A painting of Vukku Lutheran Church in Foxhome. (Vukku Lutheran Church Facebook page)
Foxhome, MN – After 134 years of stewardship, Vukku Lutheran Church in Foxhome is closing its doors.
On Sunday, May 18th, Vukku will be holding its Holy Closure service. Pastor Julie Carlson says the conversation to close the church’s doors has been going since before she was called to serve in 2022. She says, “The church had made the determination that part of their role is stewardship. They had decided that when they reached the point where they were no longer able, just because of age or ability, to do outreach ministry that that would probably be the time to conclude their time as an active congregation.”
Vance Johnson is the current President of the congregation and more importantly, a lifelong member of Vukku. He says, “I can realize that it’s time to do it, move on. But I’ve been baptized there, Sunday school, confirmed, gone there my entire married life.
Johnson says making the move to a new church is going to be tough, “We’re a small congregation and, being there all my life, we all knew everybody as personal friends. You just talk about what’s going on in your life during the week and what you’re looking forward to in the next week, and how are your kids? It’s gone, that’s going to be gone.”
While members of the congregation are coming to terms with the loss, Pastor Carlson is looking at it differently, “I think Vukku is just a stellar example of how even small numbers can make a powerful impact on a community and individuals. So, it’s really a celebration of this ministry, this historical ministry. Just as we, in a funeral service, we celebrate the life and the impact that goes beyond that funeral service, and in this case, the Holy Closure service.”
The service will begin at 9:30 Sunday morning, followed by the Blessing of the Cemetery, and a lunch and fellowship in the church basement directly after.
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