News and Updates

MINISTRY UPDATE. (JANUARY 2022)

It’s a new year, and the work continues!  Our Winter Gear Swap will continue for a few more selected weekends.  Please see our Facebook Page for those announcements!

You can take free items and/or swap items!  Whatever works for you!

We also want to update you on our organizational status.  We have applied for our 501c3 designation with the IRS and hope to receive a decision in the coming months.  This process costs thousands of dollars in legal and IRS fees, so we ask you to consider giving towards that expense.  When approved, we’ll be able to process donations as deductible!

MINISTRY UPDATE. (FALL 2021)

We are making plans for the Winter Gear Swap!  You can drop donations at local churches or contact us on Facebook to arrange drop off.

This swap will be on select Saturdays this fall and winter from 10-noon at the RScityserve building, 403 Broad Street in Story City.

Open Dates: Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, Dec 4, 11

You can take free items and/or swap items!  Whatever works for you!

MINISTRY UPDATE. (EARLY FALL 2021)

School is back in session and we’re gearing up to meet the needs of our community this fall and winter!

FINANCIAL FREEDOM CLASS: Our financial freedom class has been postponed to 2022.  Stay tuned for more updates!

We are also making plans for the Winter Clothing Closet, and we’ll be planning a project day this fall as well!  Stay tuned and help us meet the needs of our community with compassion.

MINISTRY UPDATE. (MID-SUMMER 2021)

The Post-Covid wave is upon us!  Many things that didn’t happen last summer are in full swing this year!  RScityserve has been in a season of discerning, waiting, and getting the word out about how our wonderful building space can be used to bless the community. Our space is currently being used for two Bible study groups, a prayer group, and some occasional youth events!

One big ministry push this summer is the Lifelight Music Festival on July 10th at South Park – see more info on our Projects and Events Page.

Another opportunity we have is to offer dilly bars at this year’s Scandinavian Days event on July 24!  We’re excited to keep building new relationships with those in our community as we work to meet a variety of needs with compassion.

If you have ideas or projects that you could see in the RScityserve Building space, email rscityserve@gmail.com to start the conversation!

MINISTRY UPDATE. (JAN 2021)

We’re putting together a clothing closet at our new building at 403 Broad Street in Story City!

We know that many in our communities have needs – and often those needs can be hard to fill.  RScityserve wants to bless our community with good-condition winter gear that will be available for any aged residents in the R-S School District.  We’re launching our initial donation drive this December of 2020.  See the graphic with this post for times and dates, and you can also drop off donations at participating churches in our area!

Let’s Bless our communities with no strings attached!  For questions, message us on our facebook page or email rscityserve@gmail.com.

We Also have a PO Box now!

RScityserve  –  PO Box 37, Story City, IA 50248

MINISTRY UPDATE. (OCT 2020)

This month our team met to bring clarity to our vision, define our hands-on projects for the coming months, and to pray for our community and the many needs that exist.

COVID and colder weather are a recipe for loneliness and hardship.  If that is you, know that we are here for you to support you and connect you with resources.  As the holiday season this year will have fewer parties, gatherings, and carol sings – help us identify where we can be a blessing!

This fall and into December, we will be starting a firewood stockpile for winter wood-burning heating assistance.  We will also be furnishing and designing our building space so that we can begin community activities in early 2021!  

A BUILDING? REALLY. (SEP 2020)

Sometimes the Good Lord is a few steps ahead of you when you have a dream or goal.

This was certainly the case when it comes to having a space for RScityserve to operate out of.  Since we are not even yet a formal, state-recognized organizaiton (let alone a 501c3), having a space to lease or buy was not really on the radar.

About 24 hours after our friends at Lifelight left in July, this building at 403 Broad went up for sale in Story City.  A passing comment led to an in-depth assessment of need and dreams, and to make a long story short, a generous family in town decided to purchase this building for RScityserve to use as a minsitry hub.  Humbling, for sure.

Alongside our ongoing work projects the Roland, Story City, and surrounding area, we now have this turnkey neutral space to use for a dozen other dreams.  403 Broad St.  Look for it and dream along with us!

A STORM AND TOGETHERNESS (AUG 2020)

It was an interesting time to form a service organization.  The work was plentiful, but really we were just getting formed.

At the time of the midwest derecho, RScityserve had only met as a core group one time.  But the needs were obvious, and we wanted to help.  In the following days, RScityserve was able to provide over 1300 free meals in Roland to residents, DOT workers, and anyone else who had need.  These were made possible through the generosity of Thrivent, Roland Kiwanis, Immanuel Lutheran Story City, and Harvest E-free.

It’s incredible how something so devastating can bring people together.  The ongoing needs from this storm will not be as obvious.  If you or someone you know needs continued assistance, work done, or storm related needs, please reach out to see if we can help!