Mary Deville: Sharing Our Musical Talents

My earliest memory of attending PLC was in my college days at Augie in the early 90s. Having grown up in a large, traditional church with stained-glass windows, gothic arches, and a massive pipe organ, the contemporary design and energetic pastor [Paul] were all things that intrigued me! Later that decade after moving to the west side of Sioux Falls and having a family of my own, I was drawn back here.

Initially I joined the choir, but shortly thereafter I started playing violin for various groups, and that has continued to be one of my favorite things to do here. From solos to large groups, I have made many friends along the way.

Since string music lends itself well to the contemplative sounds of Advent and Lent, I was one of the lucky ones who got to play for our first livestreamed service in the spring of 2020 (Covid years). On the flip side, the loud and lively music we play for Mariachi Sunday is always such a treat and welcome change of pace!

Not only do I love the challenge of learning new songs for worship, but I love the feedback I get from other congregation members. Hearing about the impact that the music had on them personally, whether it was soothing or perhaps just the thing they needed to hear that day, is what makes me feel like I’m making a difference.

One of my earliest childhood memories was learning about faith through Sunday School songs. Who can forget such classics like “I’ve got the Joy Joy Joy” or “This Little Light of Mine”? Music has always been a huge part of my personal faith journey, and I feel we are truly so fortunate to have such a strong program here with so many different ways for people to share their musical talents.

WELCA Outreach: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

When it comes to outreach at Peace, nobody does it quite as faithfully as our WELCA family.

“Teamwork makes the dream work!” several members said while rolling bandages, tying quilts, sorting hand-knitted hats, and packing hygiene kits. “There is always something for us to do,” Deb Patzlaff said. “Being involved in this church is so special. Our members are so giving and caring. Just look at the women here: everybody is doing something! Busy hands and good hearts.”

Deb shared some of the great ways that WELCA is serving our community at the moment.

In teamwork with the congregation at St. Dysmas (South Dakota State Penitentiary), our WELCA crew has been spreading love from the East to the West side of Sioux Falls. Starting at the end of October and continuing today, WELCA joined with members from the prison to share handmade hats with a wide variety of our schools, our veterans, and our local charities. In just these past few months, WELCA has distributed 427 caps across town to locations such as DAV (Disabled American Veterans), McCrossan’s Boys Ranch, the Ronald McDonald House, and middle schools including Axtell, George McGovern, and Edison.

Arlene Sorensen got the team together as a way to share warmth with our neighbors in need. Members of the St. Dysmas congregation make the hats, and WELCA distributes them to anyone who is in need. Deb even finds daily opportunities inside and outside church!

“My husband and I were at Avera for a medical appointment. Our driver said his ears were cold, so I offered him a hat. He chose one of the hats from our boxes and put it right on his head. The next time we saw him parking cars, he was wearing the hat! What a blessing!”

Along with the hats, WELCA has shared 39 pairs of mittens, 36 quilts, and countless other blessings to help those in need.

“People are so grateful. We have seen tears of gratitude from teachers, principles, and other community workers. We even hear words like ‘God bless you!’ from our neighbors. It’s so good to help out wherever we can.”

But it doesn’t end there. WELCA hosts regular outreach ministries all year long! Every woman from the church, no matter her age or ability level, is invited to participate in the following ministries: Funeral Committee (baking, serving, cleaning), Prayer Chain (email group), Prayer Shawl Ministry (knitting or crocheting shawls), Friends of the Library (organizing materials), Peace quilters (matching pieces, sewing, tying quilts, cutting bandages), Peace Meals (prepping frozen meals and donating canned goods), Peace Angels (volunteering at local elementary schools), and Altar Guild (preparing and setting up communion, caring for vestments, vessels, and linens). Along with these services, WELCA offers fellowship gatherings in small groups and studies.

To participate in outreach with WELCA, please contact the new president, Arlene Sorensen, or the church office for more information.

