Dear Friends,

It’s the beginning of the summer season for everyone!  Congratulations to all of our graduates in all of their ages and stages and many prayers for families who have graduates making big transitions in these coming weeks!

 

Right now, our focus is on getting ready for Vacation Bible School and gearing up the fall programs. The theme this year is “Hero Hotline.” VBS week is July 31-August 4, from 9am-noon; for ages 3 years to 5th grade.  Please make sure to sign up the little ones, so we can prepare for the numbers. The cost is $25 a child, or $60 a family. Please let us know if the cost is a burden for you and we can scholarship your child/children. We don’t want the cost to be a factor!

Thank you for your ongoing donations to the food shelf!  We are currently in need of kid friendly cereals, snacks, pasta, and canned fruit. All other ‘regular’ donations of peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, are also welcome!

Many thanks to the team working on the facility flower gardens!! Your efforts are appreciated!!

As summer continues, I believe we all need to be aware of our giving trends. Many of us are taking vacation and time away. Please keep Peace in your prayers, and if you are able, please make an additional financial gift to the mission and ministry of our church. As we work together through the summer, it is important for us to maintain a good financial base as we come into the fall with all of our activities and programs. A healthy financial standing is something that we all achieve together, and your gifts to Peace Lutheran help toward that important goal.

It is our intention this fall to move confirmation classes to Monday evenings. Monday would be the class time, and Wednesday evening would be youth group night. Confirmation Orientation is Wednesday night, September 13, at 6pm for all students. (including the ones being confirmed on Sunday, September 24)

 

Historically, Wednesday evening has always been a church evening. For years now, this has not been the case. Over these last years, sports practices and events, dance, volleyball, hockey, and the list goes on, schedules on almost any night of the week or the weekend. By moving the classes to Monday evenings, we are hoping to see students join the Essence Choir, which will meet after class time.

 

With classes on Monday evenings, we can focus more of our efforts on our Community Meal returning to its pre-covid status, and our youth having more time to be together.  It is understandable that some families may have a conflict on Monday evenings, as other families have conflicts on Wednesday evenings. At Orientation time, we will discuss and make a final decision. Please contact me with your thoughtful feedback as we prepare for the fall.

 

As you know, we are testing the waters to see how many students want to go to National Youth Gathering next summer in New Orleans, and participation is one of the markers as to whether Peace will be attending. We will have Gathering information available this fall, and hopefully start planning and fundraising for the trip. National Youth Gathering is a wonderful and life changing experience, and I want Peace to be a part of it!!

I hope you have a great week!! Take care… be safe…

Pastor Valerie