Journal entry by Al Negstad — a minute ago
Some of you readers will remember the old Good Friday tradition of worship services that included preaching on Jesus' "seven last words", i.e., sayings from the cross. The service was designed to last four hours, the time that Jesus was presumed to have hung on the cross. The expectation was that people would come and go and not necessarily be present for the full four hours. Often a guest preacher was arranged who then would come prepared with seven sermons. Joanne's father, the late Rev. Dr. Oscar C. Hanson, was often recruited to this preaching duty.
Rev. Hanson served Grace Lutheran Church, Watertown, S.D., after a one year stint as dean of men at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. After he completed his service to Grace Lutheran his only other parish pastor call was the founding of The American Lutheran Church, Oslo, Norway. At various times he was the head of the E.L.C. Youth Department, President of Lutheran Bible Institute, and an evangelist for the A.L.C. Rev. Hanson was a gifted preacher and, because he wasn't responsible for a congregation, he was free to accept these preaching assignments.
The above is all preliminary to a Joanne story. Being the eldest child, very responsible and mature she often accompanied her father on these assignments. If she minded sitting through four hour services I don't remember her saying so. At our hour long service tonight I was reflecting on those services of the past, which I also remember.
Had Joanne and I met before my stint in the Marines our history might have been quite different. Suffice it to say I was neither well behaved nor mature and needed my military stint to grow up. 😉
Through her life, Joanne developed a passion for justice. She always had a strong sense of fairness as did her father. However, his passion was more "religious" and he never strayed into social gospel. There was one place though where he brooked no deviance. If conversation in his presence ever strayed into criticism of anyone who was not present, he quickly stopped it. No particular events in Joanne's life stand out, that changed her focus, but increasingly she committed herself to the cause of justice. She was always on the lookout for individuals who were marginalized and would seek to include them.
The presence of absence was powerful tonight.
Two more "LAMPS ON THE PATH" from Jensen
"11. Record your thoughts in a journal. Writing helps you get your feelings out. It also shows your progress."
"12. Turn grief into creative energy. Find a way to help others--sharing someone else's load will lighten your own. Write something as a tribute to your loved one."
Perhaps #s 11 & 12, help in understanding the value of this blog. Posting has helped me identify what I'm feeling so I can write about it and, certainly my movement toward recovery, is well documented on this site. Yes, this is a written tribute to Joanne and I hope helpful to others.
Blessed Good Friday to you!
Al
Rev. Hanson served Grace Lutheran Church, Watertown, S.D., after a one year stint as dean of men at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. After he completed his service to Grace Lutheran his only other parish pastor call was the founding of The American Lutheran Church, Oslo, Norway. At various times he was the head of the E.L.C. Youth Department, President of Lutheran Bible Institute, and an evangelist for the A.L.C. Rev. Hanson was a gifted preacher and, because he wasn't responsible for a congregation, he was free to accept these preaching assignments.
The above is all preliminary to a Joanne story. Being the eldest child, very responsible and mature she often accompanied her father on these assignments. If she minded sitting through four hour services I don't remember her saying so. At our hour long service tonight I was reflecting on those services of the past, which I also remember.
Had Joanne and I met before my stint in the Marines our history might have been quite different. Suffice it to say I was neither well behaved nor mature and needed my military stint to grow up. 😉
Through her life, Joanne developed a passion for justice. She always had a strong sense of fairness as did her father. However, his passion was more "religious" and he never strayed into social gospel. There was one place though where he brooked no deviance. If conversation in his presence ever strayed into criticism of anyone who was not present, he quickly stopped it. No particular events in Joanne's life stand out, that changed her focus, but increasingly she committed herself to the cause of justice. She was always on the lookout for individuals who were marginalized and would seek to include them.
The presence of absence was powerful tonight.
Two more "LAMPS ON THE PATH" from Jensen
"11. Record your thoughts in a journal. Writing helps you get your feelings out. It also shows your progress."
"12. Turn grief into creative energy. Find a way to help others--sharing someone else's load will lighten your own. Write something as a tribute to your loved one."
Perhaps #s 11 & 12, help in understanding the value of this blog. Posting has helped me identify what I'm feeling so I can write about it and, certainly my movement toward recovery, is well documented on this site. Yes, this is a written tribute to Joanne and I hope helpful to others.
Blessed Good Friday to you!
Al
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