Share this page"June and the Women of the Lutheran Church"
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- Published on Friday, 09 October 2015 15:17
- Written by Stanton O. Berg
"JUNE and THE WOMEN of THE LUTHERAN CHURCH"
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(June Berg - 1966)
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WOMEN and THE REFORMATION PERIOD
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This page has resulted from my review, my interest and my perception of the place of women in the Christian Lutheran church…and in particular my church, the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Fridley, Minnesota.
I begin this study by referencing two Bible versus that relates to God’s creation of man and woman.
I am also happy to see that Martin Luther is the first Christian to strike a blow for the equality of women in the Christian Church.
The Bible clearly establishes the equality of both men and women.
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Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
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While the original 12 disciples were men, Jesus was surrounded by bright women, some of which were referred to as his disciples...including his Mother Mary, there are six referred to in the scriptures…Mary Magdalene, ...Mary Salome, ...Martha Sister of Lazarus, ...Miriamne Sister of Phillip and Arsinoe.
The cited Bible passages do not suggest that women are to have a lower or secondary position in God’s world…Luther was a champion for women as evidenced by the reformation period he spawned…”he insisted that all Christians, not just some, share by faith in the same spiritual priesthood”…He also promoted the "Education" of women for the first time.
The reformation period was for women the first real step forward and Martin Luther was the man responsible...it was all a part of Martin Luther's "Reformation Period".
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Martin Luther's Wife "Katie"
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In the middle ages the life of a nun, monk or priest was seen as a higher calling then married life of the average person…the reformation rejected this and “instead praised both marriage and parenthood as worthy callings for all Christians”…It was also said that the Christian Church had for centuries taught that the prime purpose of marriage was reproduction and an outlet for sexual desires…
Luther promoted a new understanding of marriage as a “Loving, faithful companionship.”…the reformation also promoted the education for both boys and girls…this concept was described as “astonishing for the time” as previously only boys of “higher social or economic status” received an education…Luther also recommended reading the scriptures by everyone Luther for the first time, translated the Bible into German to facilitate such reading..
It is said that by the 2nd generation of the Reformation, more than 90 percent of pastors wives were now literate.
Luther was deeply in love with his wife Katie (Katharina von Bora) who he also very much respected for her many talents…His wife Katie was one of the nuns that Luther helped escape from their convent when they wrote to him asking his help.
Katie not only acted as Luther's HOUSEWIFE, but was said to be a:
1. “Manager of a mid sized business,
2. Fed a household of family, student boarders, and frequent guests
3. and also purchased land, raised crops and livestock, made beer and wine and
4. Handled all the household finances”
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Luther attempted to leave Katie all of their life’s belongings and their funds in his will when he died…”a move that was unheard of at a time when it was assumed that a widow needed a guardian to act on her behalf”…in fact the local authorities later refused to honor his will request…Katie died 6 years later in 1552.
One can say that following the changes brought about by Luther’s reformation period and in the church named in his honor, women have come a long way.
Currently (2015), 77 percent of the church bodies in the Lutheran World Federation ordain women…
Since October 2014 there has been a series of seminars in Wittenberg, Germany for women from Africa, Central and Latin America and most of Asia and the former Eastern bloc on the “Reformation and the Empowerment of Women”…discussed is gender based discrimination and the need for change in the make up of the church administrative functions and leadership.
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Germany's Angela Merkel
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In today’s world, there are many strong women who are Lutheran Christian believers…one of which is Angela Merkel.
It is interesting to note that German Chancellor Angela Merkel was raised as a Lutheran pastor’s daughter and is now ranked by Forbes as one of the most powerful women in the world for 9 of the last 10 years…Recently in response to a student of Theology’s question, she stated:
“I am a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church…I believe in God, and Religion is also my constant companion and has been for the whole of my life.”
I have always been an admirer of this lady and never realized that she was a devout Lutheran or that her father was a Lutheran Pastor.
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Sweden's Antje Jackelen
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On 12 October 2015, a news item in the Minneapolis Star featured a story about Sweden's first female Archbishop.
It was the story of the Baptism of Sweden's Prince Nicolas Paul Gustaf (Born 4 months earlier) at the Chapel of Drottingholm Palace, Stockholm, Sweden and as conducted by the Lutheran Archbishop Antje Jackelen...
A picture in the story shows the Archbishop holding the newly baptized Prince Nicolas. Antje Jackelen's official title is "Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala"...she was previously Bishop of Lund.
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ELCA's Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton
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On 14 August 2013, Elizabeth A. Eaton was elected to the position of Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (ELCA)
At the time of her election Bishop Eaton was the ELCA Bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod. She is married to the Reverend Conrad Selnick an Episcopal Priest.
As a native of Cleveland, she received a Master of Divinity Degree from Harvard Divinity School.
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JUNE and the LUTHERAN CHURCH
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June and I have belonged to the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Fridley since 1957…June’s membership was over 50 years at her death and mine is now 61 years (2018) and counting…I owe my faith to June’s inspiration.
At Redeemer we currently have a lady pastor on our church staff…("Terri") we have trained a number of women as interns for pastoral positions over the past few years…The current Bishop of the ELCA is a women as is the Minneapolis Synod’s Bishop.
June as one who loved the Lutheran church, was and remains my inspiration for everything I do in the Redeemer Lutheran Church…June pulled a very heavy oar in the church.
June is the reason that the old original Chapel is still a part of the Redeemer campus and the focal point of the Church’s 100 year celebration for the year 2016…June’s intervention in 2004 with the Church Board and the Pastoral staff prevented the old Chapel’s planned removal and destruction…it was badly in need of repair and it did not fit in well with the other newer church buildings…June also funded the complete restoration of the old church and created a special fund set up for that purpose…”The June K. Berg, Old Chapel Repair Fund”…it is currently well funded…The "Old Chapel" was the focal point of Redeemer Lutheran Church's recent 100th year Anniversary celebration (2016)...not possible without June's efforts in saving the old church and her funding of the complete restoration of the "Old Chapel".
June’s work at Redeemer left me often wondering, how could she do it all and still be the great wife, mother and grandmother that she is…”Yes, I am bragging about June…”
In the early 1960's, June served as a Girl Scout Leader for the Girl Scout Troop then sponsored by Redeemer…When help was needed in the Sunday school, (1973-1974) June volunteered to teach the third grade. In the 1970s, June was active in the church "Bell" choir….later, June acted as a "Meals on Wheels" church volunteer that delivered meals to the elderly in the immediate church area. June and a church friend Mary Ellen Luckow, served as volunteers to the Lynwood Nursing Home every Wednesday evening…June was also active in the church "Ruth" and later the "Rebecca" circles and took her turn hosting meetings in our home…she often served as chairwoman.
Family income and money was in short supply in the early days in June's family...as Stan was the one and only one in charge of creating the family income... June did what she could to help with expenses,...June had her own 'Singer" sowing machine with which she used to made dresses for the girls and matching suits ans outfits for the boys...June even learned to cut hair and had her own "Barber" tool to cut the hair of both the children and Stan's hair...June was so good at it that June was often asked to cut the hair of children in the neighborhood...which she did free of charge!...yes, I do not know how she did it all and with a "Big Smile" her trademark!
June was part of a weekday afternoon ministry to the Fridley Convalescent Nursing Home. June also served a year on the Redeemer Church Board...June was also a member of the Service and the Nominating Committee's. June was one of the volunteers to the Marie Sandvik Mission in downtown Minneapolis…When requested, June was also a model at a Redeemer church ladies fashion show... June was often a Sunday Greeter at the church door…occasionally she assisted with the Sunday coffee hour…June a "Lutefisk" fan, often assisted with the preparation of the annual Lutefisk and Meatball Dinners…For six years (1992-1998) June participated in the International BSF Bible Study Fellowship.
Dean Eberhard of Redeemer told me of how June was paired with him on an evangelism team during what was called the "Evangelism Explosion" church program...they called on Redeemer Church members and visitors in the 1970’s...
Dean describes June as:
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“I remember for June, presenting the gospel was a very natural thing for her to do. People felt comfortable (not threatened) with her because she was so genuine and related effectively with them. Her love for the Lord shone through her as she conversed with the people...she had a special spirit about her and always smiling."
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As God closed June's book of life I am sure he said:
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"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
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THE ALZHEIMER'S YEARS
(June - February 1998 - San Francisco - American Academy of Forensic Science Conference)
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It Was in 1997 that June had called for her own diagnosis when she noted short term memory problems...the diagnosis of early stage Alzheimer's in January 1998 caused June and Stan to re-evaluate their remaining life together...rather then become a part of the "Memory Cafe's" scenes where everyone was a constant reminder of Alzheimer's, they decided to make the most of their remaining years together before the disease took control...
June and Stan made their "bucket list" and they did them all...they did those things that they put off doing during their forensic science days...they lived life to the fullest...They visited Hawaii an they took a bus trip to Branson during the Christmas Season...they made a last goodbye visit to their friends in the UK...most of the relatives and family friends did not even realize that June had Alzheimer's...they celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2002...June was in her 6th year of the disease but still in the early stages...
Beginning in the year 2004 and later, Alzheimer's started slowly taking control...there after, Stan lost June tear drop by tear drop...as June slowly slipped into the shadows of Alzheimer's...eventually June was in a world where Stan could no longer reach her!...this was the saddest of times.
Before June's Alzheimer's diagnosis their world and June's character and personality was represented by a vast sea of bright and beautiful lights. After June's Alzheimer's diagnosis, these bright lights all begin to slowly dim. As June slowly slipped deeper into the shadows of Alzheimer's, the lights gradually flickered out one by one. Eventually the time came during the last two years of June's life, when the brightness that marked their world and June’s life was replaced by one of darkness...
For the last year of June's life she was almost totally non-responsive and could not walk or talk or use her hands and arms...June had difficulty eating...June just sat with her eyes closed.
June's hand gently cupped over mine and her soft voice telling me: "I love you Stan" were then just memories.
It was late 2008 after a 12 year journey into the darkness of Alzheimer's and as June lay like a wounded and exhausted soldier on a field of battle, God gently touched June's shoulder and she heard the words: "Come Home June!"
June's passing was as if a most beautiful symphony that played during June and Stan's life together, had now ceased to exist!
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For the complete story of June's life and her love for the Lutheran Church click on the below link:
"June's Life Long Love for the Lutheran Church"
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"STAN and JUNE AND THE LUTHERAN CHURCH"
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June was the influence and example that converted Stan to a dedicated and believing Christian. When Stan first met June, he was a self proclaimed agnostic...All/most have already heard his story of how June, posted a framed copy of John 3:16 on the wall of the small downstairs toiled next to his office...every time Stan used the bathroom, he was staring at the Words of John 3:16
(For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall never die.)
Stan used to joke to others that he did not know much about the Bible, but he sure knew John 3:16...slowly but surely, along with June's example, and influence, Stan started attending the Redeemer Lutheran Church, and then Bible Study, and along with a developing curiosity about the Bible, Stan have become a dedicated Student of the KJV of the Bible and a strong Christian Lutheran.
Stan is proud of the Lutheran Church and the Fact that they are the only Christian Church in the world to give full equal rights to Women...it is a fact that there are more women Archbishops in the Lutheran Church then there are men.
Martin Luther was the creator of the historical "Reformation Period" in the world's history. It was the Lutheran Church via Martin Luther and the Reformation, that first encouraged and promoted women's education.
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"WORLD WAR II and THE LUTHERAN CHURCH - ENTER BONHOEFFER"
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Stan is very proud that the Lutheran Church was the only church in the world, to actively resist the rise and reign of Adolph Hitler during the World War II time period...
There was a German Lutheran minister that created the underground wing of the Lutheran Church called the "Confessing Church"...This Lutheran Group was headed by Pastor/Reverend Dietrich Bonhoeffer...this group were also a part of a later failed assassination attempt on Hitler's life!
The Catholic Church on the other hand, assumed a position of Neutrality in Germany, and in their relationship with Hitler, the Nazi's and Germany....The Catholic Church did not do anything whatever, in opposing Hitler, the Nazi's or their programs of hatred.
Hitler was born, raised and baptized in the Catholic Church. As an adult, he never attended church. In His writings he described himself as a "Christian". This was also mentioned in Hitler's famous autobiography "Mein Kampf" published in July 1925. It is thought that he only used religion to further his war efforts and his status as head of Germany...but that Hitler was not himself a true believer.
