Religion

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.
Maj. Gina Halverson is co-leader of The Salvation Army Juneau Corps. (Robert DeBerry/The Salvation Army)

Living and Growing: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Ever have to say goodbye unexpectedly? A car accident, a drug overdose, shooting or sudden infant death syndrome? Saying goodbye, when there is no physical… Continue reading

Maj. Gina Halverson is co-leader of The Salvation Army Juneau Corps. (Robert DeBerry/The Salvation Army)
Scottish author, poet and minister George MacDonald. (National Portrait Gallery photo)

Living and Growing: A Scotsman who inspired spiritual leaders with writings about God’s unconditional love for all

“I know nothing that gives me such a feeling of spiritual healing, of being washed, as to read George MacDonald.” — C.S. Lewis. I am… Continue reading

Scottish author, poet and minister George MacDonald. (National Portrait Gallery photo)
(Photo by Gina Delrosario)

Living and Growing: Divine Mercy Sunday

Part one of a two-part series

(Photo by Gina Delrosario)
(Photo by Gina Delrosario)

Living and Growing: How much love?

Part one of a two-part series

(Photo by Gina Delrosario)
Ally Karpel is the student rabbi of Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Embracing the messiness of transformation — lessons from spring’s break up

Spring has sprung — officially at least. With the arrival of the spring equinox on Tuesday, people around the northern hemisphere began to expect leaves… Continue reading

Ally Karpel is the student rabbi of Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Laura Rorem is a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church. (Courtesy of Laura Rorem)

Living and Growing: The beauty of brokeness

Panicked, I feverishly wandered into my mother’s sewing room looking for her. I could not find her, but her sewing machine was beckoning me to… Continue reading

Laura Rorem is a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church. (Courtesy of Laura Rorem)
Tari Stage-Harvey is the pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Tari Stage-Harvey)

Living and Growing: Thoughts of jellyfish during time of holy mystery of death and resurrection

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor… Continue reading

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