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| The
2008 AHA GATHERING |
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You are invited to the sixth biennial national “Gathering” of the AUGUSTANA HERITAGE ASSOCIATION, to be held in Lindsborg, Kansas during the annual Midsummer’s Weekend, Thursday-Sunday, June 19-22, 2008. The event promises to be an enjoyable,
inspirational, and memorable time for all who attend. Come experience what contributions “old
Augustana” made historically and in modern life as manifested through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA).
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| The following information, as a download in Adobe Acrobat format or by a link, is currently available: |
| AHA
2008 Gathering Registration Form |
| Off-Campus
Lodging |
| Area Attractions |
| www.lindsborg.org |
| www.mcphersonks.org |
| www.salinakansas.org |
| www.bethanylutheranlindsborg.com |
| www.melclindsborg.org |
| www.bethanylb.edu |
| Program
Synopses |
| Participant’s
Information |
| Caravaners |
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| The biennial national gathering of the Augustana Heritage Association returns this summer to the energetic Swedish-American community of Lindsborg, Kansas, Thursday through Sunday, June 19-22, 2008. The theme of Gathering VI is “Children of
Augustana.” Therefore, all the sons and daughters of
Augustana, and other interested folk, are encouraged to gather in order to celebrate and share this heritage. This legacy began in 1860 when immigrant Swedes and Norwegians in America founded the Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod in North America, but the Augustana Synod went on to be an inclusive national church. The Augustana Synod dissolved in 1962 when it was merged into the Lutheran Church in America, a predecessor body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. |
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| Swedish-American roots in the United States are very deep, especially through the heritage of the Augustana Synod. In some respects for the AHA Gathering VI participants, it will be a return to Augustana roots with a modern twist that should be inspiring, educational and spirit-building. Gathering VI is open to everyone but it will be of special interest to family (children and grandchildren), friends and former members of the Augustana Synod. |
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| The four days of the Gathering will be packed with dozens of special interest session options, general keynote presentations, times for both formal and informal reunions, assembly hymn singing, music by guest ensembles, a Gathering choir, worship, devotions, special meals, local tourist attractions, displays, exhibits, a Gathering bookstore, downtown shopping, and the closing Holy Communion Service from a “black hymnal” setting. Gathering VI coincides with the well-known Midsummer’s Festival in Lindsborg so participants can enjoy seeing the Lindsborg Swedish
Folkdancers, the Lindsborg Folkdanslag, and raising of the Maypole. The American Scandinavian Association of the Great Plains will hold a Swedish Vespers service Sunday afternoon with two guests from Sweden, Alf Brorson and Bishop Esbjörn Hagberg from
Karlstad, Sweden. There will even be an auto rally; the Volvo Club of America will hold its annual get-together that weekend in Lindsborg. The Gathering hosts are Bethany College, Bethany Lutheran Church, Messiah Lutheran Church, and the Lindsborg community. |
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| Who were the original Swedish Lutherans in Kansas? John A. Johnson migrated in 1855 from Galesburg, Illinois, to the Blue Valley in Kansas a year after the Kansas Territory was established. In 1863, as part of the new Augustana Synod, the Mariadahl Lutheran Church of Pottawatomie County was organized. A few Swedes began arriving in the Smoky Valley in central Kansas after the Civil War. The First Swedish Agricultural Company of McPherson County, Kansas, was organized in April 17, 1868 by members of Salem and Immanuel Lutheran Churches of Chicago. The land company purchased 13,160 acres in Kansas from the Union Pacific Railroad. The company’s Kansas settlement was named Lindsborg after members of the original
company—Lindell, Lindh, Lindgren, and Linde. Company membership required Lutheran church membership. Nearly all the original Lindsborg settlers came with Pastor Olof Olsson from Sunnemo and his former Värmland parishes in Sweden. |
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| The Lindsborg community today is known widely for its great music, internationally recognized visual arts, prime Swedish-American attractions, major festivals, historic sites which go back to pre-pioneer days, noted religious and educational institutions with lasting traditions, museums and galleries, an agricultural economic base, and a well-deserved civic pride. Lindsborg always has a welcome mat out for visitors, and now is looking forward to hosting Gathering VI! |
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| Bethany Lutheran Church was founded August 19, 1869 and was the original church of the Lindsborg community and of the First Swedish Agricultural Company. Pastor Olsson and these pietistic settlers organized the church, seeking religious freedom to have an independent “pure” Lutheran Church. The first building was two miles northwest of the town site. In 1874, the nave of the present building was constructed. Improvements have come with several renovations and additions, the 1904 one being the most notable in preparation for an Augustana Synod convention. The Bethany Lutheran Church has been designated a National Historic site. |
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| In 1879, Dr. Carl A. Swensson succeeded Dr. Olsson as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church. Through Swensson’s efforts, an academy was started on October 15, 1881, in the sacristy of the church. Because of its financial support and close physical and spiritual ties to the Bethany Lutheran Church, the academy became Bethany College. The renowned annual rendition of Handel’s “Messiah” oratorio began at the church and continues to this day at the college. Bethany College, now a college of the
ELCA, has been an historic long-serving liberal arts college of the former Augustana Synod. Bethany College is committed to maintaining its Swedish roots and Lutheran heritage.
