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Investing in the CommunityInvesting in the Movement - October 19, 2025 Shane Coffey, Director of Student Life Ministries For more infomation visit: https://broadwayunitedmethodist.com/podcasts/media/2025-10-20-investing-in-the-community
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CBSD Foundation Director Shares New Program With BroadwayBroadway's 4th Quarter Partnership 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. 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. For more infomation visit:
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ReciprocityA Response Given From Gratitude - Wednesday, October 22, 2025 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, 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, 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. For more infomation visit:
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Participation SundayNovember 2, 2025 - Sunday, November 2, 2025 “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.” On Sunday October 26th Broadway’s 2026 Participation Cards will be distributed. As you leave worship 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. If you will be unable to be with us in person on Participation Sunday, we invite you to complete an online card before November 2nd. We will turn that into a tangible card to be placed in the offering as an act of worship. Complete it at the link below. For more infomation visit: https://broadwayunitedmethodistchurch.breezechms.com/form/024211
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Domestic Violence Survivors in Pursuit of FreedomThe Fight for Justice in America - Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Join Broadway's United Women in Faith in the DeLong Lounge for a special screening of Beyond Survival followed by a panel discussion with domestic violence survivors and advocates from Women on the Rise in Georgia and the Survivors Justice Project in New York.
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Announcements
Halloween With the 100 Block We could still use volunteers for the Trick or Treat event on Monday October 27 from 4-6. We are looking for game hosts, door hosts, and food servers. All Souls' Sunday The Sunday after Halloween is traditionally the day we remember those who have passed away in the past year. On November 2nd at both worship services, we will read the roll of Broadway Saints who have transferred to the Church Triumphant. We invite you to bring an item to place on the table and hold your loved one's memory as we lift up prayers and light candles. After each service a brief dedication will be held in the Welcome Center to recognize new names added to the Memorial Tree. Philip's Cupboard September Numbers During September the volunteers at Philip's assisted 113 shoppers for a total of 276 family members. Care and Share November Request Donations of Ramen Noodles can be left in the shopping cart outside the office. They will be shared with the people of Council Bluffs as the Care and Share food pantry assists those facing food insecurity. Vacation Schedule Teresa will be out of the office October 29 through November 3, 2025. Diane will be at the Welcome Center on Monday November 2nd from 9AM to 2PM or so and Julie will be in Tuesday the 3rd from 10AM to 2PM. Lori also plans to spend some time in the office. November 4th is city election day. Broadway is host to Precincts 6 & 11. Remember to vote. |
Next Week at Broadway
Weekly Schedule Sunday 10-26 Participation Cards Distributed 8:30 AM Traditional Worship Monday 10-27 12-2 PM Philip’s Cupboard Open (B-03) Tuesday 10-28 5:30-8 PM UWF Screening of Beyond Survival (DeLong Lounge) Wednesday 10-29 Foundations Night Meal and Groups 4-6 PM Philip’s Cupboard Open (B03) 6:00 PM Community Meal 6:30 PM Broadway Bells Rehearse (B02)
7:30 PM Choir Rehearses (B02) Thursday 10-30 12:00 PM Soul Food Bible Study for Men (DeLong Lounge) Friday 10-31 Office Closed Saturday 11-1 4 PM Fellowship Hall Reserved Sunday 11-2 All Soul's Day - Recognition of Those Who Have Passed Away This Past Year 8:30 AM Traditional worship |