What do we believe in?
We believe in God's continuing testament. This is why we are committed to hearing God's ancient story anew and afresh in our lives and in the world today. We try to remain attentive to God's creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and your head and your heart are both welcomed into our places of worship. We prepare our members and leaders to be engaged in ministry in the present and the future church, and we embrace all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking. Why? Because God is still speaking! For more information on our theological heritage, please take a look at our parent website (www.ucc.org - Statement of Faith) or review this short course.
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Church Staff:
- Rev. Eric Kirkegaard, Pastor, Email: pastor@peace-ucc.org
- Rev. Bill Wiederanders, Minister of Visitation
- Kathy Danielson, Administrative Assistant, Email: kdanielson@peace-ucc.org
- Gayle VanEss, President of the Congregation
- Diane Swanson, Church Secretary, Email: office@peace-ucc.org
- Lori Baker, Church Sexton
- Larry Ammel, Choir Director
- Margaret McFadden, Organist and Choir Director
- Sherry McElhatton, Organist and Children's Choir Director
- Joan Adler, Care and Connections Ministry, Email: care@peace-ucc.org
- Prayer Chain Ministry, Email: prayers@peace-ucc.org
Peace Church Is A “Safe Sanctuary”… What does that mean?
Perhaps you have read the term “safe sanctuary” in church literature and wondered what it means. At the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference UCC, a resolution was passed encouraging all congregations to develop guidelines to become a safe place where children and adults could learn, interact and live together in faith. These guidelines would also help protect children, youth, employees and volunteers from misconduct. Since that time, Peace Church has performed a self-evaluation and has declared itself a Safe Sanctuary, developing and implementing a policy which demonstrates its absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all people. As a Christian community of faith and UCC congregation, Peace Church stands firm its commitment to the inherant worth of all individuals, and encourages all persons to keep their hearts open, treating everyone with dignity and respect. If you ever see behavior that causes you concern, please report it.
Presently, persons who wish to work with children or youth, including Sunday school, VBS, and confirmation teachers, nursery attendants, event chaperones, and trip chaperones, complete a volunteer application, and submit to criminal background checks and reference checks. Individuals also sign a ministry covenant statement, affirming their commitment to all Safe Sanctuary policies.
The Safe Sanctuary Committee has completed its review of all Safe Sanctuary Policy documents, which seek to preserve Peace Church as a holy place of safety and protection for all who would enter, and as a place in which all people can experience the love of God through relationships with others. Statements printed in the bulletin and newsletter, posted throughout the building and appearing on the Peace UCC website reflect this faithful pledge.
To see what we have been up to at Peace UCC, please click on the following newsletter links below:
February 2012 "Tidings"
December 2011/January 2012 "Tidings"
November 2011 "Tidings"
October 2011 "Tidings"
September 2011 "Tidings"
August 2011 "Tidings"