Weekly Announcements and Gatherings
OCTOBER 2025
Sunday 10/26: Flowers today are being provided by the Dockendorfs in celebration of Luca and Kaylin's birthdays and Brad and Jenn’s anniversary!
THIS WEEK
Trunk-or-Treat (Community Event)
Gloria Dei will once again host this fun-filled community event on Saturday, October 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Contact Coralie Vail to participate with a trunk, or if you would like to volunteer to help with setup and cleanup. The trunk setup will begin at 4:30 p.m. Donations Needed: We are accepting bags of candy/trinkets to distribute to the kids. Please drop off donations in the basket under the “Get Connected Table.” THANK YOU!!!
☕ Young at Heart will gather at Olive Tree at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23. (2925 Williams Pkwy SW)
✝️Confirmation Class will meet on Wednesday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m.
📖 Women's Study will be on Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 a.m.
daily_discipleship_pentecost_l29_october_16-22_year_c.pdf
daily_discipleship_pentecost_l30_october_23-29_year_c.pdf
🧵 Quilting Group will meet on Thursday, October 30 at 9:00 a.m.
NOVEMBER’S GATHERINGS
Growth In Faith Mini Retreat | A Different Kind of King | Saturday, November 8 | 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
What does it mean for us as followers of Jesus to claim him as our king? Christ the King Sunday has long been part of worship life in the church, held on the last Sunday before the start of Advent. We will learn a little history and share conversation about how Christ rules in our hearts and lives as individuals and as a faith community. Come and enjoy fellowship, growth in faith and a chance to be creative. Snacks and lunch provided. No cost.
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Annual Congregational Meeting - Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place immediately following the worship service on Sunday, November 16th in the sanctuary. After a brief time for refreshments, we’ll gather to discuss important church business, including the proposed 2026 church budget and bylaw changes related to the Endowment Committee. These changes involve adjusting the number of committee members and aligning the committee’s mission with the broader mission of the church. Copies of the proposed bylaw changes are available in the church office and will also be attached to the meeting email. All members are encouraged to attend and take part in this meaningful time of reflection and planning.
Exciting News from the Others First Food Pantry Team
A group of members has been meeting monthly since September to plan for an expansion of our ministry to food insecure neighbors on the west side of Cedar Rapids. What began with the Little Free Pantry outdoors has over time allowed for those in need to receive food from our supplies for the pantry when the church is open during the day. We originally kept supplies in the Others First area in the coat room but as pantry traffic and needs increased we have dedicated a room in the lower level to store food donations and supplies. Coralie, our Director of Faith and Community Engagement, accompanies those who visit as they make selections.
The group has researched what other food pantry options are in our Cedar Hills area and based on the hours for those pantries we see a gap in the evening for those who work during the day. Gloria Dei’s food pantry will officially open for evening hours on Thursday, November 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. After the initial opening, the pantry will continue to operate every other Thursday throughout 2025. This ongoing service is made possible with the assistance of two dedicated volunteers. Duties will include welcoming visitors and tracking how many people are served and the amount of food provided. The 2026 pantry hours will be posted soon.
If you would like to give your time to this ministry, contact Coralie or Pastor Trish. We continue to be grateful for both monetary gifts through offering and food items. Going forward we will be directing food donations placed in the grocery cart to our pantry. While Linn Community Food Bank is a worthy organization, it operates downtown and during the day. Our hope is to better serve our west side neighbors closer to home. We are excited to see where God is leading us.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: (contact Coralie at community@gloriadeicr.com)
DONATIONS
Flowers for Worship - We invite you to provide flowers for our worship setting in honor or in memory of loved ones or an event. Please sign up on the chart in the narthex or contact the church office at (319) 396-2641 or office@gloriadeicr.com. Flowers are $21 per arrangement. An envelope for payment is conveniently located next to the flower chart.
COMMUNICATION - Please let Katie, office administrator, know when you move, change phone numbers, switch emails, or no longer want to receive emails (USPS mailings only). Also, please inform Katie of any announcements that must be added to the weekly bulletin (by Wednesday of each week) or monthly newsletter (by the 18th of each month). Emailing this communication to her at office@gloriadeicr.com is best; leave a voicemail at 319.200.3187 or leave a note in the black box on the office window ledge. We value the importance of keeping everyone informed, and we couldn't achieve this without the incredible support of our dedicated volunteers! THANK YOU!
Sunday 10/26: Flowers today are being provided by the Dockendorfs in celebration of Luca and Kaylin's birthdays and Brad and Jenn’s anniversary!
THIS WEEK
Trunk-or-Treat (Community Event)
Gloria Dei will once again host this fun-filled community event on Saturday, October 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Contact Coralie Vail to participate with a trunk, or if you would like to volunteer to help with setup and cleanup. The trunk setup will begin at 4:30 p.m. Donations Needed: We are accepting bags of candy/trinkets to distribute to the kids. Please drop off donations in the basket under the “Get Connected Table.” THANK YOU!!!
☕ Young at Heart will gather at Olive Tree at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23. (2925 Williams Pkwy SW)
✝️Confirmation Class will meet on Wednesday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m.
📖 Women's Study will be on Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 a.m.
daily_discipleship_pentecost_l29_october_16-22_year_c.pdf
daily_discipleship_pentecost_l30_october_23-29_year_c.pdf
🧵 Quilting Group will meet on Thursday, October 30 at 9:00 a.m.
NOVEMBER’S GATHERINGS
Growth In Faith Mini Retreat | A Different Kind of King | Saturday, November 8 | 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
What does it mean for us as followers of Jesus to claim him as our king? Christ the King Sunday has long been part of worship life in the church, held on the last Sunday before the start of Advent. We will learn a little history and share conversation about how Christ rules in our hearts and lives as individuals and as a faith community. Come and enjoy fellowship, growth in faith and a chance to be creative. Snacks and lunch provided. No cost.
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Annual Congregational Meeting - Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place immediately following the worship service on Sunday, November 16th in the sanctuary. After a brief time for refreshments, we’ll gather to discuss important church business, including the proposed 2026 church budget and bylaw changes related to the Endowment Committee. These changes involve adjusting the number of committee members and aligning the committee’s mission with the broader mission of the church. Copies of the proposed bylaw changes are available in the church office and will also be attached to the meeting email. All members are encouraged to attend and take part in this meaningful time of reflection and planning.
Exciting News from the Others First Food Pantry Team
A group of members has been meeting monthly since September to plan for an expansion of our ministry to food insecure neighbors on the west side of Cedar Rapids. What began with the Little Free Pantry outdoors has over time allowed for those in need to receive food from our supplies for the pantry when the church is open during the day. We originally kept supplies in the Others First area in the coat room but as pantry traffic and needs increased we have dedicated a room in the lower level to store food donations and supplies. Coralie, our Director of Faith and Community Engagement, accompanies those who visit as they make selections.
The group has researched what other food pantry options are in our Cedar Hills area and based on the hours for those pantries we see a gap in the evening for those who work during the day. Gloria Dei’s food pantry will officially open for evening hours on Thursday, November 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. After the initial opening, the pantry will continue to operate every other Thursday throughout 2025. This ongoing service is made possible with the assistance of two dedicated volunteers. Duties will include welcoming visitors and tracking how many people are served and the amount of food provided. The 2026 pantry hours will be posted soon.
If you would like to give your time to this ministry, contact Coralie or Pastor Trish. We continue to be grateful for both monetary gifts through offering and food items. Going forward we will be directing food donations placed in the grocery cart to our pantry. While Linn Community Food Bank is a worthy organization, it operates downtown and during the day. Our hope is to better serve our west side neighbors closer to home. We are excited to see where God is leading us.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: (contact Coralie at community@gloriadeicr.com)
- You can sign up to help serve during worship as an Usher, Reader, Communion Leader, or Hospitality. This is through the Ministry Scheduler software. If you are not set up in our ministry scheduler, please get in touch with Katie in the office; she will be happy to sign you up!
- Help during BLaST nights: Prepare and serve supper, clean up crew, or help with activities.
DONATIONS
- We are collecting menstrual health products to stock our restrooms for our visitors and help teens in our community. Please consider dropping off pads at the church office to support the health of our community. Thank you for your support!
- DONATE: Ronald McDonald House Charities - Please save the aluminum pull tabs from your pop cans and donate them to the Ronald McDonald House Charities by placing them in the container on the credenza in the coat room. The pull tabs are collected/recycled at Marion Iron Company. The funds raised help support the Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Luke's Hospital. The Family Room offers a special place of calm and normalcy for families when their child is hospitalized. The facility includes 3 sleeping rooms, 2 shower suites, laundry, kitchen, dining, a living area, self-serve breakfast & lunch options, and evening meals served. All services are provided at no cost to families.
Flowers for Worship - We invite you to provide flowers for our worship setting in honor or in memory of loved ones or an event. Please sign up on the chart in the narthex or contact the church office at (319) 396-2641 or office@gloriadeicr.com. Flowers are $21 per arrangement. An envelope for payment is conveniently located next to the flower chart.
COMMUNICATION - Please let Katie, office administrator, know when you move, change phone numbers, switch emails, or no longer want to receive emails (USPS mailings only). Also, please inform Katie of any announcements that must be added to the weekly bulletin (by Wednesday of each week) or monthly newsletter (by the 18th of each month). Emailing this communication to her at office@gloriadeicr.com is best; leave a voicemail at 319.200.3187 or leave a note in the black box on the office window ledge. We value the importance of keeping everyone informed, and we couldn't achieve this without the incredible support of our dedicated volunteers! THANK YOU!