Celebrate Black Voices and Honor the Black Experience
"The Black History Month 2023 theme, “Black Resistance,” explores how "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms and police killings," since the nation's earliest days" (History.com).
Recommended Reading
When people ask me for book recommendations, there are two books that I always include with what I recommend.
Charles County Public Library has an extensive resource page available for Black History Month that includes book, movie and music recommendations that cover a broad range of themes associated with the importance of this month and the honoring of black voices and the black experience year-round. I also recommend checking out the resources available through PG County Library.
Pastor's Schedule
Pastor Eric will be out of town beginning Wednesday, February 8 and will return February 18. Rev. Laurie Gates-Ward, pastor at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, is available for emergency pastoral care needs (301-843-6797).
The Rev. Brian Taylor will be guest pastor on Sunday, February 12.
Breeze Transition
Our transition to BreezeCHMS is underway, and members should have received a stewardship envelope in the mail with a letter from Pastor Eric, a 2023 pledge card, and information about shifting recurring giving to the Breeze platform. Additionally, members with email addresses on file should have received an email invitation to activate your Breeze profile on Monday, February 6. If you have not received your email invitation, please check your email client's spam folder.
Don't forget to download the Breeze app to your smartphone! From your preferred app App Store, search "Breeze" or "Breeze ChMS". Look for the following:
Example. Breeze ChMS
iOS • Apple App Store
Example. Breeze ChMS
Android • Google Play
Recurring Gifts with Breeze
When you set up your regular donation with Breeze, you can use any major credit card or submit your bank account information for ACH transactions. Donors should choose the option to cover the transaction charge to help Peace Lutheran Church save more and direct more money toward mission and ministry.
Looking to modify your recurring giving? If you have access to Breeze and your gift was not future dated you can see and manage your recurring gift. If you future dated the start date of a recurring gift, you will need to reach out to an admin at the church and ask them to make changes. Once the future date of your gift has passed, you'll be able to manage your recurring gift through your account.
Need help or have additional questions? Check out the Breeze knowledge base here.
Generosity Sunday - Blessing of the Pledges
Remember to keep your pledge cards until Sunday, February 26th, when we will have a pledge blessing. Your pledge card serves as your declaration of purpose to support the mission and ministry of Peace Lutheran Church, and it assists the financial secretaries, treasurer, and council with financial planning. Pledges do not transfer over from year to year, but they can be changed throughout the year based on your circumstances. We'll have extra pledge cards on hand Sunday, February 26.
Safe Nights Needs Your Help!
Beginning on February 26th, Peace Lutheran Church will host Safe Nights. We need volunteers to help prepare and serve meals, as well as in other areas, to help make our guests feel at home and to support the mission. To enlist, send an email to safenights@myplc.org. We appreciate this year's Safe Nights coordinators, Anna Barba, Cindy McCallam, and Earle Knapp, who are working tirelessly to get us ready to host our neighbors.
True Earth Fundraising Update
Help support Peace's mission and ministry by shopping at https://fundraising.tru.earth/myplc
Lent 2023 Schedule
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner & Prayer Service
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. - Fellowship Hall
Ash Wednesday Midday Worship Service (Reflect & Renew)
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Piney Church Road, Waldorf, MD
Join Mother Maria Kane and Pastor Eric Randolph for a midday Ash Wednesday worship service with imposition of ashes and holy communion.
Ash Wednesday Evening Worship Service (Reflect & Renew)
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Smallwood Drive, Waldorf, MD
Peace Lutheran Church joins Good Shepherd UMC, Calvary UMC, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church for an evening Ash Wednesday worship service with imposition of ashes and holy communion.
Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday)
Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Peace Lutheran Church, Smallwood Drive, Saint Charles, MD
Maundy Thursday Soup Dinner Church
Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Recalling the ancient practice of gathering in homes for worship and a shared meal, Peace will hold Soup Dinner Church on Maundy Thursday with washing and holy communion. More details coming soon.
Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Vigil)
Saturday, April 8, 2023 at TBD
Hope Lutheran Church, Coventry Way, Clinton, MD
Join Pastor Eric Ferret and Pastor Eric Randolph for the solemn vigil of the Resurrection of Our Lord at Hope Lutheran Church in Clinton, MD.
Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Sunday)
Sunday, April 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
Easter Sunday worship will include traditional worship elements with a brass quartet accompaniment.