This document is intended as a supplement to the Job Description sheet.  It is designed to provide some information about Mindekirken, about the current search, and about some of the variables that are difficult to work into a more structured Job Description document.

What makes Mindekirken special?  Den Norske Lutherske Mindekirke (The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church), or Mindekirken for short, is the last surviving Norwegian-language church in the area.  The congregation was founded in 1922, when the wave of patriotism surrounding World War I pushed many national congregations toward English-language worship.  Due to its mission, Mindekirken is a regional rather than a neighborhood church; people travel from all over the Twin Cities to attend Sunday services, and we have members across the United States as well as in Norway.  Mindekirken is a member of the ELCA but has historically drawn its pastors from the Church of Norway.  This includes our current Pastor, Per Inge Vik.

What is the worship schedule?  On most Sundays there is an English-language service at 9 AM and a Norwegian-language service at 11 AM.  The last Sunday of the month generally has only a single service, a bilingual Family Service at 11 AM.

What is the role of music at Mindekirken?  Due to its European heritage and ties, Mindekirken not only values music as part of the worship service but also puts a strong emphasis on classical music.  We have a decent organ and a very good grand piano, and it is part of our worship tradition that the congregation actually listens to the Postlude rather than treating it as background music for departure from the worship service.

What are the current components of the music program at Mindekirken?  For some years now there has been organ accompaniment to both the English and Norwegian liturgies, with use of the piano as appropriate for some hymns as well as for piano solos and accompaniment of other musicians.  Other musicians, both congregation members and guests, have been frequent participants for prelude, postlude, offertory and special music.  During the fall, winter and spring the adult choir sings on most Sundays, generally at the Norwegian service.

What is the Choir's general schedule?  From September through May the Choir rehearses on Thursday nights from 7 – 8:30 and again on Sunday mornings from 10:15 – 10:45 or so.  The choir sings at the 11 AM Norwegian service on most Sundays during that time period, generally taking one Sunday per month off.

What are the parameters of the current search?  Our current Music Directory, Dawn Sonntag, is leaving us around the beginning of July.  The aim of this search is to have musical leadership in place to continue our music programs from that point.  To this end, we would like to have new musical leadership chosen in time to effect a smooth transition.  We would prefer to find one person who can function as both Choir Director and Organist, but are open to using two individuals and will make that decision based on the strengths of the applicants.

Where do we go from here?  If you are interested, please submit a letter of application and resume.  We will be scheduling formal interviews soon.  If you have not visited Mindekirken, please consider this an invitation!  We would like you to hear our worship services, including both the instrumental and vocal music.  Please let us know if you would like to come on an upcoming Sunday; it would be good for you to hear our current musical situation, and it would also afford us an opportunity to meet on a less formal basis than a job interview.  Those interested in the Choir Director position are welcome to come to a Thursday night choir rehearsal as well.

Who do I contact?  Either send an email to the Music Committee at music@mindekirken.org or call John Casey, Music Committee Co-chair, at 763-537-3810.  You can also see more about Mindekirken on our web site, www.mindekirken.org.

Thanks for your interest!

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716