INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Pages 2, 3- “It Started in Augusta” by Pastor More, 4-50th Anniversary activities, Thank You for VBS,

Upcoming Sunday Brunch, 5- “God’s Work, Our Hands”, 6-Women of the ELCA “Gathering for

Justice”, 7-Visual Arts Coordinator Needed, Birthdays & Anniversaries, 8-Roadmap for the Future

Update, Worship Assistants & Sunday School Survey, 9-Woman of the Church News, 10-September

Servants, Council, Staff & Ministries of the Church, 11-September Calendar of Events, 12-Office Hours

and Service Times, Vision & Mission Statements.

Pastor Jonathan Vogel

Peace Chimes September 2013

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 209 Eastern Avenue, Augusta, Maine 04330

IT STARTED IN AUGUSTA By Pastor Fred More

In May of 1963, I met with Dr. Gordon Huffman, then President of the Eastern District of the

American Lutheran Church, the district to which I was assigned as a graduating seminarian from

Capital University’s Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Having served as the

Eastern District Luther League president during my college years at Capital University, I had

gotten to know President Huffman who also served as the chair of the Eastern District Youth

Committee.

Dr. Huffman...we rarely called him President Huffman...and we had not yet been given the vo-

cabulary of “Bishop”...seemed pleased to have me under his pastoral and supervisory “wing” dur-

ing my early years in parish ministry. He asked me in that 30 minute interview, what I would like

him to consider as he sorted through the vacancies that might best use the gifts of a young pastor

from the Washington, DC area. (read: “Help a young pup survive in a real parish setting.”)

I simply replied, ”I think I have a missionary’s heart so I would like to be called to a place where

the Lutheran Church is not taken for granted. Like Baltimore, Maryland,” I offered, “Where there

are 39 Lutheran churches. Or Conover, North Carolina where there are three Lutheran churches

on one intersection.” He looked puzzled at first...then smiled. Something had clicked for Dr. Huff-

man, only he wasn’t letting on.

One month later, Carolyn and our two year old daughter, packed our Volkswagen Beetle,

suitcases jammed with clothes and books, gave parting hugs to family and off we drove to

Augusta, Maine, some 600 miles from our family homes in Maryland.

Grand anticipation. Incredible country. Lovely hills cupping slate blue lakes begging to be fished.

Picture perfect State Capital. A grand bridge over the Kennebec River. Charming waterfront

stores boasting, “Founded In 1908”). Lobster Rolls at the corner store. Then came the surprises.

“So, where is the worship center?” we asked John Houck, mission executive for the ALC who met

with us one week after our arrival. “Well, that should be built within the next six months or so,”

he replied. “So,” I pressed, “Is there a group of people who are going to work with us?” Not

wanting to really answer that question he said, “Yes. There is a Mr. Leighton Gardner, the

architect’s assistant who helped with the church design. He has Lutheran background. The only

problem is that he and his family live in Waterville, about thirty miles north of Augusta.”

“So, no building...no people. And only $2,700 dollars to keep us in groceries and pay the electric

bill until we get the church started?” I said, not hiding my onset of terror very well. “Well we did

build you a nice house,” answered Houck. Oh Goodie.

2

We arrived in Augusta on June 26, 1963. Joan Christman, the parish worker assigned to help with

a myriad of start up tasks, and I, over the summer months, canvassed the entire southeast quadrant

of Augusta, our immediate parish area, some 3500 families. We met great people. We met very

welcoming people. We met people who wanted to share their family stories. Only a scant handful

of people actually closed their door on us. I new from the beginning that I would love this place.

Thirty two people showed up that first worship service, held at the Grange Hall about a half mile

down Eastern Avenue from where the “church” was being built. Moms, dads, kids, singles,

young, old. Everyone wearing big smiles. Walter Vertz, who we had not met before the first

service said, “We have been waiting for 20 years for a Lutheran Church to come here.” Within

weeks, the Herman Stover family showed up. Stan Sproul, former mayor of Augusta, brought his

beautiful family to the now blossoming congregation. And the Jacksons. God bless the Jacksons.

