The
Tidings Peace
Peace Presbyterian Church
December 2014
of
From the Pastor
Zach Wilson
fear. Many churches are anxious about their longterm survival. In every church I have encountered,
this anxiety has been unhelpful and counterproductive. It is unhelpful because anxious churches assume that the future of the church rests on their
own shoulders. Jesus points out the counter productivity of such anxiety in Matthew 6:27: “Can any one
of you by worrying add a single hour to your life.”
Wasting energy on fear and anxiety is just that: a
waste. So whatever the future holds we need to approach it with a brave and strong faith.
A blessed Advent to you. As I write this a colder than
average fall is whisking us off to winter a bit sooner
then we hoped. It whisked many of us up to Camp
Presbyterian Clearwater Forest for our Peace Retreat a couple of weeks ago. It was a blessed, relaxing, and spiritually uplifting time and some 27 of us
enjoyed our time together.
Amid prayer and worship we also did some discernment. We reviewed some of the findings the Ministry in a Changing World group arrived at last year,
among them:
At Peace Church people saw a lot of possible futures.
I'm going to boil them down to two primary possibilities:
1. Sharing our faith in hands-on-mission
2. Strengthening relationships within Peace and
outside the church.
3. Grow in faith (Peace and community) through
various opportunities for worship and education.
4. Healing.
1. Holding steady and slowly declining and eventually being forced to close.
2. Doing as much ministry as we possibly can and
taking some risks as the Holy Spirit leads us.
Maybe we'll close one day but it won't be because we didn't follow the Spirit.
I think it fair to say that the people at the retreat felt
like the church had made solid progress in each of
these areas with plenty of growth still to be had.
There was a great deal of hope and excitement at the
retreat while understanding the challenges before
Peace Church are formidable. Many of you weren't
there and we all want to hear from as many as possible and there will be more opportunities to prophesy the future in the new year—and I'm excited to
be part of Peace at a time where we really feel the
Holy Spirit moving among us.
We also spent some time prophesying the future. I
explained that in the Bible prophecy isn't just predicting the future. It's looking around us and thinking about what the consequences of how things are
now mean for the future.
But before we prophesied I reminded people that
discipleship never operates out of anxiety or
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December Thoughts
from the Editor
Judy Kirk
The first snow of winter
sifts gently down, lacy white dust
that covers everything like
powdered sugar on a cookie.
When it deepens, a quiet,
still as the break of morning,
settles in and for a moment
all is forgiven.
I wrote this poem several years ago sitting
at my dining room window watching winter’s first snowfall. My mood was soft and
gentle at the time and seems to get that
way each time I read it. So I decided to use
this as my greeting to you this Christmas,
because my thoughts aren’t very soft and
gentle. I wanted to talk about peace on
earth, but we don’t have that right now,
what with wars that never seem to end
and the ebola epidemic that is frightening
no matter where we live. Many personal
friends and Peace Church friends have left
us this past year and it’s easy to lose hope
in the midst of it all. But as I reread the
poem, I realized it reminded me of Christmas, when for a few hours all is calm, all is
bright. And because of the birth of Jesus, all
is forgiven.
May the blessings of the season be with
you, and may the New Year bring you hope
and joy.
Good News! Great Joy!
By Mary Ann Christenson
Sunday, November 9, we enjoyed a Shoebox Packing Party
after church. The food was great—barbecued beef on buns
prepared by Margreth Koehler. The activity was awesome.
The tables that were filled with heaps of toys and toiletries
and school supplies were soon cleared.
It is GOOD NEWS that the 69 shoeboxes we packed will be
"tangible expressions of God's amazing love" to 69 children.
It is GOOD NEWS that Operation Christmas Child operates
dynamically across denominational boundaries.
It is GOOD NEWS that these boxes present an opportunity for
our church partners in over 100 countries to invite children
into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through follow up
education.
And it can give us GREAT JOY as we hold these children in
our prayers during the days ahead.
Good News from Pastor Dana Nelson
Dear wonderful people of Peace Church,
To use some of the words from the first few verses of chapter
one of Paul’s letter to Philippians, I want to tell you that
“I thank God every time I remember you… I have loved
our partnership in the Gospel from the first day we met,
when I first came to serve with you, until now.”
Though the dynamics have changed, and we do not get to see
each other every week, my children and I continue to feel so
close to you. Thank you for taking us in and loving us and
teaching my family the Good News of God’s love in Jesus, and
showing us so many wonderful ways to serve others and to
do so joyfully! Familia de Fe has closed, and you the people of
Peace have welcomed those individuals into your congregation with open arms. I am now starting a new call serving a
small ELCA Lutheran congregation called “Galilee” in the St.
