Burton's sister, Billie Crowder, died quietly at her home in LaHabra, California (L.A. area) Tuesday surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Burton will he attending her memorial service which will be on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, on what would have been Billie's 96th birthday. We give thanks to God for this sweet, kind woman.
October 31 is Reformation Day. This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ). The JDDJ is a historic agreement between the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation that was signed in 1999 on Reformation Day. The declaration is considered a significant achievement in the ecumenical movement.
it was later affirmed by the World Methodist Council (2006), the Anglican Consultative Council (2016) and the World Communion of Reformed Churches (2017), making it a multilateral agreement between five equal partners.
One week until Nov. 5. Thank you to all who have already voted. This is to encourage all others to go to the polls. Michelle Obama reminded us that no one, even your family members, need know how you voted. No one will see how you vote. In addition, voting for the one you think the best candidate does not change your party. You can remain a Republican and vote for Harris/Walz. Or you can remain a Democrat and vote for Trump/Vance. We know this is a close election. Yes, every vote matters. It is our responsibility and our privilege to vote.
"I formally apologize" said President Joe Biden today. Speaking at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, Biden apologized for the 150 years (early 1800's to 1970) the U.S. government mandated the removal of native children from their homes to be put in Federal Indian Boarding Schools. Many were abused; many died; all suffered. This part of the U.S. history has been ignored. Biden was the first president to appoint a Native American to his cabinet, Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland.
During the Biden administration he and Haaland guided the White House Council of Native American Affairs. Biden worked to give tribes more autonomy, to reduce child poverty, to provide 200,000 jobs for Native Americans and increase funding for healthcare and education. November in Native American Heritage month.
I recently taught a Lifelong Learning class on The First Amendment which is the bedrock of our democracy. This includes "Freedom of the Press." Donald Trump has threatened to jail reporters and strip networks of their licenses for fact-checking him and for other unfavorable coverage. That would include NBC, CBS, ABC and CNN. He has also threatened the Wall Street Journal. We might be left only with state-run news outlets. Do we know what loss of freedom of the press would mean?
Less than two weeks until Nov. 5. Thousands of election officials are already serving at early voting sites. Let's support them and say "Thank you" to them. We can all help this election be free and fair and safe. My husband, Burton, will be a poll watcher on election day. Vote!
People say, "Trump says ridiculous things. I think it's funny"
My response: He's not just funny. This is deadly serious. We don't want to lose our democracy."
People say, "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad living under a dictator because Trump says he will fix things."
My response: Do you know that it would be like living under a dictator?
In a democracy it's a responsibility and a privilege to vote!
We have had our first frost; however, these roses not far from our home are still beautiful.
We voted today. People say, "I know I'll be tired on election day, so I may not be able to get to the polls" Then, vote early. People say, "I don't want to look like I'm pressuring my neighbors, so I won't bother reminding them to vote." Tell everyone to vote. Each vote matters.
So, you are thinking of not voting this year? Here is my response to what I am hearing:
"I'm exhausted. I'm thankful for the mute button on TV." To mute is not enough. Vote!
"I'm tired of the negativity:" Then vote for positivity and possibility.
Happy Thanksgiving Day to my Canadian friends, to all the people of Canada, including, of course, the First Nations.
Mason City, Iowa is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Báxoǰe (Ioway), Sauk (Sac), and Meskwaki (Fox) peoples. The Winnebago and Sioux peoples were the first inhabitants of the area that would become Mason City. We honor them on Indigenous Peoples' Day, Oct. 14 and repent of the ways they have been treated.
People from across the country care about those who have suffered from Hurricane Milton and just two weeks ago Hurricane Helena, FEMA provides life-saving rapid response and relief after disasters, giving individual and public financial assistance to help communities recover after homes, belongings and public infrastructure are damaged or lost.
Project 2025 and Trump/Vance have another vision for the future of American disaster preparedness. Under the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint for the next conservative administration, FEMA would be gutted.
The seasons change. The colored leaves fall. The farmers' Market comes to a close. We are in the Baseball post-season. Nov. 5 is one month away. What will the change of seasons bring?
From Tanya Wittwer who studied at Wartburg Seminary a couple of decades ago. "Thank you, siblings in Christ. The Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand have voted to allow the ordination of women (and also to allow clergy and members to hold to male-only ordination if that is their conviction.) We can move ahead."
I spent part of a sabbatical in Adelaide where their seminary is located and was invited to speak to a preaching class--but not to mention ordination. A few women came up afterwards and stood there, amazed to see a woman professor. During the week, a professor, and then another, and another invited me to speak to their classes. But still it took decades for the church to say yes to women. Many Wartburg people have supported Tanya. I give thanks for their persistent voices.
A sight that gladdened my heart. Lifelong conservative Republican Liz Cheney and Democratic candidate for president Kamala Harris on stage together. Yes, seeing two women was great, but even greater was seeing them speak strongly and supportively, united in their belief that this country that they both love must not elect a dangerous Donald Trump for president. Liz, and her father, former Republican Dick Cheney have both endorsed Harris. Liz: “You may not have supported a Democrat for president before, but we both love our country," Kamala praised Liz as “a leader who puts country above party and above self."
Former President Jimmy Carter turns 100 today, Oct.1.President Joe Biden heralded Carter as “a voice of courage, conviction, compassion.Former President Jimmy Carter turns 100 today, Oct.1.President Joe Biden heralded Carter as “a voice of courage, conviction, compassion.
Carter, who has been in hospice care since February 2023, is the oldest president in American history. Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, said that his Grandfather was “holding on” to vote for Kamala Harris. And though his body may be weak tonight, his spirit is as strong as ever. Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, said that his Grandfather was “holding on” to vote for Kamala Harris. And though his body may be weak tonight, his spirit is as strong as ever.
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