A few weeks ago, as a part of our trip to France, I found myself standing on Omaha Beach with John, one windy morning. Have you been there? To be honest, Normandy is not a place that was on my bucket list (even though being married to a man who loves history means that I…… Continue reading Being There
Category: Immigration
A Fresh Take on a Traditional Confession
One of the things that I love about the Lutheran liturgical tradition is the way the language of the prayers, sung parts of the service, etc. become so familiar after years of recitation that I know them by heart. It is comforting to enter into a worship space and be carried through the service without…… Continue reading A Fresh Take on a Traditional Confession
Report from Krakow
We are two days into the 13th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, and I am having a great time. It is wonderful to be meeting so many people–old friends and new–and to see Wartburg grads, too, and make those connections. Mostly, though, I am just trying to learn as much as I can: to…… Continue reading Report from Krakow
A Sign of Good News
This morning, when I got back from my run, John had the news on, and I walked into the room just in time to see a nurse in NYC receive one of the first Corona virus vaccines. And, I’m not going lie, I choked up a bit. There it was: undeniable and irrefutable–a tangible sign…… Continue reading A Sign of Good News
Home
Yesterday there were a bunch of events going on in the morning at the college, in conjunction with the inauguration of Gettysburg College’s new president, Bob Iuliano. One of the sessions I attended was on immigration, and one of the presenters read this poem. I thought it was incredibly powerful, and I think more people…… Continue reading Home
Recent Perversions
According to the first online dictionary that comes up with a Google Search [the extent of my research], the first definition of “perversion” is the following: “the alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.” It is only the second definition that references…… Continue reading Recent Perversions
Sanctuary, Religious Freedom & the 8th Commandment
This morning, I heard the story on NPR about a woman who has sought sanctuary in a Denver church in order to avoid deportation–here is the link: Colorado Church offers Sanctuary. In the story, the concept of religious freedom was mentioned, which the new administration has promised to uphold; but a spokesperson who opposes the…… Continue reading Sanctuary, Religious Freedom & the 8th Commandment
Moving Beyond Assimilation
I was listening to NPR the other day, and I heard a story about immigrants—particularly Syrian immigrants in Toledo, Ohio. [You can find the story here: http://www.npr.org/2017/01/04/508220451/in-toledo-syrian-refugees-are-welcomed-amid-a-difficult-immigration-climate%5D What really struck me was the comment of one of the interviewees, Jon Johnstone, who was described as being “suspicious of people who continue to wear headscarves and…… Continue reading Moving Beyond Assimilation
Thoughts for 2017: Believe; Act; Abide
So, thoughts on 2016? Not one of our best years, was it? First and foremost, whatever you think about the Trump election, the election cycle was divisive and ugly, and brought out the most contentious in many of us. And, we ended up with a president who has said truly despicable things about women, Muslims,…… Continue reading Thoughts for 2017: Believe; Act; Abide
Happy Lutheran 