eVoice
Des Moines Area Religious Council and MovetheFood.org

 A bi-weekly newsletter of the
 DMARC and MovetheFood Community

   
In This Issue
Younkers Coupon Fundraiser
Community Calendar
Faith Community News
Job/Volunteer Opportunities
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Younkers Coupon Booklet

Scroll down to see the coupon ad below, and purchase your Younkers/ BonTon coupon booklet today!

The Comparison Project presents...

 

"Who Ended Slavery? Secularization in Context" Dr.HectorAvalosby Hector Avalos, professor of religious studies at Iowa State University, with a response by Jennifer Harvey, associate professor of religion at Drake University. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is on Thursday, February 14th at 6:30pm, in Olin 101 on the campus of Drake University.

 

A number of prominent writers have claimed that Christian and biblical ethics were ultimately responsible for the abolition of slavery in Africa and the New World. Dr. Hector Avalos, in contrast, argues that biblical arguments against slavery began to be abandoned by abolitionists themselves because the pro-slavery side actually had an advantage in biblical support for slavery. Thus, more secularized forms of argumentation, which rested on universalized humanitarian and legal premises, became more attractive in abolitionist movements.

 

The Comparison Project is an experimental effort in a philosophy of religion that is historically grounded and religiously diverse. It is generously supported by the Drake University Humanities Center, Humanities Iowa, the Medbury Fund, the Drake University Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Cultivating Compassion: The Richard Deming Foundation.

 

Check out

The Comparison Project's Website

'Like' us on Facebook 

Follow us on Twitter: @drakecomparison

Email us: comparisonproject@drake.edu

  

 


 

Des Moines Area Religious Council

3816 36th Street, Suite 202

Des Moines, IA 50310-4710

515-277-6969

www.dmreligious.org

www.movethefood.org

  

 

February 5, 2013

 Greetings!  

We have lots of news in this eVoice you won't want to miss. A little bit of everything for our religious congregations and our community as a whole. Enjoy!

~ DMARC Staff 

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".
Mardi Gras CSM    
Join us at a Mardi Gras event
to remember!

On Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, from 6:00-9:30 p.m., all are invited to attend this Mardi Gras celebration at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 6th & Grand Ave in Des Moines. Traditional Mardi Gras food including a Jambalaya Cook-off with local celebrities and chefs from Fat Tuesday and Buzzard Billys. Tickets are: $100 Sponsor (includes two tickets for event); $75 for two; or $40 for one. Proceeds will support Center for Social Ministries and Catholic Charities. DMARC will receive a share of the proceeds.

 

Lectio Divina Program: A Course in Praying the Scriptures is February 9

Beginning on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, from 9am to 3pm, at Covenant Christian Church, 2700 72nd St. in Urbandale. Leader Tim Goldman lives and works in the Des Moines. He is a commissioned Centering Prayer presenter and is in the process of completing his training to be a commissioned presenter of Lectio Divina. Tim will be assisted in the presentation by Cathy Chenard from Contemplative Outreach of Mideast Iowa.

Register at www.centeriowa.org. Cost is $40 and includes lunch and materials. Scholarships are available. Sponsored by Contemplative Outreach of Central Iowa.

 

Anchor Coffee House Welcomes Mike Himebaugh
on February 16

Mike Himebaugh will perform at Westminster's Anchor Coffee House, at the corner of Beaver and Franklin Avenues in Des Moines, on Saturday night, February 16 at 7p.m. Enjoy a family-friendly night out with great refreshments, free childcare and plenty of parking. Advance tickets are $10 or $12 at the door and can be purchased at: Westminster Church online or Uptempo Music in the Beaverdale shopping district. Call 515-274-1534, to purchase by phone with credit card. For more info, contact: Jan Davison, Director of Communications, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4114 Allison Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50310.

  

Intro to Centering Prayer as an 11th Step Practice is February 16

Join the Contemplative Outreach of Iowa from 9am to 1pm at Hamilton's Funeral Home, 3601 Westown Parkway. Cost is $25. This introductory workshop teaches the method of Centering Prayer in easy to understand terms and with practical experience. While this workshop is designed specifically for people in 12-Step recovery, it is open to all and teaches the same method of centering prayer that has been introduced throughout the world by Contemplative Outreach. Everyone moves at his or her own pace in Centering Prayer. Just doing the prayer and opening yourself to the presence of your Higher Power in silence will encourage you to keep going. Growth will happen when we practice Centering Prayer in the context of the 12 Steps. Register online at: www.centeriowa.org. For details or scholarship requests, contact: paul.witmer@centeriowa.org.

