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A bi-weekly newsletter of the DMARC and MovetheFood Community |
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Scroll down to see the coupon ad below, and purchase your Younkers/ BonTon coupon booklet today! |
Two DMARC Partner Food Pantry Sites are Finalists for Aurora Award |
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On Jnauary 38, 2013,
The Des Moines Register
announced the finalists for the Iowa Star and the Aurora Award for 2013. Finalists include the Central Iowa Shelter & Services and CROSS Ministries, both which partner with DMARC's Food Pantry Network. Congratulations!
To read the published announcement and the complete list of finalists, visit The Des Moines Register's website.
Also, below are excerpts of a recent press release from CROSS Ministries and the Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church. |
Local Presbyterian Church Featured on Bizarre Foods TV Show
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CROSS Ministries is Finalist for Aurora Award | |
The Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church of Des Moines will be featured on a national TV show and (unrelated) is a finalist for a distinguished award.
The National TV Show
The church, 95% of whose worshippers are Sudanese refugees, will be featured on the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern on Feb. 25, 2013. The show visited the church during two weekends in August, taping the Arabic language worship service, the procurement of two sheep for a traditional dinner, the overnight (12 hour) preparation of the dinner, it's consumption, followed by a variety of tribal dancing.
Aurora Award Finalist
The church also is a finalist for The Des Moines Register's prestigious Aurora Award for its work in the community. Through the church's poverty ministry, CROSS Ministries, in 2012:
* Helped 377 families, representing 763 individuals, with rent, rent deposit or utility payments.
* Helped 626 families, representing 1,799 individuals, with laundry vouchers and/or personal hygiene products such as diapers, toilet paper, laundry soap, dishwashing detergent, toothpaste/ brushes, shampoo, and soap.
* In cooperation with the Des Moines Area Religious Council's "Move the Food" and Trader Joe's grocery, operated an "off hours" food pantry which distributed food baskets to 1,756 families, representing 5,243 individuals (this includes duplication). In addition 175 turkeys and hams were distributed for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also beans, rice, bread and fresh produce were distributed on a continuous basis to anyone requesting them.
* In cooperation with Hy-Vee, distributed backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to 1,500 students. |
Des Moines Area Religious Council
3816 36th Street, Suite 202
Des Moines, IA 50310-4710
515-277-6969
www.dmreligious.org
www.movethefood.org |
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Greetings!
Have you ever wondered how to be a better leader?
What are the skills that you need to attract new volunteers to your organization?
Rebuilding of Greater Des Moines and the Des Moines Area Community College are offering a Community Leadership Development Program. Classes are designed to help you and your organization learn how to grow volunteer capacity.
During the 2013 spring schedule, February 28 - May 4, leaders of all types can benefit by attending. Students may take one class or register for all. Cost is $65 per class and they are held from 6-9pm at the DMACC Urban Campus. Click to view the class schedule or enroll online.
Scholarships are available through the Rebuilding Together Greater Des Moines office. For more information or apply for a scholarship, contact 515-280-1674 or eboyd@rebuildingdm.org. |
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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".
Westminster Presents Marriage Series beginning Feb. 20
Westminster Presbyterian Church will present a 4-week educational series on marriage entitled, "Bone of My Bone, Flesh of My Flesh, Pain in My Neck!" Wednesday evenings, Feb. 20 & 27 and March 6 & 13, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Couples of all ages are invited (whether married or not). Discussion will focus on valuable life lessons that can add depth and enrichment to marriage. The series will be led by licensed mental health counselor Randy Kiel, who is in private practice in the Des Moines area and has 20 years of experience providing compassionate care and personalized direction. He has been married for 32 years and has four children. The series is FREE, and childcare is provided. Register at: 515-274-1534 or wpc@westpres.org.
