April content:
- Happy 49th Anniversary to the Center!
- Blog reflections - Billie Wade, Media Review
- Job opportunity
- Were you born before July 1, 1949?
- 23rd annual Women Helping Women
- Support Group for Survivors of Suicide Loss
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction class
- PrairieFire program
- Thank you to our board of directors
- and more!
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April 6, 1972, is the Center's founding day as a nonprofit organization serving the community. We pause in gratitude for all the people -- clients, donors, volunteers, students and staff -- who have made 49 years of hope and healing not only possible, but positively amazing! Watch for more news as we look forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2022.
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Thank you to the Polk County Board of Supervisors
. . . for their generous support as Presenting Sponsor of our annual event,
$10,000 given in honor of Supervisor Angela Connolly, event honoree.
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Media review for hope and healing:
"My Life as a Villainess, Essays" by Laura Lippman
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reviewed by Terri Mork Speirs
File this in “What I’m reading now.”
Or, “Indulging in my love of Laura Lippman.”
Or, “On beauty and aging.”
Or, “Laughing and self-awareness are good medicine.”
The funny thing about the title of this book is that the author, Laura Lippman, is just another ordinary aging woman – who happens to write about villain-esque women . Her popular psychological thrillers are . . .
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Were you born before July 1, 1949?
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You can support hope and healing with your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
Due to changes made by the SECURE Act (which passed in December of 2019), if a person’s 70th birthday is July 1, 2019 or later, you do not have to take withdrawals until you reach age 72.
The key date here is July 1, 1949. If you were born on that day or after, then you are not required to take your RMD until April 1st of next year (2022). Anyone born before that day (June 30th, 1949) has to take the RMD by year-end.
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The Center's 23rd annual Women Helping Women event
Save the date: Friday, May 21, 2021
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Remember the Center in your will.
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For more information on how you can ensure the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center’s mission lives on into the future, please contact Laurie Betts Sloterdyk, Director of Development.
515-564-5122
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Classes and Opportunities
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Support group for survivors of suicide loss -- live online
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If you've lost a loved one to suicide and need support, please contact Andrea Severson, L.M.H.C., M.Div. at [email protected].
This support group is offered on the third Tuesday of the month as a free community service, with thanks to generous supporters of the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center.
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Support group facilitator, Andrea Severson (photo), is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and spiritual director. Her degrees include a Master of Science in counseling from Drake University and a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. She is one of 30 clinicians at the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center. See bios of Andrea and other clinicians here.
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Applications are being accepted for PrairieFire (scholarships available)
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Attend an informational open house:
- Sunday, April 18 – from 5-6 PM
The open house will take place online by Zoom and will allow the opportunity to learn about the program, hear from PrairieFire graduates and ask questions.
Do you desire a more meaningful life enriched by a deepening spiritual awareness, new ways of building and contributing to community, or living
authentically in an increasingly challenging and unpredictable world?
Consider applying for PrairieFire.
Please contact Andrea Severson with questions or to register for an open house:
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Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 8-Week Summer Course
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Required Orientation: Wednesday, June 2, 2021 – 6-7:30pm U.S. CST
Class Dates & Times: Wednesdays, June 9 – July 28, 2021 – 6-8:30pm U.S. CST (June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14, (July 17 day of mindfulness) July 21, 28)
Day of Mindfulness Retreat: Saturday, July 17, 2021 – 9am-3pm U.S. CST
There’s compelling evidence supporting the fact that mindfulness meditation, when practiced regularly,
can lead to:
• Structural changes in the brain that can increase mental performance
• Reduced genetic aging because of the impact on gene expression
• Improved communication skills
• Enhanced immune function
Intro to Mindfulness Live Online - Thursday Afternoons
Thursday afternoons: 12–1:30pm US CST
June 3, 10, 17, 24, 2021
• Learn how to meditate and integrate a more wakeful presence in your daily life.
• Increase mental performance and emotional intelligence.
• Cultivate a sense of self-compassion and resilience.
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Mission Statement and more
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Thank you to our 2021 Board of Directors!
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Andrea James, President
2021 Board of Directors
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PRESIDENT / Andrea James, Wells Fargo
VICE PRESIDENT / Sally Wallace, M.B.A., retired, Iowa Clinic Chief Operating Officer
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT / Marti Wade, retired, Workiva
SECRETARY / Greg Nichols, Iowa Student Loan
TREASURER / Joe Lee, RSMUS audit firm
Kevin Carroll, Behavioral Health Services for Unity Point Health
Elizabeth Coonan, Dentons Davis Brown PC
Kathleen Fehrman, Fehrman Investments, L.L.C. and Iowa Transportation Commission
Tom Fischer, retired, GuideOne Mutual Insurance and Pioneer Hi-Bred International
Jane Funk, West Bank
Linda Goeldner, Consultant focusing on association management support
Sharon Goldford, retired, Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines
Mary Gottschalk, retired, Financial Consultant
Sue Mattison, Drake University
Reo Menning, RINAlliance
Shirley Poertner, retired, Poertner Consulting Group
James Rasmussen, UnityPoint Health Des Moines
David Sagula, Principal Financial Group
Kendra Simmons, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Erica Shannon Stueve, Iowa Primary Care Association
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Mission: We walk with people through counseling and education to find hope and healing, and live a fulfilling life.
Vision: The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center will be recognized as the welcoming place for those seeking inspiration, hope, and healing of mind, body, and spirit.
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Terri Mork Speirs
Director of Community Relations
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center
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