Apostolic Lutheran Church Convention coming to Hurley

HURLEY— The 105th Apostolic Lutheran Church Convention begins July 10 with a service at 7 p.m. at the Hurley K-12 school, said convention chair Alan Estola.

It runs through July 14.

From 1,000 to 1,500 people are expected from all over the U.S., as well as Finland, Sweden, Canada, Guatemala and other countries, Estola said.

The event was held here last in 1997. When it was here in the 1950s, Dorothy Benjamson, a long-time member of the local Apostolic Lutheran Church in Ironwood, was 10 or 12. About 5,000 people came then, Benjamson said. Attendees have dwindled over the years due in part to the economy, Benjamson said.

“It's a time when people can get to know each other better and enjoy fellowship,” said Benjamson.

Church services will be held in both English and Finnish, with translators available, said Estola, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. each day. Seminars will be offered, with topics to be determined at the start of the convention.

Events for youth will be available in the evening.

That Saturday at 2 p.m. pastors will report about their missions throughout the world. After the tsunami, a mission in Sri Lanka established an orphanage for children who had lost their parents in the storm, Benjamson said.

Lunch will be served at noon each day, and dinner at 4, with a snack in the evening.

“The convention is a celebration of faith and life through Jesus Christ,” said Estola. “Everyone can come, not just Apostolic Lutherans.”

There is no charge for any of the events, but a free-will offering will be taken.