Mental Health
Posted on November 1, 2023
by Rev. Jonathan Conner
Identity statements aren’t always true. So, get them out into the open and then speak God’s Word out loud into the situation. But, what if the foundational thoughts are true? What if these are the things we’re thinking about: I have been abused; I have suffered real injustice; I have experienced real loss. What do we do then? Grieve. Mourn. Lament.
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on October 18, 2023
by Cathy VandeBraak, MA
Meet Cathy VandeBraak, an adoption and pregnancy case worker serving families within three hours of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We recently sat down to talk about her role with Lutheran Family Service, how mission and ministry are often carried out in the mundane parts of life, and the basics of what adoptive families and birth moms can expect when connected with LFS.
Mental Health
Posted on October 17, 2023
by Rev. Jonathan Conner
We’re having a conversation on mental health, but what we’re going to talk about isn’t just for people who struggle with mental health; it’s for all of us. We have a simple point, which we’ll expand upon in a moment. Here’s our simple point: What you think affects how you feel affects what you do.
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on October 12, 2023
The first in Iowa “Safe Haven Baby Box” was opened today, October 12, 2023, in Fort Dodge, Iowa! Members of your Lutheran Family Service team were there, including Emily Rasch, pregnancy counseling/adoption worker for Lutheran Family Service’s Many Hearts Unplanned Pregnancy Support.
Adoption
Posted on September 29, 2023
Luna’s circle of love and support has been enlarged by her adoption, not restricted. She will always know and love her original family and now she is enveloped by the love her adoption family as well.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on September 26, 2023
by Rev. Dave Gunderson, tLMFT
Did you forget where you left your glasses? No problem. Did you forget you wear glasses? Then you may have a problem. If you need to ask someone what day it is, no problem, but if you ask for that date three times in a row in less than five minutes, you may have a problem. That is my mother-in-law’s situation. While writing a check for her church offering, she asked me repeatedly what the date was because she suffers from dementia.
Mental Health
Posted on September 22, 2023
by Virginia Strubbe, CSW-PIP, OSW-C
Receiving the diagnosis of a terminal illness is often overwhelming and may bring about a great deal of emotions. You may have been feeling physically unwell, have had multiple medical appointments, or likely have received a great deal of information in a small amount of time. It can be expected to be unsure of the next steps. The following are some things to consider.
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on September 19, 2023
by Rev. Dave Gunderson, tLMFT
Meet Rev. Dave Gunderson, tLMFT, a marriage and family therapist serving clients throughout the state of South Dakota via telehealth. As a retired parish pastor and military chaplain, Dave specializes in working with church professionals and has a passion for overall worker wellness.
Godly Living
Posted on September 6, 2023
by Rev. Jonathan Conner
Shel Silverstein, the children’s poet (author of the well-loved Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Runny Babbit, and more), in the playful poem below, raises a question that plagues us all: What if…? In this article we will dare to answer the question.
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on September 1, 2023
by Lindy Hinckley, tLMFT
Meet Lindy Hinckley, tLMFT, a marriage and family therapist serving clients in Deadwood, South Dakota, as well as the surrounding area including Sturgis and Rapid City, and throughout the state via telehealth. With a passion for fostering community and connection as an antidote to isolation, Lindy brings understanding and experience as a pastor’s wife and parent of a child with special needs.
