MetroLutheranAn independent, pan-Lutheran newspaper serving the Greater Twin Cities area
There is no one “right” way to foster creativity in a child. Each child and each family are different; what works with your child might not work with your friend’s child.
That said, we have noticed a few things in particular that seem to work well and resonate with most kids. So here is the Center for Imagination’s best tips for fostering a creative home environment or what we like to call our “Parent’s Pocket Guide.” more »
Most of this time they devote to one particular text, Luke 10:1-12, a mission text in which Jesus sends 70 people out in pairs with basic instructions, and they are dependent on receivers’ hospitality. This practice has been shared with several other congregations, small groups, and organizations.
June 14-16, Church Innovations will host The International Dwelling in the Word Festival, gathering together an ecumenical group of church leaders, both lay and ordained, in a festival dedicated to the practice of spending time with scripture. Local and global faith leaders will spend three days celebrating the transformational power of reflecting together on God’s word. more »
It was simply another noon Lenten worship service. They tend to be short and to the point. A few hymns and a bit of scripture, a bit of prayer. There is hot soup and bread waiting for us downstairs.
The doors were all unlocked, which is honestly something that happens only when we have a service in the building. So Richard (not his real name) came to church, and he brought a friend. When this happens in our churches we rejoice and try to refrain from asking Richard to join the council. They joined us during the singing of the first hymn, and I made sure they had bulletins and knew where we were in the service. more »
The annual Associated Church Press (ACP) conference is a wonderful opportunity for those of us in content production to learn best practices from colleagues, hear innovative suggestions from workshop leaders, and reconnect with old friends. It is also a time to honor the work of writers, editors, designers, and other word nerds.
The 2013 edition of this event, held in early April in Indianapolis, certainly was that. And Metro Lutheran was pleased to win a couple awards along the way. more »
Youth-group teens necking in a dark church basement? Quit that, please. Let’s go back to the youth room.
Four-year-olds playfully licking each other’s tongues in vacation Bible school? Stop that, please. Not healthy.
A college volunteer caught in an impromptu wrestling match with a Sunday school boy? Stop, stop. Let’s go talk to the pastor. more »
John Ylvisaker continues to compose and record music in his retirement home in Waverly, Iowa. Metro Lutheran photo: Bob Hulteen
The composer of “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” didn’t intend to create a new musical template for North American Lutheranism. In his youth John Ylvisaker was a fan of classical music and sang chorales in the Concordia College Choir in his hometown of Moorhead, Minnesota. He was a lover of J.S. Bach and had a complete set of Bach’s recorded works.
But then he found himself teaching music to students in public school. They didn’t love what he loved. So, overnight, Ylvisaker reinvented himself. He bought a guitar and learned to play it in less than a week.
And he never looked back. more »
