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My family moved from Colorado to Wisconsin just weeks before my sophomore year of high school. I eventually made some really wonderful friends, but the first months were very lonely. On Christmas morning that first Wisconsin winter, my dad gave me an…
By Cathy Hagglund I have always believed in God, but because of churches attended in my youth and teens and their attitudes, I drifted away from the church. My church was my backyard, in St. Petersburg, Florida, where I would sit and gaze in wonderme…
By Kathy Bucciferro Every day is a gift, especially at this time of year! When we are in the midst of Christmas busyness, I try to see blessing in all situations. I am reminded daily that it is the little things that matter in life. My daughter Sela…
By Laura Scott It breaks my heart to know that in our community, in one of the richest nations on earth, there are kids who go to bed hungry with no winter coat or ill-fitting shoes. Among us are seniors who ask for a blanket and a stuffed animal for…
By Ralph Baechle Contemplating the “Wonders of God’s Love” is a challenge for me. My early images of God were more of one who demands things of me and not one who is also supportive. They have not been easy to shake. Growing up I remember hearing a…
By Ida Winckler I’m reminded of a time in my childhood in November of 1943. The war was going on and I was 5 years old. My older sister was 13, my younger sister just a baby. It was a clear and bitter cold night. Bomb sirens went off and we rushed to…
By Stella Herzig When we think about the ‘wonders of God’s love, I know I sometimes see those wonders as all coming in one direction from Him to me or to you. I wonder if they are not also the responsive swell of love in our hearts towards Him. Yes,…
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Everyone who enters church on Christmas knows that singing carols is far and away the best part of the worship. The melodies stir deep-down sentiments that most of us can’t even find words for. And the words of the carols themselves? – “The hopes and…
The gifts are wrapped, the elves are ready. The families who take part in the Madison Marketplace Food Pantry are in for a fun surprise on Tuesday. That’s when each child will choose a fleece blanket, handmade by St. Paul people – more than 200 of th…
My late husband, Glenn Dresselhaus, was truly a talented craftsman. His favorite medium was working with black walnut. He cut the walnut trees down and made boards suitable for crafts. His specialty was making items with his scroll saw – these items…
St. Paul Lutheran Church will offer its Blue Christmas worship on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. This service of hope is designed for anyone in the community who may not feel like celebrating. During the holidays, grief, illness, aging, depression, lone…
By Jeff Bass One of my favorite activities in the summer has been to attend workcamps all across the country. These workcamps involve a lot of hard work and sweat, home repair, and hundreds of teenagers. These youth give up a week of their summer va…