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The Cycle of Poverty: Gaylord teen to ride cross-country
Katrina Miller finally is able to cross a few things off her "to do" list. The Gaylord resident always wanted to bicycle across America, and she always had a desire to help people. She'll do both this summer when she joins about 217 other bicyclists participating in the Sea to Sea Bike Tour.
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A Man Remembered: Chaplain, ministry honored in book
A faith journey isn't always a straight line. The road can be full of bumps and curves, as John Collier discovered.
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From God to Carver: Pastor's carvings honor history, nature, Bible
The Rev. Patrick Pointer is an accomplished artist who for about 20 years combined his love for wood carving with his job as a model- and pattern-maker for the automotive industry before finally settling on a career in the ministry.
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Gretchen Murray: Bless the boats
Elmwood Marina is holding a Blessing of the Fleet at 10:30 a.m. today followed at 11:15 a.m. by a rescue demonstration with swimmer deployment by the U.S. Coast Guard. Those guardians of the lakes deserve a blessing for all they do to shepherd both boaters and swimmers.
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Putting the Pieces Together Again: Works are man's expression of faith
When Ed Lantzer talks about his life, he weaves an inspiring story of faith that defies explanation.
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Immersed in Community: Downtown church celebrates 150 years
The Central United Methodist Church, founded in 1858, is part launching a three-week series of services celebrating the church's 150th anniversary. The observance begins Sunday with services focusing on community.
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Kee's Lessons: Woman learns, teaches ways of American Indian scholar
Keewaydinoquay Peschel, of Leland, was an elder of the Crane Clan of the Anishinaabe Nation. She was grandmother to hundreds of people, some of them older than she, but Keewaydinoquay was more than that.
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Eyewitness to the Resurrection: Orthodox church observes Easter
Easter may have come and gone for some Christians, but not for the world's Orthodox Christians. They will observe Easter on Sunday.
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Gretchen Murray: A Beloved Tradition
The heirloom table linens and fine dinnerware that are integral parts of the Passover celebration are cherished and passed down through generations.
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Gretchen Murray: The big picture
Sometimes we get so caught up in details that we have to take a step back to see the big picture. It's particularly good to do when it comes to our focus on religion.
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Gretchen Murray: Trinity at 125
A small group of German families had a few basic requirements when they settled in Traverse City and formed Trinity Lutheran Church back in 1883. This year, descendents of those original settlers along with the rest of the congregation are preparing for a year-long celebration of Trinity Lutheran's 125th anniversary.
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Gretchen Murray: Stop and contemplate
Times have changed. Society doesn't miss a beat on Good Friday, but some people see Holy Week as a time to reassess their faith.
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Gretchen Murray: Stop and contemplate
Times have changed. Society doesn't miss a beat on Good Friday, but some people see Holy Week as a time to reassess their faith.
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'Close To The Divine': Wiccans aren't so different from other faiths
While Christians prepare to celebrate the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter, a lesser known religion is preparing for a major celebration of its own.
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Gretchen Murray: Messages of mercy
'God loves you and will forgive your sins." It's a message that members of Immaculate Conception Church in Traverse City want you to get -- even if they have to post it on a billboard.
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Gretchen Murray: A church's beautiful day
In response to the national Episcopal Church's Make Poverty History initiative, St. Francis Episcopal Church in Grayling plans to offer a special U2 Eucharist, featuring music by the Irish Rock band U2.
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A Leap of Faith: Congregations seek new ways to worship
Time was, people were baptized in the church their parents attended. But times are changing.
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Pastor by day, rocker by night
Call him a renegade or call him enlightened, Rev. Toby Jones of Harbor Springs feels he's onto something mainstream Christianity has overlooked. He has spent 30 years exploring secular rock music and its surprising connections to the Christian gospel.
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The Reverend & The Rabbi sing duets
If a serenade sounds like the perfect way to say happy Valentine's Day to that special someone, imagine a singing valentine by a rabbi and a reverend.
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Good book is authors' guide
Jan and Gary Bower love kids. The Traverse City couple has 12 children and are grandparents to four. That love extends beyond their own family unit. It shows in the details of the children's portraiture Jan paints, and it has sustained Gary through 30 years in children's ministry.
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Neighbors Indeed to Neighbors In Need
Kay Bond moved Up North to get away from it all. As a co-founder of the Grand Rapids-based nonprofit, In The Image, Bond spent 10 years guiding the agency from start-up to running its 40,000-square-foot warehouse.
