News and notes from the congregations of the diocese.
Trinity, Arkansas City particpated in a community Thanksgiving service with the Ark City Ministerial Alliance. The service featured music from local church musicians and student soloists. The sermon was given by Jack Dixon of Shepherd’s Grace Church and focused on a message of unity.
St. Paul’s, Coffeyville hosted its 18th annual coat run October 19, 2024. Motorcycle riders gathered in the St. Paul’s parking lot to drop off coats and monetary donations for those less fortunate, then were given a police escort to the American Legion for a chili lunch. The event raised over $5,000 and collected dozens of coats, which are distributed through local elementary schools. Cash funds are used to help the elementary schools obtain needed supplies, and purchase additional coats throughout the winter.
St. Andrew’s, Derby held its first “Evening in the Woods” in which members of the parish gathered around the campfire in the wooded area of the church grounds and had hot dogs, s’mores, fellowship, and closed with Compline. Also in October, a meeting was held with Andy Houltberg, CEO of Breakthrough/Episcopal Social Services and members of the Breakthrough Clubhouse to plan a community garden on the grounds of St. Andrew’s. Produce from the garden will provide food for meals at the Breakthrough Clubhouse.
Trinity, El Dorado commemorated St. Francis with its annual Blessing of the Animals and Care of Creation service held at the church’s Labyrinth. The church also hosted a Safe Church Training, held a viewing party of the Investiture of The Right Reverend Sean Rowe as the Twenty-Eight Presiding Bishop, and participated in many community outreach programs, such as the community-wide Main Street Trick or Treat. The church continues to support the Salvation Army by collecting peanut butter and canned food for the local pantry. Plus, the church provides monetary support to The Family Life Safe House Center, RISE, and the Salvation Army prior to the upcoming Holiday Season.
St. Andrew’s, Emporia hosted a cookie decorating event for the children of the parish to prepare cookies for the Emporia Christmas Parade, Christmas Serenade, and the church’s Christmarket events. Members of the parish also restored the city owned Nativity, and it was installed in front of the church on Dec. 2.
St. Mary’s, Galena collected school supplies for the local elementary school in August. They held a fund-raiser chili supper in October to help fund the monthly dinner provided at Watered Gardens homeless shelter and shopped for Christmas presents for their adopted family.
St. Thomas, Holton supports the Jackson County Ministerial Alliance Food pantry in a variety of ways throughout the year. The parish provides goods and funds for fundraisers throughout the year. In November, the parish accepted the call to stock the pantry. The parishioners donated requested items: soup, peanut butter, pasta and sauce and kids canned pasta and more. The ministry typically serves around 75 adults, 40 children and 50 seniors. The number of new families requesting food continues to increase and the pantry is serving around 75 families each month. The quote in the picture is posted in the Food Pantry.
St. Timothy’s, Iola held its annual casserole caravan for the outreach fundraiser. Volunteers made 619 casseroles of four different types in four different sizes. This is almost double the number of casseroles produced for the fundraiser in 2023. The church raised $ 4,829 to support its outreach in the community and beyond. The church also delivered goodie bags filled with granola bars, fruit snacks, and candy to the Iola National Guard Armory to thank thank them for their service.
Church of the Epiphany, Independence held its annual Holiday Craft Fair and Cookie Market on Dec. 7 to raise funds for the parish’s community outreach. Elsa Hester provided a handmade quilt to be raffled at the event.
Church of the Covenant, Junction City received an Alleluia Grant for $1500 to assist them in utilizing a large vacant city lot to encompass both a community vegetable garden and prayer garden. The vegetable and pollinator garden will augment their current community meal program that helps in relieving food insecurity in the community. Vegetables will be prepared and cooked for the community meals as well as provided in packages for attendee distribution. The prayer garden will provide outreach to their neighborhood for meditative prayer and to invite neighbors to worship at Covenant by adding outdoor space for church worship.
St. Pauls, Kansas City held a house blessing service and reception to celebrate the completion of renovations to the parish rectory and to welcome its new residents, Fr. Daniel Mafla and his family. The service was held on Sep. 28 and was attended by members of the parish, the surrounding community, as well as other local clergy, and members of neighboring Episcopal churches. The Episcopal service of house blessing, or Celebration of a Home, is a liturgy in the Book of Occasional Services. The service began outside on the front lawn and then moved inside where prayers were said to bless the various rooms of the home. Following the service a reception was held to celebrate featuring local dancers and musicians.
St. Anselm’s Canterbury House, Lawrence On October 24 students from the Canterbury House Lawrence visited Naismith Residence Hall to bless freshman Oliver Zigmund’s pet freshwater lobster, Pickle.
St. Margaret’s, Lawrence provided meals for Family Promise, which supports families in housing crises, on November 24 and 25. And the church will hold a celebration of new ministry service on Dec. 10 to welcome its new Rector, Fr. Tom Baker.
Trinity, Lawrence served 394 familes in October through the Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry, and the church helped settle a Venezuelan refugee family, providing furnished housing upon their arrival in early December.
St. Francis Canterbury House, Manhattan went for a hike on the Konza Prairie on September 23. The Rev. Shawn Sherraden of St. John’s, Abilene joined the students and led a Compline service from a beautiful lookout over the prairies at sunset.
