Apr. 2002

A little man from a small country has something to say.

First and foremost I feel strongly that I would like to say "Thank You All".

It has truly been a privilege for Jorid and myself to live here and to serve here for two years. Having Ole Johan, our son, in the same country as a student at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma/Seattle, and visiting several times has been great.

As we return to Norway and my church in Ringsaker, we have a lot of good memories and good friends at Mindekirken and the Norwegian-American community in the Twin Cities.

Most of the time we have spent in Mindekirken involved the spiritual and cultural life, but we also have been visiting many different groups and clubs

outside the church for the purpose of giving presentations and we have been visiting many families and individuals as well.

We also have enjoyed very much the broader connection to ELCA/Minneapolis Synod, Bishop and his staff, and the fellowship with many pastor colleagues. I am also grateful to Consul General

and his staff for constructive cooperation and enthusiasm. I have been delighted to work with Sons of Norway, Nordmannsforbundet, Augsburg College, and several Scandinavian based groups.

Thank you all for the gracious hospitality and friendship. Thank you for faithful service and attendance at Mindekirken and all the positive feedback and inspiring comments and also disagreement. We will never forget these two years.

As we say "Good bye" I also would like to add "See you again", in Norway and hopefully at Mindekirken sometime.

I have learned many things about the American people and the society and church life in this country. This is a great country in so many ways. America is best in the world in a variety of areas especially when it comes to business and making money. But I also have learned something about challenges this society does face. From the UN

Report about human life in more than 200 countries we learn about some serious problems of this great nation.(The Report is named "Human Development Index") In many cases the freedom is a freedom for the privileged people. The individualism is given priority over the solidarity. The system of volunteers (which is so great and so important) in many cases underestimates professionalism and high standards. It is about poverty and lack of education for many people. It is about the health system and the need of improving the population's health. It is about the standard of life for a specific percent of the American people.

It is not my task to present the report, but the content is to me a surprise and I have tried to find out how the political America intends to solve the

problems. As a Pastor serving here for two years I feel strongly that the Church at large should speak out more clearly against social injustice. All the church charity programs are good and necessary, but they do not change anything. The Church should not maintain and support and preserve a system that does not provide people equal possibilities in a society. All men are created equal. The Church is called to be the light of the world and the salt.

As we face the separation of State and Church in Norway in not many years ahead, the Church of Norway has to learn from America about volunteers and faithful offering and taking mutual responsibility for the running of the Church. This is one thing I will take back to Norway.

Again, thank you all for the two unique years.

God's grace and peace be with you.

Ole Amund Gillebo

Pastor

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