Christian Education

Children’s faith formation includes Sunday School for ages 3 through middle school, on Sunday mornings at 9:30. For 7th & 8th Graders, we offer confirmation classes and activities to help youth grow in their faith and Lutheran identity.

Children and Youth

We have an active youth group that encompasses grades 6-12. They are led by our Director of Youth and Family Ministry. Regular activities include service projects such as Reggie’s Sleep Out and serving meals at the homeless shelter. The high school youth also meet twice a month for Encounter. Each summer, our youth go on a mission trip. Past trips have included service in Wyoming, Minneapolis and South Dakota. They also regularly attend the ELCA Youth Gathering, held every three years. 
 
Activities for children are coordinated by our Christian Education Board and Director of Youth and Family Ministry. They include Vacation Bible School, held in July of each year, Resurrection Kids which are fun activities held several times a year for children from three years through sixth grade; and Lent for Kids and Advent for Kids, held during our midweek service in those seasons.
 

Adults

We have several adult groups including:

WELCA

The women of the church gather officially three times a year for a program, snack and business meeting. The “It Shall Be Done” women’s group meets every Thursday morning. They have a monthly bible study and keep busy quilting, making comfort pillows, sending cards and other service projects. They are true to their name, because if something needs to be done, it shall be done.

ROG

We’re not sure what this stand for, it could be Retired Old Guys, but other possibilities have been suggested. The retired men gather on Wednesdays at 9:00 am at our local Hy-Vee, 410 North Ankeny Blvd. for coffee and conversation. They also pitch in with projects around the church.

Saturday morning bible study

This group gathers on Saturdays mornings at 8:30 am. They study the readings assigned for the next Sunday.
 

Pub Theology

On the third Thursday of every month, you’ll find a lively discussion over beers and soft drinks about current events and what our faith says about them. Thought-provoking and fun, these conversations always leave participants with more to ponder throughout the month.

RLC Small Groups

RLC Riders meet from spring to fall a faithful group of bicyclists ride together on Sunday and Thursday evenings. All riding levels are welcome. If you are interested please contact Toni Humpfer at 515-979-7426 or Nancy Carlson at 515-779-3547.

RLC book club meets monthly during the school year.

In addition our Congregational Life Board coordinates fellowship events for the whole congregation, including Sunday morning coffee and Lenten soup suppers. Other events include progressive dinners, annual picnics, I-Cubs games, hockey games and trips to the local theater.

Outreach

Outreach ministry of both word and service is led by our Social Ministry Board and the Evangelism Board (aka E-Team.)

Social Ministry

Our social ministry board coordinates the service activities of our congregation. This has included serving meals at the local homeless shelter, promoting the ELCA’s malaria campaign and participating in the annual Hunger Hike. They have also coordinated to mission trips to Cedar Rapids to help with post-flood recovery activities.

Evangelism

Our E-team coordinates our proclamation of the good news through a variety of means including, newsletter articles and skits on evangelism and support for visitors and new members. They host events that bring members to RLC including a Pie Social during the Ankeny Summerfest and Christmas with a Cause—a shopping opportunity that supports fair trade and direct buying from craftspeople in developing nations. This board also established and maintain a relationship with our missionary, Mary Beth Oyebade who is serving in Nigeria.