The Public is invited to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m.

 The United Way and the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids hosted the 27th annual Remembering Martin Luncheon at Noon.

It was a very nice luncheon at Kirkwood Community College today.  The Keynote Address was given by Dr. Ruth White, a retired educator for over 30 years and Project Director for Kids on Course. Dr. White spoke in part, to the 22 middle and high school students honored by the community.

Tonight, the public is welcome to attend the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. Our Facebook invite page for this year's event.

The Sending to Serve Committee of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will be pleased to announce the recipient of the fourteenth annual Percy and Lileah Harris “Who is My Neighbor?” Award. The plaque reads, “In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.”

This year's keynote speaker will be Lew Montgomery, a former University of Iowa football player and Manager, Diversity & Talent Acquisition at ACT, Inc., in Iowa City.  The public is invited to this neighborhood event in the City of Cedar Rapids.

The mission at St. Paul's UMC is to To know and follow Christ and help others know and follow Christ ...

We welcome you to visit St. Paul's UMC at Christmas ...

Planning has begun for a January 21, 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration event at St. Paul's UMC.

Our first planning meeting for our 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration was held last Tuesday night at. St. Paul's UMC, as Jerry Matchett, our chair, and other members of the planning committee meet.

We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving this week.

Remember to mark down in your calendars this year's Dr. MLK Jr. Celebration event.  It will be held Monday, January 21, 2013 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC.  The public is invited to this event.

Our next planning meeting will be Tuesday, November 27th at St. Paul's UMC.

Neighborhood Safety Forum for District 3 Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Monday, January 23 at St. Paul's UMC

We begin the fourth week of 2012 in Cedar Rapids this week.

Council Member Pat Shey is hosting the Neighborhood Safety Forum. Pat Shey represents District 3 on the City Council for Cedar Rapids.

The purpose of this forum is to provide information to help residents make their homes and neighborhoods safer. We will discuss current crime statistics, what you can do to protect your home, how you can make your neighborhood safer, and what you should do if you experience a crime or witness suspicious activity.

Pat Shey to Host Neighborhood Safety Forum on Jan. 23
City Council Member Pat Shey will host a Neighborhood Safety Forum on Monday, January 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, located at 1340 3rd Ave SE, especially for residents of District 3.

“The purpose of this forum is to provide the citizens of Cedar Rapids with information that will help them make their homes and neighborhoods safer,” said Shey. “We will discuss current crime statistics, what you can do to protect your home, how you can make your neighborhood safer, and what you should do if you experience a crime or witness suspicious activity.”

The forum will feature a panel discussion, moderated by Shey, which will include the following experts from the Cedar Rapids Police Department: Lt. Jerry Potter, Sgt. Matthew Welsh, Investigator Michael Bailey and Crime Analyst Dawn Stanford. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns during the forum.

Residents with personal experiences to share are encouraged to submit a written narrative or statement before the forum and send them to Pat.Shey@cedar-rapids.org. All statements will be compiled, scanned and share with all who are interested.

Celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012

The public is welcome at the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. The 13Th annual Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor?” award will be presented at the service. Everyone is urged to come to this celebration of the ideals of peace, justice and relationships with our neighbors.

Earlier on Monday, the MLK holiday in Cedar Rapids, a joint meeting of the United Way of East Central Iowa and the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids celebrated the MLK holiday with the 26Th annual Remembering Martin Luncheon.

Washington High School's 'Slice of Jazz' provided the musical program, while the Honorable Romonda D. Belcher, District Associate Judge and first African-American female judge in the State of Iowa provided the keynote address. Also, 22 local high school and ninth graders were honored with student awards and a leadership conference in the afternoon.

Other news in the Cedar Rapids community on this MLK Holiday. As reported: "At the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association, volunteers were also out using the day to serve others by caulking cracks in an effort to weatherize their building." - KGAN CBS2.

Monday, January 16Th Remembering Martin Luncheon, then the 13th annual "Who Is My Neighbor" Award at the MLK Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 PM

This Monday, January 16Th, our Nation and community will celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday.

In Cedar Rapids, there are two popular events that have become a tradition in our community. The 26Th Annual Remembering Martin Luncheon at the Hotel at Kirkwood at 11:30 a.m., as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday evening at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m.

The St. Paul's UMC event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend, though a free will offering is taken.

