Spring_For_Good_2023

Blank Slates

Lent

Community Spotlights

PASTORS

Ryan Arnold, Senior Pastor pastor.ryan@stjohnsdsm.org

Walter Still, Transition Pastor pastorwalter@stjohnsdsm.org

STAFF

David “Popeye” Bland Security & Hospitality

Lisa DeGroot

Nursery Coordinator lisadegroot5203@yahoo.com

Michael Elsbernd Director of Worship & Music michael@stjohnsdsm.org

Beth Ann Edwards Director of Handbells & Youth Choirs bethann@stjohnsdsm.org

Mary Hall Financial Specialist mary@stjohnsdsm.org

Judy Geppeert Finance Coordinator jgeppert@stjohnsdsm.org

Erin & Donovan Hill Directors of Youth Ministry youth@stjohnsdsm.org

Shannon Keefer Communications Manager skeefer@stjohnsdsm.org

Kim Lamb

Office Manager kim@stjohnsdsm.org

Amanda Landers-Each Small Group Coordinator amanda@stjohnsdsm.org

Katie Pithan

Office Assistant kpithan@stjohnsdsm.org

Ann Strom Director of Children’s Ministry astrom@stjohnsdsm.org

Mark Welsh

Facilities Manager mark@stjohnsdsm.org

Kristine Boyer

Facilities Manager kboyer@stjohnsdsm.org

From the Editor

It has been a blessing to work and collaborate with so many of you and get to know you. This close-knit group overcame formidable obstacles and joyfully celebrated in unforgettable ways in the last couple of years.

When I read the history and happenings of St. John’s, one thing has stayed the same. Since its inception, this church family and its community have profoundly impacted Des Moines and the surrounding area.

It’s challenging to put yourself in another person’s shoes, especially those responsible for the original For Good Magazine. I hope to provide a canvas of community connection worthy enough to follow in its footsteps. Who knows what we’re capable of, being on the same team!

The 2023 Spring Edition highlights some extraordinary people and projects here at St. John’s and in our backyard. Your time and talents are a gift, and I strive to share the message. Submit article ideas or lift up a friend who profoundly impacts your life by emailing me at skeefer@stjohnsdsm.org Striding into Spring with these boots that were made for walkin’, and that’s just what we’ll do!

About a year ago, while still discerning this call, and before the two of us were formally yoked, I found myself browsing the St. John’s website, searching for clues as to where this budding partnership might lead.

Amid the words, images and sign-up forms the website contains I kept returning, time and again, to one particular photo. It is the image of a nondescript beige exterior wall of ours, several stories high. It is a blank slate of sorts, covering thousands of square feet. Prominently featured at the top of that wall, in large block letters, reads IN THE CITY FOR GOOD!

The slogan fascinated me at the time. It still does. When the Senior Pastor call committee invited me back to visit, I couldn’t help but ask them about the sign. After describing the large non-descript wall, and the big block letters upon it, I donned my best Lutheran catechism catchphrase and asked them plainly, What Does This Mean?

The committee shared backstory of how we’ve been in the city for good in the past, how we are currently – our partnerships with The Bridge and Central Iowa Shelter & Services were highlighted – and visions of how we might better be going forward.

The Blank Slate

Perhaps wanting to move on, we really got to chatting that day, committee chair Jim Blume concluded with this: “To be honest how we are in the city for good is something we’ve been pondering for a while now. We are, in some important ways. But we too wonder, what else could it mean?

In that moment I knew, that, if this partnership between you and I were to be, exploring what it is to be IN THE CITY FOR GOOD would be at the heart of our shared work together.

As our quarterly For Good magazine reboots let us consider Christ’s call to care for our neighbor. For we are called to be IN THE CITY FOR –

• the food insecure, the disadvantaged, the unhoused

• the immigrant, the refugee, the asylum seeker

• the autistic, the depressed, the underinsured

• the black, the brown, the shades between

• the gay, the bi, the trans

These are the stories, among others, this periodical will tell. They are the stories of St. John’s. The stories of Des Moines, and beyond. They are the stories of how humanity intersects with one another in meaningful, God honoring ways.

And that big beige exterior wall of ours? The one with five words prominently featured atop? It is a blank slate. A tabula rasa, several stories high. May the stories we tell encourage your own faith story to unfold, populating that blank beige slate with a full color, lived reality. A lived reality that blesses you, and countless others, as we go.

- Pastor Ryan Arnold

HOPE Agency Member Highlight

HOPE Agency is a non-profit organization that assists individuals and families. The agency works to provide support, such as helping to find housing, food, clothing, and medical care for those who are struggling financially or otherwise disadvantaged.

The agency’s mission is to provide support and resources to those in need, empowering them to build a brighter future. Through its various programs and initiatives, HOPE Agency strives to impact the lives of those it serves.

They also offer vocational programs and job training opportunities to help people gain the skills they need to become more self-sufficient in community-based employment through partnering with local businesses. Additionally, the agency provides relational and holistic assistance, encouragement, and coaching.

Helping to increase independence with things like budgeting, cooking, cleaning, practicing good hygiene, making and keeping friends, and trying to help individuals and families cope with difficult life circumstances, HOPE Agency creates a better future for those in need. Serving the community since its inception in 2004, it has grown to become a well-established non-profit in the area, helping thousands of individuals each year.

With its wide range of services and resources, the agency tries to aid those who may need access to other forms of help. Participants have found funding through organizations like Medicaid, Polk County, and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation. By

helping those who need it most, HOPE Agency creates a better world for everyone.

HOPE is proud to be accredited through the Medicaid HCSB Waiver and to possess a threeyear accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) received in 2022, was also recognized as having met the standards set forth by Polk County!

EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS:

Hyvee Industries

Woodlands Creek

Retirement Center

Marsden Inc

Sodexo Inc

Calvin Community

Marsh Inc

Marshall’s Home Depot

True Value

Applebees

Goodwill of Central Iowa

Menards

Panera Bread

Genesis Living

Texas Roadhouse

Wells Fargo

Schneider Graphics

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

DMACC

Grandview College Career Center

Premier Payee

Iowa Methodist Hospital

United Way of Iowa

Central Iowa Works

DART

Iowa Workforce Development

Evelyn K Davis Center

Iowa Coalition For Integrated

Employment

Iowa DD Council

APSE

Momentum

Westside and other Des Moines Chambers

Epilepsy Foundation

Children’s and Families of Iowa

Counseling Associates of Central Iowa

IowaAble

Raine Recruiting

Iowa Department of Education

Des Moines Food Pantries

New Beginnings counseling

Broadlawns

Scotty’s Auto Body

IMPACT

Next Step Counseling

Iowa Employment Solutions

Eychaner Foundation

MidIowa Boy Scouts Troup

St. John’s Lutheran Church lifts up member Amy Wallman-Madden, Co-Founder and CEO of the Des Moines organization HOPE Agency. Working in the human services field for over 25 years, Amy credits her diverse experiences throughout her career for providing perspective on how direct care is impactful and essential for all Iowans. When not serving the community, Amy enjoys making music with her friends, playing sports, and watching her kids experience the world through travel and various activities.

Amy received her Master’s in Leadership Development through Drake University in 2020, which she draws upon to change the perception of direct support services and highlight the importance of inclusion of all. Learn more about her team’s work by visiting:

https://www.hopeagencydsm.org/ join-hopes-team.html 515-331-4142

AmyWM@hopeagencydsm.org

Passion Purpose Persistence Proactivity

After School Arts Program Celebrates 15 Years

In October 2007 St. John’s Lutheran Church launched a new social and arts ministry outreach, led by church staff and volunteers. At a time when public school budget cuts were chipping away at art and music instruction during the school day, the After School Arts Program—called ASAP—provided opportunities for urban schoolchildren to explore their creativity in a safe and caring environment, with no worry about transportation or cost. The program quickly found its stride, and within two years was established as a stand-alone nonprofit organization called Arts for the City, Inc.

