The Personnel Committee has finalized arrangements as sabbatical nears.
Sabbaticals provide an opportunity for pastors to step away from the persistent obligations of daily congregational life and engage in a period of renewal and reflection. These renewal periods are not vacations but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for drinking again from God’s life-giving waters, for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.
Prince of Peace follows synodical guidelines in providing a three-month sabbatical after five years of full-time ministry. First planned for 2021 and after several Covid-related postponements, Pastor Peter will finally be taking time away in two parts this spring and summer. The first part of the sabbatical will begin on Monday, April 17 and continue through May 30. The second part begins July 1 and continues through August 15.
During the first segment away, Pastor Peter will be organizing his time around an expanding view of caring for the homeless. We anticipate this to be an area of ministry that Prince of Peace is being drawn into more deeply as we seek to meet the most compelling needs of our community. He has planned visits to the Community First! Village in Austin, TX and the Church of the Savior in Washington DC. He also looks forward to celebrating with family during his son Bjorn’s graduation from Luther College in Decorah, IA.
Pastor Peter will return to the church for the month of June. A four-week worship series is in development for this month to incorporate his experiences. He will also be available for the final stages of the planning, recruitment and hiring of the next staff leader for our children and family ministries.
The second portion of the sabbatical will find Peter spending time in Montana, Wyoming, and Washington State. He is excited to focus on spiritual renewal and refreshment in the mountains, settings that have been foundational to Pastor Peter’s sense of God’s activity in the world. Yellowstone National Park, Christikon Lutheran Bible Camp, and Holden Village are all intended destinations. He also looks forward to some extra time with family at his cabin up north.
Please keep Pastor Peter in your prayers throughout the coming months. May God’s presence provide wisdom and understanding along with deep rest and renewal.
In consultation with staff and ministry leaders, it was recommended by the Personnel Committee that an Interim Pastor be contracted to provide pastoral and ministry oversight during these absences. The Congregation Council supported this determination by creating a ½ time position to offer consistent worship leadership while also supporting a variety of on-going ministries directed by staff and other leaders.
The Reverend Walter Still has entered into a covenant agreement with Prince of Peace to serve as our Interim Lead Pastor during both portions of Pastor Peter’s sabbatical. Pastor Walter has been serving most recently as Interim Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Des Moines, IA and following his retirement from Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Meyers, FL. Pastor Walter and his wife, Elizabeth Spang, have just relocated to the Twin Cities to be near their two daughters and several grandchildren.
The congregation will meet Pastor Walter during worship on Sunday, April 16, when we formally welcome and install him for ministry while also blessing and sending Pastor Peter off on his sabbatical.