Augustana Heritage Association June 19–22, 2008 in Lindsborg, Kansas Theme: “Children of Augustana”
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TheAugustana Heritage Newsletter Volume 5 Number 4 Spring 2008 Welcome to Gathering VI Augustana Heritage Association June 19–22, 2008 in Lindsborg, Kansas Theme: “Children of Augustana” Welcome to the biennial national gathering of the tage of this historic community founded by Swedish Augustana Heritage Association in Lindsborg, Kansas, immigrants. Those attending the Gathering will enjoy from Thursday, June 19, through Sunday, June 22, the music and dancing, exhibits, special foods and other 2008. All sons and daughters of the former Augustana events in this Midsummer’s celebration. Lutheran Church, together with family and friends, Bethany College, Bethany Lutheran Church and are invited to inspirational music, worship, displays Messiah Lutheran Church, all in Lindsborg, are spon- and events on the theme, “Children of Augustana.” sors of the Gathering. Some 500 or more people are Participants will look back to the contributions of expected to take part. The local committee, chaired “old Augustana” as well as looking to the future as by Judy Burch, the Rev. Richard Monson and Janet the Augustana tradition continues in the Evangelical Monson, are working with the entire Lindsborg com- Lutheran Church in America. munity to welcome all who join this AHA Gathering VI. The Gathering falls during the annual Midsummer’s This spring 2008 issue of The Augustana Heritage Weekend in Lindsborg, which celebrates the living heri- Newsletter focuses on the coming Gathering VI in Lindsborg. (Note the Registration Form and lodg- ing information on pages 11-14. You may pull this out from the center of the news- letter or photocopy it in order to register.) photo by Jim Turner Bethany College – Presser Hall with relocated statue of founder, the Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swanson. Volume 5, Number 4 The Augustana Heritage Association defines, Spring 2008 promotes, and perpetuates the heritage and legacy Published by: of the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church. Augustana Heritage Association 1100 E. 55th Street Chicago, IL 60615-5199 Website: www.AugustanaHeritage.org CONTENTS Editor: Ronald T. Englund Cover Welcome to Gathering VI Designer: Ann Rezny 3 Bethany College president welcomes all With questions, story ideas and manuscripts, please contact Ronald T. Englund 4 Dala horses at large—an overview of Gathering VI 44 Lakeview Avenue Falmouth, MA 02540 (508) 495-1621 6 Highly-ranked Bethany College—past and future [email protected] 9 Birger Sandzén, artist at Bethany for 52 years For information about the Augustana Heritage Association, please contact: 10 New history of Augustana Church published Ruth Ann Deppe AHA office 11 New cookbook celebrates Augustana heritage 1100 E. 55th Street Chicago, IL 60615-5199 (800) 635-1116, ext. 712 11 Call for all youth Caravaners AHA Board of Directors 12 AHA Executive Director writes President 12 “If this is New York”—hoary joke or more? Paul Cornell, Collegeville, Pennsylvania Vice-President 13 Registration forms for Lindsborg Gathering VI Kathryn Segerhammar Swanson, Fort Collins, Colorado Secretary 16 AHA Membership forms—new and renewal Elsa Orescan, Wilmington, Delaware 17 “Island of Hope” becomes “Island of Tears” Treasurer P. Gerald Leaf, Lindsborg, Kansas 18 A prophet in his own country—Oscar A. Benson Executive Director Hartland Gifford, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania 21 Augustana’s oldest living pastor—Martin Ringstrom AHA Office Manager Ruth Ann Deppe, Chicago, Illinois 22 “How Great Thou Art” travels around the world AHA Newsletter Editor 26 News and Events Ronald T. Englund, Falmouth, Massachusetts and London, England Back Books, CDs and DVDs for sale by AHA J. Roger Anderson, Sun City West, Arizona Cover David Baker, Penn Valley, California Loran Bohman, Youngwood, Pennsylvania LaDonna Martin Chalstrom, Cheyenne, Wyoming Herbert Chilstrom, St, Peter, Minnesota and Green Valley, Arizona Arland Hultgren, Lino Lakes, Minnesota Marilyn E. Jackson, Oakland, California Theodore C. Johns, Sunrise Beach, Texas Ann Kohler, Baldwinsville, New York Harold T. Nilsson, Albuquerque, New Mexico E. Earl Okerlund, Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania and N. Fort Myers, Florida Donald Sjoberg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Dale Skogman, Gladstone, Michigan Reuben T. Swanson, Fort Collins, Colorado 2 Bethany College President Edward F. Leonard III welcomes all to the Lindsborg Gathering Dear members of the Augustana Heritage Association, Since its founding by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, Bethany College has been an educational institution shaped, enlivened, and supported by the Church. Our mission as a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—to