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Voices of Faith

My faith journey: A baptized imagination

As a young girl, I was always thrilled when my mother took my brother and me to visit the library. The stacks seemed endless, and I loved that there were…
My take: Why are we doing this, anyway?
Voices of Faith

My take: Why are we doing this, anyway?

“And a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). My husband and I were both religious studies college majors, religious studies high school teachers, then religious studies college instructors. Eric…
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Voices of Faith

A “maverick” for the church

Editor’s note: This year the ELCA celebrates 50 years of Lutheran women’s ordination in the United States, 40 years of the ordination of Lutheran women of color and 10 years…
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Voices of Faith

Life-altering hope

As we anticipate Easter, over 1 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide. We’ve closed nonessential businesses and quarantined ourselves at home. The technical term for this is “sheltering in…
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Voices of Faith

This is our story

Tucked between choir robes and Christmas pageant clothes, I sit with my knees pressed to my torso, breathing quietly. I’m playing one of my favorite youth group games—sardines. Sardines is…
Vulnerability changes you
Voices of Faith

Vulnerability changes you

I had my first encounter with vulnerability as a college freshman. My dorm mate, Susan, had the uncanny ability to ask thoughtful, challenging, personal questions—the type no one had ever…
Divine donkey rustler
Voices of Faith

Divine donkey rustler

Gosh, sheriff, I wouldn’t lie to you. He gave us specific directions to locate a parked car that had zero miles on the odometer. Told us the car was for…
I’m a Lutheran: Ida Hakkarinen
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Ida Hakkarinen

Hope Lutheran Church and Student Center, College Park, Md. Occupation: meteorologist with the federal government Vocation: to be salt, light and leaven in the world (Matthew 5:13-16, 13:33) As a…
A hero rises
Voices of Faith

A hero rises

The hero stands in a resolute pose, her bright hair swirling around her face. She calls her team to action as a flag flaps in the wind behind her. It’s…