Third of a series The Mississippi River, the superhighway of the mid-1800s when settlers sought new homes in Minnesota Territory, was valuable for traveling north and south but an impediment to traveling east and west. It was easier to cross the river during winter. But when there was no river ice, the earliest crossings from Hokah to La Crosse, Wis. were by canoe, rowboat or … [Read more...]
Mother Earth awakens
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist and Commissioned EarthKeeper of the UMC As Earth begins to awaken under the warming closeness of Brother Sun; our hearts rejoice! Mother Earth is awaking from her slumber. She is sighing with renewed growth. She is stretching her molecules so that roots can expand again. She is warming within so that dormant seeds can … [Read more...]
Cargo pants, gateway to adventure or a man’s purse pants?
I felt like I should be pulling a semitrailer. I lost my wedding band while I was wearing cargo pants. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking my wedding band retired to Florida where they play ancient rock and roll at senior citizen centers. Not that wedding band. I’ve lost them too, but what I’m writing about is the wedding band I wore on my ring finger. I walked … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
In the valley Times can turn out to surprise us. They can lead us to broad meadows, a flowered beauty, or raise us to the top of mountainous splendor. Yet there are days that unexpectedly reach out to us and guide us into a valley shadowed by uncertainty, frailty, or sorrow. One just never knows what the morrow will bring. A common comment I have heard this winter season … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Winslows on the water – from Cape Horn to Houston County
By Lee Epps Second of a series Before there were bridges, there was a great variety of boats on the Mississippi River, including steam-powered vessels. As early as 1855, Job Brown, the founder of Brownsville and Riceford, owned the “H. M. Rice“ (like Riceford, named for early Minnesota politician Henry Mower Rice.) By 1863, there was a need for packet boat service to … [Read more...]
Spring into the Lenten season
By Pastor Bridget Sheely Racine/Wykoff/Sumner Center UMC I saw my first robin the other day and oh, the joy that filled my heart! We are so very blessed to live in a region where we get to experience the beauty of all for four seasons and I believe spring to be such an inspiring season. It brings with it renewal and rebirth. So, the moment I saw that robin I was not … [Read more...]
Could two seconds a day change your life? It’s changing mine.
You might want to sit down for this. What if your kids asked to get out of bed early to happily clean and organize the house? I’m fully aware I sound crazy. I never thought my kids would do it. But they are (some days) and it’s rocking my world! “How does this work?!!!” Thanks for asking - I’d love to share. Recently, I was introduced to Paul Akers’ “2 Second Lean” book … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: The battle between good and evil
By Matthew McClimon In our world there has always been a universal idea that there is good and evil. Good is described as the hero or the best a person can be. Evil is seen as angry, dark, and anti humanity. I think the better question to ask is whether we choose to be good or evil. This philosophical idea has many answers and they are incorporated into everything in modern … [Read more...]
Mother turned tying my necktie into a team roping event
I took a sales course early in my life. One thing stressed in the course was that how a man dressed could be telling of his character. The world has become much more casual in dress since then. I gave a eulogy recently. I have given many, each one has been a great honor and a humbling experience. As the inscription on the sundial reads, “I wait for no one.” When I was a … [Read more...]
“Amazing Grace” by John Newton 1779
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) Did you know that this powerful Christian hymn is 250 years old this year? 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of this great hymn written by John Newton. John Newton has a remarkable conversion experience in completing surrendering his life to Jesus … [Read more...]