Mindekirken COMMUNICATOR No. 156 January 2017 Newsletter of the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church - ELCA

Norwegian Children’s Bible Musical Play on February 26

Children are invited to come learn and sing together for a order to give children the opportunity to en- performance on Feb. 26, the Sunday before Lent —Fastelavns joy singing together while learning Norwe- Sunday. We will do a Bible play written by popular hymn- gian traditions, hymns and music through Bi- writers and Britt G. Hallqvist, featuring the sto- ble stories. ry of the Prodigal Son. Hovland, one of 's foremost The Sunday afternoon rehearsals will composers of the last generation and Hallqvist, one begin on Jan. 29 from 1-3 p.m. of Sweden's most popular poets and , with a performance during the collaborated on the much loved hymn, Måne og 11 a.m. Norwegian worship Sol (Moon and Sun). They continued working service on Sun., Feb. 26 together to write small musical plays followed by a fastlavns lunch featuring bible stories for children. They used in the church Fellowship Hall. hymns which the congregation and can All are welcome. Please con- sing together, and other songs expressing a child's tact the church office to partici- view of life, such as Alle har hast, (Everyone's Rushed). pate. The scripts will be Included is a hymn about the prodigal son which is acted out provided in advance. during the singing of the hymn, as well as short poems and pantomimes. Mindekirken’s deacons sponsor this event. They hope to Annual Meeting Jan. 29 offer more of these short plays, of which there are many, in Mark your calendars to attend the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on the last Klubb 500 Hosts the 8th Annual Julebord on Fri., Jan. 6, Sunday in January. 2017. To inquire about possible remaining reservations, 9:30 a.m. Combined Worship Service please contact the church office immediately. with Holy Communion This event is a fundraiser for Mindekirken Foundation, 11:00 a.m. Annual Meeting Begins “securing Mindekirken’s financial future.” $100 per person, There will be a brief Kirkekaffe break between ($50 of which is a tax deductible donation) the service and the meeting. All members please plan to attend! Members: Make Your Pictorial Directory Appointment We encourage all members and associate members of Mindekirken to be included in the Pictorial Directory 2017. Please make an appoint- ment for your portrait soon via the Lifetouch website below, or call the church office. Available times are: Thurs. Jan. 26, 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 27th, 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. Sat, Jan. 28, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 23 1-8 p.m. Family pets may even be included in your portrait! Participate to receive a free church directory and your own 8x10 photograph. Additional photos are offered for purchase. Member Site: https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/9e8s4de6/

The Communicator is published monthly (except for August) by the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church 924 East 21st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 www.mindekirken.org Office (612) 874-0716 2 From the Pastor: Thank you for our time together

A letter has been and a couple hours from my the opportunities we as a congre- sent to members of brother and I am looking forward gation have had to interact and Mindekirken, but I to living closer to my family and collaborate with the entire Nordic also want to share to returning to Norway. American community in the Twin the news with all I spent several years in the Cities. Special concerts, events of the readers of U.S. before coming to Minde- and programs such as the Leiv the Communicator kirken in August 2009. There- Eriksson International Festival, that I have re- fore, arriving at Mindekirken felt Syttende Mai and Tuesday Open ceived a call as in many ways like returning House have touched many peo- “sokneprest” in home. It reconnected me with my ple’s lives and raised awareness Kristin Sundt Nordre Land in the religious and cultural heritage of the Norwegian Lutheran Me- County of , and will be and led me to a place where Nor- morial Church in Minneapolis. resigning as the Pastor of Minde- wegian language is used both in It has been a privilege to be kirken. My ministry in Norway worship and actively promoted your pastor for the last 8 years will start in early June 2017 and I through the Mindekirken Norwe- and to walk beside you in joy and anticipate leaving Mindekirken in gian Language & Culture Pro- in times of sorrow. I am full of late May 2017. Nordre Land is part gram. admiration for all of you who so of and Land Rural Dean- In addition to being a pastor willingly give of your time and ery in the Diocese of . I will for the Norwegian American be living a half hour from my sister community, I have appreciated “Pastor” continued on p. 3 From the President: New Beginnings