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| As the 1900s began, Bethany Lutheran Church under the leadership of Dr. Alfred Bergin remained firmly committed to its use of Swedish as the primary language of worship. However, an increasing number of Lindsborg residents, especially among Bethany College faculty and students, did not speak Swedish. To meet the need for an English-language congregation, Messiah Lutheran Church was organized in 1908, with the motto, "The faith of our fathers in the language of our children." Given the congregation's close links to the college, it was natural that at first services were held in the college chapel, with the college president, Dr. Ernst
Pihlblad, serving as pastor. Now, a century later, Messiah Church happily participates in the Augustana Heritage Association's 2008 Gathering as a part of its centennial celebration. |
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| Other points of information include: |
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Registration
- Forms are available in the AHA fall newsletter, on the website
(augustanaheritage.org), and by mail this February to members of AHA. On-site check-in/registration begins at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Lindsborg, Kansas. |
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Songs of Two Homelands – If you have a copy from a previous gathering, bring it. A limited number of copies will be available for purchase. These songbooks will be used for our daily hymn sings. |
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Emergency
Phone Numbers for Gathering VI - Bethany Lutheran Church (785.227.2167) and Messiah Lutheran Church (785.227.3977). |
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Lodging
Reservations - Some local establishments are booked but many rooms are available in nearby McPherson and Salina. The Volvo Club is meeting in Lindsborg on the same weekend so make your lodging reservations early. |
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Program Synopses and Participant’s
Information - Available in the AHA spring newsletter and later on the website. Also read your Gathering program upon your arrival. |
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Electronic
Devices - Please turn off your cell phone and do not take electronic recording equipment or cameras into the sessions (unless permitted by the presenter). This request is intended to preserve and protect the decorum of the event and thus protect and enhance your experience. Recordings of major events will be made. |
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Special
Guest - Bishop Esbjörn Hagberg from Karlstad, Sweden. |
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Wild
Dalas - Take your camera so you can take a picture of your favorite. |
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Augustana
Roadshow - Bring your Augustana photos, memorabilia, and stories to share at registration. A recording is being made of them to show at one of the interest sessions and for sale. |
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The
Old Books Home - Have you been doing some spring house cleaning? Have you been going through your book shelves and thinking about discarding some old books or publications? If the subject of those old books has a connection to the Augustana Synod or was published by the former Augustana Book Concern, a place has been designated at the Fellowship Hall at Messiah Lutheran Church for sharing these publications. Bring those discards Thursday morning (before noon) or as you register, June 19, 2008, so they can be displayed on a table during the Augustana Heritage Association Gathering. Gathering VI registrants will have an opportunity to look at these items, reminisce, and take one or more for their personal libraries so the old books can have a new home. If you have questions, call Janet Monson at 620.241.6003.
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Camp
Sing-a-Long - What a better way to experience your youth than to sing and tell stories around a campfire. Send song requests and tales to tell to Jerry Leaf,
gbleaf@sbcglobal.net or by mail, 903 North Main, Lindsborg, KS 67456. |
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Gathering
Choir - Start vocalizing now so you can join the choir in singing praises to our God. |
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Temperature
- Average highs are 88 and average lows are 64. |
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| An enthusiastic local committee is working to plan sessions, activities, worship and music, special events, tours, displays, and exhibits. The co-chairs for the AHA 2008 Gathering are the following and may be contacted for additional information: |
Judy Burch
425 Chestnut Street, Lindsborg, KS 67456
Phone: 785-227-3460 E-mail: ljburch@sbcglobal.net
Pr. Richard and Janet Monson
871 Pioneer Road, McPherson, KS 67460
Phone: 620-241-6003 E-mails: monsonrb@aol.com or
monsonjr@aol.com |
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| The other committee members include Rev. Vance
Eckstrom, Rev. Jerry Leaf, A. John Pearson, Rev. Noni Strand, and Roxie
Sjogren. More committee members will be added closer to the Gathering. A national advisory committee for the event has been formed. The local committee has worked closely with the AHA Board and its national officers in planning this event. |
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Adequate housing will be available, including economical lodging in campus residence halls and in nearby motels in Lindsborg, Salina, and McPherson. Campus housing reservations can be made at the time of pre-registration; however on-campus housing may be filled prior to June 19. If you plan to stay off-campus, reservations can be made by calling the cooperating establishments as indicated in the off-campus lodging list. Please identify yourself as an Augustana Heritage Association Gathering participant. Negotiated special rates are in effect until April 15, 2008. |
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Watch this website for more information as the schedule and program sessions are provided. |
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To become an AHA member, contact: |
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Augustana Heritage Association
Lutheran School of Theology
1100 East Fifty-Fifth Street
Chicago, IL 60615
Telephone: 773-256-0712
Toll Free: 800-635-1116 Ext 712
Fax: 773-256-0782
E-mail: rdeppe@lstc.edu |
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Previous Gatherings:
Chautauqua, New York (1998)
Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois (2000)
Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas (2002)
Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota (2004)
Chautauqua, New York (2006) |
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