Education

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Changing direction

Lectionary blog for Dec. 4 The Second Sunday of Advent                    Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 One day in Nashville I went to the YMCA to…

Voices of Faith

A collaboration of voices

We talk. We listen. The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) took these words from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton to heart. Following the 2015 shooting at Emanuel…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Time to get ready

Lectionary blog for Nov. 27 The First Sunday in Advent             Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 WHEW! I don’t know about you but, now that Thanksgiving is…

Mission & Ministry

A lasting legacy

Three lives became unexpectedly intertwined when Alaska native Inger Hanson received a scholarship from the ELCA Fund for Leaders. It started with an act of love from 3,000 miles away…

Mission & Ministry

Better together

In October the Catholic and Lutheran churches came together in Sweden in an unprecedented celebration of an event that has historically commemorated their separation—the Reformation. This gave girth to the…

Mission & Ministry

A time for peace

When Augsburg College graduate student Howie Smith attended the 28th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis in June, he wasn’t sure what to expect. But from the moment the…

Voices of Faith

The beginning is near

The times and seasons kept by the body of Christ often bear a consoling and encouraging witness in contrast with the times and seasons of our surrounding culture. Fear and…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: ‘Anna, God has not forgotten us!’

Lectionary blog for Nov. 13 Pentecost 26   Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19 It was during Lent many years ago. I was the pastor of a very…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Worshiping who we used to be

Lectionary blog for Oct. 30 Reformation Sunday Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36 A story is told about a young priest who was assigned to a cathedral in…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Faith during bad times

Lectionary blog for Oct. 16 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8 Our gospel lesson about the widow pestering the judge reminds me of…

Mission & Ministry

Ecumenical summer academy supports student success

Cesar’s model town was designed to keep oil, grease and other toxins from polluting the local river. Sponges, cotton balls and other absorbent materials dotted the cardboard-and-aluminum foil town, built…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: What it means to have faith

Lectionary blog for Oct. 2 20th Sunday after Pentecost Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Psalm 37:1-9; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10 In her autobiography, Broadway actress Helen Hayes tells about her first…