other mission opportunities
There are many other short-term or once a year mission outreach opportunities at Covenant Church. If you are interested in learning more about any of activities listed below, simply contact the church office at church@wdmcovenant.org.
coins for concern
Each month, a charitable organization is chosen to receive any of the loose coins that are placed in the Sunday collection plates during worship. We call these donated coins our Coins for Concern. At the end of the month, the local charitable organizations receives the proceeds plus an additional donation gift is given from the Brown Charitable Trust, based on the response from the congregation. Once a year, the list the list of recipient organtizations is evaluated. Coins for Concern is an easy way to provide donations to some of the most critical non-profit agencies in the Des Moines metro area.
west des moines human services
West Des Moines Human Services provides opportunities for individuals to improve and enhance their quality of life and sense of community through programs and services. They offer emergency assistance for rent and utilities, transportation, handyman services, youth recreational assistance, clothing and food assistance in addition to many other programs for those struggling with poverty. Each year, Covenant adopts two families for Thanksgiving by providing food baskets with turkey or ham, gravy, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, Jell-O, boxed stuffing, rice, cranberries, rolls, butter, pie and whipped cream along with a grocery gift card. Covenant also adopts three families for Christmas and provides gifts for every member of each of the households. To learn more about WDM Human Services, visit their website at www.wdm.iowa.gov.
Church opportunity giving (cog)
Church Opportunity Giving (COG) is a loosely organized group of churches in West Des Moines who combine their volunteers for special projects. One of them is the COG Christmas Shopping Trip. Through the West Des Moines Human Services, children are accompanied to area stores to purchase Christmas gifts for their families. Funding for the gifts is provided by COG congregations, of which Covenant is a member.
life serve mobile blood drive
Twice a year, in February and August, Covenant Church hosts an on-site blood drive through Life Serve Blood Center of Iowa. Volunteers are needed to help with the hospitality table but also to make donations to this worthy cause. Remember, there is no substitute for the gift of blood! To learn more about becoming a donor, visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org.
cross ministires
Cross Ministries is a ministry effort of the Presbytery of Des Moines and provides a host of services to families and individuals. They provide direct emergency financial assistance toward housing and utility bills, food, and personal hygiene products to low and no income households. To learn more about this important work, visit www.crossministriesdm.org.
special national offerings
In our Presbyterian Church USA denomination, there are occasionally national offerings to help support broader ministry and mission effort. Covenant receives three offerings (1) the Joy offering for retired church workers fund and indigenous schools, (2) the Peacemaking offering for national and international efforts toward peacemaking and (3) the One Great Hour of Sharing(OGHS) for national and international human or natural catastrophe recovery through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance(PDA). Covenant Church is one of the highest per capita giving congregations toward OGHS/PDA in our presbytery.
Presbytery of Des Moines
The Presbytery of Des Moines partners with congregations and clergy to minister in a changing world. Always in need of volunteers to help assist its committees, task forces and commissions, the presbytery provides needed support to its central and south central Iowa congregations. Examine their website at www.dmpresbytery.org to learn more about their ministry and where you might be able to help.