Ordinary Voices

A progressive educator and company commander in the U.S. Army National Guard reflects on life - education, equality, justice, service and faith

Miles McGuire, a high school graduate, defers college to take a “gap year.” What did he learn from the experience and what can we learn from him.

Emily Bright-Krusack describes the poetry of listening. Her description is woven into her life's journey. On this trek, she discovers the intimacy of interviewing and the gift of hearing others speak.

Finding Joy in Chaos: Humility

Music, scripture, and sermon from

Worship from Advent United Methodist Church,, Eagan, MN

We don’t like to think of our faith community in corporate terms, but even in faith, it is important to know your mission. Luke 4:18ff is called “Jesus’ Mission Statement.” It provides readers a clear and concise declaration of who Jesus is and what he will do.

As believers, we are the body of Christ. Our mission is make Christ known. We make Christ visible when we live out the mission Jesus placed in our care.

We set out to preach a sermon series on our mission in light of Jesus’ mission statement found in Luke 4:18. We thought it would help us understand ourselves as a congregation and as Christian people as we head towards future decision in the United Methodist Church.

In the midst of the message, we were interrupted by a pandemic. The pandemic has not changed our course, matter of fact, it is heightened the need for missional grounding.

Famed Explorer, Will Steger shares his views on leadership to help better equip young people to be leaders in the 21st Century. The interview was made possible by a grant from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth, MN. Leaders in the congregation desired to provide camp staff continued their professional development beyond the summer camp experience. The interview opportunity was set-up by Joel Abenth, executive director of Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry, Cook, MN.

Famed Explorer, Will Steger delivered this lecture in early July at Vermillion Community College, Ely MN to a group of summer camp staff from Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry, Cook, MN, and local residents. The lecture was made possible by a grant from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Duluth, MN. Leaders in this congregation wanted to provide young people serving in camps tools to equip them to be leaders in the 21st Century. This is part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 will be a one-on-one interview with Will on leadership.