Messages

First, I would like to thank each of you for the honor and privilege of serving as President of the Des Moines Area Religious Council.  I thank you as well for your trust and for your confidence. 

As I look around this room, I see many faces that I have known since I was a child in Des Moines .  I see many new faces as well. 

DMARC has been an integral part of Des Moines for each of my 36 years and without question, my most important goal over the next year is to help make sure that DMARC is well positioned to thrive and grow for the next 50.

Many challenges to this goal exist.  

The landscape for non profit organizations in Des Moines has never been more competitive.  More groups than ever are now vying for every donated dollar.

Our member congregations face continuous budget challenges. 

Of course, the needs within the community that DMARC tries to meet grow relentlessly every year.

To meet this goal, Sarai, myself, and the rest of the DMARC leadership will be beginning to look at some very difficult questions:

• What does DMARC mean to the Des Moines ’ interfaith community?
• What does DMARC do better (or want to do better) than any other organization in Des Moines ?
• How can we make DMARC relevant to a new generation of leaders and volunteers?
• How can DMARC grow quickly enough to meet the ever expanding needs of those we serve?
• What other organizations might DMARC partner with to better serve those in need?

This is an exciting time for DMARC, unique in its 56 year history, and full of unique challenges and opportunities.  Over the course of the next year, we will be relying on each of you, and your congregations to help us answer these questions. 

As part of this initiative we will be attempting to better connect with the congregations that form the foundation of DMARC.  For this we are going to need your help as well. 

When you go back to your congregation after this assembly

SPEAK to your clergy

TELL them again about what DMARC means to the community

ASK them to give Sarai, myself, or our other DMARC leadership a few minutes during one of your Sunday morning, Saturday morning, or Friday night services to thank them for their commitment and

TELL them what their contribution to DMARC does for the needy in Des Moines . 

I would personally welcome every such opportunity to do just that.

Answering each of these challenges and building upon these strong relationships now is vitally necessary to ensuring that DMARC is able to not only survive in the years and decades to come, but also to thrive and grow in its “faithful service” to the community.

Until we meet again….

In Hebrew I offer you, “shalom”. 

In Arabic, I wish you, “salaam aleikum”,

and finally, in English, I offer you, “peace”.  Amen.