Peace Church Council Peace Lutheran Church

Joyce Hanson
PO Box 164

September 2019
Barrett, MN 56311
baskets@runestone.net
320-424-9726

Gaylene Hanson
PO Box 198
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
gaylenehanson@aol.com
218-685-4610
SEPTEMBER SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Todd Schneeberger
26875 Oak Point Rd Our Farm Fresh Faith Vacation Bible School was fantastic! We had
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
tbschnee@runestone.net 22 enthusiastic students and the greatest helpers! Thank you to all
218-685-5210 that helped and attended – we appreciate all that you did for us!

Robert Shervey Thank yous go out to Pastor Eliza for leading our Openings and
18659 220th Street
Barrett, MN 56311 Closings, our Music, and helping with our Bible Lessons, Alex
rshervey@runestone.net Sletten for helping with Music and Crafts, Tami Weigel for leading
218-685-4309
our Crafts rotation, Chelsey Anderson and Marlene Dreier for l
eading our Snack rotation, Ian Getz and Camden Anderson for
Kim Lang
PO Box 223 leading our Games rotation, and Colleen Marshall, Deb Erickson,
Barrett, MN 56311 Karen Ellis, and Jassmyn and Lindzee Lindee for teaching our Bible
Urbangirl77@gmail.com
320-528-2290
Lessons. Many thanks to our actors – Mike & Jennifer McLaughlin,
Sami Wendt, Ayden Danner, Ian Getz, Elly Schleicher, and Callen
Jon Danner Anderson, and our group leaders: Kristy Simar, Elly Schleicher,
PO Box 152 Trenton Gatzlaff, Jenn McLaughlin, Mike McLaughlin, Simon
Hoffman, MN 56339
jon.danner@yahoo.com
Moritz , Sami Wendt, and Ayden Danner. Camden was great as our
320-760-3926 whistle blower, Heather & Jon Danner were our photographers, Ti-
na McGrath helped with registration, Kyra McGrath helped gather
Terry Lien supplies, and Ian Getz was the best clean up helper! Peace Church
606 3rd Street
Barrett, MN 56311
Council, Peace WELCA, and Peace Men’s Breakfast provided our
lienterrence@gmail.com delicious meals! What a great crew!
320-528-2063

On September 8th, we will be holding our Fall Festival. Service will

Trenton Gatzlaff
Elbow Lake, Mn 56531
begin at 10:30am. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on the bales
trentongatzlaff2017@gmail.com that will be provided. The Church Council will be serving a meal
320-219-4213
following worship.

Pastor Eliza Johnson
PO Box 266
Barrett, MN 56311
763-234-4399
pastorelizajohnson@gmail.com
Our first day of Sunday School will be on September 15th. This year
we will be using the lectionary lessons from Spark which will follow
the church season. It will be fun to see the children recognize what
they learned in Sunday School repeated at church.

Joyce Hanson, Director

Peace Sunday School Phone: 320-424-9726
 The Story of the Bible
Have you ever tried to read the Bible straight
through like a novel, only to get hung up on all of
those old seemingly irrelevant Old Testament
laws?
Do you ever sit in worship and wonder if these
dusty old stories are even applicable to you, your
family, or your community?
Do you most often hear sermons preached on the
life of Jesus while you are left with lots of ques-
tions about that weird reading from the book of
Numbers about the talking donkey? begin to await the birth of Jesus we will hear the
With all of its confusing parts, ancient laws, and words of the prophets as they were anticipating
seemingly redundant tendencies, the collection of the coming Messiah. After Christmas comes the
books that we call the Bible is the exact story that life and ministry of Jesus leading us to Holy Week
sets us apart as Christians. A church isn’t just an- and Easter. Before seminary, I was a part of a con-
other non-profit organization working to care for gregation that learned and listened through the
those less fortunate than ourselves; a church is a bible this way and for me it BLEW THE BIBLE
body of people, rooted in the story of God (we call OPEN. I began to understand more of what I had
it the Bible), transformed by that story (in your been missing and God’s spirit was on the move
baptism and your life experiences) and called to through that understanding.
live out the continuation of that story in your September 8th will also be our first Bible Study
community (care for God’s world and people). during the 9:15 education hour in the Hegne
th
On September 8 , our congregation at Peace will Room. God’s word is accessible to and works
begin to engage with God’s story in a new way. through each and every one of you. The hour we
Instead of hearing four readings in worship and spend together will be focused on the texts sched-
listening to a sermon that addresses one of them, uled for the month ahead. It is an opportunity to
we will focus each week on one story of scripture. ask your questions, notice connections, and learn
In September we are starting in Genesis with the from one another. Your voice is important. I hope
Garden of Eden and each week we will progress you make the effort to join us!
through the Old Testament. In December, as we God’s Story, Our Story, Pastor Eliza

NW MN Synod Middle School Youth Gathering

Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria, MN
Session 1 Friday November 22-Saturday 23
OR
Session 2 Saturday November 23-Sunday 24
This is an awesome event for grades 6-8! There is a
deposit required by the family, but Peace will pay for
the remaining cost. Let Pastor Eliza know if you want
to go by September 8th. Friends welcome. Registration
for the Friday night (our preferred night) will fill
up fast!
 COMING SOON!
Spirit Lab: A West Central Faith Experiment
This year, Peace is partnering with West Central Area ELCA con-
gregations to create a space for young adults to connect with
God and each other. Each month Peace, Messiah (Hoffman),
United (Elbow Lake) and First or Nora (Kensington), will host a
Sunday evening Dinner Church and time for intentional conver-
sation. Spirit Lab will be a part of our Confirmation program for
grades 7-9 and their parents, but is also designed as a space to
maintain faith connections for later high school years too. Peace
is hosting first on Sunday, October 6th at 5:30pm.

The Breakfast Club

A new type of outreach for this church on the hill. In an effort
to extend welcome and build faith connections with the stu-
dents of WCA Secondary, the Family and Youth Table at Peace
is waking up early! This group, with the support of this congre-
gation, will host a breakfast on the first and third Friday of
each month. The Breakfast Club will be a meal for any student
at WCA Secondary and the time will include relationship
building and spiritual care elements. We are EXCITED to see
how God can use the location of this building for kingdom
work in our community. Our first Breakfast Club is planned for
Friday, October 4th. Time TBD.

Share your gifts!

Please prayerfully consider these mission opportunities. If you feel called to be a part of God’s work
in either of these this ministry projects, please tell Sandy or Pastor Eliza! We are seeking volunteers
to help with set-up, hospitality, meal prep, serving, and clean-up. Food for both Spirit Lab and Break-
fast Club will be provided by a combination of congregational donations and budget dollars.

Beginning Experience
Beginning Experience of Central MN (B.E.) is providing a weekend program for di-
vorced, widowed, or separated adults on October 4-6, 2019 at Luther Crest Bible Camp
in Alexandria, MN. B.E. is a program designed to facilitate the grief resolution process
for adults thereby free people to live and love themselves, others and God. Individuals
attending the weekend should be beyond the initial feelings of anger and despair. For
further information or to receive an application please call 320-319-8863. Please visit
our website at www.beginningexperiencemn.com
Peace Church Council Meeting Minutes Monday, July 10th, 2019; 6:30 pm

Present: Todd Schneeberger, Gaylene Hanson, Kim Lang, Terry Lien, Jon Danner, Trenton Gatzlaff, Joyce Han-
son, and Pastor Eliza Johnson. Absent: Bob Shervey.

Pastor Eliza introduced Trenton Gatzlaff to the council as our new youth representative and led us in devotions.

Pastor’s Report:
~Attended Synod Convention in June where our new Bishop, Reverend Bill Tesch, was elected. He will be in-
stalled on September 8th.
~Narrative lectionary series will begin in September starting with Genesis, Christmas story in December, and
New Testament lessons beginning in January.
~Bible Study will begin during the Sunday School hour
~On Sunday nights, once a month, “Can I Ask That” classes for 7-12 grades will be held.
~Cooperation efforts have begun with Pastor Mark from Messiah in Hoffman, and Pastor Jana from Kensington,
and will be extended to United in Elbow Lake.
~Upcoming baptisms – Adalynn Shervey on July 28th and Norah Weigel in August
~Four “Meet and Greets” have been held with more to come.

A motion made by Kim, seconded by Jon to approve the Secretary’s Report. MCU

A motion was made by Kim, seconded by Gaylene to approve the Treasurer’s Transaction Report. MCU A
motion was made by Joyce, seconded by Jon to approve the Treasurer’s report. MCU

VBS Update: The Council was asked to serve a meal on Monday night of VBS. Todd will provide hotdogs,
Gaylene buns, and Joyce dessert. Others will work and supply what else is needed. Joyce will have a list of
supplies workers needed ready by August and will be published in the newsletter.

Old Business:
~Todd will check on the carbon monoxide detectors.
~Jon will contact Eric Risbrudt regarding the Defibulator updates.
~Jon will contact Brittany Wing to see if she will update our Website.
~The altar cushions are done and in place.

New Business:
~A congregational meeting will be held on July 14th to authorize the spending of $5,500 to sealcoat the parking
lot. There is $4,955 in our budget for this project. A motion was made by Pastor Eliza to authorize any costs over
the $4,955 that should come out of our Building and Grounds fund pending approval of the congregation, se-
conded by Jon. MCU

~Release Time Funds- A motion was made by Jon, seconded by Kim to change the name of Release Time to
“The Breakfast Club.” MCU
~Family and Youth Table – A motion was made by Pastor Eliza, seconded by Gaylene to create this committee.
MCU
~September Mission &Vision Retreat and Council Business was set for September 7th beginning at 9:00 am at
the home of Todd & Beth Schneeberger.
~Bus – we will research the purchase of the bus and what we should do with it.

Other:
~Six new collapsible tables have been purchased. Terry & Maureen donated the funds for two of the tables. The
old ones are being sold for $15.00 each.
~Todd will talk to Jade Gehrke about checking out our sound system.

A motion was made by Trenton, seconded by Pastor Eliza, to adjourn. MCU

Submitted by Joyce Hanson, Secretary

We Are Church:” ELCA Churchwide Assembly Report
On August 5, 2019 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), began its fifteenth
churchwide assembly in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Under the theme We Are Church, nearly 1000
voting members and guests gathered to worship, review the work of the churchwide
organization, and vote on matters of governance and policy. Twenty-
one voting members from the Northwestern Minnesota Synod participated in the assembly
along with similar contingents from the ELCA’s other 64 synods.

Major actions taken by the Assembly included:

· Re-electing Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on the first ballot, with over 81% of
the vote. Bishop Eaton, who was first elected in 2013, will serve a second 6-year term
through 2025.

· Electing Deacon Sue Rothmeyer as Secretary of the ELCA. The Secretary is an

officer and executive administrator for matters pertaining to the ELCA’s governing docu-
ments, organizational structure, and maintenance of the rosters of ministers and congre-
gations.

· Adopting the social statement, Faith, Sexism and Justice: A Call to Action
along with its implementing resolutions. Read the statement at https://www.elca.org/
Faith/Faith-and-Society/Current-Social-Writing-Projects/Women-and-Justice?_
ga=2.42569253.1467322994.1565617712-1136517837.1447278879

· Approving A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment which now comple

ments the 1991 ELCA statement, A Declaration of Ecumenical Commitment. Read the
Declaration at https://www.elca.org/Faith/Ecumenical-and-Inter-Religious-Relations/
Inter- Religious-Relations/Draft-Policy-Statement?
ga=2.9038389.1467322994.1565617712-
1136517837.1447278879
 · Approving a change to the ELCA constitution stating that the entrance rite for dea-
cons (rostered ministers of word and service) will be ordination rather than consecration.

· Receiving and approving budgets for the churchwide organization during the next
triennium. To find out how you contribute to the life and mission of the ELCA go to:
Where does my offering go?

· Receiving the results of Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA.
This $198 million campaign was approved by the 2013 Churchwide Assembly. At the Cam-
paign’s conclusion on June 30, 2019 nearly $250 million has been raised through gifts,
pledges, and planned giving.

· Presenting a Declaration to People of African Descent to representatives of the

African Descent Lutheran Association—and voting to commemorate June 17 as a day of
repentance and remembrance in the ELCA for the deaths of the “Emanuel Nine” who
were murdered on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist
Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

· Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the ordination of women, the 40th anniversary
of the first ordination of a woman of color in the ELCA, and the 10th anniversary of the
ELCA’s acceptance of persons in committed same-sex relationships (since 2015, marriages)
on the ELCA rosters of ministry.

Lawrence R. Wohlrabe
Bishop, Northwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA
Concordia College
Officed at the Riverside Center
310 14th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56562
Office phone 218.299.3019
Fax 218.299.3363
Email: wohlrabe@cord.edu
Synod Website: www.nwmnsynod.org
Personal Blog: http://larrywohlrabe.blogspot.com/

"When Jesus died, something happened as a result of which the world was a different
place. By six o'clock on the evening of the first Good Friday, the world had changed. A
revolution had begun." N.T. Wright, The Day the Revolution Began, p. 355.
 September 2019
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9:00am Worship 6:30pm Church 6:30pm Parent 10am
Council Confirmation Faithful Folders
Meeting

8 9 10 11 12 13 14
9:15am Bible Study 9:30am 1pm WELCA 10am
10:30am Worship/ Barrett Care Barrett Care Center Faithful Folders
Fall Festival Center 3:15pm
4pm Installation Service Worship Confirmation
of Bishop William
Tesch

15 16 17 18 19 20 21
9:15am Sunday School 9am Ever 9am Ever Blessed 10am
10:30am Worship Blessed Quilters Faithful Folders
Quilters

Pastor Eliza-Continuing
Education-Detroit Lakes

22 23 24 25 26 27 28
9:15am Sunday School 3:15pm 10am
10:30am Worship Confirmation Faithful Folders

29 30
9:15am Sunday School
10:30am Worship
 Serving in September

Sept. 1 Tom and Sandy Perry

Sept. 8 Fall Festival

Sept. 15 Kim and Todd Lang

Mindy and Chad Moritz

Sept. 22 Jodi Moss

Andrea and Reggie Johnson

Sept. 29 Pat and Lee Ronhovde

Work Group # 3 Leaders Altar Guild

Lee & Pat Ronhovde Heather Danner
Tom & Sandy Perry Brenda Long

On September 8th we will be holding our Fall Festival. Service will begin at
10:30am. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on the bales that will be provided.
The Church Council will be serving a meal following worship.

Reminder if you would like a visit from the Pastor or be on the prayer list you need to
contact Pastor Eliza or let the office know. The hospital does not call the church.
Are you interested in joining Peace Church’s partner in ministry (membership)?
Please contact Pastor Eliza.

The 3 C’s of Life

Choices-Chances-Changes
You must make a choice to take a chance
or your life will never change.
PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
PO Box 206
Barrett MN 56311

September 2019

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

Pastor Eliza Johnson

PO Box 266
Barrett, MN 56311
763-234-4399
pastorelizajohnson@gmail.com