Peacemakers,
All the staff members of Peace are grateful for your support and love. Clay and Tricia are home and surgery is not imminent; evaluation will continue.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) continues to respond in Haiti. As of January 28, 2010, $409,000 of the 1.2 million raised, has been sent to assist with emergency needs. Peace has raised over $5000 for Haitian relief. PDA is not requesting material aid, other than the preparation of Gift of the Heart hygiene and baby kits, to replenish the supply after more than 35,000 kits have been directed to Haiti. Volunteers are not requested at this time. Hear a video report from the leader of PDA.
http://vidego.multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=ci2p07bi
This Sunday, bring DONATIONS OF CAN OPENERS to Peace to send with food distributions through Agape Flights, an ecumenical ministry out of Venice.
This week in worship we ponder our own response to being called by God, as we see the resistance that the prophets initially experienced in Isaiah 6 and Jeremiah 1. John B. will share briefly his sense of call to involvement with Peace’s ministry and next week, we’ll hear from Barbara N.
The Stewardship Team will distribute a Time and Talent Survey which we hope all will complete by February 7. This survey allows you to see new ways of being involved and to express where and how you’d like to connect with Peace. You can even tell us that you need to be relieved of certain responsibilities too.
Family Promise, our ministry to homeless families, needs help on February 14th (dinner) or 15th (day center assistance) or 20th (play day at Westminster). Email Eirinn to offer your time and compassion.
Souper Bowl week-end is coming up. More info at church on Sunday. Save the dates – Fat Tuesday "Brinner" on February 16 and the morning of February 27 – Imagine the Future of Peace Building Vision Retreat.
Peace and love be yours,
Elizabeth
Friday, January 29, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
This Week at Peace - January 23, 2010
We know you are as heart-broken over the suffering in Haiti as we are. The Peace congregation had collected close to $2000 for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Haiti by last Sunday. Now with the check received today, we have nearly $3500 ready to be sent to those who are helping in Haiti.
Add your contributions by sending a check to Peace Presbyterian, 6421 Blue Grosbeak Circle, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202. 100% of your gift will go to the needy. See attachment or read more the Presbyterian response to the earthquake in Haiti by going to http://www.pcusa.org/pda/response/latinamerica/haiti-index.htm
Come to 9:30 worship at Peace this Sunday and pray for the Haitian people. Learn about ways to get involved in hands-on help with several Peace members.
At 11:00 join a group of adults who will wonder together how faith works in the lives of those who hold it when they are in deep trouble. Lots of questions, difficult to answer…let us ponder together. Discussion questions attached.
For directions or more information about Peace, go to www.PEACEpcusa.com
Other dates to consider:
Feb. 6-7 Souper Bowl Service Blitz and Offering for Mission Beth-El, local ministry to farmworkers. This activity sponsored by the youth of Peace to include all ages 2-92.
Feb. 13 All About Peace Presbyterian 10-12 am at 6421 Blue Grosbeak Circle 34202 Learn more about this congregation in a relaxed atmosphere
Feb. 16 Fat Tuesday Pancakes in Summerfield Park 5:30, a fund and fun-raiser for Peace Youth and all who care about them. Please come support.
Feb. 27 Imagine the Future of Peace — be part of initiating a very preliminary vision for Peace’s building on Lorraine Road.
Keep in touch with Peace. Visit us when you can. We still meet at MCC, which is now called State College of Florida, 7131 Professional Parkway, in the Corporate Park, off University Blvd.
Peace be with you and with all who suffer,
Elizabeth
Add your contributions by sending a check to Peace Presbyterian, 6421 Blue Grosbeak Circle, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202. 100% of your gift will go to the needy. See attachment or read more the Presbyterian response to the earthquake in Haiti by going to http://www.pcusa.org/pda/response/latinamerica/haiti-index.htm
Come to 9:30 worship at Peace this Sunday and pray for the Haitian people. Learn about ways to get involved in hands-on help with several Peace members.
At 11:00 join a group of adults who will wonder together how faith works in the lives of those who hold it when they are in deep trouble. Lots of questions, difficult to answer…let us ponder together. Discussion questions attached.
For directions or more information about Peace, go to www.PEACEpcusa.com
Other dates to consider:
Feb. 6-7 Souper Bowl Service Blitz and Offering for Mission Beth-El, local ministry to farmworkers. This activity sponsored by the youth of Peace to include all ages 2-92.
Feb. 13 All About Peace Presbyterian 10-12 am at 6421 Blue Grosbeak Circle 34202 Learn more about this congregation in a relaxed atmosphere
Feb. 16 Fat Tuesday Pancakes in Summerfield Park 5:30, a fund and fun-raiser for Peace Youth and all who care about them. Please come support.
