Staff Trax

We always joke about how Lutherans (and anyone else, for that matter) dislike change. It’s uncomfortable to do something different, whether or not you like what you’re doing now. So instead of leaning into the fear of change, please allow me to put an optimistic spin on the concept: let’s consider change as an opportunity to reinvent yourself. Is there anything you’d like to do differently?…

This Sunday in Matthew, Jesus is telling us to be salt and light to the world. We have lots of great examples of being the light: Jesus is the Light of the world; the Light shines in the darkness; “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” But, let’s face it, salt is tricky. Salt can be exactly what you need, but it can completely overpower if there’s just a little too much.…

I had a conversation with my daughter last night about being positive versus negative. She was remembering when she was younger that I’d redirect her when she was upset to look at the positive side of situations instead of focusing on the negative. Then later when I was upset about something it would freak her out, since the message she heard from me was to not embrace feelings of anger or sadness.…

Last Saturday I played for the wedding of a lovely bride who adores Christmas, and who sang in many children’s programs with me at Indian Heights United Methodist Church. The wedding sermon was inspiring, as Pastor Ali talked about how Mary and Joseph had a rough start as a young couple, yet leaned on each other and grew together as they raised their Holy Son.

The next day in church we…

I grew up with chocolate Advent calendars. My two brothers and I took turns every day in December opening paper windows to find and eat chocolate. Oh, the anticipation every three days! We also always had an Advent wreath with four red candles (a German tradition — like the Advent calendars) that we lit every evening at dinner in December, and took turns snuffing out the candles with Mom’s fancy…

November is the month of gratitude. I’ve been enjoying my friends’ recent posts on social media sharing what they’re thankful for, so I’d like to share my grateful list:

Happy, healthy kids: I have a senior in college, and a senior and freshman in high school this year. In the years between toddlers and teenagers, the question is always “what do I do to help this…

One of my favorite things to do as we celebrate confirmands and graduates is to look back on pictures of our Salem kids growing up together in church. I’ve written many times from my perspective of being an Army kid, which meant I only spent a few years in each place we lived. I didn’t have this amazing experience of having friends who walk together throughout their faith journeys, and it's…

My first experience with our new Central States Synod Bishop Donna Simon was in 2013 at her church in downtown Kansas City. It was our very first God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday, where we were celebrating the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)’s 25th anniversary by serving our neighbors. Salem was one of several congregations who joyfully filled the pews at St. Mark Hope and Peace.…

This Sunday, as we celebrate the shepherd finding one lost sheep out of his flock of 100, we will sing a favorite hymn about being found, “Amazing Grace.” I think it’s fun to learn about the background of hymns and songs; here is the story of how “Amazing Grace” came to be:

John Newton was an Anglican minister in Olney, England, in the 1700s who chose simple, heartfelt hymns instead…

In case you missed it, the kids at Salem and Overland Park Lutheran had a musical camp for a week and then performed the story of David and Goliath on Sunday, Aug. 3. The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall was full of fun and energy with cute sheep, a sad king, a brave shepherd, a talented harpist, fierce soldiers, lovely solos, dancing and kicklines, and a fantastic message about trusting…