In a world of conflict and hostility come stand with us on the side of love. Welcome Home.
We are a Spiritual Community and Church that seeks to simultaneously allow every person the freedom to find their own understanding of God, service and personal spirituality/journey AND we name and affirm those values and beliefs that all can embrace and hold communally.
As an emerging congregation, our journey is an adventure. We embrace our mission, being led by the spirit, to make a difference in the world and expect to learn more about the meaning of true welcoming every day.
Come and walk with us as we explore new ways of being and serving.
Reconciling Works
This we Believe
We believe the umbrella of God’s love, as exemplified in Jesus the Christ, is big enough for everyone to be welcomed.
We believe that love, not doctrine, holds us together.
We believe we are called to welcome and affirm all marginalized peoples, including all in the LGBTQIA+ community.
We believe the deepest expression of our faith is found in the way we treat others.
We believe you don’t need to take the Bible literally to discover God’s profound truths and message.
We believe authentic spiritual growth nurtures our whole being — our hearts, our bodies, our minds and our choices.
We believe that we learn from one another’s diverse experiences and perspectives, and it’s okay if we don’t share the exact same beliefs.
We believe listening to others and respecting them is a deeply spiritual act, even when we disagree.
Not all claims to truth are the same, to be sure, but we believe every claim should be measured by love.
We believe the wisdom offered from other faith traditions can complement and enrich our spiritual journeys.
We believe church should be a place of peace that welcomes those who believe in God some of the time, or none of the time, or all of the time.
We believe that environmental justice guides us to a sustainable stewardship of creation.
We believe we are interwoven with all Creation through the Holy Spirit—the Benevolent Mystery—that moves within and among us, always.
Join us for Worship
Weekly In-Person Worship Service 4:30 PM Saturdays in the Mills Church Building Sanctuary and also live cast on YouTube. Select service to view here, join livecast using the link on our calendar, or go toour YouTube channel:
We believe in inter-generational worship, meaning we encourage all ages to lead and share their love of God. We serve an open communion, meaning that all are invited to take the cup together with us. Finally, we believe in connecting our lives with God through our heart, mind, body and soul…and loving our neighbors as ourselves.
“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
Community
We commit to support the greater community by contributing to other nonprofit organizations. We commit at least $1000 per month for these nonprofits.
The Nonprofits are chosen at a “Nominate a Nonprofit Event” where individuals are invited to introduce and advocate for organizations that they would like Spirit of Peace to support.
Nonprofits Supported in 2023
August - We Can International
The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International is a solutions-based organization established to engage women worldwide in policy advocacy, on-the-ground projects, trainings, and movement building for global climate justice.
August - Save Our Monarchs
Save Our Monarchs is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to saving the embattled monarch butterflies.
We are a hands-on group, who get our fingernails dirty, planting milkweed plants – the monarch caterpillar's only source of sustenance.
It’s truly the most direct, hands-on way to save the Monarch.
August - Osprey Wilds
Osprey Wilds is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) residential environmental learning center and conference & retreat center nestled on the shores of Grindstone Lake in east-central Minnesota.
We are committed to developing an understanding, ethics and responsibility regarding the environment and stewardship through formal and informal teaching that links nature and humans.
July - Worth Rises
Worth Rises is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to dismantling the prison industry and ending the exploitation of those it touches. We work to expose the commercialization of the criminal legal system and advocate and organize to protect and return the economic resources extracted from affected communities. Through our work, we strive to pave a road toward a safe and just world free of police and prisons.
Centered on relationship building and community, a Clubhouse is comprised of “members” and staff working together on recovery from mental illness through hope, purpose, and opportunities.
June - Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light
Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light works in partnership with faith and spiritual communities to build transformative power and bring the lights of people’s unique gifts to addressing the climate crisis.
We grow the climate movement in Minnesota by empowering individuals and communities across the state to take action that is authentic, effective, and energizing in their context. Join us in building a powerful social movement for climate and environmental justice.
May - Do Organization
The Do Organization is comprised of children of the church who raise money through lemonade stands and bake sales mostly. They spend the money on goods for a variety of nonprofits; making sandwiches for Our Savior’s Housing, buying shoes for children at Sojourners (a shelter for victims of domestic violence), and toys for children through Resource West, to name a few.
May - Rice Street Gardens
We at Rice Street Gardens are 260 families growing our own food, 70% of us are immigrants (most from Myanmar and Nepal, and we speak over a dozen first languages. Please help keep Rice Street Gardens Stay Alive!
April, July - Can Do Canines
Can Do Canines is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs.
April - Crescent Cove
Crescent Cove offers care and support to children and young adults with a shortened life-expectancy, and their families who love them.
The Crescent Cove Respite & Hospice Home for Kids is a vibrant and joyful home-away-from home for kids with life-threatening conditions, where each moment is embraced and celebrated. All services and stays provided at Crescent Cove to kids and families are at no out-of-pocket cost thanks to the generosity of donors who make this possible.
March, June - ICA (June as Rey Lindquist Memorial)
OUR MISSION is to create a healthy and stable community for all.
OUR VISION is a community where everyone has the resources to thrive.
OUR BELIEF is ICA’s presence in our communities makes our neighborhoods more stable and secure.
One World Surgery ignites the spirit of service and transforms lives by providing access to high-quality surgical and primary care globally.
February - Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center
The Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center (Arsht-Rock) builds human capacity for resilience in the face of climate impacts. We pledge to reach one billion people with resilience solutions to climate change by 2030.
February - Lift Up - for Earthquake Relief
Our Mission: We make it easy for you to change the world.
To do this, we vet each project through a rigorous 12-step certification process to ensure that the impact is tangible, sustainable, and locally powered. Plus, we believe every dollar makes an impact, so we give 100% away
The Bridge for Youth centers youth voice, justice, and equity in all we do and empowers youth experiencing homelessness through safe shelter, basic needs, and healthy relationships. Our vision is a community where all youth feel safe, accepted, and supported.
Nonprofits Supported in 2022
December - Every Meal
Every Meal is on a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. We focus on filling the food gaps children face on when they’re not able to access school meal programs.
Through our multiple food gap programs, we provide children and families experiencing food insecurity with access to good food at more than 500 locations in Minnesota. Learn more at https://www.everymeal.org/
Every year, millions of children die from preventable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and undernutrition. Hunger is still causing nearly half of deaths in children under 5 years old. From this data, we estimate at least 6,200 children die each day from causes related to undernutrition. This is heartbreaking.
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) believes hope starts with food. As a Christian nonprofit, FMSC is dedicated to seeing every child whole in body and spirit. FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development.
FMSC meals are developed by food science and nutrition professionals to supplement nutritional needs and reduce problems with malnutrition. Nutrition allows children to grow, thrive and develop to their full potential.
October - Women’s Prison Book Project
Since 1994, the Women’s Prison Book Project (WPBP) has provided women and transgender persons in prison with free reading materials covering a wide range of topics from law and education (dictionaries, GED, etc.) to fiction, politics, history, and women’s health. We are an all-volunteer, grassroots organization.
Every year, Animal Humane Society provides direct care and services to help nearly 100,000 animals in need across Minnesota.
As one of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, AHS is transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities. From innovative medical and behavior programs to investments in outreach and advocacy, we’re advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.
September - Adult Options in Education
Adult Options in Education prepares adults with the competency and confidence to achieve their dreams, effectively engage in their communities, and inspire a lifetime of learning. We serve the Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, and Wayzata Schools. We offer free ESL, GED, college & career preparation, and computer skills classes to adult learners. Learn more at: https://www.adultoptions.org
September - Minnesota Council of Churches
Our goal is to build strong communities that are made up of
meaningful relationships and guided by our deepest values. The Minnesota Council of Churches is your partner in living out your faith in your community. We manifest the unity of the body of Christ and build the common good in the world through Refugee Services, Truth & Reparations racial justice, MCC Respectful ConversationsTM, Interfaith bridge-building and justice advocacy.
August - ICA
OUR MISSION is to create a healthy and stable community for all.
OUR VISION is a community where everyone has the resources to thrive.
OUR BELIEF is ICA’s presence in our communities makes our neighborhoods more stable and secure.
