Carol Noren papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 117

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Carol Noren papers, 1971-1983 and undated, has been organized into five series: Biographical, Augustana, Correspondence, Salem United Methodist Church, and Miscellaneous. Much (if not all) of the collection appears to have been collected by Augustana College faculty members Nils and Signe Anderson, in correspondence with Noren. Nils Anderson was a professor of Swedish and sponsor of the Scandinavian Club, and Signe Anderson taught art. Along with detailed letters, Noren also sent the Andersons clippings, photographs, pamphlets, and other ephemeral materials relating to her personal endeavors, or items simply for amusement.

The Augustana series includes a collection of issues of "Andreen Desk Workers' Gazette," exams and assignments from Swedish classes, a notebook from the Augustana Nordic Student Association, and other miscellaneous items pertaining to Noren's time at Augustana.

The Correspondence series consists of letters that Noren wrote to Nils and Signe Anderson. The correspondence began when Noren was still a student at Augustana and continued through the years as she pursued her career as a minister. Her letters tend to be rich in detail in many aspects of her daily life. Where possible, all items that Noren included with a letter or note have been kept together. Some items have been separated and cannot be reliably reassembled.

The Salem United Methodist Church series includes church bulletins; "Salem News," the monthly newsletter of the church; audiocassette recordings of Noren's sermons; and miscellaneous programs, letters, leaflets, and announcements. These items date from Noren's tenure there, 1977-1981. Nils and Signe Anderson were subscribers to the "Salem News" and were likely sent the other items directly from Noren.

The Miscellaneous series contains photographs, "Barrington Book Club" publications that were written by Noren, brochures, menus, magazines, programs, and clippings. Some of these items may have been sent to the Andersons.

Dates

Creation: 1971-1983 and undated

Creator

Noren, Carol Marie (Person)

Language of Materials

English and Swedis

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection. Audiovisual materials may be inaccessible pending reformatting. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

Carol Noren was born and raised in Chicago, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gustav A. Noren. She graduated from Augustana College in 1973 with a B.A. in Scandinavian studies and religion. While at Augustana, she was active in the Augustana Nordic Student Association (formerly known as the Augustana Swedish Club) where she served as secretary/treasurer. She was also the queen of the annual Santa Lucia Festival in 1972.

Carol Noren was the first woman graduate of Augustana to enter the ministry. She became a deacon in 1974 and completed her master of divinity degree at Garrett Evangelical Seminary in 1977, where she graduated with honors in preaching. She was ordained as an elder by the United Methodist Church 17 June 1979 at Salem United Methodist Church in Barrington, Illinois. In 1981, Noren left to pursue her PhD at Princeton Theological Seminary and received her doctorate in 1986.

She served as pastor and hospital chaplain in Manchester, England (1975-1976) and associate pastor of Salem United Methodist Church in Barrington, Ill., from 1977 to 1981. Between 1986 and 1993, she served on faculty at Duke Divinity School and currently is the Wesley W. Nelson Professor of Homiletics at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Noren has written three books: What Happens Sunday Morning: A Layperson's Guide to Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 1992), The Woman in the Pulpit (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1991), and In Times of Crisis and Sorrow: A Minister's Manual Research Guide (San Francisco : Jossey-Bass, 2001).

Extent

1.4 Cubic Feet (/ 5 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Carol Noren was the first woman graduate of Augustana Theological Seminary to enter the ministry. She served as pastor and hospital chaplain in Manchester, England (1975-1976) and associate pastor of Salem United Methodist Church in Barrington, Ill., from 1977 to 1981. Between 1986 and 1993, she served on faculty at Duke Divinity School and currently is the Wesley W. Nelson Professor of Homiletics at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. The Carol Noren papers, 1971-1983 and undated, contains correpondence, clippings, photographs, pamphlets, and other ephemeral materials relating to Noren's personal endeavors, primarily addressed to Nils and Signe Anderson.