Author Archives: Ruth Harder

Royal fans across the country have devoted enormous amounts of resources (time, money, energy, etc.) in order to cheer on their Kansas City Royals. The over half-million people at the parade yesterday gave up many things to be there. We … Continue reading →

I’ve never paid attention to an entire season of baseball until this year, and boy has it felt long. Whether your favorite team has a winning or losing season doesn’t matter; these teams play night after long night. I found … Continue reading →

The five video clips below consist of Uncle Gottfried asking me questions about Jesus’ parables. For those who haven’t met Uncle Gottfried, he’s a regular around Rainbow. In German the name Gottfried means man of peace or God’s peace. Like … Continue reading →

Special thanks to Tanya Ortman for sharing the following reflection and blessing last Sunday at Rainbow: I grew up east of the small town of Freeman, SD. The Freeman area is home to several Mennonite churches, two of which are … Continue reading →

When I was baptized in 1995, I remember asking my dad, who was the pastor, whether I would change or somehow be different as a result of baptism. He delivered a long, thoughtful pause before saying, “I believe something happens.” … Continue reading →

Many people try to make connections between Jesus and jazz.  For example, Jay McDaniel writes that, “jazz is about about creating music that keeps listeners wondering what’s next, and finding a novel context within which to explore old truths…Relaxed yet … Continue reading →

“Catholic pt. in 405 wants communion before conversion. Please come asap.” I had only been a hospital student chaplain for a month. This was my first night on call, which meant I was the only chaplain on site in a … Continue reading →

When I arrived as Rainbow’s new pastor two years ago I was gifted with colorful slips of paper which had people’s worries, prayers, and hopes written on them. I reviewed these slips of paper recently and smiled when I read … Continue reading →

Thank you to Rainbow Music Ministries Director Roseann Penner Kaufman for writing the following guest blog post. This is my grandmother, Adelia Schmidt Goertz. She is 97 in this photo, and lived 5 more years, propelled mostly by her positive … Continue reading →

Last winter I felt as if I was preparing for Mennonite Mission Network’s (MMN) version of NCAA’s Selection Sunday. MMN was about to announce which Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) Units would continue and which units would close in August 2015. … Continue reading →