September 16, 2025

8 of our “kids” were confirmed on Sunday. They are freshmen in high school now. When I asked them if anyone would like to get up and say something … a couple of them did. Their words were simple: “When I think of All Saints … I think of kindness and peace and love and acceptance.” Mason got up and said … “when I think of All Saints …. I think of becoming Lutheran.” For me …. that is what “being Lutheran” means … it’s about kindness and acceptance … it’s about having a place you can call “home.” Who knows where these young people will be years from now. But I hope they know there is a place “out there” —- that really cares about them. They will be pulled in so many diffferent directions … but hopefully they will always be rooted in the kindness and acceptance that this “humble temple” stands for. Whether you live in Austria or Ohio or just down the street on LaGrange Road ——- this is your home!! Our roots are in the message of a “humble carpenter” … who wraps his arms around the goodness and the quiet power coming out of the collision of God’s spirit and the human spirit. May we all somehow feel that spirit in wherever our journey takes us today. Peace to all — Don