What's New?
COVID UPDATE ~ April 13, 2021
With recent changes in the state, county and CDC guidelines, we are adjusting our protocols. Most things will stay the same for April, but there will be some changes in May. The biggest question is about masks. Since mask wearing is now an adiaphoron (something neither commanded or forbidden) we will treat it that way. However, when dealing with adiaphora, we must be careful. Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. The Christian will forego his or her freedoms for the sake of others, unless you insist we don’t have the freedom. Then, I am conscience bound to defend my freedom. Practically, this means we continue to encourage you to wear your masks, especially when interacting with others, but otherwise let your conscience guide you. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move forward.
With recent changes in the state, county and CDC guidelines, we are adjusting our protocols. Most things will stay the same for April, but there will be some changes in May. The biggest question is about masks. Since mask wearing is now an adiaphoron (something neither commanded or forbidden) we will treat it that way. However, when dealing with adiaphora, we must be careful. Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. The Christian will forego his or her freedoms for the sake of others, unless you insist we don’t have the freedom. Then, I am conscience bound to defend my freedom. Practically, this means we continue to encourage you to wear your masks, especially when interacting with others, but otherwise let your conscience guide you. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move forward.
RESPONDING IN FAITH TO ABUSE SEMINAR ~ Saturday, May 15 ~ 8:30am - 3:30pm Check in ~ 8-8:30am
Click HERE to pre-register
We know talking about abuse is difficult. But not talking about it can have spiritual consequences.
Approximately one out of three women and one out of THREE men experience severe intimate relationship physical violence (IRV) in their lifetime. This statistic does not include verbal or emotional abuse, which are harder to quantify. A popular myth is that abuse occurs less frequently in Christian homes; the reality is far different. Christians do not enjoy a special exemption from this sin, yet it is rarely addressed in faith circles.
This seminar is highly interactive, weaving in activities, videos and group discussions throughout the day. The topic is a difficult one, but so important for the church to address. Research shows that survivors who have support from their church have more feelings of well-being and are less likely to return to an abusive relationship.[i]
The first part of the day will discuss abuse in all its forms. You will examine the effects of abuse on a survivor and how trauma affects a survivor’s thoughts and actions, even long after the abuse if over. You’ll learn about some of the many reasons a person will stay in an abusive relationship. The second half of the day discusses solutions. First, you’ll explore how you individually can help someone you think might be in an unhealthy relationship. From there, you’ll work with fellow church and community members to discuss how, as a church and community, you can address the abuse.
Galatians 6:10 tells us to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Attend and find out how you can help someone who is suffering from abuse! Learn how to extend God’s grace to the survivor while assisting him/her on the journey to safety and healing.
SPEAKER BIO
Michelle Markgraf is a graduate of Martin Luther College, and she spent several years as a teacher in WELS classrooms. The Lord’s words in Matthew 25, “Whatever you have done for the least of these… you have done for me” led her to begin volunteering at the Sioux Falls, SD rape and domestic abuse crisis center as an advocate in 2011. During her time as an advocate, she worked with over 200 sexual assault survivors. She became executive director for the same agency in 2015, where she worked with a staff of 18 people who provided counseling and advocacy services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. The agency also offered a batterer intervention program for abusers. In 2018 she became an adjunct professor for the University of South Dakota, teaching a Family Violence class. In 2019 Michelle brought this experience to Kingdom Workers to start a program that helps churches support survivors of relationship abuse. She currently lives in New Ulm, MN with her husband, Pete.
[i] Nason-Clark, N., Fisher-Townsend, B., Holtmann, C., & McMullin, S. (2018). Religion and intimate partner violence. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Click HERE to pre-register
We know talking about abuse is difficult. But not talking about it can have spiritual consequences.
Approximately one out of three women and one out of THREE men experience severe intimate relationship physical violence (IRV) in their lifetime. This statistic does not include verbal or emotional abuse, which are harder to quantify. A popular myth is that abuse occurs less frequently in Christian homes; the reality is far different. Christians do not enjoy a special exemption from this sin, yet it is rarely addressed in faith circles.
This seminar is highly interactive, weaving in activities, videos and group discussions throughout the day. The topic is a difficult one, but so important for the church to address. Research shows that survivors who have support from their church have more feelings of well-being and are less likely to return to an abusive relationship.[i]
The first part of the day will discuss abuse in all its forms. You will examine the effects of abuse on a survivor and how trauma affects a survivor’s thoughts and actions, even long after the abuse if over. You’ll learn about some of the many reasons a person will stay in an abusive relationship. The second half of the day discusses solutions. First, you’ll explore how you individually can help someone you think might be in an unhealthy relationship. From there, you’ll work with fellow church and community members to discuss how, as a church and community, you can address the abuse.
Galatians 6:10 tells us to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Attend and find out how you can help someone who is suffering from abuse! Learn how to extend God’s grace to the survivor while assisting him/her on the journey to safety and healing.
SPEAKER BIO
Michelle Markgraf is a graduate of Martin Luther College, and she spent several years as a teacher in WELS classrooms. The Lord’s words in Matthew 25, “Whatever you have done for the least of these… you have done for me” led her to begin volunteering at the Sioux Falls, SD rape and domestic abuse crisis center as an advocate in 2011. During her time as an advocate, she worked with over 200 sexual assault survivors. She became executive director for the same agency in 2015, where she worked with a staff of 18 people who provided counseling and advocacy services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. The agency also offered a batterer intervention program for abusers. In 2018 she became an adjunct professor for the University of South Dakota, teaching a Family Violence class. In 2019 Michelle brought this experience to Kingdom Workers to start a program that helps churches support survivors of relationship abuse. She currently lives in New Ulm, MN with her husband, Pete.
[i] Nason-Clark, N., Fisher-Townsend, B., Holtmann, C., & McMullin, S. (2018). Religion and intimate partner violence. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Inclement Weather
In the event the weather causes you to wonder whether the doors are open for the preschool program or for scheduled worship services and Bible Classes, here are four ways to find out:
In the event the weather causes you to wonder whether the doors are open for the preschool program or for scheduled worship services and Bible Classes, here are four ways to find out:
- Check right here and we will post the school and/or church closures on the home page.
- Tune into local television. Presently we are set up on WITI-TV Channel 6 to post the closing of school or church activities because of the weather.
- Tune into the radio. We will report on the Hartford radio station WTKM when we have closed the school or church.
- Call the church office at 262-644-8890 or the St. Paul Little Learners Center at 262-644-8295, and we will record a message telling you when we have closed either the school or the church.