October 8, 2020

The Weekly Wind
News and Updates from Polk City United Methodist Church
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WORSHIP
 
WORSHIP: OUTDOORS OR ONLINE
SUNDAYS AT 9:30 AM

Did you know? We are meeting together in person in the newly installed Outdoor Sanctuary at Polk City UMC at 9:30 AM on Sundays!

We’re observing all safety protocols by encouraging the wearing of face masks and staying 6 feet away from those not in our household. We’re blending musical styles to offer live worship music that includes our favorite contemporary songs as well as beloved hymns.

If you haven’t joined us for an outdoor worship service, we would love to see you this Sunday!

If you feel safer at home, please know that we are livestreaming our worship services in real time on Sundays at 9:30 AM on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/polkcityumc. If you miss worship on Sunday mornings, you can find the recording of Sunday worship on our website (posted Monday mornings) at www.polkcityumc.org/online-worship. In the event of inclement weather, we will continue to offer live worship online on Facebook and our website.

If you haven’t tuned in for online worship in a while, you may be surprised to see that worship these days looks and feels much closer to “normal.”

We miss you when you’re not present in worship! If you’ve been disappointed with the way worship has had to change because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we hope you’ll try it again – either in person or online.

Visit us at www.polkcityumc.org/online-worship to view the bulletin, sign the connect card and make your offering.
POLK CITY UMC WORSHIP & CONNECTION SURVEY
As we move into the Fall and Winter months, we want to survey our worship community once again in order to better understand your interests and comforts in a variety of opportunities for worship and connection.

Please take a few minutes to take our survey. Your input will help our church leaders and reentry team as we make the best decisions for how we continue to meet for worship, study and spiritual growth in the time when we are waiting for successful treatments and immunizations for the Covid-19 coronavirus.
In case you missed it:
SMALL GROUPS ARE FORMING

Small Groups are forming now for the Fall and Winter months, so that we can become more deeply committed Christians who meet together to grow our faith and our relationships with God and one another. We feel these are especially important during this time of social distancing and want to encourage every single adult to join a small group!

Any group can be a small group – a group of people who meet together for tea or coffee, a group of men, a group of women, a group of parents, a group who golfs or kayaks together, a group who plays cards or makes cards together, a group who reads a book together, etc. – any group who meets together (virtually or in person) and adds a scripture devotion and prayer to their meeting time can be a small group!

We have started a variety of groups and we’d love to add more! If you have an idea for a new group that you’d be willing to host, please email Pastor Melody!
Adult Bible Study (click to join & find zoom link)
Our Fall Bible Study will use the book The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life by UMC Pastor Adam Hamilton. You can purchase a book - digital or print - from your favorite bookseller. Join us on Sundays at 10:30 am Outdoors in person, on the patio behind the Wing, or online via ZOOM. Facilitated by Thomas Webb.
Texting Small Group (click to join)
Want a way to connect with others without adding one more meeting to your schedule? Join this text-messaging small group to receive one to two scriptures and life application questions each week. This is a great way to make friends, build community and grow your faith by participating in your own time. Facilitated by Emily Young. 
Virtual Tea Time (click to join & find zoom link)
Grab a cup of tea and join us monthly as we create connection and enjoy discussions about life and faith. This group will meet on the third Wednesday of the month from 3:30 - 4:30pm via ZOOM. Join for a video conference with your computer, tablet, iPad or smartphone, or dial by phone for conversation only. (The first virtual tea time will be Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 3:30 PM.)
United Methodist Women (UMW)
This is a group of women who combine their passion for mission, learning, and supporting others with fellowship and fun! Every woman is welcome, even if you aren’t a member. The UMW group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM. (The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 6:30 PM on the patio behind the Wing in the Woods.) President: Charlotte Loter
Men’s Breakfast Group
The men's group is getting back together for breakfast! All men are invited to the October men's breakfast which will be held on Saturday, October 17 at 8:30 AM at Dan Golbuff's garage & driveway (405 Hillcrest Dr, Polk City). Bring your lawn chair and an appetite for food, faith and fellowship!
Selah Yoga Fitness Group (click to join)
Wednesdays, 5:30 PM (Polk City UMC Soccer Field)
Selah Yoga is an invitation to grace-filled, Christ-centered yoga. Classes include prayer, worship music, and a vinyasa flow rooted in scripture. This class is adaptable for beginners (giving modifications where necessary) as well as those desiring a more intermediate/advanced practice. Cost: $65 for the 8-week session or $10 drop-in, payable to Brandy Young LLC.
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Halloween Food Drive: we have two goals; to fill a Sunday school room up with food and raise $3000. Please help us meet these lofty goals! Here’s how:
-Donate food items to the orange tub in front of the church. 
-Click on this link DMARC to donate money directly to DMARC so they can purchase roughly 6 times the food we can at retail cost.
-Share the above link on Facebook and tell everyone you know about this food drive!

Wings Through the Windows: This service project is for the birds! We know 2020 has been incredibly difficult for people in isolation, especially senior citizens. The youth group wants to provide bird feeder stations to nursing homes and care centers to give residents the opportunity to birdwatch safely indoors. We will be trying to make some, but we still need feeders, shepherds hooks, and seed—and lots of them, so we can set up several stations! Please consider donating a feeder or a hook so we can help senior citizens feel uplifted to see God’s little winged creatures outside their windows!
Children 3rd - 6th: It’s not too late for your child to join FUEL! This Sunday school meets outdoors right after worship on Sundays at 10:30. Bring a Bible and a chair. Please register your 3rd-6th grader here:
Youth group: Save the date for a bonfire night: Wednesday, Oct. 21st. More details to come!
MISSION & SERVICE
The August numbers are coming in for usage of the Des Moines Area Religious Council(DMARC) Food Pantry Warehouse. 12,174 people were assisted with 922 first time users. For the Food Assistance (SNAP) and DMARC Food Pantry Network Usage, the months of April-August benefit increased by 51%. In August, $11.2 million in benefits were issued in Polk County. Before the increase, those who qualified were receiving $113.62 and after the increase, they were receiving $186.60. DMARC assists when SNAP cannot. Such a need is out there to help those who do not have enough money for sustaining their health, a roof over their head and many of life's basic necessities.

I want to send a BIG THANK YOU out to our thoughtful congregation for not forgetting the hungry. For the month of September, $690 was generously given to help DMARC in their ongoing drive to help so many of our neighbors. We have all been met with many stressful challenges during this year and once again thank you to all for helping.

If you would like to help with this increasing need in our communities, please visit our church website polkcityumc.org/give. If you wish to write a check, it may be written to Polk City United Methodist Church with "DMARC food pantry" in the memo and mailed to the address on the above website. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Pennington (DMARC Delegate) penningtonl@q.com

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALWAYS REMEMBERING!

Thank you for all that you do!!
Linda P.
Contact Us
Christine Perry
Administrative Assistant
Lauren Wilken
Director of Children/Youth Ministry
Melody Webb
Pastor
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