St. John Catholic Church as well as some college students decided to journey this summer to tornado-ravaged Joplin, MO, in a mission trip to help others. In the process, they also helped themselves. They are our story in this week's Hartland Stories of Faith. The Journey: Putting Faith Into Action Fr. Francis George, pastor of St. John Catholic Church said, “I think the mission trip was an opportunity for the kids to really put their faith in action.” From July 18-23, the St. John's group helped victims of the Joplin, MO, tornado, said Jonathan Hill, C.Y.M. Its members rode 16 hours in a …

Christian life and service go hand in hand. Sometimes those hands are holding a needle and thread, or some other tool to make something creative and helpful. This week’s Hartland Stories of Faith focuses on one such group as well as helpful events at All Saints Lutheran Church. Creative Saints Pitch In An ongoing ministry at All Saints Lutheran Church, Creative Saints usually meets the first Monday of each month at noon at the church unless a holiday — or summertime — interferes.   Members work on creative projects that serve others, said Jeannie Kummler, who, along with Susan Happel, co-…

Though it’s located in Brighton Township, St. Mary Magdalen Parish is a place of worship for many people in the Hartland and Brighton communities — so it is the focus of today’s Hartland Stories of Faith. The church recently began Ichthus, a half-hour contemporary service that takes place starting at 10:30 a.m. in the north room of the church. Leader Alan Pittel said this new experience tries to offer something the other services don't have. They end just in time to be able to attend 11 a.m. Mass. Ichthus is described in the literature available at the service as incorporating "contemporary …

This week’s Hartland Stories of Faith highlights a “fun”-raiser that took place Saturday night: church members of The River on 59 hosted an event including euchre and a silent auction designed to aid the church’s upcoming Guatemala mission trips. Why Guatemala? There is a disproportionately large number of widows and children in Guatemala due to years of conflict, explained Randy Mannor, director of children’s ministry for The River on 59. “Up in the mountains, there is a great need," he said. "It’s definitely a third-world country.” Multiple mission trips, also called “compassion trips,” …

About 70 students voyaged this week in a "High Seas Expedition" version of vacation Bible school at All Saints Lutheran Church in Hartland. The enjoyable and entertaining interactive program divided students into 11 groups, all sea-related names, including jellyfish, sea turtle, whale, dolphin, sea horse, crab, shark, stingray, pelican, seagull and the octopus. They would rotate through several activities, including acting out Biblical stories, learning Bible verses, and watching a short movie with religious themes, said Angela Gordon, 23, who served as this year’s vacation Bible school …

I had a vague idea of digging deeper into the Bible when I first joined a “life group” session in 2009, but I’ve gained much more than expected. That first group, organized by The River at 59, ate together, discussed various topics or themes, prayed together at the start and end of each meeting (and sometimes cried together). The interactive nature of the studies didn’t just stop when we left the meeting hosts’ door: We also had regular “homework.” One of the things that made me breathe easier, though I didn’t think much about it at first, was the policy we all agreed on right away during the…

Chances are you know a great event or program at your church or another one in the Hartland area community. Hartland Stories of Faith is a new column that will feature those programs and those behind them. Let’s take a look at this week’s featured churches: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, All Saints Lutheran Church and St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Parish. You’re the sole caregiver of someone who’s ill.  Perhaps you’ve had a death in the family. Or maybe you’ve lost your job. And someone’s standing on your last nerve…. Your pastor's terrific, but he's swamped. You don't want to burden …

Chances are you know a great event or program at your church or another one in the Hartland area community. Hartland Stories of Faith is a new column that will feature those programs and those behind them. Let’s take a look at this week’s featured church: Hartland United Methodist Church. Charity garden to benefit food bank Hartland United Methodist Church had not one, but two recent events that were designed to help people near and far. The first event, which took place in conjunction with the United Methodist Change the World Day, involved church members out on a rather gloomy-looking …