Pastor Transition Updates
June 29, 2026
The Call Committee is preparing to begin interviewing candidates during the second week of July. Each candidate will be asked the same set of questions and will have approximately the same amount of time with the committee. After all interviews are complete, the committee will deliberate and decide which candidates to invite to the next round of interviews. We are grateful to the South Dakota Synod for their continued work in helping us identify candidates.
Please mark the weekend of July 18 and 19 on your calendars, as this will be Pastor Elizabeth’s final weekend with Peace Lutheran Church. We hope you will join us as we celebrate her ministry and say goodbye to our beloved Pastor Liz. Refreshments will be provided by the Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study. If you would like to write a card for Pastor Elizabeth, please bring it to the church office during the week leading up to this special weekend; a basket will be available at the front desk.
Pastor Paul, and the rest of the staff, are continuing to adjust to his new part-time role at Peace. He will be on-site approximately 15 to 20 hours each week. His primary responsibilities will include one day of pastoral care visits, coordinating our Vine ministry, participating in occasional stewardship conversations, and preaching and teaching as needed. As always, you can reach Pastor Paul via email or by calling the office.
June 8, 2026
A Season of Growth and Transition at Peace
Peace is on the doorstep of another meaningful season of ministry. Just as the trees and perennials are growing a little differently this year than last, so too is our life together as a congregation. Growth often brings change—and this is a season shaped by both.
What’s Changing
After 31 years of full-time ministry at Peace, Pastor Paul will transition to a part-time role beginning in June. In this new season, he will focus on leading Vine, our shared ministry publication, as well as pastoral care and stewardship. He will be in the office Tuesday through Thursday and will occasionally preach, lead, and support programmatic ministries. We are deeply grateful that Pastor Paul’s wisdom and presence (and dad jokes) will continue to bless our community in this new way.
We have also received Pastor Elizabeth’s resignation, as she transitions to a new call to be closer to her children. Her departure will leave a vacancy in spiritual care, of which our call will be focused.
Our Plan Moving Forward
A Call Committee has been formed to begin the search for one new pastor of spiritual care.
As Pastor Paul moves to part-time, Dr. Julie Kramme will serve as the interim Discover Peace Coordinator. She will host the Discover Peace class, recruit and train guides, and continue developing this important ministry of welcome and connection.
How You Can Be Involved
Pray for Peace, that God would continue to nurture and guide our growth in this season.
Share your gratitude with Pastor Paul for his faithful ministry among us.
Pray for the pastor God is already preparing to join our community.
This is a season filled with both gratitude and anticipation. We trust that God is at work in every detail, guiding Peace into what comes next.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jason