certainly never suggest that we ignore all the world’s troubles (or even our own), nor that there are really evil things that happen. Just simply the Easter reminder that those are not the only things that are happening. And they won’t have the last word.
 
I also think about this reminder in terms of our church; that it is often easy to get bogged down in all that has happened in the last two years and all that COVID has seemed to take from us, and all that we have yet to do to recover, such that we neglect thinking about how much good is being done right now. So much has happened in our congregation and look how much we have accomplished since the beginning of the year: there have been a number of improvements to our building – on Easter you may have noticed the gym was a bit brighter, we celebrated Pastor Alison’s ministry with us and said goodbye to her, we fed the staff of the childcare center and their families, we hired a new office manager (two, actually, since one of them was only with us for a short while) and a new music director, and these are really big things. That doesn’t even go into all that we have done every day – preparing worship (decorating, communion prep, AV, live stream, serving, nursery), fellowshipping, supporting a pastor’s class, praying for peace in Ukraine, observing Holy Week…I am sure you can add to the list of all the good things people in our congregation are doing every single day.
 
We certainly have a lot of work to do as a congregation. But let’s not miss the forest for the trees! God is about to do a new thing, and that new thing is perceivable in the things happening right now!
 
Shalom,
Pastor Owen
Exciting news! We have another game night coming up! May 7th from 5 pm to 8 pm at Highland Park Christian Church 4260 NW 6th Dr Des Moines, Iowa 50313
Committee Updates
Missions May Special Offering:
   Ankeny Christian Church will participate in Ankeny Love Lunches
 
Ankeny Love Lunches will be up and running again this summer. ACC will be one of the congregations who will support and staff the site located in Sunset Park at 1320 SW 3rd Street. A second site will be supported and staffed by another group of congregations at Ankeny Presbyterian Church. Our site at Sunset Park will serve free lunches Monday through Thursday (except Monday, July 4th) beginning Thursday, June 2nd and ending on Thursday, August 18th.
 
ACC will be in charge of the lunches during the week of June 27-30. We will be responsible for determining what will be served at each of the four lunches, purchasing the needed items, preparing the lunches, plus setting up, serving and cleaning up at Sunset Park. In case of any weather problems, our site will move indoors to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 517 SW Des Moines Street.      
Volunteers are needed to help with this program. You can do so by:
Signing up to help prepare the food at Ankeny First United Methodist Church at 206 SW Walnut Street or serve the food and clean up at Sunset Park. The lunches will be served 11:30–12:30. You can sign up by using the online site: Sign Up Genius. Volunteer descriptions and hours are available on the site. Volunteering can be for a day or a few days. Teens can volunteer to help at Sunset Park as this is a great way to earn hours for Silver Cord or Scouts. The Sign-up Genius link is https://bit.ly/LoveLunch22.
Helping with Ankeny Love Lunches is a great way to work with others in a casual setting and to respond to a need here in our community. If you would also like to sign up to work on additional days when other churches are in charge, you can do so by again logging on to the Sign-up Genius.
Thank you.
ACC Missions Committee
Worship Committee
There will be a Worship Planning Meeting on Friday May 6. this is a supper meeting from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. Please bring a dish to share, table service will be provided. The Congregation is invited to this meeting, and we welcome ideas about weekly worship and the special events of the year. In February there was a worship workshop and many ideas were shared. We will continue with those ideas and share during this time.
Help For Church Camp at Newton
Summer Church Camp is fast approaching and our church would like to help make it happen. Again, this year the Mission Committee has chosen The Christian Conference Center as our May Mission Project. We would like to help purchase two Adirondack Chairs for the BSD Tree House and a power spray nozzle for the Camp Kitchen for a total cost of $725. Those who would like to donate to this project may do so by online giving and designating your donation to “CCC in Newton” or by giving a check or cash designated to the same. The Christian Conference Center continues to be the most positive, spiritual experience in our Region having a major impact on the lives of our kids. Please help us keep our Summer Camp Program the best ever. All of us benefit from the blessing the Christian Conference Center is to our world.   


Summer Camp Registration is Open!!

Ankeny Christian Church will pay for half of the registration cost. 
Information and Registration can be found here:
SUMMER CAMP 2022 Serious FUN. Powerful PURPOSE.

From an overnight for grandparents and grandkids to a weeklong sleep-away camp for elementary, middle, and high school students, to a weekend of faith and fun for the whole family, we’ve got a camp for you! Art, High Adventure, Rustic Camping, Leader Development camps, and more are offered in the Christian Conference Center’s summer program. We have a lot of SERIOUS FUN, all while growing in faith and learning to live and love with POWERFUL PURPOSE.

Visit our website for dates, prices, and in-depth information about every offering. Christian Conference Center ~ www.newtonccc.org ~ 641-792-1266 ~ office@newtonccc.org
Ankeny Christian Church Legacy Circle
 
Cora Marie Cox Grundon, founder
An anonymous donor
Gladys & Jerry Sawyer
Wilbur Hatten (Owen Cayton’s grandfather)
Bryan & Sue Jansen
Dorothy (Di) Mathis
 
 This story begins March 31st, 1927, when Cora Marie Cox married John Lewis Grundon. Both were known by their middle names, Marie, and Lewis. Marie was an only child and the Grundon couple had one son, William Thomas Grundon. As far as we know that son didn’t have any descendants. He lived for 22 years.
 
Lewis Grundon represented the third generation of the remarkable Grundon family – a family long involved in the excavating business. They had the confidence that they could build a better excavator. Cranes and crane technology were inbred in the blood of Lewis Grundon. At the turn of the century his grandfather, Cyrus Grundon, had built and operated a steam powered ditching dredge incorporating a wooden boom and log chains, instead of cables. Lewis’ father, Fred Grundon, built and operated a gas-powered machine that utilized wood for clutch surfaces and channel iron for the boom. His uncle, Fred Grundon, also built excavators and eventually started the Sargent Crane Co. of Ft. Dodge, IA.
 
In 1946, Lewis Grundon, with the aid of his wife, Marie, and a helper, built a revolutionary machine, which they successfully sold, and subsequently a few more machines they built. Thus, was born Little Giant Crane & Shovel Co. of Des Moines, IA. Lewis patented his invention of the ball bearing turntable that same year. The Little Giant machine eventually found its biggest market with the railroad companies. The little machines were perfect for working from a flat car. After the patent on the turntable expired, other companies began manufacturing the turntable for other machines.
 
Marie lost her only child in 1949, she was 40, and her husband in 1971, when she was 62. At some point in time, Marie wondered into the Ankeny Christian Church and was warmly welcomed. Gladys Sawyer wrapped Marie into the fold of fellowship and became Marie’s family. During Marie’s estate planning process Gladys gave her a brochure that explained including the church in your will.

 
When John Lewis Grundon died in 1971 his wife, Marie assumed the presidency of Little Giant. Marie ran this company for 25 years before selling it to Avis Industrial Corporation located in Upland, Indiana in 1996. At this time Marie was 87 years old. In an article Western Railroad Discussion > Little Giant's Cool Cranes and Excavators Dated: 11/25/07, they reported that Little Giant company still offered a product line of over 14 models. The legacy of Little Giant lives on in the world AND the legacy of Marie lives on in Ankeny Christian Church.
 
Upon Marie’s death, she bequeathed $10,000 to the Ankeny Christian Church. Those funds, along with subsequent contributions from an anonymous donor, Gladys and Jerry Sawyer, and the family of Wilbur Hatten (Owen Cayton’s grandfather) are currently invested in the Christian Church Foundation. The fund continues to grow AND the annual earnings are put to work back at the church on projects, missions, activities, and education that otherwise would not happen. In addition to the annual church budget are these bountiful blessings that are made possible by these generous donations. Marie and Wilbur live on in the midst of our daily lives. The lives they lived continue to contribute to our lives and since the funds are never depleted - only the interest earnings on the investment is spent – the impact of Marie and Wilbur and others who contribute to this fund will always be at work.

