eVoice
Des Moines Area Religious Council and MovetheFood.org

 A bi-weekly newsletter of the
 DMARC and MovetheFood Community

   
In This Issue
Community Calendar
Faith Community News
Job/Volunteer Opportunities
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60 years of service -
A digest brief.
In 2010, we added 3 new pantry sites, including evening hours. And we modified the "most needed items" list to reflect DMARC's movement to distribution of healthy, nutritious and fresh food products.
DMARC's Delegate Assembly Meets Tuesday,
October 16th, 7pm
Reminder that next Tuesday is the Fall 2012 Delegate Assembly of the DMARC congregations and their members. The program is about DMARC 101, where you'll learn about our various programs.
Also, during the business meeting portion, you'll be voting on 2013 DMARC board members.

Not a member of DMARC? Become a delegate member of the Des Moines Area Religious Council, by completing and sending in the online form.
Register Now & Save!
4th Annual
Hope for Hungry
Symposium is November 10th

Hope for the Hungry postcard

Feeding Greater Des Moines will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, in downtown Des Moines, on Nov. 10, 2012, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The goal is to alleviate childhood hunger in the Greater Des Moines area by 2015. This symposium will seek creative solutions toward accomplishing this goal. The day includes speakers, videos, break-out groups & prizes! The Bridge, an ecumenical group of downtown churches, will provide lunch. A free-will offering for lunch will support the Bridge's downtown Connection Cafe, which serves free lunch five days a week to people in need. Click here for a

IowaFoodSystemsCouncil  
Register for 2012 Healthy Farms, Healthy People State Meeting!
 

The Iowa Food Systems Council has been selected to host the 2012 Healthy Farms, Healthy People State Meeting on Nov. 16, 2012, at the
Fisher Community Center in Marshalltown, Iowa.
Online registration

 for this first year event is now available. Register early to guarantee yourself a seat! 

 

 

Consider representing your organization or your own work at this meeting by submitting a proposal to speak! Long and short presentations that showcase how the health of Iowans is dependent on healthy relationships between agriculture, food, health care and public health are needed. Email the Iowa Food Systems Council or call 515-423-0660.


 

Des Moines Area Religious Council / MovetheFood 

3816 36th Street, Suite 202

Des Moines, Iowa 50310

515-277-6969
October 8, 2012

Greetings!   

 

We want to thank all who bought and ate the cookies from the 10th annual Hy-Vee Colossal Cookie Sale in September.This year, Hy-Vee Food Stores from across the greater Des Moines area sold 713,396 cookies as part of the Colossal Cookie Sale benefiting the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network. That's an increase of 16,841 cookies from last year! Bakery lunchbox cookies sold during Sept. 11-24, for 12 cents each, and for each cookie sold, Hy-Vee is donating one penny to the DMARC Food Pantry Network.

 

Thanks also goes to the Des Moines area Hy-Vee stores, with their help, DMARC will receive over $7,000 in groceries among all 13 food pantry sites.

Community Calendar

We are pleased to point you to the community calendar on the DMARC website. You may access it at any time. Feel free to upload your own events! Just click on "add an event".

 

Transformative Path of Contemplative Dialogue, Saturday, Nov 9 & 10

Introduction to the practice on Friday from 9am to 3:30pm. On Saturday, from 9am to 12:30pm, "Deepening Our Understanding and Experience of Contemplative Dialogue" with facilitator Connie Schoen, OP. The practice offers proven ways to overcome divisions, builds a shared approach that is effective, practical and better allows us to do what we do best.

Sponsored by the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center.

Location: Covenant Christian Church, 2700 72nd St., Urbandale

Registration cost is $55 for Friday only, or $30 for Saturday only. $75 both days. Contact: Kathy Reardon at [email protected]. An informational flyer is available online. 

 

Suicide: Why it happens and what to do about it.
Oct 23, 7-9pm, at
Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University

Keynoter, John Westefeld, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. Risk factors, warning signs, prevelance in groups and populations, what to do if you are concerned about someone being suicidal; grief, spiritual issues for the surviving family and friends. Additional information at DMPCC 515-274-4006 or [email protected].

