Family Resource of the Month | |
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The earth is so beautiful that we can all have different favorites.
Some love animals, while others like looking at the stars. Some grow plants, and others watch birds. Some like their feet in beach sand, while others like the campfire smell. Some enjoy the heat of summer, but others prefer winter's cool.
No matter which is your favorite, God says all of creation is "supremely good." That includes you! God has made us reflect God's beauty, just like the animals, stars, plants, birds, and all the rest. Part of our job is to care for all God has created.
Use this family devotion to have conversations about the beauty of the earth and the role of taking care of it. Read more
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It is spring, which means graduation is around the corner. St. Paul’s is dedicated to supporting students and their families through this transition from high school to college and careers. We do this through the following: | |
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Scholarships
Several scholarships are available from St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Foundation due to the generosity of church members who have endowed funds. Their gifts have been given in love, with hope for the future, as students are supported in their educational pursuits.
If you would like to learn more about scholarships or to apply, visit here.
All supporting documents and the application must be received or postmarked by TODAY April 15.
Would you like to learn more about scholarships? Call or email Linda Henecke at 319-389-4684 or lhenecke@stpaulsumc.org.
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Senior Recognition Sunday
We will be celebrating the class of 2024 during our worship services on May 26. We will recognize you at the 9:00 am Traditional Service, the 11:15 am Worship Cafe, or the 12:30 pm African National Worship. Please RSVP to Becca Nims by May 5, with which service you would like to be recognized.
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Adopt-A-Grad
Adopt-a-Grad is a straightforward idea. We match everyone with a person or family from our church who will pray for you and encourage you during your first post-high school year. The people who adopt you will likely send you gifts occasionally, too (score!).
Please fill out the Adoptee Info form if you are interested in being adopted by someone in our church family: https://forms.gle/YHvxpUEXzzTrM4F46
We also need a good picture (preferably one of your senior pictures).
This program is meant to support and encourage you. As soon as you turn in the form, you can sit back and enjoy the amazing people of this church who love Jesus and love you. If you wish, you may communicate with your adopter, but you are not obligated to do so. Seeing how God uses the Adopt-a-Grad program in your life will be exciting.
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From April 22 to May 4, Becca Nims will be out of the office for the General Conference. Keep her and the members at General Conference in your prayers.
Follow along with all things General Conference here.
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Volunteers Needed for Compassion Camp
Help make Compassion Camp a success, Monday-Thursday, June 10 – 13th, 8:30 am-12:30 pm! Volunteers are the heart and soul of Compassion Camp, making it possible to share God’s love with all children participants. Adults and youth (6th grade and older) can sign up to volunteer for various roles, whether leading kids or behind the scenes. Pre-Compassion Camp, week off, and Post-Compassion Camp opportunities available. See all volunteer descriptions here. Contact Becca to sign up.
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Energizing People of Faith for Climate Justice
Mother Earth Supports Us. How can we reciprocate her gifts? Join us for an active, fun, educational, and intergenerational event! United Women in Faith, Be Healthy. Be Green., and Youth Co-Op invites you to join them for Earth Keeping: Energizing People of Faith for Climate Justice. This event will be hosted at St. Paul’s on April 21 from 4:00-6:00 pm and is open to all adults and youth (6th-12th grade).
Childcare will be available for children up to age 10. For childcare needs, please RSVP to Becca Nims, Family Ministry Director,
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Wednesday nights are an intentional time of friendship, fun, and faith. Each week, we check in with one another, play games, have a snack, and dig into scripture. All 12th-grade students are welcome to join. We meet from 6:30-7:30 pm. | |
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During April and May we will be Echoing the Sunday sermon series called Intergenerational.
Our church is made up of people who come from many different generations. We have representation from the Greatest Generation ( before 1928 ), The Silent Generation ( 1928-1945), The Baby Boomers ( 1946-1964), Generation X ( 1965-1980), Millennials ( 1981-1996), Generation Z (1997-2012 ), and the newest group, Generation Alpha ( 2013 to the present ). We are truly a multi-generational church and that is worth celebrating! Yet, even though we have all of these generations in the same space, we recognize that these generations do not always have strong relationships with each other. There are often generalizations made about each generation, tensions as one generation ages and another steps into leadership, and sometimes there is outright animosity between generations. In this five week series, we will consider how God calls us towards an Intergenerational future, where we build a bridge across the generations so we can have deep and meaningful relationships with each other.
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Youth Co-op
4:00-6:00 pm (unless otherwise noted)
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Register Here for Youth Co-op
Youth Co-Op is a safe and loving ecumenical youth group for 6th to 12th-grade students. We embrace all students regardless of race, abilities, ethnicity, gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientation. We provide opportunities for fun, learning, faith and spirituality exploration, and service to the community. Our partner churches include Lovely Lane UMC, People's Church UU, St. Mark's UMC, St. Paul's UMC, and St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. Unless otherwise stated, we meet on Sundays from 4:00-6:00 pm during the school year.
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April 21: Earth Keeping: Energizing People of Faith for Climate Justice at St. Paul’s UMC
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May 11: Youth Co-Op Late Night, More information to come.
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Say goodbye to the school year and hello to a summer adventure! Our United Methodist Church Camps have many different summer camp options at two locations- Wesley Woods in Indianola, Iowa, and Okoboji, just off the shores of West Lake Okoboji. Each offers a unique experience for ages 4-17.
Learn more about IAUMC Summer Camps by visiting here.
Scholarships are available through St. Paul’s and the Iowa UMC Camp and Retreat ministries. For more information about Scholarship opportunities, contact Becca Nims.
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Summer 2024 Mission Trips | |
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Middle School Trip
(completed in 2024: 6th-8th grade)
- June 20-23, 2024
- Kansas City, Missouri
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Trip Coordinators: Ryan Roth-Klinck
- 20 Spots Available
This trip is an introduction to help students gain better understand the LGBTQI+ community and how our faith traditions call us to encounter ourselves and others as beloved human beings. We feel it is important to create an intentional and safe space where students can ask questions and learn with adults who can help connect the dots to how faith and identity are interrelated. We will meet with experts and queer pastors to help us understand terminology and language, and to hear about the challenges and joys of queer community experiences.
Cost for St. Paul’s student participants $100 – Total cost per person of this trip is $257.50, we are able to reduce this price for you thanks to generous donations to our Youth Mission Trip Fund(s).
To register please contact Ryan Roth-Klinck.
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High School Mission Trip
(completed in 2024: 9-12th grade)
- July 13-19, 2024
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Trip Coordinator: Becca Nims
- 20 Spots Available
The high school trip will focus on those building relationships with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. We are partnering with an organization called Serve 901, who will help us take a deeper dive into understanding housing in the United States and how people become unhoused. We will also consider how our faith traditions can help guide us when we encounter injustice in our world.
- Registration Deadline is May 1, 2024
- St. Paul’s Student Participation Cost $321
- $25 non-refundable registration fee required
- Final Payment Due June 14, 2024
- Total Trip Cost per participant is $643. The remaining cost of the trip is covered by our generous Youth Mission Trip Foundation Fund(s).
If you are in need of additional financial support for this trip, please reach out to Becca Nims, Family Ministry Director.
To Register please click link and print out the following form, fill out the related information and return to Becca Nims , Family Ministry Director.
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Youth Music practices during the education time (10:20-11:10 am). Currently, students have spent most of the time playing handbells to participate in worship. Have you not played bells before? That is OK. Do you have little musical experience? That is OK. There is a place for anyone who wants to participate, no matter what skill level you have. Come and try it out! We cannot do it without you!! Contact Mark Baumann for more information.
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ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | stpaulsumc.org
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