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monday, january 26, 1981
daily nebraskan
page 3
it
Pastor retires after 30 years
Norden says students
kept him on his toes
By Reid Warren
Thirty years ago, the "Chapel on the
Mall' was the "Chapel in the Hall."
The hall was in the Nebraska Union
where the Rev. Alvin J. Nordcn would
wheel an altar out of a closet and hold ser
vices in a room on third floor.
After services were finished, Norden
would wheel the altar back into the closet
and the room would convert from a "cha
pel" back into an office.
Norden is retiring after 30 years as
pastor for the University Lutheran Chapel.
Things have become more convenient since
his start in 1951.
When Norden took over the job, he had
an office in the Temple building. Now he
uses a church at 1510 Q St., called "The
Chapel on the Mall" by all who attend.
Change for the Better
Norden has seen many changes since his
pastorial debut. He said most of them have
been for the better.
Norden said students arc more mature
now than when he started his ministry.
"1 haven't in any way lost my confi
dence in students over the years."
"There is more concern in wanting to
know what they believe in and why they
believe it," he said.
He said he doesn't see "the bad things
such as drinking and the misuse of God's
name" as much as he used to.
Patience, honesty
Norden said that being a pastor for
students has been a challenge and one that
requires patience and honesty.
Many people misjudge students, he said,
because they base their feelings on the ac
tions of a few students.
"People read papers about some students
setting a bonfire and everybody gets
thrown in the same category," he said.
"I've always been amazed at how most
students have kept their feet on the
ground."
Norden said that dealing with students
has helped him stay young at heart, even
though he has grown a little older and a
little slower.
"Even though you grow older in years,
you have to stay youthful," he said.
"I just look at a student it does some
thing to me."
Norden said he is more open to new
ideas and viewpoints than when he started
his ministry.
"If you're going to stay in this work
you've got to learn how to relate," he said.
Indefinite plans
Norden's plans for the future are indefi
nite. He will take a three month sabbatical
starting in the spring to "take some time
and think things over."
Yesterday, a special chapel service
commemorated Norden's 30 years of ser
vice. Norden said he will miss dealing with
students.
"It has been a great and thrilling chal
lenge and I have no desire to leave. But
there comes a time when you have to move
on to something else."
Norden is optimistic about his future.
"The Lord doesn't always let you do
what you want to do," he said, "but some
how in the end He's always right."
Norden said he was grateful for the
opportunity to serve in a student chapel.
"I've always felt that the Lord put me
here," he said. "Being on this campus, this
lively place, is what I'll miss."
Contracts awarded
The Nebraska Solar Office, through funds provided by
the UNL Energy Extension Service, has awarded contracts
to four Nebraska developers to plan subdivisions which
provide solar access and the building of homes that meet
minimal standards of energy etticiency.
The contracts ranging from $4,900 to $6,000, go to
Vakoc Construction Company of Wayne, Park Place
Ltd. of Lincoln, T. D. Johnson, Inc. of Juanita and N.
P. Dodge Development of Omaha.
Work on the projects will begin immediately and be
completed in the fall.
Off All Ski
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Gunny's Complex
476-0090
66th & "O"
East Park Plaza
464-0090
Sale Good at Both Locations
I he mean date
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If T .a. . I
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