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Faith in Action

Coaching connections

As assistant cross-country coach Anna Sorenson pounds the pavement with her team of runners, conversation helps the miles pass more quickly. Between her words of encouragement, Sorenson hears about the…

Dignity and grace in the face of mental illness
Mission & Ministry

Dignity and grace in the face of mental illness

Kathryn Ives’ life was forever touched by mental illness more than 25 years ago when two of her four daughters were diagnosed as young adults with bipolar disorder. Today, she’s…

Alive in the church: A series introduction
Mission & Ministry

Alive in the church: A series introduction

“There aren’t any young adults!” Or occasionally, if the person is feeling more optimistic, it’s framed as a question: “Where are the young adults?” Either way, it’s the same sentiment:…

Couple shines their light
Faith in Action

Couple shines their light

It started with an invitation.   Eleonore and William Thuemmel were waiting for a table at a popular restaurant in The Villages, Fla., where they live. They weren’t in a hurry—William…

For the sake of the earth
Mission & Ministry

For the sake of the earth

While talking about the uptick in severe weather and extreme temperatures, Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA program director for environment and corporate responsibility, is direct: “All of creation is experiencing the impact…

Children give passion  to Holy Week story
Faith in Action

Children give passion to Holy Week story

Actions speak louder than words. That familiar sentiment echoed in Nancy Smith’s mind when she was thinking of ways to help the children in her congregation’s after-school program understand Jesus’…

An egg-cellent way to share God’s love
Faith in Action

An egg-cellent way to share God’s love

David Isaacson of Fargo, N.D., has an eye for eggs. Ceramic, stone, wooden, etched, paper, painted or plain, the retired pastor has been collecting and giving away eggs at Easter…

What changing pews taught us about church
Faith in Action

What changing pews taught us about church

As a mom of two little ones, I’ve discovered that every season of parenting brings a different need for the best place to sit in worship. In the early days,…