Feb. 27 Imagine the Future of Peace — be part of initiating a very preliminary vision for Peace’s building on Lorraine Road.
Keep in touch with Peace. Visit us when you can. We still meet at MCC, which is now called State College of Florida, 7131 Professional Parkway, in the Corporate Park, off University Blvd.
Peace be with you and with all who suffer,
Elizabeth
Friday, January 22, 2010
This Week at Peace - January 22, 2010
MORE at Peace – that’s our theme for the coming weeks. Perhaps for you that means coming to worship more regularly or encouraging someone else to come. Or connecting with the Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday mornings. Or building friendships at Adults Night Out on February 6. Or starting a prayer group in your home. Or delivering Peace bags to new residents. Trying a ministry team or inviting someone else. Praying for others or just letting someone know that you are struggling and need Peace’s support. There are many ways to build the Peace community. We’re glad you are part of it!
It was wonderful to have so many participate in our wonderful Feasting on Gratitude Greek dinner last week. Thanks to Dotty Thomas, Fellowship Team, Barbara Staton, and to all ministry team leaders for their peppy reports!
We have two staff members who have special need of support right now. Clay,Tricia’s husband will be hospitalized this coming week for testing. He may face brain surgery for epilepsy. They are facing expensive medical care, even with insurance. Gia and Troy are no longer sharing a home and car, which causes financial strain, among other things. For those who have asked about making gifts through the church, please just clearly mark them as discretionary gifts. Prayers are appreciated.
Paul says to the Corinthians in our scripture for Sunday, "When one suffers, all suffer together."
We have a neighboring country in desperate need. Thanks to your generosity Peace will soon send over $2000 to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Haiti. Add your contributions to this gift on Sunday (write to Peace and memo – PDA Haiti) to ease the burdens of earthquake victims. Go to http://www.pcusa.org/pda/ for recent information. Gerry Palmer and Kim Adams have volunteered time with Agape Flights in Venice to get more supplies to needy Haitians. Call them and learn about hands-on help.
Finally, let me invite you to participate in an "All About Peace Presbyterian" experience. If someone asks you, "What do Presbyterians believe?" can you think of an answer? Can you name at least 4 of the 5 goals of Peace Presbyterian or sing our Mission? Are you involved in one or more of Peace ministries? If your answer is "no" to any of these questions, then this two-hour gathering is for you. You owe it to yourself to be well-acquainted with your church. Two hours – not asking much. Two options – 10-12 on Saturday, February 13 or two times at 11:00 on February
14 and 21. Potential members and friends welcome to this un-pressured time of sharing all about Peace Presbyterian.
All church activity dates for your February calendar:
Souper Bowl Service Blitz at Beth-El on February 6
Adults Night Out at on February 6
Fat Tuesday Pancakes in the Park on February 16
Movie Night at Deiberts on February 19
Imagine the Future of Peace: Vision for Building on February 27
You are in the prayers of Peace people every single day.
With love,
Elizabeth
It was wonderful to have so many participate in our wonderful Feasting on Gratitude Greek dinner last week. Thanks to Dotty Thomas, Fellowship Team, Barbara Staton, and to all ministry team leaders for their peppy reports!
We have two staff members who have special need of support right now. Clay,Tricia’s husband will be hospitalized this coming week for testing. He may face brain surgery for epilepsy. They are facing expensive medical care, even with insurance. Gia and Troy are no longer sharing a home and car, which causes financial strain, among other things. For those who have asked about making gifts through the church, please just clearly mark them as discretionary gifts. Prayers are appreciated.
Paul says to the Corinthians in our scripture for Sunday, "When one suffers, all suffer together."
We have a neighboring country in desperate need. Thanks to your generosity Peace will soon send over $2000 to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Haiti. Add your contributions to this gift on Sunday (write to Peace and memo – PDA Haiti) to ease the burdens of earthquake victims. Go to http://www.pcusa.org/pda/ for recent information. Gerry Palmer and Kim Adams have volunteered time with Agape Flights in Venice to get more supplies to needy Haitians. Call them and learn about hands-on help.
Finally, let me invite you to participate in an "All About Peace Presbyterian" experience. If someone asks you, "What do Presbyterians believe?" can you think of an answer? Can you name at least 4 of the 5 goals of Peace Presbyterian or sing our Mission? Are you involved in one or more of Peace ministries? If your answer is "no" to any of these questions, then this two-hour gathering is for you. You owe it to yourself to be well-acquainted with your church. Two hours – not asking much. Two options – 10-12 on Saturday, February 13 or two times at 11:00 on February
14 and 21. Potential members and friends welcome to this un-pressured time of sharing all about Peace Presbyterian.
