Religion

Celebrating Lutheran Schools Week in hats, with cake (03/06/10)
To mark the final day of Lutheran Schools Week, to honor its "For a Lifetime of Service" theme and to celebrate his 60th birthday, Principal Dewey Torkelson served birthday cake to staff and students at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School Friday afternoon. ...

4-1 vote halts development of Spencer's religious liberty policy (10/29/09)
The Spencer school district's proposed religious liberty policy is no longer a priority. In a 4-to-1 vote this week, school board members approved not pursuing its development. ...

Spencer's second religious liberty draft policy (09/10/09)
Any discussion of the place of religion in public education must be grounded in the principle of religious liberty, or freedom of conscience, particularly as embodied in this nation's First Amendment to the Constitution, which states that: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or...

Spencer's second 'religious liberty' draft policy released (09/04/09)
Spencer Superintendent Greg Ebeling admits that portions of the district's second "religious liberty" draft policy have been taken from other sources and sample policies. The second draft's author also acknowledges it still needs some wordsmithing, which is currently occurring as feedback is being received from various groups throughout the community. ...

Teacher, student feedback received on draft 'religious liberty' policy (09/04/09)
***Community input to be sought on evening of Sept. 10

Jury sides with Royal in wedding chapel dispute (08/01/09)
The dispute between Royal Wedding Chapel, Inc. owner Gerald "Lee" Youde and the city of Royal began with a business permit application. It ended with a 8.5-pound court file and a July 22 jury verdict at the Clay County Courthouse. Yes, Youde can still conduct wedding ceremonies out of the decommissioned Lutheran church he bought back in 2003. ...

Spencer's religious liberty policy timeline presented (07/23/09)
Having already heard they're in "uncharted territory" with the task at hand, Spencer school board members still appear up for the challenge of developing a religious liberty policy for staff and students. A timeline delivered to them this week -- which includes addressing any local concerns with feedback sessions scheduled in -- has put the dream of two board members who crafted the district's initial draft policy in motion...

Spencer to tackle religion in the public schools (07/03/09)
Is there a place for religious expression in public schools? Should history be taught to students via the Bible and texts dealing with Darwinism in a public school district's classrooms? Spencer school board members, with hoped-for input from members of the public, are planning to address issues such as these with a draft religious liberty policy currently under consideration...

Secrets Uncovered: Contents of time capsule revealed on live broadcast (06/16/09)
The mystery was uncovered Monday morning, literally. Spencer developer Dave Jacobsen and a collection of interested parties made their way into the KICD-AM 1240 studios, as air personality George Bower hosted the opening of a time capsule dating back 111 years when the St. ...

Moving day approaches for 'Gary's on the River' project (06/11/09)
The story looked like it was going to end in 1993 for a 111-year-old church along East Fifth Street. That's when a declining, local congregation at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church made the difficult decision to merge with St. Alban's and its Episcopal church congregation in Spirit Lake. Pews were empty, stained glass was dusty; only the local church's signature ivy returned for 16 years...

Boundaries, pastors to change July 1 in six area churches (06/02/09)
The members of six area United Methodist congregations will be realigning next month. The Terril and Graettinger churches, which are served currently by Revs. David Kruse and Michael Shaffer respectively, are among the six. In addition, members of the Everly and Royal United Methodist churches, currently served by Revs. Annette Ruhs Kruse and James Stevens respectively, and the Zion and Langdon churches of rural Spencer, which are served by Ruhs Kruse and Kruse, will be partnering as of July 1...

Briefs 5-23-09 (05/23/09)
Farmers Market is returning with an opening date of May 23. Early season vegetables available. Located in the parking lot of the Southpark Mall. --- Come learn about Global Positioning System (GPS) and the sport of geocaching. GPS units will be used to find hidden treasure at Huston Park. Located at the nature center at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 23. The event is sponsored by the Palo Alto Soil & Water Conservation District and the Palo Alto County Conservation Board...

Pausley to keynote Day of Prayer breakfast (05/06/09)
First Baptist Church's Youth Pastor, Jon Pausley will serve as the featured speaker Thursday at the local National Day of Prayer event, scheduled to begin with breakfast at 6:45 a.m. The Spencer area's activities will be held in the Spencer Area Senior Activity Center on the north side of the Gateway North Mall...

