Peace Lutheran Church Peace Council Tom Gardner

P. O. Box 5

Barrett, MN 56311

320-528-6278

tgardgmc@runestone.net

Jan Vipond

Po Box 188

Barrett, MN 56311

320-528-2421

djvipers@runestone.net

Leon Johnson

19330 150th Ave

Barrett, MN 56311

320-528-2304

fruidnits@runestone.net

Brenda Long

19594 120th St

Herman, MN 56248

320-246-3237

long@runestone.net

Jennifer McLaughlin

107 6th St. South

Hoffman, MN 56339

320-986-2139

mikejen@runestone.net

Charles Johnson

16357 County Road 2

Barrett, MN 56311

320-528-2289

cjfarmv1@runestone.net

Gwen Rollofson

311 Hawkins Ave E

Barrett, MN 56311

320-528-2524

rollofson@runestone.net

Marilyn Frykman

21398 140th Ave

Barrett, MN 56311

320-528-2359

dfrykman@runestone.net

APRIL SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

We had a great time delivering muffins to 8 homes on March 15th. Thank you to Jodi Overson, Kristy Simar, and Steph Nelson for driving and helping, and to our delivers: Henry & Chloe Rose, Colt, Cash & Jaclynn Nelson, Adam & Lily Rudell, Tayden Amundson, Trenton Gatzlaff, Isaac Overson, Aubrie Schroeder, and Sami Wendt. We made a lot of people happy that morning! Big thanks Marlene Dreier for making our muffins shes such a treasure! Weve begun our Jonah and the Big Fish rotation and want to thank Paulette Dalum for helping in our Cooking Room and Marlene Dreier in our Games Room. Thank you for giving us ONE HOUR! Our Sunday School kids will help hand out palm leaves on Palm Sunday, March 29th and there will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday, April 5th. Our last rotation, Daniel and the Lions begins on April 26th. Our last day of Sunday School will be on May 17th. Its not too early to start thinking of Vacation Bible School. This year VBS will be held from Sunday, August 2nd through Thursday, August 6th. If you can help in anyway, please let Joyce know. Thank you!! As always, all are welcome to visit our Sunday School rooms to see what we do and what we learn. Joyce Hanson, Director Peace Sunday School 320-528-2354 (home phone) baskets@runestone.net (email)

APRIL 2015

mailto:baskets@runestone.net

Council Notes

The minutes from the monthly council meetings are printed

in each newsletter once they have been approved and submit-

ted as record. As part of our functional ministry here at

Peace, the council is considering posting a Wish List com-

munication. We would ask the members of the church family

to write down any wishes they may have for the council as

your representatives to consider. For example items such as:

a) 6 round tables for the fellowship hall, b) a water cooler, c) a

specified fund project for repairing our parking lot. Any item

you wish which would functionally improve our church would

be applicable. The council is often presented with donations

without a specific goal (project) in mind. If you should have a

specific designation in mind, it is always helpful for our

financial staff to have the check written as the graphic shown

below:

Mens Breakfast Group

Great food and fellowship is shared every Thursday morning

at 6:30 a.m. during the fall and winter months. The Mens

Breakfast group has been meeting for more than sixteen

years. Not only has this group been a great supportive minis-

try to our men but also has financially benefited many of the

other church ministries. From 2007 to 2014, over $21,000 has

been raised by this group of men. In this time period, 45% of

the monies raised have gone for church capital improvements,

36% of the funds have supported our youth programs, and

17% of the money has gone to local and community needs and

3% to overseas mission projects. Another successful dinner

was held on March 22nd with over 190 meals being made. The

fellowship with our extended community was wonderful.

Youth Ministry

According to the adult leadership the fund raising for the

Youth Gathering trip is going well.

Three of the Peace youth who have committed to the trip are

Lexi Danner, Mary Thompson, and Ryleigh Johnson.

Lexi is an eighth grader at WCA and is presently with Pastor

Matthew in confirmation class. She is very excited about the

Gathering hoping to meet new people and learn to help oth-

ers out. Lexis long term goals are to eventually become a

physician. She is the daughter of Heather and Jon Danner

and has two younger brothers.

Mary had an opportunity to hear from other kids how exciting

and impressive the New Orleans Youth Gathering had been

and made up her mind she wanted an opportunity to go and

experience a gathering of that magnitude. While the mystery

mission trips have been very hard work, they all have left her

with an amazing feeling after she could help someone out.