  

 

Episcopal Diocese of Iowa Offers eSeminary Course

Through the Iowa School for Life-Long Theological Education the course is titled "Spirituality 332: Care of the Soul, Care of the Self: Clergy Vocation, Renewal and Wholeness" and lead by the Rev. Mary L. Fraser, Ph.D. Beginning Mondays, Feb. 18 through April 8, 2013 (8 weeks), from 7-8:15pm. You will explore the vocational nature of the ministry, the necessity for self care and balance in the work of ministry and four genres of practice that help clergy center on both the mystical and practical. You will need a computer with a web camera, headset and high-speed internet connection. Register today online or by contacting the Rev. Thomas J. Gehlsen, Ph.D., Diocese of Iowa, 225  37th St., Des Moines, IA 50312, 515-277-6165, or tgehlsen@iowaepiscopal.org 

 

Attend Latino Center for Central Iowa Forums in February

Area residents have the opportunity to determine the fate of a potential Latino Center in Central Iowa. Over 38,000 Latinos live in the Des Moines metro area, but currently no central organization exists for the entire Latino community. All area residents, Latinos and non-Latinos, are invited to join one of two public forums to express their views on the proposal:

  • Sunday, February 10 - Our Lady of the Americas Roman Catholic Parish (Parish Hall Basement), 1271 East 9th St, Des Moines, 1:30-3pm
  • Thursday, February 21 - North High School (Cafeteria), 501 Holcomb Ave, Des Moines, 6:30-8pm

Each meeting will have a brief background presentation, followed by small group discussions. Residents are also invited to express their opinion through an online surveyTamales will be served at both meetings. Children and families are welcome. Activities for children will be provided. Contact the Chair of the Latino Center steering committee Barbara Dinnen at: barbdinnen53@gmail.com or 515-490-1234.

 

 

 

Community Gardens - Mini Grants - Spring 2013

Organizations eligible to apply include faith, school or community based gardens located in Polk, Dallas or Warren counties. Grants will be available in amounts ranging from $500-$1,500 with a max of $10,000 in awards. Dollars can be requested for equipment, irrigation supplies, seeds, planting or other necessary items. Eligible funding will be released as soon as March 1, 2013 and no later than June 30, 2013. To apply for available funding contact Nicole Beaman, United Way of Central Iowa, 1111 9th St., Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50314, nbeaman@unitedwaydm.org.

 

Beat the Odds: Heart, Stroke & Diabetes Prevention
FREE Health Fair is February 17

 

Mercy and the Iowa Heart Center presents a FREE health fair featuring screenings for blood pressure, glucose, body fat, leg veins and carotid thickness. Information on heart disease, stroke, diabetes, weight loss and much more will also be available. The event will be at The Pairie Meadow's Events Center, in Altoona, from Noon-4pm. Presenters include a cardiologist, endocrinologist and neurologist:

 

  • 1 p.m "Don't Roll the Dice: Know the Signs of Stroke," presented by Michael Jacoby, M.D., neurologist, Mercy Ruan Neuroscience Center
  • "My Many Meds, My Many Diseases: Can Technology Help?," presented by Anuj Bhargava, M.D, endocrinologist, Iowa Diabetes and Endocrinology Center
  • "Don't Gamble with Your Heart Health: Reduce Your Risk," presented by Eric Martin, M.D., cardiologist, Iowa Heart Center
  • "Ask the Experts," Q & A session with Drs. Jacoby, Bhargava and Martin Heart healthy snacks and refreshments will be available.

 

For more information, visit www.mercydesmoines.org.

Tropical Music Concert is Saturday, February 9th at 7:30 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 600 6th Ave., in Des Moines, featuring the Caribbean steel pan band "Tropical Steel" with the St. John's Lutheran Church Choir. This fun, family-friendly concert is the perfect antidote to the mid-winter blues and blahs. The first half of the concert is all Tropical Steel with their lively, beach-breeze-blown music. The second half of the concert includes the St. John's Choir to perform five of the most enjoyable portions of Glenn McClure's "St. Francis of the Americas: a Caribbean Mass." 
StJohnLutheranArtsSeries
Faith Community  News
  
TaxAssistance Need Help Filing Taxes?

If you earned $50,000 or less in 2012, you may be eligible to receive Free Tax Preparation! You also may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Care Tax Credits. Call 2-1-1 for more information. 211 is free and available 24/7.

 

Earth Words Sermon Contest

Iowa Interfaith Power & Light is pleased to announce its annual Earth Words Sermon Contest the weekend of Feb. 8-10, 2013.

Winning sermons will be shared through Iowa IPL's newsletter and website. In addition prizes will be awarded for the top three sermons. The top prize winner will be awarded the Ray Heinicke Award for Excellence in Preaching. Sermon must be delivered to a religious community between Feb. 8-10, 2013. Make submissions electronically to director@iowaipl.org by March 12. To register click here. Contact Susan Guy for questions at director@iowaipl.org.

 

Interfaith Hospitality Network Name Change

IHN sheltered it's first guest in 2004, as an independent affiliate of a national organization, "Family Promise". Since then, they have grown and expanded services from basic shelter to full-time family case management and support for families through their After Care Program. The new name will be Family Promise of Greater Des Moines. The mission remains the same: to mobilize our community to help homeless families achieve stable housing and income. The present website will remain for now: www.dmihn.org, but will eventually change to www.familypromisedm.org, as will their email address.

 

Vote for Moulton Elemenatry on Facebook
and Help Plant a Garden

Burpee Home Gardens helps kids connect with agriculture and grow healthy lifestyles and they are traveling across the country to help relieve food deserts. Currently they are helping Moulton Elementary in Des Moines apply for a grant to win 50 transplants for the school garden, 450 transplants for community members and to recieve 1,300 pounds of produce as well, for Moulton Elementary. To help this cause, go to Facebook and participate by selecting 'Des Moines, Iowa" and vote for Moulton Extended Learning Center.

Job / Volunteer / Training Opportunities 

 

Organist - First Presbyterian Church, Des Moines

Part-time organist is needed for one weekly Sunday morning service as well as other services as needed. Salary to be negotiated. For details contact: Rev. Ken Stuber, 515-262-5673 or FirstPresDSM@q.com.

 

Eat Greater Des Moines: A Food Research and Action Council Coordinator - Des Moines Area Religious Council

Full-time Coordinator position is to oversee the development and expansion of the local food system in the Polk County food shed, to sustain collaboration between organizations and individuals involved in local food system work, and to seize opportunities to improve access to healthy food.

Responsibilities include:

  •  Develop and implement a plan and timeline for the formation, recruitment, and population of the "Eat Greater Des Moines - A Food Research and Action Council" organization and then convene and lead meetings
  • Increase collaboration among community food network and access to healthy food for all.
  • Serve as liaison with the statewide Iowa Regional Food System Working Group network as well as the Iowa Food Systems Council for potential collaboration on food policy issues and more...

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Executive Director Sarai Rice, at sarai@dmreligious.org. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2013. Mail cover letter and resume to: 3816 36th Street, Suite 202, Des Moines IA 50310, 515-277-6969. To see a complete job description, visit: www.dmreligious.org and www.MovetheFood.org.

 

Senior Companions - Visiting Nurse Services, Des Moines

Earn extra money up to $200-$400 + every month.

If you are 55 years old or older, able to serve 15 hours /week, open to providing friendly, one-to-one visits to homebound infividuals, making an income at or below $22,340 or more, able to drive (not always mandatory) and a resident of Polk or Warren County. Tax-free hourly stipend, meal reimbursement, holiday and vacation pay, initial training, annual physical and supplemental accident/liability insurance while on duty. Contact the Senior Companion Program Director Julia Tiedeman, 515-558-9957.

 

Iowa Kids Net Needs Parents for Forever Families!

Between Sept. and Dec. 31, 2012, over 1000 children were removed from their homes and placed into foster care across the state of Iowa. These children were removed from their homes because they experienced severe abuse or neglect, or because of dangerous conditions such as parental substance abuse or other form of parental impairment. While they are removed from their family homes, these children need safe and loving homes to care for them. However, many of these children spend time in shelters or other facilities because there are not enough foster and adoptive homes to meet the need.  Please visit iowakidsnet.com or call 800-243-0756, for more information.

 

Candeo - Your abilities, Your choices

Candeo is a non-profit organization that provides community based services for Adults with Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities for residents of Polk County.

  • Habilitation Team Leader
  • Habilitation Service Coordinator
  • Supported Community Living Instructors- including Overnight Shifts available (part- or full-time, or Casual- less than 20 hours)
  • Mental Health Instructors- including Overnight Shifts available (part- or full-time, or Casual- less than 20 hours)
  • Nights and Weekends Employment Consultant
  • Full Time Employment Consultant
  • Instructor of Brain Injury Services

Visit website at www.candeoiowa.org/careers to apply on line or contact Sonia Sledge, at hr@candeoiowa.org

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 nine sites in Des Moines. In 2012, the DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted about 33,000 people, nearly half who are children or youth.

 

MovetheFood is a DMARC-led initiative to address the entire food system in Greater Des Moines, building on more than 36 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. 
Younkers Coupon Booklet   
Save $10
and more at
Y
ounkers stores
March 1-2, 2013
For $5, you can purchase a Younkers 2-day Community Event Coupon Booklet through the Des Moines Area Religious Council. All proceeds from the sales will go to support the DMARC Food Pantry Network. Coupons can be used in stores Friday & Saturday, March 1 & 2, 2013. Booklets contain $400 worth of Younkers/BonTon coupons, plus a $10-off coupon. 
  

DMARC CHALLENGE: Buy 2, one for yourself and one for a friend. Help spread the DMARC mission of religious communities helping to meet basic human needs in greater Des Moines.

 

What your coupon donation can provide: 

     $5 =     7 meals
   $25 =    35 meals
 $100 =   135 meals

 

In 2012, DMARC served:

  • Over 33,000 people in Greater Des Moines
  • Nearly 50% of DMARC food pantry clients are children and youth.

Click here to purchase a coupon booklet today.

Thank you for supporting DMARC!