ST PETER'S NEWS
May 21, 2020
A WORD FROM PASTOR V
"Life always finds a way."

This is a quote from the original Jurassic Park (1993) as they learned that the dinosaurs created to not reproduce were indeed laying eggs.

So...maybe the past couple months has felt a little like a sci-fi horror movie. Yet, there is story after story of how life has found a way in this time...in new and creative ways across our community, nation, and world. Life always finds a way.

This is the Easter message in Twitter form...easy to share, a #hashtagable reminder of the power of God's love for all at work in the world all around us.

This week's email speaks to this life of God finding a way.
  • STAFF REFLECTIONS - I asked our ministry staff to share a little about how their role has changed in this time, where new life has sprouted, and to share any prayer requests.
  • SPECIAL WORSHIP NOTES
  • SENIOR BLANKETS - As we are not able to give our graduating seniors their Snip-it's blankets, we did a special segment in this week's online worship, of giving them their blankets and blessing these young men and women for their journey of life and faith.
  • PASTOR GREG GASKAMP - This Sunday, we have the gift of Pastor Greg Gaskamp bringing us a message for our online worship. Many remember Pastor Greg as our Transitional Pastor during 2019.
  • MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT - This week we begin a weekly spotlight of the ministries of our congregation. A way to hear how COVID19 has impact what they do, and hear about the new life they see themselves moving into and planning for. We begin with our Snip-its quilters.
MINISTRY STAFF REFLECTIONS
PASTOR VANICEK - A friend from my seminary class said something on a call a few weeks ago that really has help me see this moment in time we are in, but also why I feel a bit drained by the end of the day. He said... READ MORE
CRAIG ORTON - I have studied substantially more and developed a library of lessons. I have created 50 lessons that have been emailed home on a daily basis...The most challenging thing for me these last few months has been... READ MORE
OLIVIA CHEESMAN - Things have changed so much since March. I miss seeing the congregation dearly. I miss singing side by side with our church. I miss... READ MORE
VONDA ORTON - I feel my role of youth and family ministry has been challenging. I have been emailing words of support to our parents who are working from home, or continue to go to work, along with homeschooling, and still... READ MORE
IN-PERSON WORSHIP UPDATE
Council has set June 14 as our "hoped for" first in-person worship date.

We are calling it a "hoped for" date as there is a lot of planning involved and this date is dependent on decreasing trends in the COVID19 virus. We will keep the congregation updated if this date is moved further out.

Yet, a few notes on what we are doing to get ready:
  • Thank you to all who filled out our survey, your input was very helpful and there will likely be another survey as we get closer to determine worship times and allowable numbers since following social distancing will mean a much small group allowed in the sanctuary.
  • We are in the process of installing equipment to live-stream our worship. This enables us to continue to gather with those who worship from home, as well as new people in and beyond of our community who have regularly been joining us in worship online.
  • An A/V booth is being installed in the back of the sanctuary to run both the live-stream as well as the audio system.
  • A team will be forming, as well as us leaning on our committees, to determine and communicate all the protocols and procedures we want to follow to be good stewards of the health and wellness of our congregation when we gather.
  • Pastor Vanicek has been meeting weekly with our bishop and the pastors of our synod to navigate questions and share insights for re-gathering as well as communion practices. I wish it were as easy as bringing a lawn chair and having an impromptu worship, but our purpose statement challenges us to be mindful of how to do things that include "all" in how we live and share grace together. CLICK HERE for sample of the types of questions we will be navigating and mindful of.
MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT & UPDATE
SNIP-IT'S QUILTERS

Snip-its is a small dedicated group of St. Peter's ladies that comes together 1-2 times monthly to tie 3 layers of 60"x 80" quilt sections as a part of LWR's world-wide ministry . These quilts are constructed from 48 - 11" fabric squares, which form the quilt top. The materials for these tops plus the inside 'warm' liner, and the backing all come from generous donations.  All of the machine sewing and square- cutting is done individually at home ; as is the final hemming process. Our 'unwritten' goal is to create 100 quilts each year; the bulk being shipped to LWR headquarters on the east coast, and very special ones being saved back for our own St. Peter's graduates.  Our current count is 124.
 
Our ministry has been greatly impacted by the sudden 'lockdown' and quarantine. First, the fellowship has been greatly missed, but we also missed not being able to bless the Quilts on Palm Sunday, or pack and send out the quilts in the usual springtime frame.  But we are now beginning to 'come back to life'! 

Starting cautiously with a 4-5 gal workforce; taking precautions that we feel are necessary and 'do-able'; yet still getting back into production and SEEING each other! We will continue in the summer months with these smaller work groups; most likely having two separate work days, so that all who feel comfortable at reengaging will have the opportunity. We are anxious to be giving, stitching, and sharing together once again!

You can join into the Snip-it's ministry in a variety of ways: from sewing at home (we have packets with instructions to get the most novice of sewers going), to donating to this ministry for materials or in helping send them out (use "other" and put SNIPits in description), to adding this group to your regular prayer life.

Please contact Judy Martin if you have any questions.

Thank you for helping us
"Together, BOLDLY live and share God's grace with all."
OTHER UPDATES
VBS - we will not be having an in-person VBS this year, but are working on details for possibly an at home version to offer the community. - Vonda Orton
RETIREE ROUNDUP - With the continuing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, the vulnerability of our age group, and the fact that program arrangements must be made more than a month in advance, we thought it best to wait out the summer months and see what happens. By August we may have a clearer picture of the situation and can decide at that time whether to meet in September and October. - Betty Matejowsky
FINANCIAL TRANSITION - Thank you to everyone for being patient as we make good headway on being able to soon provide weekly financial updates to our general fund as well as our Building to Bless Campaign. All should have received quarterly statements with a more detailed update and reflection. Please contact Lori Golden (our Treasurer) know if you have any questions.
BIBLE STUDY AT HOME
Faith is scripture is rarely a noun...but most often a verb...an active and alive thing. Faith is like muscles, requiring exercise to stay healthy and strong. While we are in Diaspora (separated...), use these short videos as a weekly way of growing in your faith and love.

Hope is one of the most powerful words in our theological toolbox. As people of faith we live by faith, and our words and deeds are shaped by hope...but not just any hope...hope that comes from a God who keeps promises...like new life, restoration, and an end of suffering and pain. What do you believe is God's hope in this time of COVID19? How can you move your hopes one step closer to those of God this week?
CLICK HERE to go deeper into the
theme of "hope" in scripture.
DEVOTIONS AND MAGAZINES IN THE PORTICO BIN
CHRIST IN OUR HOME
WORSHIP & PRAYER RESOURCES
If you missed a recent online worship, want to read the text of sermon, are looking for daily prayer resources, or want to find something noted in our weekly emails, CLICK HERE for a one-stop page on our website.
WORDS OF GRATITUDE
If you have any words of gratitude or thanks you wish to share with the congregation, please send them to tristan@splcmf.org
OTHER RESOURCES