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Repentance opens the door
I’d make a terrible career criminal. I have major qualms about taking more than one sample cup of salsa at Costco. I always follow up if I’ve been under-charged for something, and never fail to make good on the transaction. I still burn with shame as I recall my...
March 2025 “Faithfulness” Bible study video supplement Session 3
Watch the video. (March) Session Three: Faith adventures: Peter and Cornelius We do not always see eye-to-eye with our neighbor. And yet, we are called to love our neighbor. Peter’s experience with someone different gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to teach Peter,...
Seeing Christ in others
“I do not eat cats and dogs,” I told my class after the presidential debate last September. A couple of students giggled. The rest of them remained silent. They knew I wasn’t joking. While I wasn’t born in Haiti, I can identify with other American immigrants who face...
February 2025 “Faithfulness” Bible study video supplement Session 2
(February) Session Two: Psalm 22 Watch the video supplement. David testifies that God is God and worthy of praise, even as David is in despair. It’s no wonder that Jesus cried out to God during the crucifixion using these very words. In our worst times, this psalm...
Faith in economics
What is the rule of your household? How do you manage your home? How do you make sure that everyone gets what they need and sometimes what they want? Who feeds the dog or cleans up after the cat? Who does the grocery shopping, and who pays for the groceries? How are...
January 2025 “Faithfulness” Bible study video supplement Session 1
(January) Session One: Ruth and Naomi Watch the video. Ruth chooses to remain part of Naomi’s family, even after Naomi has lost everything – including her husband and sons. This intergenerational story of faithfulness during emptiness and sorrow helps us learn how to...
December 2024 “In God’s garden: What fig trees teach us about Advent” devotional video supplement
Watch the video. This Advent, we’ll learn from some surprising teachers: fig trees. Astonishingly vibrant, fig trees have a zest for life. Their roots have even been known to bust through plumbing and climb walls like ivy! Yet fig trees also have a dormant period—a...
Bridging the gaps
Ivannav Davila Garcia knows brokenness and where the cracks are. Ivannav, 23, immigrated to the United States from Venezuela in 2016, when she was 14. She traveled with her mother and father, who sought asylum after her mother’s public advocacy and anti-corruption...
Chalk blessings
For several years, our suburban Philadelphia ELCA congregation had a practice of setting out a big basket in our narthex with a different special item that people could take with them after worship. Back then, I was in charge of coming up with the items, alongside my...
Seen. Heard. Welcomed.
Do you ever go to church hoping you have enough snacks and “stuff” to keep your child quiet and occupied throughout the worship service? Many of us are familiar with the stigmatizing saying that children “should be seen and not heard,” in places that often include...
Building Advent traditions
Every Advent, mom would drag the yule log out of storage and place it on the kitchen table. She’d made the dusty birch centerpiece herself, complete with greenery and holes to anchor the Advent candles. Although I can no longer remember if we lit one or all the...
Redeeming grace
Coupons, rainchecks and rebates were my dad’s way of saving money on groceries and other household items. Because of this, even as a young child I understood what “redeeming” meant. Dad redeemed coupons a little like he played cards. He knew just what coupon to play,...
My favorite hymns
Gather readers share their beloved songs, carols and anthems. "How Great Thou Art," "It is Well with My Soul," A Mighty Fortress is Our God".... I've enjoyed these, and many other traditional hymns, since childhood. They are not only spiritually welcome, but they...
Women’s History Month resources
The Martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas Saint Birgitta of Sweden: paving the way for female writers and philosophers Hildegarde of Bingen Catherine of Siena Women of the ELCA Women’s History Month video series, “The living history of faith-filled women” ...
Tell us: What is your favorite hymn?
What is your favorite hymn? Perhaps it's a life-long favorite that provides peace and solace whenever you are going through a tough time. Or maybe this special hymn adds joy or helps to deepen your worship experience. By Nov. 22, send a brief story (1-2 paragraphs)...
Journey with us through Advent
Read Gather's 2024 Advent devotional, "In God's Garden." View the devotional video supplement. Read “A sacred season,” an article from November/December 2024 issue of Gather that features 23 Advent disciplines. Download Advent resources from Women of the...
Nothing can separate us
Holy and abiding presence, out of the depths, I cry to you! Like so many before me, I wonder: “How long?” “Why me?” “Why them?” “Why now?” “Where are you?” and “Why have you forsaken us?” If I were to rend my garments each time these thoughts come, I would no longer...
Living backwards
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” (Mark 10:14). I’m so curious about my last day on earth. (Aren’t we all?) I expect that my swan song will include a rehash of my time here,...