The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge from KFUO Radio

In this book club recap conversation, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel talk through the context, themes, and main takeaways from Martin Luther's Smalcald Articles.

What surprises us today about the subjects Luther chose to tackle in these articles? How does Luther's example help us think through the way we approach our own ecumenical dialogues? What difference does it make for us as Lutherans to be able to say "WE believe, teach, and confess" instead of simply "I believe, teach, and confess"? If we, like Luther, thought our time on earth was short and wanted to leave a clear statement of what we believe to those who came after us, what would go in it?

At the end of the episode, Rachel reveals the next Lutheran Ladies' Book Club pick: Malcolm Guite's Galahad and the Grail.

To learn more about The Smalcald Articles:

• Read The Smalcald Articles online for free.
• Order a standalone hard copy from CPH.
• Listen to our “book club prequel” interview with the Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb.
• Check out Dr. Kolb’s new book, The Smalcald Articles as Martin Luther’s Framework for Witness to Fellow Christians.

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].

Imagination. Faith. Fantasy. Poetry. Art. Beauty. Wisdom.

If these are your watchwords, this is your episode.

Once again, Sarah sits down with modern-day bard Malcolm Guite for a warm and wide-ranging conversation at the intersection of art and faith.

Malcolm Guite is a poet, musician, storyteller, Anglican priest, and literary scholar who has taught at universities including Cambridge, Duke, and Regent. He’s penned five volumes of poetry, several books on Christian faith and theology, and a highly acclaimed biography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge entitled Mariner. He has lectured widely on the fantasy writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and has recently released the first book in his four-part epic retelling of the Arthurian saga, Galahad and the Grail. Find his writing wherever books are sold and view his YouTube channel at youtube.com/@MalcolmGuitespell.

Mentioned in this episode:

• A Poet for ‘Bruised Evangelicals’ - Christianity Today
• An Arthurian Epic for the Dark Age of the Bright Screen - Christianity Today
• The "Lifting the Veil" Conference

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].

As a helpful “prequel” to their upcoming Lutheran Ladies’ Book Club discussion of Martin Luther’s Smalcald Articles, the Ladies welcome the Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb to the Lounge for a special Reformation-themed Kitchen Table Talk conversation.

What are the Smalcald Articles? What events inspired Luther to write them, and why were they later included in the Book of Concord? In what ways do the Articles remain important for us as Lutherans today?

The Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb is professor emeritus of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary and author of many books on the Lutheran Reformation including, most recently, The Smalcald Articles as Martin Luther’s Framework for Witness to Fellow Christians, from Concordia Publishing House.

• Read the Smalcald Articles freely online or order the print edition.
• Facebook group members may participate in or view the online book club event here.

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].

The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge is celebrating its seventh anniversary and 365th episode — on the same day.

Riffing off an idea first presented by author Heidi Goehmann, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel each present a range of seven-layer items — one food dish each, plus other assorted Lutheran Lady-related artifacts.

From Erin’s loaf-pan lasagna to Sarah’s seven-levels of godparenting to Rachel’s seven-layer nightstand bookstack and more, the Ladies show that, seven years in, they’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what’s possible.

Erin's Seven Layer Loaf Pan Lasagna

2 generous servings

• 1 - 1.25 cups canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise into 1/8-inch ribbons
• Baby spinach- "some"
• .5 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• .5 cup cottage cheese (or just use 1 cup of either ricotta or cottage cheese)
• .25 c parmesan cheese, plus more for finishing
• 1 egg
• 2 T basil pesto
• Fresh basil leaves- "a small handful"
• .25 t garlic powder
• Half a small lemon, zested 
• 4 dried lasagna noodles, or enough to fill your loaf pan
• 1.25 cups shredded cheesy cheese
• salt & pepper 

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your loaf pan. 

In a small bowl, whisk together the whole egg, ricotta, cottage cheese, parmesan, pesto, garlic powder, lemon zest, and a good grind of black pepper. 

Assembly Instructions: 

Spread everything evenly, and always make sure the noodle is FULLY covered.

