Post: Readers Respond

As Paul Holmer’s wife of sixty years, I learned to expect the unexpected, and when I read Professor Adell’s “Anecdotal Report” on Paul Holmer, I was reminded of the many ways my husband took me by surprise.

Arvid Adell caught the essence of Holmer from his laughter, his independence of thought, his understanding of God’s gift of humanity to all, and Holmer’s commitment to both his subject and his students.

I am most grateful to Professor Adell for capturing the spirit of Paul Holmer both as a scholar and a compassionate teacher.

And to Bruce Carlson:

Thank you for your lovely article about Paul’s contributions as a scholar and teacher and also about the wonderful celebration of his life. I have reread it many times; it keeps his memory alive for me. There were multiple facets to his life, and you understood many of them. How wonderful that you caught Paul on camera overlooking Leech Lake as he often did. Phyllis Holmer, Golden Valley

Dear Friends:

I wish to commend you and your colleagues for a fine publication. May God bless. Sincerely with appreciation, John R. Nyberg, Shoreview, Minnesota.

Phil Johnson: Your poem, “Moving On” in the last issue of Pietisten was outstanding. Going back to my early days as a student at Macalester, I have liked memorizing poems written by Alfred Houseman, Robert Frost, Robert Service, etc. I can still recite verbatim “The Cremation of Sam McGee” and “The Shooting of Dan McGrew”—however, I almost forget the names of family members. Ha ha. Your publication is a real gem, and like many of your readers, when it arrives, I read it front to back page. God bless you and your staff. Bob Florin, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

For some reason or another, I ended up finding Pietisten on the internet. Going through the issues I was transported back to my days at North Park Academy, ’61, College, ’65 and two years at North Park Seminary. I interned at Trinity Covenant Church in Livingston, New Jersey, 1967-68 under Carl Lugn, who was one of the most influential persons in my life and particularly in my development as a pastor. I received my Divinity degree from Andover Newton in 1969 and D.Min from the same institution in ’81. I served six years at the First Congregational Church in Turners Falls, Massachusetts and nine years at the Evangelical Congregational Church in Grafton, Massachusetts. I have been at the First Congregational Church in Fairport (Rochester), New York, for twenty-one years.

As I read the tributes to Mel Soneson, Burton Nelson and so many others, I was warmed by the memories of such vibrant and interesting people. John N. Cedarleaf, Fairport, New York.

Phil: How I look forward to receiving each new issue of Pietisten. First of all, it brings back each time some wonderful memories of the days at North Park. More importantly, the articles remind us again and again, that we have such a Godly heritage. Thanks be to God. I can’t wait to get my recording of the Johnson lectures. Sincerely, Jack McAfee, Vero Beach, Florida.