Outdoor gatherings were one way for groups of people to get together during the coronavirus pandemic, but the recent drop in temperatures and accumulating snow has put an end to many of those outdoor activities. Many local churches, some of which were holding outdoor services during the summ…
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Father William “Bill” Gamber, a priest in Fergus Falls, shared with the community his passion for history and ministry. Though he passed away on Saturday, at the age of 91, he will be remembered by the many who knew him as a friendly, genuine and caring member of the Fergus Falls community.
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There will be an open house of “The Rock,” at Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. “The Rock” is an addition to the ministry in our area in the form of a new recreation/gathering/exercise space. There is a gathering space for coffee and conversation, and…
Henning’s Lutheran Island Camp is hosting it’s second annual quilt auction from Oct. 1-9. The online auction, hosted in a silent auction format, will have both quilts and other various items. For more information or to make a bid, visit the Lutheran Island Camp website at www.islandcamp.org
The second annual Blessing of the Animals service will be held Sunday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake, 505 W. Holdt St.
Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls will be hosting an event in October called “Back the Blue Drive Thru BBQ” to show support for local law enforcement. The church is raising funds to buy a gift for each uniformed officer in the Fergus Falls Police Department and, with cold weather upon …
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Abundant Life Assembly, (2929 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls) invites everyone to share an evening of music and inspiration this Sunday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Fargo-Moorhead St. Andrew’s (Scottish) Society annual dinner/program and the Kirkin O’ the Tartan have been canceled.
First Lutheran Church of Fergus Falls has reason to celebrate with the completion of their church organ this year. Their organ was first built in 1922 with renovations and updates done in 1951, 1972 and 2012, but their most recents have seen both of the organ’s pipe rooms filled completely, …
The Dalton Opera House will be staging a hymn sing-along at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30 on Summit Street in Dalton.
The Opening Service of the 2020-21 academic year for Lutheran Brethren Seminary will take place at 7 p.m., Monday, August 31, at Lutheran Brethren Seminary, 1036 W. Alcott Ave., in Fergus Falls.
Pastor Craig Palach has served the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls for 25 years and even picked up extra duties in January as Faith Lutheran and Immanuel Lutheran became a dual parish. Palach’s final day as a fulltime minister was June 30.
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Bethel Lutheran Church is poised to offer their sports camp over four days in August at sites in Battle Lake and Fergus Falls.
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Bishop Donald Kettler will hold a listening session at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 28, at St. Lawrence Church in Rush Lake following the recent placement of Father Charles Meyer on the list of clergy likely to have abused minors.
Bethel Lutheran Church hosted a blood drive with Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services, on June 25 at Bethel Lutheran Church which helped collect a total of 35 units of blood products for patients in need.
Due to COVID-19, the Lake Region Run was postponed this year. Normally held at the beginning of June, the Lake Region Run raises money for the Lake Region Healthcare Cancer Care & Research Center in Fergus Falls. Still wanting to give back to the community and bring her congregation toge…
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For the past few months, churches in the area have had to find different ways of delivering the message of their faith due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some have opted to go online or through the radio. But CrossRoads Church, a baptist ministry located at 629 E. Channing Ave., in Fergus Fall…
Editor
PioneerCare has named the Rev. Krehl Stringer as its new full-time chaplain following the retirement of David Strom. Stringer began serving on June 1.
While chatting with one of my besties, she spoke tentatively, “They’re trying to find a solution and it’s all coming too fast, so I’m not sure anything is working!”
Bethel Lutheran Church president Gary Ohren was one of many who watched firefighters battle billowing flames on a gusty Saturday evening in the rolling countryside of St. Olaf Township.
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The Diocese of St. Cloud and survivors of clergy sexual abuse have reached agreement on a framework for a resolution of all clergy sexual abuse claims against the diocese and area parishes.
Gov. Tim Walz announced on Saturday that places of worship in Minnesota may start reopening to congregates starting on Wednesday, May 27. This decision follows a motion filed last week by the Upper Midwest Law Center on behalf of multiple Minnesota churches seeking to suspend enforcement of …
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced new guidelines for religious services during a Saturday press briefing, allowing houses of worship to reopen at 25 percent occupancy while continuing to implore Minnesotans to follow public health recommendations.
After Wednesday’s announcement by Gov. Tim Walz about what is allowed to open June 1 and how several state businesses were supposed to operate, many community members were shocked and upset on the restrictions that were still in place. Several state officials and organization leaders were al…
Editor
Bethel Lutheran Church in Battle Lake has scheduled weekend worship services.
President Trump on Friday said state governors should allow churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship to immediately reopen.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many churches to conduct services online, but many congregate milestones, like baptism, first communion and confirmation, require gathering in person. According to a Pew Research Center poll conducted this month, 91% of U.S. adults who attend religious ser…
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On Thursday, former members of the Western Presbyterian Church outside of Fergus Falls said goodbye to their church building as fire consumed the facility. A controlled burn conducted by the Wendell Fire Department for training was ignited just after 3 p.m. As the bales of hay used to start …
Editor
In the Catholic faith, the sacrament of penance, also known as reconciliation or confession, is of great importance to those of the faith. The sacrament allows sinners to obtain forgiveness for their sins and reconcile with God and the church, “washing them clean” and renewing them in Christ.
