Peace Notes Summer 2021 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted:
A Message from Pastor Rick Skare
We are thankful to God for being with
us through these past fourteen months
of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for
helping and guiding us through it all.
And just as we followed the restrictions
throughout the course of the pandemic,
we now rejoice in having these restrictions
lifted.
With guidance from the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota
Department of Health, face coverings
and social distancing at Word
of Peace are now optional. If you have
been fully vaccinated and prefer not to
wear a mask for worship or other
events, you are no longer required to
wear a mask. If you have not been fully
vaccinated or simply prefer to continue
to wear a mask, you are encouraged to
continue wearing a mask.
All throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,
our congregation and staff have continued
their ministry and Word of Peace
has never been “closed.” We have remained
committed to our vision and
mission and our fundamental value of
love for our neighbor, which includes
these three priorities:
1. Care for the weakest and most
vulnerable.
2. Follow the best medical advice
available.
3. Take no unnecessary risks.
We will incorporate these priorities as
we continue to follow the guidance of
the CDC and the Minnesota Department
of Health.
What We Are Doing
• Face coverings and physical distancing
are optional for those who
are fully vaccinated.
• It is no longer necessary to make
reservations or sign-in for worship
services.
• The congregation will be invited to
sing and respond corporately in
worship.
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• In the coming weeks, we will resume
our regular practice of Communion,
and have food and beverages
available for fellowship and
events.
• We will follow the guidance of our
local school districts and the Minnesota
Department of Health when
ministering directly to children and
youth.
• We will continue to offer a live
stream broadcast of our Sunday
9:45 AM worship services (and ondemand
thereafter) on Facebook,
YouTube, and our website.
This journey through the Covid-19 pandemic
has not been easy. We lament
with those who have lost loved ones,
suffered permanent illness, lost their
jobs, and endured such challenges as
distance learning and isolation. We give
our thanks to God for all those who
have served and continue to serve during
this pandemic, including healthcare
workers, teachers and educators, first
responders and emergency personnel,
frontline workers, and the list goes on.
I am so thankful to God for our amazing
staff and church leadership, who have
worked so hard and so creatively
through all of this, and continue to do
so. And I am thankful for you—for all of
your prayers and support and encouragement.
May we continue now as we always
have—as People of Hope! May we continue
to bring to the world that which is
so desperately needed—patience with
one another, kindness and love for our
neighbor. May we live out the words of
Micah 6:8, to “Do justice, love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Grace & Peace,
Updating Our
Strategic Plan
The pastors, staff, Strategic
Planning Team and Executive
Team have all been working
to put in place a 5 to 10-year
strategic plan for the congregation
by this fall. This is an
opportune time to be updating
our strategic plan, as we
are coming out of the COVID-
19 pandemic and have a
changing landscape (for example,
how our online ministry
has become such a part of
our congregation).
We have already begun this
work by first updating our Vision,
Mission, and Core Values.
The intention of our Vision and
Mission Statements remain,
but now with more articulate
language. Our Core Values
include both existing and updated
values.
Our Vision
To be a community where
everyone experiences Christ’s
Love and shares Christ’s Love
with all people.
Our Mission
Christ works through us as we:
Worship God
Connect with others
Grow in faith
Serve our neighbors
Our Core Values
Love
Inclusion
Authenticity
Community
Service