On The Way: Ten Years, Nine Souls, and Eight Kids from Mahoning

Ten Years, Nine Souls, and Eight Kids from Mahoning  Ten years ago, I was co-pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Mahoning, near Lehighton. We had a large confirmation group that year – eight of them – and we took a weekend field trip to Philadelphia, with the theme “Faithful Philly.” On Friday, we visited…

a group of people holding the earth in their hands

Green Team 2025 Spring Newsletter

2025 Spring Newsletter Highlights from the Spring 2025 Green Team Newsletter:  Prayer & ReflectionA video prayer from Lutherans Restoring Creation: “Fact: The Earth is Good.”Link: Watch here Upcoming Event: Camping at Synod AssemblyLocation: Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church, StroudsburgActivities: Camping, hiking the Appalachian Trail, kayaking the Delaware River Feature: Lutheran Environmentalists in the West BankHighlights the Nassar…

Black History Month: Week 4

Racial Justice is Something I Didn’t Sign Up For!

“Pastor, it’s a shame that we have school districts that have so many minorities.”

This was one of the most heartbreaking comments I’ve ever heard. I serve in Schuylkill County, which is at the last census 90.7% white in its population and 3.8% black, and also 3.3% Hispanic. Yes, I am aware that this adds up to 97.8, and the rest of that is designated as “other”. That comment that you read above? It came not from any parishioner I’ve had, but from someone who attended a funeral that I had led.

Black History Month: Week 3

Racial Justice Work is God’s Work, Our Hands

“Why should I care about all this racial justice stuff?”

“The church should stick to spiritual matters, not get involved in politics!”

I sometimes hear these arguments. And I get it. There was a time when I didn’t see how my call to be a pastor included a call to work for justice. I thought these were two separate things – both good things, to be sure – but not necessarily related. Was I ever wrong!