Charity Historic Highlights
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1981 ground breaking on North Washington and Aspen
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Charity Lutheran began its life as an American Lutheran Church (ALC) mission church. In the late 1970s, at the urging of the Bismarck-Mandan ALC Ministerium, the North Bismarck New Ministry Task Force was established. Each of the five congregations in Bismarck was represented on the task force: Church of the Cross, Faith Lutheran, Good Shepherd, Lord of Life, and Trinity Lutheran. The Task Force met in early 1977 with Rev. Roy Gilbertson (bishop) and Rev. Stan Knutson (assistant to the bishop), and Rev. James Sorensen (service and mission director) to evaluate the needs and location for a new congregation to serve the area north of Interstate 94.
On March 11, 1979, a meeting was held at 4 pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran for persons interested in a mission church north of the city of Bismarck. At this first organizing session, an executive committee was elected: Dr. Robert E. Johnson, president; Mrs. Pat Kramer, secretary; and Erling T. Jacobson, treasurer. Rev. Harold Everson replaced Rev. Sorensen as service and mission director. Challenges included choosing a name, selecting a meeting place for the congregation, and calling a pastor.
On November 18, 1979, Charity Lutheran became an official member of the American Lutheran Church. On the same day, Rev. Merrill Ronning became its pastor.
Our name
The name “Charity” was chosen by Dr. Robert “Bob” Johnson. He had researched the name at the Bismarck synod office and couldn’t find any other churches with the name of Charity, which was taken from the King James Version of 1 Corinthians 13:13 - “abide these three: faith, hope and charity – but the greatest of these is charity.” He recalls an early organizational meeting when all suggested names for the church were put on a blackboard and that the name Charity won out. When the name ‘Charity’ was printed at Augsburg Press on the church hymnals, "everyone accepted {Charity} as the official name of the church," Johnson said. "I have always thought it a fitting name, and one that challenged us how to live."
Logo
Charity’s first logo featured a black circle within a white circle within a black circle with an interior cross and a winged dove in flight symbolizing the Holy Spirit, and the slogan, ‘Where CHARITY and love are, there is God.’
Where to worship
In the early days, Charity talked of buying the Patterson Hotel instead of building a church in north Bismarck. The cost was prohibitive so they talked of what could be done with the property at Aspen and N. Washington, such as rooms for the homeless, apartments for families in need, and providing a playground or skating rink. By February 1979, a three-acre site had been purchased at the corner of Aspen and Washington.
First Worship Service
The first meeting location for the new mission church was the Masonic Temple. Charity called Pastor Merrill D. Ronning to serve the congregation. Worship began at the Lodge with more than 100 families and 350 individuals. When the initial thirteen member families met for the first service on July 15, 1979, a tradition began which continues to this day – the church of Charity tries to live up to its name: to reach out to others, to create an atmosphere that is open and responsive to young and old alike, and to provide for total worship and fellowship time rather than a one-hour service.
Gen Kirmis was chairperson of the Building and Management Committee, and Dirk Walter was the architect.
Dedication
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At the dedication ceremony of the new church on Aspen, the theme was “Passing the peace of the Lord” and the Holy Scripture was Colossians 3:15-17. “And let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God, the Father.”
‘We, at Charity, have all been called to share in the responsibility of passing the peace that God gives to us through His son, Jesus. As a gift, this peace must be given away. It must be extended not only to our church family, but also to the community in which we live. What we do; the way in which we give this peace, must be done in joy knowing that Christ has taught us and has shown us how to love one another.’As of April 20, 1980, Charity Lutheran had a membership of 46 families, 111 confirmed members and 169 baptized members.
Charter Members
Thirty families were charter members, including Duane & Darlene Bentz, Lucille Berg, Gaylord & Joy Johnson, Pat Kramer, Don & Fran Laschkewitsch, Wilmer & Neyla Laub, Jay & Laura Marquart, Jon & Carol Mielke, Jon & Donna Nestoss, Lyle & Diana Riveland, Ray & Bev Sandness, Orville & Bea Stenerson, Jerry & Renee Walz, Allen & Kay Warkenthien, and Jim & Pat Wheeler.
Preamble
The preamble of Charity’s church constitution states: ‘Created in God’s image, redeemed by his Son, empowered by his Holy Spirit, we, the members of Charity Lutheran Church as called to: • Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20) • Administer the sacraments (Mark 14:22-25) • Study the Scriptures (Ephesians 4:11-16) • Instruct the youth and provide for their spiritual welfare (Matthew 19:13-14) • Witness to the community, nation and the world (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 1:18) • Support one another in prayer (James 5:16) • Help those in need (1 John 3:17) • Practice responsible stewardship (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Charity “firsts”
July 15, 1979 ~ First worship and communion service at the Masonic Temple, Bismarck; first congregational meeting
Aug-Sept 1979 ~ Pastor Merrill Ronning meets with senior highers, confirmands and parents
Sept. 16, 1979 ~ Sunday School Family Interest Centers begin. Senior Choir sings for the first time at worship service. First congregational picnic at the Jaycee Park
Sept. 19, 1979 ~ Confirmation classes begin at Pastor Ronning’s home
Sept. 22, 1979 ~ First church retreat was held at Mary College followed by a potluck supper
Oct. 1, 1979 ~ First baptism: Elizabeth Suzanne Elhardt, daughter of Cary & Rosita Elhardt
Nov. 18, 1979 ~ Covenant agreement between Pastor Ronning and the congregation; Pastor Ronning installed as pastor of Charity Lutheran Church
Dec. 2, 1979 ~ First “craft and carol’ night (now called Advent Family Night).
