2003 Synod Assembly

Congregational Fair Provides Fun and Food for All

Added 7:45 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2003

Dozens of local churches displayed ideas and traditions Friday evening at the 16th annual Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly.

Hundreds of assembly attendants filled the Mayo Civic Center auditorium to view and discuss the displays during a buffet dinner. Among the most visited displays was one featuring two attendants in traditional Norwegian attire.

Nancy Danielson and Sue Hyland, both from West St. Olaf Church in Hayfield, talked about their annual Norwegian Smorgasbord as a community tradition shared by church members and visitors alike.

"It’s fun and we enjoy it," Danielson said. "Everybody goes home full."

"And if they don’t," Hyland said, "it’s their own fault."

The smorgasbord, started in 1951, serves about 500 people each year. Danielson said it is perpetuated by congregation members, who donate the food and share the immense cooking duties.

Other congregations touted successful, food-based traditions. But Rev. Jules Erickson said the Zion Lutheran Church Bread Delivery Team operates on a much smaller scale.

Erickson said all visitors who provide the church with a phone number receive a call within days of attending service. Erickson thanks the visitor for coming, and then asks if they would like a free loaf of bread.

"They almost always say yes," she said.

Erickson said the visitor is promptly given a loaf purchased from a local bakery, along with information about the Stewartville church.

Erickson said the Bread Delivery Team has been so successful that 600 new members have joined Zion Lutheran Church in the last six years. But even with the success, Erickson said the program is still challenged to surmount some logistical challenges.

"It’s not difficult to get team members," she said. "It is difficult, though, to catch people at home."

Several displays talked about church community structure, congregational traditions and popular programming.

St. Olaf Lutheran in Austin shared a relatively new program – called "Wednesday Night…St. Olaf Style" – that has brought many members to church a second time each week.

Jann Schroeder, the church’s Director of Youth and Family Ministry, said the program was designed with the entire congregation in mind. It offers youth classes, teenage and adult study programs, music rehearsals, and a cheap supper.

Started in late 2000, the weekly program has quickly developed a regular attendance of 200 people. Schroeder said about 650 people attend Sunday services, so a full one-third return for the mid-week program.

"It’s fun seeing the little kids who look forward to being there," she said. "I think the most exciting part is having a program where kids want to be in church."

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Quotes from the fair:
"It’s been fun. I've picked up a lot of good ideas." Rev. Dennis Timmerman, Our Savior’s, Spring Valley

"I like it. It’s been interesting and fun, especially the 'From the Ashes' display [St. Paul’s, Meiden]." Leona and Paul Lemme, Our Savior’s, Kiester

"It’s wonderful. I’d like to go and visit every church." Jennelle Cunning, AIM, Grace, Fairmont

"Stunning!" Rev. Mark Boorsma, Our Savior's, Cleveland