All church activity dates for your February calendar:
Souper Bowl Service Blitz at Beth-El on February 6
Adults Night Out at on February 6
Fat Tuesday Pancakes in the Park on February 16
Movie Night at Deiberts on February 19
Imagine the Future of Peace: Vision for Building on February 27
You are in the prayers of Peace people every single day.
With love,
Elizabeth
Friday, January 15, 2010
This Week at Peace - January 15, 2010
Peacemakers,
Remember no worship with Peace on Sunday morning, because the college has their annual event.
For all 75 of you coming to our Saturday night Greek Dinner, celebrating the ministries of Peace, at 5:30 at Northminster Presbyterian, corner of Lockwood Ridge and University, please remember to bring a bottle of tea, lemonade, or water, and some ice. We will have two minute celebrations from our Ministry team leaders, a 2010 budget, some Greek dancing, and loads of fun together, feasting on gratitude and Greek dishes!
I know your hearts and prayers are with the suffering people of Haiti, as are mine. We will take time at the dinner to pray and to collect an offering for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)in Haiti,100% of which will flow to the needy in Haiti. Gerry Palmer is volunteering with the Agape Flights out of Venice to help Haiti. They request our prayers. Church of the Palms is collecting Hope in a Box gifts for the children of Haiti. What everyone of us can do is pray and send money to PDA, as the logistics of getting materials to Haiti is challenging.
Peace is now among the nearly 11,000 Stephen Ministry congregations in the USA. Stephen Ministers are trained to provide Christian compassion to those in and beyond the congregation who need extra support in times of grief, illness, or other losses or difficulties. Please read more about this ministry and consider how God be calling you to support this ministry. See the attachment. (written by Gretchen)
Some dates for your Jan-Feb calendar (this may not be comprehensive):
Jan 17 7:30 Stewardship Team and 7:30 Evangelism Team
Jan 19 2:00 Building Vision Retreat Planning Team
Jan 19 7:30 Session Meeting (open to all)
Jan 20 8:00 Worship Team
Jan 21 7:30 Acts 16:5 Vision Team
Feb 1 Sisters of Peace
Feb 4 Fellowship Team
Feb 6 Peace’s Souper Bowl Service Blitz at Beth-El
Feb 6 Adults Night Out at Shirey’s
Feb 9 Property and Building Vision Team
Feb 11 Administration Team
Feb 16 Fat Tuesday Pancakes in the Park
Feb 18? Session Meeting
Feb 19 Movie Night at Deiberts
Feb 24 Youth and Children Ministry Team
Feb 27 Building Vision Retreat – Whole Congregation – We want your input!!
Thanks from the Mission Team for 2009 gifts to Beth-El of 85 backpacks, 16 bikes with helmets, $230 gift cards, 1210 volunteer hours (9 people/wk), nearly $10,000, and tons of food. Thanks for 404 volunteer hours and $1000 to Family Promise last year. Plus 1268 pounds of food and $320 to the Manatee County Food Bank. Peace is a generous congregation. We gave away over $9400 in 2009 to the four denominational offerings and the special appeal for Beth-El and Cedarkirk last year. That’s amazing for a church of our size!
Peace to the whole earth!
Elizabeth
See attachment below:
Stephen Ministry is Coming to Peace
Peace has joined almost 11,000 congregations that are enrolled in Stephen Ministry. Most of these are in the United States and Canada, but Stephen Ministry reaches around the world and across more than 150 Christian denominations.
Have you ever experienced a caring Christian friend who was trained to listen as you work through one of life’s predictable rough patches, and then pray with you, all on a weekly basis? We will all face illness, relocation, job loss, grief, parent care; just look at our prayer list! Stephen Ministers are trained to provide regular non-professional compassionate care that supplements our excellent pastoral care.
Peace will be sending one or two people to Orlando for a week in June to be trained as Stephen Leaders. They will come back and offer the 50 hours of training to a class at Peace. Our dream is that eventually everyone will have this training because it so closely dovetails our vision statement. Stephen Ministry makes God known by strengthening our faith (it is distinctively Christian), thereby helping us to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. It will help to build our community of faith as we care more deeply for one another. We will grow in our ability to care effectively for the needs of others, even reaching out beyond our own congregation.
You are an essential part of this new ministry. Please pray for it. Prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to use your gifts as a leader, or to be trained as a Stephen Minister. Your financial support will help us to send people to the Leadership Training Course.
