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This past weekend, St. Paul’s 7th graders gathered for their fall Confirmation retreat. In other years, we’ve spent 24 hours up at Camp Shalom, enjoying the woods, cabins, and adventures of this beloved camp just about an hour out of town. But, like…
A slight chill in the morning air recalled for me a recent cartoon. Side by side pictures show the same young woman in a park. In one, she is in a sweater and pants, with a cap on her head, bundled up and huddled on a bench, a baby stroller next to h…
Faith stories, the culmination of the confirmation experience, are a 2-3 minute presentation. During this time, teenagers will speak about how they see God at work in the world and in their individual lives. Faith stories will be shared during the Su…
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In the front room of our house there’s a large picture window that faces toward the street. Part of our early morning routine each day is to walk by that window and open the curtains to brighten up the room a bit. For a good portion of the day, sunli…
Fall Start-Up is when we return to the fullness of our worship and learning life. Worship shifts to Saturdays, 5 p.m., and Sundays 8, 9, and 11:15 a.m. A children’s message will be offered at 9 and 11:15. Learning classes begin for ages 3-adult at 10…
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Heidi wheeled me into the surgical suite just before noon yesterday. We’d never met before. But whoever goes for the heated blankets when there’s a chilly patient on a gurney is, in my estimation, the cat’s pajamas. That was Heidi. As the surgical pr…
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This summer, I took our kids to the Hurtsville Interpretative Center in Maquoketa, just north of us here in Eastern Iowa. It’s a nature center – full of trails and places to play in tallgrass prairie and wetlands. Our kids looked at flowers, watched…
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Stepping out of my car at home recently, I was struck by the curtain of sound that enveloped me as I walked into the house. The cicadas were alive in our sycamore (its name is “Charles,” because it’s “in charge” of the property). In an otherwise wond…
Written by Anna Thorne Sorry. It’s a word that is used to apologize for a mistake, a misinterpretation, an emotional outburst, or when someone accidentally bumps into you. It is a common word used in everyday vernacular, and for most people, it is no…
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This month marks ten years since I moved to the Quad Cities. I remember well those early weeks of exploring the area, finding my way to the closest grocery store or discovering new restaurants. Trying not to get too lost as I slowly became familiar w…
Conner was born several weeks early with respiratory complications that quickly placed him on life support. The lack of oxygen from distressed breathing resulted in irreversible brain damage. Connor had only hours to live. His parents faced the unima…
Three ways to help feed others in August: Aug. 14 & 15: Food Pantry gathering Fill a bag with nonperishable food items, diapers/wipes, and feminine hygiene products. and bring it to church for St. Paul’s annual back-to-school ingathering….