They first tried to tell me that there really wasn’t any need for another church in Augusta. Then, at

the first service, there they were, soon to become charter members and faithful members of those

early church councils.

Inez Peary came blowing in on a fall breeze sometime toward the end of October just as we were

able to enter our brand new worship center. This itty bitty and supercharged woman was one of

those bright lights that turn on an entire room when she comes in, not as an attention grabber, just

a glowing personality who people are just drawn to. It was several weeks before she dragged her

husband to one of our first fellowship events, offering, “My husband, Bob, would love to greet

your congregation and welcome you to Augusta.” Soon, Robert E. Peary, Jr. blended into the con-

gregation without the usual fanfare that greeted him wherever he went to speak about his famous

father. Robert E. Peary, Jr. was almost as much fun to be around as Inez. Or, “Ann Tinez” as

Wendy called her.

I left Augusta just after Christmas in 1969, having accepted a call to serve at Ascension Lutheran

Church in Indian Harbor Beach, Florida which presented new challenges of mission following the

end of the Apollo Program and the loss of some 40 member families to places like Huntsville and

Houston. In 1976, I was tapped to be the Regional Mission Executive of the Division for Service

and Mission in America of The American Lutheran Church where I served out of an office in

Satellite Beach for the next fourteen years. Now “retired” I am simply grateful for the opportu-

nity to help out at Trinity Lutheran Church and School as I round out fifty years of ordained

ministry with some modest divergent careers along the way.

Don’t get me wrong. I have loved the people wherever I have served. But there is simply no place

on earth quite like Augusta, Maine. And Prince of Peace is like a first child….nurtured over the

years by four successive pastors. And now it may become the “impossible dream realized”

when this September I will get to travel with daughter Gwen and son Andrew, two certifiable

Maniacs, back to Prince of Peace to share in their fiftieth anniversary. Susan insists that this needs

to be a pilgrimage for me, Andy and Gwen. Having shared with me the 30th and 40th anniversa-

ries and recalling the spectacular scene of sharing steaming lobster and sweet corn on the rocks at

Pemaquid Point overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, there’s no way she is not going along!

Revised June 2013

3

4

LET'S CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

September 8, 1963 the first worship service was held. This year (September 8, 2013) we

will recognize the ministry of Education with the Installation of Sunday School Teachers.

Sunday School Classes will participate in the ELCA nationwide event "God's Work, Our Hands" -

by reaching out to the Veterans in Augusta.

September 28th and 29th ( pot luck supper, Saturday)

Pastor Fred More, the first pastor to serve this congregation, will be with us. We will also

celebrate and recognize those from our congregation who have gone into ordained ministry and

those members who started two new congregations in our area - Water of Life and Faith, Wilton.

During October and November we will recognize internal ministries and external ministries.

January 11, 2014 ANNIVERSARY BANQUET to celebrate the "official formation" of congre-

gation members when the charter was established and signed on January 12, 1964.

Bishop Hazelwood will be present at the Banquet and will preach on Sunday, January 12.

50th Anniversary Committee: Myrna Duplessie, Cindy Gyorgy, Willi and Jutta Hartung, Don

and Kathy Sproul, Louanne Story, Pastor Jon Vogel

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT FOR A SUCCESSFUL VBS!

Many thanks to all who gave financial support through the Rock-a-thon, the spaghetti dinner and

concert, offerings and to the parents who chose to leave their refundable registrations for VBS

expenses. Thanks also to those who helped in other ways - for the Praul family who hosted the

team for the week, for those who provided breakfast and supper for the team, for those who helped

the VBS team, and for those who spent time as the "on site" person at the church. I would be

remiss if I didn't mention Patti - who was always there for us !!!

Thanks also to the Fellowship Committee for sponsoring the great spaghetti dinner and the

fantastic Thursday night cookout for VBS. Myrna Duplessie, Education Coordinator

All are invited to a SUNDAY MORNING BRUNCH on SEPTEMBER 15 at 10:30 AM in the

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ROOM sponsored by the members of the church council.

