On Sunday, June 22, the First Presbyterian Church of Guthrie Center will be celebrating their 150th Anniversary. All are invited to attend any and all of the celebration!

Schedule

• 10 AM – Worship Service
• Light lunch following service
• 1-3 PM community open house in the downstairs fellowship hall with cake and ice cream

(As this article was being finalized, news came to us that the U.S. is revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, accusing the African nation’s government of “taking advantage of the United States.” People from South Sudan had been granted temporary protected status by the U.S. because of insecurity at home. That status expires on May 3. We will provide further updates as we learn more about this situation.)

First Arabic Presbyterian Church (FAPC) is our presbytery’s newest, youngest, and fastest-growing congregation. Many of its members – Sudanese refugees and immigrants who left their homes to escape the horrors of war – have endured untold obstacles to make their way to safety. Here in this country, they have faced many challenges in adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings, a new culture and a foreign language.

Our presbytery’s Sudanese Support Team – along with several other churches in our presbytery – have been walking along side this young congregation, providing assistance and support. However, when we reflect on this partnership, we realize that WE, too, are the ones who benefit.

We enjoy friendships with people we might not have otherwise had a change to meet. We are inspired by their strength, their endurance and their faith, which has carried them forward through unspeakable challenges. We have come to realize that there is much we can learn from First Arabic Presbyterian Church:

• FAPC is a growing congregation – we can learn how to grow our churches.
• We can learn about inclusive fellowship, which is very strong at FAPC. In addition to worship, the congregation gathers regularly for meals, holiday celebrations, special events, etc.
• We can learn how to offer extraordinary welcome, which FAPC does so very well. Among those who are drawn to FAPC are several Arabic-speaking folks from the Muslim community, because they feel comfortable, knowing they are welcome. If you attend FAPC worship services, you, too, will experience their warm and genuine hospitality.
• We can learn about the plight of refugees in this country, which can bring deeper understanding to the current climate of polarization and division.

We celebrate this beautiful, growing congregation, and we ask for your continued support and prayers for their well-being.

Sincerely,
The Sudanese Support Team

Join Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace for a Palm Sunday procession and worship service at New Beginnings Christian Church (8631 Hickman, Urbandale) on April 13 at 3:00pm. There will be a Procession led by a donkey which will start, loop and end in the parking lot of New Beginnings Christian Church where the Prayer Service for Peace will be held. We will gather to renew our commitment to be instruments of God’s peace and raise our voices in support of justice and peace, an end to war, and an end to violence here at home. Children are welcome to the procession and service where there will be a special children’s moment. The service will be live streamed on Facebook.

The Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea (PPNK) invites you on a mission trip to South Korea from October 21 to October 30, 2025. The registration period is open now through April 30.

This trip is open to Presbyterians and others who are interested in Korea and are concerned about the prospects for peace there and around the world. The participants will build connections with peacemakers in the Presbyterian faith as well as with other churches and groups in South Korea. The journey is not primarily for Korean-Americans, but for people in our presbytery who want to promote peace.

PPNK is a mission network related to the PCUSA, whose primary mission is to educate and advocate for peace on the Korean peninsula. This trip intends to involve a broader group of Presbyterians in this mission.

Details and registration information can be found linked below. Questions should be directed to Ministry & Mission Executive, Amgad Beblawi.

More information:

• Trip description
• Registration Form
• 2025 Korea Peace Journey Brochure