Thank you for 26 years of combined service! Two long-time St. Paul staff members plan for retirement. Paula Durham, business manager Paula Durham, who oversees all the financial affairs of the church and works in close partnership with the Finance Co…
Faith stories are the culmination of confirmation at St. Paul every fall. Ninth-graders share brief presentations describing how they see God at work in the world and in their lives. “I can’t think of exactly when my faith story started. My first mem…
Sharing our gifts It’s hard to accept God’s underserved love through grace, and we don’t have to do anything except that which makes me want to give back in return. I find it impossible to just sit back and watch things happen. If there is a need to…
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Several years ago, photographer Rose-Lynn Fisher embarked on a new artistic project. She began taking pictures of human tears after they were placed under a standard light microscope. “In my abundant supply,” she said, “I became curious about the ver…
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The election season inundates us, and here’s one more blog putting the upcoming midterms in focus. Those of you who are still with me after that opening are, I would guess, more or less similarly occupied with November 8. Which candidates? What poli…
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There is discouraging news out for some of us this week. According to a published report in the science journal Cell, different ones of us are magnets for mosquitos. The most devastating news is that there’s nothing we can do about this magnetism of…
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Rev. Amy Current has served as bishop for the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the ELCA since 2020. Bishop Current will preach at the 9 a.m. service on Sunday, Oct. 23 then make her way to the chapel as part of the adult learning series. She was elected du…
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If you take the time to stroll through the Memorial Garden, especially in the morning hours, then you are likely to spot an original piece of artwork or two that popped up overnight. These masterpieces never last more than a day, falling away as quic…
Women around the country are sitting down to connect with one another, grow, and share their insights each month, guided by the Bible studies published in the national Gather magazine. The women’s circles at St. Paul are no different but they do shar…
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Many of us have been there – you’ve just experienced life-altering circumstances like welcoming a new baby or recovering after surgery. You are exhausted and overwhelmed, juggling healing and the care of yourself and those you love. When do you possi…
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This time of year, I spend many Saturday mornings on the side of a soccer field. Our kids play on Davenport Parks and Rec teams, coached by dedicated parents who make up for any coaching deficits with a whole lot of love and care for our kids. I love…
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Two frightening storms have rushed through and devastated Nova Scotia and Florida coastal communities this month. The first was Canada’s largest natural disaster in 19 years. As I write the second storm is still underway. Hurricane Ian is currently l…