Compassion is something we all call for-for ourselves and for others. It seems to be a center of being human. But the word means “to suffer with.” Is it automatic to choose to suffer with another? How far are we willing to go?

Jim Arends has served as bishop of the La Crosse Area Synod (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amereica) since 2008. He is planning to retire when his term ends, August 31, 2020. He did most of his growing up in the tourist country of northern Minnesota. He is a graduate of Walker High School, Augsburg College (Minneapolis), and Luther Seminary (St Paul). He has served parishes in the Minnesota communities of Brooklyn Center, Geneva, Spring Grove, and La Crescent. Jim and Lynn have been married for 46 years. They have four children and six grandchildren.