Pastor Karyn really had a system down for making root beer floats during the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic this summer. She lined up the glasses, put a little bit root beer in the bottom, added a scoop of ice cream and then topped it off with more root beer. It was beautiful to watch her with such efficiency and the those waiting in anticipation for such goodness. It was a blessing and joy to thank our volunteers at the picnic, watching them enjoy the wonderful food and delicious root beer floats.

I asked our volunteers why they keep volunteering and it was very insightful, but not surprising to learn the answers. Some answered, “It’s fun,” others, “I like to help out,” while still more said, “It makes me feel good”....

I used to be a jump in the pool with both feet kind of girl, but now I find myself entering slowly. While that change causes me to pause, what I have found is entering the pool slowly leaves room for reflection. Have you ever noticed the ripples of a water that occur when something disturbs the smooth surface? Even the littlest of disturbances cause infinite ripples, such as a toe dipping in to test the water. As I sat at the edge of the pool, my toes getting accustom to the cool water, I watched the gentle ripples move along the water and considered the past couple of months, couple of years. I wonder sometimes as I work for the kingdom of God if what I do makes a difference. I am no Billy Graham (although wouldn’t that be fun?) or Rob Bell who preach the gospel in such compelling ways that they have hundreds of thousands of people listening and following them. I am no Mother Teresa or Martin Luther King Jr. who work tirelessly for the poor and oppressed. I am me, the toe dipper....

More than 30 years ago, my great-aunt Joanie died after a painfully slow and terrible bout with ALS, known only to me then as “Lou Gehrig’s disease”. Over the last month just about everyone I know has been challenged to dump a bucket of ice/water over their head as a way to raise awareness and money for research so that it may be a disease of the past. What has amazed me is the amount of criticism that accompanies the challenge. It is mere ‘stunt fundraising’ according to one writer. It is self-congratulatory, ‘focusing on fun rather than donating to a charity in need’ according to another. A British paper calls it a ‘middle class wet T-shirt contest for armchair clicktivists’. I suppose the sarcastic saying may be true: “No good deed shall go unpunished....”

The La Crosse Area Synod wants to assist the Lennox corporation with their efforts to supply free furnaces to families in need. They supply the furnace, another company supplies the thermostat and local dealers install—all at no charge to the customer. But if they don’t know of someone who is deserving, they can’t help them!

Early bird pricing ends TODAY for the Color Run. Register at www.thecolorrun.com/la-crosse. 

During August and September the ACTS 20:35 Clothes Closet will to start collecting school supplies for high school kids visiting the clothes closet. Place donations in the ACTS 20:35 tote out in the narthex. Thanks!

Before the After is a planning tool to be used by anyone, any age, to outline your wishes, prepare and organize pertinent documents and eliminate possible tough decisions for your loved ones. You are welcome to attend as many Planning Sessions as needed to plan your Before the After, ask questions of knowledgeable individuals, open communication with family or friends and coordinate all your information in One Place.

Run with team “Light Up the World” on Saturday, September 13! Anyone who wants to join First’s team can go to the website and register! www.thecolorrun.com/la-crosse

The OWL’s enjoyed a trip to the Circus in June. We visited Circus World in Baraboo, Wisconsin and were treated to a day of Big Top Performances, elephant rides (see picture), circus wagons and tours of the Ringling Bros. winter headquarters. A great deal of fun was had by all. The trip had the added adventure of the van breaking down just east of Tomah on the way home. You will have to talk with an OWL who made the trip for the whole story. At the June potluck we shared stories of our favorite circus adventures....

“A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.” – Thomas Jefferson

When I saw this quote, I laughed. It was so perfect. It fit with everything we had learned while being in Philadelphia. If I was a t-shirt wearing person I would have purchased the t-shirt. The funny thing was when our group met for lunch that afternoon, several others mentioned seeing it and thinking the same thing!...