CHRISTMAS 2015 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6
God Jul og et veldig Godt Nytt År! Visit Minnekirken’s website: www.minnekirken-chicago.org Visit us on Facebook! Minnekirken-Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church Visit us in person… Open every Sunday at 11 2614 N. Kedzie Blvd.Chicago
Pictures of Past Church Events
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Church Calendar
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Connecting by Pastor David
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Greetings from Church President
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YOU’RE INVITED...
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Den Gamle Kirke by Betty Geilen
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Laugh a Little (and sometimes a lot!)
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The view from the Top
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Meet Pastor David
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News from Norway
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Viking Ship Update
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Minnekirken Memories
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Velkommen alle Sammen! Please join us... at Minnekirken’s annual Christmas Concert. Our very talented music director, Yeeson Kwon has a very special Christmas program planned entirely for your listening pleasure. Old favorites, new melodies and wonderful harmonies will put you right into the Christmas spirit!
Sunday, December 6th 6:30 p.m.
2015 Events at Minnekirken In 2015 we paraded, we visited, we worshiped and we laughed a lot! We hope you’ll join us in 2016 as much more of the same is planned and we are always eager to visit with friends old and new. The doors are open every Sunday for 11 a.m. service. We hope to see you soon!
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CHURCH CALENDAR DECEMBER Sunday, Dec. 6 Sunday, Dec. 13 Sunday, Dec. 20 Friday, Dec. 25 Sunday, Dec. 27
11:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Service. Christmas Concert Sunday Service. Holy Communion. Sunday Service. Christmas Day Service. Sunday Service. Holy Communion
JANUARY Sunday, Jan. 3 Sunday, Jan. 10 Sunday, Jan. 17 Sunday, Jan. 24 Sunday, Jan. 31
11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Service Sunday Service. Holy Communion. Sunday Service. Sunday Service. Holy Communion Sunday Service.
FEBRUARY Sunday, Feb. 7 Sunday, Feb. 14 Sunday, Feb. 21 Sunday, Feb. 28
11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Service Sunday Service. Holy Communion Sunday Service. Sunday Service. Holy Communion.
MARCH Sunday, Mar. 6 Sunday, Mar. 13 Sunday, Mar. 20 Sunday, Mar. 27
11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Service. Sunday Service. Holy Communion Palm Sunday Service. Easter Sunday Service. Holy Communion.
KONTAKT magazine is published by the congregation of the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, 2614 N. Kedzie Blvd. Chicago, IL 60647 (773)252-7335 Email: minnekirkenchicago@aol.com Editor: Leandra Trifunovich
Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. Desmond Tutu
DID YOU KNOW...Logan Square was recently named one of the 10 hottest neighborhoods in the country? Logan Square began as a town called Jefferson, and it was filled with farms that grew fruits and vegetables for the city. Farmers would take their crops into the city via the North West Plank Road, (Milwaukee). Pieces of Logan Square were annexed into the city from 1863 to 1889. After the Chicago Fire in 1881, the neighborhood's population grew rapidly as Chicagoans fled outside the city's fire limits. When the "L" came out to the area in 1890, standard frame houses began popping up everywhere. As popularity grew, the city built the famous tree-lined boulevard and squares system. Immigrants with new money moved to the area to build their dream homes along the boulevards. Logan Square was named after John Alexander Logan, a general in the union army during the Civil War. He later went on to be an Illinois state senator, a congressman and a United State senator. He was the most important figure in the movement to make Memorial Day an official holiday. Logan Square is home to the Illinois Centennial Monument, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Illinois' statehood. Built in 1918, it was designed by Henry Bacon, the same architect who designed the Lincoln Memorial ion Washington, DC. Logan Square, which, is the northernmost part of Chicago's famous Park Boulevard System. This district is a system of connected square parks spanning 26 miles across the city. Created in the late 1800's, this string of parks was designed to give residents a refuge from pollution and overcrowding in the largely undeveloped outskirts of the city. These boulevards were lined with beautiful historic homes that can still be seen in Logan Square today. On November 1, 2005, the Chicago City Council designated the “Logan Square Boulevards District� as an official Chicago Landmark District. 3
