Lögberg-Heimskringla - 16.12.1994, Side 21

Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 16. desember 1994 • 21
by Ingthor Isfeld
Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Winnipeg
his century, that is soon
coming to an end, has seen
unprecedented changes. As
this flood of changes
reshapes our daily lives and
puts a lot of pressure on both individu-
als and families, the church has stood
rather firm and not changed much. In
some ways, this has been good, in that
the church has provided a fírm founda-
tion for us to stand on during turbulent
times.
But, though the church must hold
fast to some things such as the funda-
mentals of its faith, it must change its’
ways of operating in order to adjust to
new circumstances and for it to be able
to reach out to millions who have been
cut adrift in a turbulent age.
“Most new members are brought into
churches today by their friends, by
someone who invites and guides the
otherperson into the church.
Looking at the historical circum-
stances that have shaped our congrega-
tion, we see how, during the first 36
years (1878-1914) it grew through immi-
gration from Iceland. From 1914 to
about 1950 it grew by serving the chil-
dren of the immigrants. The Second
World War had the effect of uprooting
Obituary:
Ellyn Florence Sigvaldason
(Nee Nellie Hales)
Peacefully, on December 3, 1994,
Ellyn passed away, in her sleep, at
Oakvikew Place in her 91st year.
Ellyn was bom in England on Nov.
12, 1903 coming to Canada in 1912
with her parents Sarah and Arthur
Hales, brothers Arthur, Emest and Bill,
and sisters Amy, Doris and Gladys.
They settled in Virden, Manitoba where
Ellyn (Nell) grew up. She received her
education at Virden School and as a
young girl attended the community
socials in the district.
In 1920 she started working in
Winnipeg at Eaton’s where she met and
married Ellsworth (Siggy) Sigvaldason
making their home in Winnipeg.
She is survived by her husband,
Ellsworth, and numerous nieces and
nephews.
The family would like to thank the
staff at Oakview Place for their wonder-
ful care and attention they gave her.
Interment took place Thursday, Dec.
8, at 1:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Memorial
Gardens. Memorial service was held on
Thursday, December 8, 1994, at 2:00
PM, at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage
Ave., entrance at Aubrey St. with the
Rev. Art McCaughan officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made in Ellyn’s memory, to the
Lögberg-Heimskringla, 699 Carter Ave.,
Wpg., Mb„ R3M 2C3.
Neil Bardal Inc.
949-2200
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people and in the postwar boom, sub-
urbs mushroomed and mobility
increased greatly. Since about 1950, our
congregation has gradually declined in
numbers. Many moved away, others
joined new suburban congregations,
fewer children were born, the ethnic
ties were loosened and a period of veiy
pervasive secular influence set in.
Our congregation now finds itself in
an entirely different world. Immigration
has changed to different cultural groups
and intemal growth is limited. But, at
the same time, there are vast and grow-
ing opportunities to attract new mem-
bers of all ages and of various back-
grounds to the church. Very many in
our society are seeking to grow in faith,
but they cannot relate to the formal
liturgy and many other things in the
way the church operates. They need
personal guidance to faith and into the
church.
In our times, people are looking for
close personal relationships. It has
become very apparent that the “institu-
tional approach” does not work any-
more. General calls from the church or
Pastor do not work. Most new mem-
bers are brought into churches today by
their friends, by someone who invites
and guides the other person into the
church.
It has also become very apparent,
that the congregations of various
denominations that grow the fastest are
congregations that offer a great number
of small groups that seek to meet the
many and various needs of people.
Such groups include the traditional
church groups such as women’s organi-
zations, choirs, Bible Study groups,
youth groups and Sunday Schools, but a
great many other types are added. These
include prayer groups, support groups
for those who have been through trau-
matic experiences, groups for singles, for
young mothers, seniors groups, sports
groups, crafts groups, men’s breakfast
groups, businessmen’s groups etc. etc.
We already have a number of good
strong groups in our church, such as the
FLCW, the choir and the Sunday
School, but there is much room for new
groups to form.
I would be very interested to hear
your ideas on this matter and your
thoughts on how we can best reach out
into our community with the Christian
message.
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378-5121
GENERAL MANAGER