Next Monday's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JANUARY 10, 2011

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Hosts Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. King through a Humanitarian Award and the Voices, Talents, and Dreams of Children

Monday, January 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed that we would live in a world where his children would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” At the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service, we will Remember Dr. King’s words, Celebrate our dreams for the future, and Act to make these dreams a reality.

This year, a special message for children is included in this uplifting service as well as the formal recognition of members of the newly established “Civil Rights Youth Advisory Panel.”

Keynote Speaker, Karl Werner will share innovative approaches he uses in Cedar Rapids Schools to help students understand the importance of diversity in learning. His programs have garnered many accolades and awards around the country.

The Martin Luther King Planning Committing is proud to recognize this year’s Percy and Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor” award recipient. This award is “In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.”

Magnificent music has always been a component of this celebration service and this year is no different. Come enjoy the musical talents of The Chorale Midwest, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Choir, and the Gospel Choir from Johnson Elementary School of the Arts.

We invite you to Remember, Celebrate, and Act on the words and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Contact:
Jerry Matchett matchett.jerry@gmail.com
or Stefanie Robinson S.Robinson@cedar-rapids.org
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
319-363-2058
http://stpaulsumc.org/

###

Happy New Year: New Ordinance Focus Groups 1/10 and 1/11 in Cedar Rapids

We hope the New Year is off to a good start for you ...

Ordinance change would protect Section 8 housing applicants - The Gazette
Imagine you’re a low-income person with a low-paying job and the good fortune of having a federal housing voucher to help with rent. Now, that person in Cedar Rapids and most other cities has the task of finding a landlord willing to accept the voucher as partial payment of rent. Some landlords don’t want to ...

New Ordinance Focus Groups will be hosted by the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission on Monday, January 10Th and Tuesday, January 11Th. Different subjects will be presented each session.

• The city commission forum on Monday will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s location in Westdale Mall. Proposed ordinance changes related to marital status will be discussed first followed by those related to gender identity.
• The Tuesday forum will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1340 Third Ave. SE, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proposed ordinance changes related to lawful sources of income will be discussed first followed by changes related to construction and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  

Who is my Neighbor?

It's the final weekend in August: Where did our Summer go?

Most students are back to school or college. It's been a busy Summer for many. We have celebrated two years, since the Flood of 2008 in our community. Some neighbors are still on that road to recovery or simply still struggling.

Prep Football begins this weekend. Autumn will soon be upon us, as we celebrate Labor Day next weekend.

As we move towards the changing of another season, we will be one step closer to our 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration Event at St. Paul's UMC.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend everyone!

Who Is My Neighbor

St. Paul's UMC to host Panel Discussion on "Rebuilding for the Future" on Friday, June 25Th in Cedar Rapids ...

Panel Discussion: Call to Action - Rebuilding for the Future

Friday, June 25, 2010

• Reception: 4:30 - 5:30p.m.


• Panel Discussion: 5:30 - 7:00p.m.

at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403

Features panelists from law enforcement, education, legal, city government, county government, labor, non-profit and more.

A Fair Housing Conference in Cedar Rapids will be held Thursday, June 24Th.

Who is my neighbor

Helping Neighbors Block by Block: a story of Flood Recovery in Cedar Rapids

Recent news on local Block by Block effort in Cedar Rapids ...

CWS - Homes, hopes restored for more Cedar Rapids families‎ - Worldwide Faith News
Needs still abound in Cedar Rapids, despite the fact that the Cedar River's ... CWS partners in Iowa Block by Block and the Linn Area Long-Term Recovery ...

St. Paul's UMC Adopts a Block-by-Block House - St. Paul's UMC

Block by Block receives $750000 grant - The Gazette
May 20, 2010 ... The Hall-Perrine Foundation has awarded the Block by Block neighborhood-revitalization group a grant for $750000, Block by Block announced ...

Coming in June in Cedar Rapds: Fair Housing Conference ...

Cedar Rapids Iowa, Cedar Rapids City Guide, News, Travel, Cedar ...
Fair Housing Conference/ Education After the Flood June 25, 8-5pm. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 350 First Ave, SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa Registration fee: $25.00 (lunch ...

Who is My Neighbor

Earth Day 2010: Worship Spaces as Stewardship

We celebrated Earth Day this past week on April 22, 2010. You can learn more about the United Methodist Church views on Church and Society at the following link.

Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life: Worship Spaces as Stewardship (2010)
The blessings of God are evident all around us, including in the sacred spaces that
make up our houses of worship. These sacred spaces are where we come to be
spiritually nurtured, enriched, and recharged. These spaces become a gathering
place to meet in fellowship with our neighbors, and are the center of our
mission activities. Even as we are blessed as communities of faith with
gathering places for our worship and ministry, we have responsibilities to be
good stewards of these sacred spaces. ~ The United Methodist Church

Worship At St. Paul's UMC

• We offer six regularly scheduled worship services each weekend, and special services throughout the year.

Come worship with us, and praise God! Childcare is provided for all regularly scheduled weekend worship services, and for Wednesday evenings at T.G.I.W.

• 5:30 pm Saturday - Celebration Worship in the Sanctuary


• 8:15 am Sunday - Communion Worship in the Chapel


• 9:00 am Sunday - Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary assisted by acolytes


• 10:30 am Sunday - Traditional Worship in the Chapel


• 10:30 am Sunday - Celebration Worship in the Social Hall


• 11:30 am Sunday - Celebration Worship in the Social Hall
  

The 9:00 am Sunday worship may be viewed at

• ImOn Cable Channel 5 at 10:00 am Thursdays


• Mediacom Cable Channel 18 at 5:30 pm Fridays
  

Worship also involves Daily Devotions. Sermons from worship are available - the most recent are also available for listening.

Who is my neighbor

Happy Easter and Holy Week from all of us at St. Paul's UMC

Remaining Holy Week Schedule at St. Paul's UMC for

Good Friday through Easter:

Good Friday, April 2

• 12:15pm Good Friday Worship - Chapel


• 7:00pm Good Friday Worship - Sanctuary
  

Saturday, April 3

• 5:30pm Saturday Celebration Worship - Sanctuary

Easter Sunday, April 4

• 8:15am Communion Worship - Chapel


• 9:00am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary


• 10:30am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary


• 11:30am Youth-Led SonRise Worship - Social Hall

Who Is My Neighbor

Congratulations to our Award Winner, Leslee Sandberg and Thank You to all for our 2010 event at St. Paul's UMC

In the Iowa Today section of The Gazette print edition, the headline said "Honoree a model for helping others."

Here's the link to the story online ...

Award winner a model for helping others - The Gazette
Someone like Leslee Sandberg is just who the Percy and Lileah Harris Who is My Neighbor Award was meant for.“It’s just about helping one another, and being there when there is a person at need,” said Jerry Matchett, a lay leader at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in southeast Cedar Rapids.Matchett presented the 10th Harris [...]

Leslee Sandberg

Congratulation to our 2010 Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris "Who Is My Neighbor" Award winner: Leslee Sandberg. It was an enjoyable program on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday this year. Thank you to all who participated in this year's program and we hope you will remember 2011 and our next Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Event.

Who Is My Neighbor

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Event at St. Paul’s UMC at 7 p.m. with tonight's program

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's' promises to be another inspiring program filled with music, the teachings of Jesus, Words of Dr. King and we will feature three local speakers from our local community, and the presentation of the Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor” Award. The 11Th annual award will be presented during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC on January 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Instead of one keynote speaker at this year’s event, we decided to highlight Who Is My Neighbor through the stories of Tom Darden of Bethel AME Church, Courtney Ball and Clint Twedt-Ball of Matthew 25 Ministries and Tom Moore of the African American Museum of Iowa. All these people and/or organizations have been impacted or involved in flood recovery from the historic Flood of 2008.

Plan to attend this year's celebration - to be inspired by this year’s message from our community; to hear the music of the Gospel Choir of Johnson School of the Arts and of Mt. Zion's Men's Choir and of St. Paul's Music Ministry; to celebrate the new honoree of the "Who is My Neighbor Award" - and all to be done as a reminder of the enduring contributions of Dr. King.

Who's My Neighbor Award

In the January, 2000, the first Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award was presented to Dr. and Mrs. Harris and all future awards will carry their name. The award plaque reads "In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.” This year’s award will be the tenth award presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s.

"Who is My Neighbor" is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Dr. King also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968.

The recipient of the award needs to meet these criteria:

1. Acts out of a religious faith base
2. Is caring and compassionate.
3. Is community oriented.
4. Is a good neighbor to all.
5. Lives within Linn County.

You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 18, 2010 at 7 pm. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids,Iowa.

http://www.cedarrapidswhoismyneighbor.blogspot.com/

One week away from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day ...

