AUGUST | 2022

LESSONS FOR ALL Where did the summer go? The temperatures are starting to cool a bit, the days are getting shorter, the trips to the lake are coming to an end, and it’s that time of year again: time to head back to school. When I was a kid, I had a lot of mixed emotions about this time of year. I loved having the summer off to play and relax and have time with family. I loved time at the lake, and playing baseball, and just being a kid with few responsibilities. But by the end of the summer I was generally ready to get back to my friends and back to the routine and I may have even looked forward to seeing what lessons I could pick up at school. For most of us, school is one of the most formative places in our lives. It’s at school and on the playground where we first deal with mean people—bullies. It’s in school where we learn perseverance, the value of hard work and good study habits, and how to believe in ourselves. In school is where we first learn how to navigate relationships with others. And those challenges we first wrestled with in school we continue to wrestle with all our lives. As we approach another school year, and as we get back into the normal school schedule and routines, we’ll be getting back to the normal church routines as well. We invite you to join us as we receive lessons from God here in our church building that aren’t just for children and youth, but lessons that are for all of us. However young or old we might be and whatever life circumstances we might find ourselves in, God still has something to say to each of us. Even as adults, God still has something to teach us as we navigate our relationships with one another and with those around us. God still teaches us that the hard work we put in matters, and that we have a community of people who will help us in that work along the way. And as we find ourselves back in those normal church routines, perhaps each of us can be reminded of how God shows up in the normal, everyday places of our lives, even in things as normal as school. So join us and see if God might still have a lesson for you, as we all head back to school! -Pastor Dane

We’ve got lots of great learning, fun & music opportunities coming up for children from infants through high schoolers! Please check out the info below and then CLICK HERE to get your kids registered for fall!  NEW! Nursery will now be available! A staffed nursery will be provided for infants and toddlers during both Sunday and Wednesday worship services! NEW! Kids’ Time (Sunday’s during worship) On Sunday mornings, we are starting a new opportunity for kids that will take place during worship. Kids ages 3 through second grade will attend worship with their families for the first part of the service. Then, before the sermon begins, they will be invited to “Kids’ Time” where they will join a Vinje staff member for stories, music, and learning through play! Wednesday Live! All kindergarteners through 5th graders are invited to join us after school each Wednesday for Wednesday Live! where we’ll enjoy snacks, crafts, music lessons and other fun activities! Nova & Shalom Choirs are always looking for new singers! We will meet in the choir room at 5:25pm and Shalom each Wednesday. This is a very fun, low-key opportunity to sing favorite praise and worship songs and enjoy some treats! We will sing for Wednesday worship on occasion! Confirmation for grades 6-8 will take place on Wednesdays from 6-8 pm. At 6pm, you will gather for worship (you may sit with your family or with your other confirmation classmates). Following worship, we will gather to explore what we believe and why faith matters. Pastor Justin will lead a large group conversation before you are split into smaller groups the rest of the night. 9th Grade Confirmation! As new high school youth we have a new experience in store for you on Wednesdays. We will meet each week after worship for fun activities, meaningful conversations, service to others, and some off-site explorations of what God is up to in our community. You won’t want to miss this year of the confirmation journey! 10 Grade Confirmation! 10th graders will be confirmed in worship on October 30 but there is a lot to do before that day. You’ll meet every Wednesday after worship for conversations with the pastors, opportunities to write your faith statement, and fun youth group activities. High School Youth Group! Jon and Mark will once again be back in the youth room to hang out with you! Video games, skeeball, homework, games, youth choice nights and offsite fun make this a great opportunity for those post-confirmation kids! Meet in the youth room after worship!

I wanted to say a big thank you for blessing me with the gift of the last three months, where I had the privilege of taking time away from my pastoral responsibilities for a sabbatical. It was a time of rest, refreshment, and reflection. I was able to spend time tending to my relationship with God and with some people I love dearly. I was able to refresh my memory about the wonderful places and people who have made me who I am. I was also able to spend time out in nature enjoying the beauty of God’s good creation, and all the while I was inspired to write some poetry. I hope to share some of that poetry, and some of the fruits that came from this time away in my ministry with you over the next weeks and months. I know that it is no small thing to have this time away, and for your support and love, and for the many people (especially the Vinje staff) who stepped up in my absence, I give thanks. I am glad to be back home with you, and to continue our journey of ministry together.     -Pastor Dane

LUTEFISK & MEATBALL SUPPER IS BACK! We are excited to announce that the Lutefisk and Meatball Supper will take place on Tuesday, November 8th! Please save the date and plan to join us for the return of this special Vinje tradition. This meal would not be possible without the help of many, many volunteers. We are so grateful for all past volunteers and would like to invite anyone that hasn’t helped with this fun event to please consider lending a hand for an hour or two this year! Watch the bulletins and your weekly emails next month for details!

By Director of Music, Karen Wojahn BACK TO SCHOOL . . . BACK TO CHURCH! Attention Singers and Ringers! The Vinje Choir, Nova Voices, Shalom Singers and JuBELLation Handbell Choir will resume practices in September. New members are always welcome! Come for the music and stay for the fun! If you like to sing, come and be part of the Vinje Choir. We practice on some Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM and sing for Sunday morning worship once or twice a month. Our first practice will be on Sunday, September 11. Join us that morning to prepare songs for “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday. We’ll have several new, upbeat anthems to share this fall. Our youth choirs will be organizing on Wednesday, September 14. Nova Voices (grades 6-9) and Shalom Singers (grades 10-12) practice at 5:25 PM. Questions? Contact Su or Travis Michelson. If you are intrigued by the handbells, come and give the JuBELLation Handbell Choir a try! We practice in the sanctuary on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM, and we’ll start on Monday, September 12. We play once a month for Sunday morning worship.

