"Through the Study Window"
The Newsletter of Peru Community Church |
The Pastor's Pen Carriers of Hope |
At a recent clergy gathering, Bishop Héctor shared his thoughts on the rekindling of hope in our churches. He reminded us that Easter is the celebration that Christ is alive. That revelation of the in-breaking of the sun on Easter morning from the gloom of Good Friday should be the awakening of hope in all of us.
Each of us is entrusted to be the carriers of hope. Through the resurrection, we have been entrusted to embody and proclaim God’s love in the world around us. Too often, we get discouraged and overwhelmed by what we see as the decline in the church. Yet, I have found that celebrating our work in ministry continues to give me hope for the future.
Being hopeful is the sense that this life is inherently worth living, no matter how untidy or distressing. Bishop Héctor reminded us that “lament is central to the journey of hope.” Whatever suffering, shortfalls or disappointments we may have in life, they are simply what it means to be human.
Our relationship with God is the source of hope. But hope is far more than wishful thinking. Hope is revealed through our actions of love, witness, generosity and participation in sharing our faith with others that they may also have hope.
May you be a carrier of hope in this world!
Pastor Peggi |
| Click HERE In case the link isn't working, use the information below. |
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| | Meeting ID: 884 4689 4229 |
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Pastoral transition is a difficult time in the life of the church. As your Pastor for the last nine years, I have developed love, compassion and caring for all of you. I have journeyed with you through illnesses, deaths, births, baptisms, confirmations, joys, disappointments, COVID-19 and its aftermath. I will carry that all with me as I move on to my new appointment and you receive new leadership from Pastor Phil and Pastor Leigh. But as clergy, my relationship with you must necessarily change to assure that there is no confusion and a smooth transition to those who will bring new gifts and graces to the congregation. As part of the transition process, I don’t want there to be any ambiguity in our relationship, so I am including this required information. - Effective on July 1, 2025, I will immediately cease all pastoral counseling and pastoral visitation with all members, families and those associated with Peru Community Church.
- I will not return to officiate or attend any baptisms, weddings, funerals for those associated with Peru Community Church. Declining such invitations to any participation is my responsibility as past clergy to maintain clear boundaries in my relationship with you. Please do not ask or pressure your current pastor to include me in any service.
While this may seem unnecessary, rash or even painful to some of you, this is the healthiest way for all of us. For those I may have hurt during my tenure, I ask for your forgiveness and ask you to set that aside as the church moves on to a new chapter. It is important to “let go” and “go on” and continue the long-standing ministry here in Peru. |
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Dropoff of items begins on Saturday, May 3rd |
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Final Sale will be held on Saturday, May 24th from 10am to 2pm |
The sun never fails to rise on Easter at the shore of Lake Champlain and this year was no different. No matter the weather, somehow the sun creeps out of the clouds for us to celebrate that the tomb is empty and Christ has moved into the world (and our neighborhood).
This year, we began with some Easter Brass provided by our director of music, Carol Gallagher on trombone and Samantha Davis on trumpet.
Nearly 30 brave souls gathered at the Peru Dock on another cold and crisp Easter morning to hear the story of the empty tomb, share communion and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
Are you a TD Bank customer? Are you a member of their Affinity Program?
This program provides you with an opportunity to give to the church by simply being a TD customer. A percentage of the amount of all customer accounts designated to Peru Community Church are given annually to the church. Stop by your local branch today and make sure you are enrolled in the program. Be sure to mention you would like to support Peru Community Church.
The Finance Team |
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| Last month Peru Community Church received a check from TD Bank for $8,306 for last year's Affinity Program. That's an extra $159 a week - basically free money for the church! It pays to sign up for the Affinity Program, it's free and secure. |
| SPARK: 'The Myth of the Silver Bullet' By Ken Sloane |
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We love the idea of a silver bullet.
It’s the one thing that promises to solve everything. In old stories, a silver bullet was the only thing that could stop a werewolf. Today, we think of the silver bullet when we’re hoping for a single, magical answer to a big, complicated problem.
In church finance and stewardship, I hear it all the time.
- “If we just had a better giving app…”
- “If we just had a younger pastor…”
- “If we just made our worship more modern…”
- “If we just did what that big church down the road is doing…”
Now, none of those ideas are bad. Some of them might help a lot. But they’re not the answer. Because when it comes to church health, generosity, and reaching new people, there is no silver bullet.
I get it. We want a quick fix. We’re tired. Budgets are tight. Volunteers are few. Giving is changing, and the old ways don’t work like they used to. So, we look for that one idea, that one program, that one decision that will turn everything around.
But here’s the truth: most real solutions take time, trust, and teamwork. They’re not flashy. They don’t show results overnight. And they often ask us to change something in ourselves before we try to change someone else.
I believe the closest thing we have to a silver bullet is this: staying focused on our mission, building real relationships, and helping people connect their giving to the work of God in the world. That kind of clarity — when we lean into it — can reshape everything. But it’s not magic. It’s ministry.
So, if you’re a church hoping for a silver bullet, I want to encourage you. Keep experimenting. Try new tools, but don’t be fooled into thinking one thing will fix it all. Most often, what changes things is a community deciding — together — to grow, to give, and to trust that God still has something powerful to do through them.
That’s not a silver bullet. But it might be even better.