An offering will be received to help offset the cost of our recent VBS.

5

"God's Work, Our Hands"

Mark Sunday, September 8th after Worship Service on your schedule...bring a friend. and make

a friend. POP has designated this day for service to our Veterans who have served each of us and

our Country by their Service in the Military. There are three (3) Special Projects as POP "Rolls

Up Our Shirt Sleeves" for ELCA''s 25th Anniversary Project in our community as part of "God's

Work, Our Hands" Sunday. We have several opportunities for members to participate. I've

listed three:

1) Volunteer to prepare and host a Barbecue Luncheon at Augusta's Homeless Veteran’s Shelter,

located aside the BOLM’s Homeless Shelter on Hospital Street. Staff there have asked to limit

participants to 12 volunteers. More information will be provided, and volunteers are needed to

help prepare foods, purchase food, and provide other items. Please contact Tom Benn at 557-5513

to find out how to help, or watch your weekly church bulletin or the Newsletter for more info. Be

sure to sign-up on the sheet located in the Narthex...DON'T forget to mark down your shirt

size...more on that later...

2) Volunteer to visit our Veteran's who reside at the Maine Veteran's Home located on Cony

Road, in Augusta. A group is organizing to "pay a visit" to our men and women who reside at the

Maine Veteran's Home, activities planned for that location are an ice cream social, board games,

and fellowship, which all Lutheran's know is blended with coffee, tea and some form of treat for

the sweet-tooth. Please contact Tom Benn or Bev Savage if interested, and please consider bring-

ing a friend, or a Veteran who you love.

3) Volunteers will also have the opportunity to assist in various work-tasks at our VA Togus

Hospital which is the oldest Veteran’s Hospital in the United States established immediately after

the Civil War. More details will be upcoming. Contact Louanne Story, Beverly Savage, Beka and

Seth Gay, or Tom Benn for more information.

"God’s Work, Our Hands" For more information from the ELCA, please follow the link to the

ELCA's 25th Anniversary Website: http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Welcome-to-the-

ELCA/25th-Anniversary/Our-hands-Sunday.aspx

ALL VOLUNTEERS will receive from the ELCA a beautiful bumble-bee yellow tee shirt,

emblazoned with "God’s Work, Our Hands”. Participants will also have opportunity to thank

those who have served our nation, and everyone of us. Please join us, and have a blessed Sunday

as we bless others.

6

.

Please see the Women of the ELCA bulletin board for registration materials. Contact Liz Burgess for

further information at weburgess@gmail.com or 207.622.3570. Liz will be attending this event.

7

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1 Linda Lowell

2 Joyce Hanna

5 Alyson Lowell

7 Scott MacLagan

8 Maggie Priest

12 Michael Burdin

13 Heidi Joslyn

14 Daniel Dawe, Gene Kaler

16 Irene Card

20 Jonathan Waterman

29 Carlene Kaler

30 Cindy Gyorgy

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

2 Ted & Anita Wyman

7 Ron & Joyce Bagnall “50th”

Visual Arts Coordinator

Worship Committee is looking for someone who would be interested in

being a Visual Arts Coordinator.

The responsibilities would include:

Displaying banners in the Sanctuary to coincide with church seasons

and festival Sundays.

Decorating the Narthex with wall hangings, pictures, door wreaths, etc.

Maintaining artificial or dried flower arrangements used in the Sanctuary.

Coordinating visual arts decorating for Christmas, Holy Week, Easter or other special Worship

occasions as needed.

Please speak with Heidi Joslyn or Joyce Bagnall, co-chairs of Worship Committee if you are

interested or have any questions.

Roadmap to the Future Update

By Betty Balderston, Roadmap Coordinator

POP’s “Roadmap to the Future” work is continuing with the creation of small groups of church

members who will be looking at a variety of topics to perform SWOT Analyses (identifying

strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats on each topic). These groups are being led by

POP members who have participated in facilitator training with Suanne Williams-Lindgren, our

Roadmap guide. Perhaps you have already been contacted by one of these small group

facilitators to participate in one of these short-term teams. (I hope you said yes!) These teams

will meet 2-3 times over the next month or so and will then share the results of their SWOT

Analyses with Council members.

A 2-day Retreat in November has already been scheduled with Council members and Pastor Jon

to review the results of the small groups. Council will begin work on the creation of a Strategic

Plan – a “roadmap” to how Prince of Peace can be sustainable and continue to grow with

purpose, fulfilling our newly created Mission and Vision Statements and glorifying God in all

that we do.

The Roadmap process is a long trek. However, through the leadership skills of an experienced

guide (Suanne Williams-Lindgren), the gifts and talents of POP leaders and members and

through the grace of God, Prince of Peace will emerge as a strong, more focused church, ready

to meets the needs of our congregation and answer God’s call to minister to others.

If you’d like to be involved in the Roadmap to the Future process or would like more

information on any aspects of this journey, contact Betty Balderston, Roadmap Coordinator, at

377-4293 or bettyb969@fairpoint.net.

Worship Assistants

Are you ready to share your time and talents? A number of members have asked if only teenagers

can serve as Acolytes in worship. Worship Committee has decided to open up the opportunity to

serve in this capacity to all members and friends of our congregation. This change will be

reflected in a new name for the position, "worship assistant". Training will be provided for all new

volunteers. Please prayerfully consider serving the Prince of Peace congregation in this way. If

you are interested in serving as a worship assistant or have any questions, please speak to Heidi

Joslyn or Joyce Bagnall, co-chairs of Worship Committee.

Results of Worship/Sunday School Questionnaire

The majority of responses to the questionnaire favored keeping worship at 9:00 AM and Sunday

school at 10:30 AM. Based on this response, the church council voted to keep worship and

Sunday school times the same.

9

REACHING OUT MINISTRIES

Head Deacon - Duane Scott 623-2092

Women’s Prayer Breakfast-Nancy Merrill 737-8105

Prayer Shawl - Liz Burgess 622-3570

At Your Side Committee - Liz Burgess 622-3570

Helping Fund - Patti Gardiner - POP Office 623-9486

POP Quilter’s Group - Lil Stresser 377-2591

Women of the Church - ELCA- Liz Burgess 622-3570

Dorcas Circle - Jutta Hartung 623-2040

We Celebrate with...Church Office - Patti 623-9486

Bread of Life Ministries - Office-Wendy 626-3434

*Soup Kitchen on Water St. 621-2541

*Shelter on Hospital St. 626-3479

Augusta Food Bank 622-5225

Chelsea Food Bank - Diane Richard 462-1750

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DEACONS

Duane Scott - Head Deacon 623-2092

Lloyd Balderston 377-4293

Tom Benn 549-7186

Myrna Duplessie 923-3128

Nancy Merrill 737-8105

Don Sproul - President 622-5785

Tom Benn - Vice President 549-7186

Ave Chuprevich - Secretary 933-4001

Darryl Praul - Financial Secretary 968-2023

Myrna Duplessie - Education 923-3128

LouAnne Story - Evangelism 549-7377

Bobbi-Jo Burdin - Fellowship 582-3070

Bruce Ames - Property 897-4159

Bev Savage - Social Awareness 446-1238

Beth Pfeffer - Stewardship 514-4289

Heidi Joslyn - Worship 623-2284

Angie Harvey - Youth 242-5167

Trustees: Chair– Don Sproul, Tom Benn, Bobbi-Jo

Burdin, Ave Chuprevich, Beth Pfeffer

Nominating Committee: Brad Joslyn, Beth Pfeffer, Bev

Savage, Kathy Sproul, Rebecca Vogel

Endowment Fund Committee: Dick Belisle, Bill

Burgess, Darryl Praul, Paul Rhoda, Bud Walters.

