​Congratulations! I’m not sure I tell you this enough, but…”I’m so proud of you.” It may be no surprise that my congratulations and pride stem from the good news about being awarded a Clergy Renewal Grant (see page 3)...but it goes so much deeper than that. I am so proud of this community of faith and its story. Grant writing is not something I have ever done, so collaborating with some of you to write the Clergy Renewal Grant was quite an experience. But what struck me at the end of the process, when we put all the pieces we had written together into a cohesive narrative—is that the story it tells of Salem is extraordinary. So, congratulations, I am so grateful that CTS and the Lilly Foundation chose our story to honor this coming year with a period of renewal for our entire community.

Building Beloved Community

As I write this front page article, there are three days before our South Minneapolis Day Camp begins and I would be lying if I told you I wasn't a chaotic mess trying to finish all the last minute details for which I am responsible. Updating registration of over 150 kids, youth, and adults, preparing Bible stories and morning rotations, running volunteer background checks, training volunteers, somehow helping tie-dye t-shirts for our leaders, making sure the medic has all the right information, preparing nametags and daily schedules, and coordinating with all the other incredible leaders I work with who are trying to get their many last minute details taken care of ... all so that when Monday morning comes we can be present.

Blessed to be a Blessing

​At the calling of Abram and Sarai, God said, "I will bless you...and you will be a blessing." (Genesis 12:2) As we find ourselves in the midst of Lent, which is a season of reflection, I have found myself struck by something Michelle Ruppert Madsen wrote in the congregation's grant proposal for a time of renewal in 2026. 

Big Shoes, Practices, Neighboring...It's Not Nothing
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Sometimes the front page of the church newsletter feels like a lot of pressure. Sometimes I have to cut my writing in half to fit it all on the page. Sometimes this space feels profound and other times it feels...well, not profound at all.