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"The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't, the parts we see and the parts we don't. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. You are Christ's body—that's who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your part mean anything."
~ 1 Corinthians 12:25-30 (The Message)
~ 1 Corinthians 12:25-30 (The Message)
Coffee Note: We serve Fair Trade Coffee and are using coffee mugs rather than paper to reduce waste.
PACEM at PEACE: March 14 – March 28
(People And Congregations Engaged in Ministry) Peace will host the PACEM women’s shelter in our church home from March 14 – March 28, 2020. Fifteen to twenty women will be housed in our Fellowship Hall from 6pm until 7am for these two weeks. While with us, we will feed them dinner and breakfast; provide a warm place to sleep, shower, and wash clothing; and offer hospitality, assistance, and acceptance in Christ’s name. We need many helping hands before, during, and after these two weeks: setting up cots, collecting supplies, preparing and serving meals, transporting linens to be laundered, visiting or offering assistance to the women, and cleaning the church each weekend. We especially need people who are willing to stay overnight (1-2 nights, from 8pm to 7am, sleeping in a separate room from guests). Donations of personal hygiene items will be collected in the narthex; a sign will list needed items. Please consider how you can offer your time and talents to this important ministry of caring for our neighbors in need. There will be information and sign-ups in the narthex over the next few weeks. If you have any questions, please speak with Sue or one of the team leaders listed on the sign-up table. “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:35 SUMMER MISSION TRIPS 2020
- SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MISSION TRIP SET for JULY 26-AUGUST 1, 2020
Mark your Calendars: We've set a date for the upcoming trip to Southwest Virginia this summer! The trip, Sunday July 26-Saturday, August 1 will include lots of work (painting, rebuilding, shoring up, and general improvements for local homes), as well as lots of fun (fellowship, live bluegrass, dancing, and lots of food!). We will be staying at the Binns-Counts Community Center in McClure, VA for the week. Please email Katy for more information. Look for an announcement about our first team meeting in the coming weeks. HONDURAS MISSION TRIP 2020 - CANCELLED for 2020 due to COVID-19 The work of the team will include supporting medical clinics, the school, and possibly construction projects for the Gerizim Church community. If you are interested in learning more about the trip and our longstanding relationship with the Gerizim community, please contact Nancy, Christie, or ElizaBeth. ¡Gloria a Dios! FILLING HUNGRY BELLIES ALL YEAR LONG
Peace Lutheran Church supports Hollymead area children in the “Hungry Hearts No More” backpack program, providing food for those children in need. We hope to keep their tummies full and remind them that they are important and worthy. Due tp COVID-19 and the closure of the schools, our recipients now receive more substantial bags designed to feed a family for two weeks rather than a child for the weekend. We serve approximately 20 families.
Non-perishables are welcome, particularly shelf-stable milk and proteins and fresh fruit! HOW YOU CAN HELP: Click to learn how you can CONTRIBUTE FOOD and/or TIME We no longer require individual-sized items. We accept donations in the lobby of the church any time we are open. large shelf stable milk, cereal, oatmeal, bags of rice, bags of dry beans, peanut butter and jelly, large meal size soups, large boxes mac n cheese, canned proteins (such as ham, tuna, chicken, turkey, salmon, beef), frozen proteins (such as meatballs or chicken), fresh fruit, fresh veggies, healthy snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, pretzels, crackers). You can also help with shopping, financial donations (mark your gift to PLC for "Hungry Hearts"), and tracking inventory. If you are interested in learning more about this program, know someone that could benefit from it and/or want to take a more active role, please contact Jennie Carter. Join our FACEBOOK GROUP, Local Hungry Hearts No More, for updates on current needs and how we are serving our neighbors.
PACEM 2019: Thanks to everyone who helped!
To our friends at Peace Lutheran Church: Thank you for once again hosting PACEM’s women’s shelter in our 15th winter of helping people who are homeless in our area. We want you to know how truly blessed this community is to have congregations like yours to help in our mission to provide shelter for our neighbors in need. We greatly appreciate your willingness to prepare and serve dinner, to work with partner congregations, and for all the movies, pedicures, art supplies, and hospitality you provided for the guests in a warm, welcoming, spacious, and compassionate environment each night. In addition to shelter, Peace Lutheran also provides generous financial support for PACEM every year. Your financial help supports the cost of PACEM’s shelter staff in your church. The graciousness of the entire PACEM Family makes it possible for us to remain open throughout the winter. Thank you for hosting PACEM’s women’s shelter again this year, for the hands of all your volunteers, the graciousness of opening your doors, and your willingness to work with other congregations in our community to address the immediate needs of our neighbors. Sincerely, PACEM People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry 
JUSTICE MINISTRY:
The Peace Justice Ministry is closely aligned with our partner ministry, IMPACT, and is currently focused on affordable housing. We participate in the listening and advocacy efforts year round, and host an annual Peace Tailgate prior to Nehemiah Action. IMPACT is a direct action organization. They focus on addressing the root causes and the systemic reasons that people to need charity. They empower local leaders to identify community problems, develop solutions, and negotiate publicly with the decision-makers who can implement these solutions. The Virginia Synod publishes a bi-weekly online newsletter, DO JUSTICE, lifting up God’s call and command that we, God’s people, do justice. You will find helpful info about justice ministries in congregations, around Virginia, and through the ELCA. To read it online click here. To subscribe or send in stories of justice contact The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick, Assistant to the Bishop at bayerderrick@vasynod.org 
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