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 survey. Tamales 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.