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In the village of Masaka, Denis Ssempala lived with his father, mother, and two siblings – a younger brother and an older sister. Their home was a simple one, without running water or electricity. He remembers feeling loved and listened to, especiall…
St. Paul Preschool will add a new classroom this coming year, one especially for 5-year-olds. B4K (Before Kindergarten) is designed for students who are eligible to start kindergarten but could benefit from an additional year of preschool. The class…
St. Paul’s social worker, Angie Vaaler, is available to supplement the counseling services of our pastors. Her services to St. Paul members and the Madison Elementary School community assist those who may be going through a difficult transition, stru…
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I’m not always the most health conscious person, but over Christmas, my younger sister kept fussing with her Fitbit so, growing curious, I asked her what it did. Pulling up the app on her phone, she showed me how it tracked her steps, monitored her s…
For years, Dan Barry wrote a column called “This Land” for the New York Times. A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, he wandered around the country to tell stories. At some point about five years ago, he realized that he hadn’t been to Iowa in a coupl…
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Editor’s note: A couple of weeks ago, Pastor Sara Olson-Smith wrote about how she loves the snow. Pastor Katy Warren would like to offer a rebuttal. I hate the snow. Hate is a strong word. Perhaps “very much dislike” would be a bit kinder. Some will…
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Is it ever okay to lie? Our numerous and nuanced responses to this question could fill a library. None of them, however, should mask the fact that we all lie. Most of us are quite adept at it. We may lie to promote ourselves or protect ourselves or i…
With excitement for a couple of new programs, and gratefulness for a camp filled with kids last summer, the staff of Camp Shalom is looking forward to a fun and faith-filled adventure for summer 2019. Registration is now open. Tom Bley, executive dir…
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On Sunday, I met up with 120 of my closest friends from church for no other reason than to put on wheeled shoes and wiggle around on a slick surface. That’s right, we went roller skating. It’s good to switch things up like this. To see the people you…
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Editor’s note: Emma Tews is a senior in high school. She recently shared her faith story during Sunday Night Live. If you know my family, you know that I have two sisters and we look and act very similarly because we are so close. I grew up as my old…
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I love the snow. I know I’m in the minority opinion on this. But I love it, even knowing the chaos a snowstorm brings to lots of people. It causes danger on roads and sidewalks. Poor, homeless, and elderly people are vulnerable to its cold. There are…
St. Paul’s annual meeting will be held on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 10:10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. This meeting includes items of important business such as approving the 2019 budget and review of 2018 financials and annual report. The congregation will consi…