Housing Needed for Concordia Choir Singers: Feb. 24th Concert in Des Moines
Host overnite either 2,3, or 4 students who are members of the Concordia Choir, from Moorhead, MN. The concert is Feb 24 at 4pm at First Christian Church, at University and 25th St. in Des Moines. One free ticket for hosting. For details, contact Thomas Sletto, Asst. Prof of Music Ed., 515-271-3195 or 800-44Drake (37253), ext. 3195. To order tickets for Sunday's concert, click poster below. 10% off the ticket price and reserved group seating for 8 or more folks from the same church or choir. Contact Larry Christensen at: LarryC@stjohnsdsm.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. Register today online or by contacting the Rev. Dr. Thomas Gehlsen, Diocese of Iowa, 225 37th St., Des Moines, IA 50312, tgehlsen@iowaepiscopal.org or 515-277-6165.
Attend Latino Center for Central Iowa Forums in February
Area residents have one last opportunity on Thursday, Feb. 21 at North High School, 501 Holcomb Ave., Des Moines, 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 the and express their views on the proposal. Meeting will be held in the school cafeteria from 6:30-8pm and 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. Children and families are welcome. Contact the Chair of the Latino Center steering committee Barbara Dinnen at: 515-490-1234 or barbdinnen53@gmail.com.
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, contact Nicole Beaman, United Way of Central Iowa, 1111 9th St., Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50314, nbeaman@unitedwaydm.org.
International Women's Day is March 7
Oxfam America, the Des Moines Area Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors, and the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Des Moines will be hosting Women and a Well-Fed World: Facing the Challenge - Gaining Ground. The event will go from 6:30 to 8pm at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, 100 Locust St, downtown Des Moines. Speakers are Denise O'Brien, organic farmer and founder of the Women's Food and Agriculture Network; and Muthoni Muriu, director of Oxfam America's Regional Programs. Light refreshments will feature local foods and fair-trade coffees and teas. The program is free and open to the public. Tables are $50, space is limited, so tables will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact Iowa@oxfamactioncorps.org. Make checks payable to the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Des Moines and mailed to 3662 Ingersoll, Apt. 307, Des Moines, IA 50312.
Palm Sunday Procession for Peace is March 14, at 3pm
The walk begins at Locust & Penn Ave and concludes with a prayer service at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 9th Street & High, Des Moines. All are invited to create and carry banners/posters calling attention to issues of concern (drones, immigration, poverty, etc.) or a verse of Scripture that speaks to the human condition.
2013 Annual United in Prayer Day is March 16
Contemplative Outreach of Central Iowa invites everyone to 2013 Annual United in Prayer Day, Saturday morning, March 16, 8:30-Noon, at Grace United Methodist Church (37th & College), Des Moines. This is an opportunity to join together in silent prayer, enrich your practice of Centering Prayer--or introduce you to this ages-old contemplative prayer practice. We will view selections from a DVD "God Is In All," featuring Fr. Thomas Keating and Abbott Joseph Boyle of St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, CO; enjoy refreshments, share reflections and sit in contemplative silent prayer. Registration is requested: www.centeriowa.org/events. For more info, contact Chris Frantsvog, 515-306-1221.
Participation Need for Type 1 Diabetes Study
Dr. Daniel Cox and colleagues at the U of Virginia are continuing to enroll drivers with type 1 diabetes in an NIH internet intervention study designed to help adults avoid extreme Blood Glucose events while driving and avoid driving mishaps. Participants can earn up to $270. Goal is to enroll 180 more participants by May 2013. This study is done entirely over the internet requiring no clinic or doctor's visits. To learn more, go to: www.diabetesdriving.com. Questions? Contact Tom Banton, project coordinator, tab2@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. |
Faith Community News
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.
SACRED CHAOS: A Retreat of Renewal for Religious Leaders in Transition... is April 1-5
The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center Institute for the Practice of Ministry is offering a unique opportunity for clergy. Sacred Chaos is a spiritual journey retreat for religious leaders in transition. It seeks to assist in the spiritual and emotional renewal of these leaders as they traverse some of their most difficult life passages, i.e., retirement, divorce, mid-life, burnout, etc., as well as to encourage and support them in their struggles with congregational challenges.