Stephen Ministry at Peace

Peace Lutheran has a long history of providing care and support through the Stephen Ministry program. Even though Stephen Ministry has been around for many years, many people are not aware of what Stephen Ministry is. This is perhaps because so much of the work of Stephen Ministers happens behind the scenes.

Stephen Ministers are trained lay caregivers who provide emotional and spiritual support to people going through difficult times in life, providing hope and healing amid their pain. One good way to describe Stephen Ministry is the “after people.”

Stephen Ministers are There

...after the phone call in the middle of the night that changes life forever

...after the baby comes home, demanding more of her than she ever imagined possible

... after the funeral when everyone has left and his emotions held at bay come crashing in

...after the email announcing a new round of layoffs suddenly appears in her inbox

... after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing else we can do”

... after the youngest child pulls out of the hug and heads into the dorm—followed by a long drive back to an empty house

...after the retirement community director says, “Welcome to your new home”

...after the divorce papers are served and she wonders if she’ll ever trust anyone again

...after family and friends have heard his story one too many times, but he still needs to talk it out

Through Stephen Ministry, Peace Lutheran has a team of people who are there to provide faithful care and support during the “afters” in life. If you need someone to walk with you in one of these “afters,” please contact the church office to get connected with a caring Stephen Minister.

And if you have gifts of compassion, listening, and providing care, we’d love to talk with you more about becoming a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministry is such an impactful way to share our gifts and care for others.

This year, we celebrate ten great years of partnership with our Stephen Ministers at Peace Lutheran! We are so proud of these outstanding, trained leaders of faith and all that they do. Peace currently has 11 certified Stephen Ministers who are actively caring for and receiving matches. We also have six Stephen Ministers currently on break (thank you for your service!) and four devoted Stephen Leaders (Robyn Hanisch, Cara Hetland, Lisa Fowler, Pam Tetzlaff), as well as two pastors (Alex, Elizabeth). More than 30 faithful students have been through our program in the past ten years, and we hope to see many more.

A new training class is starting in January. Sign up today at plc.life.

Shirley Skoglund: Forum, Wednesday Study, Senior Game Day, Senior Potlucks

Someone once told me, “Life is like a piano; what you get out of it depends on how you play it.” In a sense, being a member of a congregation is like that. As you put something into it of yourself, you gain so much in return.

Having been a member since 2014, I’ve found a variety of ways to connect. Two of the studies, Forum and the Wednesday Bible Study, have allowed me to explore Scripture more deeply while connecting with and caring for those around the table. It’s a great opportunity to deepen my faith with others on a similar journey. With the monthly Senior Potlucks, we hear from a wide variety of speakers and authors, enjoy concerts and picnics, all while enjoying some home cooking and baking and the fellowship of others. And with Senior Game Day that meets two to three times per month, we enjoy the challenge of a good card or board game while connecting with others for some time of fellowship.

You can also be part of the ministries at Peace from your own home. I’ve helped roll bandages for WELCA at home as I watched TV and baked cookies once a month for Church on the Street. Even though my work happens at home, I know Peace will use these items to reach out to the many unknown faces that are in need of a touch of God’s amazing love.

I didn’t know what I was missing until I took the leap of faith and got involved with these activities. Whether you are looking for a study, a gathering around a special interest like crafts or games, volunteering, or are in need of some spiritual care, Peace can help you get connected. Not only will your faith journey expand, but your faith community will grow as you connect with others who share similar interests. Find something that peaks your interest and take the next step!

Amy Dreke: 25 Years of Youth Ministry

I have been working with the Youth at Peace for over 25 years. Why, you ask? Because I feel called to spend time with them—growing their faith, listening to their hopes and dreams, and being a sounding board when the world gets hard.

I moved often during my own high school years and never really had the chance to be part of a large youth group. I never attended a youth gathering or went on a mission trip as a teen, so as an adult I wanted to experience these things while also walking alongside high school students. It’s a wonderful contrast to my daily work as an elementary teacher.

