The RenewingFaith Capital Campaign has raised some questions that we would like to share.

Q. Why are we tithing to Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA when we already give to the ELCA through our regular offering?

A. It has been Faith's tradition in capital campaigns to follow the practice of giving our first fruits through tithing, and an important goal of RenewingFaith is to honor this tradition. Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA offers a well-timed opportunity to be part of the church as a whole-and accomplish more than we can alone. The majority of Always Being Made New dollars will directly support efforts to end world hunger, poverty, and malaria, while a smaller portion will be used to build up the church's ministry and leaders.

Q. How is our current debt structured, and what do we expect from the $300,000 debt reduction?

A. Faith's long-term debt is approximately $1.9 million at an interest rate of 4 percent, which is fixed until mid-2017. Approximately 14 percent of general giving currently goes to pay this debt. An increase in interest rates would require an increase in expenses to pay this debt, and could greatly impact our operating budget and ministry programs. While we would love to pay the debt in full, a $300,000 reduction helps reduce our debt expenses and risks while still caring for our current and future operating expenses and our ministry goals. 

Go to www.faithlc.org/renewingfaith to find answers to more frequently asked questions.    

Would you be willing to launder the acolyte robes on occasion or mend linens when needed? Would you like to help prepare the altar for communion on Sunday mornings? If you would like to help with any of these or have questions, please contact Cheryl at 224-4847 or cheryl.hamilitondm@gmail.com.

Yes, it's time to join 15,000 of your closest friends to fight hunger in downtown Des Moines! The Annual Hunger Fight is at Hy-Vee Hall August 26-29. Shifts start at 9:00 a.m. and run until 8:00 p.m. Children as young as five can package so bring your families, friends and co-workers. If you can't package, donations are needed to buy the ingredients. Each meal costs $.20/each. You can register online at www.mealsfromtheheartland.org. The goal is to package 5,000,000 meals in four days and we can do it with your help! The meals are distributed throughout the U.S. and throughout the world. Questions? Contact Sandy Niland at sandy.niland@mealsfromtheheartland.org or at 473-9530.

Golf Outing Committee is looking for sponsors for contest or door prizes. Do you work for a company that would like to have signage at a contest hole? Would you like your name on a contest hole? No donation is too big or small. Contact a committee member for more details.  

Jim Ridge, Marty Dunn, Mary Ellison, Casey Miller, Craig Murphy, Phil Hintz

Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center has a few openings in the following classes for the 2015-2016 preschool year:

To be eligible for programming, children must be the age for the class by September 15, 2015. Seeds of Faith offers quality faith-based half-day preschool programming for children ages two through five. A ministry of Faith Lutheran Church, Seeds of Faith utilizes the Creative Curriculum and the Project Approach to provide a developmentally appropriate preschool experience in a loving and nurturing environment. Our classrooms are center-based with an emphasis on learning through play. Seeds of Faith is rated five stars on Iowa's Quality Rating System (QRS).

To learn more information or to set up a time to visit, please contact Heidi LaBounty, Director, at 515-689-8334 or seedsoffaith@faithlc.org.