• Base layer: ~1/4 cup of tomato sauce (bottom of the pan)
• Layer 1: Lasagna noodle
• Layer 2: a quarter of the ricotta-pesto filling
• Layer 3: Zucchini slices. Light sprinkle of salt & pepper.
• Layer 4: Baby spinach leaves, just to cover.
• Layer 5: A light layer of shredded cheese.
• Layer 6: ~1/4 c of tomato sauce.

Repeat layers 1-6 twice more. That will bring you to three lasagna noodle layers.

Before placing the fourth and final noodle, spread out the basil leaves (the seventh layer!!). Then cover with the last noodle and spread the remaining ricotta-pesto filling over the top. Make sure no bare noodle remains. Top with a generous portion of shredded cheese and sprinkle on some parmesan as well.

Cover the pan with foil. Give it enough space so that the foil doesn't touch the cheese.

Bake for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for 12-15 minutes more, until browned and bubbling. 

Let the lasagna rest undisturbed on the counter for 15-20 minutes before slicing.

Notes: 

If the cheese isn't browning at the end, amp up the heat to 425°F for a few more minutes.

Make sure the assembled, unbaked lasagna doesn't exceed the height of the loaf pan. You don't want it to bubble over, and you don't want the cheese to stick to the foil.

Resting is important so the lasagna can "set". This allows you to serve a slice that holds together. It also allows it to be less molten and will be less likely to burn the roof of your mouth.

If I wanted to scale this recipe, I would probably double it for an 8x8 or 9x9 casserole dish. And either triple or quadruple it for a 9x13. I would start by laying out dry noodles in the pan and seeing how many fit in a single layer. I would also increase the baking time to 60 minutes covered and then continue uncovered until browned and bubbling.

Emalie and Rachel’s Seven-Layer Earth Cake

• Layer 1: Oreo/butter crumb crust — the bedrock
• Layer 2: Gummy worms — the wildlife
• Layer 3: Chocolate ganache — the subsoil
• Layer 4: Chocolate cake — the topsoil
• Layer 5: Green frosting — the grass
• Layer 6: White frosting — the clouds
• Layer 7: Rainbow candy ribbons — the rainbows

Sarah's Yemeni Coffee Seven-Layer Cookie Bar

• 6oz super fine almond flour *
• 20g super fine ground coffee
• 1/3 tsp salt
• 1/3 tsp cardamom
• 1/3 tsp ginger
• 3Tbs Maple syrup
• 1Tbs Olive oil

The easy method:

1. Mix all ingredients EXCEPT coffee until very thick (playdough consistency). If too wet, add more flour. If too thick, add more maple syrup.
2. Split dough in half.
3. Mix 20g super fine coffee ground into one half. Add more maple syrup if it becomes too dry.
4. Split the coffee layer into 3 balls and the spicy layer into 4 balls.
5. Roll each ball into similar sized shapes.
6. Alternate in SEVEN layers spice/coffee/spice/coffee/spice/coffee/spice.
7. Cut into small rectangles.
8. Bake on convention (quick bake) at 400/375 for 12 minutes, rotating for another 5 minutes.
9. Bars are done when almond flour begins to brown.

* Different almond flours absorb different amounts of liquid. May need to edit amounts to get the right consistency.

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].

In this Adventures in Lutheranism conversation, Rachel shares the story of her return as interim managing editor to The Lutheran Witness magazine after a 7-year hiatus.

Following a personal account of her recent professional transition, the discussion broadens out into the history of the LCMS's flagship magazine (in print since 1882!); a list of reasons why print is not, in fact, dead; and four ways in which Ladies' Lounge listeners can take part in this adventure themselves.

To learn more about or connect with The Lutheran Witness, you can:

• Read articles on the website.
• Subscribe to the print magazine.
• Connect on Facebook.
• Sign up for LW's monthly newsletter.
• Write a letter to the editor.
• Check out the LW podcast.
• Read recent letters from Rachel and Pastor Harrison.
• Submit an article query.

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].

Class is back in session, as Sarah continues her diaconal studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis!

