Befriending During a Pandemic
by Anne Haugan
It has once again been a challenging year for the Befriender Ministry. For two years the fourteen Befrienders have not been able to come together for an in-service gathering and Befriending in person has been difficult. Instead we have written notes, made phone calls, delivered meals and prayer shawls delivered, and visited outdoors.
We try to be a congregation which shows our love and care for each other. Maria Larson sent out birthday greetings to 72 of our members who are 80 years and over. Anne Haugan sends “thinking of you” notes to families on the first anniver-sary of a Prince of Peace member’s death. Donna Gramstad and Peggy Lee keep the prayer shawl knitting group organized – meeting even during the pandemic.
People of all ages created hand-made Valentines at home that were mailed to everyone in the congregation.
At an intergenerational event people of all ages created large Christmas greeting cards based on a design created by Diane Dodge. The congregation was invited to sign the cards that were delivered with poinsettias to 21 of our Homebound Members.
Mental Health Connect
by Michael Stetzler
In May Prince of Peace joined the Mental Health Connect Collaborative, a faith-based information, referral, and advocacy organization. Suzan Hurlbut, Esther Tatley and Gary Olson volunteered to serve as “Ambassadors” who share information with our congregation about informational events such as a Mental Health Connect speaker on the topic “Resiliency: How to Cultivate our Bounce-Back-Ability”. Our mental health connect ambassadors also promote awareness of mental health issues, distribute helpful information about resources and provide contact information for the Mental Health Connect “Navigators”, who help individuals navigate the complex mental health system to get the services they need.