Enno Limvere
When Enno Limvere came to work on Tuesday, December 15, he was greeted by five colorful paper origami cranes placed on the doorstep of his office.
The new minister of the First Congregational United Church of Christ smiled as he explained, “I’m not sure who put them there, but people are dropping them off little by little. I challenged the church to make 1000 paper cranes. We are putting them in the pews to represent us since we can’t be here.”
The idea to make the cranes came from the book “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.” Written by Eleanor Coerr. The true story is about a young lady (Sadako) who is suffering from leukemia caused by radiation from the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
Inspired by a Japanese legend that one who creates a thousand origami cranes would be granted one wish, Sadako embarks on making a thousand cranes with the wish that if she can do so, she would be granted the right to conquer leukemia. In the book she falls short of her goal, dying before she can make 1,000 origami cranes, but her task is picked up by friends and relatives.
Enno, who hails from Jamestown, North Dakota, was introduced to the story when he was a young man.
A pastor for more than 20 years, Enno has served churches in Walker, Minnesota, a church in North Dakota and two in South Dakota. “My last church was in Ipswich, outside of Aberdeen, South Dakota. It was a small church with about 45 members. I was a part-time minister, working three-quarters time.”
Coming to Cook County wasn’t Enno’s first choice. “My wife, Kileen, needed a swimming pool. I knew about this job but didn’t think a town of this size would have a swimming pool, so I didn’t look at it. When we found out Grand Marais had a YMCA with a pool, I was very interested.”
Kileen had been heavily involved in a swim club in Aberdeen, rising to coach the team, and loves the sport of swimming.
As a college student at North Dakota State University (NDSU) majoring in Child Development and Science, Enno worked as a youth minister, captaining a 28-foot boat. He took kids on trips to the Apostle Islands and guided youth trips to Thunder Bay and Lutsen, so he was familiar with our area.
“I thought I would always be a youth minister, but as time went on, I attended Lancaster Seminary and received a Master’s degree in theology and moved into ministry.”
Music is Enno’s main hobby. He sings, plays guitar, bass guitar, and has picked up playing the mandolin since the pandemic came along. “Back in Aberdeen, I did Karaoke once a month at a coffee shop. I like to play old country, bluegrass, and Americana, light rock. I also played in a rockabilly swing band with my brother that did covers of the Ramones. My brother is a punk rocker at heart.”
Because of the pandemic, Enno has been slowly meeting the congregation. He conducts church services by Zoom and has held some small gatherings outside. He’s planning more outside meetings in small groups if the weather permits. Slowly but surely, he’s getting to know the people in the church, and is enjoying making new friends with the parishioners.
Married for eight years, the couple is settling into their home at the parsonage, putting away nickknacks and unpacking boxes. Some of the boxes haven’t been opened since Enno was single. “My wife is finding things in those boxes we can use, and some things we are finding we don’t need at all,” he said with a laugh.
Warm and welcoming, Enno is ready to meet more people in the community. He’s already talked to several pastors, saying they have been more than gracious in showing support to him. “As pastors, we need each other,” he said, noting he had a Zoom meeting coming up shortly with area ministers.
As for the paper origami cranes, the congregation has folded and created more than 300. Just like people, they come in all sizes and colors, and are starting to fill the pews. As for the real life Sadako, a statue of her holding a ruby crane was unveiled in 1999 at the Hiroshima Peace Park. A plaque at the foot of the statue reads: “This is our cry. This prayer. Peace on Earth.”
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