nur- ture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service—reflects this profound influence. One way in which we celebrate and enact our mission is through a tradition of strong relationships with churches. Because of our heritage as a college of the former Augustana Synod, and because of our shared immigrant history, we are especially proud to again have the opportunity to host the Augustana Heritage Association Gathering. We look forward to welcoming you and to renewing our common bonds. This is a time of growth at Bethany College. I hope you are able to visit us and experience the excitement and energy on campus for yourself as part of a gather- ing that is enjoyable, inspirational, and truly blessed with the presence of Christ. Sincerely, President Leonard formally began as president of the college on August Edward F. Leonard III, Ph.D. 1, 2007, and he was inaugurated as the college’s thirteenth president on President April 12, 2008. He previously served as vice president for advancement at Bethany College Wilmington College in Ohio. In addition to his past experience in higher education and the corporate world, President Leonard has taught business and marketing classes as an adjunct professor at a number of colleges. He and his wife, Sheila, have a son, Quade. Two Lindsborg churches are co-sponsors with Bethany College of Gathering VI photo by Janet Monson Bethany Lutheran Church Messiah Lutheran Church 3 Dala horses at large in Lindsborg over Midsummer’s Day! An overview of Gathering VI from the local committee Be forewarned, a herd of wild Dala of the present building was constructed. Improvements horses is at large in Lindsborg, have come with several renovations and additions, the Kansas. Now is the time to come 1904 one being the most notable in preparation for an and see your favorite Dala horse Augustana Synod convention. The Bethany Lutheran during Midsummer’s Day while Church has been designated a National Historic site. attending the Augustana Heritage In 1879, Dr. Carl A. Swensson succeeded Dr. Olsson Association’s Gathering VI, from as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church. Through June 19-22, 2008. Gathering hosts Swensson’s efforts, Bethany Academy was founded on include Bethany College, Bethany October 15, 1881, in the sacristy of the church. Because Lutheran Church, Messiah Lutheran of its financial support and close physical and spiri- Church, and the Lindsborg tual ties to the Bethany Lutheran Church, the acad- Community. emy became Bethany College. The renowned annual Who were the original Swedish Lutherans in rendition of Handel’s “Messiah” oratorio began at the Kansas? John A. Johnson migrated in 1855 from church and continues to this day at the college. Bethany Galesburg, Illinois, to the Blue Valley in Kansas a year College, now a college of the Evangelical Lutheran after the Kansas Territory was established. In 1863, Church in America, has been an historic long-serving lib- as part of the new Augustana Synod, the Mariadahl eral arts college of the former Augustana Synod. Bethany Lutheran Church of Pottawatomie County was orga- College is committed to maintaining its Swedish roots nized. A few Swedes began arriving in the Smoky Valley and Lutheran heritage. in central Kansas after the Civil War. The First Swedish As the 1900s began, Bethany Lutheran Church, under Agricultural Company of McPherson County, Kansas, the leadership of Dr. Alfred Bergin, remained firmly com- was organized in April 17, 1868, by members of Salem mitted to its use of Swedish as the primary language of and Immanuel Lutheran Churches of Chicago. The land worship. However, an increasing number of Lindsborg company purchased 13,160 acres in Kansas from the residents, especially among Bethany College faculty Union Pacific Railroad. The company’s Kansas settle- and students, did not speak Swedish. To meet the need ment was named Lindsborg after members of the origi- for an English-language congregation, Messiah Lutheran nal company—Lindell, Lindh, Lindgren, and Linde. Church was organized in 1908, with the motto, “The faith Company membership required Lutheran church mem- of our fathers in the language of our children.” Given bership. Nearly all the original Lindsborg settlers came the congregation’s close links to the college, it was natu- with Pastor Olof Olsson from Sunnemo and his former ral that first services were held in the college chapel, Värmland parishes in Sweden. with the college president, Dr. Ernst Pihlblad, serving The Lindsborg community today is known widely as pastor. Now, a century later, Messiah Church happily for its great music, internationally recognized visual arts, participates in the Augustana Heritage Association’s 2008 prime Swedish-American attractions, major festivals, Gathering as a part of its centennial celebration. historic sites which go back to pre-pioneer days, noted