Nordic Fest is this month and we are busy preparing to bake and sell our famous krumkake.  Thank you to all who have signed up to donate supplies to make the krumkake. Our krumkake can brigade was held on June 29-what a fun way to start out our project.  It is so helpful to have you all help moving supplies from the annex to the fellowship hall-thanks to all!

All are invited to participate and no experience is necessary.  This year we will be baking at church from July 13-19 plus gluten free days on July 7-8 (see church calendar for schedule).  We will also be preparing the batter on Saturday afternoon July 12 at 1:00 pm.

Krumkake Sunday will be on July 6.  We will have a baking demonstration and also give you an opportunity to try your hand at baking.  Krumkake will also be available to taste on the table during fellowship hour.  On this day we will also put Good Shepherd labels on the baggies that are used for packaging.  This is another fun “all congregation” event as every table is given labels and baggies to prepare (visitors have also helped us).

Preparing krumkake batter at church

In order to comply with health regulations, we will be making the krumkake batter at church.  We will be asking for donations (ingredients or cash) for preparing the batter.  Sign-up sheets will be available at the church.  Please have the ingredients to the church by the morning of July 11.  We will also have sign-up sheets for helping mix the batter.

Baking

Many sessions are planned at church, or you may want to bake at home or with a friend.  Recipes will be available if you wish to bake at home.  Come when you can and work only as long as you want.  Bakers and rollers can sit down while working.  If you are new to the krumkake baking experience, we will teach you (very easy to learn).

Selling at the Booth

    Selling- 3-hour shifts, stools available for sitting down

    Booth runner-gets full cans from the bank and returns empty cans to storage area

Demonstrating during Fest

• Baking Krumkake in Bank of Montreal lobby-2 ½ hour shifts
• Krumkake bagger-puts fresh krumkake in bags to be sold at the booth

The monies raised (over $4000) from our Krumkake project last year were given to many organizations including Aase Haugen, Decorah Free Clinic, Decorah Community Food Pantry, EWALU, LWR, Helping Services, LSI, Riverview Center and YAGM. Plus we also gave to the Good Shepherd endowment fund, mission assistance fund, missionary support, youth gathering and Path to Citizenship.  This project benefits many both locally and globally.

As you can see, there are several volunteer opportunities to choose from.  Look for sign-up sheets for the various tasks on the table in the Gathering space and also on-line with the Sign-up Genius. We are also looking for individuals to serve on our planning committee. Some of our committee members have retired, so we are looking for new members to carry on the tradition of Good Shepherd participation at Nordic Fest.  If you have questions, contact Ann Naslund or Bev Sheridan.

WELCA News

Thank you to everyone who helped with the luncheon following the Celebration of Life for Ed Hover.  We served over 200 people using the fellowship hall, library and outdoor space.  It truly takes a village and Good Shepherd is that village- pulling together to serve.

Gather Bible Study

We will not be meeting in July for our Gather bible study due to Nordic Fest activities but will resume again in August.

Summer 2025: “Healthy Relationships” by the Rev. Brooke Petersen

(July) Session Two: Relationships that sustain us: Where you go, I will go

One cannot get far in this life without encountering suffering. Loss, betrayal and tragedy show up in our own lives and in the lives of those we love. In this Bible study, we will explore the story of Naomi and Ruth, two women who held fast to their relationship in the face of great loss. With this in mind, we’ll consider what helps us to stay in relationship with others when we face seasons of grief and suffering in our own lives and the lives of other. (from Gather magazine)

July 6:        Krumkake Sunday

July 7-8:     Krumkake gluten free baking day-10 am

July 11:      Krumkake baking ingredients to church by noon

July 13-19: Krumkake baking

July 23:      Move krumkake and supplies to bank/set up at bank

July 24-26: Nordic Fest Activities