Wright-Cromwell News

Wow! What a weekend! With Wrong Days and the 100th Bethlehem Lutheran Church celebration, I am just overwhelmed. There seemed to be a much larger crowd at the 47th Wrong Days this year and all involved seemed to have a great time. Thanks so much to all concerned who did all the work to make it possible.

The 100th Bethlehem Church Anniversary was held Sunday, July 22, with over 150 in attendance. The folks who put on this event and did all the work went above and beyond the call of duty. They need to be thanked profusely as this was truly a successful day. The feeling of God’s love was there in the midst of all of us who attended. Our departed members surely must have been smiling down on us from heaven as they were in our thoughts as we celebrated 100 years of faith in Christ.

There are still copies of the anniversary booklet and the memories booklet at the church if you didn’t get one and would like one. Thanks Pastor Brandi for all your work on the anniversary booklet and Jennie for the memories booklet. They are both a great reminder of our past and present. Now, they look to the future 100 years!

Pastor Vicki Taylor of the Synod office, Pastor Brandi Hacker, and former pastors in attendance were Pastor Ed and Gayle Nieman, daughter Jenifer and grandsons, Jonah and Noah; Pastor Jim and Julie Gronbeck and daughter Kristin; Pastor Matt and Sue Saarem; and Pastor Janeva Stromberg. Each one of them gave a short talk at the afternoon program on their memories of being with us and bringing us up to date on their lives now. There were rounds of laugher and even some tears as we reminisced over the past years.

The 75th Anniversary Time Capsule was opened and shared. Special music was provided by Quint and Destiny Schultz, Sue Saarem, MaryRose Varo and daughter Elle, and the former choir did a special number, too. What a day of celebration. The oldest member, Thelma Johnson, and youngest, Jorgen Johnson, were also in attendance along with everyone from in between. The photo boards were a huge success, too – so many memories in all those old and recent photos. So, all in all it was a glorious day for all concerned and we will be making a DVD of the events of the day as Tom Nistler videotaped the whole event.

Diane Anderson has worked diligently on getting the confirmation pictures for past classes, but we are missing many dates. Here are the dates that are still needed, so if you have one or more of these photos, please try to get them to Diane or drop them off at the church office: 1921-1946, 1948, 1950-1954, 1956-1966, 1968-1970, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1983-1986, 1990, 1993, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Remember these are the years the people were confirmed, not graduated, so the ages of the classes are usually eighth-, ninth- or 10th-graders.

Our sincere sympathy to former Cromwell-Wright School Principal Randy Thudin and family on the death of his wife recently. Elaine Janette Thudin, 61, of Esko passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on July 10, 2012. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, in Cloquet Gospel Tabernacle. Visitation will continue on Saturday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. funeral service, also in the church.

The Cromwell-Wright High School Class of 1962 will have their 50th class reunion on Saturday, Aug.18, at Nancy (Heikkilla) Sauer’s lake place on Eagle Lake, starting at 4 p.m. The event will be informal, and there will be no program. Bring a meat to grill and a dish to share and beverage. Water and soft drinks will be provided. Nancy’s phone is 612-272-4454 and her email is nsauer@frontier.com.

Vacation Bible School will be at Bethany in Cromwell July 30 to Aug. 2 starting at 9 a.m. each day. Please call the church at 218-644-3640 to register your kids or to volunteer to help. Lots of helpers are needed even if you can only help for one day.

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Wright will hold its Vacation Bible School Aug. 6-8, from 9-11 a.m. The theme is “Going Fishing,” which will be led by Pastor Cain. All children are welcome to join and explore “fishing.” Call Linda Lehti at 218-357-2641 with questions.

There will be an AARP Safe Driving Refresher Course on Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Wright Senior Building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Alice Gurske at 218-357-2871 to register. They need at least 10 to hold the class.

That’s all the news from Lake Whataweekend and hello to all who attended Wrong Days and the church anniversary. It was really great seeing you all back in Wright.

Tags: local columns, wright-cromwell news