In this episode, Sarah reviews material covered in her fourth class in Concordia Seminary's Online Deaconess Studies curriculum: Creedal Themes. This course examines in depth the church's ancient creeds, with a special focus on the Nicene Creed.

Rather than simply lecturing, though, Sarah has other, more interactive plans for her cohosts: "You are both well-catechized Lutherans," she tells Erin and Rachel early on, "so I want to walk through the creed with you and ask you a bunch of questions!"

Do you know the answers to Sarah's creedal questions? Review familiar concepts — and maybe even learn a few new ones — in this faith-forming (and faith-strengthening) conversation.

Resources referenced include:

• The Book of Concord - Concordia Publishing House
• Called to Believe, Teach & Confess - Concordia Publishing House
• FLAME – 3 Genera Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].

What does curiosity have to do with effective leadership?

Following up on her earlier Leading Ladies conversation, former co-host and regular guest Bri Gerzervske returns to the Lounge to discuss a key item on her list of Oddball Leadership values: curiosity.

When leaders at all levels of the org chart embrace curiosity, says Bri, they are less likely to act impulsively and more likely to nurture a work environment in which everyone is free to speak and listen, learn, grow and collaborate for the sake of their shared mission.

Learn more about being an Oddball Leader or subscribe for more of Bri's leadership insights at Oddball Leadership, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].

Were women in the past completely uneducated — or worse, cruelly denied any meaningful opportunity to receive an education by their parents and society at large? Some modern scholars say so, but in this "back-to-school" edition of Rachel's Trivia Challenge, the Lutheran Ladies are revisiting key literary sources as they not only explore the history of women's education but also investigate whether the prevailing narrative of our day is truly just to those who came before us.

With questions drawn from Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and other notable authors writing in and about their own times, this quiz will tickle the minds of literary mavens and education enthusiasts alike — even though, in the end, it may raise as many questions as it answers.

Sources referenced in this episode include ...

• Gender in Cultural History: Gender and Education
• Luther on education: arnold__lut_33_3.pdf
• Martin Luther and female education. - Free Online Library
• Martin Luther: A Sermon on Keeping Children in School (1530)
• William Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing
• Phillis Wheatley | The Poetry Foundation
• Poems, by Phillis Wheatley
• The Old Deluder Satan Act: deluder.html
• Quote by Jane Austen: “It is amazing to me," said Bingley, "How young ...”
• Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice; Mansfield Park
• Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
• Social History of American Education | Education | Research Starters | EBSCO Research
• The story of female education in the US: from illiterate to top of the class | World Economic Forum
• ERIC - ED119389 - A History of Compulsory Education Laws. Fastback Series, No. 75. Bicentennial Series., 1976
• Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
• John Dewey Quotes About Education | A-Z Quotes
• Rosa Young - Wikipedia
• Civil Rights Division | Sex Discrimination
• Women Continue To Outpace Men In College Enrollment And Graduation

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].

Lutherans sometimes have a reputation for being boring and “vanilla” — but is this stereotype always justified? Sarah’s putting it to the test with this week’s all-new Adventure in Lutheranism: LERT Basic and Chainsaw Training!

Lutheran Early Response Teams are groups of volunteers specially trained by LCMS Disaster Response to serve in afflicted areas following a natural disaster. Sometimes that means praying with and for people; sometimes it means mucking out flooded homes — and sometimes (as Sarah found out when she recently attended a certification training session at her home church) it means wielding chainsaws to clear fallen trees and brush.

Click to learn more about LCMS Disaster Response or find out how you can support or volunteer with a Lutheran Early Response Team near you.

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].

According to Lutheran Service Book, the commemoration of St. Monica falls on August 27 each year. To give you enough time to source ingredients for Erin's delicious St. Monica Buns, we're sharing this episode from August 2024 to inspire your ideas for a St. Monica Day Party!

Who exactly is St. Monica? How does one celebrate her? To answer these questions (and more), the Party Planning Committee is back!

Monica, mother of St. Augustine of Hippo, is remembered today as an example of faith, patience, and godliness in the face of complicated family relationships.

