A World on the Move: Immigration Stories to Lodge in Your Heart Join United Women in Faith for a potluck and stories of immigration from the Bible, first-person accounts, novels, and children’s literature. On Thursday, October 1, from 5:30–7:30 p.m., come to the Wesley Center for a discussion of immigrants’ stories. Bring your own stories, learn from others, and leave with a better understanding of immigration in the United States. There will be no lecture, just heartfelt stories shared in small groups. Please bring a dish to share; drinks and dishes will be provided. This evening is open to all and will be ideal for ages 10 and up. Sign up in the church office or in the Gathering Space on Sundays. If you want to read ahead, feel free to check out a book from the UWFaith cart.

Iowa has the second highest cancer incidence rate in the nation and is one of only three states where the rate is rising. While the United States has a declining overall cancer rate, Iowa’s is sharply increasing. More than 170,000 Iowans share the experience of living with a past or current cancer diagnosis, and many more have lost loved ones to cancer. The Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa’s Cancer Crisis project was developed by the Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute based on feedback from hundreds of Iowans who are asking: What makes Iowa an outlier for cancer? What is unique about our state? Join Kerri Johannsen, Senior Director of Policy and Programs for the Iowa Environmental Council, on Friday, October 2, from 11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in the Wesley Center at St. Paul’s for Interfaith Alliance of Iowa’s monthly Intersections gathering. Kerri, an author of this report, will present findings on pesticides, nitrates, PFAS, and radon, and their associations with cancer in Iowa. In addition, she will share actionable ways you can get involved in the movement for change. There are three ways to attend: in person with lunch ($15), in person without lunch (free), or online via YouTube (free). Registration is required for all three options; click here to register.

Do you have holes to be patched, buttons to be sewn on, jeans to be hemmed, or elastic to be replaced? Join experienced menders for a Mending Café on Saturday, October 3, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. in the Annex building. We provide sewing machines and mending experience; you provide the project! If you are good with needle and thread and interested in helping with the Mending Cafe, please reach out to Jane Nesmith.

The Hildegard Circle will meet in the Upper Room/Art Space this Sunday, October 4, at 10:15 a.m. This group is open to women ages 25–50. Come and meet some new friends and reconnect with old ones! Going forward, we will meet on the first Sunday of even months. The next meeting will be December 6, also in the Upper Room. Please join us!

Beginning on Sunday, October 4, the Voyagers Sunday school class will begin a study series on Moses starting with the Exodus. We are a generationally mixed class, known to have a laugh or two as we study the Bible. All are welcome! We meet in room 327 after the 9:00 worship.

Our Circuit of United Methodist Churches will have our annual Church Conference on Sunday, October 4, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s UMC (4700 Johnson Avenue NW in Cedar Rapids). Join us for this time of celebrating ministry, affirming the vision and lay leadership for the year to come, and addressing other important business for the year ahead. All are welcome to attend, and vote is granted to all members and clergy in relationship with St. Paul’s.

Join the St. Paul’s & Wellington Heights Block Party on Sunday, October 4, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. on the church grounds. We’re celebrating the fall season, our congregational ties, and World Communion Sunday, a day of unity and community! The event will include congregational talent on stage, games for kids of all ages, a collaborative art project, a social justice project booth, kids’ crafts, free fall food treats reflecting our congregation’s cultural diversity, and time to chat and catch up with friends old and new! No need to register; just plan to attend and support our beautiful community at St Paul’s and our Wellington Heights neighborhood! Do you have mini pumpkins you could donate for the kids’ art project? Please drop them off at the church starting in September. (We need about 50.) If you’d like to join the fun as a volunteer, please sign up here. Questions? Feel free to contact Ministry Council member Laurie Worden at 319-521-1912.

We’d love to showcase your talent on the Block Party stage! Talent of all sorts is invited. We hope to find musicians, singers, dancers, poets, family-friendly comics, and storytellers. Please contact Bruce Nesmith if you’re interested in performing.

On Sunday, October 4, please move your vehicles out of the 2nd Avenue parking lot by 12:00 p.m. The St. Paul’s Block Party team will begin setting up at 12:15 p.m. for the 3:00 event, so the 2nd Avenue parking lot will be blocked off. If you are onsite between noon and 6:00 p.m., please park in the 14th Street lot, near the Annex Building, or on the street. Thank you!

