New Administrative Assistant

The Faith Lutheran Church Council is pleased to announce that Jan Kirk will serve as Faith's new Administrative Assistant beginning July 24th. Providing overall support to Erik Ullestad, Director of Administration and Communications, Jan will serve as the first point of contact for the church office, often being the one to answer phone calls and greet people as they enter the office. Other tasks include clerical tasks and assisting with facility use management. Click here to learn more about Jan.  

With the new position will come an office renovation that will provide new office space for the Director of Administration and Communications along with space for the Administrative Assistant. Construction will begin Monday, July 10. The office will be temporarily relocated to the Children, Youth & Family Ministry Center for the week.

Mission Spending Plan Meetings

The Faith Lutheran Church Mission Spending Plan informational meeting is Sunday, July 23. The meeting to formally approve the 2024 Fiscal Year Mission Spending Plan is Sunday, July 30. Both meetings are at 9:30 am in St. Michael's Hall. 

In the coming days you can find the Mission Spending Plan for fiscal year 2024 and other supporting materials at www.faithlc.org/meetings.  

Show You Care With Underwear

For the month of July the God’s Work. Our Hands. team is collecting new children’s underwear and socks to donate to Des Moines Refugee Support, an organization serving refugees families in the Des Moines area. DMRS has a store where families can shop and children can get ready for the upcoming school year. Underwear and socks are the most needed items. You may bring your donations of new, unopened underwear and socks to the Faith Commons by July 31. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Megan (megan@faithlc.org) or a member of the GWOH team. 

CFUM Meal

Did you know that Faith Lutheran feeds 150 people every month through Children & Family Urban Movement Supper Club? Please consider serving our neighbors by donating food, money, or time (delivering food) to CFUM on July 10 & 11. Visit faithlc.org/gwoh to learn more and sign up!

God's Work. Our Hands. with DMARC

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is an interfaith organization with a mission of working together to meet basic human needs in the greater Des Moines community. There are many ways to support DMARC, including collecting food at the Downtown Farmers Market and working in the food warehouse (links below).

The God’s Work. Our Hands. team has set a goal of having 30 Faith members volunteer at DMARC this summer. You’re encouraged to snap a picture of your serving and email it to megan@faithlc.org so it can be added to the GWOH summer service bulletin board. BE THE LIGHT!

Assist with produce collection at the Downtown Farmers Market

Click here

Sort and pack donated items in the warehouse and assist with other projects as needed (Monday - Thursday)

Click here

Ladies' Night Out: Jasper Winery

July 13

Join in the fun at the Faith Ladies' Night Out at the Jasper Winery in Des Moines. Meet there around 6:00 with your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy your favorite beverage and the music of the dueling piano musicians Tony Bohnenkamp and Jerry Lorenson. Based in Des Moines, the group is well-known for their fun and entertaining performances. As talented musicians and vocalists, they engage the crowd and put on a show! They are bringing the whole band to the winery, so be ready to have fun and hear the classics. Beverages and food are available for purchase. Click here to sign up. For more information, visit the Jasper Winery website or contact Susan Klein at susanklein50@gmail.com.

Be the Light Congregational Cookout

July 21 | 5:00 - 9:00 pm



On Friday, July 21 from 5:00—9:00 pm a congregational cookout will be held at Walnut Woods State Park Lodge (3155 Walunt Woods Dr., WDM). Hot dogs, hamburgers, lemonade, s’mores, and table service will be provided. A free-will offering will be received. Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share, as well as beverages (alcohol is allowed), and a lawn chair. There will be games and activities for all ages. Everyone will gather in the Lodge at 6:30 for a summertime hymn sing led by Erik & Allison Ullestad and a farewell to Dave & Cindy Johnson. This event will occur rain-or-shine, as the lodge and outdoor patio are covered. There are opportunities to help with grilling, s’mores supervision, set-up, clean-up, etc. Visit faithlc.org/bethelight to learn more!

Iowa Cubs Faith Day

July 23 at 1:08 pm

Mark your calendars for Faith Day with the I-Cubs on Sunday, July 23 at 1:00 pm at Principal Park. Reserved grandstand tickets are $8 each and will be available for purchase before/after weekend worship services until July 16 and also in the church office during the week.

Columbarium & Memory Garden Renovation Project

The Faith Lutheran Church Council has approved the addition of a columbarium to be located in what will be a newly renovated Memory Garden on the east side of the church facility. A columbarium is a collection of niches designed to house urns containing cremated human remains (cremains). It will serve as a sacred resting place for loved ones who have died and for the care, placement, and inurnment of their cremated remains. The Memory Garden will allow for peaceful meditation and prayer and will serve as a multi-purpose space for congregational use.  

We are currently raising funds for the Memory Garden renovation. Additionally, you can make an appointment with a member of the Columbarium Committee to purchase a niche in the columbarium. Contact the church office at 515-225-8334 or office@faithlc.org. To learn more about this project, visit faithlc.org/columbarium and stop by the display in the church commons.

Summer Small Group Study

Sharing our Faith Stories

"Sharing Our Faith Stories" small groups have begun meeting. The curriculum is available faithlc.org/bethelight and paper copies can be found at the Welcome Center in the Commons. If you would still like to join a small group, contact Pastor Eric at eric@faithlc.org or call the church office. 

Iowa Bishops Ride Against Hunger

The three ELCA bishops in Iowa have decided to ride the 50th annual RAGBRAI on July 22-29. They will ride 50+ miles together each day, highlighting the 50+ anti-hunger ministries in Iowa, and raising $50K for ELCA World Hunger. Visit seiasynod.org/ragbrai to learn more and donate!

Pastoral Visit and At-Home Communion

If you or someone you know wishes to have a visit by one of the pastors and/or receive Holy Communion, call the church office at 515-225-8334 or email Pastor Eric Carlson at eric@faithlc.org.