October 2020 PASTOR’S PAGE be joined to such a community once again. That’s the case in the passage from Colossians, above, where Paul writes to the church at Colossae that, although he is absent in body, he is with them in spirit, “rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” Even through the trials and separation they have endured, Paul notes that this church has remained faithful and steadfast through Jesus Christ, who strengthens them. These days, I find that Paul’s words about longing for his church families ring with new poignancy as we, too, long to be together once again. But we have many advantages that Paul did not have: Paul was in prison and only had letters, sent for months over land and sea to reach their destination, to communicate with his loved ones. We enjoy mobility, internet, telephones, and a speedy postal system. Still, it’s not the same as gathering together for fellowship. And so, as these long months of our “new normal” wear on, we will continue to try out new ways to come together and remain steadfast in our shared faith. While we are not yet gathering for in-person worship, small groups such as the Men’s Bible Study, Miriam Circle, and aGAPe, are able to once again meet in our building (with basic pandemic safety measures, such as physical distance and masks, in place). This month will also include two more opportunities for Connued on next page For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you, and for those at La-odice′a, and for all who have not seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in love, to have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with beguiling speech. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. —Colossians 2:1-7 Our friend the Apostle Paul was someone who knew what it means to miss church. In several of his letters to the young churches he helped build throughout the Mediterranean world, Paul writes about how much he longs to see the communities who will be reading his letters. Paul was imprisoned several times for his work for the Gospel, and some of his most profound writings come from these periods of isolation. As he corresponded with people far away, Paul offered not only advice for the collective health of these communities, but he thought about the individuals in each place whom he knew personally, whom he cared for and had walked alongside in their shared faith journeys. There is a special kind of intimacy to a spiritual community, where many people from all walks of life are brought together through the unlikely vessels of word and sacrament, song and sharing. From his prison cells, Paul longed to
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October 2020October 2020 PASTOR’S PAGE be joined to such a community once again. That’s the case in the passage from Colossians, above, where Paul writes to the church at Colossae
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October 2020
PASTOR’S PAGE
be joined to such a community once again.
That’s the case in the passage from
Colossians, above, where Paul writes to the
church at Colossae that, although he is
absent in body, he is with them in spirit,
“rejoicing to see your good order and the
firmness of your faith in Christ.” Even through
the trials and separation they have endured,
Paul notes that this church has remained
faithful and steadfast through Jesus Christ,
who strengthens them.
These days, I find that Paul’s words
about longing for his church families ring with
new poignancy as we, too, long to be together
once again. But we have many advantages
that Paul did not have: Paul was in prison and
only had letters, sent for months over land
and sea to reach their destination, to
communicate with his loved ones. We enjoy
mobility, internet, telephones, and a speedy
postal system. Still, it’s not the same as
gathering together for fellowship.
And so, as these long months of our
“new normal” wear on, we will continue to try
out new ways to come together and remain
steadfast in our shared faith. While we are not
yet gathering for in-person worship, small
groups such as the Men’s Bible Study, Miriam
Circle, and aGAPe, are able to once again
meet in our building (with basic pandemic
safety measures, such as physical distance
and masks, in place). This month will also
include two more opportunities for
Continued on next page
For I want you to know how greatly I strive for
you, and for those at La-odice′a, and for all who
have not seen my face, that their hearts may
be encouraged as they are knit together in
love, to have all the riches of assured
understanding and the knowledge of God’s
mystery, of Christ, in whom are hid all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this
in order that no one may delude you with
beguiling speech. For though I am absent in
body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see
your good order and the firmness of your faith
in Christ. —Colossians 2:1-7
Our friend the Apostle Paul was
someone who knew what it means to miss
church. In several of his letters to the young
churches he helped build throughout the
Mediterranean world, Paul writes about how
much he longs to see the communities who will
be reading his letters. Paul was imprisoned
several times for his work for the Gospel, and
some of his most profound writings come from
these periods of isolation. As he corresponded
with people far away, Paul offered not only
advice for the collective health of these
communities, but he thought about the
individuals in each place whom he knew
personally, whom he cared for and had walked
alongside in their shared faith journeys. There
is a special kind of intimacy to a spiritual
community, where many people from all walks
of life are brought together through the unlikely
vessels of word and sacrament, song and
sharing. From his prison cells, Paul longed to
drive-through communion at church in
addition to at-home communion offered in
our digital worship service. Of course, many
people are not able to gather in person for
plenty of good reasons, and so this month a
new ministry will take their first steps:
Friends 4 Friends, a network of simple phone
calls to help check in with one another for
fellowship even from a distance. More about
this new opportunities can be found in the
pages that follow.
We long for the day when we are all
able to gather safely and freely together
once again, to share hugs and handshakes
and coffee hour treats—but until then, God
continues to knit our hearts together in love
even from afar. May your October be
blessed, my friends.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mary
October Is Pastor Appreciation Month!
During the month of October please show your appreciation and love (even
more than you already do) to our beloved Pastor Mary Beenken. Cards, well
wishes, and prayers are in order. Let’s make it a great month of letting her
know how much she is appreciated and loved.
