Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Night With the Sacramento River Cats

Saturday, August 16

Radical Reality at 5:00 p.m.

BBQ at 6:00 p.m.

Game at 7:05 p.m.

This event will be filled with lots of activities including a pre-game entertainment and testimonial by Donnie Moore and Radical Realty, a great BBQ, and of course, the AAA Minor League baseball game between the Sacramento River Cats and the Tacoma Rainiers. There will be lots of give-away prizes, fun and fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Tickets are limited; orders filled on a first-come basis. Your tickets will be waiting for you at the Thrivent Financial table, just outside the main entrance to Raley Field between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

For more information about Radical Reality, log on to www.radicalreality.org

Check the kiosk for ticket orders.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR RWANDA CONNECTION?

Read below to get the scoop!

As you probably know, Peace has been actively involved for several years in assisting the Lutheran Churches in Rwanda. Our current support is centered on four Rwandans. Below is a brief summary of their progress and needs. They are:

Pastor David We provided the funds for him to complete his education, aiming at his becoming a fully educated pastor. His education is now complete and he is serving as pastor for one parish, as district pastor of five parishes (perhaps like the dean of our Conference) and pastor in charge of youth for the whole church. We continue to give him financial support for the education of two of his children and three orphans in the amount of about $115 a month.

Jackline Uwamahoro We are providing the funding for Jackline to obtain further education, which will prepare her for working with children and women in the Lutheran Church in Rwanda. She began her studies in January 2008 in Uganda, in English, and they might not be completed until 2016. This much time is needed because, like most women in Rwanda, she has had no opportunity before this to attend secondary school. Costs for her studies will run around $300 a month.

Maria Murerwa and Jenny Mutesi (sisters) These two girls were adopted by Pastor John Rutsindintwarane, General Secretary of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda, and his wife Robin Strickler just last year. We have provided the money for them to attend boarding school in Uganda. Without this funding, their education would be curtailed and probably eliminated. We commenced the funding in 1999 and they will probably finish their secondary education at the end of 2009. Currently, we are providing about $555 a month to meet their needs while at school. In addition to tuition and room and board their expenses have included money for school supplies, transportation, some medical expenses, and personal needs.

Accordingly, the cost of this outreach runs in the neighborhood of $970 a month. We ask that you prayerfully consider becoming part of this endeavor by committing a monthly contribution for their support. This contribution can be placed in the offering plate and marked "Rwanda".

You can pick up a copy of recent correspondence on the Rwanda table in the Old Fellowship Hall. The letters give you a fascinating picture of the life of the participants listed above.

An Update on our last requests. It has been wonderful to have people ask about and give to the needs of our students. A very kind member of Peace has generously provided a laptop for Maria. Because of your generosity the financial needs have been met and sent for Jackline, Jenny, and Pastor David’s students. We are now gathering funds for Maria’s tuition and expenses, which need to be sent the last week in August. She has applied to take the exam for both this year and next (an additional $635) in November. If all goes well she will not need to complete another year of schooling, thus saving both time and money. Hopefully we can raise $1,600 before the end of August.

Miscellaneous Tidbit. Small World! A woman I (Pat) met in Salt Lake City last week from the Lutheran Church of Kenya turned out to be well acquainted with pastors whom we’ve supported in Rwanda—Pastor David and Pastor John. She, Christine, was Pr. David’s secretary in planning a youth seminar in Rwanda last March, bringing together East and Central African youth as well as five Sierra Pacific youth and their advisor. Wonderfully she met and even visited in the home of Maria and Jenny. Christina raved about what thoughtful, warm hearted and intelligent girls both of them are. —Ted Gregg and Pat Baker

Annual Church Picnic Planned!

Sunday, September 21, 12:30 p.m.

Lake Wildwood Commodore Park

Wildflower Drive (second entrance)

Chicken, ribs, hot dogs, sodas and table service will be provided. Please bring a salad or dessert, and a lawn chair.

Because of the location, it is imperative you sign up on the kiosk. Your name

needs to be on the list at the entrance gate or else you won’t get in. Even if you live in LWW, it is important that you sign up as well so that we have enough food.

FUN & GAMES

FINE FOOD

FRIENDLY FOLK!

Dinner Fellowship Groups

to Reorganize

On Saturday evening, September 6, at 5:30 p.m., a gathering of folks (old and new) who are interested in being a part of the Dinner Fellowship Groups will meet to reorganize into new groups for the 2008-2009 year.

David and Gloria Baker will again host this annual event, but rather than in their home, it will be in our new Fellowship Center where there will be plenty of additional space for this growing group of diners, now numbering 64 participants.

If you are someone, or know of someone, who would like to get better acquainted with other wonderful people at Peace, consider being a part of (or inviting someone to) a small dinner group. Or, maybe you want to get to know people from the “other” service. Well, here is your opportunity!

Small groups of 8 people (it doesn’t have to be “couples”) reorganize each fall for the coming year. The groups meet on a rotating basis in each other’s homes for a potluck style meal. Each group decides when and where it will meet during the year.

Members have found these groups especially helpful in getting to know others better and we trust all members feel welcome to take part. There is always room for more groups to form! Call the Bakers at 432-8935 or Heppes at 273-5621 if you would like more information.

So mark your calendars, sign up on the kiosk, and join in the fun! Remember, even if you can’t be there on September 6, you need to sign up to be included in a small group.

Scheduling a Meeting at Peace!

When planning a committee meeting or event at Peace, it is important that you contact the church office first for room assignment. There are several groups that meet at the church on a regular, paid basis in rooms that have been reserved just for them and we need to respect their space. Thank you for your assistance.