06/06/2019
Katherine
One of our long time members, Craig Hofmann has retired and will be relocating out of state. He will be sorely missed! We wish him all the best and may God bless him in this new chapter of his life.
He wanted to share a letter with our congregation of fond memories and gratitude in being part of our Peace family:
To my family at Peace:
I have been a member of Peace Church for almost 30 years. As I prepare to move on to a new phase in my life, I look back with great thankfulness for the blessings the Lord has given me here.
I will remember some amazing leaders at Peace: Bruce Biesenthal’s “3-point”sermons, Duane Feldman holding my hand in the hospital as I was about to be taken back into surgery after blood was found leaking from my heart, Tim Kurth’s skits and the unique youth ministry of both Tim and Patrick Brewer, Marty Hufford’s commitment to leading us on “The Path.” But I also remember how the congregation came together in what could have been a time of crisis – a two-year period without a head pastor – and proved that the church is all about the people of the congregation, so many of who stepped up, led various ministries, and caused the congregation to grow while God’s love flourished.
I will remember the worship services, whether it was the solemn darkness as I placed a nail in a large cross on Good Friday, or the joyous celebration that took place for many years on Easter Sunday at Edman Chapel. I will always remember the music that was such an integral part of our worship thanks to Royce Devick, Brad Stirtz, and so many others. I’ll remember the Sunday of Lessons and Carols before Christmas, the Steel Band Sundays, and any time Kerby Kerber sang with her amazing voice and passion for the Lord.
I will remember the many mission and ministry opportunities that I was blessed to serve in: leading small groups of teenagers in Confirmation Class as we challenged each other to grow in our faith; the smiles on the faces of the kids and residents as we repaired homes at summer Workcamps; shampooing the lice-filled hair of children in Honduras, followed by the sing-a-longs and bracelet story that highlighted the children’s ministry there; my 2 small group fellowship experiences, led first by Dennis Franzen and then by Ron Kincyk, which gave me the opportunity to grow in my faith with groups of people that became dear friends; and packing meals at Feed My Starving Children; and these are only a few!
And I will remember what brought me to Peace in the first place, because it is a constant reminder of one of the things Pastor Marty keeps encouraging us to do: invite people to church. I had Ben Biesenthal, Bruce’s son, in class back in 1990. One day he simply came up and invited me to come to his church. I wasn’t looking for a new church home, but after taking him up on his invitation, and being very warmly greeted, I was soon on my way to becoming a member of Peace Church! I pray that all of you have the same experience of God’s love in this church that I do, and that you’ll continue to welcome others in sharing the love of our Lord as I first felt 30 years ago, and will always cherish in my life.
In Christ,
Craig Hofmann