Seeing the growth that happens during high school—watching our youth navigate an ever-changing world—makes every moment with them special. Life is demanding enough with school, sports, extracurriculars, and home, so being a “safe place to land” is deeply important to me.

Over the years, I’ve led trips to many cities for youth gatherings, mission work, and countless other adventures. I’ve worked with hundreds of high school students, some of whom have become very special people in my life, and we remain in touch today. A few have even grown up, gotten married, had children, and returned to Peace to raise their own families. Seeing them all grown up makes every long bus ride, every challenging attitude, and every tough moment absolutely worth it.

Having my own children be part of Peace Youth—both in middle school and high school—has given me a fresh perspective on our ministry. Times are changing, and helping mentor the students on the Peace Youth Council this year has truly been a joy. Their creativity, energy, and vision for re-imagining our youth group have been inspiring to watch. I love being part of their ideas, seeing how they work together, and watching them create a space where everyone feels welcome and invited.

These formative years are so important in shaping who our youth will become. By offering grace and love, guiding them while also giving them room to make mistakes, we help them grow into the adults they are meant to be. I couldn’t ask for a better seat to witness their growth and to see how they encounter Jesus in so many ways. I love these kids deeply, and I know our future is in good hands because of them.

The support our congregation gives—to our whole church, and especially to our youth—ensures that Peace will stay strong for years to come. Thank you, Peace, for allowing me to do this for so long. It has truly been a blessing in my life.

Shelly Gabel: PACT Teacher

I have been a member of Peace Lutheran Church for many years. My family moved to Sioux Falls in 1972, and we joined the church shortly after. Back then, the church was just getting started. I remember the building being very small, unlike what it is today. It had one big room where we had both church and Sunday School. My family and I would attend the church service first, and then we would have Sunday School. After the service, everyone would fold up their folding chairs and pull out the accordion walls to make small classrooms for Sunday School. I can honestly say the church has come a long way since then.

During the summers, my brother and I also participated in Bible School. As I got older, I attended confirmation classes and became actively involved in the youth group program. I enjoyed making new friends and participating in activities that youth group had to offer. My fondest memory was traveling to the East Coast in the church bus for two weeks with 23 other kids and chaperones. Looking back, I feel the youth group program truly set a tone for my involvement at church.

After high school, I moved away to attend college and then later to New Mexico for my first job. Even though I was not living in Sioux Falls for many years, I always came home and attended church at Peace with my family. Peace Lutheran is and will always be “my church”!

In 2002, I moved back to Sioux Falls and was later blessed with my son, Dakota, in 2003. Ever since he was a baby, we attended church weekly as a family with my mom and dad. As he got a little older, I wanted him to love Peace Lutheran as much as I do. I wanted him to know God and Jesus and all of the amazing things they have done for us. I wanted him to hear and learn the wonderful stories of the Bible, so I got him involved in activities as soon as he was able.

When Dakota was about one and a half years old, I heard about a new program starting at Peace called PACT—Parent and Child Together. I figured this would be a great way for him to start learning about the stories of the Bible and hang out with other children his age. Plus, I got to be with him through his first step in his faith journey! Together we had a lot of fun singing and listening to stories. Through PACT, I was also able to connect and meet other parents in the class,which was a bonus!

After two years of attending PACT with Dakota, I was asked to volunteer and teach the class. Originally, I started by team teaching with Ms. Sara, who actually was the person who brought the idea of this program to Peace. We alternated teaching the class every other week. After a couple years, I took over the PACT Program…and the rest is history!

I have now been teaching PACT at Peace for 18 years, with the exception of one year due to the pandemic. We started with just one class time on Sundays, growing to now three classes—two on Sunday and one on Wednesday nights.

I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity. PACT has given me the chance to use my education degree to teach little ones about God’s love for them and share his stories. It has been exciting to watch these children come into class as 1, 2, and 3 year olds and seeing them as young adults now. Some of my former students even come back to visit. The last 18 years have been very memorable!

If you have little ones, I want to invite you to check out our class. For those of you who are on the fence about joining a program or volunteering…take the leap!