St. Paul’s, Manhattan hosted Caroling on the Corner after the Poyntz Avenue Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade on December 6 with hot cider and cookies. The singing followed the conclusion of the parade.
Church of the Ascension, Neodesha gather packaged snacks, juice boxes, and cereal to assemble Blessing Bags to provide food for 18 students in the HeadStart program during the winter school break.
Grace, Ottawa celebrated St. Francis Day with a special blessing of the animals. Members of the Ottawa University Volleyball Team volunteered to set up and help with the service.
St. Francis of Assisi, Overland Park recently broke ground on the church’s scatter garden. It will be a space for prayer and reflection, and will be in the shape of a cross, big enough to be seen from a fly over! This is purposeful since there are a lot of hot air balloons that fly in the area. The garden will also be a place for several of our past members to spread the remains of their loved ones. It will connect to the church’s fire pit and outdoor altar. The church would like to offer special thanks to Janette Everhart and Margie Cummins for helping the vision become a reality.
St. Thomas’, Overland Park received an Alleluia Grant for $3000 to support new and ongoing ministry in the community with immigrants. The church has supported KC Refugees, Catholic Charities Immigration, and several other partner organizations with drives for hygiene kits. In 2021 the parish was called to support 2 families when the US withdrew from Afghanistan. Funding from this grant will be used to pay for background checks for volunteers, ESL Books, classes, resources, emergency funding for immigrant families currently serving, educational materials and training for volunteers, and software support for the ministry.
St. John’s, Parsons served Thanksgiving Dinner to members of the community. Guests had the option to have their meal in the parish hall or to take their food to go. Almost 90 guests were served.
St. Peter’s, Pittsburg held its annual Blessing of the Animals on October 6 in the church’s Memorial Garden. Dogs, cats, and even baby turtles were blessed. The church also hosted its annual Oktoberfest on October 20th. Following the Eucharistic service, grilled bratwurst, beer and sides brought by parishioners was served outside.
Epiphany, Sedan Bible Study is offerning a Bible study, discussing “Light of the World” by Amy Jill Levine during Advent. The church’s St. Agnes guild will also be adopting a family in need for the holidays.
St. Luke’s, Shawnee received an Alleluia Grant for $1500 to grow their current Little Free Pantry by re-energizing and rebuilding their current and successful Little Free Panty and by adding the creation of a waterproof and winterproof Little Free Library. The food pantry is currently registered with the official registry of www.littlefreepantry.org. It is St. Luke’s intent to also provide a diverse library of books, including being a partner of the “Read in Color” program that makes available books representing diverse voices (Black, Indigenous, people of color; LGBTQ+) and perspectives on racism, and social justice to increase “understanding, empathy, and inclusion” and strengthen communities.
Grace Cathedral, Topeka received an Alleluia Grant for $2833 to expand their current Sack Lunch ministry by the addition of Milk as part of an expansion of the nutrition content offering for their neighbors. By including cartons of milk, they will provide calcium and other additional nutrients that will complement their peanut butter and jelly sack lunches.
St. David’s, Topeka is offering 30 minutes of Centering Prayer time every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the nave. Centering prayer is a contemplative prayer practice that focuses on sitting in God’s presence and listening. It is a way for Christians to open their hearts to God, and deepen their relationship with God. The sessions will begin with instruction on centering prayer or a short reflection, followed by time sitting in silence in God’s presence. The time of prayer will conclude with a brief reflection and/or prayer requests.
St. Luke’s, Wamego is offering Zoom Compline services on Monday and Wednesday evenings during Advent. Compline is a brief service of quietness and reflection, found in the Episcopal Church’s 1979 Book of Common Prayer, with roots that stretch at least as far back as the monastic communities of the 6th century. Participants will take a breath, create community away from social media, and pray for their needs and the needs of the world as the season of Christmas approaches.
Good Shepherd, Wichita will host a “Meager Meal” of soup, bread, and water each week during the Advent Season. With the busyness of the holiday season, the church seeks to hold a place for simplicity, peace, and fellowship. Through providng a modest meal, the program seeks to focus on building rich relationships while enjoying a carefree dinner and the blessing of connection.
St. Bartholomew’s, Wichita provides free clothing to those in need on the first Saturday of each month through the church’s “New to Me” clothing ministry. The church accepts clothing donations, then cleans, sorts, and marks the items before shoppers come each Saturday. The parish averaged 150 shoppers each month in 2024.
St. James, Wichita collected 65 blankets for donation to HumanKind Ministries. The blankets will be distributed to homeless shelters in the community.
St. John’s, Wichita is assisting St. Francis Ministries Kansas by providing Christmas gifts for children in the foster care system. Parishioners wishing to contribute simply select a tag from the church’s “Giving Tree” indicating the child’s gender and age and shop for the requested gifts.
Grace, Winfield Welcomed Bishop Bascom for the confirmation of parishioner Sheryl Young. The parish also opened its doors on Election Day for those who wanted to come and offer prayers for the election, the candidates, and the nation.
Calvary, Yates Center hosted the annual community Thanksgiving service on Sunday afternoon November 24. This service is sponsored by the Woodson County Ministerial Alliance. A lite meal was provided by members of Calvary. The congregation also gathered food items to be included in Thanksgiving boxes sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance and given for families in need.
835 SW Polk St.