For I know the plans I that each New Year is full of derful weekly have for you, declares the Lord, promise and potential. We can programs. plans for welfare and not for learn from our past. We should We hope that evil, to give you a future and a not focus on what has happened you will find hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11 but instead look forward to a new renewal in one year and to what is possible. It is or many of “You must learn, you essential for us to see that God is these opportu- must let God teach you, that the not limited by our failures. He nities. only way to get rid of your past is can make a new future for us, no Finally, to make a future out of it. matter what is in our past. we ask that Jana Aune Deach God will waste nothing.” Are you in need of re- you pray for ~ Phillips Brooks newal? Are you looking for a Mindekirken’s leaders as we en- new beginning? Fortunately, ter this New Year. With God as Happy New Year! With with God, any day of the year our leader, we are prepared to the New Year comes an oppor- can be a new beginning. The live another year under His guid- tunity to shed our past, our old beautiful message of the gospel ance. We will have the Annual selves, and make ourselves new. is that God can make us new any Meeting of the Congregation on January is the time of year when day and every day. Come join us Sun., Jan. 29, 2017. There will many of us take inventory of the at Mindekirken as part of your be a bilingual church service at past and make corrective resolu- new beginning. In addition to our 9:30 a.m. followed by a brief tions for the future. Since an weekly worship services, Minde- Kirkekaffe. The meeting will start honest in-depth inventory of the kirken offers Wednesday even- promptly at 11 a.m. We will re- past is sometimes painful, we ing bible study classes. The Min- view the activities of 2016 and may want to skip over the unflat- dekirken look ahead at what can be accom- tering and embarrassing mo- and Culture Program will start a plished in 2017. I hope to see ments that are difficult to focus new session in January. If you there! on, and dwell on the times and you’ve always wanted to learn Wishing you all a peace- places that make us look good. It Norwegian, grab this opportuni- ful and blessed New Year! can be hard to atone for our past ty. There are also cultural pro- transgressions and face our fail- grams to enjoy. Tuesday Open In Christ, ures. But we should remember House will continue with won- Jana Aune Deach 3 “Pastor” continued Hardanger Fiddle Music on January 8, resources to do God’s work 11:00 a.m. Norwegian Service through the Mindekirken congre- Rachel Ulvin Jensen, a Twin Cities na- gation. Thank you for the encour- tive, has been playing the classical violin agement, support and trust you since age four. In 1988 her family acquired individually and as a community a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle during a trip have given me. I cherish the time to Norway. A few years later, Rachel began we have had together in ministry, playing the Hardanger fiddle and is now an and Mindekirken will always active member of the Twin Cities Harding- have a special place in my heart. felelag (group). The Twin Cities Harding- Kristin Sundt felelag performs traditional Norwegian folk music for a variety of audiences and dances. Pastor Sundt will be on a short Rachel studied under master fiddler break in Norway from Olav Hegge from , Norway. In the January 10-16, 2017. fall of 2004, Rachel won a scholarship to Please contact the church office study the Hardanger fiddle at the Ole Bull for pastoral emergencies. Academy in Voss, Norway. Rachel regularly freelances on both the classical violin and Hardanger fiddle. Rachel was an adjunct Hardanger Juletrefest Sun., Jan. 8 Fiddle instructor at St. Olaf College in 2011-2012, and has taught at the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America's summer workshop. She ap- Join Mindekirken’s congregation peared as a musician in Robert Bly's adaptation of Peer Gynt, at the for a holiday song party following Guthrie Theater. She was also a consultant on the Hardanger fiddle for the 11 am Norwegian Worship the Guthrie's 2013 production of Nice Fish. Having made three trips to Service. Please let the church of- Norway, Rachel is proud of her Norwegian heritage and is fascinated fice know if you are able to bring by the haunting melodies of the Hardanger fiddle. Rachel’s participation is any treats that day. Some of the made possible with support from the Marolyn Halvorson Memorial Fund. Deacons will coordi- nate the coffee hour that Sunday. All chil- January Mission of the Month dren will receive a gift bag! “I Help Friendship” A fun “Norwegian” activity for all ages! (Santa Claus The January Mission of the Month is will visit us) ihelpfriendship, an organization helping mar- ginalized people in Bohol, Philippines. Gun- From the Treasurer nar Kristiansen, former Pastor at Min- dekirken, (1998-1999) leads humanitarian I want to thank everyone for projects such as feeding programs for mal- their gifts to Mindekirken in nourished children and for starving senior 2016. It is only through the gen- citizens as well as helping out persons with erosity of our members and mental and physical health issues. Min- friends that we can continue the dekirken can support ihelpfriendship with ministries of this special church. prayer and financial support. As we start 2017, I would Donations to the Mindekirken Mission like to ask all of you to consider Fund for the month of January will go to whether your giving to Minde- support ihelpfriendship. Please make checks kirken is at an appropriate level out to Mindekirken or earmark part of your for you, given your particular offering or on-line giving to our Mission circumstances. Fund so that we can give a collective gift to I wish you all a very Blessed support Gunnar’s remarkable work. We will Christmas, and a very Happy see and hear from Gunnar directly via Skype New Year. at the noon church coffee on January 15th. Curt Aaseng, Treasurer 4 Welcome to Tuesday Open House in January

