Here is a summary of the actions taken by the council along with a brief look at the topics raised at the November meeting of the congregation council.
Tiny Homes Project
Passed a motion authorizing congregation president Michael Stetzler to sign a memorandum of understanding with Settled, Inc. which describes the responsibilities and obligations of each organization.
The memorandum is going through a final review process and will be published on the Prince of Peace website when it has been signed. Under the agreement, oversight of the project will be done by a Stewardship Team which includes representatives of both Settled and Prince of Peace. This team will manage the resources needed to assure a successful project and work to resolve any problems that may emerge.
One responsibility of Prince of Peace that will be a joy to assume is to provide a of welcoming community to support our new neighbors
Reconciling in Christ Designation
The council approved a statement of welcome which will submitted to the congregation for consideration at the January 2023 congregational meeting. Adoption of this statement, together with a pledge of financial support for Reconciling Works – Lutherans for Full Participation, are the final steps toward becoming designated as anb RIC congregation.
Here is the draft statement approved by the council:
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church commits to live as a community of people seeking reconciliation and wholeness in our lives together and in our outreach to the world. We also commit to the work of anti-racism, liberation, social and environmental justice for all of God’s beloveds. We affirm the sacredness of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; the sacredness of all those who have experienced exclusion because of race, ability, age, religious belief, or culture; the sacredness of those who wrestle with addiction, physical or mental health, imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, or anything that too often divides us. You are absolutely invited to join us in this lifelong journey. We welcome all who are seeking God’s love and grace. We need each other and our sincere hope is by being in community together we will know the Kingdom of God in Christ has come near.
Visioning
The visioning team will continue to have one to one conversations with members and people from the community through November 30. If you have not been contacted for a conversation and wish to share your experience and vision, please call Michael at 651-347-7732.
Staffing
The original plan to convene a mission staffing team has been changed. The only likely changes to current staffing will be in the area of children, youth and family programming. Part of the work that Melanie Hill and Interserve have been contracted to do is to recommend how our CYF programming should be structured and staffed, therefore the staffing component of our overall planning will be led by Interserve using their planning approach.
Budgeting
The finance committee will begin work soon on our revised operating budget. Key assumptions related to the budget will be brought to the council in December and the full proposed budget will be brought in January.
-Michael Stetzler, President