This summer, our church council had a two night retreat led by Rev. Justin Grimm from the Saint Paul Area Synod to learn about our spiritual gifts. Our council spends a lot of our time working on “business” during regular meetings—trying to be efficient and make wise decisions...
Earlier this month, I attended a Saint Paul Area Synod Event featuring Rev. Dr. Martin Junge, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The LWF is a coalition of 148 different church bodies, 99 countries, and 75 million Lutherans around the world. That’s a lot of...
For 2 days in October, leaders from across the Saint Paul Area Synod gathered for the annual Bishop’s Theological Conference. This year’s theme, “More Than Can Be Told” featured the ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton as our keynote and guest. The conference...
We all engage the world in different ways. We have different life rhythms. Different types of families. Different cares and struggles and challenges. We find joy and hope in different places. We’re old and young, lonely and desperate for solitude. We span the...
It is no secret that anxiety is on the rise in our culture. Turn to almost any media form, outlet or medical report and you will find reference to rising rates of mental health problems, diagnoses, and symptoms of anxiety rampant all around us. We live in a fast-paced...
Vocation means “calling.” It is something that each of us has, whether we are 6 or 96. Vocation is not some special gift for faith heroes in the Bible like Peter or Moses - or for church workers, deacons, pastors, and bishops. Vocation is also not (necessarily) your...
I have only been at Faith Lutheran for two weeks and have received such a gracious welcome! Here’s a chance to learn a bit more about me. I am an ELCA Minister of Word and Service (or deacon) and have served in various ministries for the last 15 years in South Dakota, South...