Best News of the Week:
OurTurn2020 | A Nonpartisan PSA for Young Voters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-XJL40YPQs
News from Peace:
The Incredible Unexpected Journey
by Vee Blomgren
This year has been a very tough year for my family and I, the most eye opener one could get is the confirmation that no one is promised tomorrow. It has changed the way I look at the world, the way I look at my precious time, my family’s precious time and moments together. It has brought me to the conclusion of wanting to selfishly spend more time with them. I have prayed about my career moves for quite some time now, with God’s permission I decided to no longer be a restorative practitioner, as it was becoming extremely heavy on me and it was starting to trickle down unto my family life. I decided to become a Real Estate agent because it gave me everything I was looking for, the flexibility to be with my family, work from home, and arrange my schedule around the kids so that I do not have to miss a thing!
I will no longer be working with Peace, and this was not an easy decision as I love working with the youth and it simply brought joy to my life. This decision has nothing to do with the reasons I left my other job. I am simply thinking of the church, with Covid-19 things are really weird and we do not know when we will all feel completely safe again, and all of this is completely understandable. In the meantime, it felt wrong to continue to collect a paycheck when I am not able to do the things I was hired to do, when the church could be using those funds for something else. Two and a half years ago, I would have never imagined that a simple part time job would have turned into such a wonderful journey. For the last two years I have created so many beautiful memories with some incredible people. I feel so blessed to have been in the presence of all of you. I will miss you, but I will not be far, and I will continue to update you all via Peace Facebook, and I will not be completely out the picture. It’s with lots of love that I say, See You Later NOT Goodbye!
P.s. check out me out in my new journey
https://vblomgren.themlsonline.com/minnesota-real-estate
A Note from Pastor Gary
Vee’s last day on the Peace staff will be Monday, October 26. I want to thank her for her two and a half years of children and youth ministry at Peace and invite you to send her greetings and well wishes at vee@peaceumc.com before her last day.
Celebrating Judy Heffron’s 80th Birthday
Be part of Judy Heffron’s 80th surprise birthday parade this Sunday, October 18 at Peace by driving through the Peace Church parking lot anytime between 4:00PM – 5:00PM to wave, honk, play music, and / or yell “happy birthday” to her. No gifts or cards please – just enthusiasm and positive energy!
We are moving inside for worship
For the foreseeable future we will worship inside, in the Sanctuary. There will be safe distancing and masks to keep us safe. It will be important to follow the guidelines so we will be able to continue in-person worship on Sundays.
What will be new for doing in-person worship inside:
- the north driveway entrance will be blocked off; please enter by the driveway closer to Chippewa Middle School
- please stop and talk to the parking lot greeter for further instructions before parking
- you may enter the building by the door by Pioneer Hall parking lot; a line will progress from the door into the sanctuary for worship and out again afterwards
- building doors will open at 9:45 am
- once in the building people keep 6 feet distance by staying behind the blue tape on the floor
- check in with the Attendance Greeter to share your contact information and then move toward the sanctuary
- at the sanctuary doors pick up your program and receive direction about setting
Consider the following before attending:
* Online worship experiences will continue to be available.
* Peace will continue to encourage people 60+ and/or with health vulnerabilities to participate from home and will continue to offer worship and connection opportunities for them remotely.
* If you have a fever or other symptoms of contagion stay home.
Peace Partners Hoping to Start this Coming Week
Teacher Time to start receiving students Friday, October 23rd.
The Teacher Time program works with community members to bring teachers and students together in a healthy learning environment, and we have partnered with Peace UMC to address the needs of your community.
Our mission is to help students have a safe space to learn by creating learning pods of 6-9 students with a licensed teacher that is looking to enrich students in a safe and educational environment. We provide families with a safe place to send their students to work through their daily district-assigned work, and attend their daily meetings, under the supervision of licensed K-12 teachers that can be there to assist the students and provide them with enriching experiences.
There are two sessions, daily, that will be conducted at Peace United Methodist Church:
– One morning session from 8:00am-11:30am for $35
– One afternoon session from 12:30pm-4:00pm for $35
– Multiple session discounts are available, more details to come.
You can visit our website at https://www.mnteachertime.com/.
We are following CDC guidelines regarding safety and sanitation procedures to ensure a safe learning environment for your students.
We are looking forward to bringing students and teachers in your community together to work through these challenging times. If you, or any of your friends and family have students ready for an enriching experience please contact us at: info@mnteachertime.com
You can also call Robert Matthews directly at (612) 987-9360.
If you, or any of your friends and family are licensed teachers looking to work with us in the community, please contact Robert at robertmatthews@mnteachertime.com for more information.
We appreciate the support provided to us by Peace UMC and the community and look forward to continued support as we move forward together.
Best Wishes,
The Teacher Time Team
United Methodist Happenings
United Methodist Church Council of Bishops: A Crisis of Faith and Democracy
http://mnumc-email.brtapp.com/files/bishops+statement+on+elections.pdf
Grace Connections of the Week:
Grace connections invites you to find the power of God’s love in the midst of the harm, confusion and news of the week. Below are a few stories from the news of the week.
Videos of the Week:
Colorado wildfire: Huge smoke plumes from Cameron Peak Fire, largest in state history
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-54564122
NowThis Kids — Tackling Bias and Diversity in Science and Technology
https://nowthisnews.com/videos/news/nowthis-kids-tackling-bias-and-diversity-in-science-and-technology
Photos of the Week:
Early voting surges ahead of 2020 election
https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/early-voting-surges-ahead-of-2020-electi-idUSRTX820KB
How QAnon uses religion to lure unsuspecting Christians
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/us/qanon-religion-churches/index.html