I’m a Lutheran: Khadijah Islam
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Khadijah Islam

“I’m a Lutheran” is a monthly profile featuring ELCA members around the world. The profiles showcase ELCA members in all their diversity, connecting one another through individual faith stories as…

The revelation of Epiphany
Voices of Faith

The revelation of Epiphany

We in the church often depict Epiphany as the season of light—a thunderous congratulations to the divine revelation of the Son (or Sun) of Righteousness. The entire journey of Christmastide,…

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Voices of Faith

Directionally challenged

Remember the last time you lost your way? Writer Natalie Angier told this story in an article she wrote for The New York Times, perhaps one we can all relate…

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Voices of Faith

Grounded in grace

It had been a rugged December day at church. We were writing the 2016 budget. A charter member had died unexpectedly. And, in the span of 15 minutes, two of…

A challenge in the Holy Land
Voices of Faith

A challenge in the Holy Land

Finding a photo for our family Christmas card should have been easy this year, after all, we are living, walking and breathing in the place where it all began—where Jesus…

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Voices of Faith

Bring forth the light

Our toddler has a new routine this Christmas season. First thing in the morning, we hear the pitter-patter of her small feet running down the hall to the living room….

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Voices of Faith

A letter to my children this Christmas

Hi there. I know this letter won’t mean much to you now, because words are not as meaningful as they used to be, but maybe in 30 years or so when…

Keeping watch
Voices of Faith

Keeping watch

Between our house and the nearby middle school is a small stream. It flows under the road through a large culvert and empties into a small pool, rising and falling…

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Voices of Faith

Expecting this Advent, desperately seeking light

As we dwell in these final days of Advent, perhaps we, like the expectant mother of Jesus, feel weary. So. Very. Weary. Perhaps we are tired of all the commercial…

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Voices of Faith

Deeper understandings: Christmas—God “deep in the flesh”

Thus it is rightly and truly said: God is born, was nursed or suckled, lay in the crib, felt cold, walked, stood, fell, wandered, ate, drank, suffered, died, etc. (Martin…

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Voices of Faith

Immaculate reconception

When I was young and turning the corner into the teenage world, I started to burn old pictures of myself. If I found one of myself in an awkward stage…