NEWS BLOG
27
Jan '23
Looking Ahead
27
Jan '23
Below are some dates to pencil in for exciting things coming up…though details are still being finalized.
The Talent Show & Chili Cook-Off
Date is yet to be finalized, but we are planning toward the weekend of February 17-19. Dust off your talents and your crock pots!
Lent!
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. As we have in the past, we will worship on both Wednesdays and Sundays through the season. Details will come soon about our Wednesday evening gatherings…but one thing we look forward to is returning to meal fellowship as part of our time together!
CROP Hunger Walk
This date is also still being finalized…but you can pencil in April 30 for now. More to come.
Vacation Bible School!
With support from Lutherhill Camp Staff, we are excited for the return of in person VBS. Whether you have a child who may participate, want to invite others, or want to volunteer, please pencil in June 19-23!
27
Jan '23
HCCM Needs
27
Jan '23
Hill Country Community Ministries (HCCM ) served 91,000 neighbors in need for 2022. The pantry has a continuous need for hygiene products. Please prayerfully consider adding to your grocery cart : shampoo, lotion, tooth paste, bar of soap, or toilet paper and bring those to Peace. Another way of giving is through a monetary donation.
Thanks for your consideration to our neighbors in need.
25
Jan '23
Covid Risk Low
25
Jan '23
We are so grateful that COVID community levels returned to Low quickly after the holidays – most of all because we know it means that fewer of our neighbors are sick and that our health care workers are less burdened. It also means our on campus protocols are much more flexible, for which we also give thanks.
Masking remains optional for small groups and public gatherings at Low. We continue to invite everyone to consult health agencies and their doctors to do what is right for you to stay healthy and safe. And please, screen yourself for symptoms of illness, and stay home if you think you may be sick. We will be glad to connect with you online until you are better. If there is anything more we can do to support you, please feel free to be in touch.
Masking remains optional for small groups and public gatherings at Low. We continue to invite everyone to consult health agencies and their doctors to do what is right for you to stay healthy and safe. And please, screen yourself for symptoms of illness, and stay home if you think you may be sick. We will be glad to connect with you online until you are better. If there is anything more we can do to support you, please feel free to be in touch.
20
Jan '23
Texas Legislature in Session
20
Jan '23
This week the 88th Texas Legislative session began. If you are interested in how faith and public life intersect and would like to learn more about interacting with the legislative process, there are multiple opportunities to do so this session in collaboration with Texas Impact.
First, is a legislative action event co-sponsored by the United Methodist Women, January 29-31 Participation is $180. Registration and schedule details can be found at: https://texasimpact.org/event/texas-united-women-in- faith-legislative-event-2023/
Second is Texas Impact’s Interfaith Advocacy Days, which will take place over Presidents’ Day Weekend – February 19-21. Registration details will be posted shortly.
If you are interested in joining other Peace members for one of these events, feel free to email office@peaceaustin.org, and we will help coordinate group participation.
First, is a legislative action event co-sponsored by the United Methodist Women, January 29-31 Participation is $180. Registration and schedule details can be found at: https://texasimpact.org/
Second is Texas Impact’s Interfaith Advocacy Days, which will take place over Presidents’ Day Weekend – February 19-21. Registration details will be posted shortly.
If you are interested in joining other Peace members for one of these events, feel free to email office@peaceaustin.org, and we will help coordinate group participation.
Read more...
20
Jan '23
Lutherans Restoring Creation
20
Jan '23
Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
There are opportunities to read / watch / listen and discuss ways that our congregations, synods and national church can serve God through creation-care. Online events including film screenings are available throughout each month.
Visit https://lutheransrestoringcreation. org/ to learn more.
There are opportunities to read / watch / listen and discuss ways that our congregations, synods and national church can serve God through creation-care. Online events including film screenings are available throughout each month.
Visit https://
13
Jan '23
Covid Level Medium
13
Jan '23
Current COVID Level Medium – Please Take Precautions
Austin Public Health and the CDC have moved Travis and Williamson Counties to the Medium Level of viral spread.
At Peace, our Regathering Task Force and Council have continually reviewed the changing landscape of community health and the healthcare interventions available to shape our protocols, in conversation with the values of our faith. Most recently, we have asked that, at Medium, everyone at public and larger gatherings at the church campus (like Sunday worship) wear a mask to be in solidarity with the most vulnerable and create extra layers of protection.
Read more...
01
Dec '22
Christmas Worship 2022
01
Dec '22
Celebrating Holidays with Peace Lutheran Church
Welcome to the New Church Year! Here is a brief guide to our season’s worship opportunities:
Sundays in Advent
10:00 am November 27 – December 18
During the season of Advent, we reflect on the genealogy of Jesus and the whole people of God, from generation to generation. Our space will be set up a little differently, and we’ll be reflecting on our many gifts and God’s people in various ways.