 

Hope for the Hungry is Nov. 10, 2012, at St. John's Lutheran Church, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

This is the 4th annual gathering to focus on alleviating childhood hunger by 2015. Dr. Yogesh Shah, Assoc. Dean of global health, DM University, is keynote speaker. Three topics for the day are looking at what childhood hunger looks like at school, in the home, and for the community. Breakout sessions will look at issues, barriers, do problem solving and establish realistic goals for 2013 and beyond. Early registration ends 10/26/12. Cost $15; $30 after 10/26. Free will offering for lunch. For more information check blogspot:hopeforthehungry.blogspot.com or contact Diana Sickels at [email protected].

  

Retreat Ministry at Covenant Christian Church - A Monthly Experience of Saturday Sabbath

On October 13, "Poetry as Spiritual Practice" will be presented by Jim Autry, a former Fortune 500 corporate executive, author, speaker and poet. His 11th book, Choosing Gratitude; Learning to Love the Life You Have, was published in June 2012. Cost is $50.  From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 13, 2012. Contact Paul Witmer, 2700 72nd St., Urbandale, IA 50322. or [email protected] for this and other monthly programs or check www.dmreligious.org community calendar. A complete calendar of retreats can be found at: http://www.covenant-christian.org/journey-up/.

 

Iowa Hunger Summit: United in Fighting Hunger is Oct. 16th

Save the Date! On Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, we will celebrate our common heritage of humanitarian action at the 2012 Iowa Hunger Summit, the kick-off to our annual World Food Prize events. This year's events will focus on the role of collaboration and coalitions in combatting hunger, with a special emphasis on hunger among senior citizens. The Iowa Hunger Summit is free and open to the public. Register online. Even if you can't make it to this year's Hunger Summit, we encourage you to share your efforts as an individual or organization to fight hunger in your community and around the world

 

LADOS Life after Death of Spouse 

This DMARC-sponsored support group meets the second Sunday evening of each month at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 42nd St. & Ingersoll, Des Moines. For details, contact LADOS Coordinator Connie Coy-Walker at: 515-255-2229.

 

Sleep Under the Stars so Kids Can Reach Them.

Reggie's Sleepout is October 27, at Drake University Football Stadium. Visit www.reggiessleepout.org to register, donate, and set up your personal fundraising page. Reggie's Sleepout is an annual event benefitting the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers. Questions can be directed to Toni at 515-265-1222. Note: DMARC is not a co-host or beneficiary of the 2012 sleepout.

  

Drake University Humanities Center to Sponsor Events for The Comparison Project

Aims of The Comparison Project are to educate about diversity between and within religious, as well as providing a forum in which local religious congregations could dialogue on issues of religious and community import. Since its begining, the Project has added the third aim, that of producing knowledge in comparative philosophy of historical religions. Fall events for 2012 are listed on the DMARC community calendar.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 2012-2013

 

Applications will be taken starting November 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Iowa Department of Human Rights/DCAA, and has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs.

 

Red Rock Area Community Action Program, Inc. Rural Polk County Office is located at 406 SW School St., Suite 201; Ankeny, Iowa 50023, and will be taking applications from November 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013 (October 1 for households with elderly/disabled member). Applicants will need to furnish some form of identification, a copy of their most recent heating and electric bill, telephone bill, and proof of all household members' gross income for the past three months or for the past calendar year.

 

The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and other factors.

 

Eligibility for participation is established according to the following federal income guidelines:

 

INCOME MAXIMUMS 

 

LIHEAP

LIHEAP

Household

3-Month Gross

Annual Gross

Size

Income

Income

1

$ 4,189

$ 16,755

2

5,674

22,695

3

7,159

28,635

4

8,644

34,575

5

10,129

40,515

6

11,614

46,455

 

For households with more than six members, add $1,485 / $5,940 for each additional member.

 

* Medical Waiver: Households who are over LIHEAP regular income guidelines may be eligible for LIHEAP benefits through our medical waiver component. The medical expenses must be documented, paid, and non-reimbursable. For more information please contact your local community action agency.

