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The Presbytery of Des Moines
Iowa
The Just Neighbors banner is a traveling award for churches in the presbytery that have taken up social justice ministries.
A few years ago, the Presbytery of Des Moines’ Social Ministries for Peace and Justice Task Force began recognizing its churches for their social justice ministry.
“Our churches have a story to tell. Calling attention to it with a traveling banner not only gets church members talking about the presbytery, it spreads the word about their mission work,” says Nancy Lister-Settle, task force moderator, elder, and hunger action enabler. So far, seven congregations have been recognized.
During 2006, congregations involved in intentional diversity ministries were recognized. The initial recipient of the Just Neighbors Award banner was First Presbyterian in Newton. The banner was passed next to Westminster Presbyterian in Des Moines, which is involved in a children’s literacy program. Then Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Indianola received the banner for a program assisting the unemployed needy.
In 2007, churches involved in hunger action were recognized. The first recipient, First Presbyterian in Guthrie Center, had created an “anytime” food pantry. Next, Ankeny Presbyterian was nominated because of the variety of local and international programs it supports. CROSS Ministries, a presbytery-supported program of Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian in Des Moines, was recognized for advocacy on behalf of poor and hungry people. Most recently, the banner went to Clifton Heights Presbyterian in Des Moines for community gardens that supply fresh produce to organizations that feed thousands of hungry people.
The Presbytery of Des Moines has 64 congregations with 9,489 members.
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Philip W. Barrett, general presbyter and stated clerk
Elder Betty Dyer, office manager
Rev. J. GoanarChol, coordinator of Sudanese ministries for the Des Moines and Missouri River Valley presbyteries
Deacon Kim Coulter, director of communications
Elder Nancy Lister-Settle, hunger action enabler
Elder Kathy Mahler, interim mission co-worker to El Salvador
Elder Dr. Roberta Victor, director of CROSS Ministries
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Melinda Ebbs, GAC
Celeste Eck, BOP
O, most loving God, as you remind us of those whose lives are diminished by poverty, neglect, injustice, and oppression, make us relentless in our pursuit of mercy and justice for them, that your name may be glorified, through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Ps. 43, 149 Ps. 31, 143
Jer. 13:1–11
Rom. 6:12–23; John 8:47–59
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