Join members of St. Paul’s, Escucha Mi Voz, Singing Resistance CR, and others for a Protective Accompaniment on Tuesday, October 6, from 7:30–9:30 a.m. Together we will sing songs of resistance and stand with immigrants checking in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Cedar Rapids ICE Office (3351 Square D Drive SW in Cedar Rapids, park in the Elks Club parking lot). This is a recurring event on the first Tuesday of each month. We hope you’ll join us as we stand with our immigrant neighbors!

Seniors are invited to join the Heritage Area Agency on Aging for a monthly Encore Café lunch at St. Paul’s on the first Wednesday of each month. Enjoy lunch and the chance to socialize in a community setting on Wednesday, October 7, at 11:30 a.m. (Doors open at 11:00 a.m.) There is a suggested voluntary contribution of $5 per meal for those over the age of 60. (Those under 60 are asked to pay $10 per person at the check-in table.) Reservations are requested by 1:00 p.m. the day before and can be made by calling 319-398-2585. (Anyone who comes without a reservation will have to wait to eat until all who registered have been served.) Join us for this time of good food and great company!

The Vote Is Sacred 2026 is Interfaith Alliance’s nationwide effort to protect our democracy and empower people of faith to get out the vote in the midterm elections. At the heart of The Vote Is Sacred is a cross-country bus tour, launching October 6 in Omaha and running through Election Day. This month on the road will take place in communities where the freedom to vote is under the most pressure. Join them at St. Paul’s on Wednesday, October 7, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Join us, because the vote is sacred, and democracy needs people of faith. Click here to learn more.

Join Iowa United Methodist Church Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai and other leaders for a Laity Day on Saturday, October 10, from 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. This free day for laity hosted at St. Paul’s includes lunch and presentations. Speakers include:

• Rev. Dr. Edgar Solis Romero (Director of Connectional Ministries, speaking on the four new priorities of the Iowa Annual Conference voted on at Annual Conference 2026)
• Deaconess Irene DeMaris (Executive Director of Iowa Faith & Climate Network, speaking on Deaconess & Home Missioner)
• Rev. Dr. Ryan Christenson (Associate Director for Congregational Excellence, speaking about our Greenhouse Cohort)
• Rev. Melissa Drake (Director of Leadership Development and Spiritual Formation, sharing about the Laity Culture of Call)
• Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai (Iowa UMC Bishop, speaking about Growing Disciples and Developing and Sustaining Leaders)

Lunch is provided, but a free-will offering is always welcome. Registration is required by October 7. Click here for more information or to register.

Cedar Rapids Precinct 24 votes at First Lutheran Church (1000 Third Ave SE in Cedar Rapids). Due to renovations last year, they were unable to host the election, and precinct voting was moved to the downtown library, which resulted in the lowest turn-out in the city. First Lutheran wants to help empower our neighbors by letting them know their polling place is back at First Lutheran in November and encourage them to take part in the elections. This is entirely non-partisan and no campaigns or initiatives will be favored or promoted. They will canvas the neighborhood on Saturday, October 10, from 10:00 a.m.–noon. (The inclement weather backup date is October 24.)  If you want to help inform the neighborhood and encourage civic participation, sign up here! 

If we work together, we can end world hunger. That’s why St. Paul’s is participating in the CROP Hunger Walk to help families who are struggling with hunger on Sunday, October 11, at 1:30 p.m. (registration at 1:00) at Thomas Park (343 Marion Boulevard in Marion). Please join us with your steps and your donations. Participants with limited mobility will be assembling a tuna meal food packet for a local food pantry at the English Pavilion. Together we will provide more meals for the growing number of people in our community who need them and create greater food security in communities around the world. Click here to join the team or donate.

Join Rev. Melissa Drake, Iowa UMC Director of Leadership Development and Spiritual Formation, for a Laity Study on the Five Marks of a Methodist with special guest Steve Harper, author of the study! On Mondays, October 12–November 16, from 6:30–8:00 p.m., join her via Zoom from the comfort of your home or wherever life takes you. We will be learning about and practicing the “distinguishing marks” of a Methodist: what John Wesley understood to be the foundation of discipleship that puts us on the right foot to sustain us for a lifetime of relationship with God and one another. We will use the book Five Marks of a Methodist by Steve Harper, who will be present at the first and last sessions, as well as the Five Marks of a Methodist Participant Guide. We will practice embodying these marks as our way of living in the Methodist Movement, reclaiming our joy and passion of being disciples of Jesus Christ in the world today. Copies of the book were distributed at Annual Conference this year. If you didn’t receive one, check with others in the church who attended or contact Melissa Drake. Register here and contact Melissa with questions.