Mary is a Junior at WCA and has tentative plans to go into the

cosmetology business when she graduates. She is the daugh-

ter of Linda Buchite.

Ryleigh hopes to meet many new people and bond with

others as children of God. She is also a Junior at WCA and

along with her school work is also managing a part time job.

Ryleigh has saved and met her goal to finance her trip to

Detroit. Her plans after high school graduation are to go to

Junior college and perhaps develop a career in the field of

psychology. Andrea and Reggie are her parents and she also

has a sister who is two years younger.

March Youth Lock In

We had 16 youth and many chaperones throughout the night,

making this months Lock-in a great success! Activities

throughout the night included Faith related Hollywood mov-

ies, large group video games (from the 1990s!), board games,

and of course plenty of conversation and bonding. We gath-

ered for whole group activities including active outdoor and

indoor games and our Midnight Worship service. The night

ended with breakfast with the Legion and Worship here at

Peace! A great time was had by all!

Altar Guild Ministry

This dedicated group of eighteen women prepares for com-

munion. They use their artistry to decorate the sanctuary with

banners that celebrate and offer spiritual themes and messag-

es. Collectively they create the banners, display them in the

sanctuary, hang the ceiling celebration swags and decorate

the fellowship and meeting areas of the church. It is their

hard work that glorifies our worship area that makes it the

welcoming environment that it is. Their work is funded by

the Palm Sunday brunch served every year at Peace. If you

wish to participate in this ministry, please contact Pat

Ronhovde.

Apri l 2015

An Introduction to Faith and Spirituality in Cream of Mushroom Soup Land

By Kate (Frykman) Erickson

Where do kids learn the difference between religion and spirituality? What type of environment

provides teens with opportunities to be accepted as who they are? Where can kids go to ask the really

really tough questions, such as: Is swearing really a sin? Answer: faith based youth programs. Peace

Lutheran Church youth programs provided me with opportunities to address all of the above questions;

serve my community; and see the world!

Peace Church is where I grew up, and is synonymous to my definition of home. My fellow

Peace youth group members may not have been my closest friends at school, but due to our involvement

in this group and shared experiences we became somewhat of a quasi-family unit. Youth group was a

safe, positive, pro-social activity where we discussed and sorted through difficult social dilemmas

(bullying, relationships, and social status) we faced, and embarked upon more adult-focused topics such

as planning for our futures. We learned how are faith journey and connection to spirituality would

provide us with support and strength during those moments of indecision, uncertainty and growth.

During my tenure as a Peace youth group member I was able to serve my congregation and

community through various fundraisers and acts of service. The Easter breakfast fundraiser helped to

hone my skills at pouring coffee, and identifying an actual measurement to just 10 drops. Smiles

abounded from those whose plates I bussed at the Mens Breakfast Meatball Dinner, the Picnic Basket

Auction, and the Valentines Day Dinner. In truth, my bowling skills really never improved after several

occasions to bowl with the residents at the Barrett Care Center; however, these events always offered a

free lesson in humility. Church festivals, food drives, hay rides, and decorating for special holidays and

events allowed us to connect with members of the congregation and those in the community. Peace

youth group activities filled my social calendar with activities I did not have to beg my parents to attend,

and at times provided the added bonus of approved absences from hog chores on the farm.

The town of Barrett, in small, stop-light-less Grant County, Minnesota holds a special place in my

heart and will always be considered my home. However, due to its comforts and geography, at times it

struggles to expose its inhabitants to different cultures, ethnicities, belief systems, and ways of life all

equally important in Gods creation. As a participant in Peace youth group I white-water canoed (for my

first and only time); taught bible school and assisted with home improvement projects to people who

lived in the Appalachian mountains; and witnessed homelessness and served those individuals who

experienced that struggle a few short hours from my door step. My curtain call with youth group was

when I traveled to India. Words cannot explain or describe the impact this opportunity had on me as a

person and my life in general. India was not a trip it was a journey; it was not a destination but

an experience.

The values and teachings of kindness, love, respect, acceptance, accountability and forgiveness

bestowed upon me during my time with Peace youth group guided me to my chosen career path in social

justice and public safety. They provide sustenance to my personal and professional relationships;

reaffirm my connection with my family, and have built a strong foundation for my marriage. I view the

world through lenses created from the aforementioned teachings and experiences.