Monday, January 11, 2010 ...

One week from today, two celebration events in our community:

The "Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon" is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids and the United Way of East Central Iowa. This event will honor 20 area students at the annual Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon. This event is at 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m on Monday, January 18, 2010.

Our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Event will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2010 at St. Paul's UMC at 1340 Third Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. We invite everyone to attend this community event of music, our keynote speakers from our community, the teachings of Jesus and the words of Dr. King.

Who is my Neighbor?

peace

St. Paul's UMC has an updated web site and We Encourage you to take a Cruise Online

St. Paul's UMC's mission hasn't changed, but the web site that serves the Church has been updated. You can visit St. Paul's United Methodist Church at http://www.stpaulsumc.org/.

• About Us: Welcome to St. Paul's United Methodist Church
• Worship at St. Paul's
• Ministries at St. Paul's UMC
• Volunteer Opportunities at St. Paul's UMC
• Calender
• Learning: Christian Education and Spiritual Formation at St. Paul's UMC
• Ministry of Music at St. Paul's
• Serving: Ministry of Serving at St. Paul's UMC
• Caring: Ministry of Caring at St. Paul's UMC

Two events that may interest you this weekend at St. Paul's UMC:

• First Light at Celebration Worship Dec 5
  Followed by potluck more
• Special Music December 6
  With guest orchestra in worship more

peace

Today is December 1: What is about this day in history?

Can you believe it is already December? Where did the year go?

On this date in: 1824
The House of Representatives convened to decide the
presidential election because no candidate had received a majority in the
Electoral College. John Quincy Adams was eventually chosen the winner over
Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay.

On This Day - New York Times

http://www.brainyhistory.com/days/december_1.html - BrainyHistory

In January 2010, look for another "Who Is My Neighbor" event at St. Paul's UMC associated with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

peace

A discussion of Social Justice in Cedar Rapids

CLARENCE DARROW’S SEARCH FOR JUSTICE

Price: Tickets: $10 in advance; $12 at the door
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2009
Time: 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Location: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Street: 1340 3rd Ave. SE

Gary Anderson, a nationally-renowned Darrow portrayer, will showcase “the most hated and celebrated lawyer in America.”“Darrow as a legal warrior, returning to engage our government and justice system in a presentation that trembles with inescapable timeliness.” He fought Creationism in public schools, racism, the death penalty, conspiracy laws, and attacks on civil liberties. “Anderson’s Darrow is in the same league as Holbrook’s Mark Twain.”At the end of the show, Civil Rights Commission Director Karl Cassell will present statistics on racial and economic issues in Cedar Rapids. Discussion to follow.

Sponsored by the:

• Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
• The Peoples’ Church Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

Neighborhood "Walk for the Community - May 21, 2009"

The Mound View and Wellington Heights Neighborhood Associations and the
Cedar Rapids Police Department, along with First Avenue Uptown College
District merchants and area agencies and faith communities are planning a
neighborhood walk for Thursday, May 21st in Cedar Rapids. Everyone
is invited to participate! The walk is set to begin from the 2Nd
Avenue Parking Lot of St. Paul's UMC (map) and will be about
1.75 miles in length. A cookout will begin at 5:30 pm, with the walk to
start at 6:30 and finish back at St. Paul's by 8:00 pm Come and walk for the
"Heart of the City!"

Walk for the Community - May 21, 2009

Sponsored by Concerned Citizens

All our neighbors throughout Cedar Rapids

are welcome and encouraged to join us!

St. Paul's Methodist Church

2Nd Avenue Parking Lot

BBQ 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Food (beef hamburgers, beef hot dogs,

pork bratwurst, chips, apples and drinks)

will be supplied courtesy of Hy-Vee, Frito Lay, Pepsi,

Sara Lee and the First Avenue Uptown College District

Walk begins at 6:30 PM

Join us for a 20 block walk of support through the

Heart of the City on the East Side

What to Bring

• Umbrella or raincoat
• Water bottle
• A Friend
• Smile

We'll Supply

• Food
• Drink
• Friendly faces
• Signs of support

The purpose of this walk is to bring the community together, raise awareness, and to show those who commit crime that WE ARE local Concerned Citizens. We want a healthy and safe community everywhere--and on every block--for our children and us to live, work, learn and play.

This is the first of many community events.

Join us and be a part of the solution,

be part of the community!

Sponsored by Concerned Citizens

Civil Rights in our Community