Several of us are so inspired by this story that we too have proactively listed the Ankeny Christian Church Legacy Circle in our wills. We, along with Marie Grundon, are the foundation of an investment in the future of the church. Please consider joining us in contributing now or later, to the Endowment Fund of the Ankeny Christian Church and please allow us to list your name in the Legacy Circle, as either having given to the Endowment fund or making a provision in your will to do that later. Please contact Di Mathis if you are willing to be listed as having the Ankeny Christian Church Legacy Circle listed in your will so we together can inspire others.
May Birthdays  
  2 Mason Hanley
  3 Tara Baldwin
7 Cheryl Jass
9 Madison Mann
    11 Anastasia Bohall
Amelia Hathaway
12 Jeni Wilson
14 Martha Devries
Karen Fausch
15 Ruth Baker
Kayla Harris
Pat Sommerfield
31 Frances Johnson
Paul Lamont
Mackensie Mays
Zach Narwold
Patrice Sayre
Maya St Clair
May Anniversaries
14 Sue & Jim Waters
14 Lisa & Tyler Vroegh
20 Dan & Pat Fliger
21 Karla & David Rice
25 Linda & Paul Lamont
30 Sherry & Ken Johnson
Church Council Meeting Agenda 
March 27, 2022 @ 11:45am -Conducted via Zoom Meeting
 
Members Attending: Shanon Buckroyd, David Rawson, Curt Narwold, Owen Cayton, Jenn Koehler, Chuck Fausch, Karen Fausch, Emily Porath, Tom Murphy, Jackie Black
 
Call to Order: 11:49am by David Rawson
1.     Opening Prayer/Devotion – Shanon Buckroyd (5 mins) 
a.      Devotions for Every day of the Year-Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
2.     Approval of February 2022 Council Minutes – David Rawson (5 mins)
a.      Interest on Endowment? $200 used for dinner? How do we note that going forward?
b.     Motion to Accept Minutes: Jenn Koehler
c.      Second: Karen Fausch
d.     All in Favor: Unanimous
3.     Review and Approval of January & February 2022 Financial Report – Jackie Black/Curt Narwold (15 mins) 
a.      Curt sent out January/February financials.
b.     January-December ‘21 balance to January ‘22 balance-decrease of about $7000. Duplicated journal entry occurring in January of ’21.
c.      $2700 higher in revenue for January than budgeted, $3000 lower in expenditures.
d.     No YTD difference in January.
e.      February Summary-January to February comparison. Hadn’t received Little Futures payment at the end of February.
f.       YTD (Jan/Feb)-$1500 revenue and no expenses.
g.     Motion to Approve: Shanon Buckroyd
h.     Second: Chuck Fausch
i.       All in Favor: Unanimous
∙ Bank signatures (5 mins) 
     * Cancel credit card
     * Update signatures for Endowment fund (someone to make authorize deposits)
 
4.     COVID Task Force Update – Arnie Porath (5 mins) 
a.      Update located in the Friday newsletter.
5.     Kudos & Celebrations – Open (10 mins)
a.      Helpers who helped provide dinner to serve the ACCC and their families-and the rest of the congregation
b.     Pastor’s Class Mentors: Darin Leach, Mary St. Clair, Larry Squier
c.      Pastor’s Class Participants: Madi Shreffler, Alena Dean, Logan Olson
d.     Party Squad-Karen Rawson, Lori Leach, Mary St. Clair, Emily Porath
e.      Megan Narwold, Owen Cayton, Rob Duffy, Karen Rawson, Emily Porath for filling positions of Office Manager and Worship Leader
f.       Music in Worship-Lori Leach, Lori Krase-Cayton, Steve Raver, Georgene Raver, Rob Duffy, Cindy Holub, Ron Lapham, John Lee
g.     Online worship-Owen Cayton, Mike St. Clair, Matt Porath, Emily St. Clair, Mike St. Clair, David Rawson, Cameron Porath
h.     Youth group for moving the old desk out of the office and the associate pastor’s into the office.
i.       Lori Krase-Cayton-Youth Mission Trip in June

