Delegates gather at the 2025 Annual Meeting on May 6 in the Newman-Benson Chapel at Lyngblomsten’s Como Park campus in Saint Paul.

By Mara Gawarecki

A lesser-known but vitally important role at Lyngblomsten is the church delegate.  Simply put, delegates serve as liaisons between the corporate member congregations and Lyngblomsten.

When Lyngblomsten reincorporated in 1960, it established member congregations as part of being gifted to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Each congregation appoints 3–6 delegates to serve as its representatives in official Lyngblomsten matters.  Some come to the role having volunteered with Lyngblomsten, some have been former employees, and at least one was inspired to become a delegate after a stay in Lyngblomsten’s transitional care unit.

These delegates offer input on the direction of the organization by attending meetings—including voting on new directors for the board of directors at the annual meeting—and giving suggestions and feedback.

The relationship flows both ways, with Lyngblomsten providing resources and church delegates spreading the word about the resources and services Lyngblomsten offers.  For Julia Nordling of Centennial United Methodist Church in Roseville, being a delegate means serving as a connector between the two.

“I work to promote and advocate for the various programs and services offered at Lyngblomsten,” she said.

Julia Nordling (far left) poses with other delegates from Roseville’s Centennial United Methodist Church at last year’s Annual Meeting, where Centennial celebrated 25 years as a member church.

In her former role as parish nurse, Julia highlighted Lyngblomsten and its services by hosting a Care Team Sunday as a way of promoting the support available for older adults.  For example, since Centennial doesn’t host its own support group for memory loss caregivers, she referred potential attendees to one offered by Lyngblomsten.  She also helped connect caregivers to the supports offered by Lyngblomsten Community Services.

Julia also distributed flyers for events and copies of Lyngblomsten Lifestyle and verbally promoted other events and resources.  The delegates from Centennial have volunteered in various roles and attended fundraising events for the Lyngblomsten Foundation.

“We are ambassadors, giving the elevator speech about who and what Lyngblomsten is and what it does,” Julia said.

Jane Danielson, delegate from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Saint Paul, delivers the Secretary’s Report at the May 1, 2018, Annual Meeting.

Some delegates volunteer to serve on committees or the board, like Jane Danielson, a delegate from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Saint Paul.  She is one of several delegates who have risen up to play a bigger role in Lyngblomsten’s oversight.  Jane’s excellent work as a delegate was noticed, and she was recruited to serve on the board of directors.

Throughout her time as a delegate and director, Jane offered thoughtful advice gleaned from her time working with banking executives in the financial services industry.  In turn, she promoted Lyngblomsten’s offerings to her church community.  Jane continues to serve on the Governance Committee.

In their role as connectors between Lyngblomsten and their churches, delegates spread the word about Lyngblomsten and share insights about issues affecting older adults in their congregations.  Together, Lyngblomsten and church delegates promote quality of life for older adults.