Do I check the Lutheran box?

Do I check the Lutheran box?

by Becca Ehrlich I grew up in an interfaith household. My Mom is Roman Catholic; my Dad is Jewish. Though neither of my parents were particularly active in their faith traditions, we celebrated both Hanukkah and Christmas, a tradition I continue to do every holiday season. I was confirmed and welcomed into the church as […]

My experience as a new Lutheran

My experience as a new Lutheran

by Wanda Frenchman I was raised in a non-Christian, indigenous home by my Lakota mother and grandparents. We didn’t attend church. We did practice the Lakota ceremony, and I was taught at an early age about Tunkasila (tunkashila) or Grandfather the Creator. We prayed to Tunkasila and gave gratitude for food, family, good weather, good health, […]

Wearing orange in remembrance of Indian Boarding Schools

Wearing orange in remembrance of Indian Boarding Schools

by Wanda Frenchman The National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools in the United States is Monday, September 30. It originated in Canada as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in 2021 when the Government of Canada passed Bill C-5, making it a federal holiday. Canada has done work in healing its Indigenous […]

Starting over where you are now

Starting over where you are now

by Meredith Harber “But still the clever north wind was not satisfied. It spoke to Vianne of towns yet to be visited, friends in need yet to be discovered, battles yet to be fought. . .” One of my favorite movies is Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. Not only is it about chocolate, […]

Getting through starting over

Getting through starting over

by Meredith Harber “Hi, do you have a rewards card with us?” This simple question from a store employee can feel like a question of welcome and inclusion when I can respond “YES!” Yet it can feel like a point of exclusion when I say “no.” Every time I’ve moved to a new place, I […]

Love becomes our story

Love becomes our story

Content warning: Suicide is mentioned in this issue. If you or someone you know is in crisis or at risk for Suicide, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, […]

Post-traumatic living after suicide

Post-traumatic living after suicide

Content warning: Suicide is mentioned in this issue. If you or someone you know is in crisis or at risk for suicide, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, 24 hours a day, […]

God works through us

God works through us

by Amy Waelchli One night, I quietly struggled to make it all fit in the small cupboard. On my hands and knees, matching each lid with the corresponding container, I marveled at the amount of reusable plastic butter containers, etc. I saved. Arranging them to be organized and accessible, I huffed and puffed my way […]