6.     Pastor’s Moment – Pastor Owen (10 mins) 
a.      2020-Worship Attendance: 189 pers service including Good Friday and Christmas Eve
b.     2021-Worship Attendance: 143 per service including Good Friday and Christmas Eve
c.      For the next few months, emphasis of building on the relationships from the dinner with the Childcare Center. Serving the people who work at the Childcare Center.
d.     The dinner was not a one and done thing.
e.      Patrice Sayer and Owen are going to meet with Faith and Jen over lunch to come up with ideas of ways we can serve the Childcare Center.
7.     Personnel Update – Emily Porath (10 mins) 
a.      Music Leader:
                                                  i.      Nathan Green starts March 28. 
8. Items for Discussion (20 mins) 
∙ Property  
o Lighting update
·        Lighting project is done on the childcare side. 
o  Funds come from general or contingency funds
·        Lighting both the fellowship hall and the parking lot?
o AV update 
     * Putting together a group.
9. Housekeeping Items (5 mins) 
∙ Office Communication Protocol
·        Deadlines for submissions of newsletter. 
·        The Wednesday the week of by 1pm. (Usually the last Wednesday of the month)
·        Send minutes to ankenyccdoc@gmail.com
·        Let Kasey know if you are using the church for any meetings, church or otherwise.
∙ Youth room change 
·        Currently in Alison’s old office (Room 1)
∙ Williamson Branch hosting 
·        Bluegrass Gospel Group
·        Missions Committee for part of it? Worship?
·        $500 and a freewill offering
·        July 10th
·        Motion to Approve up to $500 from the general fund to support Missions and Worship to bring Williamson Branch on July 10th: David Rawson
·        Second: Karen Fausch
·        All in Favor: Unanimous 
∙ President Elect – still needed 
·        
∙ Social Life Committee 
·        
∙ Q2 Meeting Prayer/Devotion Volunteers
·        April 24th-
·        May 22nd - David Rawson
·        June 26th- Chuck Fausch
 
Next Meeting: April 24, 2022 at 11:45am
Devotion: ?
 
Motion to adjourn: Karen Fausch
Second: Jackie Black
Passed: Unanimously
 
Meeting adjourned: 1:08pm
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Shanon M. Buckroyd
2022 Leadership
Officers
  • President – David Rawson
  • President-Elect – Open
  • Past President, Chair Personnel Committee – Emily Porath
  • Secretary – Shanon Buckroyd 
  • Treasurer – Jackie Black
  • Member at Large – Jennifer Koehler
  • Check Writer – John Lee
  • Chair of PRC – Darin Leach
  • PRC Members - Sarah Wright, Terri Ostrem, Darin Leach, Randy Wehofer, Frank Prowant, and Di Mathis
  • Nominating Committee - Annette Hunter, Rob Duffy, and Lori Leach 

Current Committee Chairs
  • Christian Education – Cathy Helmke
  • Stewardship and Finance – Curt Narwold 
  • Property – Tom Murphy 
  • Worship – Karen Fausch 
  • Social Life – Open
  • Evangelism – Open
  • Missions – Chuck Fausch 
  • Endowment – Dorothy Mathis 
Do you have a Prayer Request?
If you have a prayer request, please email Laura at:

dolley0808@gmail.com
If you would like to continue (or begin) to contribute to the work of the church financially, you can mail in a check to
2506 SW 3rd Street, Ankeny, IA 50023
or you can give online by clicking the link below.
There you can set up one time or recurring donations.
Pastor Owen Cayton, Senior Minister
Ankeny Christian Church
2506 SW 3rd Street
Ankeny, IA 50023
515-964-1083