Called to lead
Mission & Ministry

Called to lead

Good leadership is at the heart of healthy and vibrant communities, whether that be communities of faith or otherwise. This past year the ELCA highlighted the roles leaders are playing…
More, better, together
Faith in Action

More, better, together

There were times in Jane Harrington’s life when she found herself short on cash. “Sometimes I would eat mayonnaise sandwiches and thought it was a treat if there was lettuce…
Fit & faithful
Faith in Action

Fit & faithful

Four years ago, Siiri Branstrom was afraid to attend First Lutheran Church, Duluth, Minn., where she was a member. After her divorce, worship there felt strange and uncomfortable. “I would…
Meeting grace again for the first time
Mission & Ministry

Meeting grace again for the first time

Editor’s note: As Lutherans, grace is at the heart of our faith understanding. But what does it look like to actually live out grace? In this series, we will explore…
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Mission & Ministry

Artists thrive at Soaring Arts Studio

Jessica Clapp is a multifaceted artist who works out of a studio in downtown Napoleon, Ohio. The 31-year-old loves to draw, and she has been commissioned by a local brewery…
Love comes down
Faith in Action

Love comes down

And the cows said, “Moo!” The sheep said, “Baa!” The chickens said, “Cluck!” My daughter, Charlotte, could have chimed in with the cows shouting, “Moo!” But that’s where her animal…
The Christmas story comes to life
Faith in Action

The Christmas story comes to life

Greg Tvrdik fondly recalls playing a magi as a teen in the living nativity at First Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minn. Now, 25 years later, as the church’s director of church…
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Mission & Ministry

Finals week solace

From soup to puppies, Lutheran campus ministries are being creative when it comes to finals week stress relief. At the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, it’s “Finals Week Hospitality”; at Indiana…
Christmas story, song and spirit
Faith in Action

Christmas story, song and spirit

Now that our son Jack is nearly 2 and communicating using words and phrases, my husband and I have been pondering how we’ll teach him about Advent and Christmas. Last…
The story behind “Unexpected and Mysterious”
Mission & Ministry

The story behind “Unexpected and Mysterious”

Editor’s note: Martin Luther famously said, “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 53). The ELCA still holds tightly to Luther’s understanding. In…