Extreme Makeover crowns Galm 'big winner' (04/28/09)
For Kay Galm entering the Extreme Home Makeover's "American Home Edition" contest was a no brainer. "I habitually enter contests, so I entered this one," Galm said. Winning however was an entirely new experience. "I entered it, but then I kind of forgot about it. I never win," she continued. "Finally, I get a call from ABC, saying I'm a finalist. I just screamed . I was so excited...

Same-sex couple looking forward to marriage in northwest Iowa (04/14/09)
Lee and Tony are eager to celebrate their 15th anniversary together. Ecstatic about an April 3 Iowa Supreme Court ruling unanimously rejecting a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and woman, the same-sex couple hope to formally mark April 18, 2010, with their wedding...

'Stations of the Cross' journey tonight (04/08/09)
Spencer Community Youth Ministries, an organization which unites youth workers from Spencer churches in fellowship, passion and purpose, is once again planning for the Community Cross Walk during Holy Week. This year's walk will take place on Wednesday, April 8. The walk will begin at Grace United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at Sacred Heart...

Community Cross Walk to feature 'Stations of the Cross' (04/02/09)
Spencer Community Youth Ministries, an organization which unites youth workers from Spencer churches in fellowship, passion and purpose, is once again planning for the Community Cross Walk during Holy Week. This year's walk will take place on Wednesday, April 8. The walk will begin at Grace United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at Sacred Heart...

Milford Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking scheduled for Sunday (03/26/09)
The local alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to build hope for low-income families as the mortgage crisis unfolds nationwide. Since 2005, this alliance has given thousands of families across the nation an opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership...

Briefs 3-14-09 (03/14/09)
A bird house workshop will be held at 1 p.m. today at Lost Island Nature Center, north of Ruthven. To build a wren house, just bring a hammer. Call (712) 837-4866 for more information. --- A bake sale will be held today at the Southpark Mall. The groups will be: "People to People Ambassador Program" for Devan McCord Fund Raiser and DreamTeam...

Briefs 3-13-09 (03/13/09)
A soup and pie fundraiser will be held from 5-8 p.m. tonight at DaySpring Assembly of God Church, 1410 W. 18th St., Spencer. Chef Dr. Darrel Forslund will be serving home-style chicken noodle soup, "27 Spice" chili, and an international selection: Mongolian hot pot soup. Many...

Briefs 3-12-09 (03/12/09)
Spencer City Councilman George Kruger will host a Ward 1 meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Spencer Public Library. Bob Fagen, Spencer's city manager, will be the featured guest speaker. --- Spencer Hospital will be holding classes for individuals considered to have "pre-diabetes" -- those with blood sugar levels higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be considered a diabetic. ...

Gaither Vocal Band booked for Clay County Fair (03/10/09)
The first act announced for the 2009 Clay County Fair is an award-winning one. The multi-Grammy winning Southern Gospel and contemporary Christian music group, Gaither Vocal Band, is scheduled to appear in front of the Clay County Fair Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13...

Fathers, daughters come together for special event (02/20/09)
Cherish Center's second annual Father/Daughter Dance benefit will be held from 7-10 p.m., Feb. 28, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. It is no secret, a healthy father-daughter relationship is critically important to the emotional health of a young girl and follows her into her adult life. That's why several area "dads" are working to heighten the awareness of this important relationship...

Bishop names Olberding interim superintendent of Catholic Schools (02/14/09)
The Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless, bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City recently announced the appointment of Spencer's Ron Olberding as interim superintendent of Catholic Schools. Olberding has been principal at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Spencer since 1991, and principal at Pocahontas Elementary School since 2007. ...

Area search under way for 'Kids Against Hunger' volunteers (02/10/09)
Area volunteers are being sought to take part in a March 7 event that'll not only be fun, but is guaranteed to fill the heart. The service project anticipated to be filled with fellowship will have interested individuals and groups signing up to package meals for Kids Against Hunger...

'We make No Apologies!' (01/09/09)
That's the shout made by many teenagers who will be returning to the 8th Annual No Apologies events scheduled for Jan. 20 and 21. No Apologies is a program for kids that "tells the life, love, and sex." It is sponsored and organized by Cherish Center, formerly known as Shepherd's Fold, for students, parents, and teachers. ...

