On April 25-26 Northminster Presbyterian was able to package 162,696 meals to feed the children at United Christian International in Haiti. Thank you to everyone who shared their heart to feed the hungry by volunteering, donating, or praying for the success of this critical project.
Saturday, May 31
9AM – 4PM (Lunch provided)
Iowa State University Scheman Building
1805 Center Drive, Ames, IA
Join AMOS and leaders in Iowa’s small towns and farming communities as we learn from our past to together create a new dream for our state.
This statewide seminar with Iowa State University historian Pamela Riney-Kehrberg will focus on her book When a Dream Dies: Agriculture, Iowa, and the Farm Crisis of the 1980s. How does the 1980s Farm Crisis inform the challenges facing rural communities in 2025? How can we act together to address the pressures impacting Iowans today? Join us to build relationships across geographic areas, share your own lived experiences (past and present), and act in solidarity to support rural Iowa families.
The application to serve at the 227th General Assembly (2026) as a Commissioner or Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD) is now open! The application closes October 1. For qualifications and more information, visit the application page.
In April, the Session at Collegiate Presbyterian of Ames used part of its annual retreat to gather at ISU’s new Student Innovation Center and try a new sort of collaboration, Artificial Intelligence.
The congregation has opened a coffee shop, Labyrinth Coffee, and the Session was mulling over ways to give it a boost. To frame the situation, background information was loaded into ChatGPT, and then the challenge was posed: Please give us five strategies for making the Labyrinth Coffee shop successful. (Apparently, it pays to be polite!)
The results were useful and quite fun. Leverage Local Partnerships for Cross-Promotion was one. While we have thought of some interesting ways to pass out discount coupons to some organizations and elsewhere, this idea pushed us to think more systematically and creatively across the map of Ames. Another one was Create a Strong Visual Street Presence. While there are already signs and flags on the building highlighting Labyrinth Coffee, ide
as about chalk murals on the sidewalk and various uses of the labyrinth motif in the neighborhood offered some new possibilities.
The experience was fruitful in building plans for Labyrinth Coffee. However, the real benefit was in giving the Session a different way to brainstorm and collaborate. Crazy ideas, serious concerns, and frank discussion were possible because there was a “third party” participating and opening things up.
Now, the real work begins but the experience lent new energy
and excitement – and a sense that anything is possible.
Join the Presbyterian Foundation on Thursday, June 26, for another informative online Day of Learning, designed for churches, mid councils, and ministries to learn more about how to use the power of storytelling to increase stewardship, planned giving, and generosity. You’ll hear from experts who have worked with hundreds of congregations just like yours. This event is FREE, and we will be happy to take your questions. Sign up even if you can’t attend in person; we’ll provide resources and recordings following the Day of Learning.
All sessions will be offered on Zoom.
March 9-11 | Orlando, FL
In a world of constant change, leadership requires fresh vision, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to growth. The 2026 Luminosity Conference is all about sparking imagination and equipping leaders with practical wisdom—because effective ministry isn’t just about what we do, but how we envision, steward, and sustain our impact.
Through powerful keynote/plenary sessions, dynamic workshops, and meaningful conversations, we’ll explore how to navigate challenges, maximize resources, and lead with confidence. You’ll discover practical ideas and hear real-life stories that will advance your leadership and financial literacy for maximum ministry impact. This is your chance to invest in your leadership journey while enjoying a family-friendly environment at the heart of Disney magic.
Register now for early bird pricing! Learn more and register here.
© 2025 Presbytery of North Central Iowa
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