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Monthly Topic

Every month new topics that are relevant to women and how faith relates to those issues are featured.

Blessed to be an ally

Blessed to be an ally

by Amanda Llewellyn A young woman, probably in her early 20s, looked deep into my eyes. “I can have communion? I wasn’t confirmed . . . my pastor wouldn’t confirm me.” “Yes. You can have communion here.” Moments like this make the hard work of serving as an ally...

Strength and dignity are her calling

Strength and dignity are her calling

Ina, etsi, shi maa, itangu. These are some of the ways I’ve heard indigenous people say, Mother. These are in the languages of just a few of the Indigenous people of North America, more specifically Lakota, Cherokee, Navajo, and Hopi, in that order. As a Lakota woman,...

The Poem That Prays 

The Poem That Prays 

by Sarah Carson For as long as I can remember, there have been two places I’ve turned when things get challenging: 1) to my faith, 2) to poetry. As someone who grew up in church, I’ve learned prayer can be powerful when I have questions, doubts, and even anger. It can...

Everyday Earth Day

Everyday Earth Day

by Amy Waelchli When I think about the state of the environment--all the facts, figures, predictions, and failures--I’m completely immobilized with fear. Scientists have been issuing warnings and admonitions to get our acts together for a while now, and we’ve ignored...

Perfect Imperfection: How words can fail and hold us at the same time

Perfect Imperfection: How words can fail and hold us at the same time

In the university town where I live, there's a new club dedicated to what might be this moment's most celebrated cultural phenomenon. Members of the Taylor Swift Club get together to listen to music and bond over a shared appreciation for all-things-Taylor. "Music...

Stories that feel

Stories that feel

by Sarah Carson There is a wealth of scientific data in support of the power of a story to make a difference. Storytelling has demonstrated benefits across disciplines—from treating survivors of abuse and trauma to helping students learn more effectively to selling us...

Faith Reflection: From tension to transformation

Faith Reflection: From tension to transformation

by Emily Carson Jesus consistently stepped into tense situations rather than tiptoeing around them. He didn’t avoid difficult interpersonal dynamics; he embraced them and recognized that tension is often a catalyst for transformation (of people and systems). Tension...

The spirituality of tension

The spirituality of tension

by Emily Carson The room was silent for a long time before the first council member spoke up. “No one here seems to be getting along anymore. There’s so much gossip. Something needs to change.” There were many pauses that evening as church council members took turns...

The spiritual work of transition

The spiritual work of transition

by Jennifer Hackbarth Our bodies work hard to maintain homeostasis, a state when all bodily systems are functioning in balance. No matter the temperature of our environment, our internal body temperature needs to stay within a fairly narrow range; if it goes too high...

Transitions open us up to newness

Transitions open us up to newness

by Jennifer Hackbarth I transitioned from a long-term congregational call to interim ministry in the winter of 2022. Over the past year and a half, I’ve served three congregations as an associate interim pastor. Going from a thirteen-year call to jumping between...

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See something you like? All of our featured articles are part of a monthly collaboration of related topics.

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This monthly publication and podcast is made possible through regular offerings donated by women from over 7,000 active Women of the ELCA units in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).