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A childhood friend of mine is what you might describe as a bit of a daredevil or thrill-seeker. She will say “yes” to just about any opportunity. Or jump at the chance for any new sort of experience. I’m grateful for our decades of friendship because…
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Autumn is the season when every St. Paul member is invited to make a financial commitment for the life and work of St. Paul for the coming year. The vitality of the church depends on your involvement and generous giving. The pledges of St. Paul peopl…
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I have some brand-new fleece-lined jeans that don’t fit and need to be returned. That’s a hassle. No wonder Adam and Eve stuck with fig leaves. That these jeans don’t fit is my fault. What a foolish notion to believe that by sitting in a chair with a…
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Five pieces of vibrant religious art now hang in the Library Commons at St. Paul. Painted by Chinese artist, He Qi, these works tell beloved stories from the Bible using bold colors, geometric shapes, and Chinese motifs. The art display was funded by…
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Last week, I sat with some dear people as they told stories about their 91-year-old dad who had just died. I heard about Harry’s skills in woodworking, appreciation of baseball, the love of his family. I’d known this, but then his kids shared how he…
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At our house, we have a whole drawer in our kitchen designated solely for cords. It seems nearly everything we own needs its own charging cord. There are cell phone cords (of varying lengths and differing degrees to which they still function). Cords…
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The path to homeownership through Habitat for Humanity isn’t one you take alone. The community and friendships formed last long after construction ends. For Pam Crowe, it all started with a simple question as she waited for choir rehearsal to begin i…
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It really is a cesspool of germs. An infection site for both the predisposed and the unsuspecting; a high-risk environment for even the most cautious; a source of exponential viral growth. Yes, I am talking about social media. More specifically, I a…
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This summer, I took our kids to the Hurtsville Interpretative Center in Maquoketa, just north of us here in Eastern Iowa. It’s a nature center – full of trails and places to play in tallgrass prairie and wetlands. Our kids looked at flowers, watched…
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Stepping out of my car at home recently, I was struck by the curtain of sound that enveloped me as I walked into the house. The cicadas were alive in our sycamore (its name is “Charles,” because it’s “in charge” of the property). In an otherwise wond…
Written by Anna Thorne Sorry. It’s a word that is used to apologize for a mistake, a misinterpretation, an emotional outburst, or when someone accidentally bumps into you. It is a common word used in everyday vernacular, and for most people, it is no…
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This month marks ten years since I moved to the Quad Cities. I remember well those early weeks of exploring the area, finding my way to the closest grocery store or discovering new restaurants. Trying not to get too lost as I slowly became familiar w…