Peace Council

Tom Gardner

Peace Lutheran Church

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

January 2017

Jan Vipond
Po Box 188
Barrett, MN 56311
320-528-2421

JANUARY SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

djvipers@runestone.net

Leon Johnson
19330 150th Ave
Barrett, MN 56311
320-528-2304

Happy 2017!

Our Sunday School Christmas Program has been rescheduled to

Sunday, January 15th at 10:30 am. We will have our dress rehearsal
that day at 9:00 am.

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

Our program includes a short piece entitled Did Mary Know presented by our younger students, special music, and Just a Little
Christmas where all our kids have a part. We hope you enjoy
watching as much as we enjoy sharing our talents with you! As
planned, birthday cake will be served following the program. Please
join us!

Our first day of Sunday School, January 8th, will be program practice as we need to brush up after a three week delay!

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

Beginning January 8th, 2017, church services will be held from 8:45
until 9:30 am. Sunday School will begin at 9:45 am and end at 10:45
am. We hope our children will attend church services and serve as
ushers. They are a big part of our church and we are so glad they
are so willing to help! Remember there is a bus available for transportation if needed.
Jesus Feeds 5,000 is our first rotation lesson of the New Year.
Because of our postponed program, we will only have two sessions
Cooking on January 22nd and Crafts on January 29th.

320-528-2524
rollofson@runestone.net

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

In February our lessons will be about Love Is... beginning with

Movies, then Cooking (we will be decorating Valentine cookies to
deliver to Barrett Care Center and Rolling Hills Residence), Games,
and Crafts.
Joyce Hanson, Director
320-528-2354 (Home)
320-424-9726 (Cell)

January 2017

Spotlight from your Peace Council

In the spirit of transparency, and as we begin a new year,
it may be prudent to look back on how we arrived at
where we are now. Thirteen months ago, we were faced
with the challenge of a Pastoral vacancy at Peace. We
were blessed to have the opportunity to flourish under
Pastor Reisig and his wife, Dawns interim ministry and
leadership. Pastor Don guided the council every month
with, at times, difficult and challenging discussions re:
our mission and goals for the Peace ministry. These
discussions focused on looking at how we as a
congregation make changes, and how we solve
problems. We identified our strengths which prompted
a proposed mission and vision statement which was
presented to the congregation for approval. During the
study, it became evident that a Mutual Ministry committee would be very beneficial as we transition to new Pastoral leadership. After research, it was discovered this
mutual ministry committee was provided for in our updated 2012 church constitution. More education was
done and most recently a committee of four church
members was formed. The primary goal of the mutual
ministry team is to affirm and strengthen our ministry by
building a sense of healthy partnership, trust, and mutual
support between the congregation, pastor and staff.
The committee consists of Marilyn Leraas, Jennifer
McLaughlin, Alveda Rhude and Jan Vipond.

with others in the church, our network of connections

within the church family and the various diversities
present with a goal to find a balance in working
together.

A challenge for the future is how we respond to anxiety

which was evident as we moved forward in the pastoral
search. Pastor Don counseled us on how to react to
these challenges. Anxiety and conflict are managed
when forgiveness is present, preparedness is evident and
there is positive leadership in place.

We now look to the future with Pastor Sarahs ministry

and leadership to meet our goal to: Listen to Gods

This leads us to the diligent work our call/search

committee has done this past year and their
recommendation to the council on October 12th to
consider Pastor Sarah Evenson as our Pastor.
The call/search committee indicated Pastor Evenson
could fulfill our needs in the following ways: * 1) has
served as a Youth Director in two churches and has an interest in
mission work, 2) serves the elderly in two churches, 3) has experience in organizing and teaching Sunday School, confirmation, and
bible studies, 4) would continue servicing people without church ties
for weddings etc. 5) realizes the problems facing congregations with
dwindling memberships, 6) has good pulpit presence, preaching
skills and organizational skills, 7) desires to remain in a small
community, 8) has many new and innovative ideas to connect with
the community and congregation, 9) is outgoing, welcoming and
willing to be active in community and 10) makes sermons welcoming and has a dedication to her calling. At the October 12th
council meeting, a motion was offered and approved to
pursue the process of hiring Pastor Evenson for contracted pastoral services starting on January 1st, 2017.

Word, Live Jesus Teaching and Serve Others.

Gratitude and thanks go to everyone who during the
past year has offered prayerful support and volunteered
with the Peace ministries. We look forward to continuing and going forth with our mission.