11—11:30 a.m. Fellowship and Lunch 11:45 a.m. Devotions and Announcements 12 noon—1 p.m. Cultural Program A suggested donation of $7.00 is received at the door (elevator access from north parking lot entrance) Jan. 3 — Larry Opseth: Watercolor Paintings of Decorah, Iowa Lutheran Churches

Larry Opseth endars, church buildings, Larry has the distinction of hav- is a water col- illustrated folk story books, win- ing one of his illustrated folk sto- ors artist who ter landscapes, night snow ries printed in the Historical is also a re- scenes, rural and old farm themes Press of Norway. cently retired and Scandinavian scenes. architect. He started paint- ing water col- Jan. 10 — Dennis Anderson: Conservation & Legacy Fund ors almost 50 Larry Opseth Dennis Anderson St. Paul Pioneer Press. years ago has been the Star- Dennis covers hunting, when attending Architecture Tribune outdoors fishing, camping, boating, pad- College at North Dakota State columnist since dling and other outdoor activi- University, Fargo, North Dakota. 1993. Before that, ties, as well as natural resource Larry's art includes 45 years for 13 years, he conservation, and the Legacy of original Christmas cards, wrote the outdoors Fund. (95th Birthday celebra- illustrated note cards, yearly cal- column for the tion with cake on Jan. 10!) Dennis Anderson Jan. 17 — Erik Bruun, Lis Jørgensen and Vagn Jensen: The Nazi Occupation of Denmark 1940-45: A Child’s Experience “As dawn came on April 9, the worried look on my mothers 1940, one day short of my 13th face. Then I realized this was not birthday, the drone of many air- an exciting happy day at all, but planes was heard in the distance. rather a day of infamy.” Soon they were overhead and en- So begins Lis Jorgensen's account gaging in the most fantastic and ex- of the day the German Wehrmacht citing stunt flying my young eyes attacked and occupied Denmark, had ever encountered, let alone seen an occupation that lasted more so many planes at one time. As I than five years. Lis Jørgensen, watched them in awe dive low be- Erik Bruun and Vagn Jensen, all tween the apartment buildings, members of the Danish American “...there was no use resisting where we lived on the outskirts of Center, and children in Denmark because such resistance would , an uneasy feeling during the Nazi occupation, will be put down without mercy.” crept over me displacing my first share some of their personal expe- Church and Life, March 1990 excitement, especially when I saw riences from this terrible time. Jan. 24 — Jim Sannerud: Wood Carving Exhibit at Norway House “At the Table” Jim Sannerud was incorporating the world-wide free tour of the awarded a Minnesota cultural traditions of what it exhibit with State Arts Board means to gather around a dinner the artist grant to pursue a pro- table. Jim has been working with explaining the ject which explores wood for over 30 years, he will significance of his Norwegian herit- give a short talk on his career of various pieces age, highlighting the woodworking and his current and their inspi- culture and craft of his family exhibit at Norway House. The ration from farm in Rauland, Norway, while event will include an optional Norway. Jim Sannerud 5 Jan. 31 — Finn Karlsen: The Dark Sides of Life in 1880’s Trondheim, Norway

Finn Karlsen Finn Karlsen will share a fascinating story He will tell about life in the (big) about a young girl who in 1880 was found outside city and where/how he found her. the main drugstore in Trondheim. She had little The story illustrates the dark sides clothing and was apparently drunk. Her treatment of life in Norway in the 1880s and by the local police caused some heavy riots in a successful life in the new world. Trondheim where a crowd tried to attack the home Finn Karlsen is retired from of the police chief. The girl left Norway a few the Trondheim Statsarkiv, The years later. Regional State Archives in Trond- Karlsen’s story is about that incident in Trond- heim, Norway. heim and his search for this woman in America. Tuesday Open House 2017 February Programs Birthday Gift to Mindekirken Programs held 12:00—1:00 p.m. When it is freezing outside, 7 Rev Morris Wee-- Is the Lutheran Church warm your heart by contributing Dying in the Land of Luther? to the gift to honor Mindekirk- 14 Sonja/Johan Hinderlie— en’s 95th birthday on January 9. Martin and Katy (Luther) The 2017 TOH 21 Pres. David R Anderson— St. Olaf College Birthday Gift Fund will 28 Marilyn McGriff— be used to buy a new Update about Cuban Sugar folk commercial refrigerator and freezer. Everyone Click on this image on our website is welcome to add to the funds that will be for Tues. Open House info. donated by the people who come to TOH. Thank you for your gifts!