Paul Area. But even though these dynamics are different than
before, I really feel and believe that the Good Shepherd holds
us together as one. As they say in Spanish, “hay un solo rebaño”—there is one flock. Gracias for being vessels of God’s
loving kindness to me, my family and to Familia de Fe.
-Pastora Dana Nelson
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Peace Church Family Retreat
at Clearwater Forest
Nov. 14-16, 2014
What an idyllic weekend!! All 27 who attended—whether for the full
three days or for a few precious hours on Saturday—agreed it was a time
of joy and fun and strengthening of our bonds to each other and clarification of where we want to go as a church.
Barb West did a great job organizing so everything ran smoothly. Pastor
Zach led us in thought-provoking discussions and worship experiences. He exhorted us, through the parable of the "talents," not to bury
our "talents" —not to play it safe—not to be afraid—but instead, to venture forth taking risks, trusting God, investing the many resources God
has entrusted us with.
The last twelve people to leave- the clean up crew- gathered for a moment before we finally walked out the
door. We were reluctant to leave this beautiful place, to end this beautiful time together. Betts spontaneously spoke of out Peace Church LOVE, and led us in singing:
We Will Miss Her
"Blest be the tie that binds,
Our hearts in Christian love,
The fellowship of kindred minds,
Is like to that above."
Judy Kirk
Barbara Dirks, Betty Jo Phillips’ sister, passed away suddenly of a
heart attack on November 10. Barbara had come from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she had lived for nine years after her retirement. Prior to that, Barbara lived in Ft. Davis, Texas, where their
parents lived and took a position as a school nurse for grades one
through six. While there, she realized many of the children could
not read their health books, so she went back to college, got her
teaching degree and became a third grade teacher at the same
school. She started an individualized reading program in the school
and encouraged the parents to help and as Betty Jo said, “Success
started!” When Barbara retired, the school renamed itself after her!
Barbara moved to Minnesota to live with Betty Jo two and a half
years ago. She fit into our congregation quickly and easily and
brought with her a delightful sense of humor and caring heart. She
served as a deacon with Betty Jo, and attended many activities.
Some of us got to know her even better through our monthly Saturday book club. Barb added joy wherever she went. We’ll miss her.
Barbara’s memorial service will be Saturday, December 13, at
11:00 a.m. with a lunch to follow.
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December Calendar
Highlights
by Ardy Volk
December 7:
2nd Sunday in Advent,
Communion
Liturgist: Robin Councilman
December 14:
3rd Sunday in Advent
Gospel Dixie group plays
Liturgist: Donna Howard
December 21:
4th Sunday in Advent Choir Cantata
Liturgist: Ardy Volk
December 24:
Christmas Eve service at 5:00 PM
People of Peace
by Jim Moffet
They have been an actively engaged family since they
joined us more than 18 years ago. They stayed, they say,
because of the “warm, friendly people who welcomed
us.”
(Actually, they tried to visit Peace after they first came to
Minnesota and moved into their nearby home. It wasn't
until sometime later that they received that warm welcome when it was discovered that our telephone answering machine's taped message hadn't been changed to reflect a change in our summertime worship hours.)
They are the Councilman family: David, Robin, Dana and Aaron— and we're glad they hung in there. All four
have provided enthusiastic support to our programs of worship, fellowship, caring outreach and service.
Dana was only three months old at the time they came to us and Aaron wouldn't arrive for a couple of
years. Today, Dana, a mover and shaker in our youth programs before her high school graduation, is a freshman at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Aaron, whom you regularly see helping Terry
Kubista with our electronics gadgets in church, is a Park High sophomore.
Both Councilman children have distinguished themselves academically and are aiming high as they move up
their educational ladders. Dana is majoring in international relations while deciding between a double major
in Spanish or Economics. Her long-term goal is a career with the U.S. State Department.
Aaron loves math, science and computers. He's also fascinated by space exploration and sees his future in
computer science, possibly with NASA.
The senior Councilmans are family doctors as well as committed parents. Dave is a clinician and teaching
physician at Hennepin County Medical Center and Robin spends most of her professional time at a North
Minneapolis clinic serving a patient population made up largely of Hmong people.
As devoted Peace Church members, the Councilmans say they are more optimistic than they were a year
ago. They agree, however, that the survival of our fellowship will depend on its relevance to the local community—our neighbors, who may not see how the traditional version of “church” fits into their lifestyles and
priorities.
Dave and Aaron feel we could be doing more to help our neighbors in need. “I think we need to provide more
opportunities unrelated to worship for neighbors to come in and meet us,” adds Aaron, “events geared to
their interests and needs that fit into their work schedules.”
Robin says she has felt we already give a lot to our community for a church our size and age, but agrees that
we need do more to invite the community into our church lives, flexibly and in non-threatening ways.
“It is our hope that, as a church, we will have the courage to meet the challenges we face without fear of failure,” she said, “and not by falling back on what feels comfortable as we watch Peace Church slowly fade into
history.”
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Don’t forget….
Remembering Jean Eittreim
by Mary Ann Christenson
In June of 1983 Peace Church made a memorable mission trip to
the Holy Land. We worked in Ramallah at a Christian orphanage for
Palestinian children. We forged bonds of friendship and love with
the Palestinian Christian community there.
Howie and I invited a couple from our neighborhood to join us on
the trip: Rev. Orrin and Jean Eittreim. Orrin had been a Lutheran
pastor serving a parish in NE Minneapolis and Jean was a first
grade teacher in the inner city. They immediately bonded with our
Peace Church "family," so much so that eventually they joined our
Presbyterian denomination. Orrin became an associate pastor to
Ray Fenton and Orrin also became choir director leading several
choir mission trips to Europe. After Orrin passed away Jean initiated and directed a Christian after school program for children at
Peace Church.
IF YOU EVER NEED A RIDE to a
Sunday service or another activity, please call your Deacon and
we'll find you one. And, if you still
drive, and you’d be willing to be a
driver occasionally,
please tell your
Deacon. It's good to
help one another!
ALL FUND RAISERS need
to be approved by Session.
When you make your request, please let Session
know where the funds are to go.
Thank you, — your Session.
December
Birthdays
In 1988, for their annual Christmas letter, Jean wrote a poem based
on the Night Before Christmas. These are the last two stanzas:
"More rapid than eagles,
Orrin's choir love has grown,
For the choir trip to Norway he's already know.
On Tenors! On Altos! Sopranos and Basses!
To Germany, Austria will be our next places!"
"And bowing our heads for a moment to pray,
We praise God and thank Him
for each brand new day.
And you'll hear us exclaim ere we go out of sight,
May Jesus bless you and still keep you this night!"
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Joy Larrivee
1
Charles Newman
2
Bob Gold
10
Myrtle Nold
11
Jerry Larson
16
Jeff Kurth
21
Ken Hanson
22
Donna Howard
22
Kim North
22
Erv Ostendorf’
31
“Worship Young” Sundays
by Pat Wilson
In Mark 9:37, Jesus says, "whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me." Several
months ago Pastor Zach determined the last Sunday service of the month would be devoted to the children.
The first one was held in September. To say it was a success would be an understatement. It has been a positive experience for both child and adult. With Familia de Fe our service was in English and Spanish. At the beginning of the service Val gathers the children to play the bells. Each child, no matter their skill, is able to participate and, unbelievably, Val manages to keep the bells under control.
In September each child was given a children's Bible
and from their Bible Pastor Zach read the story of
the Wall of Jericho. Afterward the children reenacted
the story. Building the wall of Jericho with card board
boxes, they circled them while blowing their horns
and then knocked them down. A wonderful way to
reinforce the message. In addition, each child before
service decorated a small glass jar. During offering the
children passed around their jars collecting change.
All the change goes to the children's program.
In October the children made a burning bush before
service. Reading from the children's Bible, Pastor
The children receiving their Bibles
Zach read the story of God talking to Moses from the
burning bush (the voice of Logan) and Moses command to Pharaoh to free the Israelites. The children were
engaged as they joined in by saying "Let my people go." Pastor Zach asked for some help from the congregation to demonstrate the parting of the Red Sea. As the congregation gathered in the central aisle, Moses
(Belle) raised his staff and the congregation parted so the Israelites could pass through. Hurrah! Again the
children collected change and brought it to Pastor Zach.
There are so many lessons these children are learning. They are playing music, they are hearing a story from
the Bible and acting it out and they are learning about giving. We are planting seeds of God's undying love.
And in return, these beautiful children are filling our hearts with joy.
Peace Presbyterian Church
7624 Cedar Lake Road S.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426-254
Tel: 952-545-2586
E-mail: [email protected]
Upcoming Wednesday Night
Dinner by Robin Councilman
Wednesday, December 17 :


6:00 dinner
6:30 cookie baking
Join us in making Christmas cookies to share with Peace
Church shut-ins and those who could use a little extra holiday cheer.
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Tidings Staff:
Editor - Judy Kirk
Art Director - Marnie Fujii
Photographer - Dean Meyer