News and notes from the congregations of the diocese.
Trinity, Arkansas City offered a book study in Lent on The Third Day: Living the Resurrection by Tom Berlin
St. Paul’s, Clay Center participates in the Backsnacks program that provides supplemental food for elementary-school children, to combat weekend hunger. This program, sponsored by Harvesters, is available during the school year. St. Paul’s delivers about 70 BackSnacks each week to Garfield and Lincoln schools in Clay Center.
St. Paul’s, Coffeyville collects items such as diapers, paper products, canned goods, etc. each Sunday to donate to Genesis which distributes the items to those in need in the community.
Trinity, El Dorado is celebrating signs of growth and new life including: a great turnout from the community for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, five parishioners will be confirmed and 3 will be reaffirmed in June, and the church recently started a “Save the Nave” campaign to repair the roof following a recent storm. Trinity has already raised half of the funds to complete the repairs.
St. Martin’s, Edwardsville held a work day to care for the property surrounding the church to “explore ways to preserve and improve this precious resource for the purpose of not only conservation but also promotion” in the words of the church’s rector, the Rev. Laird McGregor
St. Andrew’s, Emporia hosted Canon Lisa Senuta to present at the church’s Young Adult Ministry on healing from “religious trauma.” The presentation was part of a series offered by the Canterbury ministry to ESU students and young adults in the church and community. The group gathers on Sunday evenings to share a meal, fellowship, and meaningful conversations about faith.
St. Mary’s, Galena parishioners attended the ordination of the Rev. Caroline Howard and have welcomed her with enthusiasm as vicar. The church held a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper that was open to the public. Mother Caroline taught a catechism class during Lent. The church continues to maintain the blessing box in front of the church which is accessed by many people in the neighborhood.
Church of the Epiphany, Independence held a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and decorated the tables with red roses and napkins as a nod to Valentines Day.
Covenant, Junction City held an Easter Egg Hunt for children which was a was “a perfect blessing from God as the kids joyfully searched for eggs,” according to the parish.
St. Pauls, Kansas City welcomed the bishop in March for confirmations followed by a brunch and forum.
St. Anselm’s Canterbury House, Lawrence held a work day where students and volunteers did yard work, repaired the front door, and cleaned out the basement. The student Peer Ministers have offered recent programs on contemplative prayer and the connections between food and faith at the ministry’s weekly Tuesday night program.
St. Margaret’s, Lawrence continues its small group ministry called “Life Groups,” which meeting for reflection, discussion, and prayer. Current groups meet in the evening twice a month—one group on Wednesday and one on Thursday. Sessions have focused on the “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John; the Seven Last Words of Christ; the Sunday lectionary; the Book of Common Prayer; and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s book Love Is the Way, to name just a few.
Trinity, Lawrence kicked off Lent by holding their annual Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday, with a free-will offering that went go to camp scholarships for Mega Camp. Mother Jenn offered a Lenten sermon series and adult forum series on “Going into the Urban Desert: Finding God.” The church is continuing to build its response to the community through a variety of ministries and thoughtful consideration of how it can increase care for the unhoused in Lawrence through its ministries and in partnership with other organizations.
St. Francis Canterbury House, Manhattan held a work day where students, alumni, and volunteers gathered to do yard work, clean up, and improvement projects to the house. Students haven enjoyed recent Monday night programs on discernment and vocation, and a series on the Trinity.
St. Paul’s, Manhattan marched in the Little Apple Pride Festival at City Park and hosted a table in the park pavilion to connect with members of the community.
Church of the Ascension, Neodesha served heart shaped pancakes with strawberry syrup at its Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, and proceeds were donated to the Neodesha Food Pantry.
St. Francis of Assisi, Overland Park is working on a new scatter garden that will set near the existing prayer garden. The scatter garden will be made up of wildflowers and inspired by Bethany Garden’s in Topeka. There will also be a memorial wall to honor those whose ashes are scattered there.
St. Thomas’, Overland Park held a community thrift sale with items donated by church members and raised $7000 to support youth attending this summer’s mission trip to Chicago.
St. John’s, Parsons hosted the annual Chrism Mass for the clergy of the diocese on Tuesday of Holy Week. Clergy gathered from across the diocese to worship, fellowship, and renew their ordination vows.
St. Luke’s, Shawnee collected donations of Easter toys and candy during Lent. The church’s youth group helped stuff Easter eggs with candy for the parish Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday.
Grace Cathedral, Topeka provides items for basic living to community members through making sack lunches, Blessing Bags (containing shelf-stable food items), and Sharing Table (hygiene items). On a recent Saturday: 40 loaves of bread were made into peanut butter & jelly sandwiches; 36 Blessing Bags distributed; and the Sharing Table was practically empty by 10:30 a.m. During the first quarter of this year the Sharing Table has provided 1,061 items to 147 people.
St. David’s, Topeka The children and youth of the parish created the Episcopal Shield with discarded plastic lids and described its meaning and symbolism to the congregation. The youth are ages 5-18.
St. Luke’s, Wamego started a fundraiser for camper scholarships to the diocesan summer camp program. There is a table in the Guild Hall where parishioners can leave an item they think someone else might enjoy or need. Then, if someone wants it, they can share a small donation.
Good Shepherd, Wichita coordinates a Laundry Love ministry where every second Tuesday of the month, volunteers meet at Spring Clean Laundry and provide quarters, detergent, and fabric softener for those who are struggling to cover the expense of laundry.
St. Bartholomew’s, Wichita honored parishioners Danny and Beth Hutchins as Volunteers of the Year for 2023. The parish newsletter stated that the couple “have been involved in more activities and projects than we can list.” And that in addition to helping with a variety of outreach ministries over the years, “Beth has been Senior Warden, ECW President, Altar Guild member, and Reader. Danny has been our sole acolyte for many years, has been a Reader, and a chef-deluxe! Both have served multiple terms on the Vestry, and Danny has been a regular in the Southwest Convocation/Convention Delegate rotation.” The church typically gives the award to one volunteer, but decided to recognize them together, since the couple so often does things as a team,
St. James, Wichita held its 93rd Annual Olde English Tea in the parish’s Guild Hall to support Episcopal Social Services, St. James Refugee Outreach Program, and St. James outreach ministries.
Grace, Winfield offered a book study in Lent on The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr.
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