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor - Jonathan Vogel 623-9486 or 557-3637

Parish Secretary - Patti Gardiner 344-9162

Organist - Alice VanDerwerken 397-4214

Choir Director - Rebecca Vogel 445-2705

Sextons - Karl & Flo Wilkins 582-8530

SEPTEMBER SERVANTS

Deacon: 1st - Nancy Merrill, 8th, 15th, 21st, 29th - Lloyd Balderston

Acolytes: 8th-Roland Pease, 15th-Harrison Pearce,

22nd-Peter Matthies, Jr., 29th-Tim Elliott

Ushers: Doug Burdin & Bill Burgess

Greeters: 1st & 8th - Cindy Gyorgy, 15th - Anita Wyman, 21st & 29th - Tom Benn

Altar Care: Cindy Gyorgy

10

11

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:00 AM

Worship

Fellowship

10:30 AM

Congregational

Meeting (CCR)

2

3

7:00 AM WPB

9:30 AM

Dorcas Circle

DR

6:00 PM

FA (CCR)

4

5:00 - 9:00 PM

Girl Scout

Training (TR)

5

1:00 –2:30 FA-

(CCR)

3:30-4:30 PM

PJ Text Study

6:30 PM

Choir (DR)

6

7

8

9:00 AM

Worship

ELCA 25th

Anniversary

“God’s work,

Our hands”

Installation of

SS Teachers

Coffee Hour

9

6:00 PM

Church Council

10

7:00 AM WPB

9:00 AM

Quilters (L)

6:00 PM

FA (CCR)

11

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Veteran’s SG

(TR)

12

1:00-2:30 FA-

(CCR)

3:30 –4:30 PM

PJ Text Study

6:30 PM

Choir (DR)

13

14

15 9:00 AM

Worship

10:30 Sunday

School & Brunch

Fundraiser

11:30 Education/

Teachers Mtg.

16 8:00 AM to

4:00 PM

Medicare (CCR)

6:30 - 9:00 PM

NAMI-SG

(CCR)

6:30 - 8:00 PM

Women’ s SG

(DR)

17

7:00 AM WPB

6:00 PM

FA (CCR)

18

October

Newletter Article

Deadline

19

1:00-2:30 FA-

CCR

3:30 –4:30 PM

PJ Text Study

6:30 PM

Choir (DR)

20

21

22

9:00 AM

Worship

Fellowship

10:30 AM

Sunday School

23

6:30-9:00 PM

NAMI-SG

(CCR)

6:30-8:00 PM

Women’s SG

(DR)

24

7:00 AM WPB

9:00 AM

Quilters (L)

6:00 PM

FA (CCR)

25

9:00 AM

October

Newsletter

Mailing

26

1:00-2:30 FA-

CCR

3:30-4:30 PM

PJ Text Study

6:30 PM

Choir (DR)

27

28

5:00 PM

Pot Luck Dinner

Recognize

ordained

ministry with

Pastor More

29

9:00 AM

Worship

Recognition of

Ordained

MinistryWith

Pastor More

Fellowship

10:30 AM

Sunday School

30

6:30-9:00 PM

NAMI-SG

(CCR)

6:30-8:00 PM

Women’s SG

(DR)

September

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

8:30 am – 3:00 pm Daily

PRINCE OF PEACE CHURCH STAFF

Pastor Jonathan Vogel

Parish Secretary - Patti Gardiner

Office Telephone 623-9486

Email: office@princeofpeacemaine.org

Web Page: www.princeofpeacemaine.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

9:00 AM Communion Service

10:30 AM Sunday School for all ages

Fellowship time after church each Sunday.

Everyone Welcome.

Handicap Accessible.

September 2013

MISSION STATEMENT

Prince of Peace Lutheran proclaims Christ as

our Savior and Lord.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church provides a

Christian home where all people are welcome

and offers everyone opportunities to grow in

their faith-walk with God. Blessed to be a

blessing, we strive to share our gifts and show

God’s love to all.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

VISION STATEMENT

LISTEN! God is calling!

We, the members of Prince of Peace Lutheran

Church, actively seek to put God first and

glorify our Lord in all that we do. We strive to

be the foundation supporting the growth of good

works our Creator puts on each of our

hearts as we respond to God’s call.