From the Pastor
Recently, after a worship service, someone said to me: You must have
taken voice lessons. Your singing has REALLY improved! I thanked her, but
then told her I wasn’t singing at all. It is Paul Olson who is leading our
liturgy. I’m just standing at the altar while his wonderful voice fills the
sanctuary. It made me think that I should work on my lip synching a little
more, and then I would be given all kinds of credit for something I am not
doing!
That makes me think of our accessibility project, and the funding appeal
that is currently in place. All kinds of people are doing all kinds of work,
and it really shows the strength of the congregation—people sharing their
gifts of leadership, commitment, energy, and what I call “applied faith.”
These next few weeks are certainly going to be interesting—and
significant—in the life of VOP. The economic news in the papers and on TV is
certainly not encouraging, and we are struggling more than usual in our
operating budget at VOP (see elsewhere in the Voice for our financial
update). At the same time, we are witnessing positive energy, and hearing
messages of hope and possibility as we proceed with the funding appeal. Time
will tell how those disparate forces interact. How we respond will determine
how far we can go with this project. Given our current operating budget
struggles, it does not seem advisable to add further debt, so it seems
prudent to take on as much of the project as the funding appeal allows.
We are indebted to our fellow members who have devoted themselves to making
the appeal a success. It is inspiring to see the energy, the commitment, and
the attention to detail that these volunteers bring to their part of the
project.
As we prepare for the informational gatherings on Tuesday, May 6 and
Wednesday, May 7, I urge you to adjust your schedule so that you can attend
one of them. These gatherings will offer a chance to not only receive
further information, but, perhaps more importantly, to ask your questions
and talk with others about the challenges and the possibilities before us.
I am under no illusions about this project. To reach our goal, it will take
the best effort of each one of us. If we can each give our best effort,
whatever that might be, we can hold our head up high, and celebrate what we
are able to do.
Give your best effort, and we’ll move forward in the mission we share at
Valley of Peace. I look forward to seeing you at one of the gatherings:
Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 PM in the Choir Room
Wednesday, May 7 at 11:00 AM in the Choir Room
Wednesday, May 7 at 5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall
John Hallin, Pastor
763-588-4611 ext 12
jhallin@valleyofpeace.org