Poetry:
Better Things
Our Set Apart Place
Figure Things Out
Faith Walk Spring Cleaning Good for the Spirit
Donating
Life
Strangers in Need
Leader-Telegram Magazine
Spring 2015
Easter Egg Hunl t4
Satturdday, Apri hine!
S All Day, Rai5:n0or p. 8:00 a.m.- 0 m. un SpringtimeFamthroilughyoutF the grounds,
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6:00pm Sunday, April 26 Florian Gardens
Our knowledgea staff is alwayble s available any of your to answer gardening and landscap questions! ing
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Cafe
6025 Arndt Lane om 715-833-1234 www.dwntoearth.c w n-Sat 8am-6pm Mo Sun10am-5pm
770360 3-28-15
2340 Lorch Avenue, Eau Claire
Registration is required for this FREE program. To register call 715.717.1600. Professional photographer Ken Ross, son of world-renowned psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, will share the lessons he learned as he traveled far and wide with his famous mother. Considered one of the most important minds of the last century, Dr. Kübler-Ross forever changed how the world treats its dying. Ken was the principal care provider for his mother in the last 9 years of her life. He will offer an intimate look at that journey as he examines his mother’s trailblazing life and legacy, and recounts her thoughts on compassionate care of the dying and the grieving.
The Holy Land and Jordan With Pastor Kurt Jacobson Of Trinity Lutheran Church
October 20 ~ November 2, 2015 Sea of Galilee • Bethlehem • Jerusalem The Dead Sea • Mount Nebo, Jordan Treasury & Temple of the Winged Lions, Jordan The Monsignor Klimek Healing Presence Endowment Lecture Series invites guest speakers who will inspire and enable hands-on spiritual ministry to those in need. “We are placing hope into people’s lives as we help the aged, the sick, the poor, and the forgotten through our kindness, our understanding, our love, our patience, and our presence.” – Msgr. Edmund Klimek 764532_3-28-15
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Spring 2015
FaithWalk 2
For a complete brochure contact Joan Lorenz at Higgins Travel Leaders
715-834-2686
Our space is limited!
771146 3-28-15
When submitting an article please note the following: Length of article: 510 words or less, including biographical information. Contact editor Christena O’Brien in advance if you wish to write a longer article. The editor reserves the right to choose, edit and shorten articles. Articles will be published based on space availability and editorial content criteria.
contact us
W
e welcome your stories, songs and poems about faith and how it has affected your life or the life of someone you know. Please send us your articles any time of the year.
Christena O’Brien Faith Walk Editor 715.830.5838
christena.obrien@ecpc.com
Angela Rediess Graphic Designer Kathy Hayden Advertising Sales Director 715.833.7420 kathy.hayden@ecpc.com
Catie Carlson Magazine Coordinator 715.830.5823 catie.carlson@ecpc.com
Next issue: December 2015 Published twice a year by the Leader-Telegram Advertising Department. P.O. Box 570. Eau Claire, WI 54702-0570. Copyright 2015 Eau Claire Press Company. All rights reserved.
Photos: If you have a photo or graphic that helps illustrate your work, feel free to include it. Artwork will only be printed if it meets the technical requirements for graphic publication. To submit: Email to christena.obrien@ ecpc.com or mail to Leader-Telegram, Attn: Christena O’Brien, 701 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, WI 54701.
Faith Walk
Information and opinions in the articles of this magazine are those of the authors and are not necessatily objective reports.
Available online at www.leadertelegram.com
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Savor!
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Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
FaithWalk 6
Spring Cleaning By Mary Pierce
I took the professional organizer’s advice and took everything — “Everything!” she’d said — out of my closet. The bed was soon piled high with debris. Hangers, shoe boxes, sandals, high heels, flats, pantyhose, knee highs, sweat socks, shorts, sweat pants, sweaters, dress shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, skirts, slacks, jeans, belts, purses and scarves. And one dress. Into my 5-foot wide closet I’d crammed 50 feet worth of stuff. You can tell a lot about a woman from the stuff in her closet. My T-shirts tell my life story. I was once the “Property of the Athletic Department” of a major university. I’ve attended Harvard, Yale and Princeton, if owning the sweatshirt means anything. (It doesn’t.) I was “Born to Shop,” a fact further supported by my “Veni, Vidi, Visa — She Came, She Saw, She Shopped” shirt. I was “Born to Garden.” I was “Born to Be Wild.” Other T-shirts have announced to the world at times that I had a “Baby On Board,” then became “She Who Is to Be Obeyed” and the reason: “Because I’m the Mommy — That’s Why!” More recently I’ve been “The Queen of Everything,” as well as “The Only One Who REALLY Knows What’s Going On.” Stuffed into the back corner of the closet, I found my box of “painting clothes.” Painting pants, painting shorts and painting jeans. Painting sweatshirts, painting T-shirts and painting tank tops. Painting sneakers, painting socks and painting sandals. How many pieces of clothing could I possibly wear while I was painting? No question I was prepared to paint, regardless of the climate, in every season.
(Speaking of overdue, I uncovered a library book that was due so long ago I’d declared it lost and paid for it already. I’d paid for it so long ago that I didn’t remember paying for it, until the librarian reminded me the following week when I tried to return it.) My closet needed a serious intervention. The closet professional offered advice: STEP ONE: Empty the closet. STEP TWO: Sort. One pile for KEEP, a box to DONATE and a big, BIG garbage bag for TRASH. Are you like me? Do you have a pair of way-toosmall jeans? These are the jeans that (a) you’ve saved since high school, or before you had babies, thinking you’ll fit into them again someday or (b) you’ve never actually worn, but you bought them as an incentive to stick with that great diet you were absolutely positively going to stick with and lose the weight finally, once and for all time. (That was 10 diets ago, and you never did fit into the jeans, but you know that someday ... really, you will ...) I took my way-too-small jeans and had a little ceremony as I tossed them into DONATE, singing like the Sound of Music von Trapp kids, “So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye …”
This is the solution for people who can’t stand to throw “perfectly good” clothing away. “I’ll use it for painting, or yard work or working on the car …”
So long to “someday I’ll …” Farewell to fantasy. Auf wiedersehen to the awful pressure to be something I’m not. Goodbye and good riddance to unrealistic expectations!
