I am an athlete, and I love the Olympics. Every Olympic year, I mark my calendar and watch as many events as my schedule allows. This year, however, I have been looking forward to them with mixed emotions. First, I have really felt sorry for Japan–a country that I love–who was in the difficult position…… Continue reading Under Pressure
Creation as our Prayer Shawl
Like many churches and other Christian organizations, Wartburg Seminary has a little prayer shawl ministry. People in our community knit or crochet beautiful, soft shawls that are then given to others who request them. What is unique about them, of course, is revealed in the name. What differentiates a prayer shawl from any other wrap…… Continue reading Creation as our Prayer Shawl
The 21st Century Church: an Exciting Place to Be
The grave of Johannes Bugenhagen If you were fortunate enough to either be watching or attending [virtually] the NE Iowa Synod assembly, then you were treated to a wonderful opening presentation on Johannes Bugenhagen and church leadership by Wartburg Seminary professor Martin Lohrmann. The NE Iowa Synod is my new synod of roster, and this…… Continue reading The 21st Century Church: an Exciting Place to Be
“Receiving the Day”
Busy? Stressed? Distracted? I get it; I hear you. And I have the book for you. I want to share another book that I just finished, which I highly recommend. The title is Receiving the Day: Christian Practices for Opening the Gift of Time. It is by Dorothy Bass, and it really resonated with me,…… Continue reading “Receiving the Day”
Fareed Zakaria and a Post-Pandemic World
Have you been thinking about what it’s going to be like to come out of the pandemic? I have, but I admit that I have been thinking about it really on a very microscale: I’ve been thinking about what it means for me personally, and my ability to travel and get together with friends and…… Continue reading Fareed Zakaria and a Post-Pandemic World
Henri Nouwen on Christian Leadership
Have you read In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, by Henri Nouwen? I just finished it, and I thought it was fabulous, so I wanted to share some thoughts about it here. Since beginning my new role at Wartburg Seminary, I have been reading different books on leadership, and so when I…… Continue reading Henri Nouwen on Christian Leadership
Expanding our Ideas of Beauty
In anticipation of Earth Day tomorrow, I want to share this great story from National Geographic, which is about animal conservation, a topic near and dear to my heart: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/conservation-cant-just-be-a-popularity-contest?loggedin=true The pictures in the article alone are “click-worthy”–they are from the Photo Ark Project by Joel Sartore. Some years ago, I was able to see…… Continue reading Expanding our Ideas of Beauty
The Criminal Fallibility of the Death Penalty
Where do you stand on the death penalty? Many people have very strong opinions about it, and it can be a controversial topic of conversation. I am a long-time opponent of the death penalty, for theological reasons; and, while many people do still support the death penalty, in the United States, opposition is growing. I’m…… Continue reading The Criminal Fallibility of the Death Penalty
Periods, Poverty & Pollution
Thanks to our Global Advocacy Committee & the Sustainability Taskforce here at Wartburg Seminary, I had the opportunity to watch a great documentary last night that I want to share. It’s short, less than 30 minutes, and it’s called “The Bloody Truth about Period Poverty in America” [watch it for free here: https://youtu.be/gPWriykB0xY%5D Mostly, I…… Continue reading Periods, Poverty & Pollution
Supporting Women & Girls, Now.
Today is International Women’s Day, and while there is a lot to celebrate, it is also a reminder that there is still so much work to do to promote women’s full and robust participation in all aspects of human society. So, to that end, I’d like to invite you to reflect today on a very…… Continue reading Supporting Women & Girls, Now.
Happy Lutheran 