Peace Lutheran Church Council Meeting February 11, 2015 6 p.m.

Call Meeting to OrderVP Tom G with welcome to new members.

Devotional/Visioning TimeEveryone asked to state a vision of where they wanted to see us in 5 years.

Election of OfficersMotion by Jan to nominate Jennifer for secretary. Tom G 2nd. Marilyn nominated Jan for

VP. 2nd by Jennifer. Jan nominated Tom for President. Brenda 2nd. All nominations accepted and MCU.

Secretarys ReportMTA Leon, 2nd Brenda. MCU.

Treasurers ReportMTA Leon, 2nd Jan. MCU.

Pastors RepotWorking on intentional effort to vision. First meetings about what it is to be a church. Offering

discussion sessions at church, the middle of the day and the evening. Have had very good conversations so far.

Getting emails from people with ideas for 5 years into the future. We need a vehicle to get from here to there.

We currently have no vehicle to get drive the momentum forward. Pastor Matthew has been ill nearly all of

January and is now feeling better. Discussed the sharing of information regarding what is going on in the

church. Within the current confirmation class 7 of 8 youth first contacts with the church came through Release

Time. Pastors report also covered New Business items for Church Night.

Old Business

Audit of Church Books is done. Thank you to Mike McLaughlin and Chad Rollofson.

New Business

September 2015 Church Night initial proposal. Pastor Matthew would like to see bringing church

night back on Wednesday nights to include the possibilities of a community meal, service, Bible Study

led by congregation, possibly separate Bible Study for men and women. He would propose moving

Confirmation to Sunday mornings. Sometimes the best things dont cost anything. We have people who

are willing to take leadership and ownership for loading our Wednesday Nights.

Community Page for NewsletterMarilyn and Gwen will spearhead a project to add a community page

to the newsletter with goal of being informative to the Family of Peace.

Portico BenefitsWe budgeted way off for 2015. This is under Pension Insurance on the budget line

item. The Benefit plan is established by the ELCA Board of Pensions. We budgeted $10,000 based on

the budget calculator which was on line from 2014 that did not include the 17% increase for 2015 due to

the average age of pastors being closer to retirement. Expense will be closer to $14,000.

Lent March 11th- Council meeting falls on Lenten Services Night. Will move meeting to 7:15 and be

mindful of the length of the meeting.

Lent (loose offering designate). National Youth Gathering youth and families will serve Lenten meals.

Brenda made motion to donate loose, non-envelope offering and supper donations half to the youth

gathering fundraising efforts and half to Someplace Safe. Jan 2nd. MCU.

BusWritten report by Terry Volker. Drivers must have a DOT medical card. Pastor Matthew will

obtain as he has a physical scheduled. DOT inspection was approved January 30, 2015. Two tires had to

be replaced at the same time as with dual wheels. We have a DOT number now.

Kitchen FaucetFaucet does not allow water carafes or pitchers to be filled. WELCA has offered to

replace the faucet with a gooseneck faucet. Jan made motion to accept WELCAs offer to replace the fau-

cet. Gwen 2nd.

MemorialFamily has expressed an interest in designating memorial funds to the beginning of a

parking lot fund. Discussed the need to develop a plan for saving/fundraising for the project over the

next 3-5 years. Previous estimates identified that the lot could no longer be seal coated effectively and the

repaving of the lot was estimated around $60,000.

AdjournMotion to adjourn, Pastor Matthew. 2nd Tom. MCU

Closing Prayer.

Jennifer McLaughlin, Secretary

Apri l 2015

One of my greatest joys is presiding over Communion

every week; to declare Gods promises of forgiveness

and life for you week after week. But sometimes hear-

ing these promises so frequently can make our hearts

numb to their impact, and our reverence can make this

feel more like an obligation than an invitation.

As we celebrate Easter this month, and remem-

ber Christs death and resurrection anew, I invite you

to see Communion through the eyes of the children at

Peace Lutheran. Here are some profound lessons Ive

learned from them: 1. Run down the aisle. Who would-

nt want to get to Gods gifts as fast as you can?

Shouldnt we all be running to feast with Christ?

2. Stretch, reach, and grab at the bread. If God promis-

es forgiveness and life and salvation, who wouldnt

want to get their hands on it?!

3. Take communion with a toy. Its acceptable, as long

as the toy is served communion as well. Kids

understand that everyone is welcome at Gods table.

Human and teddy bear alike.

