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Pastor Libby Howe served as the interim pastor of NBC Lutheran from February 2024 through October 2025. During her interim period, she was tasked with helping us grow into a new parish relationship with Living Hope Lutheran Church in Ettrick. Pastor Libby has been ordained for 22 years and served in De Soto, La Crosse, and Viroqua, WI. Before she started interim ministry, she served as the Assistant to the Bishop in the La Crosse Area Synod (2009-2021) and the Congregational Coordinator for Peace and Justice Ministries (2022-2023). Pastor Libby grew up in Ohio and has also lived in North Carolina and Long Island, NY, but has loved living in Wisconsin the most. She loves spending time outdoors, reading, writing, cooking, and playing with her puppy, Addie.
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Pastor's Page - June 2024
Kids these days.
It's a statement usually said with a mix of disappointment and self-righteousness after describing some seemingly egregious breach of behavioral expectations, often following a story about days past “when I was that age.” Every older generation has bemoaned the tragedy of every younger generation and done their darndest to steer them straight on the path…whatever idealized path that may be. And every younger generation has endured our tsktsking and head shaking and become the next generation to do the same.
But, one of the greatest joys of being back in parish ministry again has been the kids these days. Since I started with NBC and Living Hope, I have loved being greeted warmly by Beti and Scarlett when they say “good morning” and hand me a bulletin (that I already have but I take it anyway so as not to give any hint of rejection). Or being surprised and delighted when Maddox or Cuinn give an even better answer than I could have imagined during a children's sermon. And Claire when she sang Mary’s song, the Magnificat, for Holden Evening Prayer, or Ethan’s accomplishments with the Civil Air Patrol. And then there are all the sports and academic achievements…Chase and Colby and Kale and Beau all play baseball and Ava plays volleyball and Blis was student of the month and we have 7 graduates who are ALL heading to college! There's so much to celebrate! Say it with me, loud and proud: Kids these days!!
I know it's summer now…and we may not see as much of our kids as we do when Sunday School is running and Confirmation classes are happening. But rest assured that those Kids of ours are doing good things and being good, kind humans in a world that seems to make that harder and harder every day. Of course parents and teachers and extended family have a lot to do with that, but a faith community bears responsibility for it, too. We get to intentionally promote an attitude of love and welcome for children…even and especially when we feel a tsktsk coming on. Do nothing that would send them away, Jesus said to his disciples. Let them come to me…God's world and promises and provisions belong to them.
The people of these two congregations do an incredibly good job of treating children and youth with love and respect. It is obvious that we believe Jesus when he tells us everything we have from him belongs to our littlest ones just as much. What's more is that they, the young ones, know it, too. As proof, and as a final word, I offer some of the best of their faith statements and sermon notes from this Spring. Enjoy…and thank God for our kids these days!
“I appreciate the times when I can relax, close my eyes, and feel the love of the Lord through others' voices and instruments. Knowing others love God and God loves me is a very comforting feeling. I feel happy in God's presence.” -Claire
“Mark 10:46-52 is one of my favorite Bible verses. The one about the blind man and Jesus helps him. I've connected with this story when I feel down because of friends or grades or personal problems.” -Julia
“I feel blessed that I have had the chance to learn about God and his love for me. I hope the lessons I have learned will help me be a faithful servant in my family and my community.” - Jacob
“I believe praying is very important and will make your relationship with God stronger. My grandma says we should pray continuously throughout our everyday life for everything going on in our life. I will try to always pray every day.” - Reilly
“I have seen God work and do great things toward me during tough times and deep struggles. I have also seen God help people grieve and feel better about lost loved ones.” - Sawyer
“After confirmation I plan to continue my journey with God. I plan to continue going to church and learning more about Christ's teachings. I feel that my future with Christ will be filled with love and forgiveness and a drive to be better every day.” - Marek
Kids these days. What a joy and privilege to know and love them.
Peace, Pastor Libby
It's a statement usually said with a mix of disappointment and self-righteousness after describing some seemingly egregious breach of behavioral expectations, often following a story about days past “when I was that age.” Every older generation has bemoaned the tragedy of every younger generation and done their darndest to steer them straight on the path…whatever idealized path that may be. And every younger generation has endured our tsktsking and head shaking and become the next generation to do the same.
But, one of the greatest joys of being back in parish ministry again has been the kids these days. Since I started with NBC and Living Hope, I have loved being greeted warmly by Beti and Scarlett when they say “good morning” and hand me a bulletin (that I already have but I take it anyway so as not to give any hint of rejection). Or being surprised and delighted when Maddox or Cuinn give an even better answer than I could have imagined during a children's sermon. And Claire when she sang Mary’s song, the Magnificat, for Holden Evening Prayer, or Ethan’s accomplishments with the Civil Air Patrol. And then there are all the sports and academic achievements…Chase and Colby and Kale and Beau all play baseball and Ava plays volleyball and Blis was student of the month and we have 7 graduates who are ALL heading to college! There's so much to celebrate! Say it with me, loud and proud: Kids these days!!
I know it's summer now…and we may not see as much of our kids as we do when Sunday School is running and Confirmation classes are happening. But rest assured that those Kids of ours are doing good things and being good, kind humans in a world that seems to make that harder and harder every day. Of course parents and teachers and extended family have a lot to do with that, but a faith community bears responsibility for it, too. We get to intentionally promote an attitude of love and welcome for children…even and especially when we feel a tsktsk coming on. Do nothing that would send them away, Jesus said to his disciples. Let them come to me…God's world and promises and provisions belong to them.
The people of these two congregations do an incredibly good job of treating children and youth with love and respect. It is obvious that we believe Jesus when he tells us everything we have from him belongs to our littlest ones just as much. What's more is that they, the young ones, know it, too. As proof, and as a final word, I offer some of the best of their faith statements and sermon notes from this Spring. Enjoy…and thank God for our kids these days!
“I appreciate the times when I can relax, close my eyes, and feel the love of the Lord through others' voices and instruments. Knowing others love God and God loves me is a very comforting feeling. I feel happy in God's presence.” -Claire
“Mark 10:46-52 is one of my favorite Bible verses. The one about the blind man and Jesus helps him. I've connected with this story when I feel down because of friends or grades or personal problems.” -Julia
“I feel blessed that I have had the chance to learn about God and his love for me. I hope the lessons I have learned will help me be a faithful servant in my family and my community.” - Jacob
“I believe praying is very important and will make your relationship with God stronger. My grandma says we should pray continuously throughout our everyday life for everything going on in our life. I will try to always pray every day.” - Reilly
“I have seen God work and do great things toward me during tough times and deep struggles. I have also seen God help people grieve and feel better about lost loved ones.” - Sawyer
“After confirmation I plan to continue my journey with God. I plan to continue going to church and learning more about Christ's teachings. I feel that my future with Christ will be filled with love and forgiveness and a drive to be better every day.” - Marek
Kids these days. What a joy and privilege to know and love them.
Peace, Pastor Libby