St. Paul’s offers a Grief Group on the third Monday of every month (including October 19), at 10:00 a.m. in room 325. This is a time when honest sharing is encouraged and when care and support are offered. Rev. Ed Moreano, Bereavement Coordinator for the Iowa City Hospice, and Pastor Terra Amundson facilitate the group. All are welcome to attend.

Calling all Soup and Pickle Makers! The Holiday Fair is just around the corner (November 4–5), and St. Paul’s United Women in Faith are heading into the kitchen to prepare our crowd-favorite homemade soups and pickles! Our hearty soups are crafted with real bone broth and wholesome ingredients, and then frozen fresh for the fair. We would love your help bringing it all together. Here is the prep schedule:

• Soup Making: Monday, October 26, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Soup Packaging: Tuesday, October 27, 12:30–5:00 p.m.
• Pickle Processing: Tuesday, October 27, starting at 2:00 p.m. (turning ordinary pickles into extraordinary pickles!)

Ready to lend a hand? Reach out to the project chairs:

• Soup Crew: Text Tamera Preston (319-329-9872)
• Pickle Crew: Call Sue Speicher (319-360-0293)

Each year, St. Paul’s United Women in Faith hosts our beloved Holiday Fair—a cherished community tradition and our major annual fundraiser. We are thrilled to celebrate a remarkable milestone this fall: our 105th Anniversary (1921–2026)! This year’s Holiday Fair will take place at St. Paul’s on Wednesday, November 4, from 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., and Thursday, November 5, from 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. It features:

• a family meal and Gingerbread Nook kids’ activities (Wednesday, 5:00–7:00 p.m.)
• theme table viewing (Thursday, 10:00–11:30 a.m.)
• a luncheon featuring Musings of a Mi-Century Modern Woman by Pam Moore (Thursday at noon)

Throughout the two days, visit our holiday bake shop, cookie walk, craft boutique, and fair trade sales!

Through 105 years of faithful support, the Holiday Fair has helped fund hundreds of missions—a legacy that gives us so much to celebrate and so many reasons to give thanks. Every dollar raised directly supports the vital local and global mission projects of the United Women in Faith, helping women, children, and families in need. This year’s theme is Music for the Season, and it takes a wonderful community of volunteers to bring it to life. Whether you’ve been part of the fair for years or are joining us for the first time, we would love to have your hands and heart involved! Click here to sign up to help!

Join Lovely Lane UMC (2424 42nd Street NE in Cedar Rapids) for their Health & Wholeness Retreat on Saturday, November 7, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (with registration at 8:30). We will hear from local leaders regarding the things that keep us up at night, such as the struggles of parenting children who face bullying, drugs, and exploring their sexual identity. We will create our own sachet bags of lavender and eucalyptus for a time of reflection and relaxation. Throughout the day, we will learn about breath prayer and how we can use this as a tool to help us face the things that keep us up at night. A light breakfast will be served with a soup lunch concluding our time of learning and conversation. If you require childcare, please register by October 31. The cost is $20, but scholarships are available. Please register through Lovely Lane.

The Women’s and Men’s Spirituality Groups meet every Monday at 9:00 a.m. The men meet in the Library, and the women meet in the Parlor. Join us for readings, discussions, prayer, and fellowship. We hope to see you there!

We are preparing for our annual Holiday Fair and are excited about all the crafts being completed during our weekly craft workshops! Whether you are an experienced artist or a beginner looking to learn a new hobby, you are invited and welcome to attend. These sessions are a wonderful way to meet neighbors, share skills, and contribute to the success of our upcoming fair.

Workshop Details:

•  When:Every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
•  Where:The Annex

How You Can Help:

• Join Us:Simply show up at the Annex on Tuesday mornings!
•  Remote Contributions:If you are a crafter or artist who cannot make it on Tuesdays, we still value your talents! We gratefully welcome items created at your own pace from home.
•  Donate Supplies:We are currently seeking donations of fabric and craft supplies. If you have extra materials taking up space, we would be happy to put them to good use.