Connec ng with all of You Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city… We all know the rest of this story, right? If not than do yourself a favor and read the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, or at the very least watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” These may not be the most inspira onal pair of verses from the Bible, but as the new pastor of Minnekirken, I can rather relate to Caesar Augustus. While this is something I never thought I’d say, I’ve become rather sympathe c to the Roman emperor’s ambious project. Our objec ves, however, are quite different—Caesar’s all about taxa on and I’m all about ministry. But despite our radically different goals we’re both about preparing the way for Jesus. Caesar did this uninten onally—who knew that sending Jewish families back to their ancestral villages would have been the fulfillment of a 600 year old prophecy?!? Certainly not Augustus, or even Quirinius for that ma er. But I have a different “who knew” on my census taking radar. “Who knew” that The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church of Chicago had a mailing list of 1200 people! Certainly not David Schoenknecht when I conducted my first service as pastor of this small, but “Viking”mighty, flock on October 11. That’s when I began my pastoral adventure with Minnekirken—Columbus Day weekend. That’s also when I, not surprisingly, heard for the first me that the Norwegians have a compe ng version of that celebra on: Leif Erikson Day on October 9! “Who knew?” Certainly not this new pastor. But I am learning…quickly…tusen takk! Now back to the 1200. I have also come to learn that many of them—of you—are recipients of this newsle er. Kontakt has served as a semiannual touchstone to both the ministry of Minnekirken and to the goings on in the Norwegian community of Greater Chicagoland. Already, I have heard how much the 1200 appreciate this Kontakt. I say that because, in the short me I’ve been here, I have a empted to 4
make personal contact with people beginning with first two pages of that fi y-three page roster! This is my ongoing “census” if you will. Apparently the last me such a thing happened was in back in 1967! Between the many words of apprecia on and support for my valiant effort, I must say that my explora on into the uncharted waters of Minnekirken’s mailing list has also resulted in some foggy patches—for example I must freely admit that I don’t always know if I am calling on a friend or a member of The Norwegian Memorial Church of Chicago; or members that think they are friends; or friends that think they are members; or even people who are thankful for call but don’t have a clue what Minnekirken is! I have encounters some deadends—discon nued or reassigned phone numbers for example—that require correc on. I have not encountered any sea monsters, on the contrary, whether members or friends of the congrega on, your support for Minnekirken has been extraordinary. Hearing words like “Thank you for calling!” and “My, this has been a refreshing phone call!” keeps me going! You can help me in this “census,” however. This is not the year 1967, it’s 2015! We have a website: www.minnekirken-chicago.org. Bookmark us! In addi on to Kontakt, Minnekirken also has a Facebook page (actually two, but the official one is “The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church”). By “liking us” on Facebook you make it that much easier to stay connected. For ministry purposes you can also reach me via email: pastor.nlmc@gmail.com. I am not a full- me pastor, but by God’s grace and your support, I do hope to invigorate the ministry of this great congrega on! For me this begins with knowing who’s who. Please consider returning the survey form—enclosed in this issue of Kontakt—to us before the end of the year so
that we can update our mailing and memberships lists. Because it is 2015, you can also take an online version of this survey if it’s more convenient. Just go to: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MinnekirkenSurvey. I am wri ng this ar cle a couple of days before Reforma on Day—Bots‐ og bønnedag! But it’s in the spirit of Allehelgensdag—All Saints Day—that I am appealing for your support of Minnekirken. I know that many of you are out of state, some even outside of the country. I know that many of you have churches of your own to worship at. I even know that some of you are connected to Minnekirken simply because of the Norwegian cultural icon that we have been for the city of Chicago since 1908! But however you are connected to us, you have “all” been “saints” on behalf of the Minnekirken in some form—by ac ve membership, by prayers from a distance, by financial gi s, by volunteerism, and simply by your good will towards us. Thank you! May I say just how encouraging this support has been and, I hope, will con nue to be! Our Logan Square community is in the midst of significant revitaliza on; just search on “Logan Square” to see what I mean. It’s my hope that Minnekirken will be match this growth with expanded ministry to both members and community. With the eyes of my heart I see the celebra on of this Christmas at Minnekirken as something that brings the wise and the wondering, shepherds proclaiming and angels singing from near and far the praises of our nyfødte kongen! I see both young and old, the people of many lands and languages, our Logan Square neighbors and friends from afar finding a home for their souls under our steeple. Would you
pray that with me toward that blessed end? Would you see that same vision of God’s grace in Christ through Minnekirken? The 1200 names on our mailing list represent a “cloud of witnesses” to the Holy Spirit’s work at The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church of Chicago: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witness‐ es surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encum‐ brance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Merry Christmas, Pastor David
Say Hello to Ivan Aero Ross! He was born to Ingrid and Logan Ross on October 29, 2015, and weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz. Ivan is welcomed by his big brother, Logan, and the rest of his Minnekirken family. Here were some initial reactions to the joyful news: "He looks like Logan." "Congratulations to Big Brother Logan!!!! Oh, and good job, too, Mom and Dad! " Good size and cute!" "Congratulations! What a handsome boy. “ "What a blessing!"