Fast-forward fifteen years: ASAP is still going strong, bringing free multidisciplinary arts enrichment programs to children in grades K–8, at more than two dozen locations where they already are in out-of-school times— their schools, parks, libraries, community centers, and even their own homes.

ASAP is active year-round, offering weekly classes after school, Spring Break and Summer Camps, arts enrichment in summer schools, middleschool Drama Clubs, ASAP Piano Lab (see sidebar), and large public outreach events—all designed to provide access to the arts that kids wouldn’t otherwise have. During the COVID pandemic, unable to meet face to face with students, ASAP developed a catalog of seventy short, engaging instructional videos with accompanying supply kits to ensure continual access to the

arts—a creative lifeline for kids who were otherwise isolated. Through all of ASAP’s programs, children practice persistence and critical thinking, and they grow in their compassion, cooperation, and confidence as they try new things. ASAP opens their eyes to art in the world around them.

Through years of program growth, innovation, and change, ASAP’s mission has remained constant: to affirm young people as persons of value, nurture their skill and talent in the arts, help them realize their artistic gifts, and broaden their awareness of the varieties of artistic expression.

The arts are essential tools for human communication and for the development of the whole child. All children, regardless of their circumstances, should have access to opportunities for artistic exploration and self-expression. ASAP is committed to providing that access for children who might otherwise be marginalized or excluded from high-quality arts programs outside of school because of barriers such as cost, transportation, or perceived nonbelonging.

ASAP is winner of the Governor’s Arts Award for Impact and Accessibility in the Arts, and of Bravo Greater Des Moines’ Spotlight Award. ASAP succeeds with the help of generous supporters; to get involved, donate, or for more information, check out www.asap-dsm.org.

Piano Lab Hits the Right Notes for Kids

The benefits of music lessons for kids range from enhanced language acquisition and hand-eye coordination, to higher IQ. Music learning supports all learning, but keyboard/piano instruction can specifically help students build spatial-temporal ability, fine-motor and cognitive skills such as attention and memory, to succeed in school and in life.

Recognizing the great benefits of keyboard learning and the lack of access to piano lessons for most students, ASAP piloted a mobile Piano Lab program in 2019, funded by New York-based Meier Bernstein Foundation.

The pilot program took place at Stowe Elementary and featured weekly small-group lessons and a year-end recital in which nine students performed for family and friends.

In 2020–22, when schools were closed to community partners because of COVID, ASAP Piano Lab moved to Willkie House, the oldest African American community center in Des Moines. ASAP Piano Lab Teaching Artist Dr. Michael Elsbernd met weekly with two cohorts of students during the school-year months, and offered summer exploratory sessions to recruit new intro-level students. In 2022–23 Piano Lab returned to Des Moines Public Schools, filling a need for arts programming at ASAP’s first partner school, King Elementary.

During weekly lessons Dr. Elsbernd offers individualized attention and differentiated support as students work independently at the keyboard. Student-driven learning is a strong component of the program; keyboards and equipment are left on site so students can practice between lesson days. Culminating performances, whether formal or informal, are important milestone achievements in students’ journey at the keyboard and a time to celebrate learning, revealing pride of accomplishment in students and their families.

Upcoming Midweek Music Series

Bruch Trio, Susan Odem, Dan Stevenson, Bruce Martin

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 12:05pm

Cristina Deeds & Christa Pearson

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 12:05pm

Elizabeth Spang

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 12:05pm

Party of Four w/ Joe Gettys

Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 12:05pm

Steven Kennedy & Friends

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 12:05pm

Arts Events

“Sherlock Jr.” Silent Movie

Saturday, March 4 | 7:00 pm

Watch the silent film “Sherlock Jr.” from 1924, starring Buster Keaton, as you listen to music composed by John Benoit and performed by Vivo Chamber Orchestra. Light refreshments are available prior, from 6:00pm – 7:00pm sponsored by our Social Club. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind St. John’s Fine Arts-sponsored event. A celebration for lovers of classic film and live music that is elaborate, ambitious, and masterfully executed!

