Just over three weeks ago, a rather intriguing news alert came across my phone. The headline read: “For the first time in its 84-year history, the New York Times Magazine has printed an unsolvable crossword puzzle.” I’m not quite sure that was worthy…
St. Paul member Andrea Weter has been bringing creativity, faith, and service to St. Paul’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) for over a decade. Here’s the woman behind the felt, fabric, and fun. Andrea’s mind is on summer and has been for a few months alr…
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Scripture guides us to “be still” (Psalm 46:10) and trust. This is not an easy task and often takes some self-convincing when life throws us a curveball. Outside of our everyday anxieties and worries, there are moments in life when our heart feels he…
Cooper Schou has an ear for sound. Now he’s using his talents at St. Paul as he joins the staff in a new role built around worship, digital media, and the music that has defined his life. Cooper Schou has never really stopped playing. Drums in fifth…
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In the last few weeks, the tower standing high above the sanctuary here at St. Paul has looked different. Because of a failing in the material of the fascia (the outside “skin” of the tower) we need to replace the exterior. This enormous project beco…
The 129 House has long been home to the St. Paul residency program and the office of counselor Steve Kalber — and Steve isn’t going anywhere. But the house has taken on a new purpose: three nonprofits with deep roots in the St. Paul community have li…
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In February, right around the time that Lent started, I added a new habit to my nightly routine. I was scrolling on TikTok when I came across this idea of a “glimmer.” A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. It’s a little moment that puts a smile on…
Connie King has been planting native species in her yard for years — watching for butterflies, waiting for birds, noticing what grows and what doesn’t. For a long time, she did it quietly and mostly alone. That changed about a year ago, when a handfu…
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My garden looks bare. It is so bare that it is slightly depressing. What ended last season as a lush and beautiful area is now scraggly; the proportions are all completely off. Why? Because I just split up the plants. The hostas. My family spent th…
If you’ve stood outside St. Paul and looked up, you’ve seen it: the sanctuary tower, rising above the roofline, capped with a large cross. It’s easy to take for granted. It was designed that way. But for years, water has been finding its way inside —…
The seasons of the church year shape our rhythms, marking moments of reflection and growth. We know what to expect when Advent approaches and again when Lent rolls around. These seasons come with practices, themes, and invitations we anticipate each…
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I ‘ve spent a lot of time walking down memory lane recently. As many of you know, this is the second time I’ve called Iowa home, the first being during my years at Wartburg College. Those memories are resurfacing and one in particular has stayed with…