News

Tuesday began with an orientation at DIRA – which is the equivalent of the St. Paul Area Synod office.  We learned about the partnership between St. Paul and Iringa.  We learned about the reforestation project called Millions of Trees, Dignity for Daughters which teaches young women how to care for their bodies (health education), St. Paul Partners which digs water wells in the area (Prince of Peace has sponsored five wells in our village of Ilambo) and Radio Furaha, which shares the gospel over the airwaves.  It was a lot to learn but it was good to see how the Lutheran Church of Tanzania is making an impact in the area.  Wow!

In the afternoon, we spent time with the kids of the orphanage called Huruma Center.  We got a tour of the orphanage, then the hi-light … we got to play with the kids.  Many smiles for all as we kicked soccer balls, played memory games, ring around the rosey, and holding and hugging the kids.  So much love!

Following the orphanage visit, we had pizza at Mama Iringa Italian restaurant.

This morning we went to Isimila Archeological dig and natural spires.  It was a beautiful hike – clear blue sky slight breeze.  Some of us got to do some climbing around the spires.  Our time there closed with a box lunch picnic.  

After that, we visited the University of Iringa and visited their business and entrepreneur program, child development department, library and school radio and the Micro finance mission which is located at the University.

We came back to our hotel and packed all of the notebooks and pencils for the 400 students we will meet in our village.

Tomorrow we leave for our village named Ilambo.  We will be out of communication until Monday as our village is quite remote.  We are looking forward to all God has in store for us.

~ Eric Elton

After two very long days of travel, we arrived safely in Iringa – our kind of home base.  We had bus troubles going from Dar es Salaam to Iringa.  Everything worked out fine.  We just arrived about five hours late and ate dinner at 11:00 pm Sunday night.

Today, Monday, was our day to recover from all the travel.  Breakfast, tour of the Iringa marketplace, Neema crafts, shopping for souvenirs, naps.  Then dinner watching the sunset over Iringa.  A good day!

For those that don’t know about Neema crafts, it is a ministry that supports 100+ Tanzania citizens with disabilities by teaching them life skills and paying them a salary for life’s expenses.  In Tanzania, if you have a disability, you are often forgotten.  This ministry is vital in supporting these people.  They produce wood carvings, towels, clothing, and fabrics from weaving – very interesting things.

Tomorrow, we learn about the partnership between the St. Paul Area Synod and the Iringa Diocese.  After that, we will visit the orphanage, ending our day with a pizza dinner.

Be well everyone.  Next update should be Wednesday.

~ Eric Elton

Julie Gorvin

Julie and her husband Greg have been members of Prince of Peace for 36 years. They raised their two sons, Eric and Adam, in this community and were grateful for the excellent Children’s Ministry programs available to them. During their first connections with POP, they had a home visit with Pastor Richard Nelson. He encouraged Julie to join the Flute Ensemble, which has been a huge blessing in her life to this day.

Julie has held multiple leadership positions through the years including Children’s Ministry (VBS Director, Children’s Worship Leader) and Women’s Ministries (President, Retreat Director, Mega Sale team). She considers the women in her small groups, Elizabeth Circle and Flute Ensemble, to be her best friends and the core people she is “blessed to do life with.”

After 45 years in the field of pharmacy, the last 34 years at Fairview Ridges Hospital, she retired in March 2023. She is excited for the opportunity to be of service to the church she calls home. Life is all about change, but the one non-negotiable has been her faith, hope and the love she has for Prince of Peace and others. Julie is looking forward to the future of Prince of Peace and embracing the blessing of working with others on the board and congregation members to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world.

 

 

Jim Kennedy

Jim and his wife, Jennifer, have been members of Prince of Peace for over ten years. They have two sons, Matthew (19) and Ryan (16), and a daughter, Kate (13), who all have been active in the youth programs at POP.  Jim currently plays tuba in the POP Brass Choir and has also served at Mission Outpost during his time at POP.  Service to community is important to Jim.  Throughout his children’s school years, he volunteered as a youth baseball coach, PTO Treasurer, and Treasurer on the Burnsville Traveling Basketball Board. He also mentored high school students through a corporate collaboration with BestPrep.

Jim has been employed at several Twin Cities companies in various finance and accounting roles, and currently is a Business Advisor for Creative Planning, where he assists companies with their financial needs. Jim enjoys spending time with his family, running, reading, performing with the Bloomington Medalist Band and POP Brass, and cheering on the Minnesota Twins and Notre Dame football. Jim is grateful for the opportunity to serve POP and all who walk through its doors every week.

 

 

 

 

Todd Racek

Todd has been a member of Prince of Peace from the day the doors opened on Nicollet Ave. He has enjoyed raising his two boys (Chase and Derek) at Prince of Peace as well. Watching them enjoy all the programs offered as they built their own relationships with Jesus. His wife, Lori, also became an active member upon their marriage, over 30 years ago. Todd has been blessed to be part of Children’s Ministry, Middle School Ministry, and High School Ministry as a participant and volunteer. He also participated in musical and theatrical productions, small groups and mission trips at Prince of Peace. We are fortunate to have a church that can reach out to so many different audiences.

After working in advertising and marketing, with most years in healthcare, Todd now works as a part-time consultant and has been able to mix in volunteering with hospice patients, care facilities in our community and a small group leader for Community Bible Study. He is very excited to become part of the board, while Prince of Peace continues its legacy and prepares to meet the needs, through Jesus, of all who come through the doors along with others in the community and beyond.

 

 

 

 

 

February 16, 2024

Dear Prince of Peace,

We are pleased to announce that the Prince of Peace Board, Executive Leadership Team and Columbarium Committee are moving forward in designing the long-awaited Prince of Peace Columbarium and Memorial Garden. After several years of fundraising, we are now asking for your input to help us determine how to move forward as we begin designing the space.

A columbarium is an above‐ground structure containing multiple niches — a compartment holding the sealed urn(s) with the cremated remains — which provides a final resting place. Our goal is to create a peaceful and welcoming environment for those visiting their loved ones. Currently, we believe the best location for the garden is the green space on the southside of the Chapel.

At this time, Prince of Peace has $115,000 to fund the initial development of the columbarium and memorial garden; we will then depend on the sales of niches and memorials to maintain the space and purchase additional columbarium sections.

A one-time fee of $2,000 includes the use of a selected niche, an urn(s) for the cremains, and a distinctive engraved faceplate. We will also offer memorial plaques to be displayed within the garden. While we anticipate this space to be used primarily by the Prince of Peace community, all are welcome to purchase a niche.

Your input is crucial for the success of the design. We would like to learn the level of interest from the Prince of Peace community to help us determine how to move forward in the design process.

Please click on the button below to fill out our columbarium questionnaire. We hope to receive responses by Thursday, February 29 so we can begin evaluating vendors for the design of the memorial garden in March.

We are excited to make the highly anticipated Prince of Peace Columbarium and Memorial Garden a reality. Please provide your input for the Prince of Peace Columbarium and Memorial Garden HERE.

We are grateful to members of the Columbarium Committee who have faithfully pushed this project forward in partnership with Prince of Peace leadership.

Columbarium Committee
Polly Bergerson
Bill Newton
Marlene Robertson
Dick & Joan Angevine
Bob & Gladys Duckson
Gene Mickelson
Darrell Lindemann
Pastor Paul Dean
Kienan Mick

Committee members will be present in the Community Room during February 17/18 and February 24/25 worship services to answer questions and receive input in person.

For more information, please contact Polly Bergerson, Columbarium Committee, at [email protected].