Submitted by June Torrison
A recent issue of The Lutheran Journal (not The Lutheran) has an interesting article about the music of Fannie Crosby. I remember that some years ago Orene Miller presented a wonderful program about her. Now it’s coming back to me. She lived from 1820 – 1915, and. yes, she was related to singer Bing Crosby. She turned out more than 8,000 hymn texts, but not all are remembered today. She was born in New York and was blinded at six weeks, likely the result of incompetent treatment for an eye infection. For part of her life she could see a little light. Her father died while she was young, so her mother had to work. She memorized the things her grandmother read to her. Later, she was able to attend a special school. She learned to play the piano, harp, organ and guitar. Among her hymns in our ELW hymnal are “Blessed Assurance”, “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross” Others that I am familiar with include “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior”, “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”, Praise Him, Praise Him!!!, “To God Be the Glory”, “Jesus is Calling”, and “I Am Thine, O Lord”. Obviously, many of them are no longer in print.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 7 Do Day hostess: Esther
November Clean Church Kitchen: Morning Star
December 12 Noon Luncheon – this is for the congregation, not just women
July 16-19, 2020 Triennial Gathering in Phoenix
Registrations are now open. We have funds set aside for anyone who
would like to attend. Information is available.
Donna Johnson, Jacque Eastwold and I attended the SE MN Synod Convention in Owatonna in September. Donna was a delegate so was there bright and early as the business session was first. One morning speaker told about the Jeremiah program – it helps single mothers get back on their feet. Perhaps you have seen some of their publicity on TV. Another speaker is a refugee from Somalia. She spent part of her childhood herding animals, then was in a camp for several years. She now has a nursing degree plus a graduate degree, lives a very productive life, supporting herself, her family and others. She is a real “gung ho” person, a survivor.
While both of these speakers were excellent, we will especially remember two things. One - the electricity went out TWICE after lunch. First in the fellowship hall – we moved to the sanctuary and it went out there as well. The other thing we will remember is the afternoon feature – a Musical Ventriloquist. Kevin Doely is a pastor in Coon Rapids. He had six or more “dummies” (ala Charlie McCarthy) that he used. Each was dressed in a particular style and his routines fit the character of each. I wish you all could have heard him – it was so good to have a roomful of people laughing. To conclude the day, our newly elected Bishop Regina Hassanally spoke at the closing worship. Her message was inter-active. I was able to visit with a lot of women I know from other congregations. I would encourage more of you to attend the next convention at Bethel Lutheran in Rochester in 2021.
Our brunch and quilt sale happen after the newsletter deadline so you’ll hear about them next month.
A recent issue of The Lutheran Journal (not The Lutheran) has an interesting article about the music of Fannie Crosby. I remember that some years ago Orene Miller presented a wonderful program about her. Now it’s coming back to me. She lived from 1820 – 1915, and. yes, she was related to singer Bing Crosby. She turned out more than 8,000 hymn texts, but not all are remembered today. She was born in New York and was blinded at six weeks, likely the result of incompetent treatment for an eye infection. For part of her life she could see a little light. Her father died while she was young, so her mother had to work. She memorized the things her grandmother read to her. Later, she was able to attend a special school. She learned to play the piano, harp, organ and guitar. Among her hymns in our ELW hymnal are “Blessed Assurance”, “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross” Others that I am familiar with include “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior”, “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”, Praise Him, Praise Him!!!, “To God Be the Glory”, “Jesus is Calling”, and “I Am Thine, O Lord”. Obviously, many of them are no longer in print.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 7 Do Day hostess: Esther
November Clean Church Kitchen: Morning Star
December 12 Noon Luncheon – this is for the congregation, not just women
July 16-19, 2020 Triennial Gathering in Phoenix
Registrations are now open. We have funds set aside for anyone who
would like to attend. Information is available.
Donna Johnson, Jacque Eastwold and I attended the SE MN Synod Convention in Owatonna in September. Donna was a delegate so was there bright and early as the business session was first. One morning speaker told about the Jeremiah program – it helps single mothers get back on their feet. Perhaps you have seen some of their publicity on TV. Another speaker is a refugee from Somalia. She spent part of her childhood herding animals, then was in a camp for several years. She now has a nursing degree plus a graduate degree, lives a very productive life, supporting herself, her family and others. She is a real “gung ho” person, a survivor.
While both of these speakers were excellent, we will especially remember two things. One - the electricity went out TWICE after lunch. First in the fellowship hall – we moved to the sanctuary and it went out there as well. The other thing we will remember is the afternoon feature – a Musical Ventriloquist. Kevin Doely is a pastor in Coon Rapids. He had six or more “dummies” (ala Charlie McCarthy) that he used. Each was dressed in a particular style and his routines fit the character of each. I wish you all could have heard him – it was so good to have a roomful of people laughing. To conclude the day, our newly elected Bishop Regina Hassanally spoke at the closing worship. Her message was inter-active. I was able to visit with a lot of women I know from other congregations. I would encourage more of you to attend the next convention at Bethel Lutheran in Rochester in 2021.
Our brunch and quilt sale happen after the newsletter deadline so you’ll hear about them next month.
