(updated from the print edition) The cover is the design by Grand View University alumnus, class of ‘95, David “Zane” Vredenburg, for a commemorative print for this summer’s trip to Denmark by Dr. Rachelle Keck, President of Grand View, along with others associated with the university. Besides the Rebild July 4 celebration, where Dr. Keck will speak next year, the trip included meetings with officials in government, business/industry, and education. The issue opens with a description of the recent 150th anniversary of West Denmark Lutheran Church of Luck, WI. [The photo with the print edition is mistakenly of a different congregation.] The artful lyrics of the event's gathering song, “Six Hundred Seasons,” by Henrik Strandskov, convey the inspiration from nature that heirs of Grundtvigian immigrants still hold. Following the song, Erik Hansen channeled his grandfather with a presentation in the old Danish storytelling tradition, printed here as “Living the Dream—Stories of the Early Immigrants.” Then for a story about a Danish immigrant, at least an out- line of it, Rolf Buschardt Christensen gives us the first chapter of his recently released book “Cape Scott Pioneer: The Life and Times of Carl Brinck Christensen.” We then fast forward about 100 years to have the continu- ation of “Preservation and Motherhood on the Northern Great Plains,” the interview of Kim Rudningen, from Dagmar, MT, by Megan Torgerson, featured on the first episode of Reframing Rural Podcast. With this, let us continue to lift her community in prayer after the devastating fire that recently consumed Nathanael Lutheran Church. The world seems to easily forget hardships and losses, as we see with lives moving on from the COVID-19 pandemic. While individually we were affected in different ways, this collective experience has been truly remarkable, as we are reminded in excerpts from the final chapters of Unafraid, 2nd Edition: Pew, Pulpit, and Pandemic, published by Joy Marie Ibsen. The next two articles “Grand View University Nurtures Next Generation of Lutheran Leaders,” by Kate Foss. and “Pastor Bert’s Musings,” by Albert Bodaski, speak to the journey of faith being nurtured by community, whether in a program for high schoolers or participating in the Eucharist as an evangelical catholic. In extended extracts from his academic paper, “From Na- tion Building to Global Citizenship: Human Rights Education in the Nordic Folk High Schools,” Johan Løvgen argues that the community setting and pedagogical approach of Grundtvig’s “schools for life,” are well-suited for human rights education. Then there is a last call for the Danebod Fall Meeting.
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The West Denmark Lutheran Church celebrated its 150th anniversary on the weekend of June 24 and 25, 2023. As people gathered on Saturday afternoon, there was a feeling of reunion in the air, not only among the peo- ple in attendance but also, through special exhibits, with all the saints of the congregation from its very beginning to the present. The display about the woodcarver Jes Smidt, nicely arranged by his granddaughter Kathy Wilson, was a reminder that several Danish immigrant churches had a bit of West Denmark in them with his altars, frames, lecterns, and such.
After the welcome by Pastor Linda Rozumalski and Council President, Terry Speiker, the past and present came together as everyone sang the gathering song, set to the tune of the beloved Grundtvig hymn “O Day Full of Grace.” The artful lyrics of Henrik Strandskov’s “Six Hun- dred Seasons” convey the inspiration from nature that heirs of Grundtvi- gian immigrants still hold. Erik Hansen followed, channeling his grand- father, with a presentation in the old Danish storytelling tradition. Also in good Danish tradition, the kitchen crew was always busy, providing coffee and treats for breaks and classic Danish dishes for meals. Fittingly, commemorative cookbooks and hand-crafted coffees mugs were available to purchase. A presentation about the buildings on the West Denmark campus, including recollections of the Petersen brothers who were instrumental in constructing the present church building thirty-eight years ago, reminded all of the persistent dedication and skill of different generations who, after the church building twice burned to the ground, saw to the construction of a new one each time. The congregation displayed its dramatic talent and wry humor with a play about a pastor taking a needed rest leave, well-meaning congregation members, and the intervention by nisse. The fun continued into the evening with live music and folk dancing, led by Shawn Mai. In addition to the worship service on Sunday, there was a concert that afternoon. Christine Johansen played selections from Danish composers on the piano; Chuck Parsons offered a couple of celebratory pieces by on the organ, and the West Denmark Choir, conducted by Harry Johansen. For sake of posterity, the pastor dedicated a newly planted tree near the Founder’s monument, and a photographer, raised aloft by a bucket truck, took an official photo of the assembled group. Actually, two sets of photos were taken, the second with everyone holding a number on which folks wrote their names so as to be identified for future generations of West Denmark Lutheran Church. |
Editor InformationBridget Lois Jensen Archives
March 2023
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