Author Archive


5/24/23:  Stewardship

While we Consecrate our pledges on June 4th, you may feel free to turn yours in at any time—leave it in the plate, mail it in, or fill in the online card https://ashlandpeacechurch.org/make-a-pledge/ On June 4th, I will bring the bundle of pledges I have received to be consecrated with all of the others. We »

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5/17/23: Budgets

Some on Council expressed concern that “budgets” were presented by Stewardship. Council has not been a part of any discussion on budgets—yet! On reflection, I should have been more clear—these were scenarios—what if’s, not budgets. So if you, too, were confused about the wild cuts that were presented as the “bare bones” “budget”, my apologies »

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5/10/23: Flags 

At the Quarterly meeting on April 23, Fred led a conversation about who decides which flags are flown outside the building. He suggested that the congregation should vote on this so our actions are intentional and we live out the representation of the flags. For instance, the church voted to become Open & Affirming some »

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5/3/23: How Change Happens

How Change Happens by Karen McClintock Some weeks back we let people know that when our staff (Tege, Wendy, Karl, Fred) are in worship on Sunday mornings this isn’t a good time to bring up office or meeting issues. So now, people are going up to them and saying, “I know I shouldn’t bother you »

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4/26/23: Leadership

Council asked Connie Alexander and Don Seebart to be our Nominating Committee. Tege, Fred and myself first looked through the directory and came up with names we thought might fit well—and Connie & Don did the phone calling. At any point, if someone wanted to throw their hat in the ring, we would have gladly »

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4/19/23: Quarterly Meeting, 4/23/23

We are a Congregational Church, which means that we, as Church, make decisions together and learn what is going on when we meet quarterly. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. Between these meetings, the Church Council is our decision-making body. For this meeting, besides the regular business of Finances, etc., there are no decisions »

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4/12/23: Personal Connections

Karen has heard that one of the things we want in this church is deep personal connections. I know there is room for improvement, but there are a number of existing opportunities for personal connections: The second Monday of every month, the men gather at the church for a pot luck, conversation, and a program. »

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4/5/23: Here’s What You’ve Told Us

Here’s What You’ve Told Us Our Consultant, Rev. Dr. Karen McClintock, and her Self-study Team (Kari Gies, Hannah Horn, Becky Martin, Leslie Stone, Sandy Theis, Laurie True) have gathered a lot of data about the church’s present, past, and future.  They are excited to share this information with everyone!  The first look at the materials »

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3/29/23: Justice & Witness & Volunteers

3/29/23 BLOG: Justice & Witness AND Volunteers Fred had an energetic and well-fed group or 21 come together to talk about a new model for doing Justice & Witness.  This vision considered limited project areas to focus on, one being our Refuge family, the Tatarenkos; come together perhaps quarterly for a pot luck and sharing »

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3/22/23: Listening Posts News (by Karen McClintock)

People are asking, “When will we get the results from the Listening Posts?” Data from 76 participants at 12 group meetings has been collated and is being interpreted by our consultant Rev. Dr. Karen McClintock and the Self-study Team of Laurie True, Sandy Theis, Becky Martin, Kari Gies, Hannah Horn, and Leslie Stone. Six questions »

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