Bonhoeffer's opposition activities soon resulted in his arrest in April 1943 by the Nazi Party...he was imprisoned for 1-1/2 years. Shortly before being rescued by American invasion forces, near the end of the war, Bonhoeffer was executed by hanging on Hitler's orders...
Meanwhile, Bonhoeffer had so impressed one of his German jailers, that he was converted to the Christian Religion.
Bonhoeffer was stripped naked before his hanging but was allowed to kneel in prayer before his death.
Stan has always been impressed by some of Bonhoeffer's sayings, especially those relating to speaking up in behalf of that which is right, rather then to remain silent in the face of evil! It was Bonhoeffer who said:
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"God will not hold us guiltless"...
"Silence in the face of evil is evil itself"... "Not to speak is to speak"...
"Not to Act is to Act"
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Stan's Note: How often I have thought of Bonhoeffer's Words when I have written or spoken about matters that were the truth but related to politically correct or sensitive issues and my friends have remained silent instead of supporting me in such matters!
At times like that I would also think of Martin Luther King's saying: "In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends!"
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Stan's Note: Since this page was first created in October 2015, approximately, 4,600 persons have visited the page.
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Reader's Comments
John Stevens - Twin Falls, Idaho - (9 October 2015): "Great read about a great lady."
Lori McAllister Fox - Silverton, Oregon - (10 October 2015): "Proud to be a Lutheran woman myself!"
Billie Hays - Cleveland, Ohio - (10 October 2015):"I hardly ever post...but i remember thinking what a wonderful & attractive woman June was as I read your page."
Bertha Dusenberry - West Lafayette, Ohio - (10 October 2015): "Such a nice article Stan.June certainly sounds like she was a remarkable person, one I would have loved to have met. I am sure she would have given me a better understanding on a lot of things. Her love, faith and gentle kind ways of living her well lived life show's on her face in her pictures. What a beautiful lady inside and out. Thank you for sharing this with us...loved it."
Debbie Shoenfelt - Johnsville, Ohio - (10 October 2015):"Finally checked my mail Stanton, you put so much work into it and your such a wonderful writer, enjoyed learning about the Lutheran Church...June, a beautiful lady."
Heather Gray-Gately - Dublin, Ireland - (11 October 2015):"Very interesting read Stan! Thank you for sharing your love of June with so many! It's so inspiring!"
Don Fox - Blaine, Minnesota - (15 October 2015): "Your articles on the above subjects (Lutheran Women) are very well done! Thank you for sharing them.."
Mary Farmer - Mount Airy, North Carolina - (7 July 2017): "Women of strength always impress me and I never feel as powerful or strong or smart as them! Just one of my personal weaknesses, I know, but women of strength are all around me too! Thank you, Stanton, for reminding mine of that fact! My Mama was one of those women! She was married young, had health issues after my Daddy returned from WWII and recovered! She had five children with him then became a widow at the young age of about 41. She still taught me, her youngest, that love goes beyond the veil of death and that marriage is forever if you want it to be so! My dedication to my husband is a direct result of her lifelong example of loving my Daddy! God uses the quiet ones to teach others often and my strong Mama was an example of that for me! Time to remind some women how important they are in my life thanks to your shading this post! Sweet dreams and good night."
Phyllis Skocik Gallagher - Frackville, Pennsylvania - (7 July 2017):"Without strong women, where would we all be? Thankful I came from women greatly influenced by my great great grandmother who came to the US in 1865, when her husband left, she baked to earn a living. My sister still uses her sticky bun recipe. The following generations marched for women to vote, equality, and I marched this January to continue the tradition."
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June's Passing
After an almost 12 year journey into the shadows of Alzheimer's, early one morning in late October 2008, an exhausted June felt God's gentle touch on her shoulder and heard the words: "Come Home June!" As June lay like a wounded soldier on a battlefield, it was God's Angels that ushered June into a Heavenly Kingdom to the sound of a chorus of Angels...and into June's new home, a "Mansion on the Hilltop", where there is no pain, nor illness nor tears...June's funeral notice as published in the Minneapolis Star in October 2008 can be seen on this website in the drop down menu under the "In Memoriam" label - just Click on:
"June K. (Rolstad) Berg - In Memoriam"
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