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Gretchen Murray: A home for spirituality
People's weekend plans don't always include sitting in a house of worship, but that's not to say they aren't on a spiritual journey or they don't need the fellowship of community.
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The Seed Planters: Project focuses on keeping inmates from returning to jail
Those who have overcome great obstacles often say it took a wake up call to turn their life around. For Gary Vidor, it felt more like God shaking him by the shoulders.
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Gretchen Murray: Married ministers are partners in faith
The one thing the Rev. Corey Sanderson loves about Traverse City is the cooperation he's found between area churches. For four years, Sanderson and his wife Robin Long, also an ordained minister, have shared pastoral duties at The Potter's House in Traverse City.
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Gretchen Murray: Making room at the inn
The Nativity story is running through my thoughts more than usual this Christmas. Maybe it's because my daughter is in the third trimester of her pregnancy. She's due to have a boy in early March.
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Theater Outreach: Church stages original Christmas production
Pooling from her love of writing and her desire to share her faith, Tammy Tarsa has authored the musical drama "Coming Home ... For Christmas." The play has been commissioned by the Bayview Players for their third annual holiday dinner theater.
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Gretchen Murray: Paying tribute to a patron saint, tradition
No matter where life takes you, ethnic religious traditions are some of the best touchstones to home.
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Gretchen Murray: God-Given Talent
If you ask Bob Mohr what he's most thankful for, one thing he'll likely mention is the fact that he was blessed with a God-given artistic talent.
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Gretchen Murray: 'Resting in God's Presence'
Life is full of distractions, and like everyone, Marilyn Dressel of Traverse City has her share. But the retired Episcopal priest has a tool for keeping her life balanced and on a spiritual path. Dressel practices Centering Prayer, a method of silent meditation that allows the mind and heart to be open to the presence of God.
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Gretchen Murray: Comic Belief
How do you get kids interested in reading the Bible? Hand them a comic book.
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Gretchen Murray: Feeding people, one box at a time
Food costs have skyrocketed along with the cost of gas and utilities. These days, everyone is trying to shave a few dollars off the grocery bill. It takes some know-how to stretch that food dollar, and Scott and Kim McLain are experts.
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Gretchen Murray: Closer to God with Carl Jung
For nearly four years, an artist, a retired lawyer, a furniture maker, a retired Episcopal priest and his wife and a teacher have synchronized their schedules to meet every other Thursday. Their diverse backgrounds make it hard to imagine what thread of commonality they share, but the six make up a Centerpoint group.
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Gretchen Murray: Answering a Call
It might be a little early for thoughts of Christmas, but the holiday is constantly on Dianna DeYoung's mind.
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Gretchen Murray: 40 Days of Purpose
It's not about you. That's the first sentence in Rick Warren's bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life" and it's the first realization Warren drives home to readers.
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Gretchen Murray: Following His Faith
God has a funny way of putting people where they need to be. No one knows that more than Casey Truelove.
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Gretchen Murray: From Last to First
Like any good businesswoman, Mary Peterson runs the numbers through her computer that will forecast the year's fourth quarter. An upswing on a business graph is considered a positive indicator, but Peterson isn't smiling.
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Gretchen Murray: Christian singer makes writing debut
A wave of excitement is ruffling the publishing industry with the Sept. 15 release of the children's book "The One, The Only Magnificent Me" by author Dan Haseltine.
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Gretchen Murray: Hebrew schools keep faith alive
Hebrew isn't easy to learn, but traditionally children are introduced to the ancient language at an early age. For the children attending Congregation Beth El in Traverse City studying Hebrew is a continuous part of their upbringing.
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Gretchen Murray: Three year study explores Christianity
At one time or another a person comes to a place in his faith journey where he feels the need to ask the question, "Is this all there is?" According to Jo Panter, of Traverse City, it's neither a mid-life crisis nor a fall from faith.
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Gretchen Murray: Colonel to recount her 9/11 experience
It wasn't unusual for Col. Janet Horton to take her work home with her. As the first woman appointed a Division or Corps chaplain and the first woman promoted to colonel in the Army Chaplain Corps, Horton, a Christian Scientist, was assigned to the Pentagon. She often spent her evening commute on D.C.'s Metro praying.
