The Adult Discussion Group meets each Sunday before the service at 9:30 AM in the overflow area at the back of the sanctuary. We also have two small women's devotion groups which meet during the week.
Our Wednesday night program for youth grades 1-5 is Kids' JAM. It runs 6:15-7:30 PM during the school year.
Youth Group, for grades 6-12, is roughly every other Sunday evening.
Confirmation classes for grades 7-8 are also held roughly twice a month on Sunday evening, alternating with youth group meetings.
Our Children's Church is held year-round at 10:45 AM, the same time as the Sunday worship service.
A staffed nursery is available for the care of young children during the worship service.
Pastor Cathy Nutting,
Pastor VMUMC
In this fall season is the pace of life feels like it is getting faster and faster. And yet, in the natural world growth is slowing down, plants, animals, and even the soil, are getting ready for colder weather, and a quiet season of rest. In my spirit, I sense God inviting me, and all of you, to slow down, too.
Click here to read Pastor Cathy's Monthly Message.
Our regular announcements are in The Grapevine, here.
Stay connected by visiting our Facebook page. You can click here to reach it.
The Van Meter United Methodist Church is a community in the service of Christ.
Click here for directions on how to find us.
Call us at: (515) 996-2572
Email us at: office@vmumc.com
Church-wide Daily Devotional
October 16 to November 16
To prepare for Consecration Sunday, we invite you to participate in a daily devotional practice. Access it with a
download to your phone (YouVersion Bible App,
search for and select the plan 31 Days of Serving) or from your
web browser here.
The Van Meter Church is part of the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Blanket Drive
Kids Care is collecting new blankets which will become Christmas gifts for families in the Families Forward program.
We will happily accept your donation early in the month, but if you bring your blanket gift to the church
Friday, November 21,
5:30-7:00 PM,
Kids Care will treat you to a warm cup of chili and a delicious cinnamon roll.
Kids Shopping Day
Saturday, December 6, 9 AM - 1 PM
Proceeds from our annual shopping day for kids will go to support local families in need. The donation box
will be in the foyer Nov. 17 - Dec. 2.
Learn more about Kids Shopping Day here.
Missions of the Month:
We will be preparing and serving a meal for the Children and Family Urban Movement
meal program. This CFUM meal will be served Friday, November 7. There is a sign-up sheet in the entryway
for ingredients. If you would like to help prepare or serve this meal, contact the church office.
The personal item of the month is dish detergent.
Learn more about this month's mission needs here.
Learn more about the food pantry here.
Programs for Youth and Children
Jesus and Me = JAM
Our Wednesday night program for youth 1st through 5th grade is
Kids' JAM.
It runs 6:15-7:30 PM.
Sign up here.
Confirmation Classes
The 2025-2026 confirmation class is meeting Sunday evenings roughly twice a month from mid-October
to early April. There are also service activities and other outings. Contact Pastor Cathy or Courtney for more information.
Trunk or Treat
What a blast! Thank you for coming. We had such a good time. Your costumes were amazing and your smiles a joy.
Many thanks to everyone in the community and in our church who helped: those who decorated their vehicles and handed out
candy or just kept an eye on things, food preparers and servers, planners, everyone who donated food and goodies,
folks who set up the inflatable play areas, and all who helped clean up after.
Find more pictures here.
Sign up to be a Worship Helper
You may use
this link
or just talk to Leslie Herman.
Sundays, 9:30 AM
Adult Discussion Group
We meet each Sunday in the overflow area behind the sanctuary to discuss topics of interest.
Our current topic is based on The Bible with and without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Story
Differently by Amy-Jill Levine and Mark Zvi Brettler. You need not read this book to join us.
November 24 (Monday), 6:30 PM
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Each month, we gather to make shawls and blankets of comfort.
Call the church office to learn where the next meeting will be held.
Bread Ministry
We have a
bread ministry
in cooperation with Panera Bread company. We need help picking up packages from Panera
and bringing them to the church. Sign up for a one-time delivery or several
by clicking on this link.
Need Help?
Our church is a member of the Adel Ministerial Association (AMA). The AMA has an
emergency fund which is used as a shared resource.
Learn more here.
Note from Our Treasurer
Thank you for continuing to financially and prayerfully support the staff and ministries of Van Meter UMC.
Every gift helps to nurture children, support families, create community, and share our faith. All your gifts are
greatly appreciated.
You can now give through:
* our new Van Meter UMC Venmo account (see QR code),
* the Bill Pay function offered by your bank or credit union,
* in person, or by mailing a check to:
Van Meter UMC
P.O. Box 149
Van Meter, IA 50261
Venmo users, please use this link or the Venmo QR code to transfer your financial gift to the church account.
Again, thank you for your life-changing generosity.