4. Drink every drop. It is critical that every drop of

grape juice and crumb of bread is consumed at

communion. Who cares if people are waiting, you do

not leave that table until you take every last moment

you can with Christ. Slurping is just part of it.

5. Ask for a "big piece." Why settle for just a little bit

of Christ? Dont we all want a "big piece" of his

presence? 6. Seek out the leftovers. The Bread and Cup

of Life are too good to feed to the birds or pour out on

the ground. So we eat all the bread and drink all the

juice after worship. Its like seconds! (See 4 and 5)

7. Being shy is okay. Kids understand that its an honor

to receive Gods gifts, and its a treat to be at the table.

Being shy to kids is like being humble to adults.

Humility at the table of God? Cant argue with that!

8. Laugh. A meal shared with loved ones? Its a party!

Sharing this meal is a joyful event! Our sins are forgiv-

en, and Christ gives us life! Hurray!

9. Express thanks. Thats what Eucharist means. So

one thumbs-up at the meal is acceptable, but two

thumbs-up is awesome.

10. Save some for later. Putting bread into your pocket

seems like a perfectly reasonable way to take Christ

into the world.

The beauty of Communion is that none of us

fully understand the grace offered there. We cannot

fathom the depth of love that sends Christ to the cross

for our sake. All we can do is approach with child-like

faith, knowing that Gods promises are true and his

love endless.

God fill you with his grace this Easter, and send

you out in his love!

~Pastor Matthew

Stewardship of the Good News

APRIL 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 1pm WELCA 2pm Release Time 5:30 pm First communion Class

2 Maundy Thursday Worship 6:30pm

3 Good Friday 6:30pm Worship

4

5 Easter NO Sunday School 10:30am Worship

6

7 8 2pm Release Time 3:20pm Confirmation 6pm Council

9 10 10am Faithful Folders

11

12 9:15am S School 10:30am Worship

13

14 9am Ever-Blessed Quilters

15 9am Ever-Blessed Quilters 2pm Release Time 3:20 Confirmation

16

17 10am Faithful Folders

18

19 9:15 Sunday School 9:40am Mens Choir Rehearsal 10:30am Worship

20

21 22 2pm Release Time 3:20pm Confirmation

23

24 10am Faithful Folders

25

26 9:15am SS 10:30am Worship

27

28 29 2pm Release Time 3:20pm Confirmation

30

Altar Guild

Sandy Kashmark, Jennifer Combs

Brenda Long

Readers

4/5 Jennifer McLaughlin

4/12 Byron Bartz

4/19 Leon Johnson

4/26 Kathy Dahl

Work Group #1

Doug & Marilyn Frykman

Bob & Irene Shervey

Serving in April

February Financial Report

Needed Monthly $19,904

Received So Far $18,878

First Communion class -April 1st 5:30pm. Contact Pastor

Matthew for more information.

Peace Cemetery Association will hold their Annual Meeting on May 3, 2015

in the Hegne Room. Some items to be discussed are:

Increasing the price of a lot from $200 to $300

Upkeep of both cemeteries

Election of Officers

Other Business

Reminder that lots purchased before May are $200 after that $300.

Doug Ostenson, President

Servers

April 5th Easter Sunday

Irene and Bob Shervey

Karen and Les Alvstad

Nancy and Marvin Simar

April 12th Ardis and John Paulson

Marilyn and Doug Frykman

April 19th Jan Vipond

Ardis and Roger Soberg

April 26th Nancy Waugh

Annabelle and Dwaine Olson

Ushers

April 5th Easter Sunday

Irene and Bob Shervey

Karen and Les Alvstad

Nancy and Marvin Simar

April 12th Ardis and John Paulson

Marilyn and Doug Frykman

April 19th Jan Vipond

Ardis and Roger Soberg

April 26th Nancy Waugh

Annabelle and Dwaine Olson

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

PO Box 206

Barrett MN 56311

Rev. Matthew Rose, Pastor RevMatthew@PeaceBarrett.org cell phone: 218-770-8470

Office: 320-528-2536 email: Office@PeaceBarrett.org Church: www.peacebarrett.org

2

0

1

5

Holy Week 2015 Maundy Thursday, April 2nd Worship/1st Communion-6:30pm

Good Friday, April 3rd6:30pm Worship

Easter Sunday, April 5th- Worship w/Holy Communion

NO Sunday School

10:30am Worship