People deserve second chances, but for those who have been incarcerated or have a criminal record, getting those second chances can be difficult. St. Paul provides mission support to Safer Foundation, whose mission is to help justice-involved persons…
Trying new things and ‘putting yourself out there’ is difficult. It requires taking risks, but those risks can pay off. Learning new skills, especially at an older age, helps people live longer and produces a sense of accomplishment. These St. Paul p…
When Larry’s wife Teresa was hired as the St. Paul visitation chaplain in March of 2022, he started volunteering for projects throughout the building. In fact, it was his craftsmanship that made last summer’s I-Spy boxes possible, and the grandfather…
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A few weeks ago, I was moving around the kitchen getting a few things ready for dinner, when our 3-year-old, Micah, climbed up on his stool that enables him to reach the kitchen counter. As he stepped up, he noticed a bag of Doritos sitting open on t…
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The fruits of our labor tend to flourish in the summertime. Students who have dedicated themselves to hours of study finally graduate to the next grade level or receive their diplomas. Teachers bid farewell to the students they’ve impacted and helped…
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As Peter and Susan’s time at St. Paul comes to a close this month, they sat down to reflect on their past 28 years and look forward to what’s penciled into the next chapter of their lives. The phone rang a little after 2 p.m. on a January Sunday afte…
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Recently, I’ve been catching up on a 2023 Netflix miniseries called, “Bodies.” I’m only halfway through it, so I don’t risk tipping any spoilers (and I’ll appreciate it if no one sends any my way). What makes it fascinating to me is the central role…
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One of the privileges of ministry is experiencing death on a regular basis. Yes, privilege. I’m talking about being actually present for other people’s deaths; though I also could imply death to a variety of myths about immortality, immunity, invinci…
Megan Strusz, St. Paul member and nursing student at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, made it her mission to bring her nursing talents to communities in Costa Rica with limited access to healthcare. Megan knew she wanted to study abroad…
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My best friend, Adam, and I have never lived in the same town. Through life’s chances, we’ve always been separated by at least a drive on the interstate. While we text and check in on each other every day, our favorite pastime is sending each other t…
It takes many hands to keep the St. Paul campus looking its best. The Memorial Garden, the sidewalks, parking lots, the front entrance, and all sides of St. Paul need lots of loving care like mowing, weeding, planting, pruning, and more. A group of n…
Sunday, June 2, 4-6 p.m., North Lawn Mark your calendars for an early evening of food, music, games, and celebration. Bring your lawn chair and your joy of being together. Dinner and desserts will be provided. The church lawn will be full of fun and…