Ken Sloane is the Director of Stewardship & Generosity for Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/ |
Women of Grace Widow's Fund
This is our final special missional offering of the Lenten/Easter season.
Since 2008, the Women of Grace Widows' Fund has been assisting and empowering women of Malawi, Africa. Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries with an average per capita income of $331.00. Life expectancy is age 63 with malaria, AIDS and malnutrition as the leading causes of death.
To become a widow in Malawi means to fall into extreme poverty. As in other areas of Africa, the family of the deceased husband forcibly, and sometimes violently, takes all possessions from the widow. Laws have been put in place to protect women from this ancient behavior but to date it is very difficult to enforce this in the rural areas. |
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We will be collecting April 27th through May 11th. This ministry is supported through the Presbytery of Northern New York.
You can read more about this ministry and the projects supported here. |
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CONGREGATIONAL CARE TRAINING
On Tuesday, May 6th at 2:00 pm, Pastor Peggi will hold a training meeting for anyone interested in being part of the Congregational Care Team. |
Did you miss the meeting with the incoming pastoral team? |
On Saturday, April 12th a meeting was held in the chapel with Rev. Debbie Earthrowl, Adirondack DS and incoming pastors, Rev. Phil Richards and Rev. Leigh McCaffrey. Rev. Phil and Rev. Leigh shared a powerpoint presentation where they outlined their vision of what our church can expect from their shared ministry with us. If you were unable to attend, a link to their presentation is found below as a powerpoint or pdf document. If you have any questions you are invited to reach out to anyone on the Church Council. Pastor Phil and Pastor Leigh will begin their shared leadership with Peru Community Church on July 1st. A list of Church Council members is on the website. |
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PRAYER LIST
Debbie & Howard Bell; David & Gretchen Comfort; Sarah Connelly; Dan Ferris; Denise; Rosemary Gaulin;
Donna Gengenbach; Suzanne Hand, and her daughter, Jennifer; Heather; Christopher Hutchison;
Susanne & Eukie Jones; Mary Mathieson; Barb & Roy Perry; Connie Webber
Pray for those struggling with addiction and physical, mental and spiritual health.
Pray for our military, law enforcement, first responders and medical personnel.
Pray for the teachers, students and support staff in our schools.
Please contact the office if you would like to add a name to the prayer list. Thank you! |
Food Bag Packing on 5/2/25 |
Our next Emergency Food Bag Project is scheduled for Friday, May 2nd. Volunteers are asked to meet about 10:30a at St. Joseph's Outreach Center, 1349 Military Turnpike, Plattsburgh. What's involved? Volunteers unload food from cars (that come from the warehouse space we use) and "the closet" at St. Joe's, set out all the food on tables, assemble 140-160 bags, then break down boxes and load bags into cars at the end. We are usually done by noon. The bags are then delivered to the Plattsburgh Public Library, the hospital social workers' office, and area motels that work with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to house folks in need of shelter. We have been blessed with willing volunteers each time. The food bags are designed to meet the emergency food needs in a motel room setting. The bags now include a small toiletry kit containing shampoo, body wash (soap), toothbrush and toothpaste. |
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| Bible Readings for May 2025 - Lectionary Year C |
3rd Sunday of Easter - 5/4
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19
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| 4th Sunday of Easter
Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
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| 5th Sunday of Easter
Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148
Revelation 21:1-6
John 13:31-35
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| 6th Sunday of Easter
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
John 14:23-29
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Actual YTD Total Income includes $27,913 received in November 2024 and February 2025 from the US Treasury for Employee Retention Tax Credit (2020 and 2021) due to Covid-19. Also $8,306 was received in March from TD Bank Affinity Program. (See "TD Bank" above.) |
| Our Ministry with Vale Haven Home for Adults |
| The Monday Evening Bible Babes created Easter Bags for the residents at Vale Haven. The cutest Easter Bunny bags included plastic eggs filled with candy, stickers and small fluffy chicks. This is part of our continuing ministry with Vale Haven, where a small group gathers to do crafts, chat and visit with our neighbors the 3rd Tuesday of each month. You are welcome to join in. |
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Have you returned your pledge card yet? On Sunday, May 18th we will dedicate the pledge cards during worship. You can send your pledge card in before then, drop it off, or bring it to church with you that day.
Returning your pledge card early helps the Finance Team prepare the budget for the July 2025 - June 2026 fiscal year.
The budget vote will occur at a Congregational Meeting to be held on Sunday, June 1st, immediately following worship. |
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Save the following dates in June:
Sunday, June 1st we will hold a congregational meeting to vote on the 2025 - 2026 Proposed Budget. This meeting will be held following worship.
Sunday, June 8th we will hold a special Coffee Hour Reception to honor Pastor Peggi.
Sunday, June 15th will be Pastor Peggi's last day leading us in worship. |
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| Visit the calendar page on our website to see what is happening in the coming month. |
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| Peru Community Church
Mailing Address: PO Box 38, Peru, NY 12972
(Church) 12 Elm Street, Peru, NY 12972
(Fellowship Hall) 13 Elm Street, Peru, NY 12972
Phone Number: (518) 643-8641
Office Email: office@perucommunitychurch.com
Website: www.perucommunitychurch.com
Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday
9 am - Noon & 1 pm - 3 pm |
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