This Week at Peace - - September 30, 2011

Dear Friends and Family of Peace,

Fifteen international peacemakers from different countries around the world (Colombia, Honduras, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Madagascar, Northern Ireland, Palestine, the Philippines, Russia and Syria) are visiting congregations, presbyteries and colleges of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) from Sept. 21-Oct. 15. They are sharing their stories about church-based ministries in their countries that seek peace justice and pursue peace in the name of Jesus Christ. The International Peacemaker program is sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. 

We at Peace have Rev. Kade from Bali, Indonesia coming October 3-9.   We hope you will participate in the many activities we have planned with her, most notably her conversation about the problem of human trafficking Thursday evening, the 4^th.   (Regarding the trafficking problem, did you know that worldwide 800,000 people – mostly women and children -- are trafficked across borders to support a $32 billion industry?)   On Sunday, the 6^th, Rev Kade, will lead worship and afterwards, we will enjoy an international food tasting festival.   (Yes, you can still help with food if you sign up Sunday.)  Our special offering that day will support the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and our own Peace in the Park, an opportunity to teach peacemaking skills to elementary age kids on October 22 (see attachments for more details about our Peacemaking week or Peace in the Park)

As the election season heats up, we at Peace are keeping it cool, calm, and collected.   We believe that we are called to outdo one another in showing honor, and that we should model the civility, respect, and love that our faith requires, even with those with whom we disagree.   Please read the attached statement – the first part of which is the statement about peacemaking (Better Angels Statement) and the second part of which is a non-partisan call to 40 days of prayer before the election, which Pastor Tricia and I have slightly adapted.

Rev. Neil MacQueen, new “minister member” in our congregation, is preaching this Sunday at Peace on the transition of leadership between Prophets Elijah and Elisha from 1 Kings 19. 

Sunday afternoon at 3:30, some of you may want to support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' in their continued struggle for fair pay.  The peaceful march begins at St. Martha Catholic Church, 200 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota.

God bless you that you may be a blessing to others,

Pastor Elizabeth
(attachments below)

Attachments:

• Election Prayer Guide.pdf
• International Peacemaker.pdf

peace in park registration6.pdf

This Week at Peace - - 23 Sept 2012

Dear Friends of God, That’s what our scripture from James 3:13-4:8a challenges us to be – friends of God who are gentle, wise, peaceful, and humble.   I expect we would all do well to spend at least fifteen minutes (the length of a sermon) reflecting on what that means.   Hope many of you will stay to learn together, as we have three diverse options – Bible (Exodus), Worship, and Theology/Issues, giving us more time to consider what it means to be friends of God. Sunday night at 7:00, weather permitting, we will have our first Blessing of the Animals service, in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi.   Bring your pets (leased or caged please) and/or come to give thanks for your beloved creatures who have died.   The psalter says, “You save humans and animals alike, O God.”    There will be light refreshments for all God’s creatures, served at sunset, a beautiful time to be outdoors.  (attachment) Our week of growth in peacemaking is coming soon.   See the attached flyer for more information.   If you're not helping with the international food tasting and would like to join in the fun, please speak to Debby Sunkenberg. Our congratulations and prayers go to member Amanda Steele, granddaughter of Pat and Judi, who is marrying Gary Hancock today at 4:00 at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota. Peace, Elizabeth Attachments: International Peacemaker.pdf Peace Blesses the Animals.docx

This Week at Peace - - September 16, 2012

This Week at Peace we roll into our new Lively Learning Classes FOR ALL AGES at 11:30.  Thanks to all our teachers and youth advisors for their commitment to nurture the disciples at Peace. Adults will have three good options:  1.      An on-going encounter with the book of Exodus 2.     A weekly look at current events from a faith perspective in the Wired Word 3.     A weekly conversation about that day’s worship service with the preacher du jour In worship Sunday we will consider the losing and finding of life as we read Mark 8:27-38.   A lively new communion piece from South Africa will help us begin to prepare for our World Communion Sunday in October. Speaking of that first week of October, please sign up to help with international food for October 7, and mark your calendars to hear international peacemaker, Rev. Kade from Bali, Indonesia, speak on the problem of human trafficking on Thursday, October 4th.   See the full schedule attached. If you missed last week’s presentation by the Building Vision Team, you will want to see the attached document which details the new direction being considered.   One couple was inspired enough to write a check for $1000 with the challenge to all of us to begin giving generously to the building fund. Next Sunday, September 23, after worship, the bloodmobile will be at Peace.   And on Sunday evening at 7:00, we will bless the animals as the sun begins to set.   Invite your neighbors to this brief outdoor service of appreciation for our pets, weather permitting.   Printed invitations available Sunday.   Leashes and cages are encouraged for all to enjoy a peaceable evening.   Refreshments will be served by the Outreach Team.  Movie Night is tonight at 7:15.  Come, watch Midnight in Paris with us.  And on Sunday afternoon, Kids Club at 12:30 (3rd-5th graders) and Youth Fellowship (middle & high) at 5:00. Peace be with you always, Elizabeth Attachments: International Peacemaker.docx BVT Presentation 2012-09-09.pdf

This Week at Peace - - Back to Church!

Dear Friends and Family of Peace, We would love to welcome you back to church this Sunday!    At our 10:00 worship service, we will read some of the most crucial words in the entire Hebrew scriptures, our Old Testament:   the call to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. At the conclusion of worship, we will elect a nominating committee to help us choose elders for the next three-year term on session.   Then we will take time for connecting over coffee and snacks. In place of our Lively Learning hour (11:30-12:30) we will do two very significant things together: 1.       Our teachers of adults, youth, and children will briefly highlight their classes for the fall 2.        Our Building Vision Team will update you on their progress, most notably a new option So we hope you can stay for the full morning Sunday to see what’s going on at Peace.   Thank you for being part of our church friends and family.   We would not exist, apart from the courageous commitment of so many of you to make God known by growing as disciples of Jesus Christ, building a community of Peace, and caring for the needs of others.   There is nothing more significant than this. At 5:00 our Youth (middle & high schoolers)  & Parents will meet at the Gartenbergs for a swim/supper kick-off.   For more info, please contact Pastor Tricia @404-405-6187. Due to several conflicts and the September sun, the autumn start of the Women’s Prayer Walk has been postponed to October, but the Men’s Prayer Group continues to meet at Crisper’s every Tuesday morning at 6:45.  Our first Movie Night of the new season is next Friday, Midnight in Paris (2011 version).   Third Sunday evening dinner groups have started again, so sign up to connect with smaller groups of people. Hope to see you Sunday!   Write back with any prayer concerns or needs you might have.   In addition to your pastors and other ordained ministers in the congreation, we have Stephen Ministers, always ready to support you in difficult times.   Peace be with you, Pastor Elizabeth