Bobby Jo Valentine is almost here!
This is it–his concert is days away! Peace is hosting this concert–this Saturday, March 26!–to help our community celebrate Pastor Gary’s ministry among us for the past 11 years and also to serve as a benefit concert for OutFront Minnesota, one of Gary’s favored causes. Gary looks forward to seeing all of you there, supporting OutFront and enjoying Bobby Jo’s meaningful and inspiring music. We are so pleased that Bobby Jo will also join us at worship next Sunday morning, March 27.
We’ve reached full sponsorship for Bobby Jo! Anything you donate now toward sponsorship will be added to the funds collected at the concert to benefit OutFront Minnesota. Complete concert details (including a link for online donations) are posted on a special website page at https://peaceumc.com/staging/8882/bobby-jo-valentine-concert/.
If you can help turn the sanctuary into a concert venue (moving chairs, worship table, organ console, etc) or back again for Sunday worship, please sign up here. We also need greeters and ushers. If you can help someone from OutFront Minnesota with counting the free-will offering, please contact Cindy (cindy@peaceumc.com). Thank you in advance–your help is invaluable for making the concert a success!
This week we highlight Dear December. As he says, “A warm new letter to December for the colder seasons of our lives, from Bobby Jo Valentine. Share this with a dear friend who could use some comfort this season.”
Updated COVID Protocol
According to CDC guidance about community transmission levels and the currently low levels of transmission in Ramsey, Anoka, and Hennepin Counties, Peace is updating its COVID policy. We no longer require masks in worship. (People may, of course, choose to mask at any time.) People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 are encouraged to stay home in order to take care of themselves and to help protect the Peace community.
If our status changes, we will notify you.
Pastoral Update
The Staff-Pastor-Parish Committee and the Pastoral Search Team have announced their unanimous approval of the intention of Bishop David Bard to appoint Pastor Jason Steffenhagen our new pastor as of Sunday, May 1. During an extensive interview, it became clear that he was a perfect fit for Peace Community of Faith spiritually, theologically, and personally. Pastor Jason is currently serving as an associate pastor at The Well UMC in Rosemount. Read more about Jason here. Please help us welcome Pastor Jason and his family to Peace on Sunday morning, May 1.
Easter Flowers
Hummingbird Floral is providing a variety of flowers again this year to help us decorate the sanctuary for Affirm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
Please submit your orders no later than April 3 so your flowers will be here in time! Use the attached order form to tell us what kind of plant(s) you want; then either
- Mail the form and your check to the church, or
- Leave the form with your payment in the offering plate by Sunday, April 3.
You may pick up your plant after Easter worship on April 17.
Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign
Ralph Reeder Food Shelf invites you to participate by joining your co-workers, friends and neighbors in collecting donations. Your efforts will provide food and other programming and services for nearly 3000 children, adults and seniors that receive services from the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf each month.
How can you help? Drop off food and hygiene products at the Food Shelf, 2544 Mounds View Blvd,
Mounds View, MN, 55112, by April 11. Drop-off times are Monday-Friday, 9 am to noon or by appointment (651-621-6282). Or donate funds online.
Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet!
This is the subject of the Women’s History Month Zoom event sponsored by the Northeast Metro Climate Action. It features Rebecca Otto, former Minnesota State Auditor, and Nicole Rom, founding Executive Director of Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy, a nonprofit dedicated to engaging individuals and their communities in equitable solutions to climate change. Join in online Thursday night, March 24, at 7 pm at tinyurl.com/NEMCA3-24-22.
Red Cross Blood Drive Coming to Peace
Sign up now to donate blood this Friday, March 25, between noon and 6 pm, in the Peace Commons. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “Peace United Methodist Church” to schedule an appointment.
Women’s History Month
Consider boosting your reading for Women’s History Month with books from Wood Lake Publishing. Find titles like these:
Annie Ruth’s Truths – Rarely do we see in print the wisdom and wit of Christian African-American female elders. These expressions are a creative response to the soul challenges of rural country life lived in the American Deep South.
Activist Alphabet – “How does it happen that a rather shy and not-terribly-brave individual finds herself getting arrested on Parliament Hill? Why does a woman who prefers to commune with pole beans all summer end up laboriously writing speeches to present at City Hall? There is no need for this. I am 74 years old, elderly. It would be more suitable for me to spend my remaining days quietly reading novels than singing protest songs. What happened?”
Affirm Retreat
The Affirm youth will be on a retreat with Pastor Gary April 1-3. The Affirm program has taken the place of the the traditional confirmation class. We will celebrate with these youth on Affirm Sunday, April 10.
Communion
April 3 is a first Sunday, and so we will partake of Communion that morning in worship. Since Pastor Gary will be absent, Pastor Linda Koelman and Jean Leatherman will provide leadership that day.
Good Neighbor Meals
Indoor dining will resume in April, and so volunteers may sign up for one or both time slots (prep from 9-11 am, and/or serve and clean up from 11 am-1:30 pm). To help at the next meal, or if you have already signed up for a meal in April or beyond, please check Sign-up Genius to make sure you are still signed up, and for the right time(s).
Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
United Methodists and others wishing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country may contribute to Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund will provide direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries.
Gifts to support the people of Ukraine can be made in the following ways:
- Online at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/982450
- By toll-free telephone: 888-252-6174
- By check made out to Global Ministries/UMCOR with “Advance #982450-Ukraine” written on the memo line, either mailed and addressed to Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY, 10087-9068 or given at or through any United Methodist church
One hundred percent of all Advance contributions go to the designated cause.
The United Methodist community in Ukraine, though quite small, is actively engaged in assisting neighbors in need. Global Ministries is in touch with the church’s leadership as well as with church leaders in countries welcoming those who are fleeing from violence in Ukraine.