SEPTEMBER QUILTING DATES Quilting will resume our semi-monthly gatherings beginning in September. We will meet September 8 and 29 at 9 am and then will be back to our regularly scheduled meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month beginning in October.

A few quotes for you in regards to God’s creation: Man did not weave the web of life. His is only a strand in it. -Chief Seattle Let man decide upon his favorite animal and make a study of it—let him learn to understand its sounds and motions. The animals want to communicate with man, but Wakan-Tanka [The Spirit of All Things] does not intend that they shall do so directly—man must do the greater part in securing an understanding. -Brave Buffalo, Oglala Sioux What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of the spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts soon happens to man. -Chief Seattle But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; and the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth and let it teach you. -Job 12:7-8

LOVING ARMS UPDATE Loving Arms is hiring! PT and FT classroom positions available at Loving Arms at Vinje and Praise & Play in Spicer too! If you know someone that might be interested in working for some of the cutest kids in town, have them email Chris!

EXPLORING VINJE'S HISTORY This month pastor Andrés has asked Marilynn Tiede to write about the framed prints from the St. John’s Bible that used to hang in the entryway and halls of Vinje and that soon will be hanging in a new place in our building.   Vinje owns many important and valuable works of art -- the building itself designed by Sovik, Mathre & Madsen, the stained glass created by William Saltzman, the hand carved frieze and central gold ceiling as well as the carved Advent panels created by Arnold Flaten, the framed prints from the St. John’s Bible, and the new photos of the church that are now hanging in the entryway and fellowship hall. The framed St. John’s Bible prints owned by Vinje are from the “Illuminations” on the pages of that Bible, and until very recently they hung in the entryway and halls of the church.    That Bible is unique because it is one of a few entirely handwritten Bibles since the invention of the printing press in 1439. The text, which is in English, corresponds to the New Revised Standard Version first published in 1989. The original calligraphy style was designed by Donald Jackson who is the official calligraphy artist to Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom. Jackson coordinated the entire project. It was written by scribes in Wales and Minnesota in the special calligraphy on Vellum (sheepskin paper), using goose quills and hand ground ink pigments and silver and gold leaf. On the pages are hand drawings and fancy letters called “Illuminations” which highlight the text. The 160 illuminations show ancient Christian symbols like butterflies, fish, trees, etc., and modern images such as the Twin Towers of 9/11, the DNA double helix, space exploration and rockets. There is imagery of both Western theology and Eastern faith traditions to show a global village that seeks to know God. The contemporary images also show how God’s word is always current, from centuries ago to today in 2022. The traditional is projected into the future. The illuminations are not considered illustrations but are like meditations on the text. The St. John’s Bible is a unique work of art and an expression of ecumenical theology.   The St. John’s Bible was commissioned by St. John’s Benedictine Abbey in St. Joseph, MN, in 1998 and was completed in 2011 at a cost of $8 million dollars. The book itself is 2 feet by 3 feet when open and it has 1100 pages. The mission of the project is “ignite spiritual imagination, glorification of God’s Word, revive tradition, discovering history...fostering the arts.” There are 7 volumes: Gospel & Acts, Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Old Testament), Psalms, Prophets, Wisdom books, Historical books, Letters & Revelation.   The original Bible is at St. John’s Abbey and can be viewed in a special library area open to the public. A few original copies have been given to the Library of Congress, the Vatican, some academic institutions, and major contributors to the project.   When Vinje purchased with memorial money the 19 framed prints in 2012, the official original print copy of the entire large book was here during Lent and used for the reading of Scripture on Sunday mornings and during Lenten services. There was a celebratory worship service with readers from Vinje, and the Benedictine convent and St. John’s Abbey in St Joseph, MN. The service included the reading portions of Scripture from the St. John’s Bible, several choral anthems, congregational singing, clarinet, flute, organ & piano, all giving praise to God and God’s word.   The prints will soon be hanging in a different place in the Vinje building. As you seek them out, please look at and examine the various illuminations, look for the details of ancient, traditional themes combined with current events. Look closely at each of them to really “see” them. As the Danish bishop and renewer of the church N. F. S. Grundtvig wrote in a favorite hymn, “God’s word is our great heritage.”

COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS At their meeting on August 22, the Vinje Council… Approved the sanctuary lighting project after a presentation from Joe Gatewood and the Property Committee. The contract was awarded to Aufderworld Corporation and shall not exceed $100,000. Received an update from our preschool ministry including the hiring of Assistant Director for Licensing and Compliance, Janel Skindelien. Continued conversations on the best legal structure for Loving Arms considering their expansion. Reviewed a final report on the remodeled gathering space and welcome desk. Approved an updated housing allowance for Pastor Justin. Discussed fall programing for faith formation, worship, and a nursery.

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VINJE ON THE GO! RADIO Listen on Sundays at 9:30 am on KWLM, 1340 AM. INTERNET Watch anytime! (go to YouTube and search Vinje Willmar).  TV Watch local access channel, 180 Sundays at 2:30 pm and 8:30 pm and Tuesdays at 8 am and 5 pm.