Editor
Last week we heard from a family member having a loved one in the midst of restorative recovery. This week, we hear from the perspective of an addictions counselor. Her name is Mindy.
The COVID-19 pandemic and Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order has moved many church services online and, though there was some hope that things might return to normal in time for Easter, Holy Week is unfortunately no different.
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Bishop Donald Kettler’s private celebration of Holy Week and Easter liturgies will be livestreamed at www.stcdio.org/liturgies.
Father Jeff Ethen thought he was going to the Philippines to enjoy a scuba diving trip with other members of his diving club.
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Drive by Federated Church in Fergus Falls, people will see a hope-filled message displayed on a succession of curbside signs.
Coming up against the culture isn’t always easy. Some people liken it to swimming upstream or going against the tide. Most often, once in the water, it’s just easier to go with the flow so to speak. That is, unless the flow takes us too far out and we don’t even realize the danger we’re in. …
To keep everyone safe and healthy during this coronavirus outbreak, Christian Women’s Club which was scheduled for April 9 has been canceled.
Federated Church, Fergus Falls, is serving as the fiscal host and receiving the much-needed donations needed to operate the community food shelf on an interim basis. “Because the City was able to get the food shelf operating temporarily, new funds are needed to purchase the food,” said Rev. …
We are all adjusting so much in these days. Just think how different life is today than it was even a week ago. Had any of us ever used the phrase “social distancing” before?
Life Church Fergus Falls will be closing its building and suspending all other activities. Worship services will be conducted online only starting this Sunday, March 22.
St. James Episcopal Church, located at 321 S. Lakeside Drive, in Fergus Falls announced that they will be canceling worship services until further notice due to COVID-19 threat.
Federated Church in Fergus Falls has cancelled worship services on March 22 and March 29.
As government and health officials urge Americans to avoid gatherings, with events being canceled and schools closing, churches are working to continue providing services to parishioners during this Lenten season.
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Supporting mitigation efforts and protecting our church community, First Lutheran Church leadership has decided to cancel worship service on Wednesday, March 18.
The Lenten Fish Fry at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church is a go for Friday evening at 207 North Vine Street in Fergus Falls.
Joey Geiszler normally carries a badge for work but over the next two Sundays it will not be necessary. Instead of police work, Geiszler will be spreading the word of the Lord at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
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Talking about issues can be beneficial to both the individual and the community they inhabit. Sometimes problems that are in someone’s everyday life go unnoticed for a number of reasons. For young people, things that impact their lives are not as well known by those that can currently make t…
Editor
On Sunday, March 15, Otter Tail County attorney Michelle Eldien will speak at the Unitarian Church of Underwood. Eldien says “Mental health and chemical dependency are two areas that affect almost all we do in our office.” Treatment is expensive and involves long term commitment and support …
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls will continue its long tradition of Lenten Fish Fries. The fish fries are Fridays during Lent beginning Feb. 28 through April 3.
The Pelican Valley Catholic Youth, youth from Our Lady of Victory, St. Leonard and St. Elizabeth Catholic churches, will be hosting a breakfast and bake sale Sunday, March 1 at Brenny Hall in Elizabeth.
On Sunday, Feb. 23, documentary artist Nik Nerburn will present his recent research and a selection of photographs from the private collection of Michael Loreno (former owner of The Spot Panini and Wine in Fergus Falls) at the Unitarian Church of Underwood. The collection of photographs was …
The community is invited to a free showing of the family-friendly movie called "Overcomer" about a basketball coach who reluctantly becomes a running coach to a young girl with asthma, and both find themselves on a journey of self-discovery and their true identity. This recent release is get…
Beginning Experience, a support group for divorced, widowed or separated has a 10 week session called “Coping With Life Alone” beginning March 16, 2020.
Sometimes getting mail can be a good thing. A paycheck, a birthday card or coupons. Other times it is unwanted items like bills, special business offers or credit card offers. And yet other times you receive things that are not anticipated. For Federated Church in Fergus Falls, a postcard wa…
On Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Roe v. Wade, stating that women have a right to choose whether or not to have abortions without excessive government restriction. Since then, each year, the March for Life Education and Defense Fund has organized a March for Life in …
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Take control of your money with Financial Peace University (FPU)! This nine-lesson course uses biblical wisdom and common sense to help tackle budgeting, pay off debt, and make your money work for you!
On Sunday, Jan. 26, Dave Ellison will speak at the Unitarian Church of Underwood on “Choices that Matter”.
Herbert W. Chilstrom, who led more than 5 million Lutherans after the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America launched in 1988, died Sunday, Jan. 19, at his home in Sahuarita, Arizona. He was 88.
On Sunday, Jan. 19, Anna Wasescha will speak at the Unitarian Church of Underwood on “The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals” developed by the United Nations. These global goals are as relevant in our region as they are anywhere in the world. West Central Initiative has a new three-year st…
Lutheran Brethren Seminary’s J-Term will be held at Lutheran Brethren Seminary, 1036 W. Alcott Ave., Fergus Falls, on Monday, Jan. 20 – Wednesday, Jan. 22. There is a great lineup of presentations this year! The discussion on Monday, Jan. 20 is of the biblical (both Old and New Testaments) t…
