| October 6, 2009 Readers of
IronwoodInfo probably are aware that Joy Ibsen
is one the organizers and curators of the
fantastic Trout Creek Art Show. In addition to
love of art, Joy also loves to write and she is
a very accomplished author.
In April 2006 Joy became the editor of the
monthly periodical, Church and Life, a
publication of the Danish Interest Conference
under the auspices of the ELCA. (See website
www.churchandlife.org). In this capacity she
enjoys writes a monthly editorial on social,
political or religious issues (Post Script). She
has also published several articles in Church
and Life, the most recent being “The Wives of
NFS Grundtvig” (Vol LVIII, September, 2008). She
has also published articles in “The Bridge”
include “The Legacy of the Danish Resistance in
World War II” (“The Bridge,” Vol. 27, No. 1-2,
2004) and “Songs of Denmark: Songs to Live By –
Cultural Values Expressed in Traditional Danish
Music. (“The Bridge” Vol. 29, No. 2, 2006).
During the past six years, Joy has presented
numerous multi-media lectures. In April 2006 she
was awarded the prestigious Danish Heritage
Preservation Award by Grand View College.
Joy has recently written a new book
"Unafraid"
"Unafraid is about living free from fear in
what today is a fear-inducing world. We are
surrounded by fearfulness in television, video
games, news programs, advertisements, and
politics. Unfortunately, even religion often
uses fear as a means of control, even though the
Bible repeatedly bids us: "Fear not." To be
unafraid is not a matter of being brave or
courageous. It is simply living, learning,
enjoying the real world, free from intimidation,
in communion with God and neighbor." stated
Ibsen.
What if you could look into the hearts and
minds of listeners in the congregation during
sermons? What is happening in their lives? What
does the gospel or sermon, these “life lessons”
really mean to them—or not mean?
In Unafraid, selections from 30 years of
straightforward sermons are grouped according to
the church year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany,
Lent, Easter, Pentecost) beginning with
Christmas 1939. Reconstructed from Harald
Ibsen’s sermon notes by his daughter Joy, each
candid sermon is followed by a listener’s story
(some autobiographical, some fictional) showing
the relationship of the message to that person’s
life.
To experience “The Living Word” between pew
and pulpit creates a new awareness of the
exciting dynamic between pastor and parishioner,
teacher and student, author and reader.
Ibsen’s timeless sermons and the stories that
follow address such questions as: What is the
truth about our lives? What is the main task of
parents? How does one respond to evil? Why do we
keep having war? Did God want Jesus (and now us)
to suffer? How do we know when the Holy Spirit
is present? What is the downfall of official
religion?
Harald Ibsen began his pastoral career by
hopping a freight train during the depression
and traveling with hoboes to his first parish.
The book recounts this unusual journey, then
fast forwards to a “conversation” between
daughter and father after his death forty years
later.
The sermons and parishioner's stories, begin
when his daughter, Joy was is in her mother’s
womb and extend to fictional accounts of church
members confronting huge personal issues.
Thoughtful, honest interpretation of
scripture as it relates to everyday life is
essential if we are to live in a community,
“unafraid,” enjoying “a simple life, a merry
heart.” What could be richer? At a time when
church membership is dwindling and ethnic
identity alternately wanes and flourishes,
“Unafraid” makes a strong case for the
significance of the Church in people’s lives.
The sermons are reconstructed from actual
original notes. The autobiographical stories are
creative nonfiction while the stories of the
parishioners are fiction. Each section cycles
through a series of many years. Sermons, given
at a particular time and place, are organized in
sections according to the church year. This
gives both a linear construct-- a sense of
living history—within the framework of cyclical
time. An extensive appendix is included,
primarily Biblical references.
The audience for Unafraid includes present,
former, or “wannabe” Christians who hunger for a
religion that helps them live freer, happier
lives and who learn from the struggles of other
people in community. The book is an especially
helpful read for clergy and students of
religion. It will provide clergy and professors
with increased awareness and insight into what
is happening in the thoughts and actions of
their listeners! Unafraid will serve very well
in discussion classes of various venues.
Reviews:
"This intergenerational collusion of father
and daughter makes available for us a testimony
of faith that is light, knowing, hope-filled and
honest."
Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological
Seminary
"I am mightily moved and impacted by the
insightful sermons and stories"
Pastor Harry Andersen, Bishop Emeritus,
Northern Great Lakes Synod ELCA
"Unafraid reminds readers -- preachers and
parishioners alike -- that the gospel is rightly
preached when it is heard and received:
sometimes convicting, sometimes comforting,
always bringing life."
L. DeAne Lagerquist, St Olaf College
Joy Ibsen was born in Tyler, MN and lived her
growing up years in small town Midwestern
communities. Today she is a writer, editor,
musician, piano teacher and lay minister who
lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A graduate
of Grand View and Shimer Colleges, Joy did her
graduate work in Religion and Art at the
University of Chicago, where she had two courses
with Paul Tillich. In July 2005 her first book,
Songs of Denmark, Sange for Danskere: Songs to
Live By was published through A-R Editions, Inc.
It contains 48 songs with photographs by
prizewinning National Geographic photographer,
Sisse Brimberg and is accompanied by a 70 minute
CD by the Grand View College Kantorei. (See
website www.danamerica.com). The songbook
reflects the philosophy of N.F.S. Grundtvig,
also a major influence in her new book,
Unafraid.
"Unafraid" is published by Wipf and
Stock of Eugene, Oregon publishes new works in
theology, biblical studies, church history,
philosophy and related disciplines. Its vision
is to publish according to the merits of content
rather than exclusively to the demands of the
marketplace.
Joy has two other manuscripts in process.
Hatchings is a personal history of changing
perceptions of death. The Sickness of the Oyster
is the Pearl presents the potential of Breast
Cancer as an experience of spiritual growth and
addresses the challenge of weaving medical
technology with natural healing.
contact Joy at:
joy@joyibsen.com
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