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Gettin' Our Groove On

From my first Sunday at Peace some 15 months ago, I knew I had landed in a vibrant, warm and welcoming community of faith, welded together by God’s Spirit and pursuing a shared mission to love, encourage and serve the greater community. There is absolutely something unique, something God-driven and Spirit-infused about this family we call Peace. Back in the 1970’s, our founding mothers and fathers dreamt, planned, fundraised and built this little outpost of God’s Kingdom well, and I have no doubt they would be pleased to know who we’ve become and what we’re about some 50 years later. On the surface, the focus of this capital campaign could seem rather dull. Repairing bricks and air conditioners? Fixing a parking lot? Paying off our mortgage debt? Ho-hum… But our reality cannot be ignored. We are a growing, thriving congregation with an aging facility and infrastructure. Just consider the outreach and ministry that utilizes our facility and parking lot Wednesday night education, Tuesday’s Table, Sunday worship and weekly youth events, Christ Care groups, funerals and weddings, confirmation classes, Sunday School and adult education. And in our mission to serve our community we host a cadre of groups including AA, Scouts, Red Cross Blood Drives and the Coffee House Fiddlers, just to name a few. For SO many who are both inside and outside our community, Peace has and continues to offer a sweet welcome and the Good News of our gracious God. In the spirit of our ‘70s beginnings, we are most certainly “stellar” in our ministry, “far out” in our mission, and for these last 50 years, Peace has definitely been…“the bomb!” Now it’s our turn to invest in the future. Please join us in this effort that, TOGETHER, we can make these repairs, implement these important improvements and reflect the spirit of our founding parents. May this little outpost of God’s Kingdom called Peace continue to keep all these God-given “good vibes” going for generations to come.

Shine on

Pastor Todd Mattson

The Peace Council has set a minimum goal for the Peacing Together Campaign of$750,000 but research has shown that we have the capacity to reach (and even exceed) the stretch goal of $950,000. In line with Peace's mission and vision, the monies raised during this campaign will be used to support the Spirit's work in our community in the following areas:

Peacing Together

Love

Maintenance of our building

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Encourage

Mortgage Reduction

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Serve

The Mission of Peace

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Love

The Maintenance of our Building

Together, the people of Peace are committed to the love and care of our spacious building--facilities that not only serve the work of the congregation, but welcome the entire community. During the past several years, a piece-meal list of capital repairs and improvements has accumulated into a total estimate of $400,000 -$425,000. The projects that our Church Council has prioritized for funding as funds are available include:
  • Repairing and painting the steeple
  • Remodeling the kitchen and replacing the dishwasher
  • Resurfacing parking lots and replacing lights with LED
  • Repairing brick and stucco
  • Replacing several air conditioning units
  • Renovating several classrooms for our new preschool ministry
  • Purchasing an electronic welcome sign

Encourage

Mortgage Reduction

Together, the people of Peace are encouraged and ready to reduce the amount owed for the 2006 investment in our new sanctuary. We are encouraged by the opportunity to direct monthly mortgage payments to vital ministries once the mortgage is reduced. As of September 30, 2022, the congregation's mortgage balance totals $489,480. Though the congregational operating budget can adequately handle current monthly payments of $3500, many members have a heartfelt desire to lift the burden of any congregational debt from future generations.

Together, the people of Peace are encouraged and ready to reduce the amount owed for the 2006 investment in our new sanctuary. We are encouraged by the opportunity to direct monthly mortgage payments to vital ministries once the mortgage is reduced. As of September 30, 2022, the congregation's mortgage balance totals $489,480. Though the congregational operating budget can adequately handle current monthly payments of $3500, many members have a heartfelt desire to lift the burden of any congregational debt from future generations.

Serve

The Mission of Peace

Together, the people of Peace are committed to continue to serve our communities by being a tithing congregation. We give 10% to God's work in our community, through our church body, and around the world. While the congregation supports many ministry organizations each year through its general operating budget, this campaign gives us the unique opportunity to make a smaller number of larger gifts to ministry partners. Ten percent of all gifts to the campaign will be divided equally among three missions areas:

Local

Supporting food programs

Regional

Green Lake Lutheran Ministries

Global

Youth For Christ Moldova - Sheltering Ukrainian refugees

Simple Steps

For Making your Commitment

Consider Your Current Giving

Prayerfully consider your support for the day-to-day, year-round ministry of Peace Lutheran Church. Though this campaign is not inviting you to make a specific pledge for your regular offerings, the congregation depends on your continued and even increased unrestricted gifts. For more information on how you can set up an automated, recurring gift for your regular offerings, contact the church office.

Consider Your Campaign Gift

Consider what you are able to give, over and above your regular offerings, over the next three years. The following table illustrates the estimated number of gifts at various amounts that are needed in order to exceed our $750,000 minimum goal and reach our $950,000 challenge goal.

Decide How to Give

Determine the best way for you to make your best gift.

  • If you will be making gifts from your regular income, automated monthly gifts are the easiest way to “set it and forget it”.
  • If you have assets like stock, mutual funds, or a retirement fund, there are significant tax benefits for using these assets for gifting. For more information on these types of gifts, contact the church office.

Share your Commitment

Share your commitment in writing on a campaign intention form. Mail or bring it to worship on or before Commitment Sunday, November 20, 2022.

Make a Pledge

Download your campaign intention form. Mail or bring it to worship on or before Commitment Sunday, November 20, 2022.

Download Your Pledge Card

Leave a Legacy for Peace

Have you remembered Peace Lutheran Church in your will?
Many people include Peace in their estate plans because they care deeply about this ministry that has been so important to them and their family. When you update your will, trust, or asset beneficiaries, please consider including a gift for this family in Christ that is so important to you.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of our Peacing Together campaign?

The purpose of the campaign is to secure gifts and 3-year pledges to maintain our building and property, reduce our mortgage and support several of our mission partners with a tithe of all that is given.

What maintenance projects are included in the campaign?

The Church Council has prioritized the following projects at a total estimate of $400,000-$425,000:
  • repairing and painting the steeple
  • remodeling the kitchen and replacing the dishwasher
  • resurfacing parking lots and replacing lights with LED
  • repairing brick and stucco
  • replacing several air conditioning units
  • renovating several classrooms for our new preschool
  • purchasing an electronic welcome sign.

Is this list of projects prioritized in any specific way?

The Church Council has the responsibility for prioritizing the completion of each project based on campaign gift cash flow and the most urgent need.

Why aren’t the needed roof repairs included in this list?

Gratefully, the costs of our much needed roof repairs following last summer’s storms are being covered by insurance.

Will Peace be developing a commercial kitchen?

Because of a ‘grandfather clause’ in local laws, Peace is not required to have a commercial kitchen for its various uses. We are free to develop a high-functioning kitchen at a much lower cost than a regulation commercial kitchen requires.

What are the plans for resurfacing the parking lots?

As funding is available, our parking lots can be resurfaced in various stages. If enough funding is available, one of our lots is also in need of major regrading in order to direct water away from our buildings.

Tell me more about our new preschool ministry?

Peace Lutheran Church has contracted with Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar to provide a Loving Arms Preschool in our building. Loving Arms is an affordable faith-based program for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. Having this ministry in our building is a beautiful expression of this congregation’s mission to Love, Encourage and Serve, and also addresses a growing need in the community.

Presently, three of our classrooms in the northwest corner of the building require renovations to serve this age group. Peace is also pursuing available grant funding through the county for these improvements. Loving Arms will take up residence upon completion of this project.

What’s the status of our mortgage for the new sanctuary?

As of September 30, 2022, the congregation's mortgage balance totals $489,480. The mortgage was refinanced in recent years to an adjustable rate mortgage. Our current rate of 5.75% is fixed through January 2028.

Though the congregational operating budget can adequately handle current monthly payments of $3500, the Church Council and many members would like to see this debt eliminated so it’s not a burden on future generations.

If the congregation can reach or exceed its stretch goal of $950,000, much of the remaining debt can be significantly paid down over the next three years.