Charlene Holcomb (01/02/09)
Funeral services for Mrs. Charlene Holcomb, 81 of Fonda, formerly of Spencer will be held at 2 p.m., today, Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 at First Baptist Church in Spencer. Rev. Bart DeBoer is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service time at the First Baptist Church in Spencer...

The Gift (12/20/08)
SUBHEAD You never know when someone may appear to you, how they may bless you, or what he may ask you to do on his behalf. But on a morning like any other, Cara Boyer felt that she'd been touched by an angel�

Gladys Brekke Martz (12/18/08)
Services for Gladys Brekke Martz, 98 were held Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008 at Faith Pentecostal Church in Spencer. Rev. Dale Hodges officiated the service. Interment took place at Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. Gladys Brekke Martz was born in Linn Grove, on Feb. ...

Bhutan woman tells of transition from monarchy to democracy (12/17/08)
She may miss the mountains and her national dress of Bhutan, but Tashi Ongmo, a 20-year-old visitor at the Dr. Rick and Barb Wilkerson home in rural Spencer, is still a relatively happy person. But Ongmo should be happy. Like the approximately 700,000 other residents of Bhutan, she believes in the pursuit of Gross National Happiness, the country's overarching political philosophy which seeks to balance material progress with spiritual well-being...

Lend your voice to a country church sing-along (12/13/08)
The drapes at Zion United Methodist Church will be lifted Sunday night, with lit candles glowing in the windows. The picturesque country church scene in rural Spencer, similar to one found on a Terry Redlin-inspired Christmas card, will host an annual tradition area residents have looked forward to, and others return to take part in...

Holiday Weekend Happenings (12/13/08)
Due to the weather and the cancellation of Grand Meander the ice sculptures were put on hold. The wonderful volunteers that were planning to carve the ice have all agreed to do the carving this Saturday. Today, the ice sculpture (left) will be done -- locations for the sculptures starting at 9 a.m. will be at Arts on Grand, Bogenrief's Studio, Toads Coffee and The Hen House...

Four days of holiday activities begin tonight (12/04/08)
Begin the holiday season by attending an Evening Gala Premier at Parker Museum, 300 E. Third St., from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, where you're invited for a first look at 11 holiday-decorated rooms; and wrap up the weekend with the Festival of Choirs on Sunday afternoon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church...

Patricia 'Pat' Jones (11/28/08)
Funeral services for Patricia "Pat" Jones, 68 of Spencer will be held at 2 p.m., today, Friday, Nov. 28, 2008 at First Congregational Church of Spencer. Revs. Thomas and Wendy Van Tassell will officiate the service. Visitation will begin at 8 a.m. Friday with the family present from 10-11 a.m. at the Warner Funeral Home in Spencer and will also be one hour prior to the funeral service at First Congregational Church...

Sacred Heart staff honored for 'excellence in education' (11/26/08)
Sacred Heart Catholic School in Spencer has one of the highest number of teachers in the Sioux City diocese to have received the Bishop's Excellence in Education Award, which was established to recognize teachers who are dedicated educators in diocesan Catholic schools...

Festival of Choirs to offer ''Lessons and Carols' (11/25/08)
The Christmas story will be told through song and scripture at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 when the Festival of Choirs takes place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. Nine Spencer churches will present "A Festival of Lessons and Carols," based on the ancient service held annually in King's College Chapel of Cambridge, England...

Spencer schools celebrate "American Education Week" (11/22/08)
American Education Week is Nov. 17-21. This year's theme is: "Great Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility." Spencer schools have several events planned for this special week. Those include: District Teacher Appreciation, Alumni (College Colors Day), Support Staff/Substitutes, Volunteers Day, Celebrate Reading Day, and Purple and Gold Day. The staff is also doing a can food drive for Upper Des Moines Pantry...

'Being obedient' brings new pastor to Spencer (11/20/08)
Rev. Kevin Grimes readily admits he doesn't care much for Iowa's cold weather or snow. But he's being obedient and attempting to "get used to it." The 43-year-old native of Hawaii and longtime California resident is the new pastor at DaySpring Assembly of God Church...

