"You kids are driving me crazy!" Sound familiar? If so, we have a wonderful parent workshop called "Making Children Mind without Losing Yours" presented by Dr. Kevin Lemman. Dr. Lemman shares six lessons by DVD with a workbook packed full of insights for all stages of parenthood. Topics like "Why Kids Misbehave", "Nine Ways to be your Teenager's Best Friend" or "ABC's of Self-Image" just to name a few of the lessons. The workshop is free with child care provided. Scheduled dates are October 15th, 22nd, 29th, November 5th, 12th, & 19th at 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. with refreshments provided after the workshop at Fairview Church of the Brethren located at 8140 Highway T61, Unionville, IA (2 1/2 miles South of Unionville, IA 52594) Please make your reservations today by calling 

Come to a FUN-RAISER for the Northern Plains District: October 16, 2011 @ 4 p.m at Ankeny Church of the Brethren!

FEATURING:
Food – Fellowship – Folk Music – Fun Facts

Enjoy a time of trivia games and sing-along folk music with Tim Button-Harrison, followed by a SOUP SUPPER.

This is a a fundraiser sponsored by the Ankeny Church of the Brethren for area district churches. A free-will offering will be taken. [RETURN TO TOP]

IOWA CITY/CEDAR RAPIDS COB FELLOWSHIP DINNER - OCTOBER 29

Scattered Brethren in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area are planning a Fellowship Dinner for October 29, 2011, at the First Mennonite Church, 405 Myrtle Avenue, in Iowa City.  Plans are to meet at 5:00 with dinner starting at 5:30.  Everyone is invited to attend.  To help reach more Brethren in our area, we are asking everyone to let us know of friends or family that might be living near Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.  Names and contact information (telephone number, e-mail address, and mailing address) can be sent to Doyle Harper at

It is now the month of October: time again to write on the theme of honoring our pastors.  Since October is Pastor Appreciation Month, I want to appeal to each church in the Northern Plains District to make plans to celebrate your pastor’s presence among you in a special way. 

A note of thanks, an invitation to a meal, a gift for the pastor, or children or spouse or all three, a drama in worship depicting appreciation for a job well done, a reception after worship, a promise to pray regularly for your pastor—these are just several of many ways you can say “I’m glad you’re in ministry with us.”

I received a note of affirmation the other day from one of our churches, signed by a host of people, most of whom I knew.  A simple gesture, but what a morale booster.  I know this congregation takes the act of affirming leadership very seriously because they wanted more information and ideas when I wrote an article similar to this two years ago. That article stated 20 different ways to show your appreciation to your pastor. My challenge to you is that I receive a letter, phone call or e-mail from each church in our district telling me how you celebrated your pastor’s presence in your church. Next October I will publish that list!

Blessings as you care for the one(s) you called to ministry with you. 

It seems the disasters continue to come. We now have flooding in Pennsylvania as a result of Hurricane Irene. There is a desperate need for cleanup buckets as the supply has dwindled to around 30 as we write this.

To assemble an Emergency Clean-up Bucket you will need: One five gallon bucket with resealable lid, Five scouring pads, Seven sponges (assorted sizes), One scrub brush, Eighteen cleaning towels (reusable), One 50-78 oz. laundry detergent, One 12 oz. bottle liquid concentrate household , Cleaner (like Lysol), One 25 oz. bottle liquid disinfectant dish soap (like
Dawn), One package of 48-50 clothes pins, Clothesline (two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.), Five dust masks, Two pairs latex gloves (like Playtex), One pair work gloves, 28-bag roll of heavy duty trash bags (30-45 gallon), One 6-9 oz bottle insect repellant (not aerosol).

Please provide all liquids in new, unopened plastic bottles. Be sure to send only new materials. Place all items in the plastic bucket, making sure they are packed securely to avoid damage during shipment, and seal lid with packing tape.   (For more information, contact us or go

DISTRICT STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

Tim Button-Harrison, District Executive, 1211 Clark Ave., Ames, IA 50010, 641-485-5604, nplainscob@gmail.com

Nancy Davis, Office/Financial Secretary, P.O. Box 493, Ankeny, IA 50021, 515-964-4816, npofficesecretary@gmail.com

Lois Grove, Leadership Development, 6 Grenville St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503, 712-326-8266, grove19@msn.com

Matt and Betsy Kueker, Camp Managers, 23008 W Avenue, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-939-5334, camppinelake@heartofiowa.net

Barbara Lewczak, Camp Program Director, 26505 195th St., Minburn, IA 50167, 515-240-0060, bwlewczak@netins.net

Jess Hoffert, Communications Intern, 708 16^th Street Apt. 3, Des Moines, IA 50314, 507-429-0495, nplainscom@gmail.com