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The host of the podcast A Mighty Fortress Is Our Pod, Matthew Longfellow, joins the show to talk about his podcast, his seminary and Capital University experience, and how sharing conversations of "real" Lutherans helps with our own Lutheran identity.

Links

• A Mighty Fortress Is Our Pod (Spotify)

• A Mighty Fortress Is Our Pod (Apple)

• A Mighty Fortress Is Our Pod (Pocket Casts)

• A Mighty Fortress Is Our Pod (YouTube)

• Shepherd Of The Hills Lutheran Church

• SotH Facebook

• SotH YouTube

• Pardes Levavot

Pastor Kettering added:

"The wooden structure is the handbuilt ark that holds the Sacred Scroll of Pardes Levavot. We began our relationship with them in 2003/2004. We work together hosting service events to address community needs, including the Boulder Community Infant Program and the Little Free Pantry which was placed in our parking lot at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

We pray together, eat together, and worship together. A few weeks ago, Rabbi Victor worshiped with us and shared wisdom on the writings of the Prophet Amos. (It's amazing to have two true, trained, experienced Hebrew scholars within our faith relationships.) I followed his teaching with one on the Gospel of John.

At the beginning of my call to pastoral leadership with Shepherd in 2016, the Ark sat out of sight in a back corner of the Sanctuary and was brought forward for Pardes' worship. Likewise, our Cross sat front and center behind the altar and was moved out of sight during their worship. As Rabbis Victor and Nadya and I deepened our relationship, we made a collective decision to keep both the Ark and the Cross front and center, day in and day out, within both their times of worship and ours. It truly reflects the love and respect we hold for each other, our unique traditions, and the connectedness that calls us to faith and service together.

We feel tremendously blessed to be among the few ELCA congregations who engage in the everyday work of deep ecumenism with our faith partners at Pardes Levavot Jewish Renewal Congregation. Together, we strive to nourish bodies and spirits, bringing God's love to those we encounter, with absolute inclusivity.

Blessings & Advent Peace,

Pastor Janet Kettering"

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Ben and Keith talk about the different ways that churches adapt when there isn't a pastor to preach and preside over communion and why that might happen.

Links

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Justin Marquis shares a bike trip he and his partner took over the summer. The adventure included visiting ELCA congregations near the bike path. He shares what he learned about the church and himself on that journey.

Ben and Keith share their life transitions and we get to know St Matthew Lutheran in York, PA.

Links

• Dionysis on a Bike
• Justin announces the tour on Reddit
• After-Trip Report on Reddit

• Warm Showers A resource where Adventure Cyclists offer help

• St Matthew Lutheran Church

• Facebook
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Lamont Anthony Wells introduces us to the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU) which is made up of 28 Lutheran institutions in the US and Canada.

We get to know Unity Lutheran Church in Southgate, MI (and Ben mispronounces his pastor's last name).

Links

• Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (Old Site)
• Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (New Site)
• Instagram

• Scholarship for ELCA members at Augustana University

• Unity Lutheran Church

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Dr Mark Granquist, professor of Lutheran history at Luther Seminary, returns to finish our deep dive into the history of the ELCA. This episode starts in the 1920s and comes up through the early 21st century, including Seminex and the merger of the ELCA.

We didn't pick a congregation to know for this episode, but we're inviting you to ask Keith and Ben anything. Details in the episode.

Links

• Dr Granquist's Books

• AskHistorians subReddit answer about Seminex

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Bishop Scott Johnson joins us from the Nebraska Synod to talk about Lay Ministry generally and specifically about the Parish Ministry Associates program that the Nebraska and Central States Synod have shared for more than 30 years.

Our congregation we get to know this time is Prince of Peace in Addison, IL.

Links

• Nebraska Synod
• Parish Ministry Associates

• Emmaus Lifelong Learning

• Prince of Peace Addison, IL

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Dr Andy Root, Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, helps us talk about Evangelism through the Lutheran lens of the Theology of the Cross and the Theology of Consolation.

We get to know the Nebraska Synod better with help from Bishop Scott Johnson.

NOTE: Sorry about some of the audio weirdness. We had a computer crash and our backup equipment didn't have the settings adjust the way we like. A new computer is being brought up to speed. Thanks for your understanding.

Links

• Dr Andy Root
• Evangelism in an Age of Despair (The Book)

• Ministry in a Secular Age (The Podcast)

• The Nebraska Synod

• Facebook
• Vimeo
• Photos
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Parish Ministry Associates
• Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN

• Suggest your Synod to be BETTER KNOWN

• www.mainstreetlutherans.com

• Instagram
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The VP returns to go over the events of the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Our Better Know a Congregation is Peace First Lutheran in Astoria, Oregon.

Links

• Churchwide Assembly Page
• CWA Videos
• Living Lutheran's Daily Summaries
• Outgoing Presiding Bishop Eaton's Report

• Meet the Bishop-elect of the ELCA, Rev. Yehiel Curry

• Peace First Lutheran Church

• PFLC YouTube Page

• Video History of Peace First

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