No question that my closet needed a serious overhaul. Clearing the closet clutter was long overdue.
I tackled my shoe pile next. I’m not a centipede; how many shoes did I really need, anyway? 7 FaithWalk
Spring 2015
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r Dana’s Grill & Ba
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Spring 2015
FaithWalk 8
That was the burning question as I sorted and tossed. How many did I really need? How much of what I thought I needed was really excess? Purchased on impulse or one of those clearance-clearance rack “bargains� that turn out to be huge mistakes? How much time, energy and money had I wasted over the years, for lack of planning, organizing and foresight? Ouch! Sorting and tossing done, I hung up the remains of my wardrobe, and per the expert’s advice, arranged the items by color. What a shock! So much black, white, beige and gray. So little color in my wardrobe, in my life. The grays, beiges and blahs reflected my general mood over the past several years. Life challenges had me in and out of the fog of depression. But things had changed. It was time for renewal, freedom and a more creative way of living. And I wanted my wardrobe to reflect that.
shreds of shame and let go of the faded dreams. Keep only what is useful and worthy of praise, and let God clothe me in “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patienceâ€? (Colossians 3:12). “Consider the lilies,â€? Jesus said. Clothed in splendor, stunning to behold, provided for so beautifully, though they are just flowers. The illustration is not about dressing in finery and spending a fortune on a wardrobe makeover. It’s about God’s provision. It’s about his love. If God does that for lilies, what would he do for me, bringing that kind of simple, confident beauty into my life? Would he do it for you? All we need to do is ask, and when we do, God answers, “Yes, yes, yes ‌â€?
“Consider the lilies ‌,â€? Jesus said. God clothes them in splendor. They don’t labor or spin. They don’t shop till they drop or worry about what they will wear. They don’t obsess about their looks, trying to be something they are not. They stand tall and confident, beautiful and Godhonoring by being lilies, just as he created them to be. I got to thinking, I’ve been hanging on to all these old clothes ‌ what else have I been hanging onto? Attitudes. Anger. The past. I realized then that God wanted me to clean out my emotional closet as well. Time to toss the ragged regrets and
About the author
Author, speaker and humorist Mary Pierce lives and works in Eau Claire. She is a licensed professional counselor offering outpatient mental health counseling for adults dealing with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions and family caregiving issues. For counseling support, call 715-832-0238.
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Spring 2015
Leader-Telegram
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Highland Fitness Silver Sneakers Fitness program members.
Article provided by Highland Fitness.
Maturing in age doesn’t have to mean slowing down. Staying active as we age will reap many benefits. Having regular physical activity through the Silver Sneakers Fitness program provides getting fit at your pace and convenience. The program is the nation’s leading fitness program designed exclusively for older adults. It helps by improving flexibility and increasing strength all while having fun with friends. Silver Sneakers is available nationwide through select Medicare health plans, Medicare supplement carriers and group retiree plans. Local insurance providers such as AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, Advantage by Managed Health Services, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Humana, Ucare, UnitedHealthCare and WPS Medicare Companion all offer the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program. To check eligibility and to get more information please go to your insurance provider or to the Silver Sneakers website. Silver Sneakers Fitness Program encourages you to become fit, provides guidance and assistance, while you enjoy working out in a social environment. Silver Sneakers is offered at all three of our Highland Fitness locations. Getting started requires you to come into one of our locations to start your membership today. You will be provided a keycard that gives you access to Eastridge and 24/7 access to Westridge and Lake Hallie locations. The membership includes all of Highland Fitness Group Fitness classes such as Yoga, Body Pump, Pilates, etc. Our personal trainer, Kassie, leads Silver Sneakers Classic sessions at our Lake Hallie location weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30am. Kassie instructs a strength training program that improves flexibility, strength, posture and balance in a group setting. Taking advantage of joining a gym through Silver Sneakers allows you to work out as you please or choose to have assistance to get the most out of your time and efforts. It is never too late to become physically active. The health benefits of exercise greatly outweigh the risks. If you are concerned about health issues, do consult a doctor for medical advice. In the words from Silver Sneakers: Get fit, have fun, make friends! Come see us at Highland Fitness to get started with your Silver Sneakers Fitness Program membership. 769541 3-28-15
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Spring 2015
FaithWalk 10
McDonell Central Catholic High School students
Pilgrimage to Lourdes By Deacon Thomas M. Kinnick
Jeanne Kuehl and Deacon Thomas M. Kinnick help a person in a wheelchair up over a curb.
The Chippewa Falls group had the opportunity to celebrate Mass at the Grotto. The Rev. Ed Shuttleworth from St. Charles Borromeo in Chippewa Falls was the celebrant. Jeanne Kuehl and McDonell teacher Paula Thelen participated as lectors.
have to go back.” Schoch also was moved by the trip. “It is a powerful place where God does cool things, and we help to make that happen.” From helping at the baths, assisting in the nightly rosary procession, serving meals, changing soiled bed linens, cleaning dishes, pushing our brothers and sisters in wheelchairs or stretchers, fetching water from the Grotto (the place where Mary appeared 18 times to Bernadette), feeding those who can’t feed themselves and many other such tasks, we are able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who needed help. It is humbling and exhilarating at the same time.
Lourdes is a place where the intersection of the Cross is encountered daily. Lourdes is where one gives praise, honor and glory to God by serving the handicapped, poor, sick and marginalized people from all places in the world. Over the 10 years, 30-plus McDonell Central Catholic High School students have traveled to Lourdes in order to do just that. This past summer, recent graduate Jeanne Kuehl, current seniors Abigail Selzler and Lance Schoch and current freshman Scott Wild had their Lourdes experience.
About the Author Deacon Thomas M. Kinnick, S.T.L. McDonell High School’s theology chair and director of campus ministry. Kinnick has lead six pilgrimages since 2005 to Lourdes, France.
Lourdes is a place of joy and selfserving love where the Church on earth actually realizes her potential and is the Church of heaven. It is where those who are ablebodied serve those who need to be served, and both grow from the experience.
“The experience changed my life,” Selzler said. “You simply get lost in serving others and never thinking about yourself — it is a self-sacrificing love.” Wild said, “I
God is glorified as his children live out their vocation of love to which all are called. Lourdes is holy ground where heaven and earth meet.
