Religion

An artistic depiction of The Last Supper. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: The Eucharist

If you hear about a place where the purest and most precious gem is given free of charge, and you can come daily and get… Continue reading

An artistic depiction of The Last Supper. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: Forgiveness

Has someone you deeply care about and trust done something that hurt you so much that you almost died from the emotional pain, which lingered… Continue reading

(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
Priest Maxim Gibson is the rector at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau. (Photo provided by Maxim Gibson)

Living and Growing: For the healing of the world

“Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of… Continue reading

Priest Maxim Gibson is the rector at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau. (Photo provided by Maxim Gibson)
The Council of Nicaea, with Arius depicted as defeated by the council, lying under the feet of Emperor Constantine. (By Jjensen, own work / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Living and Growing: Healing divisions and promoting unity

When we look around us it is not difficult to miss the many divisions and conflicts that exist between nations, political factions, ethnic groups and… Continue reading

The Council of Nicaea, with Arius depicted as defeated by the council, lying under the feet of Emperor Constantine. (By Jjensen, own work / CC BY-SA 3.0)
People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church following the service on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bishop says Resurrection Lutheran Church’s pastor and president were legally removed; they disagree

Karen Perkins and Karen Lawfer say they will stay at positions, matter should be resolved in court.

People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church following the service on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Detained migrants in Italy are moved onto a ferry bound for Sicily, May 4, 2023. (Fabio Bucciarelli/The New York Times)

Living and Growing: Lessons in compassion

After recently traveling to Lesvos, Greece with Shepherd of the Valley I gained a new appreciation for refugees after meeting with several during the trip.… Continue reading

Detained migrants in Italy are moved onto a ferry bound for Sicily, May 4, 2023. (Fabio Bucciarelli/The New York Times)
People arrive for a service at Resurrection Lutheran Church on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Lawsuit: Resurrection Lutheran Church leaders have been ousted, clarity in ‘ministerial work’ needed

Pastor Karen Perkins, two others targeted in long-brewing feud at church known for helping homeless.

People arrive for a service at Resurrection Lutheran Church on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Fred LaPlante is the pastor at the Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Photo courtesy of Fred LaPlante)

Living and Growing: Your story matters

Have you ever noticed on social media how most posts seem glamorous? A friend goes on a beautiful vacation, another buys a new home full… Continue reading

Fred LaPlante is the pastor at the Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Photo courtesy of Fred LaPlante)
(Photo by Maxim Gibson)

Living and Growing: The silence of God and the language of creation

“There is one God who revealed Himself through Jesus Christ His Son, who is His Word which came forth from silence.” — St. Ignatius of… Continue reading

(Photo by Maxim Gibson)
Tari Stage-Harvey is the pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Tari Stage-Harvey)

Living and Growing: Mixtape for the nation

The world would be a little more beautiful if we still shared mixtapes. If you don’t know what a mixtape is, then you weren’t paying… Continue reading

Tari Stage-Harvey is the pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Tari Stage-Harvey)
Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)

Living and Growing: Not a single bug

I just read a great shocking and informative article about our treatment of creation. A photo of a field of flowers illustrates the article. The… Continue reading

Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)
(Bahá’í Community of Juneau photo)

Living and Growing: Empowering youth through service — the Baha’i Junior Youth Group in our community

We would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan, the original inhabitants of Lingít… Continue reading

(Bahá’í Community of Juneau photo)
Donna Leigh is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Small things

Have you ever had a small pebble in your shoe? Very irritating, that one small pebble. Have you ever had a bad day? Did a… Continue reading

Donna Leigh is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Courtesy photo)
Matushka Olga Michael, a Yup’ik woman from Kwethluk. (Photo provided by Maxim Gibson)

Living and Growing: A new Alaskan saint

“God is wonderful in His saints: the God of Israel is He who will give power and strength to His people.” So proclaims the Psalmist… Continue reading

Matushka Olga Michael, a Yup’ik woman from Kwethluk. (Photo provided by Maxim Gibson)
Tanya Renee Ahtowena Rorem at age 17. (Photo provided by Laura Rorem)

Living and Growing: ‘My name is Ahtowena’

My precocious two-year old broke loose from my grip and took off toward the road. Panicked, I yelled, “Tanya! Tanya! TANYA!!” Indignantly she stopped, turned… Continue reading

Tanya Renee Ahtowena Rorem at age 17. (Photo provided by Laura Rorem)
The Pinkas Synagogue, the second-oldest building in Prague. (World Monuments Fund photo)

Living and Growing: Connecting to family ancestors through names of strangers on a wall in Prague

“Prague never lets you go…this dear little mother has sharp claws.” — Franz Kafka We decided to spend Passover in the Czech Republic. Actually it… Continue reading

The Pinkas Synagogue, the second-oldest building in Prague. (World Monuments Fund photo)
Fred LaPlante is the pastor at the Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Photo courtesy of Fred LaPlante)

Living and Growing: Be a blessing

Years ago, I learned a great acronym, B.L.E.S.S. “B” stands for “Begin with Prayer.” “L” stands for “Listen.” “E” stands for “Eat with others.” The… Continue reading

Fred LaPlante is the pastor at the Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Photo courtesy of Fred LaPlante)
Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juneau, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. (Photo courtesy of Brent Merten)

Living and Growing: Your room is waiting

Thursday, May 9, is a very special day. Although most calendars don’t note it, it is one of the most important days on the Christian… Continue reading

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juneau, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. (Photo courtesy of Brent Merten)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: Twisting Scripture to suit themselves

Ever wonder why so many different people say so many different things about what the Bible means? You are not alone, but the problem has… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau.

Living and Growing: Embracing progress while honoring Our roots

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan, the original inhabitants of Lingít… Continue reading

Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau.