The Friendship Baptist Center has let Westwind know of items they need that will help them minister to people who come to the Center for help. The FBC reaches out to people in poverty living in the area near MLK not far from downtown and is a ministry Westwind seeks to support and encourage. If you’d like to donate any of the items listed below, please contact the church office before October 9th and we’ll pass the information along to Dave Lam, who will be delivering our gifts. Thanks Dave!

• Womens clothing
• Childrens clothing
• Mens clothing (the most needed clothing type; can be jeans, t-shirts, work pants, sweats, etc.)
• Coats
• Blankets
• Diapers

The following will be placed into packets for distribution:

• Soap
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush

Check out some of the highlights of Westwind’s Science Camp 2011.

Come see beautiful artwork created by Westwind artists and by people in the neighborhood surrounding the Friendship Center. The Center is a ministry supported by Westwind that reaches out to people living in poverty near Des Moines’ downtown area. This night is meant to encourage the talents of people in the neighborhood around the FBC (where pressure to join a gang is high) as well as open doors for future spiritual conversations in a low-key way. You can play a part in that by just dropping by for part of the evening. And if you haven’t been there before, this is also a great chance to see the Center. Join us Friday night, June 10th any time between 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. at 1526 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy.

For artists interested in displaying their work we still have room for you. Contact Kevin to arrange this (kevin@westwindchurch.org).

A week-long emphasis on living a missional life comes with the danger of being just that — something you only think about for one week of the year. Westwind’s Missions Team has made some commitments to reach out to people around them, commitments to action that they plan to do some time in the next 100 days. And they’re challenging the people of Westwind to do the same. Think of a person or group of people you’ve “been meaning to” reach out to in some way and commit to do it between now and June 11th. Tell us about it ahead of time and we’ll pray for you and check back with you to see how you’re doing. Email Kevin with your commitments. (If you like, we’ll even add your commitment to the list below.)

Here are some commitments made by the Westwind Missions Team (and others) if you need some inspiration or ideas:

• I will share a meal with the two guys who live next door. Up to now we’ve only spoken over the fence.
• I plan to start a blog about my interest in missions.
• To form relationships in my neighborhood, I will host a BBQ to get the ball rolling and open the door.
• I will send a note of encouragement to a different person each day for 100 days.
• Several of us plan to visit the Friendship Baptist Center together to learn more about reaching out to people in poverty.