i write.
A reflection on John 21:1-19 for Modern Metanoia. In the history of my serving as a youth, children, and family minister, there is one thing I really love to do. I get to talk to children and their parents about communion. We do not offer a series of classes leading up to one’s First Communion… Continue reading A Seat at the Table
They set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9 When I think about those wise ones who followed the star, I think about leadership. The best teachers are life-long learners. The best leaders know… Continue reading Celebrate the Light 2
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5 I’ve been finding myself taking a lot of night walks lately. Many people would think that’s crazy, especially with the weather in Idaho as cold as it’s been. I will admit, by the time I get to the end of… Continue reading Celebrate the Light 1
A writing for Modern Metanoia, ADVENT 1, LUKE 21:25-36 If you have eyes, ears, and/or any kind of awareness of your surroundings, you might be like me right now. Angry. Heartbroken. On the verge of hopelessness. What the heck is wrong with our country – the (not so) United States of America? What the heck… Continue reading Same Old Story
Chuck Carlson A.K.A. “Dad,” “PaPa Chuck,” “PaPa Seal,” “Uncle Chuck,” “Pastor Chuck,” “Pasta Chuck,” “Pasta Ravioli” “Pasta Masta,” “the Walrus…” Charles Brand Carlson was born on May 6, 1946 to Kathryn Braithwaite and Anthony Scelza. The world was never the same. When Chuck was 4 years old, he was adopted by Kathryn’s new husband George Carlson,… Continue reading Charles Brand Carlson (1946-2018)
I've had some things on my To Do list bearing down on me over the last few weeks. It's all stuff for my dad's memorial service. As I've procrastinated and procrastinated, I've had to admit to myself the nugget of denial that I am living with. The reality has hardened in this flood of grief… Continue reading Call the Pebble Dare
"How are you?" When I was 13, my dad almost died right before my eyes. I always preface my reflections on this era with my age because it adds to the drama, but it really does matter. I turned 13 the day my dad was moved from CCU to a "regular" hospital room. And then… Continue reading I Think They Call This Grief
A reflection from Colter Sprague, 10th grade. Thanks to Hope’s generosity, I was able to attend the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas. This was my first time to attend a youth gathering. During this week, I saw God’s love emerge in many different ways. When we first arrived, we joined 31,000 Lutheran youth… Continue reading God’s LOVE Changes Everything
A reflection from Ben Miller, 10th grade. Hope. What a fascinating concept. Desmond Tutu said, "Hope is being able to see the light despite all the darkness." Being able to see the light in the dark. During the youth gathering I listened as half a dozen people stood in front of 30,000 high school students… Continue reading God’s HOPE Changes Everything
Just over two years ago, I presented the dream of Hope sending youth to not one, but two youth gatherings – the 2017 Western States Youth Gathering with the theme of DREAM BIG and the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston with the theme of THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING. Hope captured the dream and answered the… Continue reading Gathering Roundup