Faith Community  News

 

Healing Ministry Conference is Saturday, October 13

Location is at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul from 9am to 4:30pm. Feature keynoter is the Rev. Robert Kem, chaplain, Living Water Chapter of the Order of St. Luke and rector of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Ankeny. Fr. Kem will speak on How to Pray for Healing for Ourselves and Others. The afternoon will feature Bible study and the Very Rev. Cathleen Bascom, Dean of the Cathedral Church speaking on The Breadth of Healing Practice: Earth, Neighborhood and Our Individual Ministries.

 

Come, bring a prayer team, bring a Bible. Register online at cathedralchurchofstpaul.org. Cost is $25 adult (lunch included). Morning only is $15. Children fee is $10 for 11 yrs and older. Under 5-yrs-old, free (please indicate on reservation). Make checks payable to Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 815 High St., Des Moines 50309. Hymn sing starts at 6:30pm and the Healing Service is at 7pm with Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Episcopal Bishop of Iowa preaching.

 

Sponsored by the Cathedral Church of St. Paul and the Order of St. Luke the Physician, an ecumenical organization of lay persons, clergy and health professionls who support Christian Healing. 

 

Stephen Ministry Workshop is October 6th

The West Des Moines Christian Church, 4501 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, will host a Stephen Ministry Workshop on Oct. 6, 2012, from 9am-1pm. Registration begins at 8am. The half-day workshop consists of three sessions designed to enhance participants' caregiving skills and to help congregations explore ways to expand their caring ministry. Cost is $15 per person or $50 for a group of four or more from the same congregation. For details or to register, call Stephen Ministries at 314-428-2600, or register online. Or contact Pastor Alison Robuck at WDMCC for more information 515-223-1639.

 

Food Matters: 9 Films that Explore Ways to Think about Food

Why do you eat the things you do, and does it matter? Nine films examine food choices in terms of their health, ethical, social, political, economic or environmental consequences. The film viewings will take place on the 2nd Friday of the month (September 2012- May 2013) at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Ave., Des Moines. Start time is 7 p.m. and admission is FREE! Film schedule:

Informal discussion will follow, with a sampling of foods after the final film. Childcare provided upon request, call: 515-288-3427 or 515-244-8603, x107. Made possible by a R.E.A.C.H. grant from the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines.

 

Attend Ecumenical Fiesta Fun-Raiser for El Salvador Mission

Join us for a fiesta afternoon with a silent auction, tapas and Latino music on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 4-7pm at the Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community, 3300 University Ave., Des Moines. Cost is $15 per person, under age 10-free; student discount- $10. Advanced ticket sales and at-the-door sales. Contact Betty at: 515-276-4991 or [email protected].

For details, go to Our Sister Parish. Proceeds to to past and current projects in El Salvador including: water filter projects, water collection tanks, flood relief efforts, fairly traded coffee, medical help, educational scholarships, fertilizer distribution, solar panel installation, and more. We will be selling our coffee, Don Justo-Coffee with Dignity, at the event.

  

MFSA Fall 2012 Statewide Gathering is October 20

The Iowa Chapter of MFSA will hold it's fall meeting at Saturday, Oct. 20th, 10am, at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 412 Euclid Ave., Des Moines. Devotions will be by Rev. Dave Shogren and the Program by Dr. Jim Martin. Business meeting will be held to elect 2013 officers. Lunch will be provided.

 

Save the Date: Scholar-in-Residence at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Oct. 26-28

Rabbi Naomi Levy, author of the national bestseller To Begin Again, as well as Talking to God and Hope Will Find You, is the founder and spiritual leader of Nashuva, the Jewish Prayer community and outreach movement in Los Angeles responsibile for bringing hundreds of unaffiliated Jews back to Judaism. An engaging speaker, Rabbi Levy has appeared on Oprah, the Today Show and NPR. Presentations include: Friday, Oct. 26, 7pm; Saturday, Oct. 27, 9:30am with a Kiddush lunch; and Sunday, Oct. 28, 9am with coffee and book signing at Caspe Terrace. Questions? Contact 515-255-1137 or [email protected].

 

Love Packages Will Recycle Used Books/Magazines

This came in from DMARC Delegate Charlene Cobb from New Hope United Methodist Church.

 

"During a recent trip to Illinois, I was visiting with a friend, who told me about Love Packages. This is a non-profit, ecumenical group located in Butler, IL, that sends Christian-type material all over the world. Some of the items are Bibles in any condition (new or used; they have the capability of rebinding and mending Bibles), Sunday school supplies (not busy work papers), and Daily devotionals including the Upper Room (they do not want Guideposts). Don't worry about the dates on the printed material. To find out more about Love Packages, call 217-532-6701 or checkout their website, www.lovepackages.org.

 

This is a great way to recycle old Christian-type material and share its original messages worldwide. It's also a way each person and/or each church can make a difference."

Job / Volunteer / Training Opportunities 

 

 

Accounts Payable Position - St. John's Lutheran Church, Des Moines

Part time, non-exempt, 20 hrs. per week. Coordinate payroll with Paychex, do trend analysis, asst with accounts receivable as needs arise. Church or non-profit experience a plus. Working knowledge of MS Office. RDS is our Church Management Software. Contact Scott LeBlanc at: [email protected].

 

Administrative Assistant/Congregational Connections Facilitator - Immanuel United Methodist Church, Des Moines 
A flexible self-starter who enjoys a variety of tasks and working with people to facilitate connections among a caring, Christ-loving group of people. Experience with MS Publisher and other MS products, comfortable managing financial records and skills in database management required. Salary $22-25k, 32 hrs per week in church office. Send cover letter and resume to: [email protected].

 

Secretary - Capitol Hill Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Des Moines

A secretarial position is opening and is 12-hours per week. For details, contact Pastor Candice K. Brown at 515-266-6283. Send resumes and cover letter to the church, 3322 E. 25th St. Des Moines, IA 50317.


Volunteer in October
Rebuilding Together of Greater Des Moines has an exciting opportunity. Lowe's is giving the funds to provide weatherization services to individuals or families in our community. If you have skills or interest in putting up plastic on windows, help with simple insulation, caulking and/or weather stripping send an email to [email protected] today!

Volunteer Hunger Hikers Needed - Des Moines
On October 14, the 43rd Annual Des Moines Area Hunger Hike will have a new route this year with interesting options! On Sunday, you'll walk from 1:30-4 p.m. starting on the east side of the Norman Borlaug Hall of Laureates, 100 Locust St., Des Moines. The World Food Prize is offering a guided tour of the beautiful Hall of Laureates building to returning Hikers! In 2011, 50 congregations and other groups participated and we hope to increase that number. The need is great - help the Des Moines Area Hunger Hike Inc., work back up to their peak year (1990) of $57,845 in receipts. Half the receipts go to local agencies; 40% to Church World Service/CROP, the other 10% is divided among Heifer International, Seed Programs, Inc, and Iowa/Yucatan Partners.  For collection packets, to sponsor a hiker or to join the walk, call 515-279-1106.

 

Volunteers - DMARC Food Pantry Warehouse, Des Moines

We need help with our farmer's market produce delivery on Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. We are also looking for help on Friday mornings 8-10 a.m. Are you able to lift 40-50 lbs. and put it in our warehouse cooler? We need your help now until October. Contact the Food Pantry Network Director Rebecca Whitlow, at 515-277-6969.

 

Interpretation & Translation Program - DMACC, Des Moines

Currently seeking interpreters for the following languages:

Burmese, Cambodian, Chin-Mizo and other Chin dialects, Dinka, Karen, Korean, Nuer, Swahili. For details, contact Stephanie Hingtgen, ITR manager, at: 515-282-8269, ext. 16, or [email protected].

 

 

Who are we?

The Des Moines Area Religious Council is an interfaith organization with a core membership of about 140 congregations from four faith traditions. Recipient of the 2010 Aurora Award from The Des Moines Register, DMARC provides a common means of responding to basic human needs and a context for interfaith dialogue.

 

The DMARC Food Pantry Network consists of 13 separate pantry sites, a centralized warehouse, and numerous community partners. It is the largest food pantry network in Iowa. Pantry sites are located in West Des Moines, Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, and eight sites in Des Moines. In 2011, the DMARC Food Pantry

Network assisted over 33,000 people..

 

MovetheFood is a DMARC-led initiative to address the entire food system in Greater Des Moines, building on more than 35 years of the Food Pantry Network, catalyzing fresh generations, and engaging new constituencies to further support a vision for a day when everyone in Polk County has enough to eat.