The Kitchen Committee has been working hard over the last few months to bring forward the best option for our kitchen remodel at Peace. This will be the final piece of our 3-phase remodel that began with our sanctuary, moved into our fellowship hall, and will be completed with the kitchen. What is being presented has been recommended by the kitchen committee and approved by the council to come to a congregational vote on July 26 at 10:30am. It is important that we have a quorum for this meeting so that if passed, we can immediately begin this project.

See more information in the linked video that gives an overview of the remodel project. Thank you to Ben Jacobsen for leading the kitchen committee and recording this video.

We’re hopeful that we will be able to move forward with this project and have it completed by the time we safely gather again. Please let us know if you have any questions prior to our congregational meeting on July 26.

Blessings,

Pastor Dawn

Click here to watch video

We are all learning how to live in new and different ways in the face of COVID-19. Within the church that has meant gathering online rather than face-to-face. Meetings are being held virtually rather than in person. Our fellowship is happening over phone calls rather than over donuts and coffee. I’ll be honest. I miss how things used to be. I miss all of you. But I am also hopeful that we will take the best of this time forward and be a stronger church for it. 

Tonight our church council will be discussing a few important items that are requiring special consideration in these unusual times.  The first is a live, online communion service. This would allow us to commune together while being separated as a community. It would be a new format for sharing the body and blood of Christ without compromising safety. Whether this recommendation is approved or not by the council, know that you are always welcome to schedule an outdoor communion service with me. 

The second item of business will be making a decision about remodeling the kitchen at Peace. A committee has been working hard to weigh the pros and cons of this project and is recommending council to move forward with the remodel.  Council will decide between moving forward with the full remodel or making the minimal updates using a grant received for this purpose. If the council approves the recommendation to move forward with the kitchen remodel, a congregation meeting will be held to approve the remaining funds from our Revelation 2:019 project. 

Both of these items are up for consideration tonight. Please pray for council as we work to make the best decisions for our congregation and the mission we share. Be looking for more information about this to be sent out by email tomorrow. 

We are learning as we go. As we re-imagine how we are the church, there will be learning along the way. We appreciate your flexibility and input as we work to protect the most vulnerable while staying true to our calling to be the body of Christ. No matter what challenges we face, I do believe that God is walking with us through it all.

God’s peace,

Pastor Dawn

While I’m away…
I’m off on vacation this week, but I’ll be back at it after July 5. As I take next Sunday off, you are encouraged to check out some of the other online worships around our Synod.

For a full list of worships in our Synod check out: Click here for Synod worship list

Or perhaps better yet, in celebration of our 10th anniversary as a worshiping congregation, you’re invited to worship with one of our own, Pastor Alyssa Weaver, at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Iola. We will be posting information about her worship service on Facebook, or feel free to check out their Facebook page where they post worship each Sunday at 9 am. Click here for Our Savior’s Lutheran in Iola Facebook page

It’s important to be reminded that we are church together. This isn’t about a building or even a particular pastor; it’s about being the body of Christ at all times and in all places. Thank you for this gift of time away and blessings as you worship with your brothers and sisters in Christ across this church.

God’s peace & blessings,
Pastor Dawn  

Holy Communion. Eucharist. The Sacrament of the Altar. Whatever you prefer to call it, it is a meal like no other meal. A meal that brings forgiveness when we need it most. A meal that connects us across distance and time to our most beloved. A meal that comes with a promise of salvation and eternal life. Although we at times get in the habit of receiving the bread and wine, it is not a gift to be taken lightly.

This is why over the past few months pastors and bishops across our church have been looking closely at how we share this meal in these times. What does it look like when we are sheltering in place? How do we safely distribute when we are making all attempts to physically distance?

Over the last few weeks, our Safely Gathering Task Force has met to discuss recommendations made by our Bishop Jim Arends. After discussion with our Safely Gathering Task Force and with the blessing of our bishop, we will be making recommendations to the council to provide opportunities for sharing Holy Communion online. We are hoping to begin these opportunities in July with a communion service following our regular worship time.

We are learning and growing in this time and so we ask for your patience as we discover the best ways to live out our faith in ways that are true to our beliefs. As much as I miss being a gathered community, I value your lives far beyond our need to gather. Thank you for your support and understanding as we have been church in new ways these past few months. I truly believe God is opening up new ways of being church…ways that we may have never imagined.

God’s peace & blessings,
Pastor Dawn