My book, "Open the Doors and See All the People" is now through Nov. 30 available 50% off: $8.50 with free Media Mail shipping. 

This is a book of stories the dozens of congregations I visited while a professor of "Church and Ministry" at Wartburg Seminary. Not only stories, but discussion questions to use with church councils, adult forums, retreats, throughout the year to help congregations discern their own mission and ministry.

Go to wipfandstock website conference 2026 Books by Norma Cook Everist. When asked, put in the discount code "confship" My book, Seventy Images of Grace in the Epistles" also is available at half price: $14.

Series 5 October 23

 "No one can say that color, or hair have any relationship to the quality of people, to their character or intelligence." The U.S. Supreme Court had just ruled six months before that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The country was very divided over race and education. Norma Cook, 1955. (I will resume these quotes from my high school term paper, next Mon-Fri. as we approach the Mid-terms) 

Series 4 October 22

 "Without the equality of opportunity individuals are deprived of the chance to develop their potentialities and to share the fruits of society." Norma Cook, 1955

Series 3 October 21

 "Because the right to participate in government is usually limited to citizens, there can be no denial of citizenship based upon race, color, creed, or national origin. . . It is unfair for people to be subjected to rule by a body from which it has been excluded. The right of the individual to vote is important to the group itself." Norma Cook, 1955

Series 2 Oct. 20

"In a democratic state we recognize the rule of a majority, but a majority, left unrestrained, may be as ruthless as a monarchy." Norma Cook, 1955

Series l Oct 19

 I'm beginning a new series as we move closer to Election Day. I wrote a 20-page term paper my senior year in high school, 1955, entitled, "Democratic Equality, an Ideal or a Goal?" These are quotes from what I was thinking 70 years ago: "Many well-meaning people feel that democracy is for Protestant, Anglo-Saxon Americans. They reject the full rights of immigrant groups. Our democracy is very limited if among 160 million Americans, we mistreat 55 or 60 million Americans." 

 Today is World Food Day, a global observance held every year on October 16 to raise awareness about world hunger, malnutrition, food security, and sustainable agriculture. We are giving to ELCA World Hunger.

Voted

 It's 8:30 a.m. and we just got back from early voting at the Court House. Yesterday was the first day and they were crowded all day. We were the first to vote this morning in the drizzle. They were so helpful for me, living with a disability. Please vote as soon as you can. No hassle: helpful. Safe, secure. Vote!

 

Bridge

 A walk across the Meredith Willson ("Music Man") footbridge just three blocks from our home.

Oct 1 parents married

 My parents were born in 1898. After taking care of their families during the 20's, they were married October 11, 1929.  Just 17 days later was the "Crash," the beginning of the great depression, October 29. My sister, Marianne, was not born until 1936; I was born in 1938. 

Trump and Los Angeles and San Diego

 Trump said last night "Let them take out Los Angeles; let them take out San Diego." Don't say "Trump is old/fading" or "Trump is deranged/mentally ill.) Rather, what Trump is doing is evil. I speak up because Burton is from San Diego, but I would speak up because "taking out" any place in the U.S., or the world is wrong. Yet many of us go about our daily lives as though "Things will get better." We can just watch and wait. No! What can we do to protect the U.S. and the world?