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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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Thoughts on this strange new time...
(author unknown)
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I don't know if you agree, but something invisible came and put everything in its place.
Suddenly the gasoline went down, pollution went down, people started to have more time - so much time that they do not know what to do with it - parents are spending time with their kids as a family, work is no longer a priority, or traveling or social life either.
Suddenly we silently see within ourselves and understand the value of the words "solidarity", "love", "strength", "empathy" and "faith".
In an instant we realized that we are all in the same boat; rich and poor. That the supermarket shelves are empty and the hospitals are full.
New cars and old cars also stand in the garages, simply because nobody can get out.
Empty streets, less pollution, clean air, the land also breathes.
The human returns to his origins, realizing that with or without money, the important thing is to survive.
Today, health is the main thing, even in spite of wanting to have or possessing.
It took 6 days for the universe to establish the social equality that was said to be impossible.
Fear invaded everyone.
At least this happened to realize the vulnerability of the human being.
Nature is forcing us to clean up the mess made by ourselves.
Our overthrown gods:
-Money
-Sports
-Fame
-Politics
What the coronavirus is teaching us:
-Our best protection: GOD
-Our best refuge: HOME
- Our best company: FAMILY
- Our real time: TODAY
- Nature's call: STOP US
- Its message: WAIT, RESPECT
We are not gods, we are not kings, we do not have the power of controlling everything.
We are part of a whole, fragile, brittle and vulnerable something. Part of a whole, something that we wanted to dominate & today is telling us: Stop, breathe, respect.
Go back to the basics, to the essentials, that the peace of your soul guide you towards what you are: a CREATION.
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Palm Sunday | April 5 at 10:30 a.m.
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Worship online with us on
Sunday at 10:30 a.m. There will be a time included in worship for a
Palm Parade! So gather some green branches from outdoors, or print your own. Then have them ready to wave on Sunday morning!
Visit our
website to download a bulletin, fill out a connect card, make prayer requests, make your offering, download kids' pages, and more!
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Join zoom online:
Dial in to zoom:
312-626-6799
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Maundy Thursday | April 9 at 7:00 p.m.
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Join us on Zoom
Thursday at 7:00pm for worship around the table as we remember Jesus' Last Supper.
Gather around your own tables, bring your own bread (a loaf, a slice, a tortilla, bagel, pita, etc.) and your own cups of water, juice or wine, and join us for an interactive evening of worship with communion.
Meeting ID: 806 976 226
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Good Friday | April 10 at 7:00 p.m.
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Worship online with us on
Friday at 7:00pm for a virtual tenebrae service that takes us through Jesus' arrest, trial and crucifixion. You are invited to have 7 candles, flashlights, lamps or other lights to extinguish one by one throughout the service. An at-home worship guide will be available on our
website next week.
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Easter Sunday - April 12 at 10:30 a.m.
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Easter is not cancelled! Celebrate the Risen Savior with us as we
worship online
at 10:30am.
Be sure to visit our
website to download a bulletin, request prayers, make your offering, and find links for children's activities.
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Plus, we'll be hosting an
Easter Scavenger Hunt! Stay tuned for more details!
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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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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:
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:
The Douglas Woods Challenge has begun and will be held through April 14th. Mr. Woods is a retired Des Moines policeman who has dealt with hunger circumstances in his life. He is challenging new and established congregations that he will match donations during that time up to $20,000. Take this into consideration in this time of great need and uncertainty.
To donate, you can do so electronically through our church or by making a check out to Polk City United Methodist Church and in the memo put "DMARC/Woods Challenge". Your check can be mailed to Polk City United Methodist Church , 1421 West Broadway, Polk City, Iowa 50226 (Attn:Finance Secretary). By donating this way, we can record on our church records before we send in our donation.
Thank you for helping those who hunger and are in need in this overwhelming time. Any questions? please contact Linda Pennington (DMARC Delegate) at
penningtonl@q.com
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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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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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Also consider sending cards, letters, or kids' artwork to
Polk City Nursing and Rehab Center: 1002 W. Washington Ave, Polk City, Iowa 50226.
Or consider dropping off art supplies for their residents, or stopping by to add some sidewalk chalk or window paint messages to brighten their day!
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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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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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