We are to leave on Saturday from the retreat at Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. It has been full of emotions and learning. Yesterday I developed a head cold. I was still able to put some more time into the house we have been working on. We also did some work today. We were not … [Read more…]
Let me start with the easy stuff. Tuesday we have a few hours to go to the house that several of us have been working on. It is not enough time to finish but we will make another dent and a big one I hope. I understand we will get another day as well. We … [Read more…]
Yesterday we went to St. John Episcopal Church for a service done by the Lutheran pastor of the retreat. This is a very small church that was going to be closed due to the low attendance When the Lutheran pastor agreed to do the services, it was allowed to remain open. Both the church and the meeting room … [Read more…]
Our group had attended a wake for an elderly Lakota woman. I have to tell you, to have twenty non Indians (Us) just show up at the wake, seemed very strange. I was uneasy about “barging” in on a grieving communities’ wake. Sure enough, when we got there, I know I felt everyone’s staring at … [Read more…]
As I get to talk to people out here, the more and more I like their overall quiet ways. A lot can be said without words. Communication without words takes some effort at first but slowly can become natural. We all have the opportunity to communicate the gospel to others, never saying a word. When … [Read more…]
Yesterday I visited Lakota College on the Rez. (Reservation). The group and I were given an audio history of the Lakota Indians, accompanied by photographs on the wall of the cultural center. While listening to the history, feelings began to stir inside of me. I found myself ashamed of my government, angry, hurt, and a myriad of other emotions … [Read more…]
Yesterday night my fellow students and I arrived at the Presbyterian-Lutheran retreat located on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota. We spent twelve hours driving from Dubuque IA, via U.S. Route 20 and 16. It was really a nice drive on New Year’s Day going down mostly two lane highway through rural America. … [Read more…]
An open letter to my congregation: My dearest friends…..no strike that, my dearest family. I missed you all very much this Christmas. This is the first time in several years that I have not spent my Christmas Eve service at Trinity and you were all missed. Although I went to a service out in Galena … [Read more…]
This post is a response to a Facebook post I received. I find the issue so compelling that I believe it is best answered here on my blog. This is an age old question. If there is a God, why do bad things happen? Where is God and why do I not see God in … [Read more…]
As part of one of my seminary classes, we went on a “Rural Plunge”. Instead of telling you all about it, I invite you all to view the movie I put together about our weekend experience. Please click on the link below for the movie. Wartburg Seminary Rural Plunge 2012