Lynn s Corner

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.

Robert Louis Stevenson

AVE ATQUE VALE BORNSON!

Minnekirken has recently learned that Bjornson Male Chorus has disbanded. The 96 year-old chorus which rehearsed at the Danish Home has been unable to meet to rehearse for many months and would be unable to do so for the foreseeable future. Their strong voices and beautiful renditions of Norwegian folksongs have been a highlight of Minnekirken’s Christmas and Syttende Mai Concerts. Their presence will be sorely missed.

A Thank You Token

By Lynn Sove Maxson

During the excitement of planning Minnekirken's restoration, Tom and I wanted to contribute something to encourage donations. We thought that an ornament of the church, rosemaled, would be appropriate. I have studied rosemaling for many years and enjoyed teaching and demonstrating it. We sent my sketches to a wood worker, Dennis Green, in Decorah, IA who cut them out. Then we checked samples of paint to match the church color. Tom sanded and backgrounded the ornaments. While talking to a friend in Colorado, she offered to rosemal some of the ornaments for us. My friend, Ellen Kerbs, is a Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum Gold Medalist in Rosemaling. We would like to encourage people to donate $250 or more for the church’s much-needed restoration. As a token of thanks, you will receive an original rosemaled Minnekirken ornament. There will be a limited number of ornaments available. It is exciting to see all who love and have fond memories of Minnekirken. Through the years, the services in this house of worship and all the great events have given so much to so many. Tom and I were married in Minnekirken thirty years ago this year. We have been actively involved through those years. Please come and join us and share in this wonderful congregation and warm glow of God. Here is to the next century of Minnekirken. To donate please contact the church or check the church's website. Thank you .

Covid Compassion

By Lynn Sove Maxson on a daily rise. Locked down in your home. Businesses of norm. This led to anger and, to some, an excuse for protesting for the common man and community. Yet, the Covid brought out another side in many people. God gave me a gift of gratitude and awareness. I saw this growing in the first five months of the pandemic. During this time, with no relief soon for this year, I’ve experienced and had my eyes opened to simplistic, daily sincere compassion. Neighbors called each other to check if food or anything was needed. Some exchanged baked goods and homegrown veggies. Food pantries opened in local churches where we could donate necessary items. Many people were sewing hundreds of masks for 1st responders and other medical and elderly people. While hiking through the Cook County Forest Preserves or walking around the Des Plaines neighborhood, sincere, cheerful greetings were exchanged and sometimes with a light touch of humor. The new greetings were also head nods and little hand waves. It strengthened and helped us all. The forest and neighborhoods changed with the seasons. More people had time and ambitions for rich and gorgeous gardens . Calls to family and friends all over the country and Europe became longer. During these calls there was more listening and sharing than before. In some cases, it was like meeting someone for the first time and learning about the real person. Lonely and depressed people felt so relieved to talk to someone.

Facebook became the social media. Many needed help with this and were helped.

Who would have had an inkling church practiced songs at first for Easter or then for when of the closing down of the the church would open. As the months went by, this was a world as we know it. With the Covid-19 pandemic in time of sharing and growing together. The discussions March 2020, everything we knew in daily life changed. started focusing on using the compassion and There were shortages of daily food, supplies such as paper understanding on how to function in the future. Everyone goods, toilet paper and sanitizers. Illness and deaths were was sharing ideas and talents. all sorts closed, a real shock. Social events and sports were We pray and have faith for a happy and healthy future canceled. soon. It is important to use some of the compassion for With all the lockdowns and confusion, anxiety and around us. Many people have rethought their goals and, depression set in. Masks and social distancing became the as we heard as children, “Stop to Smell the Roses!” negative protesting and looting. Yes, we can have positive 1905-2005

The Zoom choir practice for the Norwegian Memorial others and be more aware of the people and nature By Lynn Sove Maxson In 1905 mother, Esther Skar Larsen, was born in Christiania (Oslo) Norway. But what would happen, no one would believe. She lived with her mother Emma and her brother Leif. The life was simple but not exactly poor. With Aunt Anna she was very spoiled and lived like the rich, completely free of chores. A dream of America rested in her soul. Until in the 1920’s to her surprise,The great dream was realized.

The city of Chicago was so huge. She settled among the Norwegian immigrants, then met and married a man from Skien, Norway. She never ventured out of the city. But after some years, there were four children. Now the family was instilled in American life and thinking. Her only daughter Lynn, the youngest, longed so much for her roots. Ever since she was little, they called to her deeply. There was something in her which was so pure Norwegian —it would pull her over the ocean. If she could only find the answers for the strong call to Norway, it was sad and heavy without the mother tongue.

Finally, at last, she was over Oslo, Norway. Her first lofty glance and she felt at home. It was as though her heart would burst. Thousands of questions waiting to come out, which were buried so many years, so deep inside. Unfortunately, she was a little girl again, without words.

Trip after trip clarified some of the roots. The new came closer and closer. Norsk language with heart and soul was clearer. Thirty-three trips between two countries. The