1990 First Triennial Convention, Anaheim, California Celebrate God’s Creation reminds us we are called to care for and live as stewards of God’s creation and work toward healing and restoration in our lives, relationships and the world. 1993 Second Triennial Convention, Washington, DC The theme comes from Jeremiah 29:11: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Attendees expanded their knowledge of God’s Gift of Hope as the fulfillment of God’s promise through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  1996 T ..read more

1. Eat healthy meals on a regular basis. Stay hydrated. By eating healthy foods that are full of vital nutrients, you can increase your overall wellbeing and decrease anxiety and stress. 2. Get moving. Staying active is as good for the brain as it is for the body. Regular exercise or activity can have a major impact on your mental and emotional health, relieve stress, improve memory and help you sleep better. 3. Pray. Research shows that prayer can help provide a sense of comfort, reduce stress and anxiety and foster a sense of hope and purpose. 4. Get enough sleep. A good night’s sle ..read more

By Ryan Cumming THE QUESTION IN MY EMAIL inbox was one of the oddest I had received as a food systems educator: “How did a plastic box of Brussels sprouts destined for a grocery store in the northeastern U.S. end up on a discount table at a farmer’s market in the Bay Area of California?” The answer to that question opens a doorway into the complexity of our food systems, as well as the relationship many of us have with food. It’s a key concern for Christians. Food—like water—is essential for life and a sign of our relationship with creation and the Creator. In a way, the story of God’s relatio ..read more

By Lisa A. Smith “Who knew that the hardest part of being an adult was figuring out what to cook for dinner every single night of your life until you die?” asks a popular social media meme. As a parent, I feel this deep in my bones, especially after I’ve chopped, sauteed, marinated and baked various foods, only to hear my kid say, “I hate chicken. Can I just have toast?” Dining with children can involve hazards, at home or away. At my house, we’re cooking around multiple food allergies and preferences. As for going out to eat, we generally avoid it, because we have a toddler—one we’re constant ..read more

By Elise Seyfried SOMETIMES, DURING WORSHIP, we are asked to remember our baptism. We watch the welcome of a little one at the font. We listen to a confirmand’s words during the Affirmation of Baptism. I must confess: These are not my favorite parts of the liturgy. I don’t remember anything from my actual baptism at the tender age of three weeks. I’m glad I don’t. Why? It’s because I’m a poor swimmer. I’m terrified of drowning … and thus really fearful of everything from oceans to backyard pools. I can’t imagine how frightening it must have been for me as a tiny baby, to be doused with water b ..read more

MARCH HAS ARRIVED. That means it’s time to celebrate women! Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on the contributions women have made to our nation over time. And Bold Women’s Day, observed on the first Sunday in March, commemorates Lutheran women who have acted or are acting boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ through prayer, service, advocacy, hospitality and other ways. “Whether we live out our bold story of faith in the workplace, family home or community, our faith compels us to make a difference in the lives of others,” says Linda Post Bushkofsky, executiv ..read more

Session Three: Rivers: Springs of life and hope Fresh water. Most of life on our planet depends on it, and the story of God’s saving work flows alongside it, through stories of biblical rivers that offer a vision of flourishing creation. Together we’ll journey from the rivers in Eden to the prophetic springs in the desert, and from Jesus’ baptism at the river Jordan to the crystalline river of life in Revelation. We’ll discover how rivers are sites of healing, restoration, identity and imagination. Watch the video supplement here. The post Winter/Spring 2024 “Scripture and nature: Teachers of ..read more

I was terrified. And I cried. I was living and working at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong at the time. I’m not weepy or alarmist by nature. I’d weathered a ginormous flying cockroach in my shower. Swatted it hard and disposed of it. I wasn’t crying because of a bamboo pit viper, although Hong Kong has those fabulously venomous snakes. Once, I saw that fluorescent green S slither just inches from my step. I did a little jig, gave a little yelp, then we each escaped in opposite directions. It wasn’t a wild boar that brought me to tears, although we had those too in Hong Kong. Twic ..read more

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