Why is maintaining my regular giving so important?

This congregation depends on your regular year-round gifts for 96% of its revenues. Fees for building use and activities account for the other 4%. Without these gifts, the day-to-day ministry of Peace isn’t possible.

This church needs your continued and increased ongoing support if we are going to continue to make an impact in this community. Please be generous in your commitment to the capital appeal, but do make a commitment that is over and above your regular giving to Peace.

What is the fundraising goal for Peacing Together?

Following an analysis of the congregation’s giving history and estimated capacity, the congregation unanimously adopted a minimum goal of $750,000 and a stretch goal of $950,000.

How long is the pledge payment period?

The congregation is inviting gifts and commitments over a three-year pledge payment period, beginning January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025.

How can I make my gift commitment?

Members will receive a campaign packet of material either at the church or by mail by November 1st. Volunteers will be reaching out by phone to answer any of your questions. On Commitment Sunday, November 20th, you are invited to bring your commitment card to worship. If you are not going to be at worship that week, we ask that you mail or bring your commitment card to the church prior to November 20th.

May I make an upfront gift yet this calendar year?

Yes! Gifts are needed now and in the next 2 months to fund some of the most pressing priorities. Your gift before the end of the year may also provide significant tax advantages.

May I contribute assets other than cash?

The church can accept your gifts of appreciated stock, securities, mutual funds, Qualified Charitable Distributions from your IRA, certificates of deposit, gifts of crops, and other assets that are easily converted to cash. Many of these assets can be given with additional tax benefits to the donor. You may contact Gail at the church office for more information at (320) 354-2774.

How do I set up automated payments on my pledge?

There are 3 different options for setting up an automated payment on your pledge:
Option 1: The church office can set it up for you. Just fill out a form, provide a voided check, and Gail will do the rest.
Option 2: Your bank can set it up. Just contact your bank and ask for instructions on setting up an electronic funds transfer.
Option 3: You can set it up yourself at the church’s online donation page at www.peacenewlondon.org/give.

May I leave a legacy gift for Peace Lutheran Church?

A growing number of people are including Peace in their will because they care deeply about this ministry that has been so important to them and their family. Though legacy gifts cannot be counted as gifts toward this campaign, we are beginning legacy gift conversations as a part of this campaign with hopes that people will consider including the Peace Lutheran Church Endowment as a beneficiary of their plans.

As the Peace Lutheran Church Endowment grows, the distributions from that fund provide a consistent, reliable, permanent revenue stream for the church and its mission. For more information about the endowment fund and including the church in your estate plans, contact the church office.

What if we don’t reach our goal before the end of the year?

This campaign will be a congregational priority for the next three years. The Stewardship Committee at Peace will continue to encourage and invite support for the campaign over the next three years so that the goals can be achieved, pledges can be fulfilled, and projects can be completed. New members will be invited to participate. Some members who may not be able to participate now will have a future opportunity to do so. Others who give or pledge now may be willing and able to contribute more in the future.

How do I decide how much to give?

Our Biblical understanding of stewardship compels us to think about giving our tithes and offerings as a proportion of all that God has given to us. Every member of this church is invited to prayerfully consider a commitment of their income and/or assets that represents their best over-and-above gift for this time.

The following table illustrates the number and size of gifts needed to achieve the $950,000 stretch goal.
Monthly Amount 3-Year Total # Needed Total Needed
$2,778 $100,000 1 $100,000
$1,389 $50,000 2 $100,000
$694 $25,000 6 $150,000
$540 $15,000 12 $180,000
$278 $10,000 15 $150,000
$139 $5,000 25 $125,000
$69 $2,500 25 $62,500
$42 $1,500 25 $37,500
$28 $1,000 25 $25,000
$14 $500 25 $12,500
$8 $300 25 $7,500
TOTAL 186 $950,000

Need more information?

For more information, contact the church office by phone or email:

(320) 354-2774

[email protected]

100 4th Avenue Southwest

P.O. Box 286

New London, MN 56273

(320) 354-2774

[email protected]

Copyright © 2023 Peace Lutheran Church

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