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The church built above the Grotto in Lourdes, France.
In 2005, I was asked by the Diocese of La Crosse to lead a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. Lourdes is the where Mary’s 18 apparitions to Saint Bernadette took place, and as a result is now a destination for 8 million people annually who are looking for physical, psychological or spiritual healing.
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Spring 2015
Leader-Telegram
What religion are you? By Jan Ecklor
Religion is a fairly hot topic these days. It would be hard to pick up a major news paper and not find an article on radical Islam. The Israeli prime minister recently spoke to a joint session of Congress and mentioned the upcoming celebration of Purim. And a television network promoted the woes of a Mormon family subtracting and adding wives. Curiously, religion has different meanings. Besides a commitment to a cause or religious faith, a person can religiously wash windows in the spring and fall, get a haircut every six weeks or walk the dog morning and evening. And I’m guessing the brand name True Religion has nothing to do with a church. Now consider this. James, the brother of Jesus wrote, “Religion that is pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27. NIV) When I heard an older woman in our church needed to go to a nursing home for an extended stay after surgery, a widow with no children, I felt I needed to go for a visit. We’d been friendly, but not friends. Religion that is pure and faultless … But the problem was, I didn’t know her that well, and I hated nursing homes.
Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
Visions of those Christmas-caroling visits passed before me, along with the thought of the antiseptic smell, and I’m ashamed to admit it, the droopy-headed residents sitting in their wheelchairs wearing bibs. It was really hard for me to do. Religion that is pure and faultless … So I did it. I don’t even recall noticing any kind of smell in the building. The woman I was calling on was pleased to see me, and I was there hardly any time at all when she got a phone call that a relative was on her way. So when her visitor arrived, I said my goodbye. On my way through the hallway, I looked in some of those doorways. A resident in bed, a lady sitting in a chair reading, a patient sleeping in a bed with an aide sitting close by. What would it have cost me to stick my head inside the doorway and ask, “Would you like a visitor?” Could I have done that? Religion that is pure and faultless … Next time I may plan on it.
FaithWalk 12
About the Author
Jan Ecklor is a mom of four grown children and grandma to 10 grandchildren. She enjoys writing, gardening and road biking with her husband, Ron. They live north of Menomonie.
Donating Life By Moira Kneer
In early November, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital received a national award recognizing its efforts to promote organ donation. I was asked to speak briefly at the ceremony. After introducing myself, I told the group gathered, which included doctors, critical care staff, chaplains and the transplant teams, how valuable their work is. I officially retired two years ago from my position here at HSHS Sacred Heart as hospital chaplain. Since then I have gone out into the community as outreach coordinator for the Center for Spiritual Care and The Healing Place, giving talks and listening to the public. Several of those presentations touch on the subject of organ donation in connection with end-of-life issues. I talk about my own experiences as a chaplain because part of my job, as part of the organ procurement team, was to ask family members if the patient was an organ donor. In many ways that was one of the most difficult parts of my job … but I felt very passionate about organ donation. I have four grown up children. When my daughter Cathy was almost 30, her doctors told her that the juvenile diabetes, which she had struggled with since age 7, was killing her. Very bluntly, her doctor told her that unless she obtained a pancreas transplant soon, she would be dead within five years. For most of the world, the idea of organ transplantation is closer to science fiction than reality. It happens in movies like “Steel Magnolias,” and books like “My Sister’s Keeper” or in news articles about other people. When it happens to you, you enter an entirely different world. But it is a world based on hope, on loving your neighbor as yourself and on generous, giving people and dedicated professionals. We entered that world in 1999 when Cathy was placed on the list, waiting for a pancreas. That meant we were waiting for someone else’s family members to make a decision in the most painful time of their lives, a decision to help someone else live. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t give thanks for the sacrifice that family made. Fifteen years ago, transplantation of the pancreas was a relatively new experience. When Cathy finally felt well enough to attempt to contact the family of the donor, months had gone by. It was well over a year before we heard back from them. You could tell how difficult it was for them to communicate with her. We did find out that
the young man whose pancreas Cathy received had told his family about his desire to be an organ donor. It was only weeks before his sudden death. We had thought he was the victim of a car accident, but we found out that he died suddenly of a brain embolism. And his family did not want his organs donated. This is normal. A normal response. Often the first comment family members would make is “Oh, he has been through so much! We don’t want to put him through anything else. His pain was so great!” After meeting with the team and reflecting on their conversations with him, the family of my daughter’s donor finally agreed to honor his wishes. This is where the team can help. Team members can give families important information about organ donation — when it happens, where it happens, what the family can do. There were 11 people whose lives were saved, whose lives were changed because he cared enough to be a donor … and because his family loved him enough to honor his wishes. Often when we hear stories about organ donation, we cannot put a face or form on the donor, but these are real people, with real lives and loving families. There is great loss associated with this gift of life, but also great joy. Two years after Cathy received the pancreas, her kidneys failed. Her brother stepped forward as a living donor. And just this past April, when that donated kidney started to fail, Cathy’s sister offered another gift of life, donating one of her kidneys. As we talked about these issues at our family gatherings, we often marvel that while it is difficult enough to contemplate donating to a family member, how wonderful it is that perfect strangers are willing to make the gift available to those in need.
About the Author
Moira Kneer of Eau Claire is community outreach coordinator for HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital’s Center for Spiritual Care and The Healing Place. She and her husband, Dan, live in Eau Claire.
Scripture says “There is no greater love says the Lord than to lay down your life for a friend.” There is a special place in heaven for those who offer life to strangers, freely given with no expectations. The organ donation team is the bridge. Its members make it possible for those who are leaving this place to give the gift of life to others. You are the people who understand that in death there can be life. You bring hope. You can listen and show compassion for the families who are grieving the loss of their dear ones, while showing the way they make sure that the love they share goes on, goes forward and changes the world. Thank you for your dedication, your compassion and your vision.
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Leader-Telegram
Celebrate Easter with Us Christ Church Cathedral Palm Sunday Saturday, March 28 Sunday, March 29
5:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Vigil Mass with Distribution of Palms Traditional Mass with Distribution of Palms Liturgy and Procession of the Palms Mass with the Reading of the Passion
Maundy Thursday April 2
7:00 p.m.
