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Adult Ministries Small Groups (Updated February 20, 2008)
Following is a list of all the adult small groups. There are always room for more. If you have ideas for fellowship, recreation, service, social justice or education groups that you would like to suggest, or for more information on Walnut Hills Adult Ministry, contact Susan Guy.
Fellowship
Brunch Bunch:
Women 55 and older, married and single, meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month
after the 10:45 worship service for a meal together. The location is different
each month, and is listed in the newsletter and bulletin. Contact Helen Wilson
at 225-9861.
Dinner for 6,7,8,9: Intimate groups of 6-9 people gather at a host’s home who provides the entrée and assigns the others to bring additional side dishes. Groups meet monthly, typically the last weekend of the month. Sign up is for three months at a time. Contact Brenda Reiher.
First Thursday Breakfast Group: This group meets the first Thursday of each month for breakfast, conversation and laughs. They are always open to newcomers. Our regular meeting place is West End Diner at 7:00 AM on the first Thursday. Contact Tom Caudron.
Hilltoppers: This group is for couples and singles who are 50 and older. The group meets monthly for meals and fellowship, such as potlucks, barbecues, and ice cream socials. Members sign up to host and choose the activity for that month. New members are always welcome! Contact Liz Coffman.
Men’s Roundtable: This group is for men of all ages, married or single. Men meet at Walnut Hills for lunch and discussion on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at noon. The topic is selected by the host for that month. Contact Jim Gearhart.
| Parents of Teenagers: Couples and singles with teenagers meet monthly for meals and fellowship. The host chooses the activity for the month. New people are always welcome! Contact Connie and Marlyn McKeen or Jackie and Kevin Howard. |  |
Walnut Club: This social group is generally couples in their 30's and 40's with kids. They meet the 2nd Saturday of the month for social activities such as theme dinners, game nights, or evenings for just food and conversation. Each couple takes a month and is the planner for that month’s activity. New members are always welcome! Contact Dan and Tracy Crew.
Singles: This group meets on a regular basis for meals and conversation at different Des Moines area restaurants. New members are welcome at any time. Contact Nancy Strickler and she will connect you,
Women of Walnut Hills: All women attending Walnut Hills are invited to events held periodically throughout the year. Events include a Fall retreat, Game Night, Spa Day, and a Women’s Advent Service. The planning committee meets monthly on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. and is always open to new members. Contact Sandy Lorenzen.
Women’s Night Out: This group is for women of all ages, married or single. The group dines out once a month at a local restaurant, typically on the 4th Monday of the month. Date and location are always listed in the newsletter and bulletin, or you can contact Liz Coffman.
CATCH—Couples And Their CHildren (Formally Young
Couples):
Recreation
Thursday Morning Bridge: Meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. in homes. Substitutes are always needed. Contact Liz Coffman.
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Co-ed Basketball: Saturday mornings from mid-January to March. Contact Marlyn McKeen. Co-ed Volleyball: Sundays from 4:00 – 5:30, January to March. Contact Connie and Marlyn McKeen. Co-ed Softball: April to June. Contact Marlyn McKeen. Cyclepaths Biking Group: Sunday afternoons April to October. Contact Tom Caudron or Bob Myers. W.H.I.F.F. Golf Outing: August. Contact Brian McLean. |
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Education
Sunday Morning Studies 9:30 a.m.:
Faith and Life: Exploring Your
Spirituality in Every Day Life – Room
101
This group shares an open discussion of spiritual explorations and journeys, and
what the journey means in daily life. Participants can attend on a regular or
drop-in basis. Facilitated by Christy Brown and Betty & Darrell Van Woert.
Contemporary Issues–
Room 102
This is an opportunity to share ideas and opinions about issues in the world,
and listen to the opinions of others, without trying to reach a conclusion.
Issues may be local, national or international in scope, and have included such
things as the relocation of the homeless in Des Moines, physician assisted
suicide, and the pressure on the federal government to relax the limits on
sodium in "healthy" food. Facilitated by Ron Roberts.
Weekday/Evening Studies:
Justice Ministry – Koth Library
The group meets on the third Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. to discuss justice issues
and justice programming for Walnut Hills. Facilitated by Tom Caudron and
Susan Guy.
AMOS Ministry – This group meets on a regular basis to discuss issues related to AMOS (A Metropolitan Organizing Strategy). This social justice ministry has been involved with issues in the Des Moines area ranging from health care to drainage in low income areas to a youth skateboard park. Facilitated by Doug Peters.
Walnut Way Journey Groups – These groups meet at a variety of times to discuss the six compass points: Worship in Community, Acts of Service, Learning, Non-Judgmental Lifestyle, Unfolding Spirit, Tithing. For information contact Martha Schut.
Service
Children and Family Urban
Ministry Meal Program:
Third Tuesday of each month volunteers prepare and serve meals at Trinity
United Methodist Church for low income families. For information contact Susan
Guy.
Churches United Meal Program: On the 5th of each month volunteers prepare and serve meals at Churches United Shelter downtown. For information contact Susan Guy.
Food Pantry Sunday: The 3rd Sunday of each month is Food Pantry Sunday. Bring your non-perishable food items to the church to be taken to the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s Food Pantry Warehouse. For a list of most needed food items, go to www.dmreligious.org. Contact Susan Guy.
Interfaith Hospitality Network: Volunteers are needed to assist during Walnut Hills’ host weeks, usually 4 weeks throughout the year. Needs include meal preparers, hosts (including overnight hosts), van drivers, setup and teardown, laundering linens at the end of the week, and other needs. 2006 dates are February 5-12, May 14-21, and August 20-27. To volunteer or more information, contact Erica Brown and Kim Roby.
Knitting Ministry: This group meets the 2nd & 4th Sundays at 3:00 p.m. in the Koth Library to knit Prayer Shawls for individuals in the congregation and community. For information contact Susan Guy.
Pre-school Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to assist the Walnut Hills preschool teachers in a variety of ways. Contact Sue Petersen.
Trauma Dolls: This ministry is a partnership between Walnut Hills, Silvercrest, and the Northwest Des Moines Kiwanis Club. The group meets every Friday morning from 10:30-11:00 a.m. at Silvercrest to stuff trauma dolls which are then delivered to area hospitals and agencies for children who are preparing for surgery or in some way affected by a trauma in their family. For more information contact Pam Deeds.
Walnut Hills Volunteer: You can volunteer by serving on a ministry team, assisting with Sunday School, Children’s Church or our Creative Arts Program for children, or assisting our office staff. Contact Terri Paulson.
Principe de Paz Partnership: Walnut Hills has a sister congregation in San Antonio, Texas, that we support financially. A group of youth from Walnut Hills travels to San Antonio over Spring Break, and we host a group from Principe de Paz every Fall. For information contact Susan Guy.
12321 Hickman Road 
Des Moines Iowa
50323
Phone: 515-270-9226 Fax: 515-270-0838
mandi@whumc.org