Advent is one of my favorite seasons of the church. Maybe it is because I love the warmth the candles bring on chilly days? Maybe it is because I love Christmas Eve, and like a kid I wait with anticipation? Maybe it is because I love the family time I get with my own kiddos? … Continue reading Christmas Countdown

Church #48. When I worked at St John's Lutheran Church in Lakeville, MN, I had the chance to work with someone who is amazing. Her name is Amanda Boe, and she is Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry at St John's. Luckily, I have known her longer than that. She has 4 kids (including … Continue reading There’s a Group for That?

This year, I have been trying to reconnect with our families of littles. We have started the Itty Bitty Book Club, and now have added Itty Bitty Get-Togethers. We have reopened the nursery and have two prayer ground options: one in the sanctuary and one in an adjacent room. Now, we have added celebrating baptismal … Continue reading Celebrating Baptismal Birthdays

Faith Walk started in my first job at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities when I was Director of Children's Ministries. I can't take credit for it nor do I remember how it got started, but my then colleague now friend, Mandy Bond, probably remembers the history. Now as the Family Pastor, I love being … Continue reading Faith Walk

Storytelling works. Kids and adults alike love a good story, and the Bible is the best bundle of stories ever told. I have been a storyteller of the faith for a long time, and what I have seen is that storytelling helps with biblical fluency. In my congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities, we … Continue reading Why Storytelling Works

Join Pastor Storytellers - Karen Ware Jackson and Heather Roth Johnson - for our new adventure called “Storytelling the Season” on August 15, 2022 at 12 noon CST. Graphic by KWJ What do you get with “Storytelling the Season?” (Check out the Facebook Page ,too!) + Backpack Blessings: We will share what is a blessing, … Continue reading Storytelling the Season

Vacation Bible School is in June at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities. VBS is offered in a variety of ways: at the Minneapolis campus, there is a regular morning session from 9-12 noon and a family-style evening session with dinner, and at the Minnetonka campus, VBS happens after worship once a month. Check it … Continue reading Who is My Neighbor?

This Sunday between Ascension Day and Pentecost, my congregation is exploring the story of Mathias chosen to replace Judas (Acts 1:12-26). It's the end of the story that I am thinking about: "So they proposed two...Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two … Continue reading Casting Lots

At Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities, we are using the "Who is My Neighbor?" VBS by ELCA (2019). What I like about the curriculum is its simplicity, and how they worked in small group time to talk about "Who is my neighbor?" The curriculum calls this time "Family Time," but I changed it to … Continue reading Build A Neighborhood

When my kids were little, we were big into summer reading programs. The libraries here in St Paul, MN had a summer reading program, and the prize was a ticket to the MN State Fair (that's a big thing here!) But they also participated in the summer reading program with Barnes and Nobles (got a … Continue reading Story in a Bottle