Motherhood as vocation

Motherhood as vocation

(Trigger warning: Infertility) by Brenda Blackhawk Lent is often equated with time for reflection on vocation, and March is also Women’s History Month. This year, my spouse and I are determined to get answers about our infertility. Lately, this has been lying heavy on my heart and mind, so I’ve been writing about my journey […]

The uncertainty of in-between time

The uncertainty of in-between time

by Becca Ehrlich When I was an intern at a congregation, I took part in an annual tradition called Confirmation Camp. For one week in the summer, the local Lutheran conference would take over half of a Christian camp in the Adirondack Mountains. The students prepared for confirmation by learning, growing spiritually, and spending time […]

Faith reflections: Beloved and wonderfully made

Faith reflections: Beloved and wonderfully made

by Emily Heitzman It is really hard to be a preteen or teenager today. I unfortunately know this because as a pastor who works with youth, I have seen this firsthand. I’m not saying that it wasn’t difficult to be that age. I received my fair share of unrealistic and unhealthy messages about society’s definition […]

Three ways to add something for Lent

Three ways to add something for Lent

by Laura Gentry I don’t give things up for Lent. Instead, I add something. After all, Lent is not just about fasting; it’s about feasting. The whole reason for giving up something is to make more room for God in our lives — so that we can feast on God’s mercy. Adding a spiritual discipline, […]

Resurrection in relationships

Resurrection in relationships

by Sarah Scherschligt Rachel and I sat together at a café on a rainy Seattle morning. I’d flown across the country so that we could spend a couple of precious days together before she had her first child. On the cusp of her transition into motherhood, we felt a bit like Mary and Elizabeth visiting […]

Cafe group: Preparing for Lent

Cafe group: Preparing for Lent

Young women are sharing community, maybe dinner and discussing the faith-based topics that appear in every issue of Café. Each issue of Café features two articles with discussion questions and a closing prayer. You can download and print out the February 2017 issue, or follow along from the website if you have an Internet connection. […]

Lent: A time to rehydrate

Lent: A time to rehydrate

by Karen Craigo The experts say that if you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Drink plenty of water before you exercise or spend time in the sun, they say, because well before you feel the tug of thirst, your body is already depleted and dehydrated.   I wonder if it works this way with the […]

Cafe group: Preparing for Lent

Shame: The enemy of baptism

by Rozella Haydée White Lent is my favorite church season. Lent can be a time of remembering how we have become disconnected from each other and from who God intended us to be. During Lent, we are invited to remember and relearn who we are as God’s creation.   Not giving up Many people think […]

Three ways to add something for Lent

February Cafe group: Lent

Do you want to meet with other young adult women and share community, maybe dinner and discuss the topics that appear in each issue of Café? Each issue of Café features two articles with discussion questions and a closing prayer. Print out the February 2016 issue, or follow along from the website if you have […]