Jón Bjarnason Academy - 01.05.1935, Blaðsíða 26

for 23 years. A picture of this first annual convention of the
synod with the names of the delegates appears in this issue.
The original membership of this synod was 12 congrega-
tions and one pastor, Rev. Thorgrimsen having left to serve
Norwegian congregations. Nevertheless the synod went to
work. Sunday schools were organized and preaching kept up
as far as possible. After a while new men were added to the
ministry, churches built, young people’s societies organized and
foreign missions aided. Very soon after its founding the synod
launched an official organ “Sameiningin,” which is now in its
fiftieth year.
In 1913 it was decided to make a beginning of an educa-
tional institution with a three-fold object: giving general cul-
ture, providing instruction in Icelandic, and disseminating
Christian influence. This had been the dream of many people
in the synod for some time. It had been first suggested by the
Rev. Jon Bjarnason who was during his time the prime mover
in all the major activties of the synod. The little institution is
still functioning as Jon Bjarnason Academy.
In 1915 an old folks’ home was established, now located
in a fine home of its own at Gimli, Man. It has always been
successful and popular.
A member of the synod, Rev. S. O. Thorlaksson, is a mis-
sionary in Japan, in the service of the United Lutheran Church
in America. The synod makes a yearly contribution to the
foreign mission work of that church body.
The greatest work done by the synod has been its home
missions. To bring the word of God as far as possible to all
our scattered and scattering people has been a difficult prob-
lem and a constant effort. Lutheran congregations are now
found wherever Icelanders are settled in any large group.
For a number of years all our church work wTas done in
Icelandic. Then the needs of the younger generation called for
work in English, and is now claiming more and more of our
activities. In some cases the Sunday schools and the young
people’s societies are now' conducted entirely in English, and
all our pastors do more or less English preaching. The Ice-
landic language, however, still claims the loyal devotion of
many of our people.
The present membership of our synod is 8,254 souls; value
of church property is $231,500; number of congregations, 53;
number of pastors (including the foreign missionary), 14. The
present officers of the synod are: president, Rev. K. K. 61afsson,
of Seattle, Wash.; secretary, Rev. Johann Bjarnason, of Gimli,
Man.; and treasurer, Mr. S. O. Bjerring, Winnipeg.
The Jubilee Synod is meeting at two places: at Mountain,
N. D., June 19th to 21st; and in the First Lutheran Church,
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