Pastor Walter Hermanns appeared on Milwaukee ABC affiliate channel 12 on December 13, on the program "A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities." The documentary was produced by Debra Gonsher Vinik for the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC), a coalition of Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Orthodox and Protestant faith groups.

Pastor Walter was filmed during lthe Definitely Abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE) at the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans last July. DAYLE drew 31 high school youth and young adults, plus parents, staff and volunteers.

Hermanns described his frustration with God when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but said he realized that it was God who opened up Scripture to him, inviting him to a deeper relationship and surrounding him with friends.

"That was the turning point for me — that I understood God was a God of compassion who was struggling, and suffering and also growing along with me," Hermanns said.

Hermanns said he hoped that his participation in DAYLE would inspire participants to consider church service as a career. "The church is people with disabilities as well as people who are 'temporarily abled,'" he said.

View the program trailer here.

Keenagers Meet February 16

Jhon Freddy Correa will dedicate the third week in January to one of the three remaining courses required for the completion of his Master of Divinity degree. After completing the January course, Jhon Freddy will then register for two additional courses during the spring semester at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

In addition to his classwork, Jhon Freddy is full-time intern pastor, serving both Emmaus and Redeemer.

The worship services during Advent have had record attendance, with more than 200 persons attending several of the services conducted in Spanish. Currently the stipend for Jhon Freddy, his tuition, and the costs for the Latino ministry depend on specially designated gifts and grants for that purpose.

The Fireside Exchange will continue to meet in the Fireside Room on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. New members are always welcome.

Here are the titles the Fireside Exchange will discuss: February 8: The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich. March 8: A Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthanne Lum McCunn. April 12: Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult. May 10: The Quickie by James Patterson.

The morning book club meetings are scheduled in the Fireside Room at 10:00 on the third Thursday of the month. This month's meeting will be February 18.

Julia Durand Crosses Century Mark

She married Laurier E. Durand in 1933; he was a great supporter of her nursing work. He died in 1989; they had no children of their own.