Spring has sprung. In some ways it is sad for me because as many Norwegians I spend a great part of the winter with my favorite sport, skiing. Yes, I still race slalom in several Ski Challenge leagues. My Thursday night "Fast Friends" team did especially good this year by taking 2^nd place in its division at the State championship races at Giants Ridge Ski area in the beginning of March.

The congregational council has a few loose ends to tie down this spring. As I am writing this, we have not met since I wrote about the Ethiopian congregation last month. The taskforce has met and formulated a recommendation that will be presented at the next congregational council meeting. The recommendation is to do nothing with the Ethiopian congregation at this time. Members of the taskforce feel that the issue was not presented to Mindekirken in a good way and the congregation might not be ready for this kind of a challenge.

At the same time and in a separate issue, the taskforce would like to see that the council initiate talks among its members about possible mission and outreach projects that better fit our congregation. In fact, our yearlong commitment supporting a missionary team in Japan has ended and Mindekirken now has the opportunity to get involved in a similar project some time soon.

Spring is here and that always brings some special events to Mindekirken. We were disappointed to find out that the Nidaros Cathedral Boy’s Choir trip in April was canceled because of concerns about the war in Iraq. I hope that these concerts can be rescheduled for sometime later this fall.

Syttende Mai will be celebrated on Sunday May 18 with an 11:00 Festival Worship Service. Following the service, a "folketog" parade will take place followed by Syttende Mai festivities including ice cream at the church.

In closing I will repeat my usual springtime reminder. Even if we take a summer vacation, Mindekirken does not. Ongoing expenses like salaries, electricity, gas and regular office expenses still have to be met. So, after you stop your paper delivery, take a minute to use one of the pre-addressed envelopes provided to send your contribution in to Mindekirken. Thanks for your continuing support and I hope to see you at a service or other event in the near future.