The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.2004, Page 27

Vol. 58 #4
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
173
activities will develop. Right now our main
interest is getting a minister. If we don't
get a minister our religion is likely to fade -
where there was any -and eventually disap-
pear. But just getting any minister is no
good - maybe a colourless bore unable to
awaken any religious feelings. No, we need
. an enthusiastic and perceptive minister
who is keenly aware of his vocation, and
who can teach us to love God and to fulfill
our spiritual and earthly roles. We are con-
fident that you are the minister most likely
to be able to work successfully for us. The
question remains whether or not we are
able to pay you decently. I, for one, have
no doubts about our ability to do this, but
not all are equally hopeful. Now meetings
are being held throughout the colony in
order to promote this matter. The day
before yesterday there was a meeting in
"Fljotsyggd" presided over by Johann
Briem and Sigtryggur Jonasson was the
secretary. The conclusion of this meeting
was that the entire colony form a congrega-
tion totally independent of all other reli-
gious groups and keeping the religious
beliefs which we were raised to have (and
in accordance with which we were con-
firmed) in Iceland.
This congregation is to form its own
rules and regulations concerning its leaders
and church. At this meeting a committee
was appointed. This committee is to find a
minister, raise money for building a
church and oversee the construction of the
church. Furthermore, the committee is to
write to Rev. Pall and refuse to have him as
a minister and turn down his offer to find
other ministers for us. There are only a
handful of "Synod" - men in this district
(i.e. "Fljotsbyggd"). Their leader is Bjorn
Pjetursson from Hallfredarstadir, (in the
eastern part of Iceland) a former member of
Parliament. I hope that this group fails to
make progress. The remaining district
meetings will be held next Saturday, May
the 5th. When these meetings are over, a
letter to you will be written, wherein you
will be asked to become our minister this
spring. The inhabitants of Fljotsbyggd
("Fljotsbyggd" means: "the community
along the river.") find it essential to have
two ministers for the colony (both of
whom have to do without a second minis-
ter, the first year. I prefer to have one min-
ister, even if he has a lot of work to do, than
to have two, both of who would have to
put us with abominable poverty.
The people of Fljotsbyggd promised to
pay their minister $4.00 a year each. I am
afraid that many in the other communities
fail to be able to promise this much; many
are likely to find $4.00 too much. But
maybe there are others who can pay more,
balancing the account.
I am against forcing anyone in this
matter. If people like their minister they
will hopefully prove themselves worthy of
him by providing decently for him. I shall
write to you about this matter after the
meeting.
I still keep my hope of being allowed
to see the three of you here among us this
spring. Maybe I will get the opportunity to
forward the progress of New Iceland in co-
operation with you.
Sigtryggur fights "this way" enthusias-
tically, but the trouble is that there are so
Pjodraeknisfelag Islendinga f Vesturheimi
PRESIDENT: WALTER SOPHER
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