Peace Notes Spring 2022 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

Children, Youth & Family
We recently received the disheartening news that the
ELCA Youth Gathering, which was going to be held in
Minneapolis this coming July, has been cancelled. Not
postponed, like it was in 2021, but out-right cancelled—
another victim of ministry during Covid. The leaders of
the Gathering did not feel that they could, in good conscience,
bring together 33,000 people for a week of
service, learning, and fellowship when there is no way
to know what next summer will bring. It was a disappointing
decision, but understandable.
So again, we pivot. Summer ministry opportunities have
proven time and time again to have a life-changing
affect on a young person’s faith development, and we
are committed to offering these types of experiences
to our children and youth. Twenty-three of our high
school students had planned to participate in the Gathering,
but these resilient young people and their families
are willing and able to look towards a new ministry
opportunity. Instead of the Gathering,
we will be taking a group
on a service/learning adventure
to Nashville, Tennessee through
an organization called Serve
Boldly. Our young people will
spend time building relationships
together and with those in
the Nashville community
through service ministry with
local partner organizations. It
will be a different experience,
but no less powerful.
Kari Osmek
Director of Children, Youth
& Family Ministry
We also continue to offer summer opportunities to our
younger children and youth: VBS, Summer Stretch, and
many programs at Wapogasset Bible Camp. Learn
more about all of our summer ministry opportunities at
wordofpeace.org/summer.
Potato-Stamped Valentine Cards
On January 26, Joyce Oberdeck led over 50 confirmation students
and guides in a potato-stamping activity to make Valentine
cards. There was a lofty goal this year to make 250 cards!
These cards go out to military personnel, Word of Peace college
freshmen, and ill and homebound congregation members.
Lots of love and smiles went into creating these cards, and our
prayer is the recipients will have a smile when they receive
them!
Church School Offerings for
God’s Global Barnyard
During the season of Advent, church school kids collected loose
change in their special pig banks and brought them to church school
worship as their offering. The funds raised are donated to God’s Global
Barnyard (part of the ELCA Good Gifts program) which provides families
with livestock, training, access to clean water, safe markets, and
more. These animals, in turn, provide families with food, funds, and fertilizer—sustainable
nutrition and a sustainable source of income—all for
a better future. $781.44 was raised for God’s Global Barnyard!
In January, kids voted on their favorite barnyard animal for our ELCA
Good Gifts donation. For the first time in a very long time it was not the
chicks that won, it was the fish farm!
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