Dec. 9, 1979 ~ First election of a church council: President: Robert Johnson; President Elect: Jerry Dickson; Members: Darlene Bentz, Frank Johnson, Peggy Kaldahl, Jim Kramer, Paul Patera, Ray Sandness, Pat Wheeler.
Dec. 14, 1980 ~ First congregational meeting to discuss loan approval.
April 26, 1981 ~ Groundbreaking service at Aspen & North Washington. At 11 a.m., Mr. Henry Vannett and his team of horses plowed a furrow around the future building site with a one-furrow plow. Dirk Walter, architect, turned over the first spade of sod, followed by Pastor Ronning, Rev. Stan Knutson and each family present.
June 6, 1982 ~ Dedication of the new church facility: At the 9:30 a.m. service, Rev. Harold Everson gave the sermon and the choir sang, “Joy in the Morning.” After the service, everyone was given a helium balloon and the balloons were released outside the church. At the 2:30 pm service, Rev. Stan Knutson led the service, dedicated the altar, pulpit and the church to God’s service. Local congregations presented banners to Charity, and an offering was given to the new mission church in Mandan pastored by Rev. Jim Stenslie.
1994 ~ Groundbreaking for a new addition to the north and east sides of the facility, creating a fireside room, hallway, library and staff offices plus a new eastern entrance.
Groundbreaking for the new addition
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1994: Charity is growingPastor Bob Nordvall and members of Charity's Parish Planning Council break ground on the north addition to the original structure. |
A new century, a new era for Charity
August ____6, 2000 ~ Charity receives a Prophetic Word through Pastor Fred Thoni.
September 2001 ~ Robert T. Peske joins the Charity staff as its first full-time Director of Worship & Music.
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(Date) ~ Charity Lutheran Church votes to sever its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and affiliate with a new association called Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).
June 24, 2004 ~ Long-time Lay Associate in Ministry, Randall Upgren, completes Master of Divinity at Fuller Seminary, and is ordained as Charity's third pastor is a ceremony presided over by Revs. Nordvall and Bauman, and Rev. Bill Sullivan (LCMC).
~ Kari Knudson joins the Charity staff as Director of Children's Ministries
~ Sam Coleman joins the Charity staff as Director of Youth Ministries.
~ Beth Allen joins the Charity staff as Administrative Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator.
~ Joe Haugen joins the Charity staff as Facilities Custodian
2005 facility additions, parking expansion
In 2004 a Charity laity focus group proposed expansion of the Charity facility to include new space within the Sanctuary, a kitchen, fellowship hall, main floor restrooms, nursery, prayer room, and additional updates to the lower level children/youth area. During 2005 and into 2006, construction ensued with much of the tear down and finish work performed by laity. A new parking lot was designed and built and many, many hours of landscaping along Aspen and Washington were completed, in addition to the terraced wall designed by Tracy Leetun and built by donated labor from disciples. Duane Bentz, Jerome Walz, and Roger Kjonaas were honored for their work in leading the Construction Management Committee. Steve Miller served as president of the congregation during this critical time.
The following is a report submitted by Darlene Bentz about Rally Sunday 2006 - the dedication of the new addition:
To God be the Glory!
“It is God who works in you to will and to act |
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What a totally beautiful Dedication/Rally Sunday we enjoyed on September 10, 2006! The whole building was filled with all ages – our congregation disciples, children, as well as visitors,- worshipping, enjoying lunch in the Big Tent, taking tours through the building. A large number of volunteers helped to make the day a meaningful and fun event in the life of our church. I heard the comment, “So many people were exhibiting their spiritual gifts, thus making it enjoyable for individuals, as well as a unified whole body of Christ.” I Corinthians 12:12 and following says that the body is made up of many parts, and that God has arranged each part, each person, just as He wants them to be. There are no lesser or greater parts (gifts).
On September 10, did you notice any of the following? Sunday School (Kingdom Builders) teachers and students, dancers, drama, worshippers,
sound, lighting, and video technicians, musicians, ushers, clowns and puppets, designers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters, greeters and tour guides, cooks and bakers, financial givers, landscapers, artists, servers, pray-ers, preachers and speakers, motorcycle riders, ministry booths, missions outreach, beautifully arranged flowers, custodial, wood and paint artisans, decorators?
What a great multitude of people, all working together to bring Charity’s project to a close! We now look to the future, where we will use our facility and all spiritual gifts to bring family, friends, and neighbors into the shelter, introducing them to Christ’s transforming love. ~ Darlene Bentz
2006 ~ Rev. Bob Nordvall and wife Karen spend several months on Sabbatical in Europe, working within the Eastern European Missions Network.
2006 ~ A team of Charity Disciples launch "Riverside Harvest Ministry" in South Bismarck, an outreach to people in the Riverside School area, feeding an average of 200 people each Tuesday night.
2009 ~ Rev. Bob Nordvall resigns as senior pastor to become a staff member of Eastern European Missions Network. He is commissioned on January 10, 2010. Pastor Scott Bauman is appointed Congregational Life Pastor and Pastor Randy Upgren is appointed Teaching/Preaching Pastor.