To all our Minnekirken friends, members and families...
Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year! God Jul og et Godt Nytt År From your 2015 Church Board... Beverly Covyeau, Kari Diesen-Dahl, Karena Dahl, Bob Anderson, Kay Long, Barbra Kronborg-Mogil, Jill Crooker, Chuck “Coach” Enge, Auslaug Bruli, Andy Bruli 5
It’s a Pastor! the façade of our church building. They are doing this as part of a beautification efforts in Logan Square. It’s no secret that walking or even driving around the square is a hazardous activity which itself is an act of faith.
Please join me in warmly welcoming Pastor David Schoenknecht as servant leader at Minnekirken! Unlike his lengthy last name, our congregational vote was short and unanimous at the September semiannual meeting to call him to service. As many of you know, his call fills a two-and-a-half-year long vacancy in the pastoral position. During that time we had very good care from many pastors both near and far, local and from out-of-state and from Norway. A big THANK YOU to all of “our” pastors who have so ably and faithfully served us. Tusen takk!
By now many of you have either read or heard of the reconfiguration and redevelopment of Logan Square to make the public space more pedestrian-friendly. These changes are in the planning phase, and many of our members and friends have asked me what this means for us, and specifically for our church parking .
Pastor David is a man with a plan. He is dynamic, experienced and maintains his focus on the Gospel through use of Word and Sacrament. He is in step with today’s online culture and marketing to spread the Good News. Watch our online presence increase. We are staying ahead of the situation, communicating He also has plans for local outreach ministries. with the Alderman’s office and attending public meetWatch our neighborhood presence increase. ings about the proposed changes. We are emphasizPastor David is our first American pastor. In addition ing our long-standing presence in and support of the to outreach and growth in the community, he will be community. We want to ensure that our status with working with our ViPs (Visiting Pastors) from Nor- our parking for Sunday worship and our special way to support and affirm our purpose to promote the events remains the same. So far we have been assured that it will. Logan Square has been featured as a sizGospel through the use of Norwegian liturgy, lanzling hot eclectic neighborhood with excellent housguage and culture. ing, a variety cultural activities, restaurants and other Pastor David is part-time at Minnekirken. He wears amenities. This past summer we had the opening of many other hats, and he also works for Augsburg the new 606 trail as a mixed use public space this past Press in addition to pastoring our congregation. His summer. Our church is just steps from the CTA Blue congregational experience along with his business, Line train making it both easy and affordable to get to marketing and writing skills uniquely equip him to church from anywhere in the city. We have students lead our church in growth. who come to worship from downtown Chicago. We Pastor David is married to Lynn, and has three adult have long-time parishioners who take public transporchildren and four grandchildren. We look forward to tation from as far as Crystal Lake. We have people getting to know his entire family. Pastor David is who ride share to church. If you need a way to get to looking forward to meeting you. church but don’t have one, just let me know. We have much to be thankful for as both our church and our community are in a period of growth and revitaliIs it possible? There is even more good news for zation. If you have not attended church, please join us Minnekirken. Logan Square Preservation (LSP) on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. for worship. You can sleep is a community organization dedicated to beautifying in and still make it to church! If it has been a while, and preserving the character of the public space in please come to meet family and friends on Sunday. Logan Square. We host LSP’s monthly meetings. Stay for coffee hour. Share food and fellowship. They have taken a special interest in our church, Talk with Pastor David. If you are looking for a which is the only church in the Logan Square neigh- church home, we are right here on Square waiting for borhood to have landmark status. They have commit- you. ted to a community fundraiser to replace the yellowed Plexiglas which covers our stained glass window on Welcome to church! Velkommen til Minnekirken! Merry Christmas to all. God Jul til alle sammen. 6
The following article, reprinted from Country magazine, was submitted by Anny Kyrk...
Stepping back in time… At Garden Lutheran Church in Watford City, North Dakota, Ellen Berg, her sister and three brothers were confirmed here; her parents, Ole and Marie, were charter members. At the Berg family reunion Ellen and her 3 sisters went downstairs and saw confirmation pictures from around 1925 hanging on the wall including one with their mother. They found the graves of their grandparents and 3 uncles in the church’s cemetery grounds along with the names of people their parents had mentioned many times who came over to America from Norway. The four women signed the guest book: “Marie, Marlys, Jean and Jeannette, granddaughter of Ole and Marie Berg, buried outside.” Family is not an important thing, it’s everything. —Michael J. Fox
Family is the most important thing in the world. —Princess Diana
Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family —Anthony Brandt
We must always have old memories and young hopes. —Arsene Houssaye
Minnekirken’s Christmas Concert We look forward to sharing music and cheer at the Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 6th, 2015 at 6:30 PM at the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church-Chicago. The seasonal concert will feature The Grieg Ladies, Bjornson Male Chorus, Normennenes, The Fire Within, The Chicago Spelmanslag, Minnekirken Choir, as well as various instrumental ensembles. Come share Norwegian culture and music this Christmas season at Minnekirken! Coffee and treats following—join us!
Christmas Day Service The shopping, baking, visiting, presents, concerts, movies and all of the crazy is over. Take a moment to honor the most important birthday on earth. Join us on Friday, December 25th at 11:00 for Minnekirken’s Christmas Day service. As always be our guest for coffee and cake following the service.
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Den Gamle Kirken I Glemmen By Betty Geilen My mother lived in the United States all her life, yet kept a framed sketch of an old church in Norway in her home. It was the Gamle Glemmen Kirke, which our Fredrikstad rela ves showed us when we visited them. “Gamle” means old, and this church has celebrated its 800th anniversary! Built to last of stone, it has thick walls and was originally a Catholic church. A er the Reforma on, some changes were made—openings in the walls for larger windows to let in light so the congrega on could read their Bibles and hymn books. Also extremists smashed medieval Catholic statues and removed most of them from the church, but someone hid two statues up in the a c, found centuries later, fixed up as best as could be done (Jesus is missing his arms), and now again seen in the church sanctuary. A er the anger of the Reforma on let up, various decora ons flowered on the altar and pulpit which remain from the l700’s—now only three hundred years “gamle.” Our Fredrikstad rela ves had arranged that the church Edu‐ ca on Director,a knowledgea‐ ble and pa ent man named Jo Evardsen, meet us at the church to give us a tour. He men oned that the branching s cks a ached to pew ends by the wall were hat racks‐‐ each farm made its own and brought it to the church.
The Gamle Glemmen Kirke [www.gamleglemmen.no] has a feature we do not have at Minnekirken. Near the door is a small cage‐like room for prisoners to come to church for their edification. 8
Laugh a Little…. "Praise the Lord!" "The Contest" A preacher trained his horse to go when he said One day a group of scientists got together and de cided that man had come a long way and no longer "Praise the Lord" and to stop when he said " Amen " The preacher mounted the horse and said "Praise the Lord" and needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and went for a ride. tell Him that they were done with Him. When he wanted to stop for lunch , he said "Amen." He took off again saying " Praise the Lord " The horse started going toward the edge of a cliff. The preacher got exited and said " whoa " whoa! Then he remembered and said "Amen" and the horse stopped at
the edge of the cliff. The preacher was so relieved and grateful that he looked up to heaven and said "Praise the Lord !"
When asked this riddle, 80% of kindergarten students got the answer, compared to 17% of Stanford University seniors. •What is greater than God, •More evil than the devil, •The poor have it, •The rich need it, •And if you eat it, you'll die? the answer is........................ > > > >>NOTHING !
The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need You. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't You just go on and get lost." God listened very patiently and kindly to the man. After the scientist was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this? Let's say we have a man-making contest?" To which the scientist replied, "Okay, great!" But God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam." The scientist said, "Sure, no problem," and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt. God looked at him and said, "No, no, no! You go get your own dirt!"
EVER WONDER ...?? • Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin? • Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"? • Why is "abbreviated" such a long word? • Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"? • Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons? • Why is the person who invests all your money called a broker? • Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour? • Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same. —Donald E. Westlake The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. —Mahatma Gandhi
• Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes? • You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!
One kind word can warm three winter months. —Japanese Proverb
• Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together? • If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress? • If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal? • Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? 9
Everybody is unique. Do not compare yourself with anybody else lest you spoil God's curriculum. —Baal Shem Tov
Our very own Minnekirken, showed up prominently in the following article, by Paul Biasco originally printed in DNAinfo. Â
The View From The Top of the Logan Square Eagle Monument By Paul Biasco | October 21, 2015 5:38am LOGAN SQUARE — Despite a few cracks in the column and on the actual Eagle, the Illinois Centennial Monument flying over the middle of Logan Square is in better than expected shape. The results of last weekend's check-up on the 98-year-old monument determined the Eagle is at about 90 percent health. "It's in surprisingly good shape," said Barnaby Wauters, a preservation and restoration expert and member of Logan Square Preservation's board. Wauters was one of a number of structural experts who went up in a hydraulic lift to examine the 70-foot-tall marble column and Eagle. A crack in the Eagle was determined to be minor. [DNAinfo/Paul Biasco]
The exam found a few hairline surface cracks on the column and on the Eagle, which should be easy to repair, according to Wauters. "Nothing that's of any danger," he said. Wauters said years of wind has worn the Eagle's surface down, but there is no significant damage. The surface cracks can be injected with adhesive. "I've dealt with a lot of buildings of that particular era and it's in good shape," Wauters said. "It was built with solid column sections and was laid up very well. Usually with buildings of that era there's a lot more going on."
The inspection was part of a greater preservation effort that seeks to restore the monument, including the surrounding area, back to its original state. Logan Square Preservation has estimated the monument needs about $80,000 in work. That work includes replacing the granite pavers surrounding the monument with small cobble stones, as was the original design, replacing the lights surrounding the monument with the original globe light designs and adding spotlights to illuminate the column and Eagle at night. The monument is cared for by the Benjamin Ferguson Monument Fund, who maintains statues and monuments around the city. Logan Square Preservation hopes to team up with the Ferguson Monument Fund, to obtain aldermanic money as well as private donations to complete the renovations before the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial. To see the article in its entirety, visit: /www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20151021/logan-square/view-from-top-of-logan-square-eagle-monument 10
Following Our New Pastor By Linda M. Olsen
Minnekirken’s new pastor is David Schoenknecht. He’s 57 years old, married to Lynn, and they live in Elgin, Illinois. They have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. You may call him Pastor David if you like, but his last name is pretty easy—if you ignore its spelling! Can you say Schoenknecht [SHANE-connect]? He’s not Norwegian, which is obvious by his name. My own father remarked about this saying, “I could kind of tell he’s not Norwegian.” I asked Dad, “How so?” Dad remarked, “I could tell by his accent.”
to another, and as he explained, “It was a Holy Spirit thing.” (I happened to be sitting next to Kari Diesen-Dahl in church when her daughter, Tamara, texted her that David Schoenknecht might be able to help out at Minnekirken.
I guess the Holy Spirit, being Himself, works through anything, including texting in church. Since January, 2015, Pastor’s employment with Augsburg Fortress went to three-quarter time, developing and hosting online Webinars. This fits perfectly with the needs of Minnekirken for Pastor David’s not old school. He is very tech savvy. He is a part-time pastor, not to mention one with Pastor David’s already at work increasing Minnekirken’s online presence gifts. and its use of social media for outreach and growth. You will be seeing more of us there through his efforts; so, as Though he is tech savvy, Pastor remains a pretty traditionthey say, “Like us on Facebook!” al Lutheran. When I asked him about church growth, he remarked, “I am a big believer in the use of Word and SacWhen I met him I was struck by the fact that he had his rament—in being the church, the living, loving body of laptop out, ready to meet with me. He greeted me warmly, Christ on Logan Square.” He is a dynamic speaker; he has then said something about how the online connection was the gift for delivering a sermon which makes the old stoslow right now. I just shrugged. I had pen and paper ready ries fresh and alive. to meet with him. As I pulled out my iPhone to put it on “silent”, he asked me, “Are you going to be recording Pastor describes himself, first and foremost, as “a student this?” I said, “Yes, by taking notes.” He remarked, “Oh, I of life.” He is very “intrigued by the congregation placed thought you were getting ready to record our interview in this locale and having survived from 1908 to this time.” using your iPhone.” Something he would probably do. He has a demonstrated interest in learning more about the Pastor David had never been to Logan Square before. He Norwegian language and culture and includes something wasn’t even actively searching for a pastor position. of that in each sermon. On All Saints Day he talked about the Norwegian king, St. Olav, as one of the canonized Though ordained in 1984, in 2005, he made the decision to saints, and then went on to explain the Lutheran underreturn to graduate school as he wanted to try something standing that everyone in the body of believers are considdifferent from traditional ministry. His favorite thing is to ered “saints.” “Equipping the saints” (ala Ephesians 4) is teach. After graduating from DePaul University in 2008 he Pastor David’s idea of ministry! landed a “super adjunct” teaching position at Rockford University. Following that, he has variously been emYou can follow him online via Twitter, Facebook, Linked ployed by Augsburg Fortress publishers and its subsidiar- In and his blog www.seminariumblog.org ies in just about every conceivable position from Asst. Manager of the former Augsburg Fortress bookstore at the You can follow him at Minnekirken at 11:00 a.m. on SunLutheran Center (now closed) to producing books, curricu- days. lum, and online resources. “They’ve called me ‘The Ghost See you in church! in the Machine’. I have done just about everything for them but live in Minneapolis.”
The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.
With this background, I asked Pastor about what made him interested in our church? He said it was “serendipitous.” Tamara (Dahl) Masciopinto goes to his church, Hosanna! in St. Charles, IL, and she had mentioned that her mother’s church was looking for a pastor to help out. One thing lead
—Tim Russert 11
NEWS FROM NORWAY Fifty ships and around 2500 crew from 17 different nations have arrived in the harbour city of Aalesund on the west coast of Norway, as part of the Tall Ships Race 2015, which this year started in Belfast. Leaving there on Saturday, the fleet will enjoy a scenic cruise in company through the Norwegian fjords to Kristiansand in Southern Norway, before the final race down to Aalborg in Denmark. Every port will be hosting an opening ceremony, crew parade, prize giving, crew party, crew sports and a Tall Ships Parade. (NRK/Press release)
The Norwegian Government is prepared to make a major contribution to a joint and intensified European effort to improve systems for receiving refugees and asylum-seekers in the years ahead. ‘We will offer to provide funding for asylum and migration projects in countries that receive support through the EEA and Norway Grants, if they are willing to contribute to the work of receiving refugees and asylum-seekers.’ said Minister of EEA and EU Affairs Vidar Helgesen. The flow of refugees and migrants has put enormous pressure on the asylum systems in many European countries. However, there are big differences between European countries in terms of their willingness to reThe Norwegian salvage vessel "Siem Pilot" on Satur- ceive refugees and asylum-seekers. ‘Solutions to these day landed 785 new migrants rescued from the Medi- challenges cannot be found at the national level; we terranean, 27 of them small children, in the Italian har- have to find joint European solutions.’ said Mr bour of Palermo on Sicily. Most of the refugees were Helgesen. Currently, funds totalling EUR 20.8 million from Eritrea, but there were also some from Ethiopa, from the EEA and Norway Grants are being used on Sudan and Syria. This was "Siem Pilot"'s fifth misasylum and migration projects in Greece. The Norwesion, since it joined in EU's Operation Triton in June. gian Government has also proposed to the Greek au(NRK) thorities that these efforts could be intensified by transferring EUR 5 million from other programmes. ‘We have made it clear to the Greek authorities that Ringve Museum, Norway's national musical museum we want to continue our support for improving the in Trondheim was damaged by a fire. It took the fire country’s asylum system capacity in the time ahead. fighters two hours to bring the fire under control. Most However, it may also be appropriate for us to support of the instruments were saved. The museum contains measures of this kind in a number of other beneficiary more than 2000 musical instruments from many parts countries,’ said Mr Helgesen. (NRK/Press release) of the world. About 700 of these are so called classical European instruments besides European- and nonEuropean traditional instruments, such as a house or- Norway is increasing its support for vulnerable groups gan made in the 1700s, a disc music box from the late such as Christians and other religious minorities in 1800s and a self-playing piano from 1918. In addition Syria and Iraq, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge to this the collection consists of around 25000 sheet Brende. He points to the fact that the wars in Syria and music prints, an extensive collection of photographs, a Iraq have caused immense suffering, and religious misound archive with pianola rolls, polyphon records, norities have been particularly badly hit. - The aim phonograph rolls and various phonograms. Ringve is will be to identify the most effective ways of providNorway’s sole special museum in its field, with naing protection to vulnerable groups such as Christians tional responsibility for music and musical instruand other religious minorities in Syria and Iraq. The ments. Since the beginning in 1952, instruments from Ministry of Foreign Affairs will earmark up to NOK the four corners of the world have found their way to 10 million this year and a further NOK 10 million next the exhibition rooms at Ringve, and the museum has year for this purpose. ‘ISIL uses extreme and brutal distinguished itself as an enthusiastic communicator of methods against ethnic and religious groups that remusic history. (NRK/Press release) fuse to convert or submit to its authority. We have also 12
witnessed systematic attempts to destroy cultural diversity in Syria and Iraq. We cannot accept this,’ Mr Brende said. (NRK/Press release)
tarian assistance and refugee support efforts in Serbia and Macedonia. ’More than 125 000 refugees and asylum seekers have arrived in Serbia over the last year, and the numbers are expected to increase in the time ahead. Brende says. Serbia and MaceThe Norwegian Labour Party Summer Youth Camp donia have become buffer countries between the has opened again for the first time since the terrorist Schengen Area and Greece and Hungary. Most of attack on the camp four years ago, when 69 persons the refugees who are now travelling through Serbia were killed in the massacre on July 22nd 2011. along the Balkan route were hoping to pass through More than 1000 young people are attending the Hungary to Germany. As Hungary has introduced AUF camp, a record attendance, most of them atstricter measures at the Serbian border, it is extending the youth camp for the first time. Former pected that the situation in Serbia will become conLabour party leader, Jens Stoltenberg, who was siderably more difficult in the time ahead. ‘I would prime minister when Norway was hit by the terror- like to commend Serbia for its huge effort, and for ist attack four years ago, has been invited back as the generosity shown towards the large numbers of guest, to address the participants. He attended the refugees, even though the country’s economic situcamp for many years as an AUF member. Stolten- ation is already difficult.’ said Mr Brende. berg is now Secretary General of NATO. Others (NRK/Press release) scheduled to speak at the camp are also former prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and the present Labour Party leader, Jonas Gahr Støre. A hiker travelling the ancient route between west(NRK/Aftenposten) ern and eastern Norway found a 1,200-year-old Viking sword after sitting down to rest after a short fishing trip. The sword, found at Haukeli in central Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende welsouthern Norway will be sent for conservation at comes the agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, the The University Museum of Bergen. Jostein saying that this historic agreement will benefit the Aksdal, an archaeologist with Hordaland County international community, the Middle East and Iran. said that judging by the sword’s 77cm length, it apHe says that after many years of hard work, an peared to come from 750-800AD. “This was a agreement has now been negotiated that will ensure common sword in Western Norway. But it was a that Iran’s nuclear programme is used only for costly weapon, and the owner must have used it to peaceful purposes. The International Atomic Ener- show power,” he said. Experts don't know why the gy Agency (IAEA) will have the important task of sword would have been left in the mountains. A verifying Iran’s compliance with its obligations un- more thorough study of the site will be carried out der the Plan of Action. So far, Norway has provided next spring when the snow has melted. While climore than NOK 12 million to support the IAEA’s mate change has many negative implications for verification work under the framework agreement. planet Earth, it is proving beneficial to archeoloVerifying implementation of the agreement, partic- gists."The melting snow means that a growing ularly with regard to concerns about its possible number of ancient objects are seeing the light of military dimensions, is vital. The IAEA will play a day," Aksdal said. The Local (news@thelocal.no) crucial role here, and Norway will continue to support its important work,’ said Mr Brende. Learn from yesterday. (NRK/Press release) Live for today. Hope for tomorrow.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende says Norway has granted NOK 60 million towards humani-
