Who We Are
Peace United Church of Christ is under the umbrella of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ, located in Minneapolis MN. All United Church of Christ churches in Minnesota are connected through the Minnesota Conference. To learn more about the Minnesota Conference, visit their website.
Peace United Church of Christ is part of the United Church of Christ denomination. Corporate headquarters are located in Cleveland, OH. To learn more about our conference, visit their website.
In September 2006, Peace United Church of Christ voted to become an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation. Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. You can learn more about the ONA Coalition but visiting this web site: https://openandaffirming.org/
In September 2017, Peace United Church of Christ approved a resolution to provide physical refuge for those in the community facing deportation orders, also known as becoming a Sanctuary Church. More information regarding Sanctuary Church can be found via this web site: https://www.sanctuarynotdeportation.org/
What We Believe
WE ARE “a safe and inclusive church living God’s radical message” WE LIVE God’s radical message by:
- Embracing All
- Building Community
- Growing Faith
- Transforming Lives
WE EMBODY the Core Values of Peace United Church of Christ:
- Provides a vibrant, supportive community of faith, fellowship and fun for all
- Shares the word of God and spreads the love of Christ
- Offers dynamic, relevant, thought provoking and joyful worship
- Takes the Bible seriously yet not always literally
- Welcomes diversity of thought, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age and religious affiliation
- Advocates social justice for all
- Supports the faith journey of individuals in all stages of life
- Nurtures the energy and inquisitiveness of children and youth
- Honors the wisdom and dedication of seniors
- Embraces families in all forms into a new family of faith
- Celebrates the authenticity of each individual
- Dares to take bold risks
Peace United Church of Christ celebrates God’s Still Speaking Word. Our messages inspire and challenge us to connect scripture and faith as it relates to issues in our daily lives, and the wider community and world around us. Our rich diversity of music inspires us and opens our hearts God’s inspiration. Our love and affirmation for all people creates a dynamic family who are called to serve and share in the world. We encourage members to experience the Spirit no matter how they look or what they wear. Prayers for our world and community (with an opportunity to lift up your own special prayer request), and a special time focused with children in mind are shared each Sunday.
CELEBRATING CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
It is our belief that children and youth are the church of today and openly welcome them in our worship services. It is our desire that families will worship together and use available opportunities to discuss the Scripture lesson, worship experiences, and their involvement in the Christian community as they go about their daily lives.
PEACE PRAYER SPACE
A special table is set up front on the right side of the sanctuary with activities for busy hands. This space also provides families a good view of the service and music to get involved in worship together. We encourage you to sit up close and talk about what is happening and how it affects you personally. If you have questions about any particular section of service, please speak with a pastor.
CELEBRATING COMMUNION
Communion is served the first Sunday of each month at our worship services. All are welcome to partake of the bread and cup at Christ’s table.
DURING THE SUMMER, WE WILL HAVE ONE BLENDED SERVICE @ 9a (2nd Sunday of the Month will be Contemporary Worship only)
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP – SUNDAY MORNINGS @ 8:30a (starting Sept 8, 2019)
The 8:30 am service is more traditional with a combination of old and new songs, presented in a variety of ways (from classical to jazz) to lift up the diversity of our worshiping communities. Our Choir of Peace, The Bells of Peace, Choir Ensembles, and individual special music offerings provide a beautiful backdrop to our worship. The service does provide a more traditional feel and provides beautiful liturgy throughout the service.
DURING THE SUMMER, WE WILL HAVE ONE BLENDED SERVICE @ 9a (2nd Sunday of the Month will be Contemporary Worship only)
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP – SUNDAY MORNINGS @ 11:00A (starting Sept 8, 2019)
The Contemporary Service is lively, energetic and joyful. It is a big family celebration. Contemporary music (including secular songs) centers our service around a common theme for the day. Our ONEVOICE Praise Band and ONEVOICE Singers provide incredible music worship leadership for this service, bringing inspiration for all. This service is much more informal and provides a wonderful opportunity to gather in an informal setting.
Children are always WELCOME at Peace! You are welcome to bring your children, of all ages, to worship services with you. We strongly encourage their participation in our worship.
To provide support to our families with young children, we have several opportunities of engagement in worship.
Along with the Peace Prayer Place, Busy Bags, are also available at the back of the Sanctuary with other activities to take back to the pews to enjoy with your family during the service.
If you would prefer a bigger space to move, The Wiggle Room (Nursery), just outside the Sanctuary is available for families every Sunday. The Wiggle Room, is a place for families to engage with age appropriate toys and activities for infants to age three. You are welcome to come into this room to engage with your children during the worship and still be able to listen to service through a speaker on the wall, take a break from service, or find a quiet place to feed your child. We encourage families to attend worship with their children, but also make a point to provide assistance to those who would prefer to drop young children off and attend worship service alone. If you need assistance, please speak with a pastor or a council member.
Katie, our nursery staff, brings a wealth of child development experience, and education to our nursery. Parents, congregants and youth in middle and high school youth volunteer on a rotating basis to assist her.
We ask that all children have a Faith Formation Enrollment Form filled out. This can be found via our web site (under forms).
*In order to assure the safety of our children and youth, all adult volunteers have been cleared through a background check and have signed our Safe Church policies.
Wiggle Room Wish List If you have anything to donate, please drop them off at the Welcome Desk:
- Cause effect toys
- Toys that have dials, switches, knobs
- Balls of different sizes (no super balls or ball small enough to fit in a toilet paper roll)
- Push or pull toys
- Large soft blocks
- Small table and chairs
- Large foam shapes for toddlers to climb
- Books
Mary KarlstadWedding Coordinator507-282-0006
Kari Ewest, PTNursery Staff507-282-6117
Our Staff
Mary KarlstadWedding Coordinator507-282-0006