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GODT NYTTÅR FRA MNLCP! Spring Session 2017: Find We look forward to a new year of March 27th- June 5th updates on programming designed to “Mindekirken” and strengthen your connections to Vil du lære norsk? Learn more about norsk and Norge in 2017! The win- our program and register online “MNLCP” ter session begins the week of for classes at www.mnlcp.org Facebook pages Mon., Jan. 9th. Information and Liker du MNLCP og det vi står for? “Like” us! registration on www.mnlcp.org. Become our fan on Facebook. We always welcome new students Cookbooks! NEW! An Introduction to regardless of your prior knowledge or Norwegian Hymnody experiences. Vær så god! Text: 1985 (Participants will receive a copy of Velkommen skal du være! this hymnal free of charge) Krista Marie Schweppe $20.00 per book Program Administration proceeds to benefit Mindekirken’s General Fund Outside of Scandinavia, the rich [email protected] treasury of Norwegian hymns http://www.mnlcp.org “Vær så god!” is available at from the past 500 years has re- most Mindekirken events, also ceived little attention. This seminar from the church office, or by will provide an overview of Nor- mail order (shipping and han- wegian hymnody dling fees apply). Take home a over time. treasured collection of 500+ Join us as we sur- Scandinavian and American reci- vey the work of pes from many outstanding hymn writers such cooks. This attractive cookbook makes an ideal gift or keepsake. as Petter Dass (1647-1707), Mailing price: Dorothe Engel- $7.50 for one book bretsdatter (1634- $8 for two books 1716), Magnus (to same address) Brostrup Landstad, $9 for three books Elias Blix, and (to same address) then the most Send full payment recent flowering of Gracia Grindal Thank you from Alle Kvinner with mailing instructions to: hymnody in the works of Svein

Ellingsen, and many Thank you to everyone who helped set up, take down and Mindekirken, other contemporary writers. 924 E 21st St. worked at the Dec. 3 Norwegian Christmas Cookie Bake Sale. Minneapolis, MN Saturday, January 21st 55404-2952 9:00 am- 12:00 pm Thank you also to all the women and men who baked and Instructor: Gracia Grindal donated cookies, cakes and Cost: $20 bread. We have appreciated or order online at MARK YOUR CALENDARS! your support of the Alle Kvinner Winter Session 2017: mission group these past years. www.mindekirken.org. January 9th- March 25th Mary Martin and Charlotte Breivik 7 Wednesday Our Sympathy Bible study group Betty and Vincent; great-grandchild Jane Hunter. The Bible study group, Volney, Betty enjoyed an idyllic which is focusing on the Bible age 83, childhood on her family farm in mosaics by Joakim Skovgaard in of Long Williston, N.D. and was ex- the Viborg Cathedral in Den- Lake, tremely proud of her Norwegian mark, will meet in the Kirkestua, passed heritage. She was an active Wed., Jan. 18 at 6:45 p.m. away member of Mount Olivet Lu- Nov.30. theran Church, Mindekirken We will study the story of Preceded in death by parents Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Jacob, Genesis 25-37, but espe- Minnie and Daniel, brother Don- Church and the American Swe- cially his dream Genesis 28:10- ald, sister Evangeline, beloved dish Institute. Her passion for 22 and his wrestling with God at husband Vernon "Vic" Volney entertaining family and friends Peniel. Genesis 32:22-32 will and beautiful baby girl Kimberly. as well as her charming yet be the focus of the evening's Survived by daughters Lisa feisty personality made her the conversations. (William) and Kirstin (Peter); light of every room. sons Michael (Diane) and Eric A Memorial service was (There will be NO meeting on (Karen); grandchildren Daniel, held on December 17 at Wayza- Jan. 4) Bethany, Katelyn, Ian, Andrew, ta Community Church's Wake- Nicholas, Elise, Claire, Eliana field Chapel. Go Electronic! Else Beate Grindem, age 89, died on Dec. 11, You can 2016 in , Norway. Else was a mother, mother- help Minde- in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. kirken save Her funeral was held at Ullern Church on Dec. 21, trees and and she was buried in Hovin cemetery. Else was postage by the wife of Bjarne Grindem who served as the Nor- switching wegian Consul General in Minneapolis in the late from your 1980’s before they continued in the foreign service mailed copy in the United Arab Emirates. They also had lived in of the Communicator to the free Florida in their retirement. Bjarne and Else were online version. both members of Mindekirken while living in Min- Else Grindem in 1988 Sign up under the News & neapolis. Media tab on our website: www.mindekirken.org to receive Your support makes this newsletter possible. a free weekly Friday e-mail of the church schedule and a link to A suggested donation for one year of mailings is $25 the Communicator each month. (postage and printing). Thank you. Let us know if you change your address.

