eVoice - May 13, 2014

A big thank you goes out to the many friends of DMARC who stepped up and reached deep to generously support the 2014 Feinstein Hunger Challenge and Douglas M. Woods Challenge Hunger campaigns during March and April!  These gifts and the matching funds are helping DMARC fill the shelves of the new food pantry warehouse, and will provide nearly 125,000 emergency meals for families in Greater Des Moines. We are grateful.

Feinstein Hunger Challenge designations: $96,584
Douglas M. Woods Challenge Hunger designations: $42,752
Unmanned: America's Drone Wars  Screening and Discussion
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Plymouth Congregational Church
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines 

 

In this important documentary, film maker Robert Greenwald investigates the impact at home and abroad of US drone strikes. Greenwald conducts more than 70 separate interviews, including a former American drone operator who shares what he has witnessed, Pakistani families mourning loved ones and seeking legal redress, investigative journalists pursuing the truth, and top military officials warning of blowback from the loss of innocent life. Discussion to follow.

 

Sponsored by American Friends Service Committee, Plymouth Peace and Justice Committee, DM Valley Friends Peace and Concerns Committee, Methodist Federation for Social Action and Catholic Peace Ministry.

Call Me Crazy Movie Screening and Discussion
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Ankeny First United Methodist Church
206 SW Walnut Street, Ankeny
 

In honor of May is Mental Health Month, Ankeny First United Methodist Church has partnered with NAMI Greater Des Moines in offering a free movie screening of Call Me Crazy.  Call Me Crazy: A Five Film is a Lifetime Original Movie about the challenges and triumphs of living with mental illness.  The movie is comprised of five interconnected short films, each exploring a different facet or perspective on the effect of mental illness.  Please stay after the screening for a panel discussion with mental health professionals and individuals living with mental illness or have family members coping with a mental illness.

Today: Community Health and Wellness Fair
The Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency's Supportive Services Division will be holding a Community Health and Wellness Fair on Tuesday, May 13 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Royal View Manor Community Room, 1101 Crocker Street in Des Moines.

Come learn about health resources available to you in the community. There will be a variety of health organizations on site available to answer questions and provide information about physical and mental health, nutrition, wellness and more! Open to the public.

Healthy food options will be provided for attendees. Plus, find healthy snack samples at some exhibits. Blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV screening can be done on site. Learn fun and easy exercises to keep you well, such as Tai Chi and meditation. Food baskets, cookbooks, gift cards, and other prizes will be given away.

For more information, call Family Service Coordinator Andrea Bentzinger at 515-323-8930.
donate button
Des Moines Area Religious Council

 1435 Mulberry Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

 

515-277-6969

DMARC Grand Opening
Save the Date! DMARC will be holding a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at our new location, 1435 Mulberry Street in Downtown Des Moines on June 10 at 4:00 p.m. Reservations can be made by emailing Linda Vander Hart or by calling 515-277-6969.
Container Gardening at the Farmers' Market
Join DMARC for a special event this Saturday, May 17, at the Downtown Famers' Market.  David Hance will be demonstrating how to start a container garden at both 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.  He will show examples, give tips, provide resources, and answer questions. The event will be held at the Meals from the Market stand at 2nd and
Court Avenue.
Community Calendar
May 15
Sacred Chaos Retreats
Pizza and Pastors 


May 16
Women Helping Women

May 17
Garage/Plant/Bake Sale

May 18
Pancake Breakfast

May 19
Sacred Chaos Retreats

May 20

May 21

May 28

June 5

June 7

June 7- 8

June 10
Campaign Update
We are grateful for the generosity of donors who have already committed
$830,000.

To learn more about the capital campaign, or make an online donation, visit dmreligious.org/campaign, or contact Kristine Frakes at [email protected] or 515-277-6969.

DMARC does not require participation in religious services as a condition to receive assistance, and does not engage in religious proselytizing or counseling. DMARC practices non-discrimination in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations. All services and programs are provided to consumers without discrimination in regard to family size or structure, religious or cultural beliefs, race, gender, age,
or disability.

Letters of Support to Nigerian Parents
The Sociology Department at Grand View University is collecting letters of support to the parents of the Nigerian girls kidnapped in April and May.

Submit emails and letters by May 30 to [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected], or mail them to:

Sociology Department
Grand View University
1200 Grandview Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50316

Letters can also be dropped off 24 hours a day at the Grand View Library dropbox at 1350 Morton Avenue.
AMOS Criminal Justice Research Team and CASA Meeting
The AMOS Criminal Justice Research Team will meet on Thursday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Bethel AME Church, 1528 E. University in Des Moines.

