Mission Together

Ministry Resources and Ideas for Church Leaders

August| 2022

Congregations Addressing Hunger

As the pandemic anti-hunger measures come to an end and inflation increases, many communities are finding it challenging to keep up with the hunger needs of their residents. Matt Unger, Des Moines Area Religious Council CEO, describes this as a "perfect storm" putting pressure on organizations like DMARC that are working to respond to hunger and food insecurity. You can learn more about this current hunger crisis here.

Congregations throughout the Upper Midwest have traditionally identified hunger as one of the primary needs of their communities (as reported through ALEX on the 2022 yearbook report) and many have found creative ways to address this need.

Members from First Christian Church of Creston, Iowa join together with others in their community to pack meals with Meals from the Heartland.

First Christian Church of Winterset kept receiving donations for their food pantry in record amounts throughout the pandemic.

Wakonda Christian Church combined their hunger ministry with their vacation bible school this year. Using Cokesbury's "Food Truck Party," Wakonda did a DMARC food drive as part of the event. FCC, Guthrie Center is doing a Food Truck Party VBS this year too.

Ankeny Christian Church joins together with other local congregations to help provide Ankeny Love Lunches during the summer. This effort provides hot lunches to anyone in the community, but seeks to address the food insecurity for children when the local schools are closed.

Is your congregation working to address hunger in your own community? Tell us about it on the Upper Midwest Facebook page or look for an opportunity to share it this fall at the All Congregation Gathering!

Money for Missions

The National Benevolent Association's Mission and Ministry Grants program provides funding for projects serving older adults and educating youth and young adults. The grant application period will be from Aug. 9-Sept. 28, 2022. Start dreaming now about the ministries your congregation could accomplish with the NBA's support.

Learn More

Global Ministries Mission Dash 5K: Climate Justice

Join Global Ministries for a 5K for climate justice!

The theme for the Mission Dash 5K is climate justice. Creation care efforts by international partners evolve with each natural disaster and shift in weather patterns. Partners cope with the negative impacts of climate change by protecting and nurturing the natural world, preserving resources, and seeking to ensure food security.

You are encouraged to walk, roll, run, jog, or spiritually sprint wherever you are! You may choose to do the 5K with neighbors, friends, family, church, or on your own. The cost is $25 per person, and each registrant will receive a collapsible water bottle and magnet.

Check It Out Today!

Global Ministries Prayer Calendar

Please hold these missionaries and their mission sites in your prayers.

Aug. 7 – Rachel Pellett, Jamaica

Aug. 14 – Bosela Eale, Kenya

Aug. 21 – Maria Bakalian, Lebanon

Aug. 28 – Martha Mensendiek, Japan

Click here for weekly written prayers with an accompanying scripture verse for Global Ministries mission sites.

Regional Calendar of Events

August 7 Summer Camp Season Ends

August 11-21 Hymn Sing at the Iowa State Fair

October 14-15

All Congregational Gathering of the Region

Support Regional Ministries

We Want to Hear about Your Ministry

Is your church doing something new or creative? Are you finding a unique way to serve a need in your community? We want to hear about it and share your story with the rest of the church! Our goal is to share at least one new idea from a congregation each time we publish this newsletter.

Please send your story to Tiff Williams, Associate Regional Minister, and she will get in contact with you about your ministry. Sharing your church's story could spark a new idea in a sister congregation. As Disciples Together, we will be stronger in our ministry to the world when we share what God is doing through us in our communities.

Click to Email Tiff

Christian Church in the Upper Midwest | www.uppermidwestcc.org