Den Norske Lutherske Mindekirke, ELCA 924 E 21st St., Mpls MN 55404-2952 (Located 1 block south of E. Franklin & 10th Ave. S.) office phone: (612) 874-0716 E-mail: [email protected] Web page: www.mindekirken.org

Pastor: Pr. Kristin Sundt Custodian: Joe Jensen, Jr. Executive Committee thru Jan. 2017: [email protected] Appt hrs: Wed.- Fri. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Youth Ministry: Rachel Maxwell [email protected] Office Secretary: Kaia Knutson President: Jana Aune Deach [email protected] Kitchen Coordinator: Terry Parker Vice President: Gracia Grindal Open Office hours: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tues - Fri [email protected] Secretary: Mary Amundson Treasurer: Curtis Aaseng Bookkeeper: Herb Nelson Tuesday Open House chair: Marilyn Sorensen [email protected] [email protected] Chair of Deacons:Wendi Storhoff Choir Director: John De Haan Communicator Staff: Kaia Knutson, Pr. Sundt Chair of Trustees: Robert J Hanson [email protected] Deadline: 15th of January for February issue Pastor: Kristin Sundt Organist: Jessica Schroeder No subscription fee – suggested $25 per year [email protected] supported by your donations. January 2017 Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church MINDEKIRKEN 924 E 21st St Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952

Worship schedule—Everyone is welcome! English transcripts provided for the Norwegian service Other Meetings Nursery care and Sunday School is provided during the 11:00 services 2nd Tuesday— Jan. 10 6:00 p.m. Deacons / Trustees Sun., Jan. 1 Name of Jesus 7:10 p.m. Congregation Council

9:00 a.m. English Worship with Holy Communion Tuesday Open House — p. 4-5

11:00 a.m. Norwegian Worship Service with Holy Communion (no Sunday School) Norwegian Language & Culture Classes www.mnlcp.org p. 6

Sun., Jan. 8 Baptism of Our Lord Newsletter Assembly (tentative) 9:00 a.m. English Worship by volunteers Wed., Jan. 25 at 11:00 a.m. Norwegian Worship Service— 10 a.m. — Please call to confirm this Hardanger fiddle music by Rachel Jensen date when the time is closer. Volunteers are appreciated! 12:00 p.m. Juletrefest—come sing around the Christmas tree!

Sun. Jan. 15 2 Epiphany—Guest Pastor Norman Belland Join us for an hour or two to help fold and label the February mailing. 9:00 a.m. English Worship with Holy Communion Coffee served—you may bring your 11:00 a.m. Norwegian Service with Holy Communion / Mdkn Choir lunch. Thanks!

Sun., Jan. 22 3 Epiphany The Mindekirken Choir 9:00 a.m. English Worship rehearses on Thursdays, 7—8:30 11:00 a.m. Norwegian Worship Service / Mindekirken Choir p.m. (except on Jan. 5) New members welcome any time! Sun., Jan. 29 4 Epiphany ONE SERVICE ONLY — NOTE TIME 9:30 a.m. Combined Worship (bilingual) with Holy Communion The church office will be closed on Brief Coffee break Mon., Jan. 16 11:00 a.m. Annual Meeting of the Congregation for King Jr. Day. All members are encouraged to attend to participate and vote Associate members are welcome to attend, without voting 1—3 p.m. Rehearsal for Children’s Bible Play Velkommen!