So little stomachs don't go empty on weekends

By Rachel Pritchett, synod communicator, rachelpritchett@msn.com, 206-498-0920

PORT LUDLOW — It's been more than two years now, since Lutheran Church of the Redeemer split away from the ELCA, leaving a large chunk of membership desiring to stay with the ELCA without a place to worship.

It wasn't long, though, that the motivated group found a new home, albeit an unlikely one — a lodge along picturesque Beaver Valley Road with multiple pipe organs collected by the lodge's owner, veterinarian Dr. Robert Schladetzky, and even a full-service bar.

But somehow all that transforms into a sanctuary at 10 o'clock every Sunday morning under the direction of the Rev. Laurie Stumme-Diers.

One recent Sunday after worship, members traipsed through the grassy wet grounds to a barn on the property, where they began filling 55 bags of food for Chimacum-area students at risk of going hungry on the weekends, when schools and their meal programs close down.

Under the direction of Harold Jensen and Pam Kelly, the worker fill the bags with tuna, soup, raisins, fruit snacks and oatmeal.

Peace's "Backpacks for Kids" ministry is as old as the reborn worship group itself, and has attracted the attention of other helping groups in Jefferson County, where unemployment persists at around 9.5 percent. Local churches and a food bank are in talks with Peace to increase the volume of bags sent home with students on Fridays.

The idea was hatched by Jensen, who before retiring as a psychologist at the South Kitsap School District, saw a similar program work there.

No one knows how long Peace will worship at the lodge. It's been for sale for some time, though the market for a lodge full of pipe organs is limited.

But it seems certain that Peace and its mission will continue far into the future. All are welcome. Come by to worship and visit with the people of Peace, at 2924 Beaver Valley Road. More is at www.peacelutheranfellowship.org.

Pictured: Harold Jensen, back left, and Pam Kelly, back right, direct the work.