Dick Johnson first heard about Advent back in 1983 when his oldest daughter was planning to marry a man who was Catholic. The Johnson family’s church said they would perform the wedding only if the fiance converted to Lutheranism. Then the husband-to-be’s home church said they would perform the wedding if the bride converted to Catholicism. The couple came to Advent and Pastor Jerry said, “As long as you love each other, I will marry you.”
Life went on; Dick and his wife continued raising their family in Brooklyn Center and attending church in the area. Then Covid hit and Dick’s wife became seriously ill. Both of these things kept Dick away from church. In May of 2022, Vada, Dick’s beautiful wife for 68 years, passed away.
Since meeting in a high school English class, Dick and Vada had spent almost all their lives together. The grief Dick felt was almost too much to bear. He felt like he had lost part of himself. Friends and family helped and supported him and encouraged him to join a grief support group which he found helpful. His friend, Ed Dalman, kept encouraging him to come to his church. One day he called and said, “Advent is having a pancake breakfast. Why don’t you come?”
Dick came to Advent and found the most welcoming church he had ever attended. Little things like Pastor Elizabeth holding open the door for him when he arrived, Betsy Cardinal and others coming up and talking to him, and Pastor Elizabeth saying his name as he received communion made him feel welcomed. At the picnic, Colette said the choir could use a few more male voices. Dick joined the choir and found a smaller group of Advent members who were very easy to talk to.
Music is one way Dick finds joy, and he loves the wide variety of music used in services. This year for the All Saints celebration in November, Dick brought Vada’s photo to be included in the slide presentation. As her picture went up on the screen, the music playing was “You Raise Me Up,” which was a song played at Vada’s celebration of life.
Dick has found a new home here at Advent. The love and generosity of this congregation makes our church a welcoming home away from home filled with inspiring music, real fellowship and most importantly the Spirit of God.
