GOING TO JAPAN Yes. we are going to Japan! Most people congratulate us. Perhaps a few would discourage us. Undoubted- ly those who know us best question the wisdom of our going. Why are we going? Honest an- swers could vary from a materialis- tic. “Good opportunities over there.“ to a... Show moreGOING TO JAPAN Yes. we are going to Japan! Most people congratulate us. Perhaps a few would discourage us. Undoubted- ly those who know us best question the wisdom of our going. Why are we going? Honest an- swers could vary from a materialis- tic. “Good opportunities over there.“ to a spiritualized. “The Lord has led". Actually. our decision to go to Japan is the fruit of convictions concern- ing the need of the Church at home as much as in Japan. A glimpse of our congregational life and a hasty scrutiny of the life of the Church reveals a glaring con- trast. “even to one who runs while reading". What is the reason for the coldness. inertia. and lack of vitality in the Church? It is partly this: we have tended to make Christianity a religio-cultural process. It has been presented as an evolutionary process when it is a dynamic experience. The Church is where the Word of God is preached and believed. It is dy- namic—not institutional. On the for- eign mission field where the Gospel continually comes in contact with un- polished heathendom. there is less temptation to equate Christianity and culture. The Church at home needs a living fellowship with the "foreign" field to remind it of its nature. The home Church needs the mis- sion field to combat its own egoism. Personal pride. denominational big- otry. and intense nationalism are all too evident. Our opinion of an indi- vidual soars if he joins our church. becomes of our theological persua- sion. or swears allegiance to our flag. But the Church of Christ is uni- versal. God says. “Become uni- versal in your love and labor.” Mis- sions serve as a corrective to see- tional and parochial attitudes. ln going to Japan we are not ob- livious to the needs at home. By going we are allowing the Church to exer- cise the only principle by which God can bless us. Our Lord Jesus said, MR. AND MRS. BERGH "Give and it shall be given to you again”. We are still serving a Master who feeds multitudes with a few loaves and fishes. But we must oper- ate on his principle of “Give and Matthew 11:1 embodies a principle which we believe is still valid. "And it came to pass when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples. he departed then to teach and preach in their cities.” it we go in obedience to the Lord Jesus He shall not fail to minister in the places we have left. The LFC-ELC cooperative venture in Japan is itself a forward step in Christian unity. Details concerning our work there have been arranged in the greatest harmony between our joint boards. We are grateful for this fellowship with them in the further- ance of the Gospel. Our field in Japan includes eight million people. These are eager. liter- ate people in the industrial area from Tokyo to Nagoya. But more important than the prin- ciples and the vast multiudes, as ex- cellent and challenging as they may be. are the individuals there who may be led into fellowship with Jesus Christ. It is for them we go! OLIVER and JUDITH BERCH. AUGSBURG GOSPEL QUARTET TO TRAVEL Plans are being made once again for the Augsburg Gospel Quartet to travel extensively throughouot the United States. As is customary. the group. under the guidance and spon- sorship of the Augsburg College Mu- sic Department. will visit many of our churches that support Augsburg and a number of other communities of the Augustzma. ELC. and UELC s) nods. For many years the gospel quar- tets have traveled and have. met with outstanding success and response from the various communities. Augs- burg may well be proud of its young AUGGIES ON MISSION FIELDS IN JAPAN That Augsburg Alumni and for- mer students are taking an interest in the new mission project in Japan is evidenced by the number who have accepted a call to serve in that field. Besides Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Bergh, whose article appears elsewhere in this issue. Mr. and Mrs. Alton P. Knulson, of the Augsburg Seminary will be leaving for Japan after grad- uation in June. Rev. and Mrs. Paul Blikstad, ’ 7, and daughter Priscilla, left from Seattle February 19th for Sakata and Akita, Japan, where they will serve under the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America. Miss Delna Coerntzen, ’49, of Mountain Lake is also planning to leave for Japan soon under an independent mission group. Rev. and Mrs. Gor- don Tang (Clean Bolslad, ’39-41) are already active on the ELC mis- sion field near Tokyo. Their address is 21 Maruyama Cho, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. Japan. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Swanson IRth Weltzin, ’47) are also preparing for this field of mission work. Mr. Swanson is at present studying at the Augustana Seminary in Rock Island. Miss Carola Mosby. ~51. Blue Earth. is planning to leave for Tokyo in August as a nurse on the mission field. men that spend their summers in this manner. They present a message— the message of Christ. The personnel of the group will in- clude young men who have had many years’ experience singing in quartets. Howard Pearson will sing first tenor and his brother Daniel. second ten- or. Marlo Peterson, this past year soloist with the Augsburg College Choir. will sing first bass, and Rich- ard “Pete” Peterson, second bass. The men are salaried and the offer- ings taken at the programs will go directly to the Music Department and the College. Each evening during their presentation. one of the group will give a short meditation on the Word of God. This year the itinerary of the quar- tet will bring them into many states. Starting in Minnesota they will visit Iowa. South Dakota. North Dakota, Montana, Idaho. Washington, Ore- gon, and British Columbia, Canada. Show less
AUGSBURG YOUTH CARAVAN TO TRAVEL Six college upper classmen. plus an adult adviser, will travel among the parishes of our Rockford. Marin- ette, Duluth, and Northern Wiscon- sin districts. These youth have been selected by the Youth Director on the basis of musigianship. scholarship. persona ity,... Show moreAUGSBURG YOUTH CARAVAN TO TRAVEL Six college upper classmen. plus an adult adviser, will travel among the parishes of our Rockford. Marin- ette, Duluth, and Northern Wiscon- sin districts. These youth have been selected by the Youth Director on the basis of musigianship. scholarship. persona ity, an Christian seal. Four of the group form a brass quartet which will rank as outstand- ing among non-professional groups. They are as follows: Ruth Schmidt, Elkton, South Da- kota, French horn. (Won first in the National Contest.) Dorothy Strommen, Blanchardville. Wisconsin, Baritone. (Won first in Wisconsin State Contest.) James Christo herson, Valley City, North Dakota. rumpet. ( Has trav- eled two previous years with the Youth Caravan as trumpet soloist.) Douglas Augustine, Minneapolis. Minnesota. Trombone. ( Played in Air Corps Band. Voted most valuable player in Roosevelt High Band. Min- neapolis.) in addition to the brass quartet. the group presents a mixed quartet and a vocal duo. Comprising the vo- cal duo are Charlotte Kleven. Blan- chardville, Wisconsin, pianist and so- rano soloist. and Morris Johnson. cine, Wisconsin. speaker and tenor soloist. (sang first tenor last year (Continued on page 5) To STUDY IN NORWAY Miss Elizabeth Man er, a sopho- more at Augsburg, has n accepted as one of the 250 students from the United States to study at the Univer- sity of Oslo this summer. She plans to sail on June 12th and will spend six weeks at the University studying Norwegian music, art. literature. and government. Miss Manger has rela- tives living in Oslo and will have an opportunity to visit them as well as to travel for about a month. Students are chosen on the basis of scholar- ship and recommendations as well as a statement of their reasons for wanting to stud abroad. Miss Orlette iljelle. a junior. will also spend the summer visiting rela- tives in Gudbransdalen and Eidsvold. Norway, with her parents. They will be leaving on the Stavangerfjord on June 12th and will spend about two months abroad. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION MARTIN qunascx The National Conference on High- er Education, each year the largest gathering of educators from colleges and universities, met in Chicago. April 2-4. While many problems of higher education were discussed, the relation of education to defense held the focus of attention. In the opening lectures, the contributions of various fields of study to defense were stressed. President Truman’s an- nouncement re arding the deferment of college students. either by acci- dent or by design, was made on the opening day of the Conference. This was the cause of some optimism on the part of those studying enrolment trends. Predictions were made that the drop in college enrolments from the fall of 1950 to the fall of 1951 would not exceed 10 or 12 per cent. with considerable variation between col- leges because of ROTC programs and other factors. C o l o n e I lr- win. speaking for General Hershey. explained the new draft deferment program at the last session. Much of the conference time was spent in smaller worsho . l had the privilege of working wit a group of about thirty-five interested in the question of how to get a program of general education under way in a small college. Under the chairman- ship of Dean Baller of Carthage Col- lege, with Dr. Walker of Goucher as recorder, Miss Holmquist of Moor- head State Teachers as analyst. and Dr. Furrow of Knox as consultant. the group made considerable prog- ress in identifying problems aml also found some suggestions for their so- lution. The efficiency of the staff respon- sible for mimeographing addresses, news