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Living Faithfully

Congregations respond to gun violence

It seems almost routine. A lone gunman enters a school, mall or movie theater resulting in death, injury and community trauma. In cities, gun violence is a daily occurrence and…

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Living Faithfully

Dolls with missing limbs comfort recipients

What does a toddler with no arms do when her mom gives her a doll? She hugs it lovingly with her legs, of course. Especially this doll: a doll withno…

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Living Faithfully

Simply Christmas

In Tom Taylor’s house growing up, the Christmas tree went up the day after Thanksgiving and came down only when it was so dry the needles fell off. As a…

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Living Faithfully

New life for children with disabilities in Tanzania

When Betsy Buschkemper arrived at the Building a Caring Community (BCC) center in Moshi, Tanzania, 5-year-old Brian took her hand and tugged her inside to see his toys. This lively,…

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Mission & Ministry

Two Noahs with a common cause

The name Noah brings to mind pairs of animals boarding the ark. At Central Lutheran Church, Portland, Ore., the name Noah also conjures images of pairs — though in this…

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Living Faithfully

‘Fred’s Gifts’ a Christmas mission tradition

One Advent about 20 years ago, Fred Boettcher sold hundreds of wrapped gifts for $1 each in the narthex of Calmar (Iowa) Lutheran Church. Known as “Fred’s Gifts,” Boettcher supplied…

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Living Faithfully

Adoption changed their lives

Natalia Parker, 36, was 7 days old when she was adopted. Since her youth, she has known she wanted to adopt children. After Parker and her husband, Ron, had two…

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Living Faithfully

One, large extended family

A Montana couple connects college students to church.

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Living Faithfully

Thankful for the journey

Thankful, even when it has its share of bumps and bad times.

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Living Faithfully

Shapes of grace in the inner-city

From tragedy and misfortune comes a story of renewed mission.

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Living Faithfully

And inside, I felt still

As the rain beat down, the fog of thoughts crowding my mind cleared.

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Mission & Ministry

Food for body and soul

Hometown bakery builds community, one loaf at a time