Mass with Footwashing and Stripping of the Altar, followed by Night Watch at Altar of Repose
Good Friday April 3
12:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross with Reflections Solemn Liturgy of Good Easter
Holy Saturday April 4
9:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday Liturgy Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter
Easter Day April 5
8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Traditional Mass with Hymns Solemn Choral Mass with Procession 768359 3-28-15
1120 Cedar Street, Eau Claire From West Clairemont East on Vine St. then north on 12th St. (715) 834-2959
Palm Sunday Worship 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday
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770302 3-28-15
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To have your church included please call Leader-Telegram Advertising Consultant, Lisa Buchholz 715-833-9271. Leader-Telegram
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&
Sunflower Seeds More By Steve Henry
Our backyard bird feeder is a source of interest — for the birds and for me. It’s a delight to watch God’s littler creatures vie for a meal. There’s a pecking order amongst the blue jays, woodpeckers and the cardinals. The mourning doves, sparrows and finches are satisfied to fill their appetites from the seeds that scatter on the ground.
The red-bellied woodpecker can enjoy a meal without competition from the others. Once it takes flight, there’s a positional fight amongst the jays. Only on rare occasions have I witnessed a cardinal come flying into the feeder pan and flushing the blue jays away. My son Bob and his wife gifted us with a bird feeder five or more years ago. Little did I realize then that this gift would provide hours of enjoyment. But it has. Maybe it’s the little things that God has placed in my life that I should be more attuned to. And, as the weather warms and
spring returns, I’ll relish again the return of more and more birds, even a new one occasionally. I’ll also keep a closer watch on the greening of the landscape as the grass and plants poke through the soil in search of the sun. It’s a wonderful time to be alive!
About the Author
Steve Henry is a retired outdoors writer and photographer from Chippewa Falls.
As Carol Ann Morrow wrote in her “Trust-in-God Therapy” book: “We can have confidence that creation is unfolding according to God’s will, but we can also help to make it so. Use your special gifts to bring kindness, peace and healing to a world in need.” It’s been said often that God works in mysterious ways. “Choose to be like a wild daisy or a field sparrow. Greet the dawn, confident that you have all you need to be what you are meant to be.” Morrow concluded: “When the day brings storm or drought, bird and flower hold on bravely to life. Simply trust. Trust simply.”
What is DemenƟa?
Living Well with DemenƟa
DemenƟa is not a specic disease, rather an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform every day acƟviƟes. There are many condiƟons that can cause demenƟa. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of demenƟa accounƟng for 60-80 percent of cases.
Support for Individuals x Memory screenings x Language Enriched Exercise Plus SocializaƟon (LEEPS) x Eau Claire Memory Café x Early Stage Memory Loss Support Group x Research OpportuniƟes
What are the warning signs?
x
Asking the same quesƟon over and over again.
x
RepeaƟng the same story, word for word, again and again.
x
Forgeƫng how to make a favorite recipe, or how to knit, or how to make repairs—acƟviƟes that were previously done with ease and regularity.
x
Losing one’s ability to pay bills or balance a checkbook.
x
Geƫng lost in familiar surroundings, or misplacing household objects and nding the items in odd locaƟons (wallet in the freezer, etc.).
x
NeglecƟng to bathe or wearing the same clothes over and over again, while insisƟng that they have taken a bath or that their clothes are sƟll clean.
x
Relying on someone else, such as a spouse, to make decisions or answer quesƟons they previously would have handled themselves.
x x x x x x x x x
Age (65 years and older) High blood pressure High cholesterol Family history or memory problems Heart disease Diabetes Being female Obesity InacƟvity
What are the risk factors?
Adapted from the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s InsƟtute
• • •
Support for Family Caregivers x Memory Care ConnecƟons (MCC) x Assistance with planning for the future x Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP) x ConnecƟons to support groups, classes, and conferences
DemenƟa...can we reduce the risk?
Look a�er your heart Be physically ac�ve Follow a healthy diet
• •
Challenge your brain Enjoy social ac�vity
Early detecƟon is KEY
A memory screen is a wellness tool that helps iden�fy possible changes in memory and cogni�on. It creates a baseline of where a person is at so that future changes can be monitored. It is free and takes only 10 minutes. Timely detec�on of memory loss or other cogni�ve impairment also provides benets for people with demen�a, their families, and physicians such as: • More �me to make plans for the future • An opportunity to learn more about the disease and nd community resources such as support groups, memory café, and other op�ons • Gives families the ability to learn and plan for the future together • Provides physicians the ability to more effec�vely manage complica�ons from co-exis�ng medical condi�ons • An opportunity to address safety concerns before an accident or emergency occurs 770385 3-28-15
15 FaithWalk
Community Support DemenƟa Friendly Businesses DemenƟa Friendly Faith CommuniƟes DemenƟa Capable Emergency Response Increased civic awareness of demenƟa related issues
x x x x
To learn more about demenƟa, contact the Aging & Disability Resource Center at 715-839-4735, 888-338-4636 or adrc@co.eau-claire.wi.us. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ demenƟafriendlyecc
“Every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s Disease”
Spring 2015
~Alzheimer’s AssociaƟon
Leader-Telegram
Celebrate Easter with Us ST JAMES TRINITY LUTHERAN 305 STATE STREET FALL CREEK 715-877-2160
PASTOR JOANNE SORENSON
MAUNDY THURSDAY GOOD FRIDAY Celebrate the Resurrection! EASTER SUNDAY SUNRISE SERVICE EASTER BREAKFAST CELEBRATION WORSHIP
7:00pm 7:00pm
715-834-2595
6:40am 7:30am 9:00am
April 2: 11 am & 6:30 pm Maundy Thursday April 3: 1 pm & 6:30 pm Good Friday April 5: 7 am & 10 am Easter Sunday
770289 3-28-15
769734 3-28-15
Holy Week Palm Sunday Service — March 29
10:00 a.m. Palm/Passion Sunday Worship Children‛s Palm Branch Parade + Pretzel Sunday
9:00 and 10:45AM Communion at both services
Good Friday Service — April 3 6:30 p.m.
Tenebrae Service — “Lovelight”
10:30 a.m.