and announcements. and group reports was marvelous to see. Ralph McDonald. secretary of the Higher Education Division of the N. E. A.. retained his reputation for effective- ness in organizin a conference. The only slip occurre in the final lunch’ eon meeting, where Dr. Henderson of the University of Michigan and Dr. Wardell of Oklahoma did a Inas- terful job of stalling while Dr. Hen- derson’s manuscript returned from the eager mimeographers, who were going to have it ready for distribu- AUGSBURG FOUNDATION The Augsburg Foundation is grow- ing! The responses that have come into the Alumni Office from our friends have been very gratifying and encouraging. However, much work will have to be done if we are to reach our goal of “every alumnus and former student a member". That goal can and will be reached—rvwheth- or it is today. tomorrow. or next year~Show less
STUDENT RECRUITMENT EMPHASIZED Student recruitment for 1951-52 has received new impetus with the ap intment of Paul l. Roth to the Pu lic Relations De artrnent. Mr. Roth, assistant in chemistry since 1949, is traveling as Field Represen- tative for Augsburg. and in that ca- pacity is visiting... Show moreSTUDENT RECRUITMENT EMPHASIZED Student recruitment for 1951-52 has received new impetus with the ap intment of Paul l. Roth to the Pu lic Relations De artrnent. Mr. Roth, assistant in chemistry since 1949, is traveling as Field Represen- tative for Augsburg. and in that ca- pacity is visiting high schools throughout the state. The recruitment program is off to a later start than usual because of personnel changes. Constant travel is going to be necessary in order to visit as many communities as pos- sible before the end of the school year. Correspondence with prospec- tive students continues at a high vol- ume. Maintenance of enrollment is a top priority for the years ahead. Now. as never before, a field stafl' made u of all Alumni is essential. and each of us can be of help in this area by: l. Recommending Augsburg to young people contemplating higher education. 2. Sending the names and ad- dresses of prospective students to the Office of Public Relations. 3. Arranging for “College Night" in your church. Films. slides. and oth- er material can be sent to you, and an alumnus in the area or a repre- sentative from the campus can be present to answer questions. 4. Encouraging prospective stu- dents to write to us for answers to their particular questions. ‘ With the addition of Science Hall. Augsburg has splendid facilities for all students, including pre-profession- al and science majors. We are grate- ful to many Alumni who have helped us in the recruitment program and who have helped their young friends to make important decisions about their future. Let’s not slack off! Our slogan for the immediate future is: “Full swing all spring—June’s soon." Student Leaders Look Ahead in order that maximum help and idance might be given new stu- dlelnts before and during fall registra- tion. the Student Council is again sponsoring a Student Counsellors Training Course for all upper class- (Continued on page 7) CONFERENCE ATTENDED BY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT Miss Gerda Mortenson and Mr. Berner Dahlen attended the Council of Guidance and Personnel Associa- tions at Stevens Hotel. Chicago, March 25-29. The theme for the conference was “Personnel Resources for Improving Human Relations". While technical areas for personnel service and prac- tical applications for group dynamics were given their fair share in the discussions of the topic. the signifi- cance of spiritual. ethical. and moral \alues was given a greater emphasis than has been true in previous con- ferences on personnel services. Dr. Kenneth l. Brown. Executive Director of the Danforth Foundation. was one of the speakers who brought out the thought that religion plays a vital part in counselling. He emphasized the following values as being impor- tant for all: 1. Respect for truth and a deter- mination to find it at all costs. 2. A habit of faithfulness to as- signed tasks. 3. Possession of personal integrity. 4. A sense of life as an opportunity for service. He continued to say that it is of great importance that the counsellor have “a willingness to be of maxi- mum help to students. have endless patience, unmovable calmness. un- ruffled acceptance of itnerruptions. and a habitual vision of greatness". Cod and the Bible give validity to these values. CARAVAN with the l..R.l. quartet). As preludes there will be piano duets by Char~ lotte Kleven and Dorothy Strommen. both of whom are evcellent piano players. All of the six plan on professional scrv'icc in the church. four in our church body. They have been meet- ing regularly for prayer and rehears- als this semester in preparation for the tour. Four of the six are taking the Youth Work class. This group will be traveling under the sponsorship of Augsburg College and the Luther League Federation. They will be. spending two days