Iowa KidsNet to hold orientation in Spencer (11/19/08)
Iowa KidsNet, the statewide organization that recruits, trains, licenses and supports Iowa's foster and adoptive families, will hold an orientation in Spencer on Tuesday, Dec. 2, for individuals interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents. Foster care is the temporary placement of children with families outside of their own home due to abuse, neglect or other family crisis situations. ...

Ambassadors visit First Christian Church (10/01/08)
The Spencer Ambassadors visited First Christian Church, at 701 E. 18th St., to celebrate the first anniversary of Pastor Dan Mayer who joined the church in September 2007 and began leading the congregation in October. Originally from Witchita, Kansas, he and his wife have four children. ...

Project Andrew brings Catholic Bishop to Spencer (09/25/08)
Sioux City Diocese Catholic Bishop Walker Nickless was in Spencer Wednesday evening, meeting with sophomore, junior and senior boys from area high schools to discuss God's calling for their lives. Spencer High School students Bryan Tewes, Cody Rolfes and Jake Baxter were among the students on hand. ...

Worlds unite at SHS (09/19/08)
With the arrival of a German, Brazilian and a Tanzanian student, boundaries are being broken in the hallways of Spencer High School (SHS) this year. Carl Hieronymi, who hadn't visited the United States before arriving on July 31, said his stay in Dickens as a foreign exchange student will not only allow him to expand his English, it will also give him the opportunity to play football. The outgoing 17-year-old German currently plays tight end and tackle for the SHS Tigers...

Briefs 8-14-08 (08/14/08)
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hartley, is sponsoring a community-wide benefit for the family of Jan Hall to help defray medical bills incurred during Jan's battle with illness. The free-will dinner and auction will be held at the Hartley Community Center today. ...

Briefs 8-13-08 (08/13/08)
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hartley, is sponsoring a community-wide benefit for the family of Jan Hall to help defray medical bills incurred during Jan's battle with illness. The free-will dinner and auction will be held at the Hartley Community Center on Thursday, Aug. ...

Briefs 8-12-08 (08/12/08)
Losing a loved one is indescribable to someone who has not felt the loss of death. Hospice of Northwest Iowa's professional team understands the tragedy of losing a loved one and they identify with the difficult decisions and emotions that the person left behind faces. To help people cope with the death of a loved one, Hospice of Northwest Iowa is offering an 8-week Understanding Grief Support Group. The group will meet each Wednesday evening through Sept. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m...

Chicago theater unites four Spencer grads (08/12/08)
In what seem to have been several "fated" coincidences, four Spencer High School graduates, all of whom were bitten locally by the theater bug, have connected in Chicago. Known for its intimate "storefront" theaters that seat between 30 and 100 people, Josh Odor, Ben Fuchsen, Aaron DeYoung and Eric Van Tassell can all testify to the inner workings of the "The Windy City's" theaters...

Briefs 8-06-08 (08/06/08)
Losing a loved one is indescribable to someone who has not felt the loss of death. Hospice of Northwest Iowa's professional team understands the tragedy of losing a loved one and they identify with the difficult decisions and emotions that the person left behind faces. To help people cope with the death of a loved one, Hospice of Northwest Iowa is offering an 8-week Understanding Grief Support Group. The group will meet each Wednesday evening through Sept. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m...

Briefs 8-05-08 (08/05/08)
The Spencer Area Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday and Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Southpark Mall parking lot. Come see the homegrown, fresh produce for sale. --- Sacred Heart School Registration Registration for all Sacred Heart Elementary School pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students will be held from 12-6 p.m. today, in the school library...

Thrivent supports Ecumenical VBS (07/31/08)
Clay County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans donated $500 in supplemental funds to the Ecumenical Vacation Bible School held this summer in Royal. Thrivent board members Linda Yungbluth and Dennis Galloway presented the check to Betsy Brugman one of the coordinators of this year's Bible School. ...

Briefs 7-31-08 (07/31/08)
Registrations for the Spencer 3-6 grade teams, part of the Midwest Youth Football League, will only be accepted until tonight. A final registration will take place at Scharnbrg Park's shelter house from 6-8 p.m. tonight. At that time, late registrations who haven't had their sizes taken yet will be fitted. ...

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