Peace Council

Tom Gardner

Peace Lutheran Church

P. O. Box 5
Barrett, MN 56311
320-528-6278
tgardgmc@runestone.net

Jan Vipond

APRIL 2015

Po Box 188
Barrett, MN 56311

APRIL SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

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

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!

Herman, MN 56248
320-246-3237
long@runestone.net

Jennifer McLaughlin
107 6th St. South

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!

Hoffman, MN 56339
320-986-2139
mikejen@runestone.net

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.

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

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!!

rollofson@runestone.net

Marilyn Frykman
21398 140th Ave
Barrett, MN 56311
320-528-2359
dfrykman@runestone.net

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)

Council Notes
The minutes from the monthly council meetings are printed
in each newsletter once they have been approved and submitted as record. As part of our functional ministry here at
Peace, the council is considering posting a Wish List communication. 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:

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 daughter 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

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 ministry 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

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 movies, large group video games (from the 1990s!), board games,
and of course plenty of conversation and bonding. We gathered 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!

According to the adult leadership the fund raising for the Altar Guild Ministry
Youth Gathering trip is going well.
This dedicated group of eighteen women prepares for comThree of the Peace youth who have committed to the trip are munion. They use their artistry to decorate the sanctuary with
banners that celebrate and offer spiritual themes and messagLexi Danner, Mary Thompson, and Ryleigh Johnson.
Lexi is an eighth grader at WCA and is presently with Pastor es. Collectively they create the banners, display them in the
Matthew in confirmation class. She is very excited about the sanctuary, hang the ceiling celebration swags and decorate
Gathering hoping to meet new people and learn to help oth- the fellowship and meeting areas of the church. It is their
ers out. Lexis long term goals are to eventually become a hard work that glorifies our worship area that makes it the
physician. She is the daughter of Heather and Jon Danner welcoming environment that it is. Their work is funded by
the Palm Sunday brunch served every year at Peace. If you
and has two younger brothers.
wish to participate in this ministry, please contact Pat
Ronhovde.

April 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 faucet. 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

April 2015

Stewardship of the Good News

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 hearing 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.

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

Sharing this meal is a joyful event! Our sins are forgiven, 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.

As we celebrate Easter this month, and remem- 10. Save some for later. Putting bread into your pocket
ber Christs death and resurrection anew, I invite you
seems like a perfectly reasonable way to take Christ
to see Communion through the eyes of the children at into the world.
Peace Lutheran. Here are some profound lessons Ive
learned from them: 1. Run down the aisle. Who wouldnt 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 promises 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.

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
5. Ask for a "big piece." Why settle for just a little bit
faith, knowing that Gods promises are true and his
of Christ? Dont we all want a "big piece" of his
presence? 6. Seek out the leftovers. The Bread and Cup love endless.
of Life are too good to feed to the birds or pour out on
God fill you with his grace this Easter, and send
the ground. So we eat all the bread and drink all the
you out in his love!
juice after worship. Its like seconds! (See 4 and 5)
~Pastor Matthew
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!

APRIL 2015
Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Fri

Sat

3 Good Friday 4

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

5 Easter

Thu
Maundy Thursday
Worship 6:30pm

6:30pm Worship

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

26

27

28

29

30

NO Sunday School
10:30am Worship

9:15am S School
10:30am Worship

9:15 Sunday School

9:40am Mens
Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship

9:15am SS
10:30am Worship

9am
Ever-Blessed
Quilters

2pm Release Time

3:20pm Confirmation
6pm Council

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

2pm Release Time

3:20pm Confirmation

2pm Release Time

3:20pm Confirmation

10am
Faithful Folders

10am
Faithful Folders

10am
Faithful Folders

25

Serving in April
Servers
April 5th

April 12th

Ushers
April 5th

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday

Irene and Bob Shervey

Irene and Bob Shervey

Karen and Les Alvstad

Karen and Les Alvstad

Nancy and Marvin Simar

Nancy and Marvin Simar

Ardis and John Paulson

April 12th

Marilyn and Doug Frykman

Marilyn and Doug Frykman

April 19th

April 19th

Jan Vipond

April 26th

Nancy Waugh
Annabelle and Dwaine Olson

Readers
4/5 Jennifer McLaughlin

Jan Vipond
Ardis and Roger Soberg

Ardis and Roger Soberg

April 26th

Ardis and John Paulson

Nancy Waugh
Annabelle and Dwaine Olson

Work Group #1

Altar Guild

Doug & Marilyn Frykman

Sandy Kashmark, Jennifer Combs

Bob & Irene Shervey

Brenda Long

4/19 Leon Johnson

February Financial Report

Needed Monthly $19,904
Received So Far $18,878

4/26 Kathy Dahl

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

Matthew for more information.

4/12 Byron Bartz

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

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

PO Box 206
Barrett MN 56311

2
0
1
5

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

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

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