Emily Miller has already been trained as a Stephen Minister, and Gretchen Frueh as a Stephen Leader. Perhaps there are others already here who have had this training in other churches. We would like to know. And for more information, please speak to Elizabeth, Emily or Gretchen.
Remember no worship with Peace on Sunday morning, because the college has their annual event.
For all 75 of you coming to our Saturday night Greek Dinner, celebrating the ministries of Peace, at 5:30 at Northminster Presbyterian, corner of Lockwood Ridge and University, please remember to bring a bottle of tea, lemonade, or water, and some ice. We will have two minute celebrations from our Ministry team leaders, a 2010 budget, some Greek dancing, and loads of fun together, feasting on gratitude and Greek dishes!
I know your hearts and prayers are with the suffering people of Haiti, as are mine. We will take time at the dinner to pray and to collect an offering for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)in Haiti,100% of which will flow to the needy in Haiti. Gerry Palmer is volunteering with the Agape Flights out of Venice to help Haiti. They request our prayers. Church of the Palms is collecting Hope in a Box gifts for the children of Haiti. What everyone of us can do is pray and send money to PDA, as the logistics of getting materials to Haiti is challenging.
Peace is now among the nearly 11,000 Stephen Ministry congregations in the USA. Stephen Ministers are trained to provide Christian compassion to those in and beyond the congregation who need extra support in times of grief, illness, or other losses or difficulties. Please read more about this ministry and consider how God be calling you to support this ministry. See the attachment. (written by Gretchen)
Some dates for your Jan-Feb calendar (this may not be comprehensive):
Jan 17 7:30 Stewardship Team and 7:30 Evangelism Team
Jan 19 2:00 Building Vision Retreat Planning Team
Jan 19 7:30 Session Meeting (open to all)
Jan 20 8:00 Worship Team
Jan 21 7:30 Acts 16:5 Vision Team
Feb 1 Sisters of Peace
Feb 4 Fellowship Team
Feb 6 Peace’s Souper Bowl Service Blitz at Beth-El
Feb 6 Adults Night Out at Shirey’s
Feb 9 Property and Building Vision Team
Feb 11 Administration Team
Feb 16 Fat Tuesday Pancakes in the Park
Feb 18? Session Meeting
Feb 19 Movie Night at Deiberts
Feb 24 Youth and Children Ministry Team
Feb 27 Building Vision Retreat – Whole Congregation – We want your input!!
Thanks from the Mission Team for 2009 gifts to Beth-El of 85 backpacks, 16 bikes with helmets, $230 gift cards, 1210 volunteer hours (9 people/wk), nearly $10,000, and tons of food. Thanks for 404 volunteer hours and $1000 to Family Promise last year. Plus 1268 pounds of food and $320 to the Manatee County Food Bank. Peace is a generous congregation. We gave away over $9400 in 2009 to the four denominational offerings and the special appeal for Beth-El and Cedarkirk last year. That’s amazing for a church of our size!
Peace to the whole earth!
Elizabeth
See attachment below:
Stephen Ministry is Coming to Peace
Peace has joined almost 11,000 congregations that are enrolled in Stephen Ministry. Most of these are in the United States and Canada, but Stephen Ministry reaches around the world and across more than 150 Christian denominations.
Have you ever experienced a caring Christian friend who was trained to listen as you work through one of life’s predictable rough patches, and then pray with you, all on a weekly basis? We will all face illness, relocation, job loss, grief, parent care; just look at our prayer list! Stephen Ministers are trained to provide regular non-professional compassionate care that supplements our excellent pastoral care.
Peace will be sending one or two people to Orlando for a week in June to be trained as Stephen Leaders. They will come back and offer the 50 hours of training to a class at Peace. Our dream is that eventually everyone will have this training because it so closely dovetails our vision statement. Stephen Ministry makes God known by strengthening our faith (it is distinctively Christian), thereby helping us to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. It will help to build our community of faith as we care more deeply for one another. We will grow in our ability to care effectively for the needs of others, even reaching out beyond our own congregation.
You are an essential part of this new ministry. Please pray for it. Prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to use your gifts as a leader, or to be trained as a Stephen Minister. Your financial support will help us to send people to the Leadership Training Course.
Emily Miller has already been trained as a Stephen Minister, and Gretchen Frueh as a Stephen Leader. Perhaps there are others already here who have had this training in other churches. We would like to know. And for more information, please speak to Elizabeth, Emily or Gretchen.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
This Week at Peace - January 7, 2010
"On the thirteenth day of Christmas, my true love said to me, ‘It is time to get rid of that tree.’" It still looks like Christmas at the Deiberts, but Happy New Year and New Decade to everyone!
The Property and Building Vision Team toured two churches yesterday – Risen Savior Lutheran and Harvest United Methodist. We enjoyed dreaming of the Peace congregation with a building in which to worship and carry out our ministry. You will soon be invited to a day-long retreat to consider Peace’s vision and how that gets translated into a plan for building. This is a two-year process, so it’s crucial we start carefully planning now with everyone’s input.
On Sunday January 17th, we will NOT have a worship service due to an annual conference at the college. Visit the church of your choice, AND feast on gratitude at our Fabulous Greek Dinner the night before. Come at 5:30 on Saturday, January 16th to Northminster Presbyterian Church, corner of Lockwood Ridge and University Blvd. Set up for dinner starts at 4:00.
Greek Dinner Details: Let us know if you’re coming and sign up to bring a dish by January 10. Also bring a half gallon of tea, soda, lemonade or water and some ice from your freezer.
At the Greek Dinner, we will learn about Greek culture (dance, music, and slides) and will hear news from Peace’s Ministry Teams. It will be a fun-filled night with your Peace family. Friends welcome.
This Sunday, Baptism of the Lord Day, we will renew our baptismal covenant as a congregation and will celebrate the sacrament with Jacob Jordan. Jacob’s grandpa and our friend Bill Kemp will be preaching.
With love and prayers for every one of you,
Elizabeth
The Property and Building Vision Team toured two churches yesterday – Risen Savior Lutheran and Harvest United Methodist. We enjoyed dreaming of the Peace congregation with a building in which to worship and carry out our ministry. You will soon be invited to a day-long retreat to consider Peace’s vision and how that gets translated into a plan for building. This is a two-year process, so it’s crucial we start carefully planning now with everyone’s input.
On Sunday January 17th, we will NOT have a worship service due to an annual conference at the college. Visit the church of your choice, AND feast on gratitude at our Fabulous Greek Dinner the night before. Come at 5:30 on Saturday, January 16th to Northminster Presbyterian Church, corner of Lockwood Ridge and University Blvd. Set up for dinner starts at 4:00.
Greek Dinner Details: Let us know if you’re coming and sign up to bring a dish by January 10. Also bring a half gallon of tea, soda, lemonade or water and some ice from your freezer.
At the Greek Dinner, we will learn about Greek culture (dance, music, and slides) and will hear news from Peace’s Ministry Teams. It will be a fun-filled night with your Peace family. Friends welcome.
This Sunday, Baptism of the Lord Day, we will renew our baptismal covenant as a congregation and will celebrate the sacrament with Jacob Jordan. Jacob’s grandpa and our friend Bill Kemp will be preaching.
With love and prayers for every one of you,
Elizabeth
This Week at Peace - January 7, 2010
I invited the elders but intended to invite any of you to participate in this outstanding conference next week with me, if you have the time:
Healthy Congregations™
Facilitator Training
Peace River Presbytery is excited to host a three-day training for people, both clergy and lay, interested in learning about the workshop materials for Healthy Congregations™. The training will be led by Elaine Barnett, PCUSA Elder, Certified Christian Educator and especially trained to train others in Healthy Congregations™.
The event will be held January 14-16, 2010 at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, Punta Gorda. The event is from 10:00 to 5:30 on Thursday, 9:00 to 5:30 on Friday, and 9:00 to noon on Saturday. The cost of the three days is $50 for the workshops, including meals and the training, PLUS $235 for the materials, including participant’s manual, facilitator’s guide, an inductive manual of lesson plans, and the DVDs.
I have the materials already, because I did this training three years ago with Gretchen, so the cost would be minimal.
Any last minute takers?
Peace and health,
Elizabeth
Healthy Congregations™
Facilitator Training
Peace River Presbytery is excited to host a three-day training for people, both clergy and lay, interested in learning about the workshop materials for Healthy Congregations™. The training will be led by Elaine Barnett, PCUSA Elder, Certified Christian Educator and especially trained to train others in Healthy Congregations™.
The event will be held January 14-16, 2010 at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, Punta Gorda. The event is from 10:00 to 5:30 on Thursday, 9:00 to 5:30 on Friday, and 9:00 to noon on Saturday. The cost of the three days is $50 for the workshops, including meals and the training, PLUS $235 for the materials, including participant’s manual, facilitator’s guide, an inductive manual of lesson plans, and the DVDs.
I have the materials already, because I did this training three years ago with Gretchen, so the cost would be minimal.
Any last minute takers?
Peace and health,
Elizabeth
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