God Jul Alle Sammen! Fred på jord Velkommen! Sunday December 8th at 6:30 p.m. Minnekirken’s Annual Christmas Concert Featuring, local Norwegian choirs and choruses, our own kirkekor, and a wonderful evening of Christmas music . Free will offering—join us!
Christmas 2019 Do you have 20/20 vision? Some of us have been blessed with excellent eyesight. Others of us need, as they say, correction. But before correction can happen, we need a vision for having good vision! The Norwegian Association of Optometry has that kind of vision—a nasjonal stategi: “Vision 2020 Norway has developed this strategy as a response to the World Health Assembly VISION 2020 resolution, which calls for as much elimination of blindness as possible within 2020 while encouraging improvement of support and services for the blind and visually impaired.” Having a 2020 vision for 20/20 vision is very empowering.
Visit us in person… Service every Sunday at 11 2614 N. Kedzie Blvd.Chicago Visit us on Facebook! Minnekirken-Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church Visit Minnekirken’s websitewww.minnekirkenchicago.org
But we can have a 2020 that's more than about good eyesight. Oprah is casting her 2020 vision too: “What I know for sure is we can all come together to support a stronger, healthier, more abundant life – focused on what makes us feel energized, connected and empowered,” It's Oprah's goal to motivate others to see 2020 as a "year of transformation and triumph. "This is the year to move forward, let’s make it happen in 2020!” We can relate to that attitude at Minnekirken. It will be a big year for us and, for want of good vision the Bible says, we perish (Proverbs 29:18). So, it’s important to ask – what’s your 2020 vision? What will move you forward in the New Year? Even as we are asking, "What will move Minnekirken forward in 2020?"
Advent is a great time for us to ponder and pray about this. But may we never do so apart from God’s ultimate vision for us in Christ Jesus: “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11-14). We look ahead to 2020 with our eyes fixed on God's grace in Jesus and with hope in our hearts!
2019: A Year of Welcoming, Giving, and Grace Wraps-up this Fall at Minnekirken
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CHURCH CALENDAR DECEMBER Sunday, Dec. 8 Sunday, Dec. 15 Sunday, Dec. 22 Wednesday, Dec. 25 Sunday, Dec. 29 JANUARY Sunday, Jan. 5 Sunday, Jan. 12 Sunday, Jan. 19 Sunday, Jan. 26 FEBRUARY Sunday, Feb. 2 Sunday, Feb. 9 Sunday, Feb. 16 Sunday, Feb. 23 Wed., Feb. 26 MARCH Sunday, Mar. 1 Sunday, Mar. 8 Sunday, Mar. 15 Sunday, Mar. 22 Sunday, Mar. 29
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Santa Lucia Service. Holy Communion. Christmas Concert. Sunday Service. Sunday Service. Holy Communion. Christmas Day Service Sunday Service. Juletrefest (Christmas Tree Party)
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Sunday Service. Sunday Service. Holy Communion. Sunday Service. Fantastisk 4th Family Worship Service.
KONTAKT magazine is published by the congregation of the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, 2614 N. Kedzie Blvd. Chicago, IL 60647 (773)252-7335 Email: office.nlmc@gmail.com Editor: Leandra Trifunovich 847-292-9999 2019 Christmas Kontakt Kontributors: Pastor David Schoenknecht Kari Diesen Dahl Betty Gieland Lynn Sove Maxson Dave Wagner Matt Nygaard
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Sunday Service. Sunday Service. Holy Communion. Sunday Service. Fantastisk 4th Family Worship Service Ash Wednesday - Simple Supper and 6:30 Get Minnekirken’s Latest Event Information p.m. Service for Imposition of Ashes.
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Sunday Service. Sunday Service. Holy Communion. Sunday Service. Fantastisk 4th Family Worship Service. Sunday Service
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Kontakt via email? Sunday School is in Session! All school-aged children are welcome to attend Fantastisk 4th Sunday School on the 4th Sunday of every month. Stores, songs, and smiles are always included. For information, contact Leandra 847-292999 or just show up!
God Jul og godt nytt aar! from your 2019 Church Board… Bev Covyeau Kari Diesen-Dahl Karena Dahl Inger Sweeney Eva Pettersen Rotheim Kay Long Barbra Kronborg -Mogil Jill Crooker Mette Pettersen Christian Covyeau Andy Bruli Matt Nygaard 3
Here at Minnekirken we love to keep in touch with our friends who are unable to make it down to church on a regular basis. But with the rising cost of postage, paper, and printing, we would be happy to send your Kontakt via email rather than by mail. If that works for you, let us know! Just send an e-mail to office.nlmc@gmail.com Please tell us to remove you from the Kontakt mailing list and add you to the email list. If we don’t hear from you, we’ll be happy to keep you on our regular mailing list .
Telling the Old, Old, Christmas Story in Fresh New Ways! It was another wonderful Open House Chicago weekend at Minnekirken this year! Over a beautiful Saturday and Sunday in October, Minnekirken love was in full force. People who have never set foot in our sanctuary were eager to hear our unique story – both in terms of history and in terms of His Story – the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ. You simply cannot tell the story of Minnekirken, and especially of our stained glass windows, without telling the story of Jesus and His love. On Sunday, December 1st, Advent begins, along with the “Festival Half” of the Church Year—the Advent through Easter retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension; freshly experienced in our Bible readings, sermons, and songs. 2020 marks the 112th year in which that story-cycle has been told under the gaze of our windows. But those windows tell of another story too—the story of Minnekirken's faithful members and friends from around Chicagoland and around the world! Our docents at Open House Chicago reported on the questions most commonly asked of them. At the top of the list? “What does ‘Minnekirken’ mean?” The easy answer is “Memorial Church.” And, in fact, there are many memorialized churches throughout the United States; churches whose names recognize founders or donors who have contributed in big ways to the existence and ongoing ministry of those churches.
But we don’t have a Luther Memorial Church, a Kountze Memorial Church or a Judson Memorial Church, unlike any number of specially designated, named memorial churches in Christendom. The nickname of the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church is simply Minnekirken, Memorial Church [period]. But perhaps we can then say: [ Fill in the blank with your name. ] Minnekirken. By that, I mean that we could memorialize so many wonderful and colorful personalities of Minnekirken’s past, present, and – by the grace of God – future! We could fill in that blank with untold numbers of docents and vafler makers, untold choir members and Christmas cookie bakers, untold worshippers, untold confirmands, untold council members, untold friends from Greater Chicagoland and all around the world! If you are reading this, you too are a part of our story. You have entered into it by way of your attentiveness. Perhaps you could take another step by way of worship at Minnekirken, perhaps by Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion! If you already have a Church home, we are still eager to have you take steps to support the Norwegian heritage of Minnekirken, or our historic, landmark sanctuary. As we say elsewhere in this Christmas Kontakt, significant structural issues arose in 2019 that we need your help to address in 2020. We thank God that significant grants and donations have also been received! But we still have quite a way to go before our issues are fully resolved. So please, remember Minnekirken as this year draws to a close— remember and pray, remember and give, remember and join us for worship! Remember with us this Advent and Christmas the many saints who have marched toward Christ before us. Even as we look to Christ as our Light, breaking through the darkness of these often cold and weary winter days, we can also see that light reflected—however imperfectly—in the lives of ordinary people. May this great cloud of witnesses inspire our prayer as we receive by faith what they now see face-to-face. For God, who said, “Let light shine 4
out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Join us each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in December as we march toward Christmas and Epiphany remembering some inspiring souls who have gone before us in faith.
Advent 1/Sunday, Dec. 1 – Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, d. 342 (Dec. 6). Advent 2/Concert Sunday, Dec. 8 – Katharina von Bora, Reformer, d. 1552. Advent 3/Sunday, Dec. 15 – Lucia, Martyr, d. 304 (Dec. 13). Advent 4/Fantastisk 4th Sunday, Dec. 22 – Stephen, Deacon (Dec. 26) Christmas Day @ Minnekirken/Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 11:00 am Christmas 1/Julefest Sunday, Dec. 29 – John, Apostle and Evangelist (Dec. 27) Christmas 2/Epiphany Sunday, Jan. 5 – The Magi Baptism of Our Lord Sunday, Jan. 12 – John the Baptizer
Join us in remembrance and worship this Christmas season at Minnekirken. Add your name to our Christmas list of those who love the Church and support our efforts for the sake of the Gospel! May Jesus’ story be found in more than Minnekirken’s beautiful windows; may it shine on in each of us this Christmas. See you in worship! Pastor David Schoenknecht Pastor.nlmc@gmail.com
Strangers are Friends We Haven't Met Yet by Helen Steiner Rice God knows no strangers, He loves us all The poor, the rich, the great, the small. He is a friend who is always there To share our troubles and lessen our care. For no one is a stranger in God's sight, For God is love, and in His light. May we too try in our small way To make new friends from day to day. So pass no stranger with an unseeing eye. For God may be sending a new friend by.
Financial Support from the City of Chicago On July 1, 2019, Minnekirken submitted an application to the City of Chicago for the Adopt-A-Landmark foundation. The foundation offers grants to landmark buildings to help cover the cost of signifi-cant restoration projects. As was reported in the last issue of Kontakt, the front façade and tower of Minnekirken is in need of extensive work. Minnekirken’s application was assembled with the help of Barnaby Wauters (Preservation Consultant), , Ed Swierz (Structural Engineer), Beverly Covyeau, Matt and Erika Nygaard. We are pleased to report that the City of Chicago has preliminarily granted approval of some funds towards the restoration of the church’s front façade and tower. For more on this go to the City of Chicago's Planning and Development's web page. The estimate for the restoration work is over $500,000, so we will be in touch with the members and friends of Minnekirken, the Logan Square Preservation Society, and the Logan Square community at large to help us reach our financial goals. Stay tuned for further developments regarding this exciting news.
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Julehilsen from Church President Bev Covyeau and Vice President Kari Diesen Dahl God Jul og Godt Nytt År! Dear members and friends of Minnekirken, We have had an interesting year. We have been quite busy with all the work that was needed to stabilize the front wall of the church. The façade is definitely needing to have more extensive work done. After all, the building is over 100 years old. Please keep in your prayers that we will receive the much needed grant from the city. Up until now we have been able to maintain our church to keep it in good condition. Some of the churches in the area have been closed down due to the inability to maintain the older structures. We sure appreciate the support from you to help to maintain our properties. We continue to be active in the neighborhood. In the summer we were fortunate to have with us as supply pastors Kenneth Andresen and also Arne Ekra with his family. In August our backpack give-away was a huge success for school children. We hosted a successful Open House Chicago for the third year in a row in October. Then in November we had our “Taste of Norway." Several ladies were quite busy making all the delicious cakes and cookies. There was opportunity to purchase Norwegian things as well. Wishing you and your family all the best for Christmas and the New Year. We are looking forward to hear from you and seeing you in 2020. GOD JUL
Beverly and Kari
Greetings from the Norwegian National League! Happy Holidays from the Norwegian National League! Always a lively and special time of the year, Christmas is just around the corner! On November 6, the Norway tree at the Museum of Science & Industry was decorated by an enthusiastic group led by Lynn Sove and Thomas Maxon. The S/N Trollhaugen Lodge members handled the project for many years, highlighted by the collection of hand painted rosemaled ornaments celebrating our culture, which were donated by Sons of Norway lodges across the U.S., Canada, and Norway. Thanks and appreciation to Lynn and Thomas for continuing the Norway tree tradition as NNL representatives! Our program, scheduled for Saturday, December 7th at 1:30, will celebrated Norwegian song and dance with the participation of singing societies Grieg Ladies and the Leikarringen “heimhug” folk dancers. Audience members are invited to join in circling the tree on stage singing: Jul Med Det Glede and Silent Night in English and Norwegian to conclude the program. We hope many of you will join us for this festive celebration! Sincerely, Barbra Kronborg-Mogil NNL President 6
Fun Fact... On the first Thursday in December, a huge Christmas tree is lit in London’s Trafalgar Square, radiating its Yuletide joy in all directions. What you might not know, is that the tree has travelled all the way from Nordmarka outside of Oslo. Yes, in Norway. The whole ordeal would seem exceptional – if it weren’t so commonplace. With its about four tons of weight and around thirty meters of height, the tree is merely the latest addition to a long and green tradition that started all the way back in 1947. During the Second World War, Great Britain was Norway’s closest ally. This was where the Norwegian King and government fled as their country was occupied, and it was from London that much of Norway’s resistance movement was organized. Both the BBC and its Norwegian counterpart NRK would broadcast in Norwegian from London, something that was
both an important source of information and a boost of morale for those who remained in Norway, where people would listen in secret. Because radios were, of course, forbidden by law by the occupants. After the war, Norway began sending a pine tree to London every year as a thank you. This year’s lighting of the famous Norwegian Christmas tree is scheduled for 5 December. There is also a blessing of the crib ceremony on 8 December, which features a torchlit procession and music from St Martin-in-the-Fields church.
Precious Gifts By Lynn Sove Maxson During one of my first few visits to Norway, I learned something special from Tante (aunt) Helene. It is something I shared with many. Staying with my mother’s brother Leif was always a pleasure I really appreciated. There were so many lovely things in Onkel Leif and Tante Helene’s home and it was so enjoyable to live with them in Oslo. I got so see my cousins who lived nearby and their children. One day while admiring an old rosemaled goblet, Tante turned it over to check the bottom. I thought she was looking for the artist’s name or woodworker. She told me it had been in her family a long time and her aunt had given it to her. Then she handed it back to me. As I was putting it back on the shelf, she said, “Nei ." It was a little confusing because at that time my Norwegian was poor and so was her English. She turned over some other treasures and there were small notes taped on the bottoms with a name. Soon it became clear to me. The names on the bottoms of the items were her family members. When someone admired or became attached to an item, Tante put their name on the bottom. When she and
Onkel passed on they gave this precious gift to a loved one. Years later when my father died and my mother was alone, I remembered this idea. For years I had purchased gifts for my parents to give at Christmas and other occasions. Mom didn’t have much money and did not like shopping. We were going to sell the house and move her into senior living. The idea came to me, which was a win-win all around. Mom would choose treasured items in her home to give to her family members. She knew she couldn’t take too much with her. This way she had the joy of seeing their enjoyment and they received the gift from Mom. She was going to give me her beautiful rosemaled sewing box. I really loved it all of my life and now I am a rosemaler. This I could not take because she used it for knitting needles and other daily tools. So she used Tante Helene’s idea and put my name on the bottom, “To Lynn from Mother." It was in her beautiful script writing. 7
Join Us this Christmas Season... Every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Bible Study. All are welcome to join Pastor's weekly examination of the week’s readings. Sing with the choir! Choir practice for our seasonal concerts is on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Contact our Music Director, Yeeseon Kwon, at yeeseon.kwon@gmail.com for more information. The Syttende Mai Concert is next! Every 4th Sunday of the Month we have our "Fantastisk 4th Family Worship and Sunday School." At this monthly family service, all school-age children are invited to go downstairs to the festsalen for Bible stories and games after the children’s message portion of the regular 11 a.m. Sunday service.
The Norwegian Christmas program at the Museum of Science and Industry is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7th at 1:30 p.m. Stop by the Museum’s hall of international Christmas trees to view the NNL’s Norwegian tree, com-plete with baskets and flags! And then enjoy all of your favorite Christmas songs and dances performed by Grieg Ladies and Leikarringen. Minnekirken's annual Christmas Concert is Sunday,December 8th at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for this musical night fea-turing our local Norwegian choruses, choirs and musicians. You will be treated to Scandinavian Christmas songs and sing-alongs, hymns, instruments, voices and choruses. Food and juletider fellowship will follow. Free-will offering will be taken to support our restoration efforts. Santa Lucia Service - Sunday, December 15th at 11:00 a.m. featuring the traditional processional with “Santa Lucia” and her “angels” singing their way into the service and the hearts of the congregation. Christmas Day Festival Worship at Minnekirken is Wednesday, December 25 at 11:00 a.m.
Winter Bathing is as Popular as ever in Norway. Did you know a popular winter activity in Scandinavia is bathing/swimming in ice water? In several towns in Norway you can find ice bathing groups who meet regularly to ice bathe together. There are even some Norwegians who it every day, no matter what the weather. According to Swedish researcher and author Karl Hulten from Linköping University, it is beneficial to your health in several ways, and even feels good! Though the body experiences great stress when exposed to ice water, the activity of ice bathing can actually have a positive effect on your health including reducing inflammation, better stress control, and lowering risk of infections. Rapidly cooling the body for short periods of time allows blood vessels to contract, leading to increased blood flow circulation while also easing sore and aching muscles. In recent years, many NFL players and other professional athletes have begun experimenting with ice bathing or “cold therapy” as a method to quickly recuperate and prevent soreness and fatigue as well as improve reaction times and stamina for future workouts. The famous Dutch “Ice Man” Wim Hof, who holds 26 world records, one of which includes climbing 22,000 feet up Mt. Everest while only wearing shoes and shorts, has made a living teaching his breathing and meditation techniques to survive in extremely cold environments that seem impossible to the average person. Though the recommended time for an ice water bath is only 2-3 minutes, Wim Hof also holds the world record for being completely submerged in ice water for 112 minutes. Yikes! If you want to get in touch with your Norwegian roots while supporting a great non-profit organization, the Chicago Polar Plunge is held every year and offers a safe opportunity for those who feel bold enough to jump into icy Lake Michigan in the winter time. The next polar plunge will be held January 25th 2020. —submitted by Dave Wagner 8
Bestemor’s Broche by Lynn Sove Maxson During my life, I have only met one grandparent. This was in 1947 when I was almost five . Emma Larsen was my mother’s mother and was visiting from Oslo. Her first and last trip to America.
(silver pin with spoon petals worn with the bunad). My mother never wore jewelry or was interested in clothes. One thing which fascinated me about She was a short, determined, and impressive woman. She Bestemor was a rose cloisonné broche had raised two children by being a tailor and was an active which she wore every day at her neck. leader in the Good Templar Organization. Children’s When it was almost time for her to return, I noticed Mom groups were her specialty throughout Norway. was getting sad. The day Mom and I took her to Union We shared a room and chatted a lot, although neither of us understood the other. This was one of the few times when I heard my parents speak Norwegian. There were so many questions I had which were never answered. Through my many visits to Norway, my cousins shared info about Bestemor. You don’t mess with her and it is her way always. In her short time in Chicago we had bonded. Maybe I inherited a lot from her. My husband Tom might agree, sewing and leadership stand out.
Station to catch the train to New York was very hard on her. She knew that she wouldn’t see her again. This was when my dream of going to Norway started. Mom was so distracted as we settled Bestemor on the train and then she stepped off and was waving goodby to her mother. That was when she spotted me behind her mother waving as the train started. Needless to say I didn’t make it to Norway with Bestemor! They stopped the train.
One of the gifts I received from her was a beautiful hand sewed Norwegian bunad, (traditional costume), and sølje
Wearing Bestemor’s broche, which I inherited, fills me with happiness.
Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. —Oprah Winfrey
To build a strong team, you must see someone else’s strength as a complement to your weakness and not a threat to your position or authority —Christine Caine
Introducing... Our shiny, new dishwasher! In a place where the coffee pot and cups are in constant use, a fully-operational industrialgrade dishwasher is critical. Thanks to Tom Maxson and Andy Bruli for assistance with the purchase and thanks to Bruce and Ed Faland (shown below) for their installation efforts. Our special thanks to S/N Skjold Lodge as well as a generous member for the gifts that made this happen!
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Betty’s Book Review From The Vikings, by Else Roesdahl "The introduction of Christianity caused a cultural divide everywhere. It brought not only new rituals and a new faith, but also a change in the moral code and a gradual erosion of deep-rooted cultural patterns." For example, "In the pagan period unwanted children could be exposed to the elements and left to their fate, but Christians reacted strongly against this practice." Further, "The purpose of many Viking expeditions was no doubt to capture slaves; the warriors might keep them, sell them, or possibly exchange them for a ransom from rich relatives or from the Christian Church, which was opposed on principle to Christians being the slaves of pagans. The ransoming of Christian captives as an act of piety is frequently mentioned in the accounts of the conversion of Scandinavia." Heroic ideals for Viking fighters could not be easily merged with the Ten Commandments and Do unto Others Christian ideals.—submitted by Betty Geilen
Attention All Minnekirken Confirmants! We noticed at our Open House Chicago event that our stained glass confirmation window was in need of urgent repair. This is the third window on the left hand side of the Church. The bottom vent portion of the window is severely bowed and the glass is close to falling out. We had the window people come out and remove the bottom vent so that it would not fall out into the gangway. It is being repaired and hopefully will be reinstalled before the holidays. The entire upper window will be removed in Spring 2020 and restored when the weather permits it. This window restoration is going to cost $5,000. We are reaching out to all of Minnekirken’s confirmants for support as it was originally sponsored by the “forste konfirmant klasse”.
We hope that some of the hundreds of Minnekirken confirmants since that forste klasse are able help finance the restoration of this beautiful window in honor of all generations of Minnekirken’s confirmants, past and those yet to come. If you are able, please use the envelope included in this Kontakt to send in your donation. Note “confirmation window donation” to make sure your contribution goes to the right fund. Thank you very much!
Minnekirken Welcomes Hundreds of Visitors during Open House Chicago Weekend On October 18th and 19th, Minnekirken once again opened its doors to visitors as an Open House Chicago location. We welcomed 716 people from all over the city, educated them on our beautiful old church, its history and architecture, and offered them the opportunity to taste a little bit of Norway in the form of our waffles and coffee! Our docents did a great job explaining our history and made lots of new friends for Minnekirken.
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“The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church: Its History and Architecture” At the Open House Chicago event on October 19-20, we created a photo board with vintage photographs of Minnekirken and the development of the Logan Square neighborhood. The photos and information were obtained from a research piece authored by Matt Wicklund that supports the Landmark status of Minnekirken. Erika Nygaard created a QR Code which can be used to download the report to your phone or computer. The instructions on accessing the report are as follows: Turn on the camera on your phone, tablet, laptop, or computer, and use the camera to view the QR code image. A web browser will pop up on the screen and tap the browser image. The web browser will let you choose "Dropbox" if you have that app on your phone or choose "continue to the website." The Minnekirken Landmark report will now be on your device! We hope that you will scan the QR code or use the link below to enjoy reading the Wicklund Report — a wonderful historical account of Minnekirken.
https://tinyurl.com/WicklundReport
Matt Nygaard demonstrates how to scan the QR code to one of our many curious Open House Chicago visitors.
Year End Giving 2019 has been an unexpected year for Minnekirken. The façade of our old building needs some serious restoration work, and many of the stained glass windows still need refurbishing as they are starting to seriously bow. Because the materials originally used in the church’s construction are no longer available, everything has to be very carefully removed, cleaned, refurbished and then reinstalled. This is obviously an expensive endeavor. These pictures show rain damage that occurred immediately after the areas were tuckpointed because of the church’s façade issues described on page 5. The good news is that the church currently has some very determined supporters that are working hard to solve its issues. Any help our Kontakt readers can offer would be greatly appreciated. Please use the donation envelope located inside this issue of Kontakt. Tusen takk og ha en veldig god jul!
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The 8 Best Norwegian Gifts of 2019 Tripsavvy's editors independently research, test and recommend the best products and services. They have decided that the 8 best Norwegian gifts of 2019 are as follows... 1. North Wild Kitchen: Home Cooking from the Heart of Norway In recent years, Nordic cooking has hit the international food scene in a big way, and this cookbook is a great introduction to some of the country's best dishes. The New York Times selected this volume as one of Fall 2018’s best new cookbooks, and it lives up to its title: the author behind the recipes, Nevada Berg, is a Norwegian food blogger who’s something of a star in the Nordic foodie world, and she knows how to prepare great food without much fuss. She taught herself how to cook, and continues to develop recipes and write from her 17th-century farm located on a mountain in the heart of the Norwegian countryside. But it’s not just about the recipes in this book — Berg also shares anecdotes from life on the farm, reinforcing the connection to the land that traditional Nordic cuisine emphasizes. 2. Gjetost Known casually as “brown cheese,” it’s not technically cheese at all — instead, brunost is a byproduct of goat’s milk whey. During the production process, the water is boiled down to caramelize the sugar and give a somewhat sweet caramel-y taste that’s unlike any other cheese. Suggest that they serve it the Norwegian way by slicing a thin peel off and laying it on a piece of toast or crispbread (some also add strawberry jam on top).
5. Helly Hansen Men's Crew Midlayer Sailing Coat Helly Hansen is one of the best outerwear brands out there, and it happens to be headquartered in Norway’s capital city, Oslo. Since 1877, it's has been focusing on well-made, heavy-duty clothing and gear for working on boats or in the mountains—but you don’t need to fall into either category to be able to appreciate the brand’s quality clothing. This sailing jacket is an excellent value at under $200, with classic style, durable water repellency treatment, fleece lining, and windproof, breathable HellyTech protection. . The coat is available in white, black, bright nautical blue, and red 6. Design Basics for Telemark Rosmaling If you're shopping for someone who loves painting or crafts, then a book about the art of Telemark rosmaling—a traditional folk art hailing from Norway, might be just the thing for them. This art form isn’t as well-known as many other folk arts, and this book by working artist and rosmaling teacher Diane Edwards gently introduces curious artists to the basics. She explains the best ways to mix colors, how to execute the 19 pieces she includes, and how to design patterns yourself—and gives tips about little but crucial details like brush strokes. Once your giftee masters the initial steps, they can still refer to this book: It also includes projects appropriate for intermediate artists. Editors note: Or you can ask Lynn Sove Maxsom for tips! 7. Freia Milk Chocolate Kvikk Lunsj Bars
The Freia chocolate brand is practically an institution in Norway, and these bars are ideal stocking stuffers. Out of all of the brand's offerings, Freia’s Kvikk Lunsj — established two years after Kit-Kat in 1937 —are one of the 3. Dale of Norway Men’s Sweater most well-loved. The chocolate-covered wafers are almost identical to Kit-Kats—so similar, in fact, Kit-Kat tried to trademark its Dale of Norway has been making some of the best you can buy for alfour-fingered design, which the Kvikk Lunsj shares, but an EU court demost 150 years and it’s one of the few companies left that still produces nied Kit-Kat’s appeal for exclusivity. Taste tests all their sweaters in Norway, from the knit itself down to the last details indicate that the Norwegian bar is superior in like leather patches and pewter clasps. The sweater is so good, in fact, terms of taste, with creamier chocolate and an that Dale of Norway is the company behind the Norendearing stork motif instead of a corporate wegian ski team’s sweaters at the World Championlogo stamped into the chocolate. ships and Winter Olympic Games. 8. Laila Hand and Body Cream 4. Moon Norway Guide This Norwegian cosmetic and skincare brand delivers deeply moisturizOne of the best Norwegian gifts you can give is a ing body cream that combats the effects of even the harshest guidebook to inspire a trip to the country itself. NorScandinavian winters. It quickly absorbs into skin—there’s no way is a gorgeous place, with dramatic landscapes, greasy-feeling film left on the surface—and the mountaincharming cities, and an incredible food culture that’s and fjord-inspired scent that’s the brand’s signature (think been taking the world by storm. But it’s also quite a pricey country to clean and floral, like a flower field on the side of a mountain). visit, so if you know your recipient is thinking about Best for those with sensitive and dry skin, this lotion is paragoing, it can be helpful for them to have some ideas ben-free, too. This lotion is exclusive to Nordstrom, where about the places to stay, eat, drink, and visit that are the Laila scent is one of the department store’s best-selling going to be the best value for their money. We love that specialty fragrances . author David Nikel, who lives in Trondheim, Norway, has years of experience exploring the country and very BY KRYSTIN ARNESON much knows what he’s talking about (he can even give details like exactly where to stand to best capture the Geirangerfjord waterfalls). 12
From Us and Ours to You and Yours... A blessed and healthy Christmas and New Years's to all. God Jul "
God Jul to friends near and far! Barbra & Michael Mogil and family
—Jill K. Crooker
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All!
"Kudos til juledamer kakebakerne på Minnekirken!
Aslaug and Andy Bruli
God jul og godt nytt år. Matt and Erika Nygaard
God Jul og Godt Nytt År til alle venner og kjente!
God Jul og Godt Nytt År, Lynn
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year To all friends! The Dahl Family: Kari, Lillian and Alf
Sove and Thomas Maxson
Wishing everyone a happy Christmas and a joyous 2019!"
Have a Wonderful Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Ted and Kay Long
Greetings from The Kyrk's.
God Jul og an Godt Nytt Ar to All our Friends! Ragnar and Synnøve Lund
God Jul and Gott Nyatt Ar from The Falands. Edvin, Bruce, MariBeth, Martin, Scott, Carolyn, Kelsey, Lars At this time of year, our hearts and thoughts are with family and friends to both cherish fond memories, as well as to experience new ones.
Dear members, friends, and supporters of Minnekirken—all readers of Kontakt near and far—the Schoenknecht family wold like to wish you en veldig good jul og et velsignet nyttar! We also want to say mange tusen takk for the many ways you have been a blessing to this wonderful church and supportive of my pastorate over the past four years.
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News from Norway Nearly 310,000 people went up to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock ) in Rogaland during the summer. Every year the number of visitors increases, and in the last ten years the number of visitors has increased by 147 percent. In the past, the huge increase in the number of visitors has attracted criticism, including from the Nature Conservation Association. “I think we have to accept that 20 percent think there are too many people, but we also have to work to keep the 85 percent happy,” says general manager Helge Kjellevold in the Foundation Preikestolen to NRK.Of those who visited Preikestolen this summer, 24 percent were from Germany. In second place were Norwegians, while Spanish tourists came in third place.—© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
Canada, Chile and Germany, while countries such as the UK, US and France received a C+ grade and for example India, China and Japan received only a D grade. International tourists have set overnight records with 6.6 million stays at Norwegian hotels this summer, according to new figures from Statistics Norway on Monday. Both Norwegian and international tourist stays increased during the summer months but it was the foreign guests that had the greatest percentage growth. In total, 18.5 million hotel days have been registered from May to August. One in three guests were foreign tourists, figures show. Since 2015, the number of Norwegian guests has increased by 7 per cent while the number of foreign guests has increased by a full 26 per cent. German tourists accounted for almost a quarter or 1.5 million of overnight stays this summer, while Dutchmen came in second place. Another nation worth noting is China, according to Statistics Norway. The number of Chinese tourists staying in hotels in Norway has increased by 53 per cent since 2015 and the number of American travellers has also more than doubled.—© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
A new large Viking discovery has been made in Larvik in Vestfold. In September, a so-called “gullgubbe” was found at Hovland. A few days later, the archaeologists found large postholes in the site. The holes indicate a building of 36 metres, which could be a guildhall. Local leaders are now calling for the area to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. At present Norway has eight entries the list: Bergen's Bryggen, Urnes stave church, Røros mining town, the rock art of Alta, the Vega archipelago, Struve geodetic arc, the west Norwegian fjords (Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord) and the Rjukan-Notodden industrial heritage site. Since 2011, the 'Vestfold Ship Burials and Hyllestad Quernstone Quarries' have been listed on the tentative list, alongside the Laponian area, the Lofoten islands, the Svalbard archipelago, and the islands of Jan Mayen and Bouvet.
Finder.com created the Starbucks Index to compare the differences in price for the same cup of coffee in 76 countries* around the world. The study found Norway ranks as the 6th most expensive country to buy a tall latte, at USD$5.14. Neighboring Copenhagen, Denmark, tops the list with a tall latte at Starbucks costing $6.05. The index is an informal way to measure local prices for a common item against other countries. It’s supported by research that excludes variances that affect the cost of a coffee, like prices of raw beans, local labor costs and taxes. The study itself has two components: a coffee cost comparison and a currency valuation index. Yet it does not take the income level in the compared countries into consideration.--The Nordic Page
Oslo, considered a world leader for reducing plastics waste, is hosting a conference on pollution attended by representatives from 50 European cities. The 50 cities will learn about environmental initiatives tested in Oslo and sign a joint commitment to reduce pollution through plastics waste, media including Dagsavisen report. Oslo is one of 19 international cities to have signed up to an agreement which obliges the cities to reduce plastic pollution and unnecessary use of disposable plastics. Other cities to have signed that agreement include Milan, Porto, Copenhagen and Florence. “Oslo is showing the way and has approved a plan of action against plastic pollution. We will be the first municipality in Norway to not use any single-use plastics,” City Councilor Berg told Dagsavisen. An international analysis has concluded that Norway’s pensions system is one of the six best in the world – but there is room for improvement. The annual Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index placed the Norwegian pensions system behind the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Australia and Finland. Norway was placed in the B category, "a system that has a sound structure, with many good features, but has some areas for improvement that differentiates it from an A-grade system". The Netherlands and Denmark were the only countries out of 37 included in the final report that were awarded an A grade. Norway received a B grade for adequacy, a C grade for sustainability and an A grade for integrity. Other countries in the B bracket were for example
New York will start budgeting its greenhouse gas emissions in the same way Oslo has been doing since 2017 when it became the first city in the world to do so. Additionally Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Sydney and Portland have all developed or are developing climate budgets based on the model which Oslo is using. According to NRK, the decision was announced during the C40 summit, a network of 94 metropolitan cities around the world, working to become as climate-friendly as possible. Oslo serves as a pilot city in this metropolitan network – a smaller city where climate solutions can be tested. Both the development and the subsequent use of the climate budget as a municipal governing tool have been groundbreaking. The status of the implementation of the climate measures three times a year.-The Nordic Page
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Just for Fun... A couple had two little boys ages 8 and 10, who were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble and the parents knew that if any mischief occurred in their town, their sons would get the blame. The boys’ mother heard that a clergyman in town had been successful in disciplining the children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The clergyman agreed, and asked to see them individually. So the mother sent her 8-year-old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see the clergyman in the afternoon. The clergyman, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, “Where is God?” The boy’s mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there with his mount hanging open. The clergyman repeated the question “Where is God?” Again the boy made not attempt to answer. So the clergyman raised his voice some more and shook his finger in the boy’s face and bellowed, “Where is God?”
Riddles… Why do statues of George Washington always show him standing? Because he never lied. What is the difference between a cat and a comma? A cat has claws at the end of its paws, but the commas has pause and the end of its clause. What is full of holes but still holds water? A Sponge Why can’t your nose be 12 inches long? Then it would be a foot What always has its heart in its head? Lettuce What dog keeps the best time? A watchdog. When is it right for you to lie? When you’re in bed What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing. It just waved. What can speak all of the languages of the world? An echo When is a blow on the head like a piece of fabric? When it is felt Why does a sick person lose his sense of touch? Because he isn’t feeling well. What coin is double its value when “half” is deducted? A half-dollar How can you stop a fish from smelling? Cut off his nose. What is the best way to raise strawberries? With a spoon
The boy screamed and bolted from the room. He ran directly home and dove into his house, slamming the door behind him. When this older brother found him the closet, he asked, “What happened?”
Biblical Theme Songs Noah: “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” Adam and Eve: “Strangers in Paradise”
The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, “We are in big trouble this time. God is missing and they think we did it!
Lazarus: “The Second Time Around” Esther: “I Feel Pretty” Job: " I’ve Got a Right to Sing the Blues” Moses: “The Wanderer”
Keeping Christ in Christmas...
Samson: “Hair”
Could chopping down your Christmas tree be a devotional way to meditate upon the sacrifice of Christ for our sins? Putting the tree up again can represent the resurrection of Christ and faith that brings the living Jesus home - to your hearts and hearths. Wreaths are never ending circles, representing eternity in God's love. Candy canes were made to look like shepherd crooks. The colors swirl with red for Jesus’ blood and white for forgiveness and purity. The gifts, represents the 3 gifts the Wise Men brought for Jesus, gifts of love we share, and the gift that God wants us to be! So when you are running around trying to get the “perfect gift," stop yourself, take a deep breath.
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Salome: “I Could Have Danced All Night” Daniel: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” Esau: “Born to be Wild” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: “Great Balls of Fire!” The Three Kings: “When you Wish Upon a Star” Jonah: “Got a Whale of a Tale” Elijah: "Up, Up, and Away” Methuselah: “Stayin’ Alive” Nebuchadnezzer: “Crazy"
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