With change it is important to maintain flexibility and

creativity so we can bounce back from adversity with a
sense of purpose. We need to consider our relationship *Quote from official letter of recommendation from
Search committee dated 10/12/2016
Mjf

January 2017
Sun

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Sat

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No Sunday School
8:45am Worship

8:45am Worship
9:45am
Sunday School

9:00am Sunday
School
10:30am
Sunday School
Christmas
Program

8:45am Worship
9:45am
Sunday School

8:45am Worship
9:45am
Sunday School

11:20am
Release Time
4pm
Confirmation

11:20am
Release Time
4pm
Confirmation
6pm Council

6:30am
Mens Breakfast

6:30am
Mens Breakfast

9am Ever-Blessed 9am Ever Blessed 6:30am

Quilters
Quilters
Mens Breakfast
11:20am
Release Time
4pm
Confirmation

11:20am
Release Time
4pm
Confirmation

6:30am
Mens Breakfast

10am
Faithful Folders

10am
Faithful Folders

10am
Faithful Folders

10am
Faithful Folders

30

Serving in January
January 1st

Happy New Year

Doug and Marilyn Frykman

January 8th

Karen and Les Alvstad

Kathy Dahl

January 15th

Sunday School Program

Joyce has volunteers for the fellowship hour

January 22nd

Ardis and John Paulson

Kristy Simar

January 29th

Beth and Todd Schneeberger

Jan Vipond

Work Group # 1 Leaders

Doug & Marilyn Frykman
Bob & Irene Shervey

Altar Guild
Kim Lang
Sara Getz

Peace Lutheran Church Council Meeting November 9th, 2016

Meeting called to order by Chairman Tom Gardner at 6:04 p.m.
Attending: Tom G., Jim J., Lois S., Leon, Brenda, Marilyn, Charles, and guest Heather Danner. Absent: Jennifer.
We gather in Gods name: Chairman Tom lead the council with an opening prayer.
Kyries and Glorias: Our collective joys and concerns were shared. We are thankful for the great fall weather and celebrating Brendas 25th wedding anniversary recently. Prayers are going out to our Peace members who have health concerns.
We celebrate our past, our history as Gods people: Administrative reports were reviewed as printed. Leon commented
a transaction list by account heading would be beneficial for him with the financial reports. Request noted. Motion made by
Jim to accept the reports as printed, second by Lois, MC
Heather Danner, Peace Youth Director, was present at the council meeting and gave a 90 day update on her ministries.
Overall the Youth programs are going well. Activities have been successful. She will share Youth pictures on our social media. She inquired about council expectations re: confirmation attendance. The council will support her with her appropriate
guidelines {participation and sermon notes} set out to the students and families. Heather assured us she had adequate budgetary finances to support these ministries. The council reiterated their support of her work. Since mid-August to early November Heather has spent approximately 81 hours with the planning, coordinating, and teaching the release time and confirmation programs. Heather also thanked our bus driver, Mike for all of his help with these programs.
The council received a written report {copy of the communication sent to parents and teachers} on November 6 th from
Joyce re: the Sunday School activities and planned Christmas program in December. On file with meeting minutes.
We look to the future: Discussion re: the potential pending pastoral contract by the council. Chairman Tom will contact
the Moe Parish financial secretary {Brian Sletto} and continue potential contract talks. 2017 Synod guidelines are available
for reference. Details will be forwarded to the council as the negotiations progress. Chairman Tom will call special council
meetings as needed.
We offer up our concerns of the past {old business}:
Jim Johnson has accepted the council vacancy. He will serve the remaining 15 months.
Snow removal: Leon will negotiate with a local service and contact the council with results.
Chairman Tom will contact Terry and Admin. Sandy with concerns re: furnace/heat downstairs, plumbing issues in
mens restroom, concerns re: kitchen cooking range.
Tom will follow up with concerns re: window leak on the bus. Purchase of signs for the bus was tabled until service
times could be confirmed for 2017.
Chairman Tom asked council to remind volunteers to keep fellowship hours simple and encourage self-service. Less
stress and provide more time for personal conversation with those attending. Message will be forwarded to group
leaders via newsletter.
The mutual ministry committee was discussed again. Benefits identified as we start a new year. Publication re: the functioning of the committee given to Chairman Tom.
We offer up our concerns for the future {new business}:
Positive response from the council to host a Marriage Simulcast on February 12th and invite other congregations to join
us. Final details were tabled until December council meeting to coordinate with Jennifer M.
Discussion re: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services: Coordinate with Admin Sandy, Chairman Tom, and Pastor
Don. Plans will be confirmed prior to December newsletter publish date.
2017 Budget meeting will be scheduled late in December or early in January.
We adjourn to serve: Motion by Charles with second by Leon to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Marilyn Fykman Secretary

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

PO Box 206
Barrett MN 56311

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Office: 320-528-2536 email: Office@PeaceBarrett.org

218 Church Street PO Box 206 Barrett, MN 56311

Peace Worship Service 8:45am

Sunday School 9:45am
Pastor Sarah Evensons cell (320)808-8772
Pastor Saras Evensons email sarahevenson@hotmail.com
Our annual meeting, normally scheduled in late January, is being rescheduled
for early February. Watch for announcements on the date change to come in
January.