Serve With First Church
Central Iowa Shelter, Des Moines
Central Iowa Shelter maintains a safe emergency shelter for men and women and, as a last resort, families. It is open to clients from 4:00 to 8:00 pm seven days a week, 365 days a year. An evening meal served by volunteers is provided each night. The second day of each month, members and friends of First Church prepare and serve the meal at the shelter.
Trinity Supper Club
The Supper Club at Trinity United Methodist Church provides a hot meal to homeless and low-income persons in a warm, caring atmosphere. About 75-100 meals are served each evening, six days a week. On the third Friday of each month, First Church members serve the supper. Volunteer work begins mid afternoon and is finished by 7:30 pm. Members and friends are encouraged to help as their schedule allows, even if they aren’t available until later in the day.
The Connection Café, Des Moines
Feeding the hungry and the homeless of downtown Des Moines is a priority. Between 120 and 150 homeless or low-income persons receive a free lunch through the Connection Café. Meals are served in a caring atmosphere, which preserves the dignity of those served. The fourth Monday of each month, First Church members serve a brown-bag lunch through the downtown Connection Cafe, prepared the previous Sunday by volunteers.
FIRST CHURCH CONNECTION CAFÉ FUND NEEDS YOUR HELP
Despite the facts that Iowa is the food capital of the world and the economy in Des Moines is growing, our homeless and poor population is increasing.
One response to the needs of these people is the Connection Café, a meal program that offers lunch at no cost to homeless and low income individuals and families. The Connection Café was created by The Bridge, a collaboration of four downtown Des Moines churches as part of their mission to the poor. They are First United Methodist Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, and St. Ambrose Cathedral. In 2006, they served over 23,300 meals.
The Connection Café coordinates volunteers from over 40 churches to provide these meals, and First Church is one. First Church provides approximately 150 lunches on the 4th Monday of every month. The funds to pay for this monthly lunch come from special donations from our congregation.
However, our First Church fund for this monthly lunch has been depleted. Please consider adding an additional offering in the upcoming Sundays that is marked specifically for our Connection Café fund. Make out your check to First Church and specify that it is for the Connection Café. Through this outreach we share the love of God.
AMOS
AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy): This coalition of more than 20 churches in Des Moines was organized to build relationships and empower citizens to make positive change in the community.
The Bridge
The Bridge: Seeking to enrich the lives of those working, living or visiting downtown Des Moines, the Bridge is the combined effort of four downtown churches – St. John’s Lutheran, St. Ambrose Catholic, St. Paul’s Episcopal, and First United Methodist.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry: A one-on-one caring ministry by trained lay people who offer Christian friendship and a listening ear to help others through the trials and tough times of life.
Glimpses of Jubilee
First Church supports local United Methodist Ministries, including Bidwell Riverside Center, Hawthorn Hill, Children and Family Urban Ministries and others, by contributing kits and money, and by participating in the annual Glimpses of Jubilee Celebration.
Rebuilding Together
On the first Saturday in May, First Church joins a citywide effort to rehabilitate houses for low-income and/or disabled people in Des Moines.
Supportive Sewing
The third Thursday of every month, Supportive Sewing meets in the Fellowship Hall from 10 am to 3 pm. Bring your sack lunch and join us in sewing lap robes, quilts, and children’s clothing.