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June
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Summer 2017: “All Anew”
Kelly Fryer will explore “All anew,” a three-session Bible study that shares the theme of the 2017 Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering in Minneapolis. She has also committed to lead the Bible study or a workshop at the triennial gathering. She will bring to this...
Jesus the shepherd
by Karen Craigo There is a huge, illuminated print of Jesus on the wall of the guest room where my family of four sleeps at my mother-in-law’s house. My mother-in-law is Catholic, and depictions of Jesus hang or stand in every room. They often show the Savior in his...
Messenger of God’s love
by Laura Jane Gifford Imagine committing to live in a room perhaps 10 feet long and 11 feet wide—for the rest of your life. You’ll speak frequently with outsiders who seek your prayers and advice, but a curtain will hide their faces. Your everyday life will be one of...
Celebrate abundance
by Elizabeth McBride Imagine throwing a party and inviting only people who wear green hats. You spend weeks focused on attracting green hat-wearing people to the party. When the day of the party comes, a couple of green hat-wearers come through the door, and you’re...
The gift of generations
by Sarah Carson Lately I’ve been thinking about what my future might look like. Will I get married? Have children? Will I always be happy living the single life with my two dogs? I’m blessed to have great people in my life to go to for advice. For instance, a few...
May 2017 Digital Issue.
May 2017 Click to launch the full edition in a new window.
Just notice
by Cara Strickland When I’m overwhelmed by my feelings, my schedule or my circumstances, my therapist often tells me to “just notice.” As I begin to slow down and focus, I see things more clearly. Often, this motivates me to action, but perhaps more often, I am...
Meditating in color
by Ann Hafften Vonda Drees often describes her life and work as a journey. She encourages spiritual growth and enrichment with groups, in person and online in an artistic process she calls “a journey with a community.” As artist-in-residence for the Women of the ELCA...
‘There are two in there’
by Brenda Meier Kimaro Hands down, the most important lesson motherhood has taught me is that I absolutely, without-a-doubt need God’s unwavering grace in my life. I delivered the twins at the age of 41. The doctors referred to this as an “advanced maternal age.”...
Sisters and brothers
by Angela T. Khabeb I remember a conversation with one parishioner who made an appointment to meet with me in my office. She announced, “Pastor, I want to talk to you about the first sermon you ever preached here.” I couldn’t believe my ears. I asked for...
Mountains with many faces
by Liv Larson Andrews for saints Florence, Leonard, Thomas and Pamela Over the phone, Grandma Florence’s voice was weary. “I just don’t know if I can do it anymore,” she said. “Do what?” I asked. “Say the creed.” “Oh.” My 95-year-old grandmother explained how she felt...
A geography of hope
by Elizabeth Hunter Have you ever ended up somewhere with no clear idea of how you got there? Maybe not just on a road, but in your family, congregation, career or community? While rolling through routines, the landscapes of home, office, school, church, forest, city...
Summer 2016: “The heart of the matter”
For summer 2016, Angela Shannon, a pastor at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas, shared “The heart of the matter,” a three-session Bible study on learning to deal with conflict through the ministry of reconciliation. “Repentance, forgiveness and...
Summer 2015: “No catchy slogans”
Does the subject of giving—especially financial giving to the church—make you a little uncomfortable? Do you feel awkward when conversations or sermons about money come up? This summer’s Bible study, “No Catchy Slogans,” looks at Scripture passages about giving. The...
Time to reflect
—by Linda Post Bushkofsky There’s something so compelling about the Ash Wednesday liturgy. It begins with the extended confession of sins where we acknowledge our unfaithfulness, pride, hypocrisy, self-indulgence, indifference, and prejudice, to name but a few of the...
Just notice: Walking into Lent with Martha
by Cara Strickland When I’m overwhelmed by feelings, schedules or circumstances, my therapist often tells me to "just notice." As I slow down and focus, I see things more clearly. This can motivate me to action, but perhaps more often, I am content to linger,...
A woman’s place 500 years hence
by Barbara Berry Bailey In celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Gather is carrying out a series of conversations with 21st century women who offer perspectives on the role of churchwomen. We hope to add some new images to those we instantly think...