At St. Paul, the Living Room is one place where relationships with God and others bloom. With blue floral couches, a fireplace, and a coffee table, it is comfortable and familiar. And as the rhythms of time pass by, this place is a regular meeting sp…
I have never had anyone call me from a national polling organization and ask my opinion about something important. Makes me feel kind of left out. If I’m an average person, and those survey outfits want a cross sampling of average people, how come th…
Welcome to West Acres, established in 2002, a collection of John Deere and other farming equipment. Yes, it’s an intriguing collection of tractors, plows, bicycles, and all sorts of other things. But it’s also a collection that showcases the challeng…
It all started with a group of (mostly) musicians from the Open Spirit contemporary service. Brad Suhr. Jeff and Jamie Carroll. Hans Schnekloth. And “the Steves” – Steve Baril and Steve Anderson. They are Ten Mile Radius. Their most recent gig? Playi…
These are the weeks when wild-eyed graduates around the country sit in stuffy gymnasiums, or under the great big sun, waiting for the announcement to switch the tassel on their skullcap from one side to the other. Some are surprised. Some are honored…
Lyle Sheldon grew up in rural Clinton County, working as a farmhand until he was drafted by the Army in 1941. After training in Louisiana, his division was loaded up on ships and sent to Northern Ireland…then to Scotland…then to Africa. His unit was…
Hope, it seems, can be very hard to find. On Monday, I found myself at the gym, trying to do anything that would distract me from the painstakingly slow clock ticking down on the treadmill. So I looked up at the handful of TV screens lining the front…
Lauren Schroeder heard the name Dietrich Bonhoeffer mentioned in a sermon at St. Paul, as well as in her confirmation studies. Lauren, a student at Rivermont Collegiate, was intrigued by what she heard about the theologian and Nazi dissenter – so muc…
I don’t know Raul Castro personally. My travel itinerary in the coming months doesn’t appear to be bringing me close to his company either. If given the chance, however, I’d love to tool around Havana in the backseat of one of those ’57 Chevy taxis,…
Yeehaw! It’s a country picnic with all the fixin’s! Bring your lawn chair, sunscreen, straw hats, and boots for all sorts of fun in the sun for all ages. Burgers, pork chops, and hot dogs will sizzle on the grill. Bring a dish to share – desserts for…
On the 900 block of Tremont Avenue in Davenport, two Habitat for Humanity homes will be built this year. One is supported primarily by Catholics, in honor of Pope Francis. The other is supported primarily by Lutherans, including St. Paul. Kristi Craf…
As the water dances, and shoots, and gurgles, and flows, from the stone fountain at Vander Veer Botanical Park – people surely know that spring is here in the Quad Cities. As drivers buzz by on Harrison and Brady streets, and see walkers and joggers…