One of the more memorable Advent experiences for our family involved connecting with others in the community with special needs. This was orchestrated through the Salvation Army, which provided the names of individuals or families. From a list provid…
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An email from the Davenport School of Yoga, sent in the summer of 2014, caught Christa Orfitelli’s eye. An announcement noted that the school, in downtown Davenport, would be starting a class for people interested in teaching yoga. Christa, who norma…
Made from banana fiber – the tree-like stem of the banana tree – the figures of Donna Granneman’s favorite nativity scene are intricately created by hand, each with its own humble story to tell. The baby in the crib. The mother and her soon-to-be hus…
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As we prepare ourselves to connect with God through the birth of Jesus on Christmas day, we can only fully do that by bringing the self that God made to the relationship…our true self…the self we already are. The more we are willing to risk being o…
Doubt. Uncertainty. Skepticism. These are the three words that come to my mind the most when I consider my feelings about Christianity. In my adult life I have attended and heard stories of churches that discourage questioning. This bothers me. If yo…
Christmas Eve worship 1 p.m. | Holy Communion & Carols All the glory of Christmas Eve in an early-afternoon option. Scripture and hymns tell the story of this holy night. Pastor Sara Olson-Smith preaching. 3 p.m. | A Family Christmas Service A se…
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My Grandma Peg’s stained-glass studio was in the basement of her house. Studio sounds awfully fancy – in actuality it was an unfinished basement with cement floors and cement block walls. She kept her glass grinder, soldering gun, and her collection…
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I was standing at the entryway of Birch Cabin watching my family drive away. My parents had met here as counselors, and now, at ten years old, I was carrying out the Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp legacy. I was alone and nervous in Crystal Falls, Michiga…
When I was preparing for my first mission trip two years ago, I was experiencing some serious doubt. I wanted to serve, and I was willing to work hard. What I doubted was whether I had enough skills to make a credible contribution. Prior to leaving,…
I enjoy feeding the birds. In my rational mind, I understand that the birds instinctually come to the feeders for the millet, the safflower and the thistle. However, in my heart, I feel they come because we are friends. We count on each other. We mee…
November 19, 2015 We are shocked and dismayed by the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East, but also in Nigeria, Kenya, Bangladesh and the Philippines. Senseless acts of terror will maim and forever have an impact…
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The songs began on a Tuesday evening in September. A few of the members of the Open Spirit contemporary ensemble – which provide worship leadership for St. Paul’s 11:45 a.m. service – got together at Hans Schnekloth’s house. Chris Ryan had created a…