CYF Blast

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, This Sunday is Stewardship Sunday. And as I reflect on my personal and our communal stewardship of time, talents, and resources, one of my favorite aspects of our Sunday morning church services happens during the offering—it’s the children’s offering. Each week it is a delight to see the children come forward to participate in this great act of generosity. Always with smiles on their faces, they joyfully bring gifts forward that glorify God–gifts that…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, This past weekend we observed All Saints Sunday. It is a day in which we honor all the saints—past, present, and future—by remembering the dead and celebrating the baptized. And as Lutherans, we have a unique understanding of sainthood. While Catholics venerate exceptional individuals who have performed miracles or done amazing things with their lives, as Lutherans we believe that every person is a saint.  Because it’s in the waters of baptism that we are sealed by the…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Thanks to everyone who came out for this year’s Trunk or Treat event on Sunday! I was so grateful to everyone who hosted trunks and for the top-notch hospitality and creativity you all showed. This event truly would not be possible without you—kids, parents, trunk hosts, community members, and everything in between—and I’m so grateful to you all for your help in making it happen. The love of God was most certainly shared!  Additionally, while we celebrated…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Over the last two weeks, students in Confirmation and Sunday School have been working on a service project—making care cards to send to Peace’s college students around the country.  It was very impressive how intentional the students were while making their cards, and the kind and encouraging notes they wrote inside are super uplifting. Having spoken with our college students over the last several years, I know that they will really appreciate receiving the…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Last week, I was invited to speak with the retired principals of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association (MESPA) on the subject of teen mental health. Having served for decades in public school systems, this group of principals shared my concern and care for students and their wellbeing.  There are many biological (genetic), psychological (chemical imbalances in the brain), and environmental (experiences of trauma) factors that can cause mental health issues. In fact, 1/5…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Why does the Church matter? What makes it relevant and important for us—2000 years after the time of Jesus? Our middle school students were invited to wonder about these questions last week as we discussed the Early Church and the New Testament. And while younger generations continue to be questioned—overly and unfairly—about their engagement in the church, they continue to show that God’s Spirit is alive and active within them.  According to our students,…

Families and Friends of Peace, Somehow, the calendar has already turned to October—which means that Trunk or Treat is just around the corner! On Sunday, October 27, from 3:30-4:30pm, we are so excited to welcome kids and families from all across our neighborhood and community for this event. With your help, we hope to greet everyone with joyous hospitality, which I’m sure will include plenty of candy, smiles, and laughs. For those new to Trunk or Treat, it is much like Trick or…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Parents, especially parents of teenagers, I’m undoubtedly sure you know that it can sometimes be very difficult to get your kids to open up, be talkative, or say nice things about you… There’s always that phase… But last night I asked our Confirmation students to write down important friends, important people they look up to, and important events from their life—and I think you’ll find their answers to be very encouraging.  When asked to share what…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, This weekend during worship, we will be blessing and distributing Bibles to our third grade students at Peace.  Sharing the Word of God is one of the wonderful things we get to celebrate and do together as a congregation, and we do that tangibly twice for every child. When a baby is baptized here at Peace, they are gifted a Spark Story Bible, which is wonderful for reading throughout their childhood and in the early…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Thank you to everyone who made Gathering Sunday and our Fall Kickoff Festival so fun! It was heartwarming and energizing to see all the smiling faces, to hear all the laughs and good conversations, and to feel all of the positive and Spirit-filled energy as we begin the new ministry year together. As we move forward into the fall, there will be many more opportunities to grow in faith and in community—for all ages–and…

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Gathering Sunday is this weekend, and I am so excited to begin the new year of ministry together. We will kick it off with worship at 9:30am and a Fall Kickoff Festival in the Upper Lot right after. There will be walking tacos, ice cream treats, and plenty of games and activities for all ages to enjoy. Everyone is invited! Additionally, as we move into the fall season together, I want to extend two invitations to you. …

Dear Families and Friends of Peace, For Bloomington Public Schools, classes begin next week. As I’ve done in previous years, I’d like to share this prayer, “A Prayer for the First Day of School,” written by Kayla Craig (from To Light Their Way), as a blessing of encouragement for all our students, parents, teachers, caregivers, administrators, and other education workers as they prepare to start this exciting new season.  “O God of new beginnings, as this child begins this new…