Mark and Jody Slaughter Announcement By Posted April 16, 2024 In Transition Blog Mark and Jody Slaughter Announcement2024-04-162024-04-16https://popmn.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/popmn-logo-love-god.pngPrince of Peace Lutheran Churchhttps://popmn.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/popmn-logo-love-god.png200px200px 0 April 15, 2024 Dear Prince of Peace, I am writing to share with you that Mark Slaughter, Minister of Worship Arts, and Jody Slaughter, Spiritual Care Minister, have both resigned from their positions at Prince of Peace. Their last day was today, April 15. We know the impact that their gifts for ministry have had on Prince of Peace, and their influence will be felt for years to come. We are thankful to both Mark and Jody for their ministry, and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. Please find their farewell letters to the congregation below. As we move forward, we want you to know that Prince of Peace will still be a vibrant place of worship and music. We are actively working on plans to ensure that our contemporary worship and our choral and musical offerings are protected and continue with the same commitment to excellence. This includes next summer’s Reconcile choir trip to New York City and all of our worship offerings. We are also working on plans to keep our Spiritual Care team robust in order to continue meeting the needs of our community. We ask that you keep Mark, Jody and Prince of Peace in your prayers during this time of transition. Pastor Paul Dean Mark Slaughter Farewell Letter Hello friends, As many of you know, Burnsville has been our home for over ten years, and Prince of Peace has become an extension of our family. I’ll never forget how you embraced us and ministered to us through so many amazing seasons. We’ve shared countless times of worship, powerful presentations with the choir and orchestra, celebrated baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Your faithfulness in praying for me and my family has sustained us, and we are so grateful. Over the past few months, we’ve come to the difficult realization that my time serving at Prince of Peace must come to an end. While I am incredibly sad and feel a heaviness of this decision, I believe it’s the best path forward for me and for Prince of Peace. Saying goodbye is always difficult, but I’m very grateful for the deep connections we’ve made here. I want to express my sincere thanks to all my colleagues, volunteers, celebration choir, and this entire community. While our time at Prince of Peace is coming to an end, it’s not the end of our journey of faith. I clearly hear the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” I trust this church will continue to do the “good work” of the Gospel. We are also praying for the next chapter for us and the opportunity to explore new careers elsewhere. Please keep us in your prayers as we transition. Blessings, Mark Slaughter Jody Slaughter Farewell Letter Dear Prince of Peace, I have found great joy in serving and growing with each of you in my role as Minister of Spiritual Care here at Prince of Peace for the past 8 1/2 years. Now it is time for me to take a step into a new direction and future for ministry. This is a difficult decision, and I am sad to leave this wonderful and nurturing congregation. I will continue to pray for you as I have these past years and will welcome your prayers for me as well. Our love has been deep in this community of faith. I believe one of the most beautiful ways we can thank God for our time of serving and worshiping God together is to pray for one another and seek to follow the words of the prophet Micah… “Seek justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8) With thanksgiving for you and peace with you, Jody Slaughter Nina Sveinson Recent PostsStrategic Plan: General Process OverviewCongregational Survey for Strategic Planning ProcessPrince of Peace Welcomes Pastor Sarah FikeSpecial Congregational Meeting (8/24 & 8/25): Letter of Call for Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation