A Word from the Pastors | 11-11-2021 – St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Church Council

Your elected servant-leaders gathered for a Zoom meeting on Monday, November 8. Some notes from that meeting:

Minutes from the October 11 Zoom meeting were reviewed, corrected, and approved.
Pastors Gwen reported that she had spoken to our conference Dean, Pastor Regina Goodrich,

relating both to Pastor David Maddox II’s decision to resign from the roster of ELCA ordained clergy and to other experiences of systemic racism that have kept pastors of color from receiving calls. Dean Goodrich encouraged writing a letter to the deans and asking for some time at one of their online meetings. But Pastor Gwen would prefer waiting until there can be “face-to-face” interaction with the conference deans. From her own experience as Dean of the Northwest Philadelphia Conference, Pastor Gwen is aware of the role that deans have played in helping congregations receive names of potential pastoral candidates.

- Finances. Ben reported that offerings by members and friends of St. Peter’s – mailed, dropped off, or given online in the report period covering January to October – have continued to be strong enough. With the small addition of a few “building use rentals” in October and November, actual Budget Income for 10 months has exceeded actual Budget Expenses by $1,159.10. It’s been a challenging journey of almost two years “through the valley of the shadow” of COVID infections and deaths, but St. Peter’s can offer thanks to God for strength to make the journey.
- Return to In-Person Worship. Our “Video Equipment Project” has slowed up, but we’re getting a bit closer. We believe that we now have all the parts installed. We have encountered one audio issue that we are hopeful is a small technological adjustment. In the beginning we had not anticipated the need to hire a part-time “Video Production Specialist” to actually operate the equipment, but have just assembled a Church Council task force to work on a job description for this, the funding for this, and publicizing and scheduling interviews of a person or persons for a later Council decision. The Pastors’ most recent hope of November 28, the new Church Year, will be too soon. Let’s pray that we can fix that technological glitch, find and hire a specialist in a timely manner, test the equipment, clean the space, establish some parameters for safety, and move into “hybrid worship” – that would include connection and interaction between “in-person” worshipers and “remote” worshipers both local and scattered in other states – at least by early next year!

Rentals. Some persons and groups are returning to “the new normal” and have inquired about having baby showers and other social events in Rhoda Hall (our fellowship area), or memorial services and funerals in our Sanctuary. These are still difficult decisions to make because, if there is anything that we have learned during COVID-19, it is that we do not know as much as we wish about this pandemic… and therefore we are often trying to respond to where COVID-19 takes us. Seeking to follow the science and ongoing medical advice, our Council intends to continue moving slowly at the present time on allowing large groups to meet or to eat in our buildings. The phrase you hear or read all the time in city, state, national, and global media is “out of an abundance of caution”, and that’s what we’re trying to do also.

Property. Church Council will have our snow blower repaired and serviced; it also approved repairing or replacing two outside lights at the main entrance (electrical short).
Mission Offering. Every year, St. Peter’s receives a quarterly Mission Offering, and each of those four offerings is designated to a local, national, or international mission or cause. In the “before COVID” times each quarterly Mission Offering could be $500 to over $1,000; but, as expected, contributions have been lower during this COVID time of remote worship and, for some, challenging economics. In 2021 we estimate receiving about $1,000 total for all four quarters of Mission Offering contributions by year’s end. Church Council elected to equally split the final total between Friends of the West Oak Lane Library (our local public branch) for children’s activities… and Covenant House (the local Philadelphia site) in support of its work with homeless young adults.

Appreciation

On this national holiday today, we remember and celebrate our military veterans, all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces in times of war and in times of peace.

Encouragement

Difficult and challenging days continue, and all too quickly we might get stuck and discouraged like so many others all over the face of this earth. Continue to find your healing and your hope, your peace and your power in Jesus Christ. Live with trust in God’s unexpected and amazing grace of each new day. Remember how the Lord has brought you through troubled waters before. Follow his light through the shadowed valley you are in the midst of. Continue to live faithfully and to love fervently.

Stay in the Spirit!

Pastor Neil & Pastor Gwen