Recent content from Jean Hopfensperger
Earth Day 'Big Sing' comes to Minneapolis church
Group sings, once mainly religious, are being embraced by social activists — including on Earth Day.
2 Easters, 3 languages and a community of faith at Trinity Lutheran
150-year-old Trinity Lutheran keeps its welcoming arms wide open
At Apple Valley worship service, faith and ravioli make a nice pairing
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church offers potluck smack in the middle of the service.
First clergy abuse settlement approved in Minnesota
The Crosiers, a small religious order in Onamia, will pay $25 million to 67 abuse victims.
American Indian teens head to Vatican, hoping to overturn historic papal decrees
They formed the basis of the so-called Doctrine of Discovery, which shapes U.S. Indian policy to this day and haunts Indians' well-being, the group says.
St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese objects to Crosier abuse settlement
Abuse victims argue late objection puts their hard-fought settlement in jeopardy.
Shakopee church keeps Easter passion play tradition alive
Passion plays date to the Middle Ages and are still popular in Minnesota.
Archdiocese bankruptcy is dragging on, taking toll on all
Victims and parishes in Twin Cities Archdiocese dwell in uncertainty as bankruptcy enters its fourth year with no settlement in sight.
Study shows why young Catholics leave the church
There are the growing numbers of young Catholics leaving the church — the focus of a new national study to examine why they're departing and where they're landing.
St. Cloud Diocese to declare bankruptcy after sex abuse claims
It's the fourth such bankruptcy in Minnesota.
Rev. Billy Graham rose to prominence during his years in Twin Cities
Graham's footprints still seen at University of Northwestern, KTIS.
Obituary: David Zwick, a "Nader Raider" and clean water pioneer, dies
David Zwick was a student at Harvard Law School in the early 1970s when he joined a group of promising attorneys working with consumer activist Ralph Nader. He wound up heading a groundbreaking study of the nation's water pollution and launching the first grass-roots clean water movement.
Torah Yoga: A new path to Jewish teachings
It is among a variety of faith-based yoga practices now being embraced by Minnesotans.
Floating Mercy Ships hospital offers free medical care to Africa's poor
Ten Minnesotans are among the volunteers helping with care.
Does God have a hand in Super Bowl? Minn. faithful weigh in
One in four Americans believe God plays a role in athletic games.
St. Louis Park synagogue has great Super Bowl offer, few takers
Just one group of seven — a family from Boston — took up the offer of housing.
Faith and football combine at unusual Super Bowl event
Nearly a thousand faithful celebrated at an official Super Bowl event that put the spotlight on one of Minnesota's less glitzy claims to fame — its national leadership in multifaith cooperation.
Westminster Presbyterian Church opens gleaming expansion to downtown Minneapolis landmark
A landmark downtown Minneapolis church opens its doors to the future.
Minnesota monk rescues ancient manuscripts from threats around the world
The Rev. Columba Stewart and his team at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville use digital photography to permanently preserve the treasures for the world to see.
Salvation Army's good deeds grow from little-known church
Salvation Army's mission stems from distinct Protestant sect.
New CEO of Minnesota Council of Churches a true believer in reconciliation
Curtiss DeYoung's unlikely track included Washington, D.C., South Africa and Chicago.
Trump's move to call Jerusalem Israel's capital draws criticism, praise in Minn.
While some state religious leaders praised the president's decision to break with longstanding U.S. policy, others were nervous.
Burnsville church is among the nation's fastest growing
Berean Baptist Church ranking is based on the annual survey of Protestant churches by Lifeway Research and published in Outreach magazine.
Obituary: Charlie Warner was 'heart and soul' of Minnesota's affordable housing efforts
An upbeat, gregarious man with a deep knowledge of housing policy, Warner inspired generations of Twin Cities leaders, one said.
Acclaimed Saint John's Bible gets permanent home
Collegeville now hosts one of the few hand-scripted Bibles created in the past century.
Twin Cities chaplain receives award from an unlikely source
Dale Swan is a hospice chaplain best known for visiting hundreds of terminally ill patients. He provides not just spiritual support but everything from birthday parties to mock college graduations to veterans' events.
Can you be good without God? Most U.S. adults now say yes
In a new poll, 56 percent of adults surveyed say you can be a good person without divine faith.
'Lutheran is not Lake Wobegon': After 500 years, faith expands to new cultures
The denomination, eroding in Europe and the United States, is being embraced by thousands in other countries -- and they're shaking up the old rituals.
Martin Luther celebration spirit sweeps Minnesota
Martin Luther is the star of symphony, song and celebration as 500th anniversary draws to a close.
Marriage to a minister is mixed blessing, survey finds
A new survey of pastor spouses, conducted by LifeWay Research, found many feel isolated with few close friends and considerable financial worries.
Minnesota Muslim-Jew alliances multiply in new political climate
Thanks to groundwork laid by religious leaders over the years, and jolted by heightened anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic tensions, Minnesota leaders of the two faiths are forging new alliances and bolstering existing ones.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda has embraced Minnesota — and his flock
Archbishop Bernard Hebda never expected to land in the Twin Cities, but he embraced Minnesota life.
Mpls. church seeks for earth to power its heavenly work
The faithful at Mount Olive Lutheran Church just wanted to make their 80-year-old building energy-efficient, a tangible step to care for God's creation. They didn't know they'd be blazing a trail for geothermal heating.
Names of 3 more St. John's Abbey priests who sexually abused children are released
The Collegeville abbey still has more than 60 lawsuits pending.
Minnesotans gear up to help hurricane victims in Texas, Florida and at home
Relief workers and volunteers are heading to Texas, and now Florida, to help storm victims.
American Protestants believe more like Catholics, survey finds
Some U.S. Protestants are unaware of the Reformation, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center.
Archdiocese bankruptcy plans face off in court
Judge hears competing plans to settle the claims, assigns the archdiocese some homework.
Obituary: Bill Hirabayashi, 93, survived internment camp
Bill Hirabayashi was eager to enlist in the U.S. Army after Japan bombed the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in 1941. At the recruitment…
Bloomington Islamic Center picks up pieces after explosion
Mohamed Omar, the center's executive director, was daunted by the prospects of hosting a community event Tuesday night expected to draw thousands of supporters. But he was also very grateful.
Tourist season fills Minnesota churches Up North
As Twin Cities churches lament their empty pews this time of year, the metro faithful can be found in the chapels of lakeside towns.
REVIEW: 'The Unwomanly Face of War,' by Svetlana Alexievich
NONFICTION: This oral history by Nobel winner Svetlana Alexievich gives voice to the hundreds of thousands of women who served in World War II.
Minneapolis gathering highlights growing global role of Lutheran women
The triennial gathering of the Women of the ELCA, running through Sunday, shows how the rank and file has been carving its own path in Lutheran service.
Shobi's Table food truck church serves up food and faith
Minnesota's first food truck church delivers the gospel and a calzone while offering a model in how to spread the Good News in the 21st century.
Voice of America holds town hall on Somali measles outbreak
Discussion of community's suspicions and worries was broadcast on Voice of America.
First 'TriFaith Fourth' brings religious diversity to July 4
A group of Christians, Muslims and Jews is holding the metro's first "TriFaith Fourth of July."
Gregorian chants get a sacred encore and a showcase in St. Paul
Experts and students of the ancient sacred music have gathered at the University of St. Thomas for what is billed as "the most in-depth teaching conference ... on sacred music in the world."
Objections to Twin Cities Archdiocese bankruptcy plans air in court
Archdiocese doesn't have to liquidate its assets, judge says.
Lou Anne Kling, legendary farm advocate in Minnesota and nation, dies at 77
The activist, national farm advocacy educator and former U.S. Department of Agriculture manager died May 17.
Judge laments $15M in legal fees in Twin Cities archdiocese bankruptcy
The victims, not lawyers, should benefit, Judge Robert Kressel said, adding "it bothers me so much."
DeYoung is new CEO of Minnesota Church Council
Interfaith social justice leader to replace the Rev. Peg Chemberlin.
Chemberlin retires as MN Council of Churches CEO
The Rev. Peg Chemberlin led Minnesota Council of Churches for more than two decades.
Bible apps with 'the most sought-after content in the world' grow in popularity
No one is predicting the demise of the Good Book. But the Greatest Story Ever Told is increasingly being spiced up with photos, video, 3-D graphics, maps and social media shares.
Suit: Crookston bishop threatened to retaliate against abuse victim
Lawsuit accuses Crookston bishop of threatening alleged abuse victim and failing to report abuse.
Mount Zion celebrates 160 years of Jewish life in Minnesota
Members of Mount Zion temple celebrated a historic anniversary Sunday for Minnesota's Jewish community — the 1856 founding of Mount Zion as the state's first Jewish congregation. Born before Minnesota was a state, Mount Zion put Minnesota on the map for the early waves of Jewish immigrants to the Midwest and laid the foundation for a community of about 45,000 today.
Minn. church leaders wary of Trump's order blurring line with politics
The order allows religious leaders to endorse and campaign for political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status. But many leaders say it opens the door to more.
Churches trade old names for new and younger members
Rebranding, long a strategy in the business world, is taking off in congregations hoping to attract newcomers, update their images and shed any negative perceptions of their denominations.
Minn. 'Eco-Palm' project sends nearly 1 million palms to churches
It started as a Palm Sunday experiment. A Minnesota forestry professor tested the idea of offering environmentally friendly palms to churches to protect the forests in Central America and to support the palm laborers' communities.
Peter Laird, Archbishop Nienstedt's former top deputy, leaves priesthood
Laird, who resigned post in 2013 as clergy abuse controversy exploded, had urged Archbishop Nienstedt to resign.
Not so fast! Most Minn. Catholics CAN eat meat this St. Patrick's Day
Corned beef is back on the plate, with lifting of no-meat mandate this Friday.
Complaint puts New Age healers on Minnesota regulators' radar
A former client is claiming Mas Sajady's supernatural healings are tantamount to practicing medicine, and he should follow state regulations for alternative health care.
New Ulm bankruptcy makes Minnesota No. 1 in church bankruptcies
It's the 16th Catholic religious organization in the nation to seek protection from clergy sex abuse claims made through a 2013 state law.
Ashes To Go puts a speedy twist on Ash Wednesday for the time crunched
Minnesota churches join in growing national trend.
Minnesota parents lobby for kids at 'Dyslexia Day' at State Capitol
Families seek programs and state support for students struggling to read.
'Like the Cold War': Minnesota Russian community worried
Minnesota's Russian-speaking community is reacting to growing tensions between Russia and the Trump administration with a mix of concern, curiosity and skepticism.
God, Allah, Buddha, Great Spirit: Minnesota hospital chaplains adapt to diversity
More than 520,000 patients checked into Minnesota hospitals last year, carrying religious baggage that wasn't as neatly packed as it used to be.
Surrogacy is the latest reproductive rights debate at the Minnesota Capitol
Battle pits infertile couples against faith groups, who call it "renting a womb."
Priest's research sheds light on lesser-known Holocaust atrocity – mass shootings
He spoke about mass shootings at Remembrance Day event.
Archdiocese abuse victims to vote on bankruptcy plans
Survivors of clergy abuse will vote for one of two competing compensation plans, or none of the above.
Sister Joan Tuberty, Catholic Charities' most unusual resident, moves on
At an age when most Minnesotans ease into a cushy retirement, Sister Joan Tuberty moved her worldly belongings into a tiny apartment in a 95-bed…
January: In the land of Luther, church pews are mostly empty
On the streets where Martin Luther preached, about 85 percent of residents have no religion, 40-plus years after Soviet rule ingrained a deep skepticism of God and religion.
'It's a Wonderful Life,' Minnesota style
A Minneapolis church has concocted a formula to remind everyday heroes that their lives have made a difference — albeit without the help of actor Jimmy Stewart and an unlikely guardian angel.
Nativity plays are drawing one and all – in Minnesota and abroad
If Mary and Joseph were looking for a little alone time after Jesus was born, it’s a good thing they weren’t searching for an inn…
Obituary: Jim Torok, Univac physicist and jazz musician
Ernest James "Jim" Torok was a physicist with more than 40 patents to his name, as well as the leader of a Dixieland jazz band…
Meteorologist Paul Douglas hopes to bridge Christian climate change debate
Paul Douglas is one of Minnesota’s best-known meteorologists, delivering weather reports with a droll sense of humor. But he’s dead serious in a lesser-known side…
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