Highlights of this issue include a second lecture on emerging Christianity by Marcus Borg from his series of lectures given at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI, June 19-20, 2009. Marcus Borg is internationally known in both academic and church circles as a biblical and Jesus scholar. Borg graciously gave permission to use his extensive lecture notes for articles in Church and Life. This lecture is especially pertinent now as we are experiencing withdrawal of some churches from their ELCA affiliation. (See also Post Script.)

A special treat is the second installment of Dorothea Larsen Adaskin’s Adventures as she begins her studies as a fulltime student (at age 84) at Grundtvig’s Højskole in Hillerød Denmark. Join her fun!

You will also find a fascinating historical article on Ring Riding at Danebod as part of a 1930 celebration on Fastelavn, the day before Ash Wednesday. It was written by Ove Nielsen who died in June 2009 at the age of 93. And we have not one but two book reviews this month—one is by Canadian Rolf Christensen on "Housekeeping on the Farm"—revealing past practices on Danish farms; the other is by Louise Spencer concerning a new collection of articles originally published in issues of Option, from the Folk Education Association of America. Louise grew up in Cordova NE where the Nelson family had relocated from their homestead in western Nebraska because it lacked a Danish community and church. Louise researched folk schools for her master’s essay at Bank Street College of Education, which is located in New York’s Manhattan

"In their Own Words" has a "new" translation of our not so beloved neighbor—"Old Pat" (Per Smed" ) by Marie Pedersen Thomsen, sent to us by her daughter Karen Kadgihn. And Don Lenef, my husband, volunteer assistant and webmaster of Church and Life, writes a tribute to our wonderful dog, Socrates.

The photograph on the cover is in honor of the Farstrup-Mortensen lectures in Solvang, CA. I wish I could tell you more about this photo, probably from the early 30s, found among my mother’s photographs. If anyone has information about the photo, let me know.

The 64th annual Danebod Folk Meeting Tyler MN
is scheduled for August 18-22, 2010. Glenn Henriksen will entertain Saturday evening. Program details will be outlined in the spring brochure. To be added to the mailing list contact danebodlutheran@yahoo.com

Send stories, essays, photos, artwork, "Save the Dates," obituaries, "In Their Own Words" and special features to the editor. Letters to the editor are always welcome. Poetry submissions should be sent to the poetry editor. Electronic submissions are preferred but hand written or typed material is also acceptable. (Please send subscription renewals and memorials to the business manager.)