Ephraim Moravian Celebrates the Service of Rev. Dan and Jendean Olson

(From left) Ram Rojas, Jendean Olson, Dan Olson. Submitted.

The Rev. Dan Olson was scheduled to stand in for Pastor Dawn Volpe at Ephraim Moravian Church on June 13: the day of Olson’s 50th ordination anniversary as an Evangelical Lutheran minister. Olson’s wife, Jendean, retired in 2020 from longtime service as the church’s organist and choir director. 

As a retirement gift for Jendean, artist Ram Rojas was commissioned to create an oil painting of her sitting at Ephraim’s organ, but the pandemic had delayed its presentation. Rojas – renowned as a book illustrator, muralist and portrait artist – was also the lay reader for the service.

As a surprise for Jendean, Rojas presented the painting to her at the end of the service. Much of the service was a surprise to both Olsons because family members and guests from previous congregations also attended.