769663 3-28-15
Saturday, April 4 — Children‛s Easter Egg Hunt
Easter Egg Hunt/Craft & Lunch for All Children
Easter Sunday — April 5 6:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Sunrise Service Easter Breakfast until 9 a.m. Easter Worship
Chapel Heights United Methodist Church 300 E. Hamilton Avenue • Eau Claire, WI 54701 Cheri Miskimen, Pastor • (715) 832-2333
768355 3-28-15
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF ST. MATTHEW (LCMS) Rev. Steven Rutter 1915 Hogeboom Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701
715-834-4028 • www.stmatthewonline.org Maundy Thursday Easter Sunday Services, Services, April 2: April 20: 1 p.m. - Traditional 7 p.m. - Contemporary
Good Friday Services, April 3:
7 a.m. - Traditional 8 a.m. - Easter breakfast 10:30 a.m. - Contemporary 1 p.m. - Hmong Service
1 p.m. - Traditional 7 p.m. - Contemporary
768365 3-28-15
Worship With Us Easter Services
6:30 & 9:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
St. PaulÊs Lutheran Church 721 South State St. Fall Creek, WI LCMS 715-877-2117
768394 3-28-15
To have your church included please call Leader-Telegram Advertising Consultant, Lisa Buchholz 715-833-9271. Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
FaithWalk 16
770868 3-28-15
Activate Your
Now Faith By Lynn Dehnke
You can’t be nourished by watching other people eat and your faith won’t grow if you don’t activate it on a personal level. So many times we read about faith but don’t know or understand how to activate it personally. I want to share three things that will activate your now faith.
Walking by faith in the good times provides a foundation to build on during difficult times. Our faith becomes well fortified when we exercise it during hard times. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The word now means at the present time or moment. We can’t live on yesterday’s truth or tomorrow’s hope; we have to live in now faith. How do you do that?
Spend time in the Word. It is easy in the hard times of life to let your guard down, compromise or give up. When you spend time in His Word, it becomes a shield and refuge for you. Reading the Word allows God the opportunity to speak directly to you and your situation. As you spend more time in the Word, it begins to change you if you allow it to. We must each make the choice to permit what we read in the Word to transform our soul (mind, will and emotions) and our spirit to bring necessary change. Deuteronomy 30:14, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 30:5 and Colossians 3:16 speak directly to the importance of personally being in the Word on a regular basis. His Word is your spiritual food. How full are you?
Practice His Presence. Multiple times in the Word, God tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us. When we don’t sense His Presence, it isn’t because He isn’t there; it is because we are unaware of Him. Think of your shadow. It is always with you, but are you always aware of it? Practicing His Presence can
be as simple as taking in a breath in your chaos and breathing out His peace. It is becoming more aware and sensitive to His Presence in your daily life. Why practice His Presence? Direction and guidance, fellowship with Him and the ability to receive His mercy and grace when we need it are three strong reasons to practice His Presence in your life. Deuteronomy 31:6 and 31:8, Psalm 37:28 and 94:14, and Hebrews 13:5 all speak to His constant Presence in our lives. How aware are you of His Presence right now?
About the Author
Lynn Dehnke of Fall Creek is a local author and her first book, “Meditate and Declare: A Journey with the Apostle Paul” is on Amazon. This article has concepts from her second book, “Meditate and Declare: Walking in Victory Despite Life’s Valleys,” which will be on Amazon in late 2015.
Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. God said that it
was not good for us to be alone. Don’t isolate yourself in the hard times of your life. The kind of people you surround yourself with is important. The book of Job provides a stark example of negative, unsupportive “friends” and how they distressed Job. Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 13:20 and Proverbs 22:24-25 communicate the benefits of choosing your friends wisely. Who are your friends?
Activating your now faith, faith in each moment, is a choice. God never forces His will on us, but He daily calls asking us to walk and talk with Him in now faith. How will you respond to that call?
17 FaithWalk
Spring 2015
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e t a br e l Ce aster E Us with
Holy Week Worship MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 2 6:30 p.m. Communion Worship
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 3 12 noon Traditional Worship 5:00 & 6:30 p.m. “Blessed Redeemer” A dramatized look at the life and death of Jesus
770686 3-28-15
6:00 p.m. Contemporary Worship
EASTER WEEKEND Saturday, April 4
Lake Street United Methodist Church Corner of Lake Street and Fourth Avenue Tel. 715-832-6603
6:00 p.m.
Band-led Praise
Sunday, April 5 7:00 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
HOLY WEEK and EASTER SERVICES Palm Sunday, March 29 8:30 and 10:00 am Palm Celebration “Passionate Christ”
Holy Thursday, April 2 at 6:30 pm
Sunrise Traditional Traditional Worship Pop Contemporary Band-led Praise Pop Contemporary Band-led Praise Pop Contemporary
Child care will be provided on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening and from 8 a.m.-noon on Sunday. The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at all Easter weekend services.
Upper Room Communion
Good Friday, April 3 at 6:30 pm Service of the Cross
501 E. Fillmore Ave., Eau Claire (Off Hamilton Ave. between State and Rudolph)
Easter Sunday, April 5
715-834-2486
8:30 and 10:00 am Easter Worship “Last Of All” 770308 3-28-15
www.MyPeaceChurch.com
770293 3-28-15
To have your church included please call Leader-Telegram Advertising Consultant, Lisa Buchholz 715-833-9271. Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
FaithWalk 18
770870 3-28-15
Brin Bibleging th t o Li e fe
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715.832.8301 • 715.834.4456 www.lenmarkfh.com
By Kurt Jacobson
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769540 3-28-15
Visiting the Holy Land is a dream come true for many people. To be able to walk in the places where Jesus lived and see many famous Biblical sites is awe-inspiring. Visiting the Holy Land offers delights for people who embrace curiosity and desire to grow in a broader view of the world. But when it comes to deciding to join a Holy Land tour, many people weigh the considerations and most decide not to go. As a frequent traveler and one who has experienced first-hand the life-changing power of the Holy Land, I can tell you that the reasons are plentiful to make the decision to visit this amazing land, and the reasons against it are minimal.
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715-833-2100
When it comes to a Holy Land tour, usually the first question people ask is “Is it safe to go over there?” The reality is anything could happen traveling right in the USA, but I can honestly say that a Holy Land tour is perhaps the safest trip that I have ever taken. People wonder about this, until they take the tour. Israel is the most security conscious country in the world.
