The following was sent in a mailing earlier this week to every member household:
To the Prince of Peace Community of Faith,
It is a bittersweet responsibility that I am writing to inform you Pastor Ruth Sorenson-Prokosch is resigning her call with Prince of Peace. I commend her letter to you (below) as it describes the gratitude we all share in her ministry among us these past three years. Her sense that God is calling her to deepen and enrich the work she is engaging within her spiritual direction practice along with her upcoming studies towards a doctorate of ministry will undoubtedly continue to deliver on God’s mission for the world. Working alongside her has been a true joy. Please join me giving thanks for the depth of Ruth’s commitment to sharing God’s story of love among us and for all the ways that she had so skillfully cared for our community.
Pastor Ruth’s last day will be Sunday, July 25. We will worship together this morning and include a time of blessing for her continuing journey. There will be an opportunity to share your gratitude for her ministry during our post-worship fellowship time.
Please keep Pastor Ruth and those preparing for this transition in your prayers. The Personnel Committee is leading the search for another part-time Pastor for Visitation and Congregation Care and will provide updates as progress is made. As ever, we will put our faith in God that whatever is to follow will create an even greater opportunity for us to be the church God is calling us to be.
Sincerely,
Pastor Peter Christ
Dear Congregational Council and Body of Christ at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church,
“You can be happy and sad at the same time, you know. It just happens that way sometimes.”
-Norton Juster
These words come from the charming children’s book “The Hello, Goodbye Window.” It is a simple book about coming and going that also conveys the deep feelings we experience with each hello and goodbye. As we all know, much of life is a mixture of happy and sad, and it is from this place that I write this letter to you. Three years ago we said “Hello” as you welcomed me to be your pastor for visitation and congregational care; and now it is time for me to say “Goodbye.” I have been so honored to walk alongside you, to worship with you, pray with you, and share faith with you.
As some of you know, my other ministry job is as a spiritual director. I opened my practice in the fall of 2019 and it has grown in ways I never expected and in ways that have brought me so much joy. As my practice has grown, so has my sense of God calling me to dive more deeply into this work for the sake of the church, working with clergy and those preparing for ministry to be centered, spiritually alive leaders. While I tend to my growing practice, this fall I will begin studying for a Doctor of Ministry in Public Theology/Social Transformation at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities to help further my work around the intersection of spirituality and social justice.
My last Sunday will be July 25. I will always be grateful for the ways you welcomed me into the community and mission of Prince of Peace. The love and care you have shown me, and that you show each other, is a testament to how you reflect the love and grace of God.
In Peace,
Rev. Ruth C. Sorenson-Prokosch