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work
hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold
them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with
each other. 1Thessaloniands 5:12-13
COVID Safety in our Building
As we slowly and carefully begin to return to small in-person gatherings at
church, it is important that we keep each other safe in our shared space. If
you attend a meeting or gathering at church, please wear a mask, practice
physical distancing, and help us keep our surfaces sanitized.
However, if any of the following situations apply to you, we ask that
you not come to the Grace and Peace building until after you have either
received a negative COVID-19 test or have completed the state-recommended
10-day quarantine:
• You have any symptoms of illness: cough, fever, loss of smell or taste,
sniffles, nausea, body aches, etc.
• You have travelled out of state or to a "COVID hotspot" within Illinois
• You have been exposed to someone within the last 14 days who has
tested positive for COVID-19
• You have tested positive for COVID-19
Community Action Hello again from Community Action.
I just wanted to send all members a quick reminder. As summer slowly comes
to an end and we start cleaning out our closets or cabinets, keep in mind next
spring/summer we will be putting on another rummage sale here at Grace
and Peace. Since our last one was such a great success we thought we
would repeat it. Our profit will be to aide in our building fund.
Thank You! Diane Page and the gals
Friends 4 Friends This is the name of a small group of Grace and Peace members helping to
contact our members at home. I think it is fair to say not many of us
expected Covid to last so long with no end in sight. We want to make sure we
touch base with each of you who might need some type of support. Isn’t it
nice from time to time to have someone call you just to say hi? How are
you? Our fine caring group will consist of Dave Dietrich, Pam Kovach, Mary
Whitledge, Carol Martino and myself. Always feel free to call Pastor anytime
also. Always remember we care. Be safe Diane Page
What is God’s calling for your life? For many people of faith, that question is alternately a source of mystery,
frustration, confusion, and hope. Does God have a fine tuned plan for each
of us, or is God’s call more general, with the details left up to us? Something
to think about right?
Not to far down the road several of you will get a call asking if you would
consider stepping up to a Council position at Grace and Peace. The
commitment will be mostly one time a month. I realize many have already
been on the council. We are always looking for fresh faces with new ideas. All
I am asking is give it some thought. Our meetings are by Zoom or in person,
your choice. Any questions at all please call me.
Thank you! Diane Page Council President.
aGAPe Our aGAPe group was already behind due to Covid-19. We are hoping to
assemble and tie about 60 quilts in September and early October. We had
Pam Kovach, Pastor Mary and Deb Meyer added to our unit. As of now,
we will be meeting at noon on Wednesday, September 30th, October 7th
and 14th. Roberta Dietrich
The Church Mouse Have you been to The Church Mouse lately? 600 W Main St, Peoria near the
campus of Bradley University. A sanitizing business was recently hired to
perform a thorough cleaning. It’s ready for you to come in and browse. Stop
by on Thurs or Fri between 10-4 or on Sat between 10-3pm. A variety of
merchandise at low prices!
Drive Through Communion
Challenging times call for adaptation as we continue to minister and to
protect. Our first Drive Through Communion effort was on Sunday, September
20 and Wednesday, September 23. Communion has been offered during our
digital worship services throughout our suspension of in-person activities, but
this provides an opportunity for an added personal touch using pre-packaged
communion wafers and grape juice.
Undaunted Volunteers Minister On In the face of COVID-19 challenges the dedicated, missional volunteers at Grace
and Peace remain committed to supporting ministry needs worldwide.
School supplies, personal care kits, quilts, and layettes are coming together for
shipment to Lutheran World Relief. The global reach of Lutheran World Relief
and our own ministry through LWF was underlined in the recent Beirut explosion.
LWF and those served by this wonderful organization, were blessed as many of
the supplies stored in an LWF warehouse at Beirut escaped catastrophic
damage. Some of our numbers will be down this year and some will be up. But,
mission commitment continues amidst challenges.
Pastor Mary Out of the Office
Pastor Mary will be on vacation from September 25 through October 3. In the
event of an emergency, please contact Pastor Becky Swanson at Advent Lutheran
Church in Morton, IL. Pastor Swanson has agreed to be on call for emergencies at
Grace and Peace and will know how to get a message to Pastor Mary. You can
reach her by phone at 612-327-5087, or email her at [email protected].
WELCA C/SIS Virtual Fall Gathering
SAVE THE DATE— October 3, 2020
We miss you! Come join us virtually on YouTube with the theme Women’s
Ordination Anniversaries! It will be about 1 hour long with links to other
resources. Celebrate with us by sending greetings in a short video of 1-2 minutes
like in the Today show. Send us pictures of your church, your WELCA members,
projects you are working on such as LWR or masks, and tell us if you are meeting
on Zoom, calling or writing each other. Take the video in landscape (hold phone
horizontally) leave 5 seconds at the beginning and end, then email to
[email protected]. More information to come. Like a regular gathering, we will
have a drawing for some Women of the ELCA items. They include: 2 Daily Grace