Summary of our Church Activities during 2006

In 2006 we held our Sunday church service eleven times in Augustana Lutheran church. Between 60 and 70 people attended each time. The congregation has actively participated in the procession, reading of Bible texts, collection of the offering, etc. The membership is increasing steadily and is now just under 200. - The Church Council has gathered 12 times. In December the Council was invited to a meeting in DC with a representative for SKUT (The Church of Sweden Abroad), Regional Director Stefan Bergmark, and the newly appointed Pastor in NY, Ib Pihlblad, to discuss future plans.

The Newsletter has been published six times during 2006. It is in color, has more pages and a more professional layout, thanks to Gunnel and Kenneth Hamilton’s ardent efforts. It has been distributed generously at the Embassy, at SWEAs bazaar, in the Swedish School, at SACUs luncheons, etc. This has meant increased cost and the Council has therefore decided to limit the number of issues.

Our Pastor Ingemar Hansson returned to Sweden during the spring to accept another position. He was replaced here and in N.Y. by several substitute Pastors, all from SKUT. We got to know Pether Broman, Mikael Mogren and Stig Ekelund before the newly appointed Ib Pihlblad visited us a few weeks before his official inauguration in New York on December 17. Eva Perdahl, Gunnel Hamilton and Arne Dunhem took part in the N.Y. Inauguration. - There has been a baptism during almost every service. It is always a wonderful moment when we welcome a little child into the fellowship of the Church.

At the Annual Meeting Eva Perdahl was elected President of the Church Council, succeeding Arne Dunhem. George Mitchell resigned from the Board at the end of his mandate. His contributions were much appreciated. Peter Jurmala was elected instead.

The evening before the May service we gathered for potluck at Eva Perdahl’s. It was well attended and very pleasant. After the June service we had our traditional picnic in Rock Creek Park. – During the fall we received a beautiful board to post the hymns. Gerry Schueman was the carpenter and Margareta Storm the artist decorating it with kurbits flowers. We thank them for their beautiful contribution! – At our pot luck gathering at the home of Eva Perdahl and Bill Wallace the evening before the November service, we met with our former Pastor and his wife, Jan and Anna Kesker, our temporary Pastor, Stig Ekelund and his wife, and our new Pastor, Ib Pihlblad and his wife.

At the Advent Service the church was filled to capacity as usual, about 325 people. We sang mightily the familiar hymns Bereden väg and Hosianna. After the service followed a great Lucia procession, arranged by Kerstin Hendrickson. The Ambassador Gunnar Lund then spoke about globalization and blending of cultures. As usual the Embassy hosted the coffee hour. - At the November and December services non perishable food items and warm clothing, toys and childrens clothing respectively were collected. George Mitchell and his family received them and brought them to shelters. – On Christmas Eve we laymen held a Christmas service which was attended by 85 people, a great way to start the Christmas celebration with candles, Christmas songs and Christmas texts. The program was produced by Anna and AnnaSara Dahlborg. After the service, Gunnel and Kenneth Hamilton served hot cider to all on the church steps outside.

Many members of the congregation have shared their musical talent for which we are grateful. It brings life and beauty to the service. A big Thank you to the Gaddy family, Kerstin Hendrickson and her daughter Lovisa, Christina Kreij, Anna Hammarstrand, Sandra Quaschnik, Anders Lundegård and above all our organist Steve Brodd and Kristin Johnson who with great talent filled in for him during the fall. On several occasions the Swedish Song Group, led by Kerstin Hendrickson, also contributed with beautiful singing. - Here we also want to thank our faithful assistants Margareta and David Paul who greet us and provide us with hymn books each service. They are assisted by youth members.

We are grateful for the close fellowship we experience when we work for our congregation. Thank you all who have helped in various ways. We would like even greater participation. Invite your friends to come to church! Let us work for even greater increase in our membership! Welcome to all!

Anna Dahlborg