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The greatest reason anyone should take a Holy Land tour, is that it is an experience that will enrich your life. Every time you open the Bible, you will have a picture in your mind of the setting, because you have seen it with your own eyes. Every time you hear the news from Israel or Palestine, you’ll see the faces of people who, like you, desire peace and want to enjoy freedom.
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A tour of the Holy Land is a rich investment in life which offers insight, knowledge and perspective about the world that you’ll not know unless you travel there. Then again, travel is the only thing you buy that can make you richer. Kurt Jacobson – Lead Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI. Trinity is offering a Holy Land tour October 20 – November 2, 2015 in cooperation with Higgins Travel Leaders.
771147 3-28-15
» Comfortable Atmosphere » Group Fitness Classes » 24 Hour Access » Personal Trainers » Bootcamps » Weight Loss Plans
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3 Convenient Locations! www.highlandfitness.com Eastridge Center
Westridge Center
2221 Eastridge Center 2405 Folsom Street
19 FaithWalk
Spring 2015
Lake Hallie
3022 Commercial Blvd.
Leader-Telegram
Celebrate Easter with Us
Good Friday Services—1:30 & 7 PM Holy Easter Day—7 & 10 AM Easter Breakfast Served from 8 AM
Festival Worship with Communion with Cross Word Youth Band
770284 3-28-15
Blended Festival Worship with Communion Easter Breakfast will be available from 7:00–9:30 A.M.
Celebrate Holy Week and Easter with First Lutheran!
770276 3-28-15
“All are invited to Holy Week and Easter at St. John’s Lutheran Church” PALM SUNDAY March 29
8:15am & 10:45am Worship
MAUNDY THURSDAY April 2
12:15pm & 7:00pm Worship with Holy Communion
HOLY WEEK Wednesday, April 1 6:30 p.m. Seder Meal Maundy Thursday, April 2 6:30 p.m. Worship Good Friday, April 3 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drive 6:30 p.m. Worship
Easter Sunday, April 5 8:30-11:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast
GOOD FRIDAY April 3
9:30 a.m. Worship
12:15pm & 7:00pm Worship
EASTER SUNDAY April 5
6:40am Sunrise Worship 7:30am – 11:00am Brunch 8:15am Festival Worship 769667 3-28-15
(interpreting for hearing impaired)
10:45am Festival Worship St. John’s Lutheran Church 1804 Highland Ave. 715-834-9571 (off Bus. Hwy 53, 2 blocks west of Perkins) www.stjohns-ec.org 769731 3-28-15
1005 Oxford Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54703 715-832-8321 | www.first-lutheran.org
To have your church included please call Leader-Telegram Advertising Consultant, Lisa Buchholz 715-833-9271. Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
FaithWalk 20
7708671 3-28-15
Love the power of
By The Rev. David Huber
Easter is the premiere holy day in the Christian calendar. It celebrates Jesus’ triumph over death and violence by rising from the dead the Sunday after his crucifixion. It is so important that Sunday became the normative day for the Church’s worship gatherings, and other Sundays are considered little Easters. Easter is special to me for a more geeky reason. It’s our only astronomy-based holy day. Each year, the Earth makes another circuit around the sun, but Easters are not exactly a year apart. Last Easter wasn’t a year ago, it was 50 weeks ago. What’s up with that? Easter is not a fixed calendar day like Christmas. Nor does it float within the calendar, like Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November). Easter is instead fixed to the celestial roaming of the moon around the Earth and the Earth around the sun, a holdover from the Jewish lunar calendar. In Western Christianity, Easter’s date is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Orthodox Christians use a slightly different system, which is why you may have noticed your wall calendar often having one Sunday labeled Easter and another labeled Orthodox Easter. End of digression. Easter is important because of that rising from the dead thing Jesus did. It is the day of salvation. I like to say “Jesus rose from the dead for us” instead of “Jesus died for me”. It speaks to the universal effect of his resurrection and reminds us that Easter is about life, not death. Jesus did willingly die, yes; but he rose from the dead a few days later to show us the power of love. To show us that, whatever eagerness we have to fire up the engines of death to kill and hurt and cause fear and divide, this is false power, a weakness completely impotent against the power of love.
That’s the scandalous nature of Jesus! He doesn’t play by our rules. Whoever we dislike, might wish to be barred from heaven or earthly life or are positive has lost favor with God, Jesus rose from the dead for that person, too. That’s worth remembering. He rose for murderers and for life-bringers, for people of every political persuasion, for illegal immigrants and natives, for Americans and Iranians, for miners deep underground and astronauts in the International Space Station, for ISIS and for nuns. Gamblers, adulterers, addicts, smokers, vegans, hipsters and goth. Communists and capitalists. Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, atheists and every other expression. Children on our borders and our border’s patrollers. Whatever one’s gender identity, sexuality, hobbies or hair color, Jesus rose for you and them. Everyone. So imagine if we lived according to Easter’s scandalous love. What if we took a moment to remember “Jesus’ resurrection was for this person” the next time we’re tempted to dehumanize someone online, or a waitress, the neighbor who votes differently, the man with a different religion or the woman from another country? Imagine Jesus holding them in arms of love as you hurl viciousness at them. Seems pretty childish and wrong, doesn’t it? Easter’s power is quenching death’s tempting voice and easy ways in favor of life and the power of love to transform people, and thus transform the world we share with one another. And it comes around once an orbit with a full moon every springtime to remind us of who we are supposed to be. Let us be that. 21 FaithWalk
About the Author The Rev. David Huber is pastor at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, Eau Claire.
Spring 2015
Leader-Telegram
Celebrate Easter with Us Holy Week at Hope Lutheran Church Maundy Thursday - 6:30 pm We gather for the Lord’s Supper.
Good Friday - 6:30 pm
Hear the story of Jesus as we follow Him to the cross.
2226 Eddy Lane, 832-1414
www.hopelutheraneauclaire.com
Easter Morning - 7:00, 8:30 & 10:15
Festival Worship: We celebrate this new creation with joyful song and we gather for Holy Communion. Easter breakfast will be served from 8:00 to 11:00 am.
769532 3-28-15
Hope Lutheran Church
202 W. Grand Ave. Rev. Dean Simpson
Palm Sunday, March 29 10:30 a.m.
770295 3-28-15
palm procession, chapel to sanctuary
Holy Week and Easter Worship
Maundy Thursday, April 2 6:30 p.m.
Maundy Thursday, April 2 7:00 p.m. Communion and Tenebrae Service. Music will be provided by our Chancel Choir. Nursery Available.
stripping of the altar & communion
Good Friday, April 3
Good Friday, April 3 11-3:30 p.m.
Celebrate Christ’s Resurrection: 8:00 a.m. for families with young children 10:00 a.m. Music by our Chancel Choir and Brass Ensemble. Nursery provided. 11:00 a.m. Easter breakfast.
12:10 p.m. Ecumenical Worship Service
Easter Sunday, April 5
silent meditation, all welcome
6:30 p.m.
service and reflection
Easter Sunday April 5, 10:30 a.m.
First Congregational United Church of Christ
celebrating with joyous sounds of organ, brass, percussion & choir
769665 3-28-15
Rev. Dr. Mark X. Pirazzini Dr. Gary Schwartzhoff, Director of Music Mrs. Judy Lies, Organist
310 Broadway Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703 (715-834-2668) www.firstucceauclaire.org
770314 3-28-15
To have your church included please call Leader-Telegram Advertising Consultant, Lisa Buchholz 715-833-9271. Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
FaithWalk 22
770876 3-28-15
Morning — A new day, and God skips with joy! By The Rev. Graham N. West
Winter in the Western Cape, South Africa is unlike anything here. There’s no snow and temperatures are more moderate. Typically, the Mediterranean climate is known for its overcast winter skies and rainfall that persists, mostly light rain that lasts. I was responsible for outdoor education at a youth camp. It was challenging as the winter rains would dampen our program for elementary-aged children of the school system. My plan B was to hike a short distance to a forest of dense trees, brush and grasses to explore the natural environment and ecosystem. If the weather allowed it, we would take our sleeping bags and spend the night, which for city kids was as exciting as it gets on a school outing. The forest canopy sheltered us from dribbling rain. Gray clouds rolled across the sky as thunder rumbled. But with a creek running through the forest, there was much to capture the imagination of children. Floating seed pods in the creek allowed the kids to launch rocket attacks. Stray twigs and smaller branches made sword fighting a natural. As if bred in the genes, hopping over the narrow creek was inevitable. It wasn’t long before someone misstepped and landed in just enough water to drench the shoes and socks. Occupying ourselves for an afternoon collecting seeds, noticing different grasses, listening for birds and identifying animal tracks was fun. Cooking our supper on a campfire was unmatched for these kids. A night trek to a nearby hill allowed us to look at the heavens with stars twinkling as few city kids had seen.
Crawling into sleeping bags to spend the night inevitably gave voice to the storytellers with frightening tales of creepy-crawlers, smugglers and ghosts. But as always, the stories faded into whispers; then they fell silent as tired excitement rested. After a restless night, I anticipated the dawn as I stretched in my sleeping bag. With the kids quietly snoring, the camp was still, quiet. The campfire was cold; no percolated coffee unless I made it. As a morning person, I was glad to be awake to prepare for morning devotions. My mind imagined the scripture passage, a story to illustrate and a few comments. Yesterday was boisterous; now these moments for reflection distilled my thoughts.
About the Author
The Rev. Graham N. West is lead pastor at Lake Street United Methodist Church, Eau Claire
I anticipated the first birds breaking out in a symphony to the dawn. The stillness was soft, pleasant. I am sure I heard the trees yawn then sigh. In the gentle breeze, lumber creaked and grasses rustled. The gurgling of the creek reached an invigorating crescendo. I propped myself up on one elbow to survey the camp, dead still only to see dawn light streaming through the tree canopy, like a spotlight on the lead actor. I imagine that’s how the first resurrection appeared. The darkness of the night — threatening, fearful, perilous — but, on the first day of the week, the spotlight fell on the Christ as he stirred, set aside his fallibility only to be drenched in new light. A new day dawns. Life stirs afresh. New beginnings sprout. Possibilities arise. Trust glistens, like dew drops in the dawn sun. The world is fresh again. Morning — a new day, and God skips with joy!
23 FaithWalk
Spring 2015
Leader-Telegram
Celebrate Easter with Us FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
3214 Golf Road • Eau Claire, WI
Holy Week
Celebrating Our Past, Envisioning Our Future...
Maundy Thursday ................................. 7:00 Good Friday ........................................ 7:00 Easter ........................... 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 Easter Brunch ............................... 8:00-9:00
EASTER SUNDAY
10:00 AM EASTER CELEBRATION WORSHIP 768537 3-28-15
Corner of Fourth & Niagara Eau Claire 715-832-0642 • www.firstbaptistec.org
Our Redeemer & Epiphany Lutheran Churches (LCMS)
Corner of Birch and Fall Streets • (715) 835-5239; (715) 835-9155 “Two Churches, One Community”
p.m. p.m. a.m. a.m.
Immanuel is located two blocks east of Hwy. 93 on Golf Road www.immanuelec.org 769669
3-28-15
University Lutheran Church (ELCA)
770312 3-28-15
Maundy Thursday Service Thursday, April 2 • 6:30pm
Good Friday Service
Friday, April 3 • 12:00pm In Cooperation with the Newman Catholic Parish
Easter Sunday Service
Sunday, April 5 • 10:00am Ecumenical Religious Center 110 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire
www.universitylutheran.org
770268 3-28-15
Our Holy Week service schedule is: Maundy Thursday: 7:00 PM Chancel drama Good Friday: 12:00 Noon 7:00 PM Tenebrae service Easter Sunday: 7:00 AM Sunrise service 8:30 AM Traditional service 10:30 AM Contemporary service www.redeemereauclaire.com • www.epiphanyec.org
715-832-7832
Please Join Us For Our Holy Week Services Maundy Thursday – April 2 at 7:00pm –
Joint service at Saving Grace Lutheran Church, Eastridge Center
Good Friday – April 3 at 7:00pm – Tenebrae Service Easter Sunday – April 5 at 9:00am – Celebration Service We are located 3 blocks off of Main St. at 1704 Hogeboom Ave.
