By Sue Sprang SYNOD – For many of us, campus ministry is one of those things that is on the fringe. Unless we’re involved with or connected to it in some way, we really don’t think about. We might give it a nod and say “that’s nice” – but all-in-all, it’s probably not something most […]
Meanwhile…during the virus…
By Sue Sprang SYNOD – As COVID-19 blankets us and we move through uncharted territory, the people of God take example from the early Christians and find ways to share the Gospel, even though the odds sometimes seem overwhelming. We can take heart, though, that we do not have to meet “in secret” – in […]
Six Years and Counting: Part 3
By Sue Sprang SYNOD – What follows is part 3 of sharing some of my favorite stories (which have been updated/abridged in this article) that I wrote for “Mission in the Mitten” during Bishop Satterlee’s first term in office. Choosing is difficult because there are so many good stories to tell. But I hope the ones […]
Six Years and Counting: Part 2
By Sue Sprang SYNOD – What follows is part 2 of sharing some of my favorite stories (which have been updated/abridged in this article) that I wrote for “Mission in the Mitten” during Bishop Satterlee’s first term in office. Choosing is difficult because there are so many good stories to tell. But I hope the ones I’ve […]
Six Years and Counting: Part 1
By Sue Sprang SYNOD – When asked if I would write stories for the “Mission in the Mitten” column on the synod’s website, how could I resist? It’s rare when I turn down the chance to write, so it was a pleasure to say “yes” and I looked forward to learning what the people in our […]
Trapp Grants Assist Northern Congregatio...
By Sue Sprang SYNOD – Nine congregations recently benefited from grants received from the North/West Lower Michigan Synod’s Trapp Endowment Fund. The Trapp family gifted the synod with the funds about 20 years ago, stipulating they be directed to the northern portion of the synod. Here is how some of the grants are being used: […]
Soccer…Jesus-style
By Sue Sprang SAGINAW – Sunshine, dedication, and lots of energy and enthusiasm helped to make Ascension Lutheran Church, Saginaw, 2018 Soccer Camp a success. Last year was the third for congregation’s Vacation Bible School “with a twist”. Ascension member Bob Aldrich, who spearheaded the program, explained why the congregation moved in a new direction […]
One of Our Own
By Sue Sprang SYNOD – The following letter was recently received from Pastor Chris Laughlin – also known as Chaplain or Major Christopher Laughlin. A member of the U.S. Army Reserves, Laughlin is currently serving at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and will complete his one-year tour of duty this spring. He previously served Grace Lutheran […]
The good years
By Sue Sprang NEW ERA – “It was a good year,” said C. J. Clark, as he reflected on last year’s summer camp and looked toward this year’s upcoming season, “and we expect this year to be a good one, too.” Clark is the executive director of Living Water Ministries (LWM), a joint program of […]
It is what it is
By Sue Sprang It is what it is… or is it? It seems a currently common phrase is: “It is what it is”. And sometimes that’s the way it has to be. Sometimes whatever the “it” is cannot be changed. Whether or not we like the “it” doesn’t matter. That’s the way things are and […]