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Setting the Table for All
An Invitation to Celebrate Next week, CB Fridges will be celebrating the launch of the community's first 24/7 fridge. Currently, the folks here at Broadway are beginning the work of learning, donating, and serving. As we do, we prepare ourselves for early next year when we anticipate hosting a location in our parking lot. Megan Wilson, event coordinator for CB Fridges, invites all of us to join them for their Community Launch Celebration on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Timothy Lutheran Church (3112 W. Broadway). According to Megan, "since launching in July, CB Fridges has operated as a grassroots, zero-barrier community resource dedicated to reducing local food waste and expanding access to fresh, healthy food across Council Bluffs. Through partnerships with Saving Grace, local businesses, faith groups, and organizations, and with the help of our dedicated volunteers and neighbors, our neighborhood fridge is restocked daily. It serves as a dignified bridge connecting surplus food directly to local families. We plan to install three additional fridges across Council Bluffs over the next several months to ensure food access reaches even more of our neighbors." The launch event on October 15 will highlight how the community fridge model works, celebrate our local partners, and explore ways residents and organizations can support our neighbors. Please RSVP to Megan at meowproductions2@gmail.com. And if you can, bring a non-perishable item for the pantry. Seeing the Impact Last week, Lori spoke with Nancy Ruffcorn, who leads the Timothy Lutheran team. We had some items to donate and she was more than happy to stop by and pick them up. Lori had this to share about their conversation.
At the September meeting of CB Fridges, I had the opportunity to meet with other community partners who are getting fridges (All Care and Lakin Campus) and others who work alongside folks experiencing food insecurity. Nancy shared with us the story of a busy day keeping the fridge and pantry stocked. As she returned at the end of the afternoon to fill things up, the only thing left available were some pies that had been donated by a local store. An unhoused gentleman came to the shed looking for something to eat. Nancy told him how sorry she was that there were only pies available at that time. He responded with gratitude, saying it was better than what he could find in the dumpsters. Letting Go Folks, I want you to know that I have some issues with control. I have worked hard to let things go when my expectations aren’t met or the ‘rules’ aren’t followed. And, letting go means I have to recognize and think through my initial emotional response when I witness something I judge as unfair. The voice in my head reminds me I don’t know someone’s story unless I talk with them. I can’t and shouldn’t assume the size of the family or how they might be reaching out to others. Community food sources address several issues. There are also many who just simply aren’t paid enough for the work they do to keep up with their housing and utilities costs while feeding their families. And yet, they show up for work. Their employers may not allow them a schedule that allows visits to the pantries when they are open. Community fridges and gardens now give them access anytime. It has been pointed out to me that Old Testament laws that forbade gleaning the corners of the fields (see Scripture reference above) are there so the hungry and displaced people could have the dignity of finding food on their own. Nancy has shared that having three other community fridges in Council Bluffs will not change the demand on their pantry. What we don’t know is how more fridges will affect the supply. I feel it’s time for me to step in and be the change needed for these times, no matter the amount of time and resources I can give. It’s time to set aside my judgments that come from my own fear of scarcity and find the faith to keep trying until there is more than enough for everyone. Because, you know what? When I look inside my own barn, I see more than I could ever need. Join Lori and I at Timothy Lutheran on Thursday, October 15th at noon to see and hear how this project is working in the lives of our neighbors. |
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Halloween on the 100 BlockMonday, October 26 Once again, Broadway will participate alongside the businesses in the 100 Block to provide a safe and fund Trick or Treat experience for your youngest neighbors. We will offer the hospitality of opening our parking lot and host games and treats in the Community Hall for those attending. We can’t wait to see what characters our hosts, Garry and Toni Milbourn present themselves as this year. It is always a highlight of the event. We will also set up the bounce house, host fun Halloween themed games and activities for kids, and set up the popcorn machine. Pastor Brian will be outside to meet our neighbors and offer candlelighting in memory of loved ones. What is needed from the people of Broadway?
Save the date in your calendars and watch for sign ups next week. |
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Conference Offers Group StudyIAUMC Study of 5 Marks of a Methodist Join Rev. Melissa Drake, 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! 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, 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. When: Monday nights, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm, beginning Oct. 12 and Nov. 16th What do you need:
Please email Melissa Drake with questions. |
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AnnouncementsPastor Appreciation Sunday October 11, 2026 Care and Share October Request Care and Share requests donations of canned corn for the month of October. You may bring your donations to the church and place in the shopping cart by the office. How Can We Pray With One Another? During worship we have created a space to share the joys, the concerns and the prayers of our hearts and minds. As we consider multiple ways of praying for one another, we have created a prayer wall. You will notice that outside the Prayer Chapel there is a table with colored pieces of paper. We invite you to leave your prayers in writing and hang them from the cord. This begins to serve as another way to offer and receive prayer. If you would like extra support around your prayers, please leave your name on the paper or contact teresaf@broadwayunitedmethodist.com. Heart to Heart will also lift these prayers up to God’s light when we meet on Wednesdays at 10 AM in the Chapel. Please join us as you can. Book Club at Broadway October Meeting |