Joining the meeting will be representatives of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, which is beginning a new program to find CASA's for delinquent youth. CASA is looking for 40 adults to pair with 40 youths.

AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy) is a local IAF (Industrial Areas Foundation) broad-based, non-partisan, community organization comprised of 28 community institutions. They believe ordinary people, working together, can accomplish great things in a democracy and have a say in the destiny of their own community.
Summer Program: "Living Our Faith: Responding to God's Call"

The "Living Our Faith" program of the Center For Social Ministry is designed to help individuals identify gifts and skills, and then attempt to match those gifts and skills with volunteer opportunities or continued formation opportunities. If you have said out loud or thought to yourself, "I want to connect with an organization that needs my help, but don't know where, when or how," this program could be perfect for you.  "Living Our Faith" is open to all. Two versions of this summer program are offered.

 

Christian Social Principles

Tuesday Daytime, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., May 20 to July 29 at the American Friends' Meeting Space, 42nd & Grand, Des Moines.

 

Catholic Social Teaching

Thursday Evenings, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., May 22 to July 31 at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart, 510 E. 1st St., Ankeny.

 

Please contact Susie at [email protected]

 or 515-782-3054 for more information or to register.

Job Opportunities
Executive Director, Friendship Ark Homes
Friendship Ark Homes, a leading provider of services for adults with disabilities, is looking for an Executive Director, to begin November 1, 2014. This position requires a bachelor's degree, experience in administration of programs for persons with disabilities, human relations skills and resource development. Lead this organization in continued growth, spiritual development and community presence. Must be comfortable with public speaking, able to relate to staff and families, experience with fundraising, financial management of a non-profit and working with a Board of Directors. Knowledge of HCBS and Medicaid funding is beneficial. Leading us in Christian practices is an important part of this position, as well as managing a budget of $1.5M. Salary commensurate with experience. Must pass DCI and other background checks. Friendship Ark Homes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Resumes should be 
e-mailed by June 30, 2014 to [email protected]
Administrative Assistant/Congregational Connections Facilitator, Immanuel UMC
Immanuel United Methodist Church has an employment opening for Administrative Assistant/Congregational Connections Facilitator. Immanuel UMC seeks a flexible self-starter who enjoys taking on a variety of tasks and working with people to facilitate connections among caring, Christ-loving groups of people. 

Experience working with Microsoft Publisher and other Microsoft Office products, comfort managing financial records and skills in database management are required. Salary range is $22-$25k, 32 hours per week in the church office in Des Moines, Iowa.

Interested? Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] no later than May 19, 2014.
Secretary, Christ Lutheran Church
Christ Lutheran Church is seeking a part-time secretary to work Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  The candidate will be a self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a team, is well organized, and has good verbal and written communication skills.  Knowledge of the church year, Microsoft Office, and Church Windows is preferred.

Duties will include desktop publishing of the weekly worship bulletin and monthly newsletter, maintaining the database and calendar, and keeping the statistical records. 

Send cover letter and resume to Pastor Fayonne Tooman, Christ Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 35756, Des Moines, IA 50315, or email them to [email protected] by May 29. Interviewing of qualified candidates will begin immediately. EOE.
Who Are We?

The Des Moines Area Religious Council is an interfaith organization with a core membership of over 130 congregations from four faith traditions. Recipient of the 2012 LIVE UNITED Advocate Award from the United Way of Central Iowa, DMARC provides a common means of responding to basic human needs and a context for interfaith dialogue.

 

The DMARC Food Pantry Network consists of 12 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 2013, the DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted more than 34,000 individuals in the greater Des Moines community; half of whom are children and youth.

 

MovetheFood is a DMARC-led initiative to address the entire food system in Greater Des Moines, building on more than 37 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.
STAY CONNECTED   
Like us on Facebook    Follow us on Twitter    View our profile on LinkedIn   
Disclaimer: The Des Moines Area Religious Council makes every effort to provide accurate and useful general information in its eVoice, but accepts no liability for the use of the material by individuals or organizations. We gladly distribute information from individuals, congregations, and other agencies, but our inclusion of such material should not be construed as being sponsored or endorsed by DMARC. Undated general announcements and employment opportunities are included for one month unless requested to be included for a longer period of time.