Diocesan News
New gardens soon will sprout at historic Bethany Place
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Minsters
The Kansas Minster Project proposes a collaborative way of organizing ourselves for God’s mission in the Diocese of Kansas in the 21st century — it is a vision of our “branching pattern” for the Jesus Movement, a way of structuring to bear the Way of Love with new vigor.
Each of the diocese’s 11 minsters is a group of churches designed for mutual support and sharing of resources, so they can reach out to serve their neighborhoods and communities. They also ensure that every congregation is sacramentally cared for by the priests and deacons within each minster.
Task Forces
Seven task forces currently lead the diocese’s efforts to support action within our congregations and outwardly toward those in our neighborhoods, communities and beyond.
The seven task forces are Care of Creation; Children’s Ministries; Evangelism; Global Partnerships; Liturgy, Music and the Arts; Outreach; and Justice and Racial Reconciliation.
Covid Information
In light of the increase in COVID-19 cases across Kansas, on August 4, Bishop Bascom announced a new requirement: all people over two years of age – vaccinated and unvaccinated alike – must wear masks for all indoor worship and gatherings in Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Kansas beginning no later than Sunday, August 15, and continuing through October 1, 2021. At that time the mask policy will be reviewed, in consideration of COVID-19 cases and vaccination rates. Decisions about daily mask use in church offices is at the discretion of local leadership.
The move to universal masking is currently the only diocesan policy change. These three requirements from the Bishop’s May 20 guidance remain in effect:
- As you are able, allow space for socially distanced seating for those who choose.
- Communion may be distributed in the form of consecrated bread only; for now, the common cup (drinking and intinction) remains prohibited. We will continue to watch for new developments about the safety of the common cup.
- Registration, sign-ups or attendance records must continue to be used and records kept for one month.
Clergy may look for new recommendations regarding communion and safe approaches to fellowship and food from our office soon.
Read the full announcement here.
The weekly online diocesan spreadsheet of Covid-related statistics, which has been kept county-by-county since November, will continue to be updated and monitored by diocesan staff.
162nd Diocesan Convention
The 162nd annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas will take place Sat., Oct. 23, 2021, at Grace Cathedral in Topeka, KS
Convention this year will be offered via two options: in-person at Grace Cathedral or online via Zoom.
All clergy, delegates, alternates, and other attendees must register for convention whether they plan to attend in-person or via Zoom. Registration is online at this link: https://edok.formstack.com/forms/diocon2021. The registration deadline is Friday, October 1.
Visit the Convention page for more information.
Justice and Racial Reconciliation Task Force
The Justice and Racial Reconciliation Task Force was created to help the diocese live into its role as the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement in eastern Kansas, especially regarding issues of racial reconciliation, one of the three Jesus Movement areas of focus articulated by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
The task force supports the bishop and the Diocese of Kansas as we learn and grow in our awareness of the dynamics of racism and white supremacy in the church and our nation.
Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry
The mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry is to gather, equip, and send disciples of Jesus Christ to witness to God’s reconciling love.
We strive to accomplish this mission by providing quality programs and events that are biblically based for the entire diocese. Events and programs are designed for young people to experience opportunities in evangelism, spiritual formation, Christian leadership, mission, fellowship, Scripture, discernment and the Episcopal Church.
Bethany House and Garden
Bethany House and Garden is an innovative ministry of the diocese, centered in the historic building that has served over time as a laundry for a girl’s school, a private home, the bishop’s residence and the diocesan offices.
It offers garden space for prayer and meditation, spiritual direction, pastoral care and outdoor worship. Through community listening and engagement, it seeks to be a part of positive change. It also is in the planning stage of imagining what else it might be: demonstration gardens, prairie restoration or a patchwork quilt of ideas?
835 SW Polk St.