Broadway United Methodist Church

Shane Coffey, Director of Student Life Ministries
Rev. Brian Kemp-Schlemmer, Pastor
CCLI 1246056 Streaming License: CSPL 115114 OneLicence A-740149

Introduction - Summer Kemp-Schlemmer

The mission of Council Bluff's Schools Foundation is to provide financial resources and support to benefit the children, the families, and the staff of Council Bluff's Community Schools District. This quarter, the school's foundation is Broadway's mission partner. And what that means is that whatever we bring in during the offering moment, 10% of that is re-tithed back into the community and for September - December giving the school's foundation is the recipient.

This morning we have the pleasure of having Bridgette Watson with us. Bridgette is the foundation's executive director. Bridgette holds a master's in managerial communications and a bachelor's in public relations. She was part of the student success staff at Iowa Western, including the role as associate dean. Associate dean. She serves on several boards including the City Planning Commission, Friends of Childrens Square, and Council Bluffs Ambassadors. She was recognized by the Midlands Business Journal's 40 under 40 award for her significant impact on the community.

In other words, she's kind of a big deal and we're lucky to have her. So, please join me in a warm welcome as Bridget tells us a little more about her work.

What the CBSD Foundation Does - Bridgette Watson, Executive Director

Thank you all so much for having me here and thank you so much for supporting the foundation during your fourth quarter. I recognize many of your faces. I don't want to assume that you all know what the Council Schools Foundation does. So here is a quick history of the foundation.

The Council Bluffs Schools Foundation started in 1991 after some community members got together and recognized a need for before and after school care for kids. So since 1991 we have provided before and after school for kids in the Council Bluffs Community School District and today we serve nearly 800 kids a year before and after school. We are the largest child care provider in Southwest Iowa.

I've been with the foundation for about eight years now. I've been in my executive director role for the last 18 months. In my first week as executive director, I received a phone call from an upset parent. At first, I thought she was angry at me and I thought she was angry at the program. I got to know her as I was listening to her and, what I heard from her comments was desperation. Melissa is a single mom and has given me permission to share her story. She is a single mom looking for care for her child with special needs. Unfortunately, at the time, we did not have the capacity to serve children with special needs before and after school. We operate out of gymnasiums and we serve on a 1:15 ratio for kids. So, what her daughter needed, we could not provide.

But, that conversation with Melissa never left me. And Melissa and I have had multiple conversations since that have stayed on my heart. When I got home, I prayed about it. And over the last 18 months, I've said a lot of prayers about it. I really feel like I've been put in this position to expand our services. We are well positioned being the largest child care in Southwest Iowa to start serving kids with special needs.

Thanks to all of you for your help with that. And, thanks to our community coming together to pray and to give. We will launch our first pilot program and serve 15 special needs kids this spring. This is all very exciting for us.

After I took that phone call that first month, we did some surveying of parents in the Council Bluffs Community School District and we have identified 200 families that could be served by a before and after school program. We will start with 15 and grow and expand that thanks to our community of people. So, thank you so much for your support this last quarter and I will stick around after service.

The Case for Support

Third Quarter Partner Update - Lori Andersen, Church Administator

Broadway’s third quarter giving partner was Inter-Faith Response. For those who are not familiar with this non profit, Inter-Faith provides rental & utility assistance, metro bus passes, prescriptions and eye glasses to those facing financial hardship.

With your generosity we were able to give back $6,924.37 to our community to help those who visit Inter-Faith.

11 He himself granted that some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity,to the measure of the full stature of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-13

If you were in church on Sunday, you heard Shane share a message on the role of laity in the work of the church. If you missed it I encourage you to watch it for yourself.

Based on Ephesians 4:11-14, Shane took time to honor and recognize the laity of Broadway. “Laity Sunday reminds us that the church is built on the faith, the love, and the service of everyday people who live out the Gospel in their homes, workplaces, schools, and community.” The day reminds us that God has a place in God’s Kin(g)dom for all of us.

This may be a bit of a stretch, but I left worship thinking about the Broadway Book Club’s summer title, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall-Kimmerer. Ms. Kimmerer is a botanist and a member of the Pottawattamie Nation. Her writing is rich in personal stories intermingled with the science of the natural world. Her heritage as a native of the land speaks to the reciprocal connection between all living things.

I believe that culture has created a misconception of what the word reciprocal means. I mean, I saw the movie Chicago and watched Queen Latifa as the prison warden sing ‘Reciprocity.’ Or maybe, you have heard it in references to bribery or negotiations. These misunderstandings of the word leave us believing that one party has enough power over another to shift the balance or equality.

Miriam-Webster defines reciprocity as “the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.” In relationships, this is the mutual give-and-take of support, effort, and care between partners. It involves a balanced exchange where each person feels equally valued, heard, and supported, and it is essential for building trust and a healthy, lasting connection. It is essential for building community. According to Ms. Kimmerer, reciprocity is a response given from gratitude. A response that sees others as essential for one’s ability to survive and thrive.

As I turn back to Laity Sunday, I hear Shane echo the words of John Wesley.

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can,
at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can".

If we all share goodness by all the means and in all the ways, places, and times and to all the people as long as possible, WE CAN and will answer our call to mission and ministry to the people of Council Bluffs.

On Sunday October 26th Broadway’s 2026 Participation Cards will be distributed. As you leave with yours, take time during the week to pray and remember that your gifts, whether they be your prayers, presence, gifts, service, or witness are valued and needed. Then bring your completed card back and we will collect them as an Offering on November 2nd.

I will end with a favorite quote of mine from Braiding Sweetgrass.

“The most important thing each of us can know is our unique gift and how to use it in the world. Individuality is cherished and nurtured, because, in order for the whole to flourish, each of us has to be strong in who we are and carry our gifts with conviction, so they can be shared with others.”

Peace,
Teresa

P.S. Not sure what your gifts might be? There are several Spiritual Gifts surveys available that offer insight. Talk with Pastor Brian or Aliyah about your interest in learning more.

Investing in the Community

CBSD Foundation Director Shares New Program With Broadway

Reciprocity

Participation Sunday

Domestic Violence Survivors in Pursuit of Freedom

Announcements

Next Week at Broadway

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