Read more...
23
Nov '22
Messiah Dec 4th
23
Nov '22
The Peace Lutheran Church choir will be collaborating with the St. Michael’s Episcopal choir, and several professional singers and instrumentalists to sing Part I of George Frederic Handel’s iconic oratorio The Messiah.
Everyone is invited to the performance on Sunday Dec. 4th at 5:00 pm. The location is St. Michael’s Episcopal Church 1500 N. Capital of TX Hwy. Austin, 78746
Please come out to hear this amazing piece of music, and to support your choir!
24
Oct '22
Rutter’s Requiem
24
Oct '22
The combined choirs from Peace Lutheran Church and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church will present John Rutter’s REQUIEM
Sunday November 6th
5:00 pm
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
1500 N. Capital of Texas Highway
Austin, TX 78746
Sunday November 6th
5:00 pm
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
1500 N. Capital of Texas Highway
Austin, TX 78746
24
Oct '22
All Saints Sunday
24
Oct '22
Honoring the Saints – Gathering of Names
All Saints Sunday is approaching. On November 6, we will be honoring the saints who have gone before us, particularly those who have died in this past year. You will find the Book of Remembrance by the baptismal font in these weeks preceding our All Saints observance, and you are invited to write the names of the saints you remember and honor this year…or send an email to office@peaceaustin.org if you would like us to write a name or names on your behalf.
24
Oct '22
Reformation Sunday
24
Oct '22
Reformation Worship – October 30!
On October 30 we celebrate the Reformation…and our worship will have many special moments.
We will have a Bible Blessing. If you wish to bring your Bible to church to be blessed, please do. If you or a new reader in your life needs a Bible, we would love to bless and gift you one. Please let us know, and we’ll have one ready.
We will have a Bible Blessing. If you wish to bring your Bible to church to be blessed, please do. If you or a new reader in your life needs a Bible, we would love to bless and gift you one. Please let us know, and we’ll have one ready.
Read more...
15
Oct '22
Holiday Meal Drive
15
Oct '22
Hill Country Community Ministries( HCCM) Holiday Meal Drive
* Update: We exceeded our goal of 500 cans of green beans, sending 622 cans of beans, plus peaches, and $460 in cash to HCCM. Thanks for supporting our neighbors in need!
Hill Country Community Ministries (HCCM) has seen a 22% increase in clients in 2022. Sunday, October 1st kicks off the Holiday Meal Drive.
Read more...
17
Sep '22
Book Club Update
17
Sep '22
In October the book club is reading The Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen. In November, the club is reading Last Dance on the Starlight Pier. Both historical novels are by local author, Sarah Bird. Sarah Bird is presenting and answering questions at our November meeting on Thursday, November 10th at 1:30 via Zoom.
Read more...
20
Aug '22
Covid Prototols
20
Aug '22
Current COVID Protocols – Low Spread Means Masking Options Are Back!
In light of Low community transmission rates of COVID, we can return to the protocols previously approved by the Regathering Task Force and Council. Individuals may now choose whether to wear a mask or not at church events, including larger, public gatherings like Sunday worship. This also means that shared food and beverages can return to our indoor spaces.
Read more...
11
Aug '22
Fall Program Kickoff
11
Aug '22
Kicking Off the Program Year!
Fall Sunday Schedule
As we live into the transitions of this season, here are some things you will notice at church:
– The circle of Godly Play & Big Church are coming closer to each other. Our space and stories for forming faith with children are coming into the embrace of our big church space for a time. This will allow folks of all generations to be formed by our stories and the presence of children.
– The Sunday schedule will have a rippling circle of gatherings. The Sunday schedule will be something like this:
Read more...
04
Aug '22
Rally Day & Backpack Blessing
04
Aug '22
As we prepare for a new program year, we invite everyone to a special worship service on August 14 giving thanks for the many ministry programs of Peace. Our worship service this Sunday will be familiar, but our space will be a bit different…as we sit “family style” and have table centerpieces celebrating our faith family’s many ways of sharing God’s love with the world. All are also invited to bring a bag or backpack for a special blessing…whether students, teachers, workers, crafters, or anything in between…
04
Aug '22
School Supply Drive 2022
04
Aug '22
Wow! This year has seen the largest financial donation ever to the school supply drive. Our congregation raised $1115 for the students and teachers of Anderson Mill Elementary. Anderson Mill Elementary is a Title 1 school meaning that more than half of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch. If you are able please consider staying after church this Sunday, August 7th for the blessing of the supplies and for their assembly into grade level bags. Any excess funds will go towards purchase of disinfectant wipes and tissue for teachers to use in their classrooms during the year. The supplies will be delivered to the school on the morning of August 9th.
Read more...
