Peace Family,

Three of us went today to hear Pastor Leon Dorleans of Haiti Outreach Ministries speak at a Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda.  How exciting to hear about a thriving ministry of worship, education, orphanage, and healthcare! 

Session met Thursday night and here are some highlights:  The Building Vision Team has secured zoning board dates, which point to a late November closing and a final move in early January.   At that time the Sunday morning schedule will include worship at 8:30 and 11:00 with fellowship/learning in the middle.  Plan to connect with all your Peace friends in that middle hour, whether you worship early or late.  In September a new set of outdoor greeters will enhance our warm welcome at Peace and a new buddy system will help new members find their way to meaningful involvement.
  
Sunday’s Gospel reading is the story of the sisters, Martha and Mary.  We will reflect on the significance of doing nothing but listening. The Summer Family Choir is great fun.  Anyone may join just by showing up at 9:15.  Family Fun will include making “You are beautiful!” mirrors for residents of The Windsor at 11:30.  A new Fellowship Team is emerging.  Stay and share your ideas with Kathy Flora after worship.

Thanks for your continuing generosity, which keeps the ministry of Peace thriving.   Hope to see you Sunday!

Christ’s peace to all,

Elizabeth  

Dear Peace-ful Family,

It has been an interesting year with curves in the road!   Thanks to God we are a healthy congregation (see below the definition of a healthy congregation).  Support for purchasing the Aurora Property was very strong at the congregational meeting last Sunday as well as at the meeting with the Presbytery trustees.   Energy is mounting as we anticipate change and growth in November with gratitude for our Building Vision Team.   We are pleased to announce that pledges and gifts to the building fund exceed the one million mark!

This Sunday’s scripture is Colossians 1:3-14, a passage about growing in God’s graces – growing in faith, hope, and love and leading lives that are pleasing to God. 

Please remember to bring children’s books for Beth-El, and families are encouraged to stay and make bookmarks to accompany the gift of books.   All about Peace and the Presbyterians will be offered again to those considering membership and others who would like to learn more about your congregation and denomination.

The Search Team – Shirley Blair, Rebecca Deibert, Dan Grantham, Drew Jordan, Grant Lowe, Dana Scott, Liz Shirey -- met with me last Sunday to begin the process of helping the session understand staffing needs in the wake of Tricia’s departure.   

Healthy congregations...                                                                                                                 

1.       accept differences  (rather than deny them)

2.       focus on their strengths  (rather than weaknesses)

3.       focus on mission  (rather than unity, the past, survival, the minister, an issue)

4.       respond to anxiety and change  (rather than reacting to it)

5.       manage conflict  (instead of denying it)

6.       act flexibly and creatively  (instead of rigidly)

Peace be with you, in all the challenges of life.   We are praying for you daily, and "in our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Colossians 1:3)

With love,

Pastor Elizabeth

Saturday Tour and Sunday Meeting

How wonderful it was to sing with 1000 Christians in Montreat and to sit in the pew for nearly a dozen services in the last two weeks.   Both you and I got a break from my own preaching.  Thank you to Bill, Grant, and Neil for doing such a great job leading worship and to Gia for always managing the music and the office so beautifully!

If you missed the Aurora Property tour last Sunday, I hope you will be able to join us tomorrow (Saturday) anytime from 2:00-5:00.   We’ll be at the gate ready to welcome you into your potential new home!   On Sunday at 11:30, the Building Vision Team will present current data regarding that property, and the Session will invite you to make a prayerful decision about moving forward with that contract to purchase 23.5 acres and 13,820 SF of building space for ministry.  For those who are out of town, there is an attachment with photos and floor plan, but the best selling point for the property is the "peaceful feeling of the whole site."

Tomorrow’s service will give us time to reflect on the goodness of God who faithfully brings his people safely to their destination (Psalm 66) and who calls us to a life of going, risking, trusting to live the good news of Jesus Christ (Luke 10:1-9).

For those interested in making your commitment to serve Christ at Peace, let’s talk about a good date for joining in July.   (Email back)  If you have not attended an All About Peace and the Presbyterians Class, it will be offered on the 14th after worship, not this Sunday. Our special Beth-El bookmark making activity for families is also being postponed a week, due to the Congregational Meeting.

It’s a great week to be at PEACE!

Elizabeth