Peace Notes Summer 2021 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

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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. 4 • 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
A Farewell Message from Michael Sahlen I am taking my leave after twenty-three years of music ministry at Word of Peace, looking forward to a life of study, contemplation and travel. What a journey it has been, and what a labor of love it was. I appreciated the variety of things I got to do: the Sunday-to- Sunday worship services; playing with wonderful musicians; the Festival of Carols; the beautiful intimacy of our Christmas Eve Candlelight services; the glory of our Easter Celebrations; the Grace Musicals; directing Voices of Peace, and Angel Wings, our wonderful bell choir; being able to write music for worship and special occasions. In my tenure, I served eight pastors, beginning with Pr. John Christianson who hired me, and I enjoyed working with a great staff, especially my assistant, Dawn Saxton, who has made my work much easier for many years; and I loved being able to work with the children. But most of all, I appreciate you and the love we’ve shared through the years, and the many kindnesses you’ve shown me. Word of Peace and its family will remain in my heart as long as it beats, and I will be forever grateful for my time here. God’s richest blessings to you all and to Word of Peace. Michael Sahlen Minister of Music and Worship, retired Staff Changes A committee has been assembled and is working to hire a full-time Director of Worship and Music this summer. The committee has posted the position and will be conducting interviews in June with the hopes of hiring for this position by July. Likewise, the full-time Director of Youth Ministry position has been posted and interviews will take place soon with the hopes of hiring for this position sometime this summer. Information for both of these positions is available at wordofpeace.org/jobs. In other related staffing news, Linda Thomas has been hired on a part-time, contract basis to coordinate the congregation’s annual Gala in November. Summer Classroom Remodeling Begins in June This summer, twelve small classrooms in the west hallway will be converted to six larger classrooms. These twelve classrooms have been challenging spaces to use, since the rooms are small, and ventilation, perceived safety and the ability to recruit church school and confirmation volunteers necessitate this project. The remodel will allow Word of Peace to have more available spaces for children, youth and adults to meet safely and comfortably. All of the classrooms in the west hallway were constructed to allow for the option of tearing walls down to make classrooms bigger and to accommodate building expansion. A portion of the Building Fund is set aside every year for building maintenance and remodeling. This remodeling project is funded by those monies. 5
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Peace Notes Summer 2021 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

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