UCCtruths

Though Obama has been hammering his message of change at town halls across Iowa, he took a reflective turn at the church, saying that running for president wasn’t the only way to bring about change. “You don't have to run for president in order to make a difference. Certainly, those of you here in Iowa who have been bombarded by political messages unfortunately over the holiday season, I hope we are all reminded that all of us have some work to do. And that this is a moment of celebration of the birth of our savior, but it is also a moment of reflection on how we can make a contribution to our community,” he said.

Obama sat in a pew accompanied by Joann Hardy, one of his Mason City precinct captains, and her husband, Russ, and their family.

He also participated in a church tradition of tossing mittens onto a bare Christmas tree. He joked that as a basketball player, the toss should not pose much of a challenge.

His first underhand throw hit mid-tree. His second was close to the top, and elicited a cheer. But his mitten was quickly overwhelmed by colorful hats, scarves and gloves tossed onto the tree by the other congregants.

Later, Obama shifted to the secular, detailing his plan for tax relief for the middle class and for seniors with incomes of less than $50,000 a year.