TOWER- A meaningful life is like a beautiful quilt, and that was the symbolism on display here last week as a sizable crowd of friends gathered at Immanuel Lutheran Church to recognize Pastor Art Dale, the recipient of the Heritage Quilt Award.
“This is the most meaningful volunteer award we give,” said Pastor Kathryn Tiede, associate vice-president of philanthropy for Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Minnesota. “It is not given out every year.”
Tiede talked about Dale’s lifetime of service and compared his life’s work to the quilt being presented to him. “This award is not simply a token of appreciation. It is a story stitched together with threads of service, compassion, and enduring faith,” she said. “It represents the selfless commitment of our volunteers, who show up again and again, to live out the Gospel through acts of love, justice, and hope.”
Dale, who now lives in Soudan with his wife Collette, has served as a parish pastor for 55 years, across northern Minnesota and other parts of the state. Besides his service to Lutheran congregations both here and abroad, he has focused his volunteer efforts on education and schools. He founded the nonprofit Volunteers in Education, which matches adult tutors with students in area schools on a long-term basis. He also founded Operation Bootstrap Tanzania, strengthening education in that African country.
Dale is also a potter, poet, author, musician and composer, playwright, and teacher. He also brews beer and crafts homemade wines.
“Art just doesn’t live life,” Tiede said. “He creates it, shapes it, and pours joy into every corner he touches.”
“Whether visiting a church on behalf of LSS, supporting the most vulnerable among us, or quietly mentoring the next generation of leaders, Art reminds us what the Gospel looks like when it’s lived fully: inclusive, joyful, just, and deeply human,” she said.
Now 95 years old, Dale is battling cancer, but was clearly moved by the ceremony and the reminders of the joy he has brought into the lives of those in his community, both near and far.
The Immanuel choir, of which Dale has been a member since moving to Soudan, presented a special song, “Come and Build a Church,” during the presentation. Choir pianist MaryBeth Reller noted that Dale was the group’s favorite tenor. They noted the song was perfect for the occasion, since Dale had been the important part of so many church congregations over the years.
Dr. Fred Ness also performed a traditional Dakota healing song.
Former Immanuel Pastor Liz Cheney thanked Dale for the countless people his life had touched over the years. Dale became a member of Immanuel at the same time that she started her own journey as a pastor at the church.
“You are in inspiration,” she said.
Pastor Andy Berry joked that his two congregations near Littlefork were probably the only in the synod that Dale hadn’t pastored for. He quoted from Numbers, about retiring from one’s duties at the age of 50, which obviously had never occurred to Dale, and then from Matthew, noting that Dale was a good and trustworthy servant.
Pastor Chuck Barnes, from Hoyt Lakes, first met Dale 29 years ago, right after Barnes was ordained. Dale, he noted, was ordained 68 years ago.
“Art is a bridge builder,” Barnes said. “He introduces new people to new ideas. Art likes to become a partner with people. It is an honor to call Art my friend and mentor.”
Tiede also spoke about Dale’s commitment to living a Christian life. “Through this intricate, intentional tapestry of experiences,” she said, “you remind us that our call as Christians is not just to believe in the Gospel, but to live it out, every day, with joy, courage, and compassion.”
“Thank you for your lifetime of vision and action,” Tiede continued. “Thank you for believing that even in a complicated world, joy and peace are still possible and worth fighting for.”
Bishop Amy Odgren echoed Tiede’s words.
“Our Lord was leading you,” she told Dale “You are a faithful servant of the Lord. You express joy and compassion. You have excitement for what the spirit will and can do.”
After the presentation, Dale visited with longtime friends, neighbors, and congregation members who had traveled to Tower for the event.
Cecilia Rolando, of Ely, met Dale well over 30 years ago when he was part of a performance troop from Orr called the Orr Pine Town Players. She arranged for them to do some performances in Ely for the Northern Lakes Arts Association, where she was the director.
“I am honored to know him,” she said. “This friendship, like many of Dale’s, came from his outreach and work in the community, not just in the church.”