Organ Recital

Sunday, March 26, 2023 | 2:30pm

Annual organ recital with Dr. Michael Elsbernd, St. John’s Director of Worship and Music, at the bench.

Easter Oratorio by J. S. Bach

Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 2:30pm

Easter Oratorio by J. S. Bach. Cathedral Choir, soloists, String Scholars, chamber orchestra, and organ. Additional instrumental works by Baroque composers will also be featured.

We need you!

Volunteers are vital to the success of our Children’s Ministries programming! Are you able to help out once or twice a month? Volunteer roles can be as a leader or as a helper! If you are leading, materials are provided for you. Please consider sharing your faith, time and gifts with our Children’s Ministries. It will undoubtedly provide you with a rewarding experience and an opportunity to grow in faith! If you are interested in helping or have any questions, please let Ann Strom know, astrom@stjohnsdsm.org.

First Communion Class | April 1, 10:00am

This Spring Ann and Pastor Ryan are hosting first communion classes for any family who has a child ready to start receiving the sacrament of Communion. Kids will take their first communion on Maundy Thursday. Interested families please reach out to Ann Strom, astrom@stjohnsdsm.org for more information or with questions.

Jr. Confirmation /Confirmation

Summer

Camp June 11 - 16

At Lutheran Lakeside, our campers enjoy time in a welcoming community that embraces them for who they are. Campers are given unique opportunities to try new things, challenge themselves, enjoy creation, make friends, and grow in their faith.

C.R.E.S.T Kids at St. John’s

Every activity at camp is designed and facilitated in a way to help campers have the BEST WEEK EVER! Summer camps have the ability to build confidence, develop life skills, create bonds, and have a lifelong impact.

Individual pricing is $240 per student (without discount), and St. John’s pays $235 toward the total cost of $475 per entry. Register directly with Lutheran Lakeside Camp, and we’ll see you this Summer! As our youth leaders will also be in attendance just to particiapte along side the kids! Receive an early bird discount of $50 off the cost of camp before February 28 by using the sponsorship code: 23STJohnsdsm.

Um re pore nonimiur ius isqua antraes ultoruntem es octa inatiliae cotifec uperem unt? Obsedep oenerox mandum pernihil ur, publicu periam mora crestant. Ucis tem nim merfecondium medo, quod co unit, quidees ulicaelut pratqua L. Effrecuro menit perei is; nostris vena pribunt raciemus opubli publium fitifectuus ant pari pratum quercepes, que ne te antem et vistemum. Ahalabu ssimus, vastere, Cat, us, omnium acertem re comniqu emodis. Satiae, nihilica; C. Ahaberi denitem tero, nore, viti pere, sidiem essederfecia mantraet anti, viviris. Lut confiri tientilicae te, consus tanum re auc re, con spertes iam P. Asdam ium, C. Sentemenat L. Arit viristi llaridit, nes creis revirmantem diensilia dena, que isum, nox scerfec torentem. moruder enductus adhuit, se posse que me te di, nos publi, neque di sitatque nos faudaci enatilicesta vertam ingulto rsulum Romneque pere involus, interritis habemplius nt.Patortalicaur ad

Contact Donovan and Erin Hill at youth@stjohsdsm.org or Ann Strom at astrom@stjohnsdsm.org if you have any questions!

Upcoming Spring Dates

February 19 –CREST Kid’s Singing at 10am Service

March 12 –No CREST Kid’s Hour – Spring Break

March 19 –No CREST Kid’s Hour – Spring Break

April 6 –First Communion – Maundy Thursday

April 6 –CREST Kid’s Singing at 7pm Service

April 9 –No CREST Kid’s Hour – Easter

April 9 –CREST Kid’s Singing at 10am Service

May 21 –Last day of CREST Kid’s Hour

May 28 –

Last day to register for Lutheran Lakeside, June 11-16 Jr. Confirmation/Confirmation Camp

Beloved Community

Meet Jacque Warming

Beloved Community was a dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to create a world in which all people live in peace and harmony. “We Are The Beloved Community” is an affirmation of who we are and a call to better ourselves, our community, our city, the nation and the world. Our goal is to create a beloved community, which will require a qualitative change in our souls and a quantitative change in our lives.