Questions? For more information, please contact Marty Lee (319-329-2683). We can’t wait to see what we create together!

Led by caring adults, kids from 4 years old through 6th grade are invited to join us for Sunday School each Sunday from 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. During this time, children and pre-teens engage in hands-on activities including games, Bible stories, crafts, and snacks while growing in their faith and building friendships.

Schedule
10:00 a.m. Open Playground Time (as weather allows)
10:30 a.m. Sunday School Starts
11:30 a.m. Dismissal

Location
Kids (4 Years Old–3rd Grade): Children’s Parlor (3rd floor)
Pre-Teens (4th–6th Grade): Room 101 (lower level youth wing)

This fall, our pre-K through 3rd graders will learn with Bluey! Each week, we’ll use stories and familiar Bluey characters to explore Bible stories and big ideas like friendship, kindness, problem-solving, and trusting God.

Upcoming Schedule
October 4: Gospel According to Bluey: Empathy
October 11: Gospel According to Bluey: Diversity
October 18: Gospel According to Bluey: Working Together
October 25: Halloween Party!

This semester, our pre-teens will be using Connect, a Bible-centered Sunday school curriculum designed to help kids see the bigger picture of Scripture. Each week, students will explore Bible stories and discover how they connect to larger themes that run throughout the Bible. Through discussion, activities, and hands-on learning, pre-teens will grow in their understanding of Scripture and how it connects to their faith and everyday lives.

Upcoming Schedule
October 4: Suffering
October 11: Flood
October 18: Tower of Babel
October 25: Halloween Party!

We understand that some students may have friendships across groups or may feel ready for a different experience. For example, some 6th grade students may be ready to begin participating in Youth Co-Op. If you feel your student would benefit from being in a different group setting, please reach out to Becca Nims so we can have a conversation and work together to find the best fit. Throughout the semester, we provide opportunities for students across age groups to connect, build relationships, and share experiences.

Join us for Open Playground Time this fall! Every Sunday through October 25 from 10:00–10:30 a.m. (following the 9:00 a.m. worship service), families are invited to enjoy the church playground. It’s a great opportunity for children to play, burn off some energy, and connect with friends while parents visit with one another. Beginning September 13, Open Playground Time will also serve as a fun time between worship and Sunday School, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Please note: Children in 2nd grade and younger must have a parent/guardian present during this time. We look forward to seeing you on the playground this fall!

Join us for a fun-filled evening at the pumpkin patch! On Wednesday, October 14, from 6:00–8:00 p.m., families are invited to join us at Bass Farms (840 Bass Lane in Mt. Vernon). Enjoy mini-golf, the jumping pad, the Farm Frenzy slide, a corn maze, and more—all at no cost to your family. To help keep everyone safe and having fun, we ask that children in 6th grade and under bring a parent/guardian to stay and enjoy the evening together. Please register here for this free event.

Families attending our 11:15 a.m. Worship Café are invited to engage with a new space created just for kids! We’re introducing a Pray-Ground, a designated area near the front of the worship space where children can experience worship in age-appropriate and hands-on ways. The Pray-Ground includes materials designed to help children stay engaged with what’s happening in worship, such as:

• Children’s Bibles and faith-based books
• Coloring and drawing supplies
• Soft toys
• Play-Doh, pipe cleaners, and other manipulatives
• Scripture-themed items like smooth stones, feathers, shells, and more

The Pray-Ground is meant to support children as active participants in worship while remaining part of the larger worshiping community. We’re excited to continue finding meaningful ways to welcome and include families in worship! Learn more about Pray-Grounds and the benefits they have here.

Join us for a fun-filled evening at the pumpkin patch! On Wednesday, October 14, from 6:00–8:00 p.m., families are invited to join us at Bass Farms (840 Bass Lane in Mt. Vernon). Enjoy mini-golf, the jumping pad, the Farm Frenzy slide, a corn maze, and more—all at no cost to your family. To help keep everyone safe and having fun, we ask that children in 6th grade and under bring a parent/guardian to stay and enjoy the evening together. Please register here for this free event.