In this episode, Rachel briefly tells Monica’s inspiring life story before suggesting an appropriate menu and party plan befitting the saint’s fabled austerity — featuring vegetable porridge, bread, water, loud weeping, and all-night prayer vigils. Thankfully, Erin and Sarah intervene with a much more festive set of ideas, including Erin’s original recipe for St. Monica buns (see below) and Sarah’s home-grown party games: pin the collect on the saint, “Aqueducts and Leviathans” (a fun “Shoots and Ladders” spinoff), and, of course, a hymn sing.

St. Monica’s Buns

Recipe by Erin Alter

Makes 12 buns (can easily be doubled)

Dough

½ c (117 ml) milk, any kind, lightly warmed

1 ¼ t (½ packet) instant yeast

2 T (25 g) granulated sugar

¾ t salt

1 large egg

4 T (57 g) butter, softened

1 ¾ c (227 g) flour

Filling

3 T packed brown sugar

¼- ½ t cinnamon

Scant 1/8 t ground ginger

Good pinch of salt

2 peaches, pitted and diced

Garnish

Milk

Turbinado sugar

Directions

Whisk together warm milk, yeast, sugar, and salt a large bowl. Whisk in eggs. Add softened butter, chunked up. Use Danish dough whisk to incorporate flour. Stir vigorously for the duration of one of your favorite songs (ideally 4-6 minutes; the song will help it go faster). The dough will be smooth but still extremely sticky. This is proper.

Transfer the whole mess into an oiled bowl big enough to hold it when doubled. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and from here there are two possible schedules:

• Method 1: Let the dough rise at room temperature until it just shy of doubles, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Transfer dough to the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days. It is impossible to work with this dough when still at room temperature; don’t even try.
• Method 2: Let the dough rise in the fridge a minimum of 8 hours, and up to 2 days. It will be just about doubled when it comes out.

From this point, you are now back on the same track, regardless of your rising method. Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a muffin tin. Combine brown sugar, spices, and salt. Mix in the diced peaches. Set aside to get juicy.

On a well-floured counter, divide the dough in quarters, and then divide each quarter into 3 pieces, so you have 12 pieces of dough.

Roll each piece of dough into a ball. On a well-floured counter, use a rolling pin to flatten it out into a circle, ~ 4 inches wide. Add flour as needed to keep it from sticking. Work fairly quickly, so the dough doesn’t get too warm.

Holding the circle of dough in your palm, add two heaping spoonful’s of the peaches to the center. Gather the edges of the dough up around the sides, forming a little nest. Nestle the nest into the muffin tin and repeat. If you have extra peaches at the end, you can see if there are any buns that you could scoop a little more into.

Brush the dough edges with a little milk and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.

Bake for 16-18 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly. Let cool at least 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin and serving.

Optional: Serve with crème fraiche.

Note: If you add extra peaches to a bun, don’t let the peaches heap up over the dough much at all. If you do, they will probably overflow in the oven and you will have delicious buns that are very, very sticky to eat and an extremely messy pan to clean. And non-overflowed buns are just as delicious, and much more pleasant to eat.

Crème Fraiche

Combine 1 c heavy whipping cream with 1 heaping T sour cream in a container with a tight fitting lid. Shake for 15 seconds (don’t turn this to butter!). Leave it on the counter for 24 hours, covered. Stir it 2-3 times during that time. It will become thickened (similar to yogurt, but not nearly as thick as Greek yogurt) and delicious. Note: If your kitchen is too cold, it won’t thicken.

Resources referenced:

Accounts of St. Monica:

• St Monica – The Patron Saint of Alcoholics & Mothers! (bishoysblog.com)
• St. Monica – Saints & Angels – Catholic Online
• Saint Monica – Wikipedia

Recipe for Roman puls porridge:

• Romans in Britain – Recipe for Puls Fabata (Fava bean porridge) (romanobritain.org)

Recipe for Roman bread:

• How to make Roman bread: a Roman bread recipe (vita-romae.com)

Aqueducts and Leviathans!

Want to play a fun game of Aqueducts and Leviathans? Download the PDF Aqueducts and Leviathans Board Game here!

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at [email protected].