Wearing a green apron put on by a classmate, the third-grader took off from one end of Friendship Hall to the other. In his hand, he carried a spoon outstretched, balancing a tiny blown-up blue balloon. At the end of his sprint, he carefully set the…
One by one, the students at Mid City High School come through the doors in the morning, greeted by name. One by one, they walk past the definition of a Maverick, written in purple on the wall. The students chose the school mascot, the school colors,…
Life is full of defining moments, from first steps to first words to first crush. And perhaps the greatest defining moment is when one discovers the power of God at work in their life. You could say I put this moment off because it’s quite intimidati…
He graduated from Pleasant Valley High School, she from Cedar Falls High School. They both pursued music degrees at the University of Northern Iowa. But it was a cafeteria across campus where Benjamin Klemme and Deborah Coltvet first met. They marrie…
Kids will build their faith in God, explore nature, and learn how to discover and use their gifts for others during Camp Shalom’s summer 2015 season. The theme is “A love that never ends,” said Andrew Brehmer, program director. Registration opens thi…
One tested out his walking skills. Another snoozed in a car set. Mamas fed squirmy ones, and daddiess held sleepy ones in their arms. St. Paul babies born in 2014, and their families, gathered Sunday to connect and learn about how faith can be formed…
Michelle Kanzaki had a good life. She worked with people with disabilities or the elderly almost all of her adulthood. She was busy with her career and her daughter and her grandkids and her husband of 40 years. But as a Sunday school and confirmatio…
To know Ken Hofer was to adore Ken Hofer. It was a simple as that, really. His smile lit up a room. He loved to dance and give hugs. He cared deeply for family and friends. His faith in God was true. He really loved to learn about the lives of other…
Bullying. Body image. Family finances. Mindfulness. A series of Sunday morning learning discussions, titled Parenting with Promise, will engage the hearts and minds of St. Paul parents with kids of all ages – from infants to adults. This five-week se…
One of the really cold nights this week, Joanna Roland received a phone call. “Miss Joanna?” the voice on the other end of the line said. “It’s Tyler.” And Miss Joanna smiled. The first time Joanna met Tyler was when he was about 4 years old. She was…
A candle flickers in the middle of a circle of people. It’s Thursday evening in an upstairs classroom at St. Paul, and Brenda and Dave Kuster are two of the souls gathered with others for Centering Prayer. Leader Dick Jensen reads a passage from the…
Darkness fills the Sanctuary. White candles are anchored in white sand in wooden boxes surrounding a large wooden cross down by the altar. One by one, people come through the doors and make their way to a space in a pew. They are scattered throughout…