Treasure Valley Prays

Reimagining Church Together
SHARING STORIES AND EXPLORING SPIRITUAL CONNECTION

We are ELCA leaders and pastors from the Treasure Valley and Northwest Intermountain Synod.
Together, we are reimagining and revisiting what it is to be church together.

The Communion of Saints

Kathryn Baerwald May 24, 2021 1 Comment

As I have gotten older, I find that I think more about what “the communion of saints” means in my daily life, not just on All Saints Sunday when we remember those who have died in the previous year. Instead, I find myself remembering the saints I have known; it could be a memory jogged

The Fruits of Pentecost

Heidi Gainan May 23, 2021 2 Comments

…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, self-control…Galatians 5:22-23 Today we celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus as they huddled together in the Upper Room. Jesus had ascended to the Father and the promised Advocate came to the disciples through wind and

Rest Eternal Grant Him Oh Lord!

John Hergert May 22, 2021 3 Comments

As I write these words it’s a few days before Pentecost. I had planned on writing a bit about the Holy Spirit and how he/she moves in our world. I had planned on writing how the Spirit intercedes for us as Paul writes in Romans, “that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.”

The Spirit Intercedes

Bob Parrish May 21, 2021 1 Comment

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what (other texts say or how) we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for

ἀλλήλων

Penelope Smith May 20, 2021 1 Comment

The writers of the New Testament described living our spiritual lives in community, a place where people gather and the Holy Spirit enables them to nourish each other’s faith. There are 94 verses in the New Testament, over half from St Paul, using the word ἀλλήλων. (I found this factoid on the internet; there may

Remodel

Justin Tigerman May 19, 2021 No Comments

We’re in the process of remodeling a room in our house. A room. Singular. It’s a smaller one, too—the guest bathroom (not the one pictured above, but similar size and layout). You’d think, 45 square feet or so, not too big of a deal. It should be taken care of in a month or two

Praying for Your Joy

Susan Bruns Rowe May 18, 2021 1 Comment

Yesterday evening, just as my husband and I were leaving home to attend a small barbeque, he discovered water in the downstairs laundry room. He cleaned it up and then discovered water in the bathroom next door and also in the hallway. Luckily we don’t have carpet in these areas, but it was still unsettling.

Wearing Out

Kent Schaufelberger May 17, 2021 2 Comments

I have an old chamois skin which I use when I wash my car. This chamois and I have been together for forty years, at least. The truth of the matter is that it is getting pretty ragged and worn out. Something about that is upsetting for me–perhaps I want it to be the same—like

A Commitment that Cherishes

Mia Crosthwaite May 16, 2021 1 Comment

About twenty five years ago I joined a group of people who would eventually start Corpus Christi House, a day shelter for the homeless in Boise. We studied the writings of Dorothy Day and examined the Catholic Worker movement she started, a faith-based but not religious movement (catholic meaning universal). We wondered together what a

Practice of Presence

Casey Cross May 15, 2021 1 Comment

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 NRSV Motivation. It’s a big deal and I don’t think I’m alone in spending time thinking about it. I’ve often struggled with understanding the motivations of others

You’re Invited

Sarah Henthorn May 14, 2021 No Comments

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matthew

A Good and Godly Man

Mary Braudrick May 13, 2021 5 Comments

From Psalms 37: (v18-19) “Day by day the Lord observes the good deeds done by godly men, and gives them eternal rewards. He cares for them when times are hard, even in famine, they will have enough. (v23-24)The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If

Discernment is a Journey…

Sara Manning May 12, 2021 No Comments

Discernment is a process. It is about questioning and listening. It is about paying attention to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Discernment is a journey as we move along the path of life and listen to where God is leading and calling us to be at a given time. At times

Food and Fear

Mary Riedl May 11, 2021 1 Comment

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 A while ago I went on a diet. I was tired all the time, and just felt generally bad. So, I joined a program that encouraged me to record everything I ate

A Community of Loved Ones

Keith Hammer May 10, 2021 No Comments

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:12-14 We have heard much conversation during the last year about what