Spirit of Peace is the culmination of a journey started by St. Paul’s Lutheran of Minnetonka. When a series of events lead to inability to financially support its building, a difficult decision was made to sell the building. The people of St. Paul’s spent some time in the wilderness, worshiping in rented spaces and discerning God’s direction. At one point in the journey, the people of St. Paul’s connected with and began walking with kindred spirits coming from a UCC heritage.
This culminated in formation of a new congregation named Spirit of Peace who found support and worship space with Mills Church in Minnetonka where we continued the birthing process.
Theologically, we refer to ourselves as interdenominational, that is, we respect and honor beliefs and practices of multiple denominations. We generally believe the benefits provided by the structure of a denomination are outweighed by the limitations and restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
What flavor of church are you?
Our history includes long-term affiliations with both the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Now, though, we think of ourselves as interdenominational. Our roots affirm the Christian tradition, but we are open to insight and wisdom from wherever Truth springs. We have an expansive spirituality, which means we believe there are many paths to the Holy, and that Christianity is bigger and more inclusive than many of us realized growing up. We believe in a Christianity of healing, grace and unity.
Who attends Spirit of Peace?
We’re a friendly bunch! We have many retired people, couples and singles. We have a few families, and some young people. Our in-person gatherings average around 40 people, so you’ll not feel alone or overwhelmed. We also have an online presence and many watch our services from home.
Are you church-y?
Well, yes and no. We like the original intention of the Greek word ecclesia, which is translated to “church”. It actually means an assembly or meeting, not a building or institution. So a “church” is…the people. We are very church-y in the sense that our weekly gatherings are the heart and soul of our community. They are the center of our spiritual lives together. If church-y to you means dogmatic or rigid in belief, that does not describe us at all! We honor each person’s journey of faith and spirit and welcome questions and doubts.
When and where do you meet?
We meet in the main sanctuary at Mills Church. During the summer, Mills Church and Spirit of Peace are joining together for services each Sunday at 10 am. From the week after Labor Day to the beginning of summer, Spirit of Peace meets at 4:30 pm on Saturdays. You can check the schedule on our calendar. You’ll also find the YouTube link if you prefer to join us virtually.
What are your services like?
We gather to experience belonging, meet new friends, renew our spirits, and gain fresh insight and inspiration. Our services are casual and informal—there are no dress codes! They are lively with music, stories, reflection, silence, prayer, evocative poetry and sacred texts, and relevant teaching that links our spiritual growth and experience to everyday life and the realities of our world. Our pastor usually leads the service, but there are always others joining in to do readings, sing or a solo or be part of an ensemble, lift up a prayer, or even offer a message. And of course, we love to hang around afterwards for coffee, treats and conversation.