Students in grades 7–12 are invited to join Youth Music on Sunday mornings after worship for a variety of musical experiences that encourage participation in worship and help students grow in their gifts. Youth have opportunities to play handbells and other instruments, sing as a group, participate in drama, and more. Our welcoming and inclusive environment helps students develop their musical skills, deepen their faith, and build meaningful friendships while serving in worship. Youth Music is led by Dr. Mark Baumann, CAGO, Coordinator of Music Ministries.

Our nursery is open on Sundays from 8:30–10:30 a.m. during the summer and, beginning September 13, from 8:30–11:30 a.m. for children ages 8 weeks through 6 years. We are looking for additional volunteers to join our team and help care for our youngest disciples. Volunteers serve just once a month, or even less often if we build a large enough team, alongside our paid nursery staff. It’s a small commitment that makes a big impact as we continue to grow our ministry with children, youth, and families. We especially need help during the 8:30–10:30 a.m. time slot.

Safe Sanctuary Requirements

•  Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, or students under 18 may serve alongside an additional adult.
•  A background check is required before serving.

Interested or have questions? Contact Becca Nims.

The St. Paul’s Shower Ministry takes place on Sundays from 3:00–4:30 p.m. We offer free showers, basic haircuts, and food to those in our community who need them. We usually connect with 18–26 unhoused neighbors each Sunday. We are looking for donations of men’s belts; men’s size LARGE soft, breathable boxer underwear; women’s bras and socks (used, in good condition is fine); men’s and women’s shorts, sleeveless tops, sweatpants (sizes small, medium, or large only), and shoes; and mini deodorants (men’s scents). Please put items in the donation box at the bottom of the stairs near the Youth Hall. We also need more volunteers to join our team! Contact the church office (319-363-2058) with questions or to schedule a pickup. Thank you!

You can greet others with your own special way of kindness! We have some open spots for hospitality as we transition to a new process for showing hospitality at St. Paul’s. Traditionally, we have asked adult Sunday school classes to sign up to be greeters, but we want to make sure that we include others in this opportunity to welcome new visitors and regular attendees when they come to services or events. If you’d like to sign up to be a greeter, please contact Talia in the church office.

Our new Funeral Reception teams are inviting more helpers to offer care and support for grieving families at the time of a memorial service. If you could share your time and talents in one of the following areas, please contact the church office (319-363-2058). Our needs at this time are for people to:

• Set tables with linens, silverware, and glassware and do some food preparation prior to the funeral time.
• Bring salads to add to the meal, as needed.
• Serve food and coffee during the meal.
• Clean up and wash dishes following the event.
• Wash and dry laundry (tablecloths and napkins) at home.

Thank you for considering these ways to offer your care to our church family in times of grief.

Did you know that St. Paul’s has a team of people under the umbrella of congregational care that provides monthly visits to elderly, shut-ins, and those who would benefit from a regular visitor from our congregation? This team of Friendly Visitors offers the gift of presence, of companionship, and of prayer to those for whom they care. We are seeking to expand our reach to members and constituents of St. Paul’s. Expectations of our Friendly Visitors include:

• love of God/love of neighbor
• a willingness to visit people you are assigned once per month (or more)
• passing a background check (this is done for everyone’s safety)
• occasional meetings for support/training

If you are interested in becoming part of this caring ministry, or if you would like to have a Friendly Visitor yourself, please contact Pastor Terra Amundson.

SuperStore Needs You! The St. Paul’s SuperStore is a way to give back in an untraditional way by turning material possessions into funds that support our church. SuperStore items are donated by church and community members and then sold online through eBay and Facebook Marketplace. By donating items for resale at the SuperStore or by assisting with this ministry, you’re helping support the church and giving old items new homes and keeping them out of landfills. SuperStore has been run by an amazing team of volunteers that spends a ton of time cleaning, photographing, showcasing, researching pricing, and listing the item online. Then, once it sells, they pack and ship the item. Last year, SuperStore earned $18,000 for the church, and they’ve already topped that this year! This generous crew has decided to step down after many years of service. Might you be interested in stepping in to help? If you want to learn more about this great ministry and consider transitioning into these roles as a SuperStore SuperStar, please talk to Miriam Mackey in the office.

Join us for Mat Weaving Mondays every Monday from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. to help make a difference. We’re creating mats out of plastic bags for people in our community who are unhoused. No prior experience is necessary—we’ll have volunteers to guide you through the process. Can’t make it on Mondays but still want to get involved or have questions? Contact Becca Nims.