ResourceWest is a non-profit community agency that serves families and individuals living in the West Metro community. We support people as they become more connected, more resourceful, and more hopeful about their future. From crisis, to action, to hope: the services of ResourceWest stabilize families and ultimately help build healthier communities one neighbor at a time. Visit us at https://www.resourcewest.org/
August - Sendi Ian Foundation
Sendi Ian Foundation brings hope and restoration to vulnerable children and women in Uganda. We aim at the pain in our communities and invite you to join us. Ian’s Uganda ministry is run under
Sojourner’s mission is to provide emergency shelter, support, and legal advocacy services to those victimized by domestic violence and other forms of interpersonal violence. To that end, we provide services to victims of dating violence and sexual assault. Our ultimate goal encourages the change from crisis to stability and the transition from victim to survivor. In order to build safer communities, Sojourner conducts outreach activities and specifically designed presentations to heighten public awareness and engage groups and individuals in educational opportunities to prevent future victims and abusers. All Sojourner services are confidential and free of charge.
July - Our Saviour's Housing
Our Saviour's Housing (OSH) is a program of Our Saviour's Community Services. Through our emergency shelter in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis and our Supportive Housing Program, we help our residents and guests increase their skills and improve their lives. Our mission at OSH is eliminating homelessness by providing shelter, support, and a chance to start over. The origins of Our Saviour's Housing date back 40 years to 1982. Learn more about Our Saviour's Housing at https://oscs-mn.org
July, December - United States Foundation for the Children of Haiti
Fondation pour les Enfants d'Haiti (FEH) is a non-profit organization established in Haiti in 1989 to continue the work begun earlier in the 1980's under the name of Caribbean View Home for Children. FEH is managed and directed by Haitians, under the leadership of Gladys Thomas, and the people who know best the needs of the children of their country and how to work within that country. It's US Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers dedicated to serving children through FEH.
The Foundation’s commitment and effectiveness is rooted in the fact that it is a Haitian organization. FCH was established by a Haitian woman, and has always been operated by Haitians. The staff is experienced and capable. They understand and respect Haitian people and culture. And, since Haiti is their home, they are committed to the long term development of the country.
The Foundation for the Children of Haiti employs 236 Haitians in its various programs. In a country where the unemployment rate is around 70 - 80%, secure and steady jobs are almost impossible to find. Some of the FEH staff come from backgrounds of poverty, and many would otherwise be unemployed. Providing 236 families with the means to support themselves, while changing the lives of those they care for, is a very significant aspect of FEH's work.
June - Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
Our Mission: To lead in the pursuit of understanding and addressing the ongoing trauma created by the U.S. Indian Boarding School policy.
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition is a membership organization comprised of over 780 Native and Non-Native members and organizations committed to boarding school healing.
Centered on relationship building and community, a Clubhouse is comprised of “members” and staff working together on recovery from mental illness through hope, purpose, and opportunities.
The Minnesota Freedom Fund envisions a world where justice restores the humanity and dignity of all involved. We fight to exist in a world where every individual has access to resources to lead healthy and full lives.
April - GiGi's Playhouse
GiGi's Playhouse was created to change the way the world views a Down syndrome diagnosis and send a global message of acceptance for all.
We understand that many families are first time parents, and they need us. Many young parents do not expect, or know in advance of their child’s diagnosis, and they need renewed hope and genuine acceptance from day one.
At GiGi’s Playhouse families are never alone. From a prenatal diagnosis to career skills, we make a lifetime commitment to remain by their side. Families are empowered with all the tools their child needs to succeed!
April - WARMZ
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.. more info coming
March - ICA
OUR MISSION is to create a healthy and stable community for all.
OUR VISION is a community where everyone has the resources to thrive.
OUR BELIEF is ICA’s presence in our communities makes our neighborhoods more stable and secure.
Our Mission: We make it easy for you to change the world.
To do this, we vet each project through a rigorous 12-step certification process to ensure that the impact is tangible, sustainable, and locally powered. Plus, we believe every dollar makes an impact, so we give 100% away
Every Meal is on a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. We focus on filling the food gaps children face on when they’re not able to access school meal programs.
Through our multiple food gap programs, we provide children and families experiencing food insecurity with access to good food at more than 500 locations in Minnesota. Learn more at https://www.everymeal.org/