South Central Partnership met in Lucas

The Presbyterian churches in South Central Iowa try to work together. We use our Partnership dinner each month for fellowship and sharing.

We met Thursday with Allerton, Chariton, Indianola, Leon, LeRoy and Lucas represented. Absent were Carlisle, Centerville, Hartford, and Knoxville. Thanks to Lucas for hosting.

The churches are all pursuing interesting ministries. David Endriss reported that the churches had now contributed the $340 needed for the partnership to purchase a shallow well for the Marion Mission Shallow Well project in Malawi. Suzanne Gorhau (Centerville) will see to getting the money there and the well built.

We will meet in July to hear from Kathy Mahler, Presbytery of Des Moines missionary serving the poorest of the poor in El Salvador. And in the Fall we will have a workshop for all our partnership churches on the amazing Evangelism book, Unbinding the Gospel (click here for overview). Thanks to Jack DePond at Leon for this initiative.

Presbytery Addresses Financial Crisis

The Presbytery of Des Moines met Tuesday at Park Ave Presbyterian Church in South Des Moines. We enjoyed a beautiful afternoon time of worship, moving to the dinner tables for a more intimate sharing of communion and then to enjoy a superb Italian dinner.

As for the business, most of it was quick and interesting. We heard reports from our mission projects - in El Salvador, in Egypt, in Des Moines, and with the Sudanese community in Des Moines.

We learned that the Presbyterian Pension Fund is 100% funded and secure; we shared each others joys and troubles; and we commissioned a new Lay Pastor to serve on the staff at Heartland Presbyterian Church.

The time consuming and substantial matter was the issue of not having money to fund the Presbytery budget through the end of the year. The shortfall is expected to be just under $60,000 for this budget year, and similar in ensuing years.

The quick-fix, knee-jerk, right-now action the Presbytery took was to ask the churches for additional and immediate financial support. Also, the Presbytery officials were instructed to bring to Presbytery at the August meeting a more detailed response containing specific recommendations.

The next meeting will be hosted by the Brooklyn and Malcolm congregations.

Centennial Pictures

Check out some of Humeston's history on the web. Just click Humeston.

Lonnie Showers Funeral Dinner

Church members and friends gifted the Showers family with Christian love and hospitality following Lonnie's funeral Friday. The comfort of the church hall, a warm shelter on a rainy day, was the perfect place to gather, relax and visit following that blessed service.

Roasters full of beef, crock pots full of mashed potatoes and gravy, tables full of salads and desserts were provided. It was a cattleman's feast. We will be keeping the family and friends in our prayers.

And thanks once again to Ed and Karon at the Front Street Market for all the extra help in preparing the meat.

Mormon Trails Baccalaureate

I just got home from the 2009 Baccalaureate service, held this year at First Baptist in Humeston. Great service! Kristi Gwinn was the speaker, passing on to the graduates the words God gave her to say, words that came immediately to mind when she received the invitation from the class to be their speaker.

She asked the class
1. to remember their roots in the Lord,
2. to reflect the Lord in their life, and
3. to inspire each other to live into God's purpose.

Kayla Lochmann sang. Her oh-so-beautiful voice was perfect for the jaci velasquez song, "For God So Loved the World" and two others. Kayla rocks.

Also in the service were Gloria Heath and Tyler Watkins (class of '09); teachers Karey Parmer and Claudia Brown; pastors Lyle Ball, Art Anderson and me (Dale O'Connell); and pianist Jayne Miller.

We will recognize our Seniors at the Humeston church this Sunday morning (10:30). Graduation is Sunday afternoon at 3:30.

Mother/Daughter Banquet a Success

The banquet was a huge success with more than 90 enjoying the Helping Hands scalloped chicken entre. Marilyn Kay Long gave an inspirational talk with special music provided by Hailee Kelso, Averi Porter and an ensemble of local girls. Best of all, the men did the dishes.

Mother Daughter Banquet

Don't forget, May 9 at 6:30 pm is the Mother Daughter Banquet with guest speaker, Marilyn Kay Long, along with other local talent. Reserve your tickets today at Snyder's, Great Western Bank, and HCUMC office. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children 5 & under.

Upcoming Baptism

Juan & Jennifer Martinez will be celebrating thier daughter's, Carley's, baptism coming up in June. Further details will be announced later.