The event will be facilitated by the Rev. Dr. James R. Newby and Dr. Mark Minear, on Monday, April 1 - Friday, April 5, 2013, at the Christian Conference Center, 5064 Lincoln St., Newton, IA. Cost $600; $550 for early bird registration by 3/1/13. Includes four nights lodging (single rooms with bath), all meals, all group work, and private sessions with an experienced clinical psychologist. Deadline is March 15. Registration is limited to 12 participants. For more info or to register, contact Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center, Rev. Diane McClanahan, dmcclanahan@dmpcc.org or 515-274-4006.
Boundless Compassion Conference is March 18-21 in Newton or June 1-13 in Omaha
Put the transformative power of compassion to work for profound new possibilities in your personal and professional life. This 4-day intensive offered by the Institute of Compassionate Presence, will be led by internationally known author, retreat and workshop leader, Joyce Rupp. Participants will discuss the dynamics of compassion, look at current neuroscience findings and discuss applications for our lives. Sessions include input, media resources, reflection, dialogue and creative activities to assist in integrating vital new ways of seeing, doing and being. Topics include: personal transformation, self-compassion, loss and suffering, marginalization, and compassion for creation. These four intensive days will also include respected leaders in medicine, faith, and human services. Des Moines area (Newton) Conference, March 18-21, 2013 (also offered in Omaha, June 1-13, 2013). For details or to register, www.osms.org. Contact OSM Director Margaret Stratman at: 402-951-3026.
High School Health Forums is Looking for Youth Participants
Community Youth Concepts (CYC) is offering two opportunities to high school age youth to make an impact on health in the greater Des Moines area. The forums will engage youth in health issues and is formatted like a focus group, with youth answering questions posed to them in a small group. For their participation, youth will receive a $15 stipend, and snacks will be provided. Registration is required to attend.
- Monday, Feb. 25, 4-6pm, Polk County Health Dept., 1907 Carpenter Ave, Des Moines 50314
- Thursday, Feb. 28, 4-6pm, West Des Moines Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines 50265
For more info, contact Erin Gorman or Amelia Colwell Reedy at: 515-243-4292 or erin@cyconcepts.org. Space is limited, so register today!

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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.
Choir Director - Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines
This temporary, part-time choir director is needed March 1-May 31, 2013, to director the Adult Chancel Choir, practice Wednesday evenings and worship each Sunday.
Accompanist Organ/Piano - Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines
This temporary, part-time position is needed March 1-June 9, 2013, for Sunday worship and accompanying the Adult Chancel Choir during Wednesday evening practice.
For more info on the two positions above, go to: www.wdmcovenant.org/employment.html. Submit resume(s) to Kaela Phillips, kaela.phillips@gmail.com or send to Covenant Presbyterian Church, Worship and Music, 1025 28th St., West Des Moines, IA 50266.
Receptionist - St. Gregory Retreat Centers, Des Moines
Full-time position for receptionist who is a compassionate, self-motivated professional interested in sharing in our mission of empowering individuals to permanently leave a life of addiction behind. Great benefits and an opportunity to work with exceptional professionals while making a profound difference in the lives of our clients. Fluency in MS office essential. To apply send resume to careers@stgregoryctr.com. Questions? Call 515-633-7128.
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.
Dir. of Gift Planning - Community Foundation, Des Moines
Responsible for developing, maintaining and servicing long-term relationships with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines' donors with an emphasis on those who have or could have planned or complex gift arrangements. Also deepen and broaden the services to and relationships with the professional advisor community. Applicants submit cover letter and resume by March 8, 2013. Learn more and view the full job description.
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. |
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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. |
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Save $10
and more at Younkers 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.
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Click here to purchase a coupon booklet today.
Thank you for supporting DMARC! |
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