~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Under Pastor Rachel Thorson Mithelman’s (Senior Pastor from 2005 - 2020) leadership, St. John’s Beloved Community was established, combining multi-generational dinners, learning, and music, open to all in Des Moines and the surrounding areas.

Rev. Elton Richards, who served as Senior Pastor from 1989 - 1997, also strengthened the congregation’s arts emphasis, introducing midweek noonday music recitals, now known as the Midweek Music Series, a highlight for all who attend St. John’s and many community partnerships such as Grand View University.

From the inception of Midweek Music Series and Beloved Community, there’s been a shining star and staple of our community, most of you know as Jacque Warming. What you may not have learned was even as a young woman, she and her father prepared a light luncheon for attendees when Midweek Music recitals first began. She and her husband also cooked dinner for Wacky Wednesday, which was only for confirmands in those days. Jacque has always been a volunteer and loves cooking and baking. So, she combined the two!

Providing hundreds of meals and volunteer hours over the years, Jacque and others have led this ministry by menu planning, grocery shopping, and finding friends and volunteers to prepare meals. They have all put tremendous work into cooking at times for up to 100 –150 people weekly, sometimes twice a week helping to build our Beloved Community. Even now, they’ve been instrumental in starting this time-honored tradition back up, post-COVID, strengthening the connection among peers and parishioners as we go.

Jacque always encourages people to be on the team and come to cook! She often gets the names of new members, inviting them to connect to build lasting friendships.

Some of her fondest memories are inviting and working with kids in Weertz Kitchen! She loves teaching young people to cook, always welcoming Confirmation students to join and learn. She has guided new students and members of St. John’s in the kitchen, helping them adjust to a new church and city.

The name of her cooking team is the Happy Cooks. Jacque is always interested in new recipes and willing to try anything new! She will often use a new recipe for meals at St. John’s, saying, “Some are good, some are okay, and some can be chalked up to a learning experience.” She’s always willing to share recipes and learn new ones too!

If you’ve been trying to find a way to connect, Beloved Community or the Midweek Music series, or really anything surrounding Jacque Warming, this how to do it. She holds a special place in the hearts of all who come in contact with her and has the gift of finding a place for anyone who wants to participate, whether at the front of the line or in the background. You’ll meet new people, learn new skills, and can have a good time doing it.

Enjoy one of her favorite recipes, Cranberry Chicken. Remember her special ingredient that you’ll find in all her creations, Love.

Cranberry Chicken

3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts*

1 (14 oz.) can Whole Berry

Cranberry Sauce

1 cup Western Dressing

1 Envelope Onion Soup Mix

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a baking dish

Mix the cranberries, dressing, and soup mix.

Pour over the chicken.

Bake uncovered for 1 hour.

*You can also use pork chops.

600 Sixth Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50309-1606

515-243-7691

Return Service Requested

Lent 2023

MARDI GRAS BEER & HYMNS

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

6:30pm - 8:00pm | West End

Architectural Salvage & Coffee Shop

ASH WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

7:15pm | Sanctuary

GAME NIGHT

Friday, February 24, 2023

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Weertz Fellowship Hall

SHERLOCK JR. - FINE ARTS EVENT

Saturday, March 4, 2023

7:00pm - 9:00pm | Sanctuary

ORGAN RECITAL

Sunday, March 26, 2023

2:30pm | Sanctuary

SIMPSON COLLEGE CHOIR

Friday, March 31, 2023

7:00pm | Sanctuary

PALM SUNDAY

Sunday, April 2, 2023

10:00am | Sanctuary

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Thursday, April 6, 2023

7:00pm | Sanctuary

GOOD FRIDAY

Friday, April 7, 2023

7:00pm | Sanctuary

EASTER VIGIL

Saturday, April 8, 2023

5:00pm | Sanctuary

EASTER SUNDAY

Sunday, April 9, 2023

10:00am | Sanctuary

EASTER ORATORIO

Sunday, April 16, 2023

2:30pm | Sanctuary