23
Jul '22
Austin Pride Aug 20, 2022
23
Jul '22
The Austin area RIC congregations are planning on joining together again to celebrate Pride this year, after two years of cancellations. We’ll be at the festival from 11 am to 6 pm, and marching in the parade at 8 pm.
If you are interested in taking a shift at the festival booth or contributing to preparations, sign up here.
If you want details and to sign up for the parade, click here.
We’re so excited to be back at Pride, and excited to have you as part of it!
09
Jul '22
Welcome Our Summer Preachers
09
Jul '22
In July, we will have a number of guest preachers join us in worship. On July 17, Seminarian and Austinite Cecie Suknaic Saulnier will be with us, and we will have a Service of the Word. We will celebrate communion on July 24 & 31. July 24, we will be joined by Rev. Lea Walker-Clark, the pastor of the new multi-ethnic mission grounded in East Austin, Palabra de Vida. And on July 31, the Pastor of Technicolor Ministries, Rev. Katy Miles-Wallace, will be with us. Please come and enjoy the rich good news they will share and welcome them into our community!
04
Jul '22
Peace Member joins HCCM Board
04
Jul '22
We give thanks for the invaluable services and care offered to our neighbors through Hill Country Community Ministries, and we are blessed to be able to partner with them. We also give thanks that there will again be a Peace member on the HCCM Board. Jan Massa begins serving a two-year term as board member this summer. You are invited to offer Jan and HCCM your congratulations and prayers for the work ahead!
03
Jul '22
Book Club News
03
Jul '22
Peace’s book club, Peace’s Perpetual Page-Turners, always welcomes new members. If you are interested in joining or want further information email us. We meet the 2nd Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. We continue to meet via Zoom, although we eventually will have some in-person gatherings. Our reading list for the remainder of the year:
Read more...
02
Jul '22
Covid Protocols – Navigating the Back & Forth
02
Jul '22
COVID rates remain elevated, so we remain in the Medium phase of the APH and CDC staging system. This means we continue wearing masks in worship and holding fellowship outdoors only, when the weather allows.
Read more...
15
May '22
Crawfish Boil June 5
15
May '22
Come celebrate Pentecost and Confirmation and New Members Sunday, June 5 at the Peace Crawfish Boil! We’ll have a boil of crawfish, shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, onion and mushrooms served with baguette bread. There will also be hotdogs, chips, and macaroni and cheese, as well as tea and lemonade to drink. Tickets are $10 adult, $25 Family Maximum, $2 for children or non-crawfish eaters. Tickets can be purchased in person after service on May 15, May 22, and May 29. For online purchase sign up here.
14
May '22
Ripples of Covid
14
May '22
The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects upended our lives, are still upending our lives, and will continue to affect us long into the future. Whether it was health issues, stress related to staying healthy, physical distancing, meetings on Zoom, new ways to teach and learn, loss of loved ones, changes in jobs, the struggles to return to what seems normal…. Well, you get the point—the pandemic was, is, and is to be stressful. Stephen Ministers are able to listen and walk with you as you navigate the ongoing effects of the pandemic in whatever form it is.
If you feel the need for this kind of care or know someone who does and would like to learn more about Stephen Ministry, please email stephenministry@peaceaustin.org with your contact information or call the church office and a Stephen Leader will contact you.
During this period of social distancing, we can provide care by telephone, video conferencing, or other methods needed to maintain social distance. We can also arrange to meet in person safely.
During this period of social distancing, we can provide care by telephone, video conferencing, or other methods needed to maintain social distance. We can also arrange to meet in person safely.
13
May '22
Summer Food Drive
13
May '22
Hill County Community Ministry ( HCCM ) Summer food drive.
Summer is rapidly approaching and the needs at HCCM continue. The focus for May, June, and July will be jelly, tooth brushes and tooth paste. Why pick these items? Jelly is always needed! During the summer more children are at home and a simple self sufficient meal / snack is peanut butter and jelly. Tooth brushes and tooth paste are low inventory at HCCM, too. I always feel 100% prepared for the day after I brush my teeth. Please consider bringing these items with you and add them to the basket located in the narthex. You can also give online and choose HCCM from the dropdown menu. Thanks in advance for helping our neighbors in need.
Summer is rapidly approaching and the needs at HCCM continue. The focus for May, June, and July will be jelly, tooth brushes and tooth paste. Why pick these items? Jelly is always needed! During the summer more children are at home and a simple self sufficient meal / snack is peanut butter and jelly. Tooth brushes and tooth paste are low inventory at HCCM, too. I always feel 100% prepared for the day after I brush my teeth. Please consider bringing these items with you and add them to the basket located in the narthex. You can also give online and choose HCCM from the dropdown menu. Thanks in advance for helping our neighbors in need.