May 2007
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Hurra! We are growing… May is the month of the year when we in a special way celebrate our Norwegian heritage. What other country has national parades with the children in the front, instead of military troops? This was the wise and nice invention of Henrik Wergeland. The Eidsvoll Men could not have found a better time to sign our National Constitution than on May 17th! When spring is at its most beautiful, we (hopefully) can enjoy gathering outdoors, and have our Syttende Mai parade in nice weather, followed by food and more cultural programs by Det Norske Folkedanslaget and others at Mindekirken’s parking lot. This year it happens on Sunday, May 20th. We are happy and proud that the Syttende Mai Minnesota Committee has appointed Mindekirken to be the site for the main celebration in the Twin Cities in 2007. I find this very natural, as there is, and always since Norway became a nation, has been a strong connection between church and nation. We have the cross as the core point of our flag. God is very present in our national anthem “Ja, vi elsker dette landet”. Where I was a pastor in Norway, two parades started from two different directions, and finally met at the church just before the Festival service. The church was packed, and we had both the local village choir and our children’s choir sing in the sanctuary. We expect a lot of people at Mindekirken on May 20th. Perhaps a packed sanctuary already as we start at 10:30 a.m. with half an hour’s “Prelude concert”, featuring members of the male singers “Nordkap” and “Norwegian Glee Club”. The concert is followed by a Festival service, where Mindekirken’s former pastor Jens Dale will perform one of his specialties: preaching while painting. An additional reason why we are expecting an extra good turnout is that this year, the celebration at Mindekirken on May 20th is chosen to be the kick off event for a special festival called Nordic Summer, which will go on in Minneapolis the following months. Mindekirken is a very strong cultural church. But in the middle of this, we will not forget our spirituality! If we do so, we will lose our soul as a church. We are more than a social or cultural or language club! We have something very important to share: the gospel - the good news that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, human kind can have a good relationship to our Creator. By his Word and his sacraments, God gives us his amazing grace. Our church is a place where we share this grace. Mindekirken has just welcomed eight new members. As we also did last month. We are very grateful that we are a growing church! I think one of the reasons why Mindekirken attracts newcomers, is that we offer people a spiritual home within a warm atmosphere. Also we have to give our members a chance to share of their time, their talent and treasure. I once asked a person that had a very long way to his church, why he had joined that congregation. “That is simple,” he replied, “here I am fed, and here I can serve!” Pastor Per Inge Vik, vik@mindekirken.org |
The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church · 924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 · (612)874-0716 |