August 2005

August greeting from the pastor

My family has moved back to Norway this summer. We listed our Bloomington house for sale in April. It sold quickly, and shortly after the fourth annual garden party for the congregation in our backyard, we had the closing. We had a busy time getting ready for the move. All the furniture we and former pastors' families have accumulated over the years, was driven down southwest on the prairie and stored in a barn close to Mankato. It is meant to be used by the next pastor.

When it comes to books, clothes and other personal stuff, we learned that the US mail offers the best alternative for a low budget move to Norway. However, shipping by boat requires packing in quite small boxes. That made us frequent visitors to the local liquor store where they among other things have the best boxes. We also got well aquatinted with the clerks at the Thomas Burnett post office in Bloomington. My wife Trude says she and Maria will open one box every day as they are delivered in Norway. They won't be done before it’s time to open the Christmas presents.

It’s hard to believe how much stuff a family can accumulate over the course of three years. Emptying every room was quite an undertaking. Luckily for us, we had painted the house inside and put in new carpet, so we didn’t need to spend too much time washing.

But before we left, Trude and our youngest daughter, Maria, went from room to room, saying a little prayer as they recalled good memories. It’s strange how a ritual can help us in processing things. That’s obviously common knowledge for many peoples. When I came back to see the house later this summer, there were melons and apples on the staircase. They had served in a Hindu ritual that the new owners from India had performed when they moved in. We’re used to dedication of churches -- why not do something similar for a private home?

Trude has started back as a journalist in Gjøvik, Norway. She has already had the pleasure of having the first visitors from Minnesota. I will be living at the home of some good friend in Savage until Nov.1. Our daughters Linn and Janne will continue their education at St. Olaf College in Northfield this fall.

Pr. Jens Dale jens@mindekirken.org

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