By Pastor Craig Pederson It was almost 15 years ago when I participated in my first online worship experience. A wonderful young couple was getting married at the small urban church where I was serving. The groom was from out of state, and unfortunately his father could not attend the wedding because of health issues. [...]
By Meghan Olsen Biebighauser Month Nine of this pandemic has me thinking about how connected we are to our place – like, our literal coordinates. For the most part, I haven’t left my zip code in months. The walks that my family take are around the same couple of blocks; the people we wave to as [...]
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen Last night, I realized my husband has a special calling – preparing warm campfires so our family can gather outdoors during the pandemic. I had no idea Bill had this gift. What special new calling have you discovered for yourself during the pandemic? I wish I could say that mine is [...]
By Brenda Blackhawk I love this time of year: the cold snap in the air, the spicy scents, and the pretty lights and decorations. And, I love the relational aspects of the season – the gifts (both the giving and receiving), the jokes, the games, and, of course, the incredible meals shared with loved ones. Advent into Christmas is one of [...]
By Bob Hulteen I’m getting ready for a vacation (because in last week’s blog Pastor John said we all should “take ‘em”), so this blog is only three hot takes. You can "take 'em" or leave 'em. Hot Take 1 The nine bishops of Region 3 and their staffs meet each November, usually [...]
By Pastor John Hulden I turn 61 next week. I’m old, and not necessarily wise. I tell you this because I’m going to sound like a grumpy old guy — during a pandemic no less. But blogs are not only exclusively warm fuzzies, are they? So here goes. Continue reading at your own risk. I [...]
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen What does “discipleship in a democracy” look like after the 2020 election? (Among the many gems in our ELCA Social Message on government is the phrase “discipleship in a democracy” used in the title.) “Listen more than speak.” So much can be said about our callings as Christians in this moment [...]
By Pastor Craig Pederson We recently celebrated two significant rites of passage in our household. In September, our 16-year-old son Evan successfully obtained his driver’s license on his second attempt. (He maintains that he should have passed the first time, but the test administrator nailed him on a minor technical detail – another “life just [...]
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen Where do you find hope? In the polarization leading up to the election, what hope sustains you? I shouldn’t be surprised that I find hope in the writings of Marilynne Robinson. The honest hope in her books, Gilead and Lila and, perhaps, her latest book, Jack (though I’m still 115 on [...]
By Madeline Troyer While hiking the Great Smoky Mountains on the Appalachian Trail, I wrote in my journal: “It’s amazing how much the forest can change in a day, for a while we were on a ridge with small trees ancient trees, then a pine forest, now hardwoods, clusters of beech trees, a different type [...]