Regular Sunday Worship – at 9:00am Wednesday Worship – at 7:00pm Pastor Nick Henseler 715-514-2021 Worship with us anytime on our website under the sermon tab.
www.faithlutheranmc.org
770286 3-28-15
To have your church included please call Leader-Telegram Advertising Consultant, Lisa Buchholz 715-833-9271. Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
FaithWalk 24
770877 3-28-15
poetry 25 FaithWalk
Spring 2015
Leader-Telegram
Celebrate Easter with Us
Friday, April 3 • 1-3pm Good Friday Silent Meditation Labyrinth Walk “We be h the Chr old Sunday, April 5 ist in you .” 7am Easter Sunrise Service 8am Unity Board serves Breakfast
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 1310 Main Street, Eau Claire You are always welcome here!
More than Just a Sunday Place
(Donation; pre-register)
10am Easter Sunday Service 11am Easter Egg Hunt
768389 3-28-15
• Palm Sunday Services 8:30 & 10:30am Breakfast 9-10:30am • Maundy Thursday Seder Supper 6:30pm • Good Friday Service 6:30pm • Easter Sunday Services 8:30 & 10:30am
UNITY CHRIST CENTER
1808 Folsom Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703 715-836-0010 ~ www.unityeauclaire.org ~ unityeauclaire@gmail.com
770281 3-28-25
Pentecostal Assembly Church 9 Ninth Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54703
We invite you to join us!
Come celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ On Easter Sunday, April 5 11:00 am
th
715-832-2361 April 3 April 5
Good Friday Service Special Easter Service
7:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 769728 3-28-15
To have your church included please call Leader-Telegram Advertising Consultant, Lisa Buchholz 715-833-9271.
3732 Spooner Ave, Altoona, WI www.wordoflifeec.com 770310 3-28-15
Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
FaithWalk 26
770878 3-28-15
Sponsored Content
By Seniors for Seniors
Article provided by Seniors Helping Seniors.
Figure Things Out By Sally Lewis Give me space and God’s grace to set a pace and figure things out.
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Do you have to be “smart” to create art and live from your heart? I’ll figure things out. Must be pieces missing, no man I’ll be kissing, old monsters come hissing as I figure things out.
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Maybe it’s a lifetime process, no need to obsess or second guess, God and I will figure things out.
About the Author
Sally Lewis is an emerging healing artist residing in her childhood farmhouse in New Auburn.
(715) 514-4511
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x FaithWalk 27 FaithWalk Winter 2014 Spring 2015
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Better Things By Helen R. Mroz
One day I watched a robin As she built her little nest. I knew it was a robin Because of her red breast. There soon were eggs within her nest, And I watched her day by day. She sat so still and waited For her babies on the way. And then one day as I peeked in, I saw an awful sight! Three tiny, ugly babies, Mother robin’s great delight. The days flew by with greatest speed. She had no time to waste. She had to find some food To satisfy their taste. I peek again into the nest. It’s still and empty now. The baby robins are all gone. I cannot tell you how. They went away to better things Then a nest of sticks and hay. They’ll chirp and sing a brand new song. In God’s sunshine, they will play. Some day my friends when life is over, I’ll leave this house of clay. I’ll rise above this fallen earth. There’ll be a brighter day. I am so glad for Jesus. He’ll make it all come true. I hope you’re trusting in His Grace. He’s calling now to you. I Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, eye hath not seen or ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
FaithWalk 28
About the Author Helen R. Mroz of Eau Claire published “Poems With a Message.” She is retired.
Storms Never Last Suddenly a darkness surrounds you. The wind sends a shiver through your soul. Once again, trouble has found you, and things are spinning out of control. Where on Earth can you find a shelter, and comfort till the tempest has passed? Then you hear a voice so familiar, reminding you that storms never last. When caught up in the turmoil, we’re tumbled and tossed. But there’s someone to cling to, when all appears lost. The master of the wind will hold us firmly in his grasp, Assuring us that storms never last.
About the Author
David Hanvelt of Eau Claire has been an author and gospel songwriter for more than 40 years with 100plus recordings of his songs by various artists.
We can put our trust in this Jesus, for he would never leave us alone. Nothing in this world can defeat us, We know he always cares for his own. He’ll chase the dark clouds from the heavens, And brighten our sky if we ask. More mercy and grace like a rainbow, Showing us that storms never last. When caught up in the turmoil, we’re tumbled and tossed. But there’s someone to cling to, when all appears lost. The master of the wind will hold us firmly in his grasp, Assuring us that storms never last. Our Lord is ever faithful and true. So whatever the fury, his love will surely carry us through. © David Hanvelt Music (BMI)
29 FaithWalk
Spring 2015
Leader-Telegram
Our Set Apart Place By Jan Hagg
Only you and I are allowed; No one else may enter. It’s a secret place, A set apart place, A transparent place, Where truth is spoken, Free to be real, You with me, Me with you. This leaves me vulnerable, Open to being hurt. Even my biggest sins, Are never used against me, But rather to heal me, Set me free, Bring ever greater wholeness, Enabling me to trust, Rest in you. It’s a quiet place, No loud noises to startle, Enables me to focus on you, Learn to discern your voice, From the enemies. It’s an unhurried place; We reason together, Share our joys, Also our sorrows. You give me your desires, We end our time, I move through my day, Walking hand in hand, We continue to share.
Leader-Telegram
Spring 2015
FaithWalk 30
About the Author
Before moving to Milton, Fla., Jan Hagg and her husband, Chuck, were lifelong residents of Eau Claire. While in Eau Claire, Hagg, a housewife, ministered to the ladies at the Eau Claire County Jail.
At the Dome of the Rock By Deetje J. Wildes I think of Isaac, secured by his father Abraham, upon this very rock. Representation perhaps of another Son. One who understood wood and altar and sacrifice. I’m here where once the temple stood. How could that poor widow give her very last coin? Can I become so reckless a giver? Will someone deliver me? 31 FaithWalk
About the Author Deetje J. Wildes of Eau Claire enjoys writing poetry, making music and experimenting with visual arts. She and her husband, Clarence, attend Bethesda Lutheran Church, Eau Claire.
Spring2015
Leader-Telegram
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