Autumn is a beautiful season for reflection and contemplation. No place is more appropriate for such musings as the Cascade Mountains near Leavenworth, Washington. Consider joining us September 17-20, 2023, at Ingalls Creek for the Aging Well Retreat! September 17-20, 2023 Aging Well: The Voyage of Life Retreat. Ingalls Creek Center for Faith, Calling and [...]
by Richard L. Bergstrom, D.Min. President, ChurchHealth/Re-Ignite In 1989 when I landed back in Bellingham after a difficult season of ministry, I found myself with extra time on my hands. I decided to use it to reconstruct my life up to that point utilizing a 3-ring notebook with plastic document protectors to hold my memorabilia. [...]
With great meticulousness and care, he placed his feathered hat, sword, cape, and signature leather boots at the bottom of a newly dug shallow grave. Then, reviewing the heroics of his past eight lives, he crowed, cried, and grudgingly resigned himself to giving up his career. The infamous Puss In Boots was retiring. Spoiler alert: [...]
Available December 2022 EMERGING Boomers Speak Out About Life In and Beyond the Pandemic by Richard and Leona Bergstrom EMERGING is about Boomers coming out of the COVID Pandemic. The Pandemic impacted every single person in all generations around the entire world. And, in one form or another, each one of us suffered illness, [...]
Please join a conversation about life after the pandemic. Richard and Leona Bergstrom, Directors of Re-Ignite and authors of Third Calling: What are you doing the rest of your life? are hosting a gathering (both live and virtual) on Saturday, April 9 at 10 am PDT to discuss what impact the pandemic has had on our [...]
Like so many Boomers, we are encountering what it means to downsize, or as some call it, “right-size.” We find the whole process unearths deep feelings, longings, regrets, memories, and usually, a few arguments. It is no simple matter to trim down the number of our material goods. And sometimes, it is just plain excruciatingly hard [...]
Autumn is the wonderful season of the year when the world vibrates with the Creator’s colorful artistry. I love it. I love the challenges presented by the fall season as children head back to school and ministries start new programs. The air is electric with anticipation and hope. The autumn also is the time for [...]
NFL commentators are AGEIST. There. I said it. As a nation, we are increasingly aware of our shared intolerance for discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, and religious preference. Nonetheless, we can’t quite seem to grasp how bias and prejudice based on a person’s age harm our lives. And these negative preconceptions thrive—in the media, [...]
Let the games begin! On July 23rd, the world will finally get to watch its best athletes compete in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. After a one-year delay due to COVID 19, stadiums, tracks, gymnasiums, and pools will host over 11,000 athletes and almost no fans. Sadly, pandemic protocol means the rivalry and revelry will [...]
We in the Pacific Northwest treasure our Orcas. If you are fortunate enough to spot one or a pod of these beautiful black and white “killer” whales in the Puget Sound, you understand the meaning of “electrifying.” They are majestic, graceful, purposeful, and magnificent. To Native Americans, they symbolize family bonds, the strength of community, [...]