in each parish. utilizing the time by giv- ing services each evening. and by making contacts with the youth of the (Continued from page 3“ AUGSBURG CHORAL GROUPS ENJOY SUCCESS The Augsburg Choir and Choral Club completed their concert tours this past season with great success. Although both groups experienced extremes in weather while in various parts of the states, they also experi- enced a heart-warming response to their message in song. While in llli- nois and lows. the Choir had five days of freezing rain which made the highways almost impassable, but it was not necessary to cancel any concert. The Choral Club drove (and sang) through several blizzards in North and South Dakota. It was nec- eesary to cancel two appearances on this tour. A group of Alumni in the Chicago area entertained the Choir after their concert in Christ Lutheran Church. The persons responsible for this fine gesture were: Marie Pierce. ‘37: Bel- ma Mikkelson. ’39: Thora Anderson. '29. and lrene Helland. '28. Mr. Joe Seto (43-47) was at the concert also. The Choral Club was treated to a fine lunch after its appearance at Mayville State Teachers College. Mayvillc. S. D.. by Mr. Orrie E. Lar- son. a member of the staff at the col- lege. He is active in the English and dramatics department there. Mr. Lar- son graduated from Augsburg in 1928. The Spring Concert of the Choir “as April 14th at Central Lutheran Church. while the Choral Club will present a concert on April 29th at Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Mr. Le- l'md l3. Sateren is directing both rzroum. parish through informal get-togethers as well as a formal banquet. Youth Caravans from Augsburg have traveled for two previous years and have met such an enthusiastic response from the pastors. that thc\ haw become a most welcome group. In preparation for the tour the group has been not only arranging music. rehearsing. and praying to- gether. but they lune also been giv- ing presentations at public gather- ings. On Saturday evening. April 7th. the group presented a service of mu. sic and witness before an assembled audience of approximately 600 youth from the area around l'irskine. Min- nesota. Tile brass quartet played sev~ crul original arrangements by Doug- las Augustine. one of the group. Show less
VOLUME xur NUMBER :‘ Published by Augsbu rg College and Theological Seminary. Minneapolis. Minnesota. A Lutheran BULLETIN MARCH 1951 A Letter from President Christensen to all Alumni Dear Augsburg Alumnus: Today, as is well known to most of us, the colleges of Our country are facing grave... Show moreVOLUME xur NUMBER :‘ Published by Augsbu rg College and Theological Seminary. Minneapolis. Minnesota. A Lutheran BULLETIN MARCH 1951 A Letter from President Christensen to all Alumni Dear Augsburg Alumnus: Today, as is well known to most of us, the colleges of Our country are facing grave difficulties, caused by the international situation. Reduced enrollments plus inflation have added to previous financial stringencies to produce a real "crisis in the colleges.” As a result, all the private and church colleges are appealing to their alumni and friends to come to their help in a special way at a critical time. As these lines are being written, the government has announced a new policy which will probably permit many more young men to remain in college next year. For this we are grateful. But for the present year, the situation remains unchanged; and almost everywhere there are dangerously unbalanced budgets. One educational leader has estimated that the Lutheran colleges will be short on an average of from $20,000 to $70,000 for the year’s operations. At Augsburg we shall need approximately $20,000 to $25,000. The Augsburg Foundation is our channel for alumni giving to current expenses. It is the work- ing arm of the Alumni Association. Regular memberships cost $10 per year,- but gifts are gladly received in any amount. And every gift is a real lift in this time of need. We deeply appreciate the efforts being put forth by many Alumni in this project, which will help carry Augsburg through another difficult period. The Church does its part year by year. It is an additional inspiration now again to sense the rallying support also of the alumni group. It is planned to begin soon regular Foundation meetings far united prayer and counsel among Augsburg friends for the purpose of solving Augsburg’s problems. All who can are cordially in- vited to participate. The first session will be announced at the Twin Cities Foundation Rally to be held in April. We need one another more than ever today. There is a great work to be done for Christ in Education at Augsburg. The times challenge each of us today as perhaps never before, to both deeper understanding and deeper commitment to the service of our country and of all mankind. Let us give of our best to the cause that unites us! Yours for Augsburg, (5mm MM BERNHARD CHRISTENSEN Show less
Institutional Chaplaincy Service ALEXANDER BORREVIK, Institutional Chaplain The work of the Chaplaincy Department of the Lutheran Welfare Society of Minnesota has become well known to the Lutherans of this aiea since its activities were accelerated by the appointment of Rev. Frederick Norstad to... Show moreInstitutional Chaplaincy Service ALEXANDER BORREVIK, Institutional Chaplain The work of the Chaplaincy Department of the Lutheran Welfare Society of Minnesota has become well known to the Lutherans of this aiea since its activities were accelerated by the appointment of Rev. Frederick Norstad to the directorship of the department in 1949. In addition to training Lutheran pastors to serve as hospital chaplains in larger urban areas of Minnesota, Mr. Narstad is also giving clinical training to others who Will be serving in the state hospitals for the mentally ill. Rev. Aleyander Borrevik, an alumnus of Augsburg College and Seminary, is one of the chaplains serving through Lutheran Wel— fare Society. His work consists in serving Lutherans in the hospitals, sanitariums, and correctional institutions of the Duluth area. In the article which follows, Mr. Borrevik gives an insight into the reason for the need of such service and the type of training required. —E. T. “General cure of souls seems at times about as eHective as putting drops into a patient‘s ey es from a third-story window . . . Unless we come to the ground floor with our 'drops“ and get new life into our personal cure of souls, it is very evident that the people at large will be left with- out our ministry." So writes E. G. Culien, Bishop of Tampere. Finland. What pastor hasn't felt his inadequacy in dealing with the people who have special needs? It may be an emotionally disturbed child in the parish. Often it is the family in which there is an inadequate r'llild. or it may be a mentally ill person. In every com- munity there are multitudes of alcoholics who need the friendship and constructive help of a counsellor. Occa- sionally an unwed mother finds herself desperately in need of counselling and sympathetic understanding. Then there is the delinquent youth, probably the fruit of a broken home, who needs help. In every congregation there are a number of repressed persons who find them- selves in deep water continually because of a fundamental lack of knowing and directing their own normal drives. These and many more people with special needs must be reached by the resources of the Gospel. And what Chris- tian worker hasn't felt his helplessness in being able to properly minister to his people? it has been stated. erroneously or otherwise. that many Christian ministers have been living so exclusively in the atmosphere of the church that they have failed to acquaint themselves with the realms of darkness and the depths of human depravity. Their feet are, so to speak. not on the ground. Their understanding of people-—their deeper motivations and difficulties. their strengths and weak- nesses is inadequate. Accordingly they fail to meet the deeper needs of troubled souls. A tremendous challenge has come to the church of late. Leading doctors and psychiatrists are recognizing the tre- mendous resources of religion and are asking that clin- ically trained men of God make their contribution to the rehabilitation of people ‘in physical or mental illnesses. The term "psychosomatic medicine". used freely of late. Rev. Alexander Borrevik means that man is not just chemistry. Man’s illness is not purely maladjusted chemicals. It may be that, but it very likely hinges on nialadjusted thinking or lack of faith and peace of soul. Often guilt feelings or terrific hostility in a patient bring about physical or mental illness. The doctor or psychiatrist working together with the chaplain or pastor minister to the total personality. Jesus said again and again. “Peace be unto you". This peace which is the fruit of being in tune with God is recognized as of great value by leading scientific men today. We are try- ing to meet this great challenge by adding to our semin- aries special courses in pastoral clinical training. Augs- burg. Luther. and Northwestern Theological seminaries are conducting such courses under the able and inspiring leadership of Chaplain Frederic Norstad, Chief of Chap- laincy Services of the Lutheran Welfare Society of Min- nesota. The Minnesota Mental Health Chaplaincy train- ing is also under his able direction. May the Lord bless us as we continue to bring the love and healing of Christ to our many brethren who have special needs. (- ’o’ooooo”o'ooo'oooo~~'m~"~'-~ Annual Alumni Banquet, Thurs., May 31, Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church i l l t t \ \ \ t t l t t t c "OnooomOOONON'W'mW AUGSBURG BULLETIN Published bi-monthly and one additional issue in April by Augsburg College and Theological Seminary at Minneapolis, Minnesota, tinteer as second-class matter March 21, 1947 at the post office .1! Minneapolis, Minnesota. Vol. Xll. No. 2 MARCH. 1951 Show less