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Update on the Viking Ship Support work accomplished - Location search continues – Visitors from Norway SUPPORT WORK ACCOMPLISHED This year, Friends of the Viking Ship (FOVS) installed extensive support for Viking’s hull. As previously reported, support for Viking, when she was moved out of Lincoln Park in 1994, was totally inadequate for anything other than the short term. Emergency stabilization was done in 2008, and adequate support for the keel provided in 2014. In 2015 the FOVS employed Methods & Materials—the same company that installed the keel supports—to fabricate metal jacks, designed to support both lower (bottom) and upper (side) areas of the hull, and weld them onto the steel cradle on which Viking rests. Following the recommendations given to the FOVS by Viking ship builder Gunnar Eldjarn, volunteer members of the FOVS Stabilization Committee made all the measurements necessary, purchased the materials, oversaw the welding procedures, and then made temporary wood “pillows” that now support Viking’s lower and upper hull at every other rib. Still needed are jacks and “pillows” that will correctly support the bow and sternposts. In addition to stabilization work, maintenance work was completed by the strong and willing. On two scheduled workdays this year, volunteers scraped, sanded, and painted the steel cradle and jacks. LOCATION SEARCH CONTINUES The FOVS Location Committee continues to meet and discuss recommendations for a permanent location. The committee is in search of a location with climate control and wide accessibility. Ideally, the FOVS seeks to partner with an organization with curating and educational professionals that are ready to help preserve and promote the Viking. Any suggestions will be very much appreciated. Email the Location Committee at viking.location@gmail.com. Suggestions may also be mailed: Friends of the Viking Ship, P.O. Box 3571, St Charles IL 60174. VISITS TO THE VIKING The Viking ship exhibit was open during the months of April through October 2015. Volunteer docents, information table hosts, and Viking re-enactors all did their part and gave visitors a friendly, fun, and educational experience. Approximately 1000 visitors came to tour the ship this year. We were very pleased to have had three Brekke tour groups of Norwegians come to see the Viking ship. We also had two family groups from Norway, a Norwegian professor who is an expert on Norwegian immigration to America, and members of the team that came to disassemble the 1893 stave church in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, and return it to Orkdal, Norway, where it was built.
Looking for a unique gift? “Viking” from Norway to America, by Rasmus E. Rasmussen, is a crewmember’s account of Viking’s voyage from Norway to the 1893 World’s Fair. Purchase can be made with PayPal from www.vikingship.us or by sending a check for $23.50, payable to Friends of the Viking Ship to: Friends of the Viking Ship, 388 W Cartwright Lane, Oregon IL 61061. Purchase amount includes media rate mail delivery within the USA only. Visit our website www.vikingship.us for additional information. Like Friends of the Viking Ship on facebook www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Viking-Ship-136998666323612/ 14
Minnekirken Memories A look back at Minnekirken’s youth, submitted by Bob Anderson
Youth Retreat, Lutherdale Bible Camp, Elkhorn, WI, circa 1979. Bob Anderson on far right.
Sytende Mai circa 1979— Arne & Tove Anderson in front Youth Retreat Green Lake, WI, circa 1978
Sytende Mai Parade circa 1979 . Torid Anderson, with Anne Lise and Inger Tenold. Barbara Kronborg-Mogil with Tove and Bob Anderson
Ray Nilsen leading the “Sunshine Singers” accompanied by Kari Diesen Dahl. Circa 1978. Singers include Kim Moseid, Tove Anderson, Arne Anderson and Inger Tenold.
WE LOVE MINNEKIRKEN MEMORIES! If you have any old Minnekirken photos that you’d like to share with Kontakt readers, please send them to: Leandra Trifunovich, 405 Meacham Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068, leandrart@sbcglobal.net Church Picnic, circa 1978 Pastor Jorgensen (left), Bob Anderson in the middle
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
Get Minnekirken’s Latest Event Information To receive e-mails on church events, concerts and other announcements, send your e-mail address to:
duidesmal@sbcglobal.net In the subject line type “add me to Minnekirken’s e-mail list”. It’s free, it’s easy and it keeps you “in the know!”
Kick off your 2015 Christmas season by taking your friends and family to the Museum of Science & Industry’s
“Christmas Around the World” Norwegian program. Saturday, December 5 at 2:30 p.m. NNL